7 Relationship techniques for combining 2 herbs

Question 1

Mutual Accentuation
Mutual Enhancement
Mutual Counteraction
Mutual Suppression
Mutual Antagonism
Mutual Incompatibility
Single Effect

Answer 1

(statement)

Question 2

Mutual Accentuation

Answer 2

Combination of two substances with similar functions to accentuate therapeutic actions (equally)
Ex. Da Huang + Mang Xiao to purge the intestines
1+1=1+1

Question 3

Mutual Enhancement

Answer 3

Herbs similar in certain aspects of their characters and functions can be used together, with one as the principal and the other or others as subsidiary, to help increase the effect of the principal.
Ex. Da Huang + Huang Qin for painful red eyes(1+1=2)

Question 4

Mutual Counteraction

Answer 4

a combination in which one substances’ toxicity or side effects are reduced or eliminated by another substance
Ex. the toxicity of Ban Xia is reduced and controlled by Sheng Jiang (2-1=1)

Question 5

Mutual Suppression

Answer 5

the converse of mutual counteraction in that here one substance also reduces the undesirable side effects of another. However, in this case the emphasis is on the substance that performs the action.
(2-1)+(2-1)= 2
Ex. Sheng Jiang Suppresses or kills the toxicity of Ban Xia

Question 6

Mutual Antagonism

Answer 6

the ability of two substances to minimize or neutralize each other’s positive effects
Lai Fu Zi antagonizes Ren Shen and weakens the latter herbs ability to tonify the qi
(2-1)+(2-1)= 4-2

Question 7

Mutual Incompatibility

Answer 7

Occurs when the combination of two substances five rise to side effects or toxicity caused by neither substance when used alone.

Question 8

Single Effect

Answer 8

the use of a single medicinal substance to treat a patient

ex. Ren Shen to treat qi deficiency with collapse of yang