12 Weeks of Power : The beginning

Engaging in the program I set out a couple of weeks ago hasn’t been much of a problem.  Finding the extra moments to use for writing to the blog has been more of a challenge.  :)

I have altered the program in a couple of important ways, however.  It just hasn’t worked for me to limit the formulas to those I indicated at the outset.  Instead, I find myself naturally gravitating to working with 3-5 formulas each week as I work with patients.  Given that I’m not taking the Chinese herbs portion of my NCCAOM board exam until the summer, I’m okay with not doing a rigorous and systematic review of formulas in the next 12 10 weeks.

The Bladder and Kidney channels have gone alright.  To be entirely honest, it’s been hard to get back into the kind of basic, point by point, review that I engaged in when I first learned the points.  But, I’m keeping at it and having some success.  I find that it’s better for me to cut the big channels into pieces.  That shouldn’t come as much of a surprise.

Anyway, I will do my best to release material as often as I can – but I can’t promise much until graduation.  When something really, really excites me.  I’ll let fly.  There’s so much to talk about, so much HAPPENING here in Portland (like my/our new clinic – Watershed Community Wellness : that’s just a placeholder page, but check it out!) and such quantum leaps occurring in the field of Classical Chinese Medicine, such unbelievable personal transformations happening on every level… it boggles the mind, and limits one’s time.

But, quickly, I’ll share something about herbs.

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One formula that has quickly become indispensable to me in clinic is 枳實薤白桂枝湯 Zhishi Xiebai Guizhi Tang.  This formula, from Zhang Zhong Jing’s Jin Gui Yao Lue (JG) is in the 9th chapter of that text which bears the title ”

It contains the following herbs:

• 4 pieces Zhishi /  (4 grams)
• 4 liang Houpo (12 grams)
• 1 liang Guizhi (3 grams)
• 8 liang “bakeri” (24 grams – opinions differ whether this is Xiebai or Congbai)
• 1 piece Gualou (15 grams – some say use only the seeds)

I have been taught to use the dosages in the parentheses.  The question of dosage is an interesting one, but I don’t feel like getting into it right now.  The whole debate hinges on the definition of various terms of measurement in the Han dynasty.  All of the evidence I have seen indicates that the dosages above are as close to correct as we are ever likely to get.  I use these dosages in clinic with great results.  Of course, the Zhishi dosage would seem to be reduced from what is likely to be noted in the JG – this dosage is something I inherited and I haven’t looked much farther into it, I’m afraid.

Now, this formula is said to treat “chest obstruction syndrome” which comes with the following symptoms (from the Jiyuan translation) : obstructed Qi beneath the heart or bound Qi with distention in the chest and ribs, flushing Qi from the hypochondria to the heart.  In the first edition of Bensky’s formulas text, I can’t even find the formula.  On Rootdown, the functions of the formula are listed as:  “unlocking the Yang,” “dissipating clumps,” “expelling phlegm,” and “directing the Qi downward.”  What do we learn from all of this?  The condition involves some blockage in the chest that prevents Yang from circulating there, and the condition most likely involves some variation of phlegm.  This phlegm is meant to be moved downward, unblocking the Yang, and freeing the chest.  Now, this is an incredibly simplistic description of the basics of the formula.  I could easily write twenty pages on this formula alone!

I’ll talk more about this formula soon – I’d like to break down the individual herbs, looking at their flavor and Qi, both in a contemporary way and using both the Shennong Bencao Jing and the Tangye Jing.  This will go a long way towards helping us understand the formula more fully.  Then I will share some of what I’ve learned about the formula in clinic with Arnaud Versluys, including some novel applications.  The rub of the whole thing is this : I’m starting to see this formula as somehow related to the series of clearing treatments that is often done in Worsley style five element acupuncture – like the Internal Dragons and Aggressive Energy treatment.  It’s not a one-to-one correspondence, but there are some very interesting similarities and relationships there.  I’d say about 75% of my patients end up needing this formula, or another Xiebai containing formula, incorporated into their treatment.

More later – share your thoughts in the comments!

Eric

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