Author: Various
Source: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008)
Category: Formulas that Regulate Blood
Pattern: Blood deficiency and stasis from trauma (Die Da) or Wind-Cold obstruction
Key Symptoms: Aching and pain of the sinews and bones, lower back and knees, numbness of the hands and feet
Secondary Symptoms: Irregular menstruation
Ingredients
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Ji Xue Teng
| 400g | |
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Pinyin: Ji Xue Teng
Chinese: 鸡血藤
Pharmaceutical: Caulis Spatholobi
English: Millettia Root and Vine |
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Tastes: Bitter, lightly sweet, warm
Meridians Entered: Liver and Kidney |
Actions & Indications:
- Invigorates and tonifies the Blood
Blood Deficiency with dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation, or amenorrhea along with abdominal pain
- Activates the channels and relaxes the sinews
Numbness of the extremities, lower back pain, knee pain or general soreness of the joints due to Wind-Damp Bi with either Blood Deficiency or Stasis
Weak extremities in the elderly Paralysis and vertigo due to Blood Stasis or Wind-Stroke
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Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.
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Bai Jiu
| 1.3L | | |
Pinyin: Jiu
Chinese: 酒
Pharmaceutical: Alcohol
English: Rice Wine |
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Tastes: Hot, pungent, sweet, bitter, toxic
Meridians Entered: Stomach, Heart, Lung and Liver, but reaches every part of the body |
Actions & Indications:
- Nourishes and moves Blood and Qi, opens the Meridians
Taken internally or applied topically as the medium for liniments in Blood stasis, especially from trauma or Bi syndromes in the elderly
- Warms Yang and Expels Cold
All Cold syndromes including Cold Bi, Interior Cold and Yang deficiency
Often serves as the basis for longevity "elixirs" by soaking Yang tonifying herbs
- Strengthens the Shen, dispels sorrow and promotes happiness
Temporary low mood, celebration
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Standard Dosage: 10-60ml, two to three times per day. Often combined with other herbs to bring out their Blood moving or warming aspects by washing them, or adding to a decoction, or soaking herbs in alcohol to make medicinal wines.
Cautions: Caution with Damp-Heat syndromes or long term consumption in the young and middle aged.
The Materia Dietetica (Shiwu Bencao 食物本草) by Lu He 卢和 from the Ming Dynasty says that excess drinking can hurt the spirit and consume blood, damage the stomach and deplete the body fluid, produce phlegm and induce fire. |
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Subsitutions:
Bai Jiu (white alcohol) traditionally means distilled rice wine but can be substituted with any clear 40% spirit.
Preparation: Place the herb in a large jar with 1.3L of alcohol and seal the lid for 7 days. Open, remove the dregs and store for use. Take 1-2 teacups morning and evening warm on an empty stomach.
Actions: Nourishes and invigorates the Blood, soothes the sinews and frees the flow of the network vessels (Luo).
Contraindications: Damp-Heat conditions and long term use due to the harmful effects on continuous alcohol consumption.
Research Links:
Reference Notes: (click to display)
Most formulas are found in Scheid, Bensky, Ellis & Barolet (2009): Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies and Chen & Chen (2015) Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications. Others are from translations of primary sources. It is recommended that the original material is cross-referenced for mistakes and additional information.
Substitutions have been taken from Ken Lloyd & Prof. Leung (2004): Mayway UK Substitution List or the above publications and are intended as suggestions to help navigate the tight restrictions in the UK quickly. More applicable substitutions may be appropriate in specific situations.
Individual herb information has initially been sourced from TCM Wiki and American Dragon for basic data and then updated manually with my own notes.
These pages are intended to assist clinicians and are not intended for self-diagnosis or treatment for which a qualified professional should be consulted.
