Tonic and health-preserving

Author: Wu Juanjuan, Li Chunjie, Liu Dehua / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publishing Time: 2003-02-01
Features: The divine herb ginseng, known as a precious supplement, is a familiar remedy with the reputation of "divine grass." It also has aliases such as "soil essence," "human mouth," and "wrinkled face returning elixir." "Ginseng, when grown deep and gradually reduced, has roots like a human shape, with divine power, hence the name 'ginseng,' divine grass.'" Ginseng is "yellow in color, belonging to the earth element, and replenishes the spleen and stomach, generates yin blood, hence the names 'yellow ginseng' and 'blood ginseng.' It obtains the essence of the earth, hence the names 'soil essence' and 'earth essence.'" Processed ginseng varies in properties. Ginseng is the root of a perennial herbaceous plant in the Araliaceae family. It is usually harvested after 6 to 7 years of cultivation, when the stems and leaves are about to wither in autumn. The longer ginseng grows, the stronger its medicinal efficacy and the better its effects. Ginseng is primarily produced in China's three northeastern provinces, divided into wild and cultivated varieties, the former being called "wild mountain ginseng" and the latter "cultivated ginseng." Wild ginseng grows for a longer time and has a stronger replenishing effect.
Ginseng varies in processing methods: after harvesting, it is directly washed and dried in the sun or by baking, known as "raw sun-dried ginseng"; after being scalded with boiling water and then soaked in sugar juice, and then dried in the sun, it is called "sugar ginseng" or "white ginseng." Its efficacy is weaker than raw sun-dried ginseng, but both are mild in nature and suitable for those with insufficient qi and yin. Steamed and dried ginseng is called "red ginseng," which is slightly warm and suitable for those with weak qi and yang deficiency. Additionally, the root hairs removed during processing are called "ginseng," which have similar pharmacological effects to the ginseng root.
Ginseng replenishes qi, benefits the spleen and lungs, and calms the mind and intellect
Ginseng has a sweet and slightly bitter taste, is warm in nature, and belongs to the heart, spleen, and lung meridians. It has functions such as replenishing qi, strengthening the spleen and lungs, generating fluids, calming the mind, and improving intelligence. For critical conditions with depleted qi and weakness, ginseng is the first choice for reinforcing qi and stabilizing the body. When used with aconite, it has the effect of reviving Yang and rescuing collapse. Ginseng strengthens the lungs and spleen, and can be used for conditions such as fatigue, shortness of breath, low voice, spontaneous sweating, weak pulse caused by insufficient lung qi, and fatigue, poor appetite, and loose stools caused by weak spleen qi.
Ginseng is sweet and warm but not dry, and can replenish qi and generate fluids, making it suitable for conditions such as high fever with excessive heat, sweating, thirst, and weak pulse in qi and fluid damage. Additionally, when combined with ingredients like (rehmannia glutinosa) and (rehmannia), it can treat diabetes. Ginseng nourishes the qi and blood of the five internal organs, and can calm the mind and improve intelligence, used to treat palpitations and insomnia.
Ginseng has multiple pharmacological effects
Modern pharmacological studies have shown that ginseng contains various ginsenosides, as well as ginsengone, ginseng acid, glycosides, volatile oils, and ginsengine, as well as various sugars, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. Ginseng has the effect of regulating the function of the central nervous system, enhancing both the excitatory and inhibitory processes of higher nervous activity, with the former being more prominent. Ginseng strengthens the contractility of the heart, with characteristics similar to those of cardiac stimulants. Experiments have proven that ginseng can significantly prolong the survival time of animals with acute circulatory failure due to massive blood loss and has shock-resistant effects. Ginseng can stimulate hematopoietic organs, and both sugars and polysaccharides can alleviate the damage to the hematopoietic system caused by radiation. Ginseng can stimulate the endocrine system, greatly affecting the pituitary-adrenal cortex system, and can also promote the function of the human gonads. Additionally, it can regulate cholesterol metabolism, promote protein metabolism, lower blood sugar, and have a synergistic effect with insulin. Taking ginseng can improve sleep, stabilize mood, combat fatigue, and enhance the immune system. Long-term use can enhance metabolism, combat aging, and promote longevity.
Ligustrum lucidum, named after its virtue of guarding chastity
Liu Zhongzhen once said, "The ligustrum tree is evergreen and lush in winter, with the virtue of chastity, hence it is named after the virtuous woman." This may be the reason for its name. Ligustrum lucidum is the ripe fruit of the evergreen shrub or small tree Ligustrum lucidum in the Oleaceae family. It is distributed throughout the country, primarily grown in Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Hunan, Fujian, and Sichuan. The ligustrum tree also has aliases such as "icicle tree" and "wax tree," but it is different from the common wintergreen tree. Ligustrum lucidum also has aliases such as "ligustrum fruit," "wintergreen fruit," and "white wax tree fruit." The fruit is harvested in winter, steamed, and then dried for use.
Ligustrum lucidum has a mild nature and replenishes without greasiness
Ligustrum lucidum has a sweet and bitter taste and is cool in nature, with a harmonious and gentle property, and has the function of replenishing the yin of the liver and kidneys. It is often paired with (rehmannia glutinosa) to treat conditions such as dizziness, blurred vision, sore waist and knees, premature graying of hair and spermatorrhea caused by yin deficiency of the liver and kidneys; it can also be paired with (mangiferin), (rehmannia), and (dendrobium candidum) for conditions such as yin deficiency fever. The "Shen Nong's Herbal Classic" records its functions as "replenishing the middle, calming the five internal organs, nourishing the spirit, eliminating all diseases, and long-term use makes the body fat and healthy, lightens the body and prevents aging." In summary, its function of replenishing the yin of the liver and kidneys is inferior to that of prepared rehmannia, eucommia, and wolfberry, but its nature is mild and it replenishes without greasiness, making it a mild and balanced supplement. However, it is cold and cool in nature, so those with weak spleen and stomach qi or yin deficiency should use it with caution.
Ligustrum lucidum has effects such as strengthening the heart, diuretic, antibacterial, and enhancing immunity
Studies have shown that ligustrum lucidum contains oleanolic acid, acetyloleanolic acid, ursolic acid, α-mannitol, and large amounts of glucose. Oleanolic acid has a strengthening heart and diuretic effect; α-mannitol has a laxative effect. Experiments have proven that ligustrum lucidum has an inhibitory effect on bacteria such as Shigella, Salmonella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli. Additionally, it can increase white blood cell counts in cases of leukopenia caused by chemotherapy or radiation therapy, enhance immunity, promote the transformation of lymphocytes in healthy individuals, increase white blood cell counts, and prolong the duration of antibodies. Moreover, it has the effects of protecting the liver and anti-tumor effects.
Ligustrum lucidum and polygonum multiflorum for hair health and nourishing the liver and kidneys
Take 30 grams of ligustrum lucidum, 15 grams of prepared polygonum multiflorum, and 15 grams of rehmannia, decoct with water, take 1 dose per day, decocting twice, taking 1 dose each in the morning and afternoon. Suitable for conditions such as premature graying of hair caused by insufficient liver and kidney qi.
A sweet and cool supplement for nourishing yin and treating constipation
Take 30 grams of ligustrum lucidum, 10 grams of (persicae seminum), and 12 grams of (cistanche), decoct with water, take 1 dose per day, decocting twice, taking 1 dose each in the morning and afternoon. Nourishes yin and moistens the intestines, suitable for constipation caused by kidney deficiency and fluid deficiency in the elderly.
A formula for strengthening yang, suitable for yang deficiency syndromes
A formula for strengthening yang is a prescription for treating yang deficiency syndromes. Yang deficiency mainly refers to kidney yang deficiency, characterized by sore waist and knees, aversion to cold, weakness in the lower limbs, shortness of breath and tinnitus, impotence and premature ejaculation, difficulty urinating, dribbling urine, and frequent urination. A formula for strengthening yang is primarily composed of tonifying yang herbs, with appropriate additions of warming the interior, strengthening the spleen, replenishing essence, and nourishing blood. A formula for strengthening yang is composed of nourishing herbs such as aconite, cinnamon, eucommia, morinda officinalis, and alisma orientale. In the formation of kidney yang deficiency syndromes, there are pathological changes such as yang deficiency leading to cold, spleen and kidney yang deficiency, and yang deficiency with depleted essence and blood. When selecting tonifying yang herbs, appropriate additions of warming the interior, strengthening the spleen, replenishing essence, and nourishing blood should be made to achieve comprehensive differentiation and correct treatment.
Brief introduction to common tonifying kidney and essence formulas
Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan (Tang) [Source] Zhang Zhongjing's "Jin Gui Yao Lue" from the Han Dynasty. [Composition] 240 grams of prepared rehmannia, 120 grams each of Dioscorea opposita and cornus officinalis, 90 grams each of alisma orientale, poria cocos, and moutan, 30 grams each of cinnamon and aconite. [Usage] Mix the above herbs, grind into powder, and mix with honey to form pills, with each pill weighing 15 grams. Take 1 pill in the morning and evening, with boiling water, or adjust the dosage according to the original prescription. Decoct with water. [Function] Warming and tonifying kidney yang. [Indications] Conditions such as aversion to cold, sore waist and knees with cold pain, cold lower abdomen, cold lower limbs, frequent and clear urine or difficulty urinating, tinnitus and deafness, coughing up clear phlegm, caused by kidney yang deficiency. [Explanation] This formula uses prepared rehmannia to nourish kidney yin, cornus officinalis and Dioscorea opposita to nourish the liver and spleen, assisting in nourishing kidney yin; a small amount of cinnamon and aconite are used to warm and tonify kidney yang, aiming to gently grow the "small fire" to generate kidney qi. The formula uses alisma orientale and poria cocos to promote diuresis and expel dampness, and moutan to clear liver fire, which, when paired with warming and tonifying kidney yang herbs, aims to balance nourishing and draining, so that nourishing does not become greasy. Modern TCM clinical practice commonly uses this formula to treat chronic nephritis, chronic pyelonephritis, adrenal cortex hypofunction, sexual neurosis, hypothyroidism, hyperaldosteronism, diabetes insipidus, urinary retention, benign prostatic hyperplasia, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, chronic oral, etc., caused by kidney yang deficiency.
Correctly differentiate and supplement to prevent and treat menopausal symptoms
Menopausal symptoms are often caused by imbalance of liver and kidney yin and yang and deficiency of qi and blood, requiring correct supplementation after differentiation to prevent and treat them. For menopausal women with qi and blood deficiency, tonifying herbs such as astragalus, white atractylodes, angelica sinensis, prepared rehmannia, and jujubes should be chosen, or prepared formulas such as Ba Zhen Wan, Gui Pi Wan, and Ren Shen Yang Rong Pian. For those with predominant kidney yin deficiency, tonifying herbs such as prepared rehmannia, polygonum multiflorum, and cornus officinalis, as well as prepared formulas such as Da Bu Yin Wan and Qi Ju Di Huang Wan, should be chosen to nourish kidney yin. For those with predominant kidney yang deficiency, herbs such as prepared rehmannia, aconite, cinnamon, and Dioscorea opposita, as well as prepared formulas such as Shen Rong Pian, Lu Rong Pian, and You Gui Wan, should be chosen to warm and tonify kidney yang. Menopausal women are often affected by kidney deficiency, which impairs the liver's function of regulating the flow of qi, so adding herbs such as bupleurum, rose, and orange peel, which regulate the liver and smooth qi, can enhance the effect of tonification.
The kidney is the root of congenital essence
TCM believes that "the kidney is the root of congenital essence," and the essence, qi, yin, and yang in the kidney are inherited from parents, mainly promoting human growth, development, and reproduction. As one ages, kidney qi gradually declines, and the body begins to age. "When kidney qi is strong, life is prolonged; when kidney qi is weak, life is shortened." Historically, physicians have guided prescriptions with the aim of tonifying the kidney, consolidating the root, nourishing essence, and replenishing marrow to achieve longevity, health, and vitality.
Older people's health preservation emphasizes tonifying the liver and kidneys
The liver stores blood, and the kidney stores essence. "Essence and blood are the same source," with a close relationship. Liver yin and kidney yin also mutually nourish each other, known as "liver and kidney are the same source." In the Five Elements theory, the kidney belongs to water, and the liver belongs to wood. If kidney yin is insufficient, due to "water not nourishing wood," it leads to liver yin deficiency. Older people's organs are weak, combined with physiological changes, it is easy for kidney qi to decline and liver and kidney to be insufficient; if liver and kidney are deficient, it can lead to dizziness, blurred vision, tinnitus, sore waist, forgetfulness, hair loss, tooth loss, frequent nighttime urination, and fragile bones that break easily. Liver and kidney deficiency not only leads to physical aging but can also cause diseases such as arteriosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes, and coronary heart disease. Older people's health preservation should focus on tonifying the liver and kidneys to delay aging.
Additionally, older people, having experienced many hardships, have exhausted qi and blood in their bodies, making them weak, such as dry skin, palpitations, insomnia, and forgetfulness. Their weak bodies are unable to resist external pathogens, and once they catch a cold, various diseases arise. Therefore, it is also necessary to tonify qi and blood and support the body's resistance.