Adventures in Chinese Medicine

Fish Creek Park in winter Winter seems to have come slowly this year.  We're well into November and still have not had much in the way of snow and only a few cold days.  I'm certainly not complaining.  But, we all know that winter is coming and with it comes "cold & flu" season. One of my favourite little formulas from school was this deceptively simple and poetically named winter saviour.  Yu Ping Feng San means Jade Windscreen Powder .  It ancient China Jade was more valuable than gold - so to have Jade in the name indicated it's value.  Windscreen was a literal name - wind was the external "evil" that brought sickness.  We can think of the TCM term wind as being analogous to viruses or bacteria.  So this simple little formula was a screen, or protective barrier, against wind/virus borne illnesses.  This formula can be taken before getting sick to help boost your immune system and prevent viruses from taking hold in the body.  Once...

It's a cold, snowy day today.  The weather made me think of a friend of mine who has complained that our winter never really arrived this year.  On the few occasions that I have made it out skiing with him I discovered that while he loves being out in the snow his hands and feet get extremely cold.  It sounds like he suffers from more severe Raynaud's syndrome than I do. Ran across the following article about Si Ni San (Frigid Extremities Powder). Si Ni San (Counterflow Cold Powder) Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix) Zhi Shi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus) Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) Zhi Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix Praeparata) Si Ni San was originally created to treat cold extremities due to depression of yang qi, but later generations expanded its use to treat disharmony of the liver and spleen. As such, Si Ni San is one of the most important base formulas for coursing the liver and supplementing the spleen. Si Ni San is a simple formula because it contains few ...

5th point of Hand Shao Yang Meridian Nature: Luo-connecting; Confluent with YangWei Location: On the posterior aspect of the forearm, midpoint of the interosseous space between the radius and the ulna, 2 cun proximal to the dorsal wrist crease. Functions: 1. Dispel Heat and release exterior for fever, headache, red eyes and thirst due to exterior Wind-Heat combine with DU14, LI11, LI4 2. Regulate SanJiao, clear internal Heat and stop pain for migraine, hypochonriac pain, painful ears, red eyes, deafness, tinnitus due to Wind-Heat, XS Heat or Damp-Heat in LR & GB meridians headache/migraine due to LR Qi stagnation (temporal) also dispel pathogens from exterior for common-cold and seasonal allergies combine with GB41(Confluent with Dai) for ShaoYang disorders 3. Activate the collaterals and open meridians for paralysis, limited movement of arm, pain & swelling of wrist/elbow/shoulder Migraine! combine with GB8 for fast relief of migraine pain...

The 3rd point of the Hand Tai Yang meridian Nature: Shu- Stream; Wood; Mother; Confluent with Du Location: on the ulnar side of the hand, proximal of the metacarpophalangeal joint, at the junction between palm and dorsum of hand Functions: 1. clear heat and release the exterior for heat due to external pathogen (fever, febrile diseases, malaria) and internal heat combine with DU14 2. regulate the Du meridian, restore consciousness SI3 (Confluent with Du) is part of confluent pair with BL62 (Confluent with Yang Qiao) - used together to balance Yin/Yang in body combine with BL62 for illness of inner canthus, neck, ear, shoulder, back        3. activate collaterals and stop pain headaches!   especially those in the occiput/neck region; treats Du meridian on the neck therefore good for acute neck problems (stiffness, pain, spasm/torticollis); weaker but works on the lower back as well; also arm pain and finger numbness   c...

Another busy day in the student clinic.  I have been observing student interns not instructors which is a little disappointing.  I guess with it being summer things are less busy.  At least the interns do still, sometimes, consult with the supervising instructor so I am able to learn that way.  Had a chance today to follow a couple different interns. #1:   This woman has been receiving treatment for a few years for her frozen shoulder.  The treatment principle is mainly local points for the shoulder; tonify Yin & LR points to affect tendons.  I have noticed in this clinic a lot more emphasis on local points and ashi points. #2. This was a new patient;  a 27 yo man complaining of candida.  Lots of intestinal issues, headache/dizziness with mental fog and rashes.  Main diagnosis was damp & heat.  The treatment principle was draining damp and moving Qi especially in the middle Jiao, then boost SP Qi once the damp is gone....

Spent 4.5 hours in the student clinic today.  What a great experience.  I learned so much my head is spinning.  Observed the treatment for 3 patients and discussed another in-depth with the supervisor. #1: a woman who had broken her R radius and ulna.  Saw the use of BaXie extra points (used for pain; w LI11 for increasing circulation in her arm).  Also saw Ren22 being inserted - have to go in above sternal notch and then angle down behind sternum. #2: a 36 yo woman with dysmenorrhea.  Dx was LR blood stagnation and LR Qi stagnation w LR overacting on SP/ST.  Spent some time with Dr. ** talking about herbs, which ones could be used for each part of the treatment principles and then he chose the best ones from each group.  Ended up with Xiao Yao San modified to suit the patient.  It was a great review of herbs and a good learning experience.  Wish I'd had time to stay and help compound the formula. #3: a woman with multiple complaints....