 | | 
December 15th, 2005, 11:46 AM
|  | Student   | | Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Huntsville, AL Style(s): Jook Lum SPM, Kali
Posts: 2,548
Rep Power: 61 | | Some good posts there Mei Hua! QI LI SAN (Sevent Thousandsths Tael Forumla) 
Dosage: ~1/2 gram
Qi li san works in a combination on all of the following channels:
Heart
Large Intestine
Liver
Lungs
Spleen
Qi li san is a very basic and old traiditonal counterpart to externally applied herbal liniments and poultices. It works internally, primarily to invigorate the blood and stop internal swelling. It can be used externally as well for the purpose of stopping bleeding. It gets its name from the dosage size; users were to drink a 7th of a Tael (about 0.5 grams) as a dosage size mixed in wine or water.
Some of the ingredients in qi li san are toxic and must be prepared to be made safe. Qi li san is available as a patent formula from a variety of herbalists and is a decent compliment to the use of external liniments such as dit da jow.
The contents and quantities of herbs in qi li san are publicly available. It is composed of the following, from largest quantity to least:
Dragons Blood (Xue Jie)
Catechu (Er Cha)
Frankincense (Ru Xiang)
Myrrh (Mo Yao)
Safflower (Hung Hua)
Cinnabar (Zhu Sha) *
Musk (She Xiang)
Borneol (Bing Pian)
* Zhu Sha is a toxic herb.
Last edited by PlumDragon; December 15th, 2005 at 11:53 AM.
|
December 16th, 2005, 01:38 AM
|  | <--theguychangingmyavatar   | | Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Land of Whales Style(s): Mei Hua Chuan/MMA Year(s): 21
Posts: 16,378
Rep Power: 220 | | | Amber
Amber (Hou Po or Hu Po) Pharmaceutical Name: Succinum Botanical Name: Pinus spp. Common Name: Amber
Succinus Source of Earliest Record: Mingyi Bielu Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The brownish fossil resin is taken from a pine tree which has been buried underground for a long time. It is then ground into powder. Properties and Taste: Sweet and neutral Meridians: Heart, liver and urinary bladder Functions: To calm and tranquilize the mind; sedates and calms the spirit
To invigorate the blood and release stagnation
To promote urination
Promotes menstruation
Reduces swelling and promotes healing Indications and Combinations: 1. Infantile convulsions and epilepsy.
*Use with Centipede (Wu gong) and Scorpion (Quan xie). 2. Palpitations, insomnia and dream-disturbed sleep.
*Use with Wild jujube seed (Suan zao ren) and Multiflower knotweed (Ye jiao teng). 3. Dysmenorrhea or amenorrhea due to blood stagnation.
*Use with Chinese angelica root (Dang gui). Zedoary (E zhu) and Lindera root (Wu yao) in the formula Hupo San. 4. Urinary tract disorders manifested as frequent urination, painful urination, bloody urine or calculus formation in the urinary tract.
*Use with Lysimachia (Jin qian cao), Clematis stem (Mu tong) and Imperata rhizome (Bai mao gen). Dosage: 1.5-3 g (powder form) Cautions: Do not use with heat signs due to Yin deficiency.
__________________
Oh THAT'S how that works!
|
December 26th, 2005, 03:55 PM
| | Student | | Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Huntsville, AL Style(s): Jook Lum SPM, Kali
Posts: 2,548
Rep Power: 61 | | ITS STILL FLU SEASON!
Although its a bit late, there are still plenty of people out there that will be affected by the flu before spring rolls around.
Influenza is a very common upper respiratory infection that affects a significant percentage of adults and is quite invasive to us as martial artists. Usually we can train with common cold symptoms (and its often times the slight stimulation offered by light training that can allow the body to better fight the common cold). But when flu really hits us, it can usually keep us in bed for days (primarily due to the fever a flu virus generates), causing us lost training time during the bulk of the illness as well as after the illness has passed, which can be more than a week. Furthermore, influenza *can* lead to more serious problems like pneumonia.
While herbal medicine can effectively fight and prevent Influenza, some of the best ways to keep yourself safe are from common sense protective measures. Influenza is transmitted via inhaling the virus, which can become airborn from the nose, eyes, mouth, etc. The best way to combat this is to wash your hands with antibacterial soap, be mindful about touching your face after shaking hands with someone, using the restroom, etc. and, if possible, using devices like HEPA filters at work.
The symptoms of influenza (fever, chills, runny nose, dry cough/sore throat, sore/achy muscles and joints, weakness, frontal headache) are generally seen as either wind-heat or wind-cold. Using the below recipes can help to prevent as well as shorten the symptoms associated with influenza:
- For wind-heat symptoms associated with chills, high fever, and sore throad, use Yin Qiao San (Lonicera and Forsythia Combination).
- For wind-heat symptoms with coughing, and/or bronchitis, an herbal decoction called Sang Ju Yin (Morus and Chrysanthemum Combination) can be used.
- For wind-cold symptoms to include a fever, an herbalist can fill a patent recipe called Bai Hu Tang (White Tiger Decoction).
There are also several Chinese herbs that highly effective at fighting viruses and for this reason can be used for influenza. These can be added to any of the above formulas or can be taken individually, however, it is quite often the case that combinations of herbs work better than single herbal treatments...
Tinctoria Leaf (Da Qing Ye)
Tinctoria Root (Ban Lan Gen)
Polygala (Yuan Zhi)
Houttuyniae (Yu Xing Cao)
More Information:
Yin Qiao San: http://www.itmonline.org/yinqiao.htm
Sang Ju Yin: http://www.holistic-online.com/Herba...u-yin-pian.htm
White Tiger Decoction: http://www.healingherbsofchina.com/store/3354.htm |
December 30th, 2005, 02:43 PM
|  | Venerable Student | | Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: London
Posts: 415
Rep Power: 9 | | This is one Excellent thread!!!
love it 
Jy   PD
__________________ Wisdom, peace, and strength are not flowers to pick, but mountains to climb. |
January 14th, 2006, 09:18 AM
| | Student | | Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Huntsville, AL Style(s): Jook Lum SPM, Kali
Posts: 2,548
Rep Power: 61 | | | Thanks yingyangsnake, glad you find it helpful =) |
January 14th, 2006, 10:08 AM
| | Student | | Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Huntsville, AL Style(s): Jook Lum SPM, Kali
Posts: 2,548
Rep Power: 61 | | THE DANGER OF ARNICA 
Ive heard alot of talk recently, here on Dragons List and on other places about arnica. Its time get some information out there about arnica and the potential dangers of using it.
Family: Compositae
Pharmaceutical Name: Arnica Montana
Parts Used: Flower, and sometimes root
Dosage: Varies, and largely undefined
Arnica, indigenous to the Northern American portion of the world, is not considered an herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It does not appear in the Materia Medica nor does it show up in online TCM search engines. It is a popular remedy in a variety of medications in Europe.
Arnica is used externally for inflammation and pain, and rheumatism. Internally, it can be used to stop bleeding and as a mouthwash and is diuretic.
WHY YOU SHOULD NOT USE ARNICA:
- Toxicologically, arnica is considered unsafe. Its toxic properties make it unsafe for use without the careful advice of expert medical practicioners (even then, you will experience internal irritation). Sensitivity can, and has resulted in severe poisoning.
- While arnica does contain chemicals that aid in relieving inflammation, there have been cases of allergic reactions where the use of arnica caused severe inflammation it ensue, rather than the opposite desired effect.
- Even if youve used it and you havent shown sensitivity problems to arnica, youre not safe! Prolonged use of arnica can cause disorders itself, ranging from excema and pustule formation, to more severe conditions such as necrosis.
- Lastly, arnica oil, prepared solely as an arnica extract in a carrier oil, has only that one single ingredient and doesnt address the entire problem. There are a variety of safer and more effective herbs to replace the use of arnica, which should show up as part of an ingredient list that is designed to balance and enhance the properties of the other herbs.
More information on arnica:
- Studies on arnica, LOTS of info here: http://www.herbmed.org/Herbs/Herb92.htm
- http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/a/arnic058.html |
January 25th, 2006, 11:14 AM
|  | Venerable Student | | Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 105
Rep Power: 6 | | | Looks good - would it be better to seperate out the herbs and acupoints, have two databases? Might make it easier to search through as they are bound to get bigger. |
January 26th, 2006, 03:32 PM
| | Student | | Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Huntsville, AL Style(s): Jook Lum SPM, Kali
Posts: 2,548
Rep Power: 61 | | | Seeing as were getting decent input into acupoints, it might not be a bad idea.
If I hear from others that they would like to have this "Encyclopedia" organized that way, Ill split this thread into 2 (one for herbs and one for Acutherapy). |
January 26th, 2006, 04:02 PM
| | Student | | Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Huntsville, AL Style(s): Jook Lum SPM, Kali
Posts: 2,548
Rep Power: 61 | | TYPES OF GINSENG 
Parts Used: Root
Dosage: Varies depending on type of root and purpose (2-9 grams per day)
There are a variety of different types of ginseng, all having their own purpose. Each is cultivated in varying areas of the world, with varying quality and size. Generally, the larger the root is, the more expensive it will be. 15 large pieces equaling about 22 ounces of Korean ginseng can be as much as $1,400, while an entire pound of Chinese ginseng tail can be found as little as $18-20. Variety in ginseng is more closely monitored than perhaps in any other herb of the Materia Medica. There are 3 primary typs of ginseng:
- American White Ginseng (Xi Yang Shen) is sweet and slightly bitter in nature, and cooling. It is the coolest of the gingeng roots and exhibits less tonifying properties than the others. American ginseng supplements qi, nourishes yin, and can generate fluids (one of the 5 essences). American ginseng is often used to treat internal heat signs as a result of yin vacuity.
- Chinese Red Panax Ginseng (Ren Shen) is also sweet and slightly bitter, but differs in that it is slightly warming versus cooling. It supplements qi very strongly, and can also strengthen the spleen, and generates fluids as the American ginseng. Chinese ginseng comes in 2 varieties: Jilin and Shih Chih. Jilin has equal properties as Shih Chih but are less matured, and generally sell for less. Shih Chih are larger roots that have been cultivated to a higher quality standard. Often times it has also been prepared to enhance the tonifying effect of this herb.
- Korean Red Panax Ginseng is the warmest of the 3 types of ginseng. This root is also usually processed but done so with Korean methods versus Chinese by soaking them in an herbal decoction and finally being steamed to enhance their properties. Korean ginseng is very expensive.
As has become popular in America, ginseng can be used to benefit energy levels, cardiovascular efficiency, and to reduce fatigue. To this end, many people have no need to use ginseng until they reach a point in their lives where the energy leves are depleted (namely, around the early 40s).
Ginseng has some interesting research highlights:
- Kirchorfer, 1985: Healthy male participants given ginseng in a study showed an increased cardiovascular efficiency as indicated by a substantially lower heart rate only 2 weeks into a 9 week study.
- Huang 1999: Ginseng was shown to increase mental activity.
- Hunag 1999: Ginseng was shown to have anti-aging abilities due to its theoretical ability to increase synthesis of protein, DNA, RNA, gonadotropins, and ACTH, all of which can prolong the life of a cell.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
You should NOT use any type of ginseng if you have hyperglycemia or hypertension, or during a fever. Taking ginseng late at night can cause restlessness.
Lastly, ginseng should not be confused with pseudoginseng. Pseudoginseng has very different purposes and will eventaulyl be talked about separately in this thread.
Last edited by PlumDragon; January 26th, 2006 at 04:06 PM.
|
February 9th, 2006, 11:53 AM
| | Student | | Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Huntsville, AL Style(s): Jook Lum SPM, Kali
Posts: 2,548
Rep Power: 61 | | THE HYPE OF METHYL SALICYLATE 
Walk into your local drugstore and peruse the aisles near the pharmacy. Youre bound to find products like icy hot, bengay, perhaps even a bruise liniment claiming to have methyl salicylate as a primary active ingredient. In the Western world, molecules like "methyl salicylate" are being used often. Pick up a bottle of aspirin and notice the active ingredient is acetylsalicylic acid. Very similar chemicals...OK great, right? Now, why does any of this have to do with TCM and herbs?
A variety of plants exist that are referred to as wintergreens. These class of plants, numerous in number, produce an essential oil called " Oil of Wintergreen". This oil is used as an anti-inflammitory, internally and externally. Great a cool herbal oil, what does this have to do with methyl salicylate? Salicylic acid, a naturally occuring substance as a plant hormone, and created in the lab synthetically, is often times used to treat acne because of its ability to keep pores from clogging up. It is also used industirally in a variety of other things such as toothpaste because of its antiseptic nature. Salicylic acid can be combined with a variety of types of alcohols to form derivative esters (essentially a modified organic compound). When combined with methanol, salicylic acid forms Methyl Salicylate, our precious Oil of Wintergreen. Furthermore, Salicylic acid can be combined with acetic anhydride to produce Aspriin, which as we all know is anti-inflammitory and anelgesic.
The production of Oil of Wintergreen happens naturally as some plants naturally convert this substance into Oil of Wintergreen. It also takes place in the lab using phenol and carbon dioxide to produce the acid, and then reacted with methanol to make synthetic oil of wintergreen.
Oil of wintergreen is available from a variety of online stores and is one of several ingredients in effective oil-based products.
Last edited by PlumDragon; February 9th, 2006 at 11:55 AM.
|
February 15th, 2006, 11:24 AM
| | Student | | Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Huntsville, AL Style(s): Jook Lum SPM, Kali
Posts: 2,548
Rep Power: 61 | | LONGAN BERRIES (Long Yan Rou)
Dragons Eye 
Warm and sweet.
Class: Herbs that tonify the blood
Family: Sapindaceae
Pharmaceutical Name: Arillus Euphoria Longanae
Parts Used: Fruit (berries)
Dosage: 6-15 grams, but are also eaten simply as a food
This one is for all of you mental giants who use your brain alot at work and often times might feel that yorure mentally fried for the day by the time you get to martial arts in the evening...
Longan fruit works on the heart and spleen channels and is used to nourish the blood, and calm shen (the spirit). It relieves fatigue, especially in reference to *mental* fatigue. It is often times used for anxiety and neurosis, and less commonly for insomnia. It can relieve heart palpitations if caused by blood deficiency, or exhausting caused by spleen deficiency. The Materia Medica claims it is a very useful herb for couteracting exhaustion caused by "worry, over-thikning or overwork".
Much of this herbs ability to nourish the blood comes from its high glucose and sucrose content, which makes this fruit particularly sweet and much easier to eat than many other herbs, which can often have very penetrating acrid, sour, or bitter tastes. Because this is a food grade herb, it can simply be eaten as a sweet little snack to counteract the mental fatigue of a tough day at work.
Longan berries are often combined in traditional forumulas with herbs such as Chinese Red Ginseng (Ren Shen) as discussed previously, to help treat symptoms such as insomnia and heart palpitations as a result of defiicent qi and blood.
More information on Longan Beries: http://tcm.health-info.org/Herbology...properties.htm
Always great herb information here: http://alternativehealing.org/long_yan.htm |
February 21st, 2006, 11:20 AM
| | Student | | Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Huntsville, AL Style(s): Jook Lum SPM, Kali
Posts: 2,548
Rep Power: 61 | | | THE NINETEEN ANTAGONISMS (Xiang Wu)
In Traditional Herbal Medicine, a student spends a good deal of time studyign traditional recipes of herbs. One topic that a student studies is that of the "Nineteen Antagonisms" and the "Eighteen Compatibilities". In this first post, I will discuss the Nineteen Antagonisms and then discuss the Eighteen Incompatibilities in next weeks post.
There is a list of 19 herbal combinations that are seen as "antagonistic", herb combinations that are never seen together in traditional recipes because the herbs have actions that are antagonistic or opposite of each other and should not be combined. The results of combining such herbs can cause certain unwanted side effects, in the same way that combining different pharmaceutical drugs is not done because of drug-to-drug interactions. The "Nineteen Antagonisms" are:
Sulfur (Liu Huang) is antagonistic with Sal Glauberis (Po Xiao)
Hydragyrum (Shui Yin) is antagonistic with Arsenicum (Pi Shuang)
Radix Euphorbia (Da Ji) is antagonistic with Lithargyrum (Mi Tuo Seng)
Semen Croton Tiglii (Ba Dou) is antagonistic with Semen Pharbitidis (Qian Niu Zi)
Nitrum (Ya Xiao) is antagonistic with Rhizome Sparganii (San Leng)
Flos Caryophylli (Ding Xiang) is antagonistic with Tuber Circuma (Yu Jin)
Flos Caryophylli (Ding Xiang) is antagonistic with Radix Circuma (Jiang Hunag)
Radix Aconiti (Wu Tou) is antagonistic with Cornu Rhinoceri (Xi Jiao)
Radix Ginseng (Ren Shen) is antagonistic with Excrementum Trogopteri Seu Pteromi (Wu Ling Zhi)
Cortex Cinnamomum (Rou Gui) is antaginostic with Halloysitum Rubrum (Chi Shi Zhi)
Always be weary and apprehensive if you see a recipe that combines any of the above herbal combinations.
Last edited by PlumDragon; February 28th, 2006 at 10:25 AM.
|
February 28th, 2006, 10:24 AM
| | Student | | Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Huntsville, AL Style(s): Jook Lum SPM, Kali
Posts: 2,548
Rep Power: 61 | | THE EIGHTEEN INCOMPATIBILITIES (Xiang Fan)
The eighteen (mutual) incompatibilities are comprised of three herbs that, when combined with one or more of the herbs it is incompatible with, can produce serious or fatal side effects. Just as with the nineteen antagonisms, you should never see any of these combinations as part of an herbal recipe. If you do, either be extremely apprehensive, or require a detailed explanation of how the recipe has been designed to offset the incompatibility before using it. The eighteen incompatibilities are:
Glycyrrhizae Uralensis (Gan cao) is incompatible with: - Radix Euphobiae Kansui (Gan Sui)
- Radix Euphorbiae seu Knoxiae (Da Ji)
- Flos Daphnes Genkwa (Yuan Hua)
- Sargassii (Hai Zao)
Radix Aconiti or Aconite (Wu Tou or Fu Zi) is incompatible with: - Bulbus Fritillariae (Bei Mu)
- Trichosanthis (Gua Lou)
- Rhizoma Pinellia Ternatae (Ban Xia)
- Radix Ampelopsis (Bai Lian)
- Rhizoma Bletillae Striatae (Bai Ji)
Rhizoma et Radix Veratri (Li Lu) is incompatible with: - Radix Ginseng (Ren Shen)
- Radix Glehniae Littoralis (Sha Shen)
- Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae (Dan Shen)
- Radix Sophorae Flavescentis (Ku Shen)
- Asari cum Radice (Xi Xin)
- Radix Paeoniae Lactiflorae (Bai Shao)
Last edited by PlumDragon; February 28th, 2006 at 10:26 AM.
|
March 19th, 2006, 01:18 PM
| | <--theguychangingmyavatar | | Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Land of Whales Style(s): Mei Hua Chuan/MMA Year(s): 21
Posts: 16,378
Rep Power: 220 | | | Shallots
Alternative medicine in food- Shallots belong to the lily family (Liliacae) where onion, garlic and leeks are present. It is classified as Allium cepa var. aggregatum .Shallots are smaller and sweeter than onion and like garlic its bulb divides into multiple sections .It digests better than onion when eaten raw. The bulbs are pulled of the ground and leaves are allowed to dry. The greens above the ground which are known as scallions are used as salads and also for cooking. Shallots are an excellent source of vitamin C, potassium, dietary fiber and folic acid. It also contain calcium, iron and have a high protein quality. There has been lot of research and studies regarding the use of shallots for health conditions. Different analysis and studies have found that shallots contains two sets of compounds -sulfur compounds, such as allyl propyl disulphide (APDS) and flavonoids, such as quercetin. Flavonoid consumption has been associated with a reduced risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes since they are anti-cancer, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-allergenic and anti-inflammatory. Recent studies have shown the potential health benefits of common onions and established that shallots are particularly effective against liver cancer cells. Shallots have six times the phenolic content than onions. Shallots help the liver eliminate toxins from the body and have saponins to inhibit and kill cancer cells. Shallots are specifically linked to inhibiting human stomach cancer. Shallots produce an anti-coagulant that thins the blood and exhibit strong anti-platelet activity and are very good for patients who have symptomatic atherosclerotic disease, cardiovascular disease, heart attack and stroke. It aids brain function and thus protects against Alzheimer’s disease. Shallots can lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes by preventing the degradation of insulin and increasing metabolism of glucose. Eating shallots daily helps in the growth of bone tissue and reduces the risk of developing osteoporosis by 20%. It contains Prostaglandin A-1, a powerful agent which can lower blood pressure. Sulfur content in shallots makes skin look younger. Daily intake of a little shallot will benefit in the long run. Shallots can be eaten raw or cooked till they are tender.
__________________
Oh THAT'S how that works!
|
March 20th, 2006, 11:29 AM
| | Student | | Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Huntsville, AL Style(s): Jook Lum SPM, Kali
Posts: 2,548
Rep Power: 61 | | FRANKINCENSE (Ru Xiang) AND MYRRH (Mo Yao) 
Frankincense, also known as Mastic or Olibanum, is warm, acrid and bitter; Myrrh is neutral and bitter.
Class: Both are classified as herbs that invigorate blood
Parts used: Resins
Dosage: 3-9 grams per resin
Frankincense and myrrh are two resins, which are very popularly used in conjunction with each other because of their unique ability to enhance one another.
Myrrh is used to move/invigorate blood and relieve blood stasis. As a inadvertant byproduct of these actions, it can also aid in pain relief. It is also used commonly to assist in healing wounds and sores.
Frankincense is also a blood mover/invigorator, but differs in that it can disperse wind-damp from meridians and relax sinews. It can reduce swelling and as myrrh, aids in the healing process.
When combined, these herbs with quite similar properties tend to enhance one another, and are classified in Materia Medica as a blood mover and pain reliever formula used for general traumatic pain relief. It is no wonder, given the actions of this combination, why frankincense and myrrh are popular, and are among a list of herbs which are extremely common ingredients that are seen almost ubiqutuously in the ingredients lists of dit da jow formulas and classical Chinese herbal medications. Both resins are completely soluble in alcohol and water, cheap to come by, and are efffective in their actions.
Last edited by PlumDragon; March 20th, 2006 at 11:31 AM.
| |
