WEEK 2 Flashcards
8 Therapeutic Methods
- Promote sweating
- Induce vomiting
- Purging - make bowel movement happen
- Harmonizing - connecting 2+ diff. organs
- Warming
- Clearing (heat)
- Tonifying (xu)
- Reducing (shi)
TP RICH WP
7 traditional types of herbal combinations:
- mutual accentuation
- mutual enhancement
- mutual counteraction
- mutual suppression
- mutual antagonism
- mutual incompatibility
- single effect
CAASSIE
Mutual Accentuation
Combo of 2 substances with similar functions to accentuate BOTH their therapeutic actions
a + b = A + B
aka “mutual necessity”
Mutual Enhancement
Combo of 2+ substances with different action in which ONE enhances the effects of the other in a specific clinical situation
a + b = a + B
aka “mutual employment”
Mutual Counteraction
Combo in which the toxicity/side effects of one substance are reduced or eliminated by another substance
a(!) + b = a + b
[ a counteracted by or “fears” b ]
aka “mutual fear”
Mutual Suppression
Same situation as mutual counteraction : one substance reduces the side effects of another
a(!) + b = a + b
[ b suppresses or “kills” toxicity of b ]
aka “ mutual killing”
Mutual Antagonism
Ability of 2 substances to minimize or neutralize each other’s positive effects
A + B = a + b
aka “mutual aversion”
Mutual Incompatibility
Combo of 2 substances give rise to side effects/toxicity which wouldn’t be caused by either substance alone
a + b = [a-b]!!
aka “mutual opposition”
18 incompatibilities list:
- Gan Cao (licorice) w/ 3
- Zhi Wu Tou w/ 5
- Li Lu w/ 6
Single Effect
Use of one medicinal substance buy itself to treat, “doing separately”
A
Standard dosage (raw herbs):
3-9 grams
But can vary significantly based on substance (light/heavy), severity of disorder, constitution & stomach qi of patient…
Processing methods (6):
- DRY-frying - skillet, browning
- Frying with LIQUIDS - honey, wine, vinegar, ginger juice
- Calcining - high heat, minerals & shells, makes easier to break.
- Quick-frying - extremely high temps, Reduces toxicity or moderates “harshness”
- Dry curing or baking - low heat-long time, for delicate things (flowers/insects
- Roasting in ashes - herbs wrapped and heated indirectly
DBL QRC
DRY-frying (Chǎo) - uses + actions:
Aka Browning, for dry storage
- Increases action of strengthening Sp & St
- With salt, directs action downward to K & nourishes yin
Frying with Liquids - uses + actions:
- Honey: increase tonifying & moistening properties
- Vinegar: enhance astringent, analgesic, blood invigorating & detoxifying actions
- Wine: enhance ability to clear blockage from channels, expel wind & alleviate pain
- Ginger juice: reduce digestive upset for bitter & cold herbs, enhance ability of herbs to warm St & stop vomiting
Delivery Methods (7)
- Decoctions (Tāng)
- Powders (Sǎn) - Medicinal action between decoction and pills
- Pills (Wán) - powder + viscous medium, mild and slow
- Special Pills (Dān)
- Soft Extracts/syrups
- Medicinal Wines - wine = nourishing, blood invigorating, unblocking channels
- Injections
+ Granules, Tinctures & external applications
Decoctions (Tāng)
Pros: “Soup”, rapid absorption, strong effect, easily customized
Cons: Inconvenient, taste, cost
NO aluminum*
Most cooked for 20-30min and served warm, before meals
+ specific guidelines (decocted first, “added near end” etc.)
Drug classes with highest risk of clinically significant interactions
- Sympathomimetics
- Anticoagulants & Anti-platelets
- Diuretics
- Anti-diabetics
**Avoid using herbs and pharmaceutical drugs with the same therapeutic actions
CITES
Organization which protects 30k species of endangered plants & animals
Special Decoction instructions (read this over):
DECOCTED FIRST
- Toxic herbs: cook 30-45 min before adding others to make safe
- Minerals and shells: cooked at least 10-20 min before adding others, must be cooked longer to obtain the effect
- Lightweight substances when used in large dosage take up too much room in pot: decoct first for 20 min; resulting liquid used to decoct others; addresses limited capacity of the pot
ADDED NEAR END
- Aromatic herbs: add 4-5 min before end; prevent volatile oils from wafting away
- Some herbs have much stronger effect if added near the end; to mute this effect, decoct together with others
DECOCTED IN GAUZE
Herbs with cilia, small seeds, some minerals or grounded herbs: package in gauze or cheesecloth sack before cooking
To prevent adverse effects: throat or digestive tract stimulation
SEPERATELY DECOCTED OR SIMMERED
Rare and very expensive herbs: to obtain maximum effect
Often slice very thin, cook in double boiler for long time, 2-3 hrs
DISSOLVED IN STRAINED DECOCTION
Highly viscous or sticky substances: most likely to stick to pot and burn it or stick to other herbs and reduce effect of decocting
Dissolve separately in small bowl then add to strained decoction
TAKEN WITH STRAINED DECOCTION
Expensive, aromatic substances: ground into powder and taken first, followed by strained decoction
Precious horns: shaved or filed into powder and ingested, followed by strained decoction
BOILED POWDERS OR DRAFTS
Powders decocted for 10 min with small amount of water
Ingesting liquid strained from dregs
Smaller dosage than decoction
Originated in Han Dynasty and Tang Dynasty → popular style during Song Dynasty
