A RETURN TO THE CLINICAL POWER OF OUR ROOTS
Classical Chinese Herbal Alchemy
Classi Classi cal Pearls Pearls
A Division of Hai Shan Center, Inc. P.O. Box 402 Corbett, OR 97019 U.S.A Tel: 503.695.2985 Fax: 503.695.2968 www.classicalpearls.org
The Classical Pearls Herbal Formulas™ product line is an organic offspring of Dr. Heiner Fruehauf's prolific career in the research, teaching, and practice of Chinese medicine. Heiner is at the forefront of a global movement to return to the true roots of Chinese medicine.
Heiner Fruehauf, Ph.D., L.Ac. is the Founding Professor of the School of Classical Chinese Medicine at National College of Natural Medicine, and the clinical director of the Hai Shan Center for Natural Healthcare. He is an experienced herbal practitioner who has specialized in the treatment of chronic and difficult diseases for two decades. He is also an international author/lecturer who stands at the forefront of a global movement aimed at restoring the clinical efficacy of Chinese medicine by deepening the understanding of its theoretical foundation. Classical Pearls represents the culmination of his clinical and scholarly experience, as well as the passing of an herbal legacy through him and the many master practitioners he encountered during a life-time of research in China and Japan.
Classi Classi cal Pearls Pearls
A Division of Hai Shan Center, Inc. P.O. Box 402 Corbett, OR 97019 U.S.A Tel: 503.695.2985 Fax: 503.695.2968 www.classicalpearls.org
The Classical Pearls Herbal Formulas™ product line is an organic offspring of Dr. Heiner Fruehauf's prolific career in the research, teaching, and practice of Chinese medicine. Heiner is at the forefront of a global movement to return to the true roots of Chinese medicine.
Heiner Fruehauf, Ph.D., L.Ac. is the Founding Professor of the School of Classical Chinese Medicine at National College of Natural Medicine, and the clinical director of the Hai Shan Center for Natural Healthcare. He is an experienced herbal practitioner who has specialized in the treatment of chronic and difficult diseases for two decades. He is also an international author/lecturer who stands at the forefront of a global movement aimed at restoring the clinical efficacy of Chinese medicine by deepening the understanding of its theoretical foundation. Classical Pearls represents the culmination of his clinical and scholarly experience, as well as the passing of an herbal legacy through him and the many master practitioners he encountered during a life-time of research in China and Japan.
“To relieve the suffering of one’s time, there is no greater path than medicine. Within it, nothing is more effective than the prescription of herbs.” Imperial Imperial Patent Formulary Formulary to Aid the People (Taiping huimin heji jufang) 1107
Herbal
medicine was once the only modality to cure serious diseases. Today, the intricate alchemical principles and the experience based approach of traditional herbal science has become overshadowed by laboratory parameters—often to the detriment of clinical results. It is the mission of Classical Pearls to launch a return to the classical and clinic-based roots of Chinese herbal medicine: • • • • •
• • •
Emphasis on the alchemical integrity of classical formulas Focus on the synergistic “fusion” effect of herb combining Integrating the deepest classical level of understanding organ network physiology Attention to inherent yin-yang balance in formula design Flexible, experience based modification approach that addresses the clinical problems of our day Preservation of effective herbal approaches that are in danger of getting lost Highest standards of ingredient purity Promotion of traditional alchemical growing technique
OUR FORMULAS
Classical
Pearls Herbal Formulas™ are unique herbal formulations designed for the treatment of chronic diseases in modern-day practice. They represent the culmination of two decades of research by noted Chinese medicine scholar and herbalist, Heiner Fruehauf, Ph.D. •
•
•
Each formula batch is tested in independent laboratories for heavy metals, pathogenic bacteria, and pesticide/herbicide residues. All formulas are highly concentrated to a ratio of 10:1 or higher to minimize the number of capsules patients need to consume. All formulas are produced in cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practice) facilities in the U.S. and China.
TABLE OF CONTENTS APPLICATIONS INDEX GU FORMULAS THUNDER PEARLS
PAGE 1
LIGHTNING PEARLS
PAGE 3
DRAGON PEARLS
PAGE 5
WOOD BAMBOO PEARLS
PAGE 7
MOON PEARLS
PAGE 9
EASE PEARLS
PAGE 11
EVERGREEN PEARLS
PAGE 13
FIRE MAMA PEARLS
PAGE 15
PEACE PEARLS
PAGE 17
HEART PEARLS
PAGE 19
LOVE PEARLS
PAGE 21
COUNTERFLOW PEARLS
PAGE 23
EARTH VITALITY PEARLS
PAGE 25
GINKGO PEARLS
PAGE 27
EARTH PEARLS
PAGE 29
TIGER PEARLS
PAGE 33
SUGAR PEARLS
PAGE 35
TABLE OF CONTENTS
METAL PERILLA PEARLS
PAGE 37
GOLDEN PEARLS
PAGE 39
WIND PEARLS
PAGE 41
GLACIER PEARLS
PAGE 43
WATER OX BONE PEARLS
PAGE 45
GUANYIN PEARLS
PAGE 47
OCEAN PEARLS
PAGE 49
FUZI GRANULES FUZI
PAGE 51
RESOURCES
Professional Development Activity Sacred Chants Driving Out Demons and Snakes, Gu Syndrome, A Forgotten Clinical Approach to Chronic Parasitism Treating Chronic Inflammatory Diseases with Chinese Herbs: An Interview with Heiner Fruehauf on the Practical Applications of Gu Syndrome Thunder Pearls: An Effective Chinese Herbal Treatment for Chronic Parasitism
The Importance of Aconite (fuzi) & Teachings From the Sichuan Fire Spirit School Qianyang Dan - A Key Formula in the Sichuan Fire School (An In-Depth Interview with Heiner Fruehauf)
APPLICATIONS INDEX* ([ ] = formulas appear in order of importance with page numbers referenced)
--A-Acid reflux (GERD); Symptom complex of [Counterflow 23, Gingko27, Earth29] Acne pustules & other suppurative skin conditions [Golden 39, Perilla37, Lightning3, Earth29, Wind41] Adrenal imbalances; menopausal [Peace17, Love21 Heart19, Guanyin47] Airline travel (prevention of colds, food poisoning and jet lag) [Earth 29, Lightning3, Perilla37] Allergic asthma [Wind41, Earth29, Golden39] Allergic rhinitis [Wind41, Golden39] Allergic skin and mucous membrane reactions [Wind41, Golden39] Allergies (due to inflamed mucous membranes) in late-stage cold situations [Golden 39, Wind41] Allergies affecting ears, eyes, and nose; spring-time [Ease 11, Wind41, Golden39] Alzheimer’s [Evergreen13, Gingko27, Earth29, Vitality25, Love21] Amenorrhea [Moon9, Evergreen13, Earth29] Amoebic dysentery [Thunder1, Dragon5, Earth29] Anemia [Earth29, Moon9, Evergreen13] Anemia; pernicious [Vitality25] Anemia; aplastic [Tiger33, Sugar35] Anxiety/Depression; cyclical [Peace 17, Ease11, Vitality25, Earth29, Gingko27] Anxiety/Depression; pre-menopausal [Peace17, Moon9, Ease11] Anxiety/Depression; post-menopausal [Guanyin 47, Vitality25, Peace17] Anxiety; due to chronic adrenal stress and/or central nervous system imbalance [Peace 17] Arthritis; rheumatoid arthritis [Bamboo7] Asthma; allergic [Wind41, Earth29, Golden39] Atherosclerosis [Evergreen13, Heart19, Gingko27, Earth29]
--B-Babesiosis [Lightning3, Thunder1, Dragon5] Bacteria infections [Dragon 5, Golden39, Perilla37] Bacterial infections; intestinal [Thunder1, Lightning3, Dragon5] Bladder infections; acute [Dragon 5] Blood pressure; high [Counterflow 23, Evergreen13, Heart19] Blood sugar imbalances [Sugar 35, Vitality25] Bone fractures; acute stage (zero to six weeks) [Ox Bone 45] Bone fracture; chronic stage (two month+ recovery) [Bamboo 7, Ox Bone45] Bone spurs [Bamboo 7, Ox Bone45, Earth29] Brain disorders; degenerative (MS, Parkinsons, etc.) [Evergreen 13, Gingko27] Breath; shortness of [Vitality 25, Heart19, Guanyin47] Brittle nails; menopausal [Guanyin 47, Moon9] Bronchitis; acute [Perilla37, Golden39, Dragon5] Bronchitis; chronic [Earth29, Golden39, Perilla37, Glacier43] *These products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Please note that our products are formulated according to classical Chinese alchemical principles. References to modern disease names in this presentation are intended to convey a general idea of how these classical principles might be applied in a modern clinical context. This should not be understood as a claim on our part that the Classical Pearls products treat, cure, or prevent these conditions.
APPLICATIONS INDEX* ([ ] = formulas appear in order of importance with page numbers referenced) Bulging discs [Bamboo 7, Ox Bone45, Evergreen13]
--C-Cancer; bladder [Ocean49] Cancer; brain [Gingko27, Evergreen13, Mama15] Cancer; cervical [Ocean 49, Moon9, Mama15] Cancer; esophageal, throat, nasopharyngeal [Gingko 27] Cancer; heart [Mama15, Glacier43] Cancer; lung [Glacier43] Cancer; kidney [Ocean 49] Cancer; ovarian [Ocean 49, Mama15] Cancer; prostate [Ocean49] Cancer; protection of tissues & mucous membranes during radiation and chemotherapy [Glacier 43] Cancer; support of conventional skin and colon therapy [Glacier 43] Cancer; female (breast cancer, ovarian cancer) [Mama 15] Cancer; stomach [Gingko27] Cancer; support of conventional therapy in patients with tumors in the upper part of the body, especially the lung, neck, and throat [Glacier 43] Cancer; uterine [Moon9, Ocean49, Mama15] Cervical dysplasia [Moon 9, Mama15] Chemotherapy; ease side-effects of [specific to cancer types – see above] Cholesterol; elevated [Counterflow23, Sugar35, Heart19] Chronic fatigue syndrome [Lightning3, Thunder1, Earth29, Vitality25] CMV [Lightning3, Dragon5] Cold/Flu (especially in elderly patients) [Earth29, Golden39, Perilla37, Wind41] Cold; common [Perilla37, Golden39, Earth29, Wind41, Ease11] Colitis; chronic [Wind 41, Earth29, Thunder1, Ease11, Tiger33] Constipation; chronic [Tiger33] Crohn’s disease [Earth29, Wind41, Thunder1, Ease11, Tiger33] Cushing’s Syndrome [Ginkgo, Evergreen 13] Cysts; breast [Ease11, Mama15, Earth29] Cysts; kidney [Ocean49, Earth29] Cysts; ovarian [Ocean 49, Moon9]
--D-Deep vein thrombosis [Evergreen13, Heart19] Dengue Fever and other infections by tropical pathogens [Lightning 3, Thunder1, Dragon5] Depression/Anxiety; cyclical [Ease 11, Earth29, Gingko27, Vitality25] Diabetes (type II), Pre-diabetes, and other “sugar diseases” [Sugar 35, Heart19] *These products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Please note that our products are formulated according to classical Chinese alchemical principles. References to modern disease names in this presentation are intended to convey a general idea of how these classical principles might be applied in a modern clinical context. This should not be understood as a claim on our part that the Classical Pearls products treat, cure, or prevent these conditions.
APPLICATIONS INDEX* ([ ] = formulas appear in order of importance with page numbers referenced) Digestive weakness; chronic [Earth 29, Vitality25] Dry eyes; menopausal [Moon 9, Guanyin47, Sugar35] Dysmenorrhea [Moon9, Earth29]
--E-Eating disorders [Gingko27, Counterflow23, Earth29, Ease11] Edema [Heart19, Earth29] Emotional volatility; menopausal [Moon 9, Guanyin47, Vitality25, Earth29, Ease11] Emphysema; prevention of further degeneration and symptom relief in patients with [Earth 29, Glacier43, Vitality25] Encephalitis [Lightning3, Dragon5, Ease11] Endometriosis [Moon9, Evergreen13, Mama15] Epididemitis [Ocean49, Golden39, Earth29, Mama15] Erectile dysfunction [Love 21, Heart19, Vitality25]
--F-Fibroid; uterine [Moon9, Mama15] Fibroids, breast; prevention of malignant development of [Mama 15, Ease11, Moon9, Earth29] Fibromyalgia [Lightning3, Bamboo7, Earth29, Thunder1] Food allergies/sensitivities [Vitality25, Earth29, Wind41] Food poisoning [Earth 29] Frozen neck/shoulder [Bamboo 7, Evergreen13, Ox Bone45] Fungal infections (candida, aspergillus, mucor racemosus, etc.) [Thunder 1, Earth29, Vitality25, Ease11]
--G-Gas/Bloating [Ease11, Earth29, Vitality25, Sugar35] Gastritis; chronic [Ginkgo, Counterflow 23, Earth29, Vitality25] Gonorrhea [Ocean49, Dragon5] Gu Syndrome (chronic parasitism; first and second stage of treatment [Thunder 1, Lightning3, Dragon5, Earth29 Bamboo7, Ease11] Gu Syndrome (chronic parasitism); second and third stage of treatment [Vitality 25, Earth29, Tiger33, Sugar35]
--H-Hair loss; menopausal [Guanyin 47, Moon9, Vitality25] Headache/Migraine [Ginkgo, Ease 11, Earth29] Heel pain [Bamboo7, Earth29, Ox Bone 45] Hepatitis; acute, hepatitis A [Ease11, Dragon5] Hepatitis; chronic (hepatitis B/C) [Ease 11, Counterflow23, Mama15, Sugar35] Herniated discs [Bamboo 7, Ox Bone45] Herpes; simplex and Zoster [Lightning 3, Perilla37, Dragon5] *These products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Please note that our products are formulated according to classical Chinese alchemical principles. References to modern disease names in this presentation are intended to convey a general idea of how these classical principles might be applied in a modern clinical context. This should not be understood as a claim on our part that the Classical Pearls products treat, cure, or prevent these conditions.
APPLICATIONS INDEX* ([ ] = formulas appear in order of importance with page numbers referenced) Herpes; genital [Ocean49, Lightning3, Dragon5] Hormone replacement; an alternative option to conventional therapy [Love 21, Guanyin47, Vitality25] Hot flashes; menopausal [Guanyin 47, Moon9, Vitality25, Peace17] Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) [Ocean 49, Dragon5, Sugar35] Hypothyroidism [Vitality25, Guanyin47, Love21]
--I-Impotence [Love21, Heart19, Vitality25, Sugar35] Infertility (in males/females with signs of deficiency [Vitality 25, Moon9, Love21] Infertility (in young males/females with sufficient hormone counts) [Ease 11, Earth29] Injuries; external including fractures [Ox Bone 45, Bamboo7] Insomnia [Peace17, Vitality25, Ease11] Intercostal neuralgia [Ease11] Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) [Thunder 1, Earth29, Ease11, Tiger33]
--K-Kidney failure [Tiger33, Heart19, Sugar35, Ocean49, Ease11, Earth29] Kidney infections; acute (pyelonephritis) [Dragon 5, Ocean49] Kidney infections; chronic (glomerulonephritis) [Heart 19, Earth29, Sugar35]
--L-Leaky gut syndrome [Earth 29, Tiger33] Leukorrhea [Earth29, Moon9] Leukemia [Dragon5, Ease11] Libido, reduction in; female [Love 21, Guanyin47, Moon9, Vitality25, Heart19, Sugar35] Libido, reduction in; male [Love 21, Vitality25, Heart19, Sugar35] Listeriosis [Lightning3, Thunder1, Dragon5] Liver cancer [Mama15, Glacier43, Ocean49, Sugar35] Liver cirrhosis [Ease 11, Earth29, Mama15, Evergreen13, Ocean49, Counterflow23] Loss of energy, menopausal [Moon 9, Guanyin47, Vitality25] Lumbago [Bamboo7, Ox Bone45, Evergreen13, Earth29] Lyme disease (borreliosis) [Lightning 3, Thunder1, Dragon5, Bamboo7, Earth29] Lymphatic swelling [Perilla37, Ease11, Dragon5, Lightning3, Thunder1] Lymphoma [Ease11, Dragon5, Perilla37]
--M-Malaria [Ease11, Lightning3, Dragon5] Malaria; for prevention during journeys to tropical areas [Lightning 3] Meniere’s syndrome [Earth29, Golden39, Evergreen13] Meningitis [Lightning3, Dragon5, Ease11] Menopause, Hot Flashes [Ease 11, Guanyin47, Moon9] *These products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Please note that our products are formulated according to classical Chinese alchemical principles. References to modern disease names in this presentation are intended to convey a general idea of how these classical principles might be applied in a modern clinical context. This should not be understood as a claim on our part that the Classical Pearls products treat, cure, or prevent these conditions.
APPLICATIONS INDEX* ([ ] = formulas appear in order of importance with page numbers referenced) Menopause; all symptoms of [Moon 9, Guanyin47, Vitality25, Love21] Menstruation; chronic spotting [Moon 9, Earth29] Menstruation; heavy bleeding [Moon 9, Earth29] Menstruation; irregular [Moon9, Earth29, Ease11] Menstruation; painful [Moon9, Evergreen13, Heart19] Microcirculation issues [Heart 19, Evergreen13] Morning sickness [Earth29, Ginkgo] MS [Evergreen13, Gingko27, Heart19] Myeloma; multiple [Tiger33, Ocean49, Glacier43, Dragon5] Myocarditis; viral [Perilla37, Golden39 Lightning3, Dragon5, Heart19]
--N-Nausea and dizziness in chemotherapy patients [Ginkgo, Earth 29, Heart19] Nausea and/or dizziness in patients with brain tumors or brain chemistry imbalances [Gingko 27] Nausea [Ease11, Gingko27, Earth29]
--O-Obesity [Earth29, Sugar35, Heart19, Vitality25] Obsessive compulsive disorders [Ginkgo, Earth 29, Ease11, Lightning3] Osteoporosis [Vitality25, Ox Bone 45, Guanyin47, Love21]
--P-Palpitations; due to chronic adrenal stress and/or central nervous system imbalance [Peace 17, Vitality25, Gingko27] Parkinsons [Evergreen13, Gingko27, Heart19] Plumpit Syndrome [Ease11, Earth29] PMS breast distention [Ease11] Premature ejaculation (primarily in elderly men) [Love21, Heart19, Vitality25] Protozoan infections (amoeba, giardia, blastocystis, toxoplasma) [Thunder 1, Lightning3, Dragon5, Earth29] Pulmonary heart disease [Earth29, Heart19, Vitality25, Glacier43]
--R-Rabies [Lightning3, Thunder1, Dragon5] Radiation; see cancer remedies Respiratory syndrome; chronic degenerative [Glacier 43, Earth29, Vitality25] Rhinitis, allergic [Wind41] Rocky Mountain fever [Lightning 3, Thunder1, Ease11, Dragon5] Running Piglet Syndrome [Ease11, Earth29, Guanyin47, Ocean49]
--S-Sciatica [Bamboo7, Evergreen13] *These products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Please note that our products are formulated according to classical Chinese alchemical principles. References to modern disease names in this presentation are intended to convey a general idea of how these classical principles might be applied in a modern clinical context. This should not be understood as a claim on our part that the Classical Pearls products treat, cure, or prevent these conditions.
APPLICATIONS INDEX* ([ ] = formulas appear in order of importance with page numbers referenced) Scleroderma [Bamboo7, Glacier43, Wind41, Evergreen13, Gingko27, Peace17] Shingles [Lightning3, Peace17, Dragon5] Shortness of breath [Heart 19, Vitality25, Earth29] Shoulder-Arm Syndrome [Bamboo7, Evergreen13, Earth29] Sinus infections [Golden 39, Dragon5, Wind41] Skin problems; chronic/recalcitrant [Lightning3, Thunder1, Earth29, Counterflow23, Dragon5] Skin; dry and wrinkling; menopausal [Guanyin 47, Moon9, Vitality25, Heart19] Sleep, restless, menopausal [Guanyin 47, Peace17, Vitality25, Moon9] Sore throat [Perilla37, Dragon5] Sprirochetal infections [Lightning3, Thunder1, Dragon5] Staphylococci infections [Golden 39, Dragon5] Stomach and duodenal ulcers [Gingko 27, Counterflow23, Ease11, Earth29] Streptococci infections [Perilla 37, Golden39, Dragon5] Stroke prevention & post-stroke paralysis [Evergreen 13, Heart19] Sugar imbalances [Sugar35, Heart19, Earth29, Vitality25] Syndrome X [Sugar35, Heart19, Earth29, Vitality25]
--T-Tendon/ligament injuries [Ox Bone45, Bamboo7] Thinning of vaginal tissues; menopausal [Guanyin 47, Love21] Thyroid imbalances; menopausal [Vitality25, Guanyin47] Thyroid; hyper-function [Ease 11] Thyroid; hypo-function [Vitality 25, Guanyin47, Earth29] Tick bites; for after the bite [Lightning 3, Dragon5] Tooth aches & tooth abscesses [Golden 39, Dragon5] Tremors; age-related [Evergreen13, Gingko27]
--U-Ulcer; mouth (in spleen deficient patients) [Vitality25, Earth29] Ulcerative colitis [Earth29, Wind41, Glacier43] Ulcerative colitis; accompanied by constipation [Tiger 33] Ulcerative colitis; triggered by stress [Ease 11]
--V- Varicoceles [Ocean49] Varicose veins [Evergreen13, Heart19, Sugar35] Vascular degeneration; Prevention of, and other age related problems [Heart 19, Evergreen13] Virus; chronic [Lightning3, Thunder1, Dragon5, Ocean49]
*These products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Please note that our products are formulated according to classical Chinese alchemical principles. References to modern disease names in this presentation are intended to convey a general idea of how these classical principles might be applied in a modern clinical context. This should not be understood as a claim on our part that the Classical Pearls products treat, cure, or prevent these conditions.
I THUNDER PEARLS
Su He Tang Jia Jian 1 A unique remedy for the important clinical phenomenon of “Abdominal Gu Syndrome”*: difficult and treatment resistant diseases (such as IBS, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia) caused by chronic, often undiagnosable parasitic infections of the digestive system. Sourced from ancient Daoist medicine texts, proven many times in modern clinical practice. THERAPEUTIC PRINCIPLES: Nourish terrain and soothe digestive system in patients with “Abdominal Gu Syndrome” using anti-microbial tonic herbs; kill parasites, bacteria, and fungi; harmonize stagnation and inflammation in the digestive tract; reduce abdominal pain and discomfort; regulate BM. •
INDICATIONS: Chronic abdominal discomfort after travel to Asia, Africa, or South America Chronic gas/bloating; alternating diarrhea/constipation; strangely formed BM Chronic feeling of exhaustion and lack of reserves Frontal headaches (typically food related), blurry vision, food allergies, brain fog Restlessness, anxiety/depression; insomnia; vivid dreaming, nightmares Sensation of “possession” (“I want my life back”) Grimy tongue coating; weak (yet occasionally wiry/tight on right hand) pulse • • • • • • •
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS: Protozoan infections (amoeba, giardia, blastocystis, toxoplasma) Fungal infections (candida, aspergillus, mucor racemosus) Bacterial infections (enterococcus, e-coli, salmonella, klebsiella) Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome; IBS, chronic colitis • • • •
ALTERNATE/DIFFERENTIATE : Alternate with Lightning Pearls (Thunder Pearls 3 weeks, Lightning Pearls 1 week) For “Brain Gu Syndrome” (chronic nervous system inflammation), primarily use Lightning Pearls (Lightning Pearls 3 weeks, Thunder Pearls 1 week) For prevention during travel to areas with high parasitism, use Thunder Pearls 2x/day; for travel to malaria infested areas, use Lightning Pearls 1x/day, Thunder Pearls 1x/day For yang deficient patients, combine with Vitality Pearls. For yang deficient patients with anxiety/insomnia, combine with Peace Pearls. For yang deficient patients with menstrual problems, combine with Moon Pearls. • •
•
• • •
1
金銀花 (微炒)
JINYINHUA (CHAO)
(Lonicera, roasted ) Jiajian
紫蘇葉
ZISUYE
(Perilla leaf)
Su He
白芷
BAIZHI
(Angelica)
Tang
(全)當歸
DANGGUI (QUAN)
(Tang-kuei)
川芎
CHUANXIONG
(Ligusticum)
黃耆
HUANGQI
(Astragalus)
(生)甘草
GANCAO (SHENG)
(Licorice)
百合
BAIHE
(Lily)
黃精
HUANGJING
(Polygonatum root)
三棱
SANLENG
(Sparganium)
莪朮
EZHU
(Zedoaria)
丁香
DINGXIANG
(Clove)
苦參
KUSHEN
(Sophora root)
reduce
蛇床子
SHECHUANGZI
(Cnidium fruit)
inflamm.
貫重
GUANZHONG
(Dryopteris)
in digest.
白扁豆
BAIBIANDOU
(Dolichos)
system
2
II
LIGHTNING PEARLS
Su He Tang Jia Jian 2 A unique remedy for the important clinical phenomenon of “Brain Gu Syndrome": difficult and treatment-resistant diseases caused by viral and spirochetal infections of the nervous system (such as Lyme disease, babesiosis, Rocky Mountain fever). Sourced from ancient Daoist medicine texts, proven many times in modern clinical practice.
THERAPEUTIC PRINCIPLES: •
Nourish terrain and soothe nervous system in patients with “Brain Gu Syndrome” using antimicrobial tonic herbs; kill viruses, spirochetes, protozoan parasites and other microbes invading the brain; reduce inflammation in the nervous system; increase micro-circulation in the brain; reduce pain.
INDICATIONS: • • • •
Chronic debilitating joint and muscle pain (cyclical); permanent state of exhaustion Chronic flu-like symptoms; chronic headaches (cyclical), brain fog Restlessness, anxiety, insomnia; sensation of “possession” (“I want my life back”) Grimy and stubborn tongue coating; weak (yet occasionally aggravated or tight) pulse
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS: • • • • • •
Lyme disease, babesiosis, Rocky Mountain fever; malaria, Dengue fever Chronic coxsackie virus, meningitis, encephalitis; rabies, listeriosis Herpes, shingles, CMV; chronic/recalcitrant skin problems that worsen with stress Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome Chronic viral malaise after prolonged cold/bronchitis (incl. viral myocarditis) For prevention during journeys to tropical (malaria) areas, or after tick bites
ALTERNATE/DIFFERENTIATE: • •
•
•
• • • •
Alternate with Thunder Pearls (Lightning Pearls 3 weeks, Thunder Pearls 1 week) For “Abdominal Gu Syndrome” (chronic intestinal parasites), primarily use Thunder Pearls (Thunder Pearls 3 weeks, Lightning Pearls 1 week) For prevention during travel to malaria and parasite-prone areas, use Lightning Pearls 1x/day, Thunder Pearls 1x/day For patients with arthritic changes or pronounced symptoms of body pain, combine with Bamboo Pearls. For yang deficient patients, combine with Vitality Pearls. For yang deficient patients with anxiety/insomnia, combine with Peace Pearls. For yang deficient patients with menstrual problems, combine with Moon Pearls. For patients with obvious lymphatic congestions and/or shaoyang symptoms, combine with Ease Pearls. 3
白芷
BAIZHI
(Angelica)
Jiajian
金銀花
JINYINHUA
(Lonicera)
Su He
連翹
LIANQIAO
(Forsythia)
Tang
(全)當歸
DANGGUI (QUAN)
(Tang-kuei)
川芎
CHUANXIONG
(Ligusticum)
五加皮
WUJIAPI
(Acanthopanax)
百合
BAIHE
(Lily)
青蒿
QINGHAO
(Qinghao)
鬱金
YUJIN
(Curcuma)
澤蘭
ZELAN
(Lycopus)
玄參
XUANSHEN
(Scrophularia)
reduce
土茯苓
TUFULING
(Smilax)
inflamm.
石菖蒲
SHICHANGPU
(Acorus)
in brain
續斷
XUDUAN
(Dipsacus)
銀杏葉
YINXINGYE
(Gingko leaf)
4
and nerv. sys.
靈龍殺鬼丹
DRAGON PEARLS
Linglong Shagui Dan A formula for anti-biotic and anti-viral uses. THERAPEUTIC PRINCIPLES: Clear toxic heat in acute cases of aggressive inflammation Transform damp heat and toxic phlegm Reduce fevers and cyclical spikes in temperature Alleviate pain by dispelling wind damp and opening blocked collaterals • • • •
INDICATIONS: Acute pain in joints and/or connective tissue Stinging pain in urethra and/or lower back Fever Puss, skin lesions Jaundice • • • • •
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS: Lyme disease (borreliosis) and other sprirochetal infections Malaria, Dengue Fever and other infections by tropical pathogens Amoebic dysentery and other protozoan infections Infections by streptococci, staphylococci and other bacteria Acute kidney infection (pyelonephritis); acute bladder infection Hepatitis A • • • • • •
DIFFERENTIATE: For acute stages of Lyme disease or other infections of the nervous system, combine with Lightning Pearls For acute stages of amoebic dysentery or other infections of the intestinal tract, combine with Thunder Pearls For acute stage of hepatitis (accompanied by jaundice), combine with Ease Pearls For acute strep. or staph. infections affecting the sinuses, combine with Golden Pearls For acute strep. infections affecting the tonsils, combine with Perilla Pearls For acute stages of inflammatory types of joint/muscle pain, combine with Bamboo Pearls •
•
• • • •
5
青黛
QINGDAI
(Indigo)
Dai Ge San
海蛤粉
HAIGEFEN
(Cyclina)
(clear heat and toxins in blood)
茵陳蒿
YINCHENHAO
(Capillaris)
Yinchenhao
梔子
ZHIZI
(Gardenia)
(熟)大黃
(cooked) DAHUANG
(Rhubarb)
(clear damp heat)
黃芩
HUANGQIN
(Scutellaria)
Xiexin Tang
黃連
HUANGLIAN
(Coptis)
(clear yangming heat)
(炙)草烏
CAOWU
生姜
SHENGJIANG
Sini Tang (Aconitum kusnezoffii, prep.) (soothe pain, (Ginger, fresh) open collaterals,
甘草
GANCAO
(Licorice)
balance cold effect of other herbs)
鬼箭羽
GUIJIANYU
(Euonymus alatus)
Daoist “anti-demon” herb (fights bacteria, viruses, spirochetes, parasites with its anti-Gu and blood moving effects)
6
Tang
伸筋桂枝芍藥知母湯 BAMBOO PEARLS
Shenjin Guizhi Shaoyao Zhimu Tang Addresses chronic pain in joints and extremities as well as chronic pain from past injuries and fractures. Effective for arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, frozen neck/shoulder, and bone spurs. THERAPEUTIC PRINCIPLES: Alleviate pain by dispelling wind damp, warming the channels, diffusing stagnation, and opening blocked collaterals; calm the nervous system by nourishing yin and clearing localized auto-immune heat •
INDICATIONS: Chronic pain in joints and/or extremities Chronic pain associated with old fractures/injuries • •
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS: Arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis Pronounced body pain or arthritic changes accompanying Lyme disease Frozen neck/shoulder Bulging or herniated discs Bone spurs Sciatica; heel pain Chronic stage of bone fracture (2 Month+) recovery, and tendon/ligament injuries • •
• • • • •
DIFFERENTIATE: For acute injuries to the bone, tendons, and connective tissue, use Ox Bone Pearls For fractures that have not healed after 2 months, combine with Ox Bone Pearls • •
7
桂枝
GUIZHI
(Cinnamon twig)
Guizhi
白芍
BAISHAO
(Peony, white)
Shaoyao
知母
ZHIMU
(Anemarrhena)
Zhimu
附子
FUZI
(Aconite, processed)
Tang
生姜
SHENGJIANG
(Ginger, fresh)
白朮
BAIZHU
(Atractylodes, white)
防風
FANGFENG
(Siler)
甘草
GANCAO
(Licorice)
五加皮
WUJIAPI
(Acanthopanax)
eliminate
桑寄生
SANGJISHENG
(Loranthus)
wind damp,
伸筋草
SHENJINCAO
(Lycopodium)
alleviate pain
地龍
DILONG
(Earthworm)
open blocked collaterals
8
膠艾理中湯 MOON PEARLS
Jiao Ai Lizhong Tang A formula for resolving pelvic congestion and regulating the menstrual cycle. THERAPEUTIC PRINCIPLES: Break down abdominal masses by resolving pelvic congestion; regulate menstrual timing and blood flow; move blood and transform cold damp; tonify SP/KD yang and LR blood •
INDICATIONS: Menstrual problems in yang/blood deficient individuals Benign abdominal masses, especially in females Hot flashes and other symptoms of perimenopause Chronic auto-immune problems of all kinds, including digestive issues • • • •
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS: Irregular menstruation, painful menstruation; chronic spotting, heavy bleeding Uterine fibroids; ovarian cysts; cervical dysplasia; endometriosis Leukorrhea Amenorrhea Anemia Perimenopause • • • • • •
DIFFERENTIATE: For menopausal women with obvious signs of liver qi stagnation, use Ease Pearls For post-menopausal women use or combine with Guanyin Pearls For malignant tumors in the breasts, uterus, or ovaries, use Mama Pearls For cervical dysplasia, combine with Mama Pearls For damp cold leucorrhea, combine with Vitality Pearls For damp heat leucorrhea, combine with Thunder Pearls For low libido, combine with Love Pearls • • • • • • •
9
附子
FUZI
(Aconite, processed)
炮姜
PAOJIANG
(Ginger, roasted)
白朮
BAIZHU
(Atractylodes, white)
三七
SANQI
(Pseudoginseng)
炙甘草
ZHI GANCAO
(Licorice, baked)
艾葉
AIYE
(Artemisia)
阿膠
EJIAO
(Gelatin)
(全)當歸
(QUAN) DANGGUI (Tang-kuei)
白芍
BAISHAO
(Peony, white)
川芎
CHUANXIONG
(Ligusticum)
茜草
QIANCAO
(Rubia)
transform abd. stasis,
三棱
SANLENG
(Sparganium)
control bleeding
莪朮
EZHU
(Zedoaria)
10
Fuzi Lizhong Tang
Jiao Ai Tang
複方逍遙散 EASE PEARLS
Fufang Xiaoyao San An effective formula to address depression, mood swings, and digestive discomfort. Can be applied to PMS breast distention, menopause hot flashes, plumpit and running piglet syndromes, nausea, and low grade headache.
THERAPEUTIC PRINCIPLES: Alleviate depression, mood swings and digestive discomfort by harmonizing shaoyang and removing stagnation of qi/dampness; reverse pathological qi flow; tonify qi, yin and blood. •
INDICATIONS: Congestion in LIV/GB channels; Shaoyang Syndrome General sensation of physical and emotional stuckness; depression, mood swings Digestive discomfort (nausea; poor appetite; gas/bloating; diaphragm congestion; abdominal pain) Unclear head, clogged sensory orifices Tongue: with thin white (or slightly yellowish) coat, often no coating on sides Pulse: tendency for fine/wiry pulse on left side, soggy pulse on right side • • •
• • •
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS: Cyclical depression/anxiety PMS; breast distention Menopause; hot flashes Plumpit Syndrome; Running Piglet Syndrome Nausea; low grade headache/migraine (especially if affecting temple or eye region) Eating disorders Intercostal neuralgia Chronic hepatitis (hepatitis B/C) (Shaoyang/spring-time) allergies affecting ears, eyes, and nose; lymphatic swelling Gas/bloating; IBS; mild cases of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease Infertility (in young males/females with sufficient hormone counts) • • • • • • • • • • •
DIFFERENTIATE: • • • •
•
For menopausal symptoms in yang/blood def. individuals, use Guanyin Pearls For allergies with taiyang involvement, use Wind Pearls For digestive symptoms due to parasites, combine with Thunder Pearls For chronic headaches and lymphatic swelling caused by inflammation of the nervous system (i.e., Lyme disease), use (or combine with) Lightning Pearls For chronic hepatitis in yang deficient individuals, use Mama Pearl 11
柴胡
CHAIHU
(Bupleurum)
Xiaoyao San,
半夏
BANXIA
(Pinellia)
Xiao Chaihu Tang,
北沙參
BEISHASHEN
(Glehnia)
Banxia Houpo Tang,
黃芩
HUANGQIN
(Scutellaria)
Maimendong Tang,
大棗
DAZAO
(Jujube)
Huangqin Tang
生薑
SHENGJIANG
(Ginger, fresh)
白芍
BAISHAO
(Peony, white)
(全)當歸
(QUAN) DANGGUI
(Tang-kuei)
紫蘇葉
ZISUYE
(Perilla leaf)
白朮
BAIZHU
(Atractylodes, white)
伏神
FUSHEN
(Fushen)
厚朴
HOUPO
(Magnolia bark)
麥門冬
MAIMENDONG
(Ophiopogon)
甘草
GANCAO
(Licorice)
12
EVERGREEN PEARLS
Danggui Jiunao Tang For degenerative brain disorders (Parkinsons, MS, Alzheimers, sclerosis of cerebral blood vessels). THERAPEUTIC PRINCIPLES: Increase microcirculation in the brain by opening jueyin channels and related cerebral collaterals Increase microcirculation in vascular system and extremities by warming and moving blood Calm tremors, spasms, and involuntary movements by tonifying blood and extinguishing internal wind Control blood pressure by reducing upflaring liver yang and moistening kidney yin •
• •
•
INDICATIONS: Loss of memory, loss of cognitive function Loss of motor movement control; tremors, spasms Pain in extremities, atrophy of extremities General indicators of jueyin syndrome: cold hands and feet, pale/purplish tongue, lopsided pulse pattern (or deep and weak, or deep and wiry pulse) • • • •
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS: Parkinsons, MS, Alzheimer’s and other degenerative brain disorders Stroke prevention and post-stroke paralysis Atherosclerosis Deep vein thrombosis; varicose veins Age-related tremors Peripheral neuropathy; Reynaud’s syndrome; sciatica; frost bite • • • • • •
DIFFERENTIATE: For pronounced headaches, nausea, and dizziness, combine with Gingko Pearls For brain tumors, use Gingko Pearls For heart disease, atherosclerosis, and chronic phase of post-stroke recovery, combine with Heart Pearls For diabetic neuropathy, combine with Sugar Pearls and/or Tiger Pearls For high blood pressure, acid reflux, and elevated cholesterol, combine with Counterflow Pearls For constipation, combine with Tiger Pearls For arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or frost bite, use or combine with Bamboo Pearls For varicoceles, use Ocean Pearls • • •
• •
• • •
13
當歸尾
DANGGUI (WEI)
(Tang-kuei tail)
Danggui Sini
桂枝
GUIZHI
(Cinnamon twig)
Tang
白芍
BAISHAO
(Peony, white)
通草
TONGCAO
(Tetrapanax)
Buyang Huanwu
大棗
DAZAO
(Jujube)
Tang
甘草
GANCAO
(Licorice)
黃耆
HUANGQI
(Astragalus)
地龍
DILONG
(Earthworm)
石菖蒲
SHICHANGPU
(Acorus)
open heart orifice,
銀杏葉
YINXINGYE
(Gingko leaf)
cross blood-brain
雞血藤
JIXUETENG
(Millettia)
barrier, increase
沒藥
MOYAO
(Myrrh)
鈎藤
GOUTENG
(Gambir)
calm tremors, subdue
麥門冬
MAIMENDONG
(Ophiopogon)
upflaring yang, moisten yin,
天門冬
TIANMENDONG
(Asparagus)
prevent auto-immune reactions
microcirculation in brain and extremities
14
MAMA PEARLS
Danggui Sini Tang Jiawei Constitutional support for breast disease patients. A complex modification of the classical remedy Danggui Sini Tang, with anti-toxin and anti-accumulation anti-accumulation ingredients.
THERAPEUTIC PRINCIPLES: •
Move, warm, and nourish jueyin pericardium/liver network; break down accumulations formed by blood stasis and toxic phlegm in hormonally compromised individuals.
INDICATIONS: • • • • •
Masses and accumulations, especially in middle-aged females Deep (occasionally weak/soggy) pulse; pale (occasionally dusky) tongue body Weak constitution; cold hands and feet; all manifestations of jueyin syndrome. Deep state of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion History of menstrual problems; history of “heartbreak”
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS: •
• • •
Constitutional support for female cancers (breast cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, cervical cancer) For constitutional support of those with liver cancer, liver cirrhosis Prevention of malignant development of breast fibroids Ease side-effects of chemotherapy and/or radiation
ALTERNATE/DIFFERENTIATE: •
•
For constitutional support of those with breast cancer, alternate with Glacier Pearls (Mama Pearls 3 weeks, Glacier Pearls 1 week) For constitutional support of those with cancers of the respiratory tract or lymphatic system, use Glacier Pearls
15
當歸尾
DANGGUI (WEI)
(Tang-kuei tail)
桂枝
GUIZHI
(Cinnamon twig)
赤芍
CHISHAO
(Peony, red)
白芍
BAISHAO
(Peony, white)
大棗
DAZAO
(Jujube)
通草
TONGCAO
(Tetrapanax)
甘草
GANCAO
(Licorice)
桃仁
TAOREN
(Persica)
break up
紅花
HONGHUA
(Carthamus)
blood stasis
虎杖
HUZHANG
(Polygonum cusp.)
夏枯草
XIAKUCAO
(Prunella)
(浙)貝母
(ZHE) BEIMU
(Fritillaria thunb.)
(全) 栝蔞
(QUAN) GUALOU (Trichosanthes fruit) and toxic phlegm
16
Danggui Sini Tang
clear toxic heat (anti-cancer) reduce masses
酸棗潛陽丹 PEACE PEARLS
Suanzao Qianyang Dan A formula that includes exceptional 19 th and 20th century remedies for anxiety and insomnia. THERAPEUTIC PRINCIPLES: Soothe the Heart by reversing upward qi flow, and fortifying the Kidney’s ability to store yang and ground the shaoyin network; calm shen by nourishing Heart blood and removing phlegm from the Heart orifice; eliminate restlessness by clearing localized heat from the Heart. •
INDICATIONS: Anxiety Insomnia Palpitations Pulse: weak • • • •
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS: Anxiety, insomnia, and palpitations due to chronic adrenal stress and/or autonomic nervous system imbalance •
DIFFERENTIATE: For depression/anxiety accompanied by obvious shaoyang or liver qi stagnation symptoms, use Ease Pearls For anxiety/insomnia during menopause, combine with Guanyin Pearls For anxiety/insomnia caused by nervous system inflammation (i.e., Lyme disease), combine with Lightning Pearls For anxiety/insomnia caused by intestinal parasites, combine with Thunder Pearls •
• •
•
17
附子
FUZI
(Aconite, processed)
炮姜
PAOJIANG
(Ginger, roasted)
(Submerge Yang Pellet;
砂仁
SHAREN
(Amomum)
19 th century formula for
北沙參
BEISHASHEN
(Glehnia)
all sympt. of flushing up
炙甘草
ZHI GANCAO
(Licorice, baked)
due to inab. to store yang)
酸棗仁
SUANZAOREN
(Zizyphus)
Suanzaoren Tang
知母
ZHIMU
(Anemarrhena)
川芎
CHUANXIONG
(Ligusticum)
茯神
FUSHEN
(Poria Fushen)
當歸
DANGGUI
(Tang-kuei)
Anmian Tang
苦參
KUSHEN
(Sophoroa root)
(exp. 20 th century remedy
夜交藤
YEJIAOTENG
(Polygonum vine)
18
Qianyang Dan
for insomnia)
生脈固心湯 HEART PEARLS
Shengmai Guxin Tang A formula for chronic debilitating disease of heart and kidneys. THERAPEUTIC PRINCIPLES: Enhance fluid metabolism and microcirculation by tonification of yang qi in Heart and Lung; moisten Heart, Lung, Liver, and Kidney yin; prevent cardiomyopathy, heart failure, kidney failure and other forms of core system degeneration by moving Heart and Liver blood and purging cellular toxicity •
INDICATIONS: Degeneration of heart and vascular system; chronic heart disease Degeneration of kidneys; chronic kidney disease • •
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS: Shortness of breath Edema (due to degeneration of heart and kidneys) High cholesterol levels Microcirculation issues Prevention of vascular degeneration and other age related problems Stroke prevention and post-stroke recovery in yang deficient individuals • • • • • •
DIFFERENTIATE / PRECAUTIONS: Prescribe in small amounts only for patients who take blood thinning drugs For acute stage of inflammation of the heart or pericardial tissues, use Lightning Pearls For chronic stage of heart or pericardial tissue inflammation, combine with Lightning Pearls For menopausal problems, combine with Guanyin Pearls For decreased libido, combine with Love Pearls For pronounced palpitations, combine with Peace Pearls • • • • • •
19
附子
FUZI
(Aconite, processed)
赤芍
CHISHAO
(Peony, red)
生姜
SHENGJIANG
(Ginger, fresh)
赤茯苓
(CHI) FULING
(Poria, red)
白朮
BAIZHU
(Atractylodes, white)
三七
SANQI
(Pseudoginseng)
炙甘草
ZHI GANCAO
(Licorice, baked)
麥門冬
MAIMENDONG
(Ophiopogon)
五味子
WUWEIZI
(Schizandra)
丹參
DANSHEN
(Salvia)
(炙)何首烏
(ZHI) HESHOUWU (Heshouwu, baked) chest discomfort
桃仁
TAOREN
(Persica)
improve microcirculation,
紅花
HONGHUA
(Carthamus)
prevent cellular degen. in
(酒) 大黃
(JIU) DAHUANG
(Rhubarb, alcohol processed)
20
Zhenwu Tang, Fuzi Lizhong Tang
Shengmai San
reduce cholesterol,
vascular system, heart, liver, and kidneys
羊腎扶陽丹 LOVE PEARLS
Yangshen Fuyang Dan An alchemical formula based on Daoist folk remedies and Sun Simiao’s Thousand Ducat Formulas, indicated for decreasing sexual drives and functions in middle-aged to elderly men and women. THERAPEUTIC PRINCIPLES: Invigorate flagging yang; tonify essence of Kidney and Liver; strengthen hormonal vitality and calm nerves •
INDICATIONS: Decreasing sexual function in middle-aged or elderly men and women Decreased sexual drive in menopausal or elderly men and women Atrophy of sexual tissues Other symptoms of essence deficiency in old age • • • •
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS: Impotence, erectile dysfunction Premature ejaculation (primarily in elderly men) Reduced libido, libido impairment Osteoporosis Hypothyroidism Alternative option to conventional hormone replacement therapy • • • • • •
DIFFERENTIATE: For peri-menopausal women, combine with Moon Pearls For post-menopausal women, combine with Guanyin Pearls For osteoporosis and hypothyroidism, combine with Vitality Pearls For patients with heart or blood vessel disorders, combine with Heart Pearls For patients with anxiety, combine with Peace Pearls • • • • •
21
羊外腎
YANG WAISHEN
(Goat testes)
alchemical formula
泥鰍
NIQIU
(Dojo loach)
based on Daoist folk
五味子
WUWEIZI
(Schizandra)
remedies and Sun
兔絲子
TUSIZI
(Cuscuta)
Simiao’s Thousand
淫羊藿
YINYANGHUO
(Epimedium)
Ducat Formulas
磁石
CISHI
(Magnetite)
22
旋覆一貫煎
COUNTERFLOW PEARLS
Xuanfu Yiguan Jian A formula for high blood pressure, acid reflux, and high cholesterol. THERAPEUTIC PRINCIPLES: Reverse counterflow of qi in stomach channel Nourish heart and liver yin, prevent upflaring of heart and liver yang Soften sclerotic tissues in stomach, liver, and heart • • •
INDICATIONS: Tendency to high blood pressure Acid reflux Elevated cholesterol levels Chronic belching and/or hiccups Digestive headaches (in yin deficient constitutional types) Chronic liver problems affecting digestive function Stomach pain/discomfort Vision problems • • • • • • • •
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS: Symptom complex of acid reflux (GERD), high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol Chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis Ulceration and/or sclerosis of stomach lining • • •
DIFFERENTIATE: For reflux problems or stomach ulcers accompanied by pronounced abdominal pain or migraine headaches, use or combine with Gingko Pearls For heart disease and/or vascular problems in elderly patients, use or combine with Heart Pearls •
•
23
旋覆花
XUANFUHUA
(Inula)
黛赭石
DAIZHESHI
(Hematite)
半夏
BANXIA
(Pinellia)
生姜
SHENGJIANG
(Ginger, fresh)
大棗
DAZAO
(Jujube)
北沙參
BEISHASHEN
(Glehnia)
甘草
GANCAO
(Licorice)
枸杞子
GOUQIZI
(Lycium fruit)
麥門冬
MAIMENDONG
(Ophiopogon)
川煉子
CHUANLIANZI
(Melia)
丹參
DANSHEN
(Salvia)
砂仁
SHAREN
(Amomum)
夏枯草
XIAKUCAO
(Prunella)
reverse counterflow
Xuanfu Daizhe Tang
Yiguan Jian
Danshen Yin
何首烏
HESHOUWU
(Polygonum)
of qi, neutralize reflux,
珍珠粉
ZHENZHU FEN
(Pearl powder)
balance blood pressure, calm spirit
24
建陽丹 VITALITY PEARLS
Jianyang Dan General yin/yang tonic, to be used in end phase of any treatment for chronic disease. Also designed to support yang deficient individuals through treatment cycles for excess disorders, such as Gu Syndrome (debilitating parasitic disorders, such as Lyme disease; to be used in combination with Thunder and/or Lightning Pearls) THERAPEUTIC PRINCIPLES: Tonify yang qi in post-natal (taiyin) and pre-natal (shaoyin) organ systems; strengthen bones and prevent osteoporosis; balance endocrine system (esp. thyroid) and stabilize blood sugar; eliminate residual parasites, stabilize vitality of terrain (needed at tail end of treatment plan for most patients recovering from chronic illness) •
INDICATIONS: Fatigue (often accompanied by inner restlessness) General state of yang deficiency after/during recovery from chronic disease Prior history of parasite/yeast infections Gas/bloating • • • •
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS: Second and third stage of Gu Syndrome (chronic parasitism) treatment Osteoporosis Chronic digestive weakness; food allergies; mouth ulcers Blood sugar imbalances Hypothyroidism • • • • •
DIFFERENTIATE: For earlier stages of Abdominal Gu (digestive parasitism) treatment, combine with Thunder Pearls For earlier stages of Brain Gu (nervous system inflammation) treatment, combine with Lightning Pearls For endocrine imbalances due to menopause, use or combine with Guanyin Pearls For chronic weakness in bones, tendons, and connective tissue due to history of injuries, combine with Ox Bone Pearls •
•
• •
25
附子
FUZI
(Aconite, processed)
乾姜
GANJIANG
(Ginger, dried)
白朮
BAIZHU
(Atractylodes, white)
五加參
WUJIASHEN
(Siberian ginseng)
甘草
GANCAO
(Licorice)
百合
BAIHE
(Lily)
anti-parasite/yeast;
黃精
HUANGJING
(Polygonatum root)
calm nervous system
淫羊藿
YINYANGHUO
(Epimedium)
strengthen bones
補骨脂
BUGUZHI
(Psoralea)
黃連
HUANGLIAN
(Coptis)
Fuzi Lizhong Tang
balance formula temp. clear localized ST heat
26
GINKGO PEARLS
Wuzhuyu Jiajian Tang Addresses chronic dizziness and nausea (chemotherapy; brain cysts or tumors; chronic nervous system inflammation; ideopathic causes), pathological relationship to food and eating (including eating disorders), chronic migraine headaches, and addictive tendencies. THERAPEUTIC PRINCIPLES : •
•
•
•
Harmonize jueyin channel networks and regulate brain chemistry via the connection of the digestion/brain axis Reverse counterflow of qi due to cold in liver and stomach channel networks; regenerate chronically compromised mucous membranes in stomach, esophagus, tongue/mouth, and naso-pharyngeal tract Traverse blood brain barrier, balance compromised brain chemistry and/or imbalances of cerebral glands, regenerate brain tissue Deliver anti-cancer and anti-pathogenic effect to the stomach/brain axis
INDICATIONS: • • • • • • • • • • •
Decreasing sexual function in middle-aged or elderly men and women Nausea, vomiting; aversion to food Dizziness; brain fog, confusion Headaches, migraines Inexplicable sensations in brain/head region, often related to food intake Loss of smell or taste Stomach pain; acid reflux Obsessive compulsive behavior; “orthorexia” (obsession with correct eating) Sudden loss of appetite, anxiety, or palpitations after shock (especially heartbreak) Pale tongue body (may have no coating, or white coating, or yellowish coating) Overall weak pulse; “soggy pearl” sensation in SP/ST pulse position
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS : • •
• • • •
• •
Nausea and dizziness in chemotherapy patients Nausea and/or dizziness in patients with brain tumors or brain chemistry imbalances; Cushing’s Syndrome Morning sickness (severe cases only) Migraine headaches Stomach and duodenal ulcers; chronic gastritis Degenerative changes (including cancer) in stomach/brain axis, such as stomach cancer, esophageal cancer, tongue cancer, naso-pharyngeal cancer, brain cancer Degenerative brain disorders (MS, Parkinsons) Obsessive compulsive disorders, especially eating disorders
DIFFERENTIATE: •
• • •
For reflux problems or stomach ulcers with signs of yin deficiency (generally accompanied by high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels), use Counterflow Pearls For degenerative brain disorders (MS, Parkinsons), alternate with Evergreen Pearls For brain cancer, alternate with Mama Pearls For morning sickness, use Ginkgo Pearls in low dosages only and combine with Earth Pearls
27
吳茱萸
WUZHUYU
(Evodia)
生姜
SHENGJIANG
(Ginger, fresh)
大棗
DAZAO
(Jujube)
黨參
DANGSHEN
(Codonopsis)
丹參
DANSHEN
(Salvia)
砂仁
SHAREN
(Amomum)
百合
BAIHE
(Lily)
calm spirit,
銀杏葉
YINXINGYE
(Gingko leaf)
open heart orifice,
石菖蒲
SHICHANGPU
(Acorus)
guide formula to
地龍
DILONG
(Lumbricus)
stomach and brain
珍珠粉
ZHENZHU FEN
(Pearl powder)
貫重
GUANZHONG
(Dryopteris)
balance overall
龍膽草
LONGDANCAO
(Gentiana)
warming effect of herbs,
大黃
DAHUANG
(Rhubarb)
drain toxic heat from the marrow and brain, anti-cancer
28
Wuzhuyu Tang
Danshen Yin
五積散
EARTH PEARLS
Wuji San A prototypical earth tonic (digestive weakness, immune system weakness, connective tissue weakness, weight issues). THERAPEUTIC PRINCIPLES: Warm the center, build spleen qi and transform cold damp with food-grade herbs (especially suitable for individuals with damp/phlegm constitutions who do not respond well to ginseng and other overly tonic herbs) Remove “Five Accumulations” (wuji) that easily build up in the earth layer of the body: qi, blood, damp, phlegm, and food Dispel wind and guard against wind invasion, especially in elderly patients or individuals with cold/deficient constitutions (during the Song and Ming dynasties, Wuji San used to be the primary remedy for influenza) Restore the up/down dynamics of the middle burner, eliminate food stagnation, relieve digestive discomfort and abdominal gas/bloating (ancient precursor of popular digestive patents such as Huoxiang Zhengqi San or Pill Curing) Dry chronic dampness and transform cold phlegm; expel excess water weight in overweight individuals Normalize hormonal system in qi-deficient women; regulate menses and prevent formation of uterine masses Expel all types of chronic wind damp afflicting the taiyin networks (spleen and lung), including bi syndrome in the arms, shoulders, and lower back •
•
•
•
•
•
•
INDICATIONS: All symptoms of qi deficiency: fatigue, weak extremities, tendency to diarrhea, poor appetite, shortness of breath, low voice, pale face color, susceptibility to cold/flu All symptoms of cold damp: abnormal weight gain (especially after childbirth); general sense of heaviness/sluggishness, brain fog; chronic discharge All symptoms of cold phlegm: stuffy chest, poor digestion, chronic cough, dizziness All symptoms of wind cold: acute cold/flu, especially in elderly and deficient patients; chronic aversion to drafts All symptoms of wind damp: pain, weakness and/or numbness in neck, shoulders, arms, legs, and lower back Pale tongue with tooth marks and white coating All sensations of trapped qi and other signs of chronic digestive weakness, such as bloating, gas, abdominal discomfort, nausea and vomiting, undigested food in stool; tendency to diarrhea, but also constipation in people with low thyroid levels; bladder pressure/discomfort; recurrent caries Menstrual pain, irregular menses, bleeding/spotting, amenorrhea, abdominal masses •
•
• •
•
• •
•
29
五積散
EARTH PEARLS
Wuji San
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS: Obesity Food sensitivities; irritable bowel syndrome; eating disorders Ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease Low thyroid values; anemia Dysmenorrhea, metrorrhagia, amenorrhea, leukorrhea Acute cold/flu (especially in elderly patients); food poisoning Chronic bronchitis, emphysema, pulmonary heart disease (and other conditions involving chronic phlegm production) Shoulder-Arm Syndrome; lumbago Chronic fatigue syndrome; fibromyalgia Meniere’s syndrome Airline travel (prevention of colds, food poisoning and jet lag) • • • • • • •
• • • •
DIFFERENTIATE: For low thyroid values and/or osteoporosis, combine with Vitality Pearls For common cold with symptoms of sore throat, use Perilla Pearls For sinus or lung infection involving the production of yellow phlegm, use Golden Pearls For menstrual cramps, uterine bleeding and/or benign uterine masses, use or combine with Moon Pearls For cervical cancer and ovarian cancer, use Ocean Pearls For eating disorders involving vomiting, use or combine with Gingko Pearls For chronic joint pain in fibromyalgia patients, combine with Bamboo Pearls and/or Lightning Pearls For chronic degenerative lung conditions, combine with Glacier Pearls For airline travel, combine with Lightning Pearls For prevention of food poisoning and parasitic disease during travel, combine with Thunder Pearls For ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, consider adding herbs that gently clear yangming heat and tonify kidney yin • • • •
• • •
• • •
•
30
31
五積散
EARTH PEARLS
Wuji San
蒼朮 肉桂 茯苓 甘草
CANGZHU ROUGUI FULING GANCAO
(Atractylodes, red) (Cinnamon bark) (Poria) (Licorice)
半夏 陳皮
BANXIA CHENPI
(Pinellia) (Citrus peel)
厚朴 乾姜
HOUPO GANJIANG
(Magnolia bark) (Ginger, dried)
桔梗 枳殼
JIEGENG ZHIKE
(Platycodon) (Aurantium zhike)
白芍 川芎 當歸
BAISHAO CHUANXIONG DANGGUI
(Peony, white) (Ligusticum) (Tang-kuei)
防風 白芷
FANGFENG BAIZHI
(Siler) (Angelica dahurica)
32
original Song dynasty remedy Wuji San: containing Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang, Jiegeng Banxia Tang, Erchen Tang, Pingwei San, Tongxie Yaofang; as well as principal ingredients of: Guizhi Tang, Banxia Houpo Tang, Houpo Shengjiang Gancao Banxia Renshen Tang, Danggui Shaoyao San, Banxia Baizhu Tianma Tang, Bazhen Tang
TIGER PEARLS
Taohe Wenpi Tang A formula for resolving chronic constipation (including all chronic diseases accompanied by constipation). THERAPEUTIC PRINCIPLES: Resolve habitual constipation and deep-seated cellular toxicity in overall deficient individuals by clearing yangming networks (stomach/large intestine) and boosting spleen/kidney functions; normalize bowel movements by balancing thyroid levels Curb auto-immune reactions by reducing toxic load •
•
INDICATIONS: Constipation; or alternating diarrhea and constipation Cold and congested feeling in lower abdomen Undigested food in stool • • •
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS: Chronic constipation Primary remedy for degenerative diseases where purging of toxicity from the cellular matrix is required: kidney failure, diabetes, cancer (especially colon cancer and deficiency based bone marrow cancers like multiple myeloma), etc. Irritable bowel syndrome, leaky gut syndrome; ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease Anemia, pernicious anemia, aplastic anemia • •
• •
DIFFERENTIATE: For constipation caused by parasitic disease, combine with Thunder Pearls For diabetes, use or combine with Sugar Pearls For glomerulonephritis and kidney failure, combine with Ocean Pearls For bladder cancer, use or combine with Ocean Pearls For lung cancer, throat/tongue cancer, esophageal cancer, and colon cancer, combine with Glacier Pearls For low thyroid values and/or osteoporosis, combine with Vitality Pearls or Guanyin Pearls For pernicious anemia, combine with Vitality Pearls For aplastic anemia, combine with Love Pearls For leukemia, use Dragon Pearls and Ease Pearls • • • • •
• • • •
33
附子
FUZI
(Aconite, processed)
刺五加
CIWUJIA
(Siberian ginseng)
乾姜
GANJIANG
(Ginger, dried)
大黃
DAHUANG
(Rhubarb)
桂枝
GUIZHI
(Cinnamon twig)
赤芍
CHISHAO
(Peony, red)
芒硝
MANGXIAO
(Mirabilitum)
桃仁
TAOREN
(Persica)
(炙)甘草
(ZHI) GANCAO
(Licorice, baked)
何首烏
HESHOUWU
(Heshouwu)
34
Wenpi Tang
Taohe Chengqi Tang
moisten LI, KID, LIV; balance drying herbs
SUGAR PEARLS
Jueming Hema Tang A formula for diabetes and other blood-sugar issues. THERAPEUTIC PRINCIPLES: Stabilize blood sugar levels, reduce cellular toxicity, improve microcirculation, and prevent tissue degeneration by tonifying yang qi of spleen/stomach, nourishing yin of lung/stomach/heart, clearing liver heat, and moving blood •
INDICATIONS: Symptoms of blood sugar imbalance: spaciness, fatigue, mood changes, PMS, sugar craving, headaches, difficulty focusing the eyes, tremors, temperamental outbursts, depression, excessive sweating, hot flashes, palpitations, cold extremities, abdominal pain, panic attacks Weight gain, especially around the midsection Elevated blood pressure Elevated cholesterol and triglycerides Increased deposits of plaque in the arterial walls; neuropathy Immune suppression Insulin resistance •
• • • • • •
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS: Pre-diabetes, diabetes (type II), and other “sugar diseases” Syndrome X • •
DIFFERENTIATE: For constipation, combine with Tiger Pearls For hypoglycemia, combine with Vitality Pearls For acid reflux and high blood pressure, combine with Counterflow Pearls For neuropathy and memory issues, combine with Evergreen Pearls • • • •
35
附子
FUZI
(Aconite, processed)
西洋參
XIYANGSHEN
(American ginseng)
炮姜
PAOJIANG
(Ginger, prepared)
白朮
BAIZHU
(Atractylodes, white)
甘草
GANCAO
(Licorice)
麥門冬
MAIMENDONG
(Ophiopogon)
五味子
WUWEIZI
(Schizandra)
(越南)肉桂
(Vietnamese) ROUGUI (Cinnamon bark, Vietnam) Taohe Chengqi Tang
桃仁
TAOREN
(Persica)
虎杖
HUZHANG
(Polygonatum cusp.)
決明子
JUEMINGZI
(Cassia seed)
clear diabetic toxicity,
梔子
ZHIZI
(Gardenia)
promote microcirculation,
丹參
DANSHEN
(Salvia)
靈芝
LINGZHI
(Ganoderma)
紅線麻
HONGXIANMA
(Laportea cusp.)
36
Fuzi Lizhong Tang
Shengmai San
prevent tissue degeneration stabilize blood sugar level
蘇子利喉湯 PERILLA PEARLS
Suzi Lihou Tang For relief of the congestion and sore throat that often accompany the common cold. This formula, based on an 18th century remedy designed to address both the Windheat and Wind-cold varieties of cold/flu, is especially useful for symptoms involving phlegm and sore throat. THERAPEUTIC PRINCIPLES: Release the surface safely and effectively in acute upper respiratory infections with combined symptoms of wind cold and wind heat invasion; transform heat phlegm, descend uprising qi , soothe swelling •
INDICATIONS: Cough, sore throat, swollen glands General feeling of malaise Heavy sensation in chest (feeling that phlegm is stuck behind sternum) • • •
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS: Common cold Sore throat Bronchitis • • •
DIFFERENTIATE: Use Golden Pearls for sinus infections and copious amounts of colored phlegm in yang deficient individuals Use Wind Pearls for seasonal allergies and symptoms of wheezing Use Glacier Pearls for hoarseness due to smoking, or chronic cough due to degenerative changes in the lungs •
• •
37
紫蘇子
ZISUZI
(Perilla seed)
前胡
QIANHU
(Peucedanum)
杏仁
XINGREN
(Apricot seed)
桔梗
JIEGENG
(Platycodon)
(浙)貝母
(ZHE) BEIMU
(Fritillaria thunb.)
玄參
XUANSHEN
(Scrophularia)
薄荷
BOHE
(Mentha)
連翹
LIANQIAO
(Forsythia)
(生)甘草
GANCAO (SHENG) (Licorice)
瓜蔞(實)
GUALOU SHI
(Trichosanthes fruit)
Xiao
(法)半夏
BANXIA (FA)
(Pinellia)
Xianxiong
黃芩
HUANGQIN
(Scute)
Tang
38
Suzi Lihou Tang
GOLDEN PEARLS
Lu Gui Quwan Tang
Nourishing prescription for the gentle, yet effective, transformation of colored phlegm in immune-compromised patients (sinusitis/bronchitis). A modification of the classical formula Guizhi Jia Gegen Tang.
THERAPEUTIC PRINCIPLES: Release taiyang/yangming and gently clear heat phlegm. For weak and generally allergic constitutional types with respiratory infections involving colored phlegm. •
INDICATIONS: Floating or tight pulse (weak volume) Frontal (sinus) headache, sore/sensitive neck Aversion to wind, tendency to feel cold Occluded phlegm in sinuses; yellow/green phlegm draining from nose and/or lungs Preventing worsening of infection (i.e., phlegm turning colored, cold going into chest) when suffering from cold with symptoms of runny nose/sneezing Any situation involving chronic puss in deficient individuals (teeth, skin) • • • • •
•
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS: Sinus infections Bronchitis Allergies (due to inflamed mucous membranes) in late-stage cold situations Tooth aches, tooth abscesses Acne pustules and other suppurative skin conditions • • • • •
DIFFERENTIATE: Use Perilla Pearls for cold with sore throat and/or pronounced symptoms of coughing Use Wind Pearls for seasonal allergies and symptoms of wheezing • •
39
葛根
GEGEN
(Pueraria)
Guizhi Jia
桂枝
GUIZHI
(Cinnamon twig)
Gegen Tang,
赤芍
CHISHAO
(Peony, red)
Huangdan
白芍
BAISHAO
(Peony, white)
Tang
炮姜
PAOJIANG
(Ginger, roasted)
甘草
GANCAO
(Licorice)
五味子
WUWEIZI
(Schizandra)
黃芩
HUANGQIN
(Scutellaria)
蘆根
LUGEN
(Phragmites)
Weijing
冬瓜子
DONGGUAZI
(Benincasa)
Tang
薏苡仁
YIYIREN
(Coix)
桃仁
TAOREN
(Persica)
桔梗
JIEGENG
(Platycodon)
絲瓜絡
SIGUALUO
(Luffa fiber)
40
open stubborn congestion in nose and chest
WIND PEARLS
Jiemin Tang Complex prescription for the rapid relief of respiratory allergies (hay fever, asthma). Combination of herbal building blocks affecting the Lung and Kidney organ networks. THERAPEUTIC PRINCIPLES: Disperse wind, transform phlegm, open the nose and chest; harmonize auto-immune overreactions by consolidating the Spleen, Lung and Kidneys •
INDICATIONS: Stuffed nose, runny nose, sneezing Watery and itchy eyes Red and itchy skin Wheezing/coughing; sensation of raw/inflamed mucous membranes Floating, possibly rapid pulse (maybe slippery/soggy in LU or KD positions) Tongue may display mapped coating • • • • • •
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS: Allergic rhinitis Allergic asthma Allergic skin and mucous membrane reactions • • •
DIFFERENTIATE: Use Golden Pearls for sinus infections, production of colored phlegm, and seasonal allergies with pronounced surface symptoms and/or food allergies Use Perilla Pearls for cold with intertwined wind-cold and wind-heat aspects, sore throat, and/or pronounced symptoms of coughing •
•
41
莘夷花
XINYIHUA
(Magnolia flower)
蒼耳子
CANGERZI
(Xanthium)
白芷
BAIZHI
(Angelica)
薄荷
BOHE
(Mentha)
紫蘇子
ZISUZI
(Perilla seed)
白芥子
BAIJIEZI
(Mustard seed)
(炒) 萊菔子
LAIFUZI (CHAO)
(Raphanus, fried)
麥門冬
MAIMENDONG
(Ophiopogon)
nourish yin of
五味子
WUWEIZI
(Schizandra)
lung & kidney
天門冬
TIANMENDONG
(Asparagus)
生地黃
(SHENG) DIHUANG (Rehmannia, fresh)
(浙) 貝母
(ZHE) BEIMU
(Fritillaria thunb.)
transform
蒲公英
PUGONGYING
(Dandelion)
heat phlegm
地龍
DILONG
(Lumbricus)
open collateral congestion
42
Cangerzi San
Sanzi Yangqin Tang
GLACIER PEARLS
Yanghe Tang Jiawei Constitutional support formula for smokers and persons with compromised lungs. A complex modification of the traditional remedy Yanghe Tang, with anti-toxin and anti-accumulation ingredients.
THERAPEUTIC PRINCIPLES: For qi deficient constitutions producing chronic phlegm (in the form of sticky mucous or lump formation) leading to potentially malignant tumor development; primarily for smokers or former smokers. •
INDICATIONS: Chronic cough, shortness of breath Degenerative respiratory disease with chronic phlegm Masses in the upper burner or skin layer • • •
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS: Prevention of degenerative tissue changes in long-time smokers Support of conventional cancer therapy in patients with tumors in the upper part of the body, especially the lung, neck, and throat Support of conventional skin and colon cancer therapy Protection of tissues and mucous membranes during radiation and chemotherapy Prevention of further degeneration and symptom relief in patients with emphysema and chronic degenerative respiratory syndrome • •
• • •
DIFFERENTIATE: For constitutional support of those with breast cancer, Glacier Pearls can be used to alternate with Mama Pearls (Mama Pearls 3 weeks, Glacier Pearls 1 week) •
43
(熟) 地黃
(SHU) DIHUANG
(Rehmannia, cooked)
Yanghe
白芥子
BAIJIEZI
(Mustard seed)
Tang
桂枝
GUIZHI
(Cinnamon twig)
阿膠
EJIAO
(Gelatin)
炮姜
PAOJIANG
(Ginger, roasted)
甘草
GANCAO
(Licorice)
(浙)貝母
(ZHE) BEIMU
(Fritillaria thunb.)
(全) 栝蔞
(QUAN) GUALOU (Trichosanthes fruit)
masses
山慈姑
SHANCIGU
clear
白花蛇舌草
BAIHUASHESHECAO (Oldenlandia/Hedyotis) toxic
(Cremastra)
dissolve
heat
地龍
DILONG
(Earthworm)
露蜂房
LUFENGFANG
(Hornet’s nest)
地鱉蟲
DIBIECHONG
(Eupolyphaga)
44
(anti-cancer) anti-abscess anti-malignancy
骨折内服方 OX BONE PEARLS
Guzhe Neifu Fang AN ALCHEMICAL THREE-FORMULA COMBINATION Complex Daoist medicine formula for the acceleration of bone healing. Prepared with great alchemical integrity in three complex production phases. THERAPEUTIC PRINCIPLES: Move blood, reduce swelling and pain, resolve trauma from external injuries; accelerate bone healing by increasing mineral uptake and formation of bone web. •
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS: Whenever blood moving therapies are required External injuries involving bone fractures Other types of external injuries Meniscus and other cartilage damage Acute ligament pain • • • • •
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS: Whenever blood moving therapies are required External injuries involving bone fractures Other types of external injuries • • •
DIFFERENTIATE: For acute fractures/injuries, use Ox Bone Pearls for 3-6 weeks, then switch to Bamboo Pearls to prevent arthritic changes For fractures that are older than 6 weeks, use Ox Bone Pearls for 1-2 weeks, then switch to Bamboo Pearls For chronic pain in old injury sites, use Bamboo Pearls •
•
•
45
1) DECOCTION: 當歸(尾)
DANGGUI (WEI)
(Tang-kuei tails)
move blood,
川芎
CHUANXIONG
(Ligusticum)
reduce
沒藥
MOYAO
(Myrrh)
swelling and
紅花
HONGHUA
(Carthamus)
pain,
桂枝
GUIZHI
(Cinnamon twig)
resolve
三七
SANQI
(Pseudoginseng)
trauma
龍骨(炒)
LONGGU (CHAO) (Dragon bone, fried)
地龍
DILONG
(Lumbricus)
淫羊霍(羊油炙)
YINYANGHUO
枸杞子
GOUQIZI
(Epimedium, spikes removed, fried in lamb fat) (Lycium fruit, unsulfured)
(廣)木香
(GUANG) MUXIANG (Vladimiria)
甘草
GANCAO
(Licorice)
2) SLOW-COOK DECOCTION: 骨碎補
GUSUIBU
(Drynaria)
increase
牛股骨
NIU GUGU
(Ox bone)
mineral uptake
Bone is selected from the front shoulder bone of ox; ox or buffalo or yak must be grass-fed, and live in a wild, non-toxic environment; bone is crushed, and then slow cooked with herb for 12 hours. 3) FINE POWDER PREPARATION: 螃蟹殼 PANGXIE
(River crab shell)
increase mineral uptake
Crabs are selected from a clean stream that is not polluted with pesticides, nitrates, and acid rain. 46
觀音潛陽露 GUANYIN PEARLS
Guanyin Qianyang Lu An effective formula for all symptoms of menopause including hot flashes, reduced energy, thinning/drying of vaginal tissue, reduced libido. THERAPEUTIC PRINCIPLES: Alleviate deficiency flare-up of yang energy in menopausal women by restoring the Kidney’s ability to store and safeguard yang qi; harmonize upward and downward energy movements in all three burners; replenish both yin and yang in the sources of pre-natal energy (Liver and Kidney); nourish yin and yang in the sources of post-natal energy (Spleen and Lung). •
INDICATIONS: All symptoms of menopause and post-menopause •
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS: Hot flashes Anxiety/depression, emotional volatility, restless sleep Loss of energy; thyroid and adrenal imbalances Decrease in libido; thinning of vaginal tissues Hair loss, brittle nails, dry eyes, dry and wrinkling skin • • • • •
DIFFERENTIATE: For menopausal symptoms due to Liver qi stagnation and/or obvious shaoyang problems, use Ease Pearls For anxiety/insomnia that is not associated with menopause, use Peace Pearls For severe anxiety/insomnia, use in combination with Peace Pearls For uterine fibroids or other benign uterine masses, use Moon Pearls For constitutional support of those with breast cancer or uterine cancer, use Mama Pearls For increase in libido and/or atrophy of genital tissues, use in combination with Love Pearls For perimenopausal symptoms, use or combine with Moon Pearls •
• • • • • •
47
附子
FUZI
(Aconite, processed)
炮姜
PAOJIANG
(Ginger, roasted)
砂仁
SHAREN
(Amomum)
五加參
WUJIASHEN
(Siberian ginseng) all sympt. of flushing up
炙甘草
ZHI GANCAO
(Licorice, baked)
旱連草
HANLIANCAO
(Eclipta)
女貞子
NÜZHENZI
(Ligustrum)
淫羊藿
YINYANGHUO
(Epimedium)
仙茅
XIANMAO
(Curculigo)
菟絲子
TUSIZI
(Cuscuta)
知母
ZHIMU
(Anemarrhena)
百合
BAIHE
(Lily)
48
Qianyang Dan (Submerge Yang Pellet;
19 th century formula for due to inab. to store yang) Erzhi Wan
Erxian Tang
Baihe Zhimu Tang
OCEAN PEARLS
Xiaokuai Guizong Wan A formula for toxic and degenerative diseases of the pelvic organs (prostate cancer, kidney cysts and tumors, ovarian cysts and tumors, cervical dysplasia, genital warts and other venereal diseases) THERAPEUTIC PRINCIPLES: Transform blood stasis in lower burner; soften and disperse masses and accumulations in pelvic region; resolve toxic lesions in urino-genital tract Invigorate mingmen fire to boost vitality and immune status of the body’s lower regions •
•
INDICATIONS: Masses and accumulations in abdomen and pelvic region Varicose veins Infections in genital regions • • •
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS: Ovarian cysts, kidney cysts Prostate cancer; ovarian cancer, cervical cancer; kidney cancer, bladder cancer Varicoceles; epididemitis Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), gonorrhea, genital herpes • • • •
DIFFERENTIATE: For uterine myomas, use or combine with Moon Pearls For acute venereal infection, combine with Dragon Pearls For genital herpes, combine with Lightning Pearls For ovarian cancer, alternate with Mama Pearls • • • •
49
(越南)肉桂
( Vietnamese)ROUGUI (Cinnamon bark, Vietnam)
Guizhi Fuling Wan,
赤芍
CHISHAO
(Peony, red)
Taohe Chengqi Tang
赤茯苓
(CHI) FULING
(Poria, red)
牡丹皮
MUDANPI
(Moutan)
桃仁
TAOREN
(Persica)
(酒)大黃
(alcohol processed) DAHUANG (Rhubarb, alcohol processed)
附子
FUZI
(Aconite, processed)
生姜
SHENGJIANG
(Ginger, fresh)
甘草
GANCAO
(Licorice)
當歸尾
DANGGUI WEI
(Tang-kuei tail)
Danggui Beimu
浙貝母
ZHE BEIMU
(Fritiallaria thunb.)
Kushen Wan
苦參
KUSHEN
(Sophora root)
虎杖
HUZHANG
(Polygonatum cusp.)
soften pelvic masses,
鱉甲
BIEJIA
(Tortoise shell)
anti-virus, anti-cancer
50
Sini Tang
附子
FUZI Jiangyou Fuzi
Heiner Fruehauf has spent quite a bit of time researching the “Yang Tonic” school of Sichuan herbalism. As part of this process, he has found the perfect type of aconite, which was in most classics considered to be the primary herb for most difficult and chronic diseases and the core herb of the yang tonic school. Aconite, therefore, used to be called the "King of the 100 Herbs." Since the rampant materialism of the last 50 years took over herb production in China, dismissing traditional growing, harvesting, and processing protocols, the quality of Fuzi has become so bad that most materials presently on the market are actually harmful. Side effects are attributed to the toxicity of the Fuzi, rather than the poor production/processing procedures. This situation has brought about a clinical environment in which Fuzi is virtually not used at all anymore. This is a great loss for classical Chinese medicine, which by its very nature is focused on the healing of serious diseases. Classical Pearls is proud to supply a superior-grade Fuzi product: •
•
•
• •
Grown in the only region of China where "didao" (genuine) medicinal grade Fuzi comes from (Jiangyou in Northern Sichuan: all of the genuine Fuzi in the world now comes from an area that in recent decades has shrunk to less than 20 acres of actively producing fields) Planted at the winter solstice and harvested at the summer solstice (thereby only absorbing the yang energy of the year) It was processed in accordance with elsewhere abolished traditional methods (multiple courses of steaming, soaking in brine, and rinsing), during a 3-month long supervision period by a Hai Shan employee. Available in 5:1 and 8:1 extract powder Is the same Fuzi used in the production of the Classical Pearls formula product line
51
52
Professional Development Activity As a NCCAOM certified provider of Professional Development Activity credits (provider number ACHB 682) we are pleased to offer Chinese medicine practitioners educational and professional development opportunities through the Associates Forum. The process for applying for PDA credits is simple. First, become a member of the Associates Forum, a one-year membership which allows you access to over 20 certified programs and written articles of professionally-relevant material. Then request the tests for the respective program you wish to receive credit for. Upon completion, return the test to be graded and approved. A 1-hour video lecture is worth 1.5 PDA credits. The cost upon test submission for each certifiable credit is $15 (US dollars), and a one-year membership to the Associates Forum is $195 (US dollars).
The Associates Forum at ClassicalChineseMedicine.org The academic partner organization of Classical Pearls
The Associates Forum is a feature of ClassicalChineseMedicine.org, a website dedicated to the in-depth research, preservation and sharing of classical Chinese medicine knowledge. Direct transmission of this knowledge from teacher to disciple is one of the characterizing features of classical Chinese medicine. This type of transmission far exceeds the data aspect of the information discussed, and emphasizes the immediacy, passion, and heart based quality of the discipleship approach that generally gets lost in written modes of communication. The Associates Forum has thus been configured to feature both video presentations and written material of the classical Chinese medicine teachings by Profs. Wang Qingyu, Liu Lihong, Heiner Fruehauf, and a variety of other scholars and physicians who are at the forefront of the classical Chinese medicine renaissance in China. Most of the video presentations have been recorded in scenic locations throughout mainland China. Please visit the Associates Forum at: www.classicalchinesemedicine.org/associates.htm
Also available through Hai Shan Inc . at www.classicalpearls.org
SACRED CHANTS Sacred Chants is a beautifully recorded and designed 4 CD box set of sacred chants collected from spiritual healing communities in China by Heiner Fruehauf. It includes Chinese Buddhist, Tibetan Buddhist, Confucian, and Sufi chant cycles, some of them recorded for the first time. Performed by a choir of 12 voices from NCNM faculty and students, these chants total over 2.5 hours! Sacred Chants includes spoken explanations and detailed written information about each chant. These CD’s make an excellent collection for your waiting and treatment rooms.
This article first appeared in the Journal of Chinese Medicine May 1998
GU syndrome Treating Chronic Inflammatory Diseases with Chinese Herbs: An Interview with Heiner Fruehauf on the Practical Applications of Gu Syndrome “Gu” used to be a prominent term in ancient medical treatises, but has virtually disappeared from modern textbook descriptions of Chinese medicine. The character Gu most often described a situation of entrenched parasitism that eventually brings about a state of extreme stagnation and mental and physical decay. Generally, the label Gu syndrome warranted the presence of particularly vicious parasites, or a superinfection of many different kinds of parasites that combine their toxic potential to gradually putrify the patient’s body and mind. From a modern perspective, this definition of Gu syndrome points to aggressive helminthic, protozoan, fungal, spirochete, or viral afflictions that have become systemic in an immune compromised patient. In ancient China, schistosomiasis and chronic entamoeba infections may have been the most common manifestations of Gu syndrome. In modern times, this therapeutic approach can be used for many different kinds of degenerative chronic infections, such as those caused by HIV and borrelia.
Some of the clinical characteristics frequently highlighted in the traditional Gu literature are the following: 1) Gu pathogens are malicious and have life-threatening consequences. 2) Gu pathogens primarily enter the body through food. 3) Gu pathogens represent a type of toxin (gu du). This makes reference to their virulent epidemic quality, but also to the only recently corroborated fact that the metabolic byproducts of parasitic organisms have a toxic affect on the body. 4) Gu pathogens are most likely to thrive in already deficient organisms, and once established, further harm the body’s source qi. 5) Gu pathogens operate in the dark. It is often unclear when and how the pathogen was contracted, making an accurate diagnosis extremely difficult. Due to the multiplicity of potential symptoms, moreover, most doctors appear confused by Gu pathologies. Chinese master physicians have continuously pointed out that Gu induced chronic diarrhea, ascites, wasting syndrome, mental symptoms, etc., must be diagnosed and treated com-
1
treating chronic inflammatory diseases with chinese herbs: an interview with heiner fruehauf on the practical applications of gu syndrome pletely different from the general occurence of these disorders. “The coarse doctor treats the Gu type of diarrhea just like regular diarrhea,” the Ming Dynasty encyclopedia Puji Fang (Common Aid Formulas) emphasizes, “and this is completely wrong.”1 Some of the typical Gu symptoms cited in the literature refer to the familiar picture of acute protozoan infection, such as abdominal cramping and pain, vomiting, and the excretion of bloody stools. Others paint the infinitely more complex and variegated picture of systemic superinfection by chronic parasites, funguses, and viruses: “There are thousands of Gu toxins, all of which may potentially cause different symptoms,” the authoritative 6th century encyclopedia Beiji Qianjin Yaofang (Thousand Ducat Formulas) explains; “some of them will cause bloody stools, while others initiate the desire to lay in a dark room; others may bring about bouts of irregular emotions, such as depression that alternates with periods of sudden happyness; others again cause the extremities to feel heavy and ache all over; and then there are myriads of other symptoms that we do not have the space here to list in their entirety.”2 Although it is one of the defining trademarks of Gu syndrome as well as my own clinical experience that chronic parasitism may involve virtually any symptom in virtually any combination, for diagnostic purposes the indicia most consistently quoted in traditional texts can be synopsized in the following way:
thoughts; flaring anger, fits of rage; unpredictable onset of strong yet volatile emotions; inner restlessness, insomnia; general sense of muddledness and confusion, chaotic thought patterns; visual and/or auditory hallucinations; epileptic seizures; sensation of “feeling possessed.” • Constitutional signs: progressing state of mental and physical exhaustion, indications of source qi damage; dark circle underneath the eyes; mystery symptoms that evade clear diagnosis; history of acute protozoan infection; history of travel to tropical regions; floating and big pulse, or congested pulse; stagnation in sublingual veins; rooted damp tongue coating; red tongue tip or red “parasite dots” on top of tongue. It has been over ten years that Heiner Fruehauf’s article on Gu Syndrome (summarized above) was first published.3 Since then, thousands of chronic patients suffering from chronic inflammatory ailments have been successfully treated with this unique therapeutic approach. Heiner Fruehauf recently sat down with two of his students, Erin Moreland and Bob Quinn, to discuss the clinically most relevant points of Gu syndrome treatment. § in the autumn of 2008 heiner fruehauf, ph.d., l.ac., sat down with two of his students, erin moreland, l.ac., and bob quinn, daom, l.ac., to discuss the finer points of gu syndrome treatment. this discussion is best understood as a follow-up to and elaboration of the ideas presented in heiner’s earlier article on gu syndrome published in the 1998 may issue of The Journal of Chinese Medicine.
• Digestive symptoms: chronic diarrhea, loose stool, or alternating diarrhea/constipation; explosive bowel movements; abdominal bloating or ascites; abdominal cramping and/or pain; nausea; intestinal bleeding and/or puss; poor appetite or ravenous appetite, peculiar food cravings. • Neuromuscular symptoms: muscle soreness, muscle heavyness, muscle weakness; wandering body pains; physical heat sensations; cold night sweats; aversion to bright light.
3 Heiner Fruehauf, “Driving Out Demons and Snakes: Ancient Chinese Parasitology and the Treatment of Gu Syndrome in Modern Clinical Practice”, The Journal of Chinese Medicine, May 1998. German translation by Markus Goeke, published in “Gu Syndrom: Chronischer Parasitismus in der chinesischen Medizin,” Zeitschrift für Chinesische Medizin, Spring 2004. Both versions are available for download at the Clinical Information section of www.ClassicalChineseMedicine.org
• Mental symptoms: depression, frequent suicidal 1 Puji Fang (Common Aid Formulas), Shanghai Guji, Shanghai 1991, vol.5, p. 359. 2 Sun Simiao, Qianjin Fang (Thousand Ducat Formulas), Jilin Renmin, Jilin 1994, vol.2, p.808.
2
treating chronic inflammatory diseases with chinese herbs: an interview with heiner fruehauf on the practical applications of gu syndrome Q: Heiner, first of all thanks for making time for the interview. We want to discuss clinical treatment strategies for Gu syndrome, but before we get into the specifics, for the sake of the people who did not read your article in The Journal of Chinese Medicine on Gu syndrome, could you quickly go over what Gu syndrome is and how you got started on the research?
the treatment of Gu syndrome—like Fu talismans, mantras, and techniques such as visualizing thunder and lightning in your abdomen, etc.—but the herbal treatment is quite practical and included a vast array of formulas that are unique and effective for the treatment of severe parasitism. Due to that standardization of Chinese medicine that took place and a general state of ignorance about the clinical power of this approach, this syndrome has been virtually erased from the record and no one thinks about it any more at all. Once I started using this approach fifteen years ago in my own clinical practice, I started making massive headway in cases that I couldn’t treat before, and not all of these patients came with obvious signs of chronic parasitic infection.
HF: Certainly. The phenomenon of Gu syndrome is for me a prime example of the clinical power that classical Chinese medicine carries, in a field where we have thrown out so much and where the record has been truncated for the sake of standardization. My own discovery of Gu syndrome came when there was a certain number of cases that I was not making sufficient progress with clinically, particularly with people I believed had parasites. I finally took literally a twoweek time out and just immersed myself in ancient texts. From my reading of the modern literature there were very few cases with chronic parasites recorded— sure, there were some cases of acute amoebic dysentery, but I felt that in a country like China it shouldn’t be any different from Nepal or India, where I knew that parasites have been a part of the clinical landscape for hundreds of years. When I looked at the classical textual record, it was a different story. I found chronic parasitism reflected in a huge area of classical Chinese medicine that was called Gu zheng, or Gu syndrome, which essentially means “Possession Syndrome”. Gu is a character that is very old, perhaps one of the oldest characters in the Chinese textual record altogether, since it is a hexagram in the Yijing. It is literally the image of three worms in a vessel. This to me is one of those strokes of brilliance that you find in the symbolism of the ancient Chinese—that they recognized 3000 years ago that chronic parasitism can cause psychotic or psychological symptoms. Because of the psychological, emotional, and perhaps spiritual implications of this term, Gu, when the Chinese standardized the classical record for the much simplified barefoot doctor approach of the TCM system in the 1950’s, they threw out lots of complicated and ideologically problematic topics, and obviously this “Possession Syndrome” was one of the first ones to go. There are of course magical modalities that are associated with
Q: Just to be clear, you’re not saying that all instances of parasitic infection equate to Gu. Someone comes back from Mexico, comes to a clinic and says I think I picked up a parasite…. HF: You are absolutely right, Gu syndrome does not equal acute parasitic infection. Not all cases, that, from a classical perspective, would be diagnosed as Gu syndrome, would be patients with parasites, and vice-versa, not all people with a positive parasitic test from the Western perspective would be accurately diagnosed as Gu. Gu syndrome actually means that your system is hollowed out from the inside out by dark yin forces that you cannot see. This not seeing often includes Western medical tests that come back negative for parasites. So from a certain perspective, AIDS falls into this category, with body and mind being hollowed out from the inside out, without knowing what is happening. Gu syndrome originally meant “black magic.” To the patient it felt as though someone had put a hex on them, without anybody—whether it’s the Western medicine community or, in ancient times, the regular Chinese medicine approach—being able to see what was really going on. Regular approaches, the Gu texts say, do not work for this problem. Literally, one quote says: “It looks like regular diarrhea, but if you treat it like regular diarrhea like Spleen deficiency or Yangming damp-heat, it doesn’t work… or it looks like regular constipation, but if you treat
3
treating chronic inflammatory diseases with chinese herbs: an interview with heiner fruehauf on the practical applications of gu syndrome it that way, it won’t work.” It can be said that the primary prerequisite for Gu syndrome is that the person has some digestive distress, coupled with neurological distress, such as body pain or mental symptoms— light symptoms such as fogginess, or severe symptoms such as hallucinations— that are not explainable with Western medicine, and that are not explainable either by regular diagnostic patterning that we’ve learned in TCM school.
that ancient medical wisdom can be more than a fascinating study subject, by offering clinical approaches that still work in a very palpable manner today. Fittingly, the academic engagement with our field is split in half. On one side, we have the sinologists working with the primary literature to illuminate the record, but most of these people would never want to be caught dead promoting the actual use of these healing methods; and on the other side we have practitioners who work hands-on with the medicine but know very little about its history. We live in the 21st century, and it is anachronistic for us to believe in the clinical power of Chinese medicine on the one hand, but root ourselves in the work of scholars who still promote a 19th century imperialist mindset on the other. With the Contemplative Studies Initiative, which encourages scholars to actually practice the disciplines they study, we have a good example of a unified approach in the fields of religion and anthropology, so why not embrace this open-minded method in Chinese medicine? I very much believe that it behooves practitioners of Chinese medicine to embrace foundational concepts that have always been a part of our science. The problem, really, are not the demons, but the proper understanding what a “demon” is. No need to be triggered into some kind of panic that we are going back to a medicine that was practiced in 500 BC. Looking at the ancient character for Gu, we can see that the ancient Chinese suspected that a good number of psychotic (“possession”) episodes are caused by parasites (“demons”)—a very scientific way of looking at the body, indeed. We lose out clinically if we get scared off by the term “demon” or “ghost” in a way that triggers the paranoia inherent in our own “religion”—which is scientific materialism in the West, or Marxist materialism in the People’s Republic of China. When I use the term scientific materialism here, I mean not true science in the sense of open-minded inquiry, but rather a sort of knee-jerk dogmatism.
Gu syndrome originally meant “black magic.” To the patient it felt as though someone had put a hex on them...
Q: When you bring up terms like demons, black magic, and possession, some of the people in the TCM community react negatively. I experience this myself at times when trying to discuss a case of Gu. They say: We’re getting so close to acceptance by the larger medical community, research is coming in, certain conditions are OK for insurance reimbursement, why did this have to come up now? It makes us look like the kooky fringe to talk about possession and demons and people being “hollowed out”. They think that you’re just not doing your TCM well if you have to resort to this Gu diagnosis. Could you address that? HF: Before I answer this question more directly, allow me to digress a bit. I recently visited Brown University, where a very valuable project called the Contemplative Studies Initiative is spearheaded by my friend and colleague Prof. Harold Roth. He is a respected scholar of Daoist religion and cosmological texts. In a nutshell, he has been ceaselessly working to debunk the 19th century perspective of the imperialist explorer who goes to Egypt, China, Japan or other places to research exotic cultures and their medicines, assuming the aloof perspective of “look at how quaint these tribal barbarians are, and how archaic and unsophisticated their knowledge is.” As Hal Roth has shown, this basic attitude still runs deep in contemporary academic circles. If, as a reputable academic, you set out to actually practice one of these methods, it would be the death of your professional career in most cases. The science of Chinese medicine clearly shows
4
treating chronic inflammatory diseases with chinese herbs: an interview with heiner fruehauf on the practical applications of gu syndrome To answer your question more directly, I would say this: I’m a scholar, which means that I’m trying to understand Chinese medicine as a science in its own right. I’m very much against making things up, or projecting my own desires for the future path of this medicine. In the context of Gu Syndrome, it is simply a fact that the classical record of Chinese medicine has been extremely truncated for ideological reasons, and part of that was done for the purpose of education. If you were trying to educate illiterate peasants in a two-week workshop conducted in rural China during the 1950s, complicated concepts and regimen didn’t seem practical at the time. Another point to be made is that the reemergence of Gu syndrome, and me writing about it, and the interest it has stirred—both for and against—is evidence of the maturing of the field. In the beginning when people didn’t know much about Chinese medicine, a concept like this would have not evoked any kind of reaction. Now we have people in the eld who read Chinese, who actively immerse themselves in Chinese culture, and bring with them a new level of maturity. We have sixty accredited schools in the country, we have doctoral programs now—the field itself is clearly maturing, and with that comes a greater depth and complexity. As time passes, we will be confronted with more pieces of information that we have never heard of before. In my view, it is good for our field to have an increase in the scope and containment of what our profession can stomach. The “archeological discovery” of Gu syndrome is thus timely in every sense of the word—it has come at a time when we can actually do something with that discovery, because there is both the intellectual capacity and clinical experience needed to process the information. There are now lots of practitioners who immediately recognize the value of Gu therapy, because everybody has cases where little headway is made with the regular TCM approach.
Q: And Gu is mentioned in various classical texts? HF: Gu syndrome has not just been mentioned in a single classic, but every notable book by every master in the past generally featured a chapter on Gu syndrome, because it was such a major part of what a Chinese doctor practicing anywhere between 500 BC and the 1940’s was facing. We should add here that Gu is not an anthropological phenomenon, a bizarre disease in the swamps of ancient China that does not exist anymore. Quite the contrary–due to the decreased immunity in modern people, because of the way we eat and the way we move our bodies, and the way many of us were given antibiotics as kids, the average modern city dweller is actually much more susceptible to parasitic organisms than Chinese villagers in the past. The clinical concept of Gu, therefore, is actually more useful now than it’s been in the past. According to my own experience, it is a most prominent disease. In my own clinic, for instance, about a quarter of patients are treated for the chronic inflammatory syndrome that I believe the ancient Chinese called Gu syndrome—whether it is travelers’ diseases like malaria and Dengue fever, or whether it is chronic recognized viruses such as AIDS or herpes. When the associated anxiety and depression and physical symptoms that come with Gu are brought into the calculus, you have covered a good many patients. And we can’t leave out the complicated digestive disorders associated with chronic blastocystis hominis, giardia or other protozoan organisms. It is perfectly safe and reasonable to treat all these patients using the Gu approach outlined in my article, particularly if you fail to make headway with other methods. In other words: If you encounter a patient with bizarre symptoms that puzzle the doctors and don’t fit TCM regular categories, go with Gu syndrome.
When people say their nerves are fried, it is really the yin of the Lung that has been com promised. When this happens people become jittery.
Q: Would you say that you would always find at least a history of parasitic infection, even if the patient currently tests negative for parasites on biomedical tests?
5
treating chronic inflammatory diseases with chinese herbs: an interview with heiner fruehauf on the practical applications of gu syndrome HF: At the bottom of Gu syndrome, and we see this in the symbol as I described earlier, is always a kind of pathogen. A worm is more easily discovered, but very often it is the small things that are most potent and remain hidden in the dark. Remember that the Chinese called this a yin (dark/hidden) pathogen. Lyme disease is a good example; the spirochetal pathogen is very elusive and so small that it is hard to discover with modern methods of diagnosis. I have a lot of patients where their case history makes them a shoein—they’ve been to Nepal, or India, or Latin America; they had amoebic dysentery; they took Flagyl and since that time their health has never been good. That kind of case is as clear as it can get, but there are lots of people who never left the country, and they can’t remember any kind of initial infection, but all of a sudden they’ve become chronically fatigued or have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Their doctors put them on Prozac because they don’t know what else to do, when actually they’ve likely picked up some parasite in a restaurant or had a tick bite that they never knew about. This category of parasites includes the widest possible range, including viruses such as herpes or the Coxsackie virus, chronic systemic yeast, and so on.
the qi layer. The choice of internal herbs makes sense, because these people have been ill for a long time and thus need to be treated internally. Very often, however, they report that their main symptom is a flu-like feeling all the time. They have an aversion to wind, they feel like they’ve had a 24/7 flu for years. Therefore, the simultaneous use of wind herbs makes sense as well. The first and perhaps most important category of the Gu approach, and I think this is brilliantly devised, is what has been called “release the surface with herbs that kill the snakes.” This first category primarily includes the three herbs baizhi, zisu, and bohe, but in an extended sense can also include jinyinhua, lianqiao, chaihu, and gaoben. In a Gu formula you usually have 2-3 herbs from this category, otherwise it wouldn’t qualify as a true Gu formula. All the other categories are internal categories that for the most part are tonic. The ancient Chinese recognized that this kind of patient presents with a general exhaustion of yang and qi and blood, because the process of chronic inflammation takes its toll on these reserves. At the same time the creators of Gu remedies knew that traditional tonics, ginseng especially, can also tonify the pathogen behind the inflammation. In all of these categories, we therefore find a careful selection of herbs that are tonic and anti-parasitic at the same time. It truly is a brilliant and meticulous approach.
Q: One curious thing in your original article when you talk about the treatment strategy is to see familiar herbs used in unfamiliar ways. I’m thinking particularly of the exterior releasing, highly aromatic herbs often. Can you talk about the nuts and bolts a little bit of what a Gu formula looks like? I think you go through six or seven categories of herbs that you have teased out in your studies.
The first of these internal categories is qi tonification, and the two lead herbs here are gancao, which must always be raw gancao, not zhi gancao, otherwise its anti-toxin-resolving, anti-parasite properties will not be there; and secondly huangqi, which in the traditional record has been described not only as a surfacefortifying herb but also as an herb for furuncles and carbuncles. It definitely has some anti-toxin properties along with its qi-lifting properties. Another herb that I like to include in this category is wujiapi, which is particularly useful for a type of Gu that I call “Brain Gu”. Brain Gu is a sort of nervous system inflammation. Most Lyme disease patients are diagnosed with Brain Gu in my clinic. Wujiapi is particularly useful when the main symptom is body pain.
HF: What makes a Gu prescription so different from a regular TCM formula is that the regular TCM approach is tied to an either-or, black-and-white recognition of the eight parameters. Is it internal or external, is it hot or is it cold? The Gu approach is an extreme intermingling of approaches that you would find contradictory in the strategies we learned in school. First and foremost is the combination of external herbs— herbs that are generally learned in the context of a surface-resolving category—with herbs that are entirely used for the interior, entering either the blood layer or
6
treating chronic inflammatory diseases with chinese herbs: an interview with heiner fruehauf on the practical applications of gu syndrome The next category are herbs that exhibit blood tonic and anti-parasitic properties. The main materials in this category are danggui and chuanxiong, and on occasion baishao may be used. As you mentioned already in your question, one of the ways these anti-parasitic herbs work is that most of them are aromatic; they are basically fumigants. Constant herbal fumigation makes the system uninhabitable for any kind of pathogen. We can look at most of these herbs as a sort of internal incense. Incense is traditionally used for spiritual cultivation, to keep the hermit cave-dweller safe from mosquitoes and other pathogens that disturb the meditative process, and also to open the so-called orifice of the heart. That is where the mental disturbance comes from in these people—the orifice of the heart is obscured, and these fragrant substances can help to open it up.
with heshouwu is that in its unprocessed state—which is what we want to use—it has mild laxative properties. Therefore, you want to use it only for people who are constipated; you can choose huangjing instead for people who are more on the diarrhea side. In the next category are herbs that are primary anti-parasitics and have been recognized as such in the traditional materia medica. There is kushen and shechuangzi for parasites in the intestinal and urinary tracts. Other herbs in this category are qinghao, excellent for parasitic afflictions in either the digestive tract or the nervous system. This is why qinghao has become so famous as an herb for malaria, which is a typical brain Gu affliction. Xuanshen and tufuling are particularly good for brain Gu and anti-spirochetal effect; xuduan is anti-spirochetal; baitouweng is primarily just for the digestive type of Gu; shichangpu is excellent for both types of Gu syndrome, digestive and brain. It is not only anti-parasitic, but also an herb that’s particularly famous for opening up the orifice to the brain and the Heart. This opening and awakening effect is so important in the treatment of Gu.
[Gu] is the oil that has gotten into the flour, and now has virtually become one with the flour, and is thus hard to get back out.
The next category is yin tonics, which I find particularly important for people suffering from the “Brain Gu” type of syndrome. I look at yin tonics, particularly the yin of the Lung, as a kind of protective sheathing around the nerves. When people say their nerves are fried, it is really the yin of the Lung that has been compromised. When this happens people become jittery. The leading herb here is baihe, which has been brilliantly discussed as an anti-parasitic, anti-anxiety, and anti-depressive agent by Zhang Zhongjing in his JinGui yaolüe, where he had a whole chapter devoted to Baihe Bing, or “Lily Disease”. Lily Disease is essentially a type of mental imbalance caused by a yin deficiency of the Lung, and the treatment was basically to prescribe baihe, sometimes in combination with other yin tonic herbs. Next in this category is huangjing, a Daoist herb often used by hermits in the countryside in southern and southwest China to ward off parasites and to calm the nervous system. The third one in this category, also a Lung yin tonic and anti-parasitic, is beishashen. Another one is heshouwu, a common tonic that has also anti-parasitic properties. The only caveat
Q: Heiner, you have just mentioned two types of Gu patients, a Brain Gu patient and a Digestive Gu patient. Can you take a moment to clearly differentiate them by discussing common symptoms? HF: Yes, the two big Gu types: Brain Gu and Digestive Gu. People who have chronic digestive system symptoms are referred to as digestive Gu. In the mildest case this will be bloating, gas, strange bowel movements like alternating diarrhea and constipation, or strangely shaped bowel movements. Along with these symptoms one will usually find chronic lethargy. A certain amount of brain fogginess or psychological symptoms like bad dreams can go with Digestive Gu as well.
7
treating chronic inflammatory diseases with chinese herbs: an interview with heiner fruehauf on the practical applications of gu syndrome Brain Gu syndrome is basically caused by chronic viruses that target the nervous system (such as coxsackie, herpes, and in some cases HIV), or spirochetes (especially Lyme disease and its coinfections), or other exotic pathogens causing chronic forms of meningitis, malaria, leptospirosis, etc. A lot of patients in this category are diagnosed with fibromyalgia these days. There may be symptoms of body pain, anxiety, depression, headaches, eye aches, visual hallucinations, strange sensations that there is something stuck in their head, etc. Very often these people have been put on Prozac or some other kind of anti-depressant, which often doesn’t work. They might exhibit some digestive symptoms as well, and very often Brain Gu and Digestive Gu go together. The approach is similar in many ways, but there are certain herbs that are more specific to spirochetes and viruses, and some herbs that are more specific for worms and protozoan parasites.
texts that the nature of Gu syndrome can be compared to oil seeping into flour. This is much different from a pearl falling into flour—with a pearl you can just take tweezers and remove it, which is the idea behind the Western antibiotic approach. You blast somebody for a week with those, and theoretically the pathogen is all gone. Similarly, the regular TCM approach is where you prescribe strong heat clearing herbs for amoebic dysentery and expect that it is all cleared up in one week. Gu is not like that. It is the oil that has gotten into the flour, and now has virtually become one with the flour, and is thus hard to get back out. Even in the best case scenario this is a long process—the Gu manuals speak of a minimum of six months and a maximum of three to five years. This is definitely my own experience, as well. In sum, the only way you can get rid of this problem is by avoiding the customary herbal approach of blasting the system with strong anti-parasitic herbs that are not tonic to the system and are hard to digest. Those will generally make the patient feel good for a week, but then s/he will not be able to stomach them afterwards. The brilliance of the Gu approach, once again, is that every single herb in the prescription is anti-pathogenic and tonic at the same time, and thus suitable for long-term treatment. Remember that this kind of patient will always need long-term treatment.
Q: In your experience do musculoskeletal issues typically accompany Brain Gu? HF: Yes, musculoskeletal issues are typical signs of Brain Gu. Digestive bloating, pain, and altered bowel movements are the primary signs of Digestive Gu. But both of them will have a certain degree of mental symptoms, therefore the “demonic possession” label— the Digestive Gu less, and the Brain Gu more.
Moving forward to the next category: the ancient Chinese apparently realized what we only know now, via the science of modern parasitology—parasites have the innate ability to camouflage and shield themselves with a certain kind of armor that is often called a biofilm. Traditional heat-clearing and anti-toxin herbs are not able to get rid of many of these parasites because they cannot penetrate the biofilm. It is therefore very important to include this category of blood moving herbs, containing yujin, sanleng, ezhu, muxiang, zelan and chenpi. These are all herbs that have a direct effect on the symptom of bloating, but that also have ingredients in them that are able to crack that ancient barrier. Together with these fragrant and blood moving substances, the other anti-parasitic and anti-toxin herbs can then change the cozy environment of the parasite, and over time convince it to evacuate.
Q: What if there is an actual worm? HF: There is a whole category of anthelmintic herbs that specifically have an anti-worm effect, including shijunzi, binglang, and guanzhong. Guanzhong, by the way, is also an excellent herb for chronic viruses, much better than the over-used banlangen. For me, it’s effect is very much like qinghao, without the more obvious shaoyang affinity of qinghao. The difference of worm affliction is that worms will often be expelled rather quickly, while spirochetes, viruses, protozoan parasites and microplasma need to be treated for a long time. This brings up a key difference between the Western and traditional Chinese approaches working with parasites. It says clearly in the classical
8
treating chronic inflammatory diseases with chinese herbs: an interview with heiner fruehauf on the practical applications of gu syndrome The last category features herbs that are both strongly aromatic and anti-parasitic. The main herb here is clove, dingxiang. Other herbs in this category include purple single-clove garlic, and hezi, and huajiao, which all have additional anti-parasitic properties that are different from the detoxifying ones that we discussed before. Most likely, they have an effect on certain egg or larva stages of parasites that the other ones can’t touch.
and suggesting to always stay a step ahead by making changes to your herbal approach. Changing the formula means that you leave the six categories intact— those categories never change, they are in every Gu formula—but of the two or three herbs in a particular category you always rotate at least one out and put a new one from the same category in. In this way, the general arrow of the therapeutic approach never changes, but you change the herbs within it. Your knowledge of plant qualities should of course play a role in the selection of what gets rotated in and what gets rotated out. In the first category, for instance, you have a choice between the more cooling jinyinhua (lonicera) lianqiao (forsythia) approach, and the more warming baizhi (angelica) and zisu (perilla) approach.
...Sini Tang is considered to be the main way of containing an overactive immune system, where the body’s yang energy is hovering at the surface rather than being properly stored in the battery of the Kidney.
Altogether, we have five or six different herbal categories that are working together in a highly integrated fashion, making them suitable for long-term use and clinically very effective. Even though the treatment will take a long time, patients usually feel a positive difference within six to twelve weeks after the treatment has begun, sometimes even right away.
Q: When you use your own products, the Thunder and Lightning Pearls, how do you dose them?
Q: Can we talk about dosage? HF: In the Chinese record, Gu syndrome often referred to severe and life-threatening infectious disease, such as schistosomiasis. Patients were therefore often prescribed formulas that included 150 to 300 grams of crude herbs in decoction per day. Nowadays, whether you end up using your own crude herbs or granules, or Thunder and Lightning Pearls—which are patent formulas I’ve created for the purpose of helping practitioners treat Gu patients—the daily amounts can be considerably less than that, such as 50-120g of crude herbs, or 10-25g of herbal granules, or the capsule equivalent thereof.
HF: Lightning Pearls is the standard formula for Brain Gu, and Thunder Pearls is the main formula for Digestive Gu. During the first 6 weeks of treatment for Brain Gu, I generally recommend to use Lightning Pearls at a dose of 3-6 capsules 2-3 times a day—amounting to a minimum of 6 capsules and a maximum of 18 capsules a day. Then I generally have patients take a week-long break from the Lightning Pearls, during which time Thunder Pearls are used as an alternating remedy in similar amounts. After that, it is back to the Lightning Pearls, or a combination of Lightning Pearls and one of the formulas in the aconite remedy series that help with stamina rebuilding and the relief of specific symptoms.
Since we are dealing with a living pathogen that has the ability to adapt, I recommend a regular change in the details of the prescription. It is best to change a Gu prescription regimen, at least somewhat, every six weeks. The classical record already points this out, by warning about the ability of Gu pathogens to adapt,
The herbs in our capsules are 10:1 extracts, meaning it takes ten grams of dried raw herb material to make just one gram of our extracts. One capsule contains 0.5g of herbal extract, which is equivalent to 1g of
9
treating chronic inflammatory diseases with chinese herbs: an interview with heiner fruehauf on the practical applications of gu syndrome granules or 5g of crude herbs. So they are quite concentrated. If you open one capsule and taste it you will see how effectively the factory preserves the aromatic plant constituents.
Fuzi (aconite) is not used here to achieve an enhanced damp drying effect, but to implement the master approach I learned from the Fire Spirit School (huoshen pai) of Sichuan herbalism. In the teachings of the 19th century physician Zheng Qin’an and the Lu family lineage, Sini Tang is considered to be the main way of containing an overactive immune system, where the body’s yang energy is hovering at the surface rather than being properly stored in the battery of the Kidney. In this situation, you need to pair the Lightning or Thunder Pearl approach with the likes of Vitality Pearls, a formula that contains Sini Tang and Fuzi Lizhong Tang in a balanced form appropriate for sensitive Gu patients.
Q: Can practitioners give your formula and a granule formula of their own on top of that? HF: Yes, of course. We do that in our clinic all the time, prescribing 6 capsules of Thunder or Lightning Pearls in the morning, and 6-10g of a custom-made granular formula in the afternoon. But the custom formula still needs to follow the principles of Gu prescribing, and be changed every six weeks or so. Q: Any particular challenges to prescribing for these Gu patients that we have not already addressed in our questions?
Q: I know your ideas on aconite differ from what is commonly taught in TCM schools, or also in Japanese Kampo, for that matter. Can you go into that a bit even though it is a bit off topic of Gu syndrome? As you have just explained it necessarily comes into the picture with certain Gu patients.
HF: Often these type of patients have many symptoms because they tend to be allergic. Both the Brain Gu type as well as the Digestive Gu type can exhibit many auto-immune symptoms, including food allergies, and often react extremely sensitively to stimuli in their environment. It is important, therefore, that you work your way up to the target amount slowly. These patients can react poorly to herbs, even if it is the right formula, if you dose initially too high. It is better to start on the low end and work your way up to the medium or high range.
HF: Aconite was once called the “King of the 100 Herbs” for its superior effect in the treatment of severe and chronic diseases. Nowadays, we are all hesitant to use it, because its results are often unreliable and sometimes allergenic in nature. This is not because of the toxicity of aconite itself, but because of improper processing shortcuts in the herb industry since the 1960s, often using chemicals such as bleach to detoxify this herb. It is sad to know how far modern processing techniques have departed from the traditional science of herb preparation in this case. That is why I have been eager to be in touch with local peasants in the only area in China where genuine medicinal-grade aconite comes from. I am very interested in restoring traditional processing techniques and to restore the full clinical power and safety of this herb. I am happy to announce here that we now have fuzi powdered extracts that people can purchase and use in their granule dispensaries. These can be ordered from Classical Pearls as an 8:1 extract where there is no starch carrier at all. We also have a 5:1 powdered extract that matches the strength of granules. That one has a small amount of starch carrier derived from the herb shanyao.
Also, I find it very important to mention that while chronic inflammatory patients seem to manifest a lot of heat symptoms, seem very inflamed, seem overreactive, have damp tongue coatings—even yellowish tongue coatings—underneath all that surface heat they tend to be yang deficient. You can verify this best in the pulse. The more inflamed someone is, the more energy is lost over time. So, depending on their degree of yang deficiency, you have to give them serious yang tonics such as Sini Tang along with the Gu herbs, either right away in very cold patients, or after six months when the body is asking to switch to recharge mode in most patients. This is the only effective way to contain and gradually repair the trauma in their immune system.
10
treating chronic inflammatory diseases with chinese herbs: an interview with heiner fruehauf on the practical applications of gu syndrome Q: Exactly what sets this aconite apart from other materials available today?
pathogens and the person has no more wind symptoms, and they are just burned out from the ordeal, then it is time to exclusively switch to the Vitality Pearl approach, or some other aconite remedy that contains soothing and partially anti-parasitic herbs like baihe. We would do this typically for another year or two.
HF: Aconite should be planted at the winter solstice and harvested at the summer solstice, so that it is growing only during the time of year when yang is in its ascendancy. This is the case with our fuzi. Traditionally, the best fuzi comes only from one small area in Sichuan province. This is where we grow and process it in accordance with the labor-intensive methods prescribed in traditional paozhi manuals.
Q: I know you use a type of testing with an electrodermal device to see if herbs are appropriate for patients. Can you talk about that a bit? HF: Due to the sensitivity that these patients very often have, I encourage practitioners to test every herb in every category for Gu patients before prescribing them, whether it is with muscle testing, electrodermal screening, or another diagnostic modality that directly registers patient responses. The more specific you can be about which one of these herbs is the right one right now, the better. The process of choosing which herb in a category is needed can be quite unpredictable at times. I find that the more precise the use of these herbs, the fewer chances there are for adverse reactions in your patients.
Q: And is this top-of-the-line aconite in any of your Classical Pearls formulas? HF: This aconite has gone into all of our aconite remedies, six of them so far. All of them are inspired by the Fire Spirit School’s approach of treating a patient’s constitutional core. For the specific purpose of addressing the yang deficiency needs of Gu patients, I’ve also produced a remedy called Vitality Pearls. Other aconite remedies can be used as well, such as Peace Pearls for pronounced symptoms of anxiety/insomnia, or Guanyin Pearls for menopause, but it was the Vitality Pearls that were specifically designed for the second and third stage of Gu treatment. For especially yang deficient patients, they can even be used during the first stage of Gu therapy, when generally only Thunder and Lightning Pearls are prescribed. For the average Gu patient you may have to wait some time before the Vitality Pearls would be appropriate. However, remember that no matter how much heat a person exhibits initially when they come to your clinic, they will eventually need this type of Sini Tang-based treatment. I should clarify: When I say Sini Tang I also mean to include other aconite formulas like Fuzi Lizhong Tang and Qianyang Dan. Vitality Pearls is based on Fuzi Lizhong Tang.
Q: One last thing to touch on. These patients often are difficult to work with because of the very symptoms you’ve described. Any tips about how to work with people when you’re going to have to see them for maybe three years. By the time they get to you they’ve suffered quite a bit already and they want understandably a quick turnaround. Have you developed any insights on how to best prepare them for a longer-term treatment? HF: You definitely need to educate this type of patient by getting them mentally prepared. Whether they’ve been in it for a long time already or whether they’re just getting started with this treatment, they are going to need treatment for a while. And again, that means six months minimum for the person who just came back from Nicaragua and contracted dysentery for example, treated it with Flagyl, and now three months later discovers that the symptoms are coming back—fatigue and strange bowel movements and so on. That would be the 22-year-old Peace Corps par-
Q: What is the focus when you have taken a person through a few years of this Gu treatment and the chronic parasites are no longer a problem? What needs to happen then? HF: When there are no more signs of inflammatory
11
treating chronic inflammatory diseases with chinese herbs: an interview with heiner fruehauf on the practical applications of gu syndrome ticipant who started out with a strong constitution before his ordeal—he is going to be in it for six months. Whereas somebody in their 50’s who looks deficient to you on all levels and has contracted many different viruses in their lifetime, followed by this last journey to Nepal, or this last tick bite that was the hair that broke the camel’s back—this person is in it for the three to five year course.
taneously. This may have to do with the autoimmune aspect triggered by this disease. In people with Brain Gu and chronic skin diseases, for example, everything is chronically inflamed. In these cases the body often produces strong autoimmune reactions. These cannot be soothed quickly, and it will take some time to see marked improvements. In these cases you should talk to the patient about some of your previous (and eventually successful) case histories, and emphasize the Gu concept of “oil seeping into flour,” which means that you are dealing with something that’s become part of the body and can’t be so easily removed. It is important to check lifestyle habits for this type of patient, so that they’re not maintaining poor food habits in particular. If they keep eating a lot of carbohydrates and sweets that make the body acidic, you’ll never get rid of the milieu that hidden pathogens like. Containment, listening and empathy are all very important for this type of patient.
Hopefully, there are two things that will happen. First, there is the prospect of achieving some immediate symptom relief, which will gain you more of the patient’s trust. Secondly, just the fact that you seem to know what it is that they’re suffering from will be a tremendous relief to this kind of patient, who has been handed from practitioner to practitioner, and in the worst-case scenario has been declared mentally ill by the western medicine community. This person will feel tremendous relief that you know what’s going on with them, that you can contain their suffering, that they have something to point to that tells them that this is not their fault and they’re not imagining it, but that this is a real phenomenon.
Q; Heiner, thank you for your time. I hope this interview will help those you who read it to develop a better understanding of how to proceed in the treatment of Gu cases.
Q: Isn’t it possible the patient hits a plateau at some point in the treatment and starts to lose faith in this strategy?
HF: You’re welcome.
HF: As for clinical progress, there are two different kinds of scenario. One is when the patient gets better right away and is grateful, but even this patient will reach a place where they feel they’ve reached a plateau. They may have recovered enough to go back to work, but then they burn out like everybody else and wonder why nothing is working anymore. At this point you need to remind them that the reason they’re back to work in the first place is because the treatment has been working, and that they need to rest more rather than immediately using the newly gained energy to work excessively.
NOTES: The Journal of Chinese Medicine article “Driving Out Demons and Snakes: Gu Syndrome, A Forgotten Clinical Approach to Chronic Parasitism” by Heiner Fruehauf published in May of 1998 can be viewed from the Clinical Information section at classicalchinesemedicine.org To learn more about the Classical Pearls Herbal Formula™ series, please visit classicalpearls.org.
The more difficult scenario is when there are no obvious signs of progress—this usually happens with patients who take steroids, or benzodiazepines, or antibiotics, or other strong acting natural products simul-
©
12
Copyright 2009 Heiner Fruehauf
Classical Pearls herbal FOrmulas™ Lecture Series
Tunder Pearls: An Effective Chinese Herbal reatment for Chronic Parasitism (lecture transcript) Heiner Fruehauf, PhD., L.Ac.
In ancient China, thunder and lightning were considered to be the most yang phenomenon in nature. I remember a night in Sichuan province when powerful lightning bolts were dancing around the temple at which we were staying for three hours. I always thought that a lightning strike was as big as my arm, but when you are up close it really appears as big as a room. If you are a hundred feet away from that, you will literally crawl underneath your bed because you’re so scared. You feel the earth shake, and you feel the electricity in the air. Parasites are always at the core of the traditional diagnosis of Gu Syndrome, which literally means “parasite super-infection syndrome” and, in a more extended sense, “possession syndrome”—a situation where multiple parasitic strains have become so entrenched and pervasive in the system that they have taken over your body. More importantly, they most likely have also taken over your mind and your spirit, because many parasites are capable of manipulating your hormonal and endocrine systems. When those systems have been hijacked, and the parasites are now manipulating you to crave certain foods, and even trigger certain emotions so they can feed off the associated endocrine excretions, they own you. All of a sudden your emotions become extremely volatile-you fly off the handle, or become gloomily depressed, as if possessed by an alien spirit. It is a testament to the observational powers of the ancient Chinese that they knew that these kinds of “demons” had a physiological aspect to them. Without microscopes they knew that parasites were involved in the mental state often referred to as “possession,” because the ancient pictogram for gu is three worms squirming in To view this video, please visit classicalpearls.org.
1 | classicalpearls.org
thunder pearls: an effective chinese herbal treatment for chronic parasitism heiner fruehauf (lecture transcript)
a vessel. The vessel, in this case, is your body. When your body becomes a vessel for parasites that hollow your body from the inside out while they manage to stay hidden from detection, gradually weakening your body and spirit but keeping them alive enough so they can survive within this vessel, then you have Gu Syndrome.
the formative years of modern TCM (1956-1988), Communist doctrine expunged any reference to this concept from the historic record because it apparently contradicted core concepts of Marxist materialism. Clearly, the suppression of Gu Syndrome is one of the best examples where in TCM’s modern zeal for standardization and the redrawing of clear ideological edges the baby was discarded along with the bathwater. In addition to “magical methods” of incantations and fu talismans drawn or worn on the body, traditional Gu therapy involves a complex set of herbal knowledge that utilizes and combines herbs in a completely different way than laid out in the standard bagang type of herbal differentiation.
When I started practicing Chinese medicine more than twenty years ago, chronic candida infections were the big thing in alternative medicine. In my practice, however, I saw a lot of patients who had chronic digestive problems that seemed much more aggressive and tenacious than candida. Those were people coming back from their Peace Corps assignments in Latin America with giardia or entamoeba and a For instance, a Daoist physician of the Qing dynasty history of repeated Flagyl (metranidazole) treatments. who wrote an entire book about Gu Syndrome once Fifteen years after their initial bouts with dysentery said: “If you have diarrhea that doesn’t respond to they still suffered from chronic bloating, making Liujunzi Tang, it is Gu; if you suffer from fatigue and them feel weaker and weaker and more miserable as low blood pressure that doesn’t respond to Buzhong they got older. This type of patient would not respond Yiqi Tang, it is Gu; if you feel malaise, like you’re to the treatment approaches I had learned during my trapped in a chronic state of the flu that doesn’t Chinese medicine training. So, I literally took a two- respond to the regular approach of driving out the week hiatus from my clinical practice to read about wind, then you have Gu.” I have found that for most classical treatment approaches to parasites that, in my modern patients this dose of pertinent clinical advice reckoning, must have played a significant role in the applies more often than not, especially when mental health care of pre-modern China. Why would this and emotional faculties are declining in worrisome person with bloating and the long and wiry pulse on fashion. When modern herbalists look at a traditional the right hand side not get the usual improvements “Gu Formula,” therefore, they generally don’t see with Banxia Xiexin Tang? Why would the anxiety much that can be categorized and filed away by their patient not calm down and sleep better with internal pattern recognition system. None of the Suanzaoren Tang? It was because all of them suffered regular herbal building blocks seem to be reflected from chronic parasitic inflammation of the intestines here—a testament not to the absurdity of a dead-end and/or nervous system that the ancient Chinese called branch of Chinese herbalism, but to the extremely Gu Syndrome—a term that, despite the extremely broad spectrum of effective clinical approaches that common occurrence of this disease even, has been lie preserved, albeit temporarily forgotten, within the stricken from the record of modern TCM, tainted by classical record. its association with the “feudalist and superstitious” practices of the past. The 2nd century formula primer Shanghan zabing lun is generally recognized as the classic foundation So important was the concept of Gu Syndrome in pre- for the tens of thousands of herbal formulas created modern China that it became a standard component during the following 1800 years. While only few in the standard life-end book that synthesized a in number, most of the Shanghan lun formulas are classical scholar-physician’s clinical career. During forgotten today. 350 years later, the Daoist practitioner 2 | classicalpearls.org
thunder pearls: an effective chinese herbal treatment for chronic parasitism heiner fruehauf (lecture transcript)
Sun Simiao synthesized the clinical herbal knowledge of his time in a voluminous encyclopedia of treatment methods, now known as the Thousand Ducat Formulas. Sun Simiao was a humble collector. His book includes so many formulas that he could not have possibly prescribed them all himself. Most of these formulas are not included in modern textbooks of Chinese herbal science, not even in the form of the therapeutic principles contained in them. Therefore, they remain completely unknown, and Sun’s Thousand Ducat Formulas remains one of the biggest treasure troves of ancient clinical knowledge. The Song dynasty formula textbook Taiping huimin heji ju fang is an even better example of this trend. This 11th century work sprang from the government impulse to regulate the explosion of patent remedies that a rapidly growing merchant class was bringing to market at the time. The scholars of the Imperial Academy finally included about 720 remedies deemed effective by most contemporary physicians. Famous formulas like Pingwei San and Xiaoyao San were first published in this book, but most of the other 700 formulas no herbal scholar today would recognize or understand at all. Most modern practitioners would be scared to use them, even if they were understood better. Many contain materials like Xionghuang (realgar), a chemical precursor of arsenic, or other kinds of mineral ingredients that contain mercury. When we look closely, most of these formulas were designed for people infected by malaria or some other type of serious ailment. Schistosomiasis, for instance: a parasitic disease that causes one’s belly to swell up grotesquely, and requiring immediate emergencyroom style intervention to survive. It is one of the main purposes of the Classical Pearls endeavor to rediscover and make available clinical treasures that lay buried in the past. Both Thunder and Lightning Pearls, the first two products of the Classical Pearls series, are based on a formula from a Qing dynasty book that focuses exclusively on Gu syndrome--that formula is called Jiajian Su He Tang (Modified Perilla and Mint Decoction). When I locked myself away in my study 15 years ago, it was
my intention to identify something from this trove of bizarre formulas that was outside the limited categories of TCM herbalism; a formula that had something radically new to offer for the type of chronically inflamed patient I was seeing more and more of, but that at the same time was absolutely safe to use—no mercury or arsenic. After reading hundreds of pages, Jiajian Su He Tang rose to the top. Jiajian Su He Tang and its mother formula, Su He Tang, contain the following herb groups: 1) “Shashe Fabiao” (killing the snake with diaphoretic materials), featuring Jinyinhua, Lianqiao, Bohe, Zisu, Baizhi, Chaihu, and Gaoben. In a typical Gu formula, you usually use three herbs from this category, not more, not less. Thunder Pearls contains 30 grams of fried Jinyinhua as the lead herb, next to the fragrant Baizhi and Zisuye. I chose Jinyinhua (rather than Bohe), because it is a powerful single herb remedy for not only acute amoebic dysentery, but also chronic diarrhea disorders such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease (which, according to my clinical experience, are often triggered by parasites in the gut). Baizhi and Zisuye feature prominently in the original Jiajian Su He Tang, and have the alchemical stability that makes them suitable for long-term treatment. Both of these materials exhibit a broad anti-parasitic effect, including conditions that involve fungus/yeast. 2) Fragrant, anti-parasitic ingredients that tonify the blood: notably Danggui and Chuanxiong, possibly also Shaoyao and Danshen. Since most Gu patients appear hollowed out and deficient on some level, you should never just employ excess removing--“kill, kill, kill”— methods, such as hammering the patient with clove and black walnut. These methods, inspired by the anti-biotic approach of Western medicine, may bring about an initial improvement, but eventually cause stomach discomfort and eventually make the patient feel worse. A Gu diagnosis automatically means that the patient needs to be treated for a minimum of six months, often 1.5-3 years, so it is pertinent that you use an herbal approach that is suitable for long-term use: anti-parasitic (bad for the pathogen) and tonic
3 | classicalpearls.org
thunder pearls: an effective chinese herbal treatment for chronic parasitism heiner fruehauf (lecture transcript)
(good for your body) at the same time. Thunder Pearls contains Danggui and Chuanxiong.
layers that many parasites have around them, so that the anti-parasitic substances can be effective. Sanleng, Ezhu and Yujin, all relatives of turmeric, are primary 3) Anti-parasitic herbs that tonify qi: unprocessed herbs in this category. You don’t need to use much of Gancao, Huangqi, and Wujiapi all belong to this these ingredients, just 3-6 g of each within a traditional category. Thunder Pearls contain (sheng) Gancao and remedy (while many of the others are used in amounts Huangqi. Note that the main qi tonic, ginseng, should of 9-15g). Thunder Pearls contains all three of them. never be used for a parasitic patient, since it will tonify the pathogen even more than the patient. It is actually 6) The final category is directly anti-parasitic. Dingxiang, a diagnostic indicator for Gu syndrome if the patients Kushen and Shechuangzi, for instance are particularly responds poorly to ginseng. suitable for parasites in the digestive tract, and the herbs Baitouweng and Baibiandou are very specific 4) Anti-parasitic herbs that tonify yin: Many Gu for diarrhea symptoms. If you have constipation, you patients are yin deficient, manifesting in a brittle can still use these last two herbs, they will not make nervous system. Patients with “Digestive Gu” (chronic you constipated. However, I have recently replaced parasitic inflammation of the gut, leading to IBS, the Baitouweng in the original Thunder Pearls recipe diverticulitis, or other diseases involving bloating, with Guanzhong, which is also a good herb for anticonstipation and/or diarrhea). If a patient tends toward protozoan treatment like giardia, entamoeba, or diarrhea, one must be careful not to inundate them blastocystis hominis (especially prevalent in travelers to with herbs that are sticky and hard to digest. Baihe India, Nepal, and South America), and worms, but also and Huangjing are prime herbs in this category, also has a broader anti-pathogenic effect on chronic viruses Beishashen. For constipation, unprocessed Heshouwu (such as herpes) and spirochetes (such as borelia/Lyme), is suitable. Huangjing, especially, is an underused and tends to be more suitable for long-term use. Other Daoist folk herb that my teacher’s teacher, a Daoist herbs in this category are Qinghao and the forgotten Abbott, would eat for breakfast, by digging up some Guizhenyu—Euonymus alatus, literally the “Arrow Huangjing in the vicinity of the monastery and eating that Kills All Demons” (recently imported in granular it fresh. Directly out of the ground it is crunchy like a extract form by Classical Pearls). Binglang, Feishi, and pear, but looks more like rehmannia (Dihuang) once Shijunzi are anthelmintics that could be included in this steamed and dried. According to several classical texts, category, specific for Gu syndrome involving worms. the ancient shaman physician Hua Tuo favored this root as a fasting remedy, stabilizing the adept’s blood By definition, Gu patients are long-term patients sugar and increasing mental clarity, while clearing and have to be on this type of herb combination for parasites at the same time. Externally, it works well as at least six months. Since you need to change some a remedy for funguses such as athlete’s foot. of the herbs along the way in order to stay ahead of the parasites’ vigorous attempts to adapt, I developed 5) Modern parasitology has recently come up with the two versions of the same formula, called Thunder and concept of “biofilm.” It is most interesting to see that Lightning Pearls. For “Digestive Gu” inflammation, I the ancient designers of parasite remedies did account recommend to use three weeks of Thunder Pearls and for this phenomenon way back in the past. Traditional one week of Lightning Pearls to keep the parasites on treatments for “Digestive Gu” often feature a category the run. For the more neurologically inflamed type that of aromatic herbs that are not only anti-parasitic, but I call “Brain Gu” (Lyme Disease, or chronic versions also move qi and blood. From a modern perspective, of rabies or scarlet fever or Dengue fever or malaria these materials have the capacity of breaking through or chronic encephalitis—conditions we don’t hear the camouflage mechanisms and protective biofilm much about in regular medical training), it would be 4 | classicalpearls.org
thunder pearls: an effective chinese herbal treatment for chronic parasitism heiner fruehauf (lecture transcript)
the opposite: 3 weeks of Lightning Pearls and 1 week of Thunder Pearls. According to my personal clinical experience, a lot of patients who seek help for chronic body pain, mental fogginess, anxiety and insomnia actually suffer from “Brain Gu” syndrome. In ancient times, Gu remedies were typically used in large amounts, up to 300g of crude herbs in decoction form per day. This type of dosage is necessary for aggressive types of parasites that kill you in a short amount of time, such as schistosomiasis. For your average Gu patient with blastocystis hominis or IBS or chronic bloating or the Peace corps returnee, or to prevent parasitic infection while traveling in Nepal, lower doses will suffice. One capsule of the Pearls is always equivalent to 1 gram of granulated extract or 5g of crude herb material. I rarely prescribe more than 12g per day of anti-Gu herbs in granular form, or 4 capsules of Thunder Pearls 2-3x/day. If you use more than that, the person will tire earlier of the remedy. It all depends what else you prescribe. If the person already ingests three garlic cloves a day, you could consider that to be the afternoon dose, and you can then just take six Thunder Pearls in the morning. For some Gu patients who manifest with extreme intestinal inflammation and are thus very sensitive, reactions to food and herbs are to be expected, and you will have to start dosing very gradually: 1 capsule 2x/day for three days. If that is okay, you go up to 2 capsules 3x/day. If that still works after 3-7 days, then you increase to 3x3 for a week, eventually ending up with a standard dose of 5 capsules 2x/day. For cases of acute amoebic dysentery, I would recommend 6 capsules 2x/day. If that’s not strong enough, some of the strongly anti-pathogenic Dragon Pearls should be taken alongside. In my opinion, acute parasitic infections can be resolved with Chinese herbs without having to resort to strong antibiotics. Dragon Pearls essentially represents an herbal antibiotic without the “anti-life” effect. We sometimes forget that herbs can heal serious infections--you just have to take the right ones, and enough of them.
Recent studies have shown that antibiotics have the potential to force parasites to escape the gut and hide out in tissues that they normally don’t go to. In contrast, you can look at the Gu approach as a kind of fumigation of the body’s tissues, while building up the body’s immune system at the same time—like smudging, causing the parasites to say: “This place is not for us anymore, let’s get out of here.” Note that Gu syndrome has traditionally been described to be “like oil seeping into flour.” To separate oil from flour takes a long time. Most people thus need to be treated for 6 months to 3 years. In my experience, even a young person saying “six months ago I caught a bug in El Salvador; I took Flagyl and felt better for a while, but now I am bloated again and suffer from alternating diarrhea and constipation” still needs to be on an anti-Gu treatment protocol for at least 6 months. If someone has had this type of condition for twenty years, then you need to stay on it for 3 years. With the more chronic cases, where treatment exceeds the 6 month mark, it is important to simultaneously address the body’s immune deficiencies and auto-immune tendencies. This situation requires aconite—a vital ingredient contained in many of the other Pearl formulas. We will talk about them later--especially the Vitality Pearls are important to accompany Gu treatment past the 6 months mark. For particularly cold and deficient patients, Vitality Pearls may need to be prescribed along Thunder/Lightning Pearls right from the get-go.
©
Copyright 2010 Heiner Fruehauf
To view this video, please visit classicalpearls.org.
5 | classicalpearls.org
The Importance of Aconite (fuzi)
&
teachings from the sichuan fire spirit school
On February 19, 2009 Heiner Fruehauf, Ph.D., L.Ac. sat down with his colleague Bob Quinn, DAOM, L.Ac., to discuss the importance of aconite (fuzi) in classical Chinese medicine. The discussion also covers aspects of the fuzi story not covered elsewhere in the west, namely its proper processing. Heiner also touches on some of the “nuts and bolts” of the Sichuan Fire Spirit School of herbal prescribing. As Heiner explains, fuzi used to be referred to as the “King of the 100 Herbs.” This information is crucial to understanding the scholarship and clinical power behind the Classical Pearl formulas that contain aconite. Q: Heiner, thanks for making the time for this interview HF: I am happy always to talk about this medicine. Q: I want to touch on various aspects of aconite prescribing, including its proper growing and processing. Perhaps we can start with the basic question as to why aconite is so important an herb. What sets it apart? Can you talk about this briefly? HF: Certainly. As you know, it has been a consistent focus in my life to help restore the clinical power of classical Chinese medicine to where it was before, namely a medicine that can treat serious disease, not just shoulder pain and acute injuries. In this context, I found that fuzi features prominently in ancient texts. It was called baiyao zhi zhang, the “King of the 100 Herbs.” In modern times, however, I have not seen this herb used very often, and that includes my observation time with most of my Shanghan lun teachers in China. At first, I did not pay too much attention to this very obvious discrepancy between what I was reading in classical case studies and what I was seeing in my teachers’ clinics. It was not until I encountered the so-called Fire Spirit
1
the importance of aconite (fuzi) and teachings from the sichuan fire spirit school
School ( Huoshen Pai) of Sichuan herbalism through fuzi only grows in the ancient districts of Qianwei, Dr. Liu Liong and some of the representatives of this Guanghan, and Longzhou, which refers to modernlineage who still practice in Sichuan province (see day Jiangyou in Sichuan province. All material medica www.classicalchinesemedicine.org for more detailed scholars emphasized this point, like the Qing dynasty information by Drs. Liu Lihong and Lu Chonghan scholar Yang Shitai who wrote in 1833: “Aconite from on this approach to herbal prescribing) that I realized Longzhou is the best. Even though aconite grows in that the main problem was not the fear of toxicity of abundance elsewhere, it is weak and not suitable for the herb itself, but the non-traditional processing that medicinal use.” this herb undergoes in the modern era. It is further said in the oral traditions of the Fire Spirit School that the seedlings of aconite need to be harvested high in the mountains where they endure great cold—maybe this is why this herb is so powerful in driving out damp cold—-and then should be planted at the winter solstice in the Jiangyou area among other crops. The aconite plant then grows in the time of year when the yang is in its ascendancy and is harvested at the summer solstice before the yang starts its decline. This herb thus very literally absorbs only the energy of the yang part of the year. This attention to timing is important, but most growers now disregard this key feature. I believe very strongly that it is these types of detailed practical instructions that make Chinese medicine a science in its own right, and that it is important that they be heeded, whether modern laboratory verification has been able to perceive any benefits or not. Lu Zuzhi - the Lu family ancestor who studied with Zheng Qin’an at the end of the 19th century
Q: What happens when aconite is harvested?
Q: Can you talk a bit about the processing of aconite?
HF: Traditionally, once the aconite tuber was harvested it underwent a number of detoxification procedures involving steaming, soaking in brine, and repeated rinsing in flowing, clean water. Most of these steps are skipped in modern times. Most modern fuzi is overbrined and is not washed properly in flowing water. In the worst case scenario, and this sadly happens all too frequently, the fuzi is processed with bleach or other harsh chemicals. You can imagine that this has a very severe effect on the aconite’s healing properties. Also, modern fuzi slices tend to be small, because the plant was not grown in the right area and in the right manner.
HF: Because of the toxicity of the herb in the raw state, it is the processing that makes this herb usable and brings out its superlative healing properties. The experiences of modern doctors are, for the most part, patterned by the potential side effects that fuzi has in modern times. Most fuzi on the market today is not grown in the right area, is not grown at the right time of year, and most importantly, has not been processed appropriately. All these factors impact the quality of the fuzi we have to use these days. Li Shizhen, in his great Ming dynasty materia medica Bencao gangmu, very specifically points out that the right type of
2
the importance of aconite (fuzi) and teachings from the sichuan fire spirit school
Q: I know there is a network of growers in the U.S. experimenting with organic cultivation of Chinese herbs. Can it be that we can grow this here? For that matter, although the organic movement is in its infancy in China, there are also certified organic farms there. Would it be OK to grow the fuzi somewhere where the soil has been rebuilt?
Jiangyou fuzi tuber is much larger than that of fuzi grown elsewhere. Most of the genuine fuzi is snatched up by Korean and Japanese companies who still value ancient herbal traditions. They are very much aware of the superior quality of Jiangyou fuzi, while in the west virtually nothing is known about the dramatic differences in aconite quality due to place, time, and processing. As a clinician you quickly recognize the value of genuine aconite that has been grown and processed in the traditional manner. With the modern fuzi most practitioners are forced to work with two things can happen: In the first scenario, the aconite is inert, as if sawdust had been added to the formula. In the second scenario, the patient may develop an allergic reaction to the aconite—and remember, this toxicity stems from improper processing, not any sort of natural toxicity of the plant—-and gets some sort of uncomfortable feeling in their body. I can say with great confidence that this sort of reaction is not due to any sort of unwanted toxicity in the aconite itself.
Jiangyou, an aconite farmer
Genuine fuzi does unfold a powerful function in the body that is unlike other warming herbs like ginger, cinnamon, or evodia. For instance, when you want to treat severe heart failure with edema, or, say, kidney failure in patients about to go to dialysis, it is very difficult to make any progress without this herb in Chinese medicine. There is real power in this herb. The ancient Chinese were not exaggerating when they called it the “King of the 100 Herbs.” For me, as a serious herbalist who specializes in treating patients with debilitating diseases, this was a great discovery and clinical breakthrough. I am very grateful for it. I found it important enough to station a Classical Pearls employee semi-permanently in Jiangyou, to ensure proper processing of the genuinely grown and harvested fuzi. In this way, I can import the real thing for my own clinic and Classical Pearls.
HF: The principle that involves herb cultivation in the right place and harvesting at the proper time of year is called didao yaocai. This term means “genuine,” and expresses the proper yin and yang properties of the herbs due to correct attention to planting in the right place ( di: yin) at the right time ( dao: yang). Only then can this herb considered to be genuine. It is not just a matter of correct species identification. Q: Talk about this Jiangyou area of Sichuan that is so key in the view of the classics you cited. HF: In the case of fuzi, the area in Jiangyou where this herb is still cultivated by local peasants has shrunk to less than 20 acres in modern times. Most aconite on the market is grown elsewhere in China and is then shipped to Jiangyou, to get a local stamp so it can appear that it was grown where it should have been grown. This is a real tragedy, since there is a real difference; just the visual appearance of the
Q: I suspect that many TCM practitioners are shy about prescribing fuzi from hearing stories of toxicity from their teachers, stories about patients
3
the importance of aconite (fuzi) and teachings from the sichuan fire spirit school
getting palpitations and dizziness. Do you encounter challenges in your teaching about aconite? Do you come up against resistance due to the TCM training about this herb and the fear of toxicity? Do people believe you when you say that the toxicity is due to improper processing and not the herb itself?
aconite use. According to the Fire Spirit School and even Ye Tianshi, the pioneer of the fever school, heavy doses of an herb cause the qi to go to the lower burner, while light doses cause it to go to the upper burner. This is true not just for aconite, but for any herb. When asking similar questions to physicians in the Fire School lineage, they said that uprising symptoms like palpitations and dizziness—-which, again, is most often caused by improper herb processing—can come from prescribing too small a dose of fuzi. Since fuzi is traditionally charged with drawing the fire of mingmen into the battery of the lower burner, higher doses are more appropriate for this purpose. In the case of the Fire Spirit School physicians, they start with 60 grams and go up to 120-200 grams of aconite per day.
HF: As with every other topic in Chinese medicine, I find that education is so important. Humans get patterned quickly into certain beliefs and preferences, whether we have had actual experiences with a situation or substance or not. I can only put the integrity of my own words behind the claim that genuine fuzi is safe, as my teachers did with me. They were able to convince me with their sense of certainty and their case stories, and I found what they said corroborated in the classics. Now, of course, I am seeing the benefits in my own patients. Of course you can’t give aconite to everyone. If you have someone with leukemia, for instance, with an exploding white blood cell count and severe heat symptoms, you do not want to give them aconite. Q: I know you do prescribe aconite formulas, though, in many instances when TCM practitioners would not; in fact they would in many such instances give yin tonics. Can you talk about this a bit?
aconite root HF: Insomnia and anxiety are typically defined as being yin-deficient conditions in TCM. Due to the depleting effect of our modern lifestyle however, there is usually an underlying yang deficiency present in these patients. Stress can be defined as a situation when we spend our ( yang) life-force rather than safeguarding and storing it. The primary problem we have here is therefore one of yang storage. This is what fuzi does—-it entices the yang to go back into a state of storage. When you add Suanzaoren Tang to an aconite based formula, you will thus see much better results in anxiety and insomnia patients than with Suanzaoren Tang itself. This is the approach I have taken in the design of the Peace Pearls.
Q: You are talking bulk doses? HF: Yes, crude herbs in decoction per day. This involves the labor-intensive procedure of first soaking the aconite in water to wash off the remaining brine, and then cooking it for two hours before the other herbs are added to the formula. For greater convenience, I have taken the step to manufacture properly processed Jiangyou fuzi into granules, and found this to be most appropriate for chronically ill patients in the US and Europe. We cannot expect chronic patients to spend 2 hours every day preparing their medicine. I personally don’t think that extremely high fuzi doses in the amounts I just mentioned are absolutely necessary.
Then, considerations of dosage are important in
4
the importance of aconite (fuzi) and teachings from the sichuan fire spirit school
In my own clinical practice, I generally prescribe 18-30 I find the following formulas most useful for this grams of these fuzi granules in formulas designed to purpose: First, the aconite base formula in the Fire last a week. Of course, the amount used should match Spirit School is the historically all-important yet the purpose of the formula. Bamboo Pearls, my main nowadays rarely used remedy Sini Tang. Sini Tang, formula for arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, aching as I use it, consists of aconite in one of its medicinal fracture sites and other types of body pain is based on forms, whether it is fuzi, wutou, or even caowu (if Guizhi Shaoyao Zhimu Tang. This formula deliberately there is pronounced body pain); plus a form of ginger, features just 9 grams of fuzi, because the aconite is used here for its function of being the “opener of the twelve channels.” In medium amounts, fuzi drives out body pain. However, if you want to treat severe anxiety, severe insomnia, severe damage to the HeartKidney shaoyin layer, severe damage to the taiyin layer that aconite also enters, you need to use higher doses. Note that some classics originally refer to fuzi as a sweet herb; we see this digestive-strengthening focus and taiyin affinity in Fuzi Lizhong Tang for instance. It is also interesting here to note that the Heart was an aconite wash originally labeled as an earth organ before the fire organ designation was added. Even in English we either ganjiang (dry ginger), shengjiang (fresh ginger), have that convention, by saying that someone is a paojiang (roasted ginger), or even gaoliangjiang “sweetheart.” Fuzi is thus primarily an herb to warm, (galanga); and finally some form of licorice, either tonify and bolster the yang qi of both postnatal taiyin gancao (unprocessed licorice) or zhi gancao (honeyand prenatal shaoyin network functions. baked licorice), most commonly the zhigancao. We know this formula as the Shanghan lun approach to Q: Heiner, you mentioned Fuzi LizhongTang a life-threatening situations where the spirit needs to moment ago. Can you talk about the other aconite- be anchored in the body, but in the Fire Spirit School based formulas you favor in this style of prescribing? it is the base formula for all chronic conditions once meridian stagnation has been resolved. HF: An important thing I learned from Drs. Lu Chonghan and Liu Lihong is the image of dribbling The other aconite formulas I want to mention here are the ball in soccer. In the game of soccer, you eventually all derivatives of Sini Tang. There is Fuzi Lizhong Tang, want to shoot a goal, meaning that the sole point of a classical modification of the Shanghan lun formula dribbling is to get the ball into scoring position. In this Lizhong Tang, which allows us to affect both prenatal analogy, scoring a goal is to reinforce the vital fire of and postnatal realms in the body. It is very suitable to mingmen with aconite. Dribbling is to remove qi and be used as one of those “shoot the goal” formulas— blood stagnation, resolve phlegm, etc., with other possibly with the addition of some yin tonics and a herbs. From the perspective of the Fire Spirit School, tiny amount of huanglian, as I have done for yin-yang all chronic patients will eventually need an aconite balance in the Vitality Pearls. Another formula that I formula, even if we see a lot of heat in a patient at frequently use in this context, which originates directly first. Eventually, all treatments get to the stage where from the Fire Spirit tradition, is Qianyang Dan. This we need to get between the goal posts by penetrating formula, which literally translates as “Submerge the the Gate of Life ( mingmen), also referred to as Kidney Yang Pellet,” was created during the 19th century by yang, and fuzi is the main herb for doing this. Zheng Qin’an, the Qing dynasty master of the Fire
5
the importance of aconite (fuzi) and teachings from the sichuan fire spirit school
Spirit School. Qianyang Dan is basically Fuzi Lizhong Tang minus baizhu plus amomum/cardamon in the form of sharen or baidoukou. Dr. Zheng and his disciples in the Lu and Peng family lineages look upon sharen and baidoukou in the same way as aconite—an herb that warms, dispels dampness, and most importantly, causes the qi to go back down into storage. Different from the regular definition of these herbs as aromatic appetite enhancers, they are here recognized as key minister herbs for aconite, helping it with the allimportant job of getting the yang-qi back into the box. Peace Pearls, one of the aconite formulas recently created for the Classical Pearls line, is essentially a combination of Qianyang Dan with Suanzaoren Tang. The Peace Pearls primarily treat anxiety and insomnia. Qianyang Dan is also at the core of Guanyin Pearls, a remedy addressing hot flashes and other menopausal complaints. Similar to Peace Pearls, Guanyin Pearls combines the yang bolstering effect of Qianyang Dan with the yin tonic elements of Erzhi Wan and Erxian Tang. If just the regular approach of using yin tonics was used to treat these disorders, the primary problem of yang leakage would remain unaddressed. I find that until there is a clear therapeutic focus on this leakage of source yang, it is difficult to make lasting progress in the treatment of anxiety, insomnia, hot flashes, and other conditions involving the upflaring of qi.
chronic patients suffering from constipation. This is very often the case in menopausal women with thyroid problems, and lots of cancer patients have this symptom. Cancer patients are often yang-deficient and damp underneath the toxicity. There is no better herb than dahuang to purge the toxicity from the cells and the body, therefore it is included in the famous anti-cancer Essiac formula. The more raw version of rhubarb will have greater laxative qualities, while the dahuang that has been cooked longer or processed with alcohol will have more blood-moving qualities. Both versions have a strong anti-toxin effect. Another formula we use at my clinic is Zhenwu Tang, which primarily targets the Heart and the Kidney. Patients who need Zhenwu Tang often have dizziness and edema, especially elderly patients. Q: Just to be real clear here, Heiner, we started our discussion talking about the proper and improper processing of aconite. What you just spoke of, these basic formulas you use in the Fire Spirit School—if this interview succeeds in convincing someone to incorporate this approach into their practice, these formulas are not going to deliver the desired outcomes unless genuine aconite that has been processed in traditional ways is used. Is that what I am to understand from this whole discussion? And to be as clear as possible, by real aconite I mean the type that is grown in Jiangyou in the traditional manner and processed according to classical guidelines. Are there any other suppliers for genuine aconite out there that you know of?
Q: Correct me if I’m wrong, Heiner, but I don’t think the readers of this interview will find Qianyang Dan in Bensky or other formula manuals. HF: Right, Qianyang Dan is an example of a clinical gem that, alongside other formulas with a strong local history, has not been included in standard textbooks. Keep in mind that the most voluminous handbook of Chinese formulas contains 96,000 traditional remedies, and Qianyang Dan is not even included in that. Another formula to mention here, also based on a modification of Fuzi Lizhong Tang minus baizhu, is Wenpi Tang (Warm the Spleen Decoction). As with Sini Tang, people are theoretically familiar with this formula, but it has clearly prolapsed into a state of underuse. This formula is excellent for many
HF: No. It was the complete lack of sources for medicinal grade aconite in the West that motivated me, a self-described scholar nerd, to jump into the herb industry. I could not find a true aconite anywhere to work with in my clinic. I found some sources to be better than others, but none rose to the level of the real thing, and many were outright useless or even dangerous. In our times, I find it important that people with the knowledge of traditional herb quality, proper processing techniques ( paozhi), and the very real danger of environmental pollutants
6
the importance of aconite (fuzi) and teachings from the sichuan fire spirit school
get involved in the herb trade for the benefit of the whole Chinese medicine community. The more I learn about the current state of the herb industry, the more convinced I am that it is necessary for scholars with both knowledge and integrity to get involved. By stepping in personally with the production of real fuzi, other companies will hopefully become inspired and expand into the growing and processing of other genuine herbs. When I realized that there was no aconite of the quality I wanted to work with, I teamed up with my colleague Dr. Liu Lihong from the Institute for the Clinical Research of Classical Chinese Medicine in Nanning. We dispatched several people to stay in Jiangyou for three months throughout the entire harvest and processing period to make sure that the order was done to specifications, something you unfortunately cannot take for granted in modern-day China. The peasants may remember the traditional procedures, but they are much more labor intensive for them. We took every precaution that shortcuts were not taken.
spent the money for the fancy stuff.” If that is the case, one should better use something other than aconite, such as ginger or cardamon. But remember, fuzi is the “King of the 100 Herbs.” It really cannot be replaced by anything. I wish our aconite here at Classical Pearls could be offered at the same price as what is available from other companies, but that is simply not possible. We’d lose our shirt. Q: Just to complete the picture then of how this properly processed aconite becomes granules... HF: Right—we send this traditionally processed aconite to a state-of-the-art factory to be made into granules and powdered extracts according to our specifications. This factory has three different GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) certifications. It is not only an herb manufacturer but also a supplement manufacturer and a drug manufacturer. You would be hard pressed to find a better factory in China. They have agreed to produce the extracts just as we want them. We have two types: an 8:1 powdered extract that has no starch carrier at all, and a 5:1 form of granules made with a very small amount of protective starch carrier coating that the aconite decoction is sprayed on to. Great care has been taken in the selection of this starch. We deliberately do not use cheaper starch carriers made from corn or potato, for instance. Some people have allergic reactions to those. We use a starch derived from the herb and tonic food item shanyao (dioscorea), which is also a yang tonic. The 5:1 is of similar strength to other herb granules that practitioners generally have in their pharmacies, so people do not have to do any fancy math. The 8:1 would be used in slightly smaller amounts possibly, such as 12g per weekly formula rather than the customary 18g.
Q: There is a cost discrepancy between your fuzi and what is currently available. HF: Yes, that is because we pay four times as much for our crude fuzi as compared to what is paid for other types of aconite in China. Q: That is an enormous difference. HF: Yes, it takes a great deal of time to process aconite properly. I also explained earlier that it has to be grown by mixing it in with other crops, another feature that makes the harvest more time-consuming. Please note that we don’t ourselves charge four times the going price for aconite granules, but by rights we should. I need to point out that the senior practitioners of the Fire Spirit lineage say that it is better to not use aconite at all if you only have access to inferior quality material. In other words, someone maybe hearing this and thinking, “Well, I will use what is available and simply accept slightly less desirable outcomes; maybe my treatment will just take a little longer than if I
Q: Is there any point at which you will run out of material if a strong demand develops? I can see this could well catch on. HF: We try to think ahead and be mentally prepared for a wider demand. We have been working directly
7
the importance of aconite (fuzi) and teachings from the sichuan fire spirit school
with the peasants in Jiangyou, who know that we may need to buy much more of this specially processed aconite in coming years. We are mentally prepared to meet increased demand. As you know, my primary goal is to help restore the clinical power of classical Chinese medicine, and I believe that this herb can play a key role in that mission. So, the supply problem needs to be solved. I would be happy if other companies joined in and started offering this kind of genuine medicinal grade aconite as well.
formula, but a large percentile of our constitutional prescriptions are based on Fuzi Lizhong Tang or one of its variations. More recently, we have also been using a lot of the aconite containing Classical Pearl patents that are based on Fuzi Lizhong Tang or Qianyang Dan. It was therefore a prime motivation for me to prescribe this top-grade fuzi to my own patients. At the same time, I wish to use the opportunity of having a direct line to the peasants in Jiangyou to make genuine aconite available to the wider TCM community, since it does not seem to be available through any other company.
Maybe it would be instructive here to talk about how much aconite we use in one day in my own clinic, so people can see the potential dimensions of aconite Q; Heiner, we need to end here. I want to thank you use for chronic disorders—I probably go through ten for your time. bottles of aconite granules in a single day; in other words, an entire kilogram of the extracts I have just HF: It was a pleasure. described. At our clinic, we really do rely on those aconite-based formulas I listed earlier. Again, to be The title image is a drawing of the Fire Spirit School anclear, there might well be a number of yin tonics or cestor Zheng Qin’an. even small amounts of heat clearing herbs in the same
©
8
Copyright 2009 Heiner Fruehauf
Heiner Fruehauf has spent quite a bit of time researching the “Yang Tonic” school of Sichuan herbalism. As part of this process, he has found the perfect type of aconite, which was in most classics considered to be the primary herb for most difficult and chronic diseases and the core herb of the yang tonic school. The aconite used in the Classical Pearl formulas and the single ingredient specialty products is the best type of Fuzi presently available in the Western world, restoring to this herb − once called the “King of the 100 Herbs”− its prior features of safety and effectiveness. 1) It was grown in Jiangyou (Northern Sichuan), the only “Since the rampant materialism of the last 50 years took over herb production in China, ignoring traditional growing, harvesting, and processing protocols, the quality of Fuzi has become so bad that most materials presently on the market are actually harmful. Side effects are attributed to the toxicity of the Fuzi, rather than the poor production/processing procedures. This situation has brought about a clinical environment in which Fuzi is virtually not used at all anymore. This is a great loss for classical Chinese medicine, which by its very nature is focused on the healing of serious diseases.”
place in China considered to produce "didao" (genuine) Fuzi (presently less than 20 acres); 2) It was planted during the winter solstice and harvested during the summer solstice, absorbing only the seasonal energy from the part of the year when the yang is expanding; 3) It was processed in accordance with elsewhere abolished traditional methods (multiple courses of steaming, soaking in brine, and rinsing), during a 3-month long supervision period by a Hai Shan employee. This Fuzi is available from Classical Pearls as a high-quality single ingredient specialty product: 1) An 8:1 powdered extract that has no starch carrier at all; 2) A 5:1 form of granules made with a very small amount of protective starch carrier coating that the aconite decoction is sprayed on to. Great care has been taken in the selection of shanyao (dioscorea) as this starch.
~Heiner Fruehauf Classical Pearls Herbal Formulas
A Division of Hai Shan Center, Inc. Phone 503.695.2985 Fax 503.695.2968 classicalpearls.org
On June 8, 2009 Heiner Fruehauf, Ph.D., L.Ac. sat down at the Hai Shan Clinic in Corbett, OR with Bob Quinn, DAOM, L.Ac. to discuss Qianyang Dan, a key formula of the Sichuan Fire Spirit School. This formula is for the most part unknown to TCM practitioners. As is typical in conversations with Heiner so much more is brought into the discussion than just this one formula.
Qianyang Dan a key formula of the sichuan fire school
BQ: Heiner, there is an interesting formula you often use in your clinical practice, and it is also a base formula for two of your Classical Pearls formulas. When you first mentioned this formula in your mentorship class some years back I had to scratch my head because I had never heard of it. In fact, as it turns out, none of the common formula reference books contain mention of this formula, Qianyang Dan (Submerge the Yang Pellet). Can you talk a bit about it and give a sense of how it fits in with the other formulas favored in the Fire Spirit School? HF: I’m very happy to discuss Qianyang Dan. As you know my Chinese medicine education, influenced by my Jinjing Qigong training on the one hand and my earlier Shanghan Lun immersion on the other, has had a great overall emphasis on supporting the yang. However, the use of aconite, for reasons I explained in the last interview, was something new to me because I did not see my teachers, not even my Shanghan Lun teachers, use aconite widely. The main reason for this situation is likely the poor quality of the aconite available on the market. Most commercially available aconite can cause side effects, which is quite different from the strong therapeutic effects you are led to expect
an in-depth interview with heiner fruehauf
qianyang dan: a key formula of the sichuan fire spirit school an in-depth interview with heiner fruehauf
when reading classical case studies. From a purely academic perspective, I have always looked at aconite as something that will warm you in a very similar way to cinnamon. BQ: Can you explain how you now see the difference between the cinnamon dynamic and the aconite?
HF: To bring about this downward and inward movement, aconite should not be used in the 3-6 gram range that we see commonly in TCM, but at least in the 15-18 gram range. This is in comparison to the other ingredients in the formula that would be in the 6-9 gram range. Again, it should be stressed that I am assuming people are using a quality fuzi or wutou as we discussed in our previous interview. If you use the poor quality fuzi that is available on the market, and you use it in these dosages, you might well get adverse effects. With fuzi grown as it should be grown, where it should be grown, and processed how it should be processed, you will be able to treat the conditions we just listed more successfully than with the use of yin tonics. But be sure to know that with poor quality fuzi you will possibly cause the very problems you are trying to cure. Fire Spirit School veterans such as Dr. Lu Chonghan in Sichuan or Dr. Wu Rongzu in Yunnan will go quite a bit higher to coax out the descending effect of aconite, using 30g as their lowest dose, and going up to 200 grams for severe rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Aconite...is said to fortify yin within yang—in other words, bring about a contracting, inward-bound momentum within an overall warming function.
HF: Yes, the difference between cinnamon and aconite is very important and must be understood by every practitioner of the yang tonic school. The warming effect in cinnamon is associated with the opening process of taiyang. The Neijing states that taiyang is “the opener,” the function of yang within yang. It is thus in charge of propelling the yang qi “out of the box”, dispensing it outwards to the flesh, muscles, and surface layers, and upwards to the head, causing every part of the outer and upper regions of the body to feel warm. Aconite, on the other hand, is considered by the Fire Spirit School as an herb that is almost opposite to that in action. It is said to fortify yin within yang--in other words, bring about a contracting, inward-bound momentum within an overall warming function. It is thus considered to be the primary herb to bring roaming yang qi back into the box. Rather than causing you to overheat, i.e. in the form of mouth sores or ulcers or nose bleeds (often feared by practitioners as an imagined side-effect of aconite use), aconite takes the floating yang qi at the surface and entices it back into a state of “battery storage” in the lower dantian. It should in fact reduce symptoms such as restlessness, anxiety, insomnia, hot flashes in menopause, mouth ulcers and so on. When aconite is used correctly, therefore—referring to the usage of the right kind and the right dosage of the herb—it will actually treat the kinds of symptoms that many modern practitioners fear it might induce. BQ: Can you say a word or two about your dosing of the herbs in this formula? classicalchinesemedicine.org classicalpearls.org
BQ: This is grams per day, correct? Most TCMtrained herbalists will balk at going that high. HF: Yes, grams per day. I find aconite’s healing effects verified in these dosage ranges, particularly for people with stubborn insomnia and anxiety. This is a common problem in the modern world. If I had to name one symptom that is most prevalent among my patients, whether they state it overtly or not, it would a state of general restlessness, often accompanied by anxiety and possibly insomnia. Modern life-styles are so different from those of ancient times, everything is always go-go-go—an eternal emphasis on drumming the yang qi out of the box, and very little on bringing it back into a state of storage and regeneration. Aconite 2
qianyang dan: a key formula of the sichuan fire spirit school an in-depth interview with heiner fruehauf
is the perfect remedy for this situation, more so than Suanzaoren Tang (Zizyphus Decoction) that is often used in TCM nowadays. I personally like Suanzaoren Tang and use it often myself, but I can say without reservations that the aconite-based approach gets much more to the heart of the matter, by addressing the constitutional level of the stress problem. Suanzaoren Tang can be combined with an aconite remedy such as Qianyang Dan, but by itself it would only be able to moderate the symptoms a bit. BQ: In this type of situation you described, of the go-go–go state of mind with underlying anxiety and insomnia, many and probably most TCM herbalists would focus more on enriching the yin. You and your teachers, however, with this aconite-based approach have a focus on what you call bringing the yang back into the box. Can you clarify this a bit? HF: It is only during sleep that we regenerate our yang qi. In our culture we are all encouraged from a young age on to push more yang to the surface, whether it is through using coffee or seeking extreme entertainment like roller coaster rides or watching three movies in a row. All of this brings about excitement but not peace, and human physiology needs periods of calm more than excitement. It is not just a matter of recharging an empty battery, but to prevent a vicious cycle of energy loss. It is the job of the Kidney yang to safeguard the yang qi, similar to how cinnamon in Guizhi Tang acts at the surface. It is the yang in the circulation of the weiqi at the surface that keeps the ying fluids in; as the weiqi gets weaker we start to sweat more, losing more fluid essence as a result. That is why the Shanghan lun emphasizes the symptom of sweating, albeit as a symbolic marker, as the key indication for Guizhi Tang. The same applies for processes that take place deeper and lower in the body. The weaker the Kidney yang, the more essence you will be leaking. This might be an “energetic leakage,” or it could be actual blood in the case of a woman, or sperm in the case of a man. The key is that we are burning jing on a daily basis with our activities. We speak of “burning the midnight oil” or classicalchinesemedicine.org classicalpearls.org
“burning the candle at both ends”; it is the essence we are burning in both cases when we use these English expressions. BQ: So you use fuzi to guide the yang back into the box? HF: Aconite is the strongest way to put that yang back into storage. It also is the best way to restore the battery’s ability to hold a charge, so that it is not constantly leaking again after you have restored it. Let’s look at a typical symptom: people are exhausted but they can’t go to sleep. What do they do? Some leave the television on, others do their emailing, and some have sex so that they can go to sleep. In all these three options there is a kind of restlessness. Aconite will diminish this kind of restlessness in the system. There are many uses of aconite, very much like there are many uses of chaihu or huangqi, but if you pair it in a certain way with other key herbs a particular quality of the herb will be brought forth. In Fuzi Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Center Decoction With Aconite), for instance, aconite’s ability to stabilize the fire of the middle burner gets emphasized. In Qianyang Dan, though only slightly different in design, we find the combination of fuzi with sharen or baidoukou. In this combination, the descending properties of aconite are particularly underlined and come to the fore. That is why conditions that are traditionally viewed as deficiency states—night sweats, insomnia, hot flashes, anxiety—are primarily reflecting an insufficiency of the yang’s ability to store. This is what aconite excels at. Aconite’s ability to bring the yang back into storage and to maintain it there is strengthened by cardamon, either in the form of sharen or baidoukou. This cardamon-aconite combination is really at the core of Qianyang Dan. BQ: Where did this formula originate? HF: Qianyang Dan is a formula with very much a local character. It was first designed by Zheng Qin’an, the founder of the Fire Spirit School in the late 1800s. In his original remedy he also included 3
qianyang dan: a key formula of the sichuan fire spirit school an in-depth interview with heiner fruehauf
guiban and zhimu, two strong yin substances. His last student, Lu Zuzhi—this would have been in the 1890s (the tradition has primarily lived on since then in the Lu family)—developed an even stronger focus on supporting the yang and so dropped these two yin-nourishing substances. It is interesting to note that for the same reason the Lu family line even dropped baishao and dazao from Guizhi Tang. What has developed is a sort of modernized Qianyang Dan without the sticky and partially cooling yin substances guiban and zhimu. I have had very good clinical results using this modified form of the original Qianyang Dan. BQ: Just to be clear on the ingredients you are using when you use this formula... HF: It is basically Fuzi Lizhong Tang minus baizhu plus sharen or baidoukou. It seems like a minor adjustment, but it changes the direction of the remedy, so that it enters into the shaoyin rather than just into the taiyin layer. BQ: I’m just curious. Is anyone still using the original Qianyang Dan of Zheng Qin’an with the zhimu and guiban included? HF: There is a resurgence of interest in Europe in the Fire Spirit School through students of Tang Buqi (a student of Lu Zuzhi’s son Lu Yongding) who practice in Switzerland. My colleague Gunter Neeb, who I think was the first Westerner to earn a doctoral level degree in the Chinese TCM college system, has written much in recent years about the Fire Spirit School. He uses Qianyang Dan with the zhimu and guiban still included. When I speak of this formula, I am always referring to the Lu family modification that drops these two yin substances. BQ: Can you take a moment and place cardamon somewhere on the continuum of cinnamon and aconite? I am trying to understand how it warms and the direction of its action and so on.
classicalchinesemedicine.org classicalpearls.org
HF: This use of sharen was new for me also when I encountered the Fire Spirit teachings. My earlier teachers were not typically using sharen. In TCM it is generally prescribed for people with Spleen qi deficiency and a tendency to dampness that results in either diarrhea or poor appetite, especially in children. We could look at Xiang Sha Liu Junzi Tang as an example of this type of use. It is also added to other tonic formulas as a sort of benign food-grade herb. This applies to both sharen and baidoukou. During the last century, one famous pharmacy in China would automatically include 3 grams of sharen with Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Rehmannia Six Pill) scripts, whether the herbalist prescribed it or not. In the Fire Spirit School, however, sharen, especially the favored and less expensive xi sharen (literally western amomum), similar to aconite but different from cinnamon and fresh ginger, draws the yang qi down and dries damp in the deepest levels of the body, down to the bone marrow. BQ: To speak of a deep damp like this, “down to the bone marrow” is a new idea to me. Can you say a bit more? HF: There are certain kinds of damp you can clear with Pingwei San (Harmonize the Stomach Powder), for instance. The tongue coat might be thick in a patient of this kind, which will automatically make you think of herbs like cangzhu and houpo, and you will most likely end up prescribing a variation of Pingwei San. You might use it in combination with a more constitutionally acting formula, but the job of the Pingwei San is to get rid of that damp that the tongue coating points to. But there are certain kinds of damp that are so chronic in the body—as in Epstein-Barr or Gu Syndrome or rheumatoid arthritis—these kinds of damp cannot be cured with cangzhu and houpo. For this deeper damp we need aconite, possibly combined with cardamon. You could think of it as driving out the damp by shining the sunlight on the deepest layer of the body. The shaoyin networks represent this deepest layer. In this very practice-oriented form of herbalism, the sharen is regarded as an herb that can dry damp at this deeper level; it also draws the body’s 4
qianyang dan: a key formula of the sichuan fire spirit school an in-depth interview with heiner fruehauf
attention down and in. This is interesting, because I always wondered why these two herbs, sharen and baidoukou, are so important in Ayurvedic medicine and why they are used so pervasively in Indian cuisine. India is the land of constant summer. You sweat heavily all day long. In the terms of Chinese medicine, people are exposed to a constant state of taiyang in the climate sense. This means that the energy is continually drawn to the surface, leading the inside to be actually cold and deficient. That is why sharen is so important there; it draws the body’s energy inside to prevent this kind of depletion. It also may be helpful in the prevention of parasites, another big issue in India. I now better understand the Indian use of sharen and baidoukou as another example of cultural wisdom.
HF: If I am using Fuzi Lizhong Tang or Qianyang Dan I will consider paojiang, ganjiang, or shengjiang, depending on what my specific intentions for the prescription are. Paojiang is a form of ginger that is astringent and inward bound rather than outwardly dispersing like shengjiang. Ganjiang is used if you want to warm internally more.
For this deeper damp we need aconite, possibly combined with cardamon. You could think of it as driving out the damp by shining the sunlight on the deepest layer of the body.
BQ: I am assuming some people will read this interview and want to use their own granule pharmacies to investigate the use of Qianyang Dan with their patients. Are there any dosing guidelines you adhere to when you use this formula? You already mentioned the aconite dose running from 15 to 45 or so grams. Is there anything else to mention about the other herbs in this formula? HF: I think the rule of thumb is a rough sort of 2:1 ratio of aconite to amomum/cardamon. I typically use 18 grams of fuzi and 9 grams of sharen. In China I have seen Fire Spirit School practitioners using 60 grams of fuzi and 45 grams of sharen. I don’t think these high amounts are absolutely necessary, but it may give experienced practitioners an idea of what they can do if they wish to experiment with the dosage of Qianyang Dan. BQ: How about the type of ginger you use in this formula?
classicalchinesemedicine.org classicalpearls.org
BQ: And the renshen? You typically seem to use substitutes. I don’t think I have ever seen you prescribe renshen,
not even once. HF: I never use renshen really, mostly for reasons of quality control with regards to pesticides and fungicides used in the cultivation of ginseng. Also, you may recall from the discussion of Gu syndrome that renshen is contraindicated for patients with chronic infectious issues. It is regarded as a substance that can strengthen the power of parasitic pathogens. I usually use dangshen or sanqi, and my favorite is wujiashen (aka ciwujia). If a more yin influence is needed, I use beishashen. Beishashen, in particular, is not only antiparasitic, but also has a calming effect that is similar to baihe. If you are hesitating to use a formula like Qianyang Dan with its exclusive focus on the yang, then maybe you want to use the beishashen for balance. My avoidance of renshen, by the way, applies not just to Qianyang Dan, but also to any other formula that calls for ginseng. BQ: Let’s talk now about the two Classical Pearls formulas that are built around Qianyang Dan. HF: In the Classical Pearls line there are presently five formulas with aconite, and two of these are based on the Qianyang Dan design. Both of these formulas are intended to draw the energy back down into the 5