Thursday, September 17, 2009

Si Wu Tang (四物湯)

In today's post, I will discuss a herbal soup called the Si Wu Tang (四物湯), that is very suitable for ladies after your mensuration. This is a herbal soup that is a must after mensuration in order to regulate and fortify your body. This herbal prescription is typical and well-known. Some of you lady readers out there might have experience your mother, grandmother telling you about this soup.

So, today I shall discuss the myth involving this soup. Who can drink it? When to drink it? Is this there any caution to be observed when taking this soup? i shall now start by presenting the ingredients of the Si Wu Tang (四物湯).

The ingredients of the prescription are as follow: -
1. Dang Gui (当归, 三钱)
2. Chuan Xiong (川芎, 二钱)
3. Bai Shao (白芍, 三钱)
4. Shou Di Huang (熟地黄, 四钱)

The primary role of the Si Wu Tang (四物湯) is to "nourishing liver blood". It is suitable for symptoms such as dizziness, blurred vision, hand, foot numbness, cramps, less menstrual flow, and others. In our modern world of living with the presence of living pressure, irregular lifestyle, coupled with poor eating habits (the love for deep-fried, spicy and barbecued stuff) results in us having a more dry and heaty (燥热) body structure. Thus, it makes us not really suitable for the consumption of the Si Wu Tang (四物湯). But, does that means that ladies out there could no longer consume it.

If you really need to consume it, you can arrange to go through checkup at the Chinese medicine practitioners, who will modified the Si Wu Tang (四物湯) according to each and individuals physical conditions.

Si Wu Tang (四物湯) is not a cure for any disease nor is it a miracle prescription for the ultimate regulation and fortification of your body. It is only in one of the many traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions, that have been used traditionally for the ladies after mensuration. So, before consuming, it is advisable and also a sensible thing to consult a qualified Chinese medicine practitioner for his/her advise.

It is an important to note. Medicine use in the correct and proper manner is to solve the problems and will be helpful to the body. In the opposite sense, if medication is taken in a disorder manner, the medication may become a "poison" to the body.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

中药炮制的目的

中药炮制的目的是多方面的,往往炮制方法或者炮制一种药物,同时具有几方面的目的,有些虽有主次之分,但彼此之间又有密切的联系。

1. 有毒中药炮制均可降低毒性
  如川乌、半夏、马钱子等;有些毒性药物炮制除降低毒性外,还可缓和药性,如甘遂、芫花醋炙,巴豆制霜均可缓和泻下作用。

2. 有副作用的药物炮制均可消除或减弱副作用
  如柏子仁具有宁心安神、润肠通便等作用,生品服后产生滑肠致泻的作用,通过去油制霜炮制后即消除了致泻的副作用;瓜蒌仁制霜、马兜铃蜜炙可消除令人呕吐的副作用;厚朴姜炙、黄精蒸制可消除对咽喉的刺激性。

3. 改变药性
  生品、制品药性不同,临床应用各异。如蒲黄生用性滑,活血化瘀,炒炭后性涩,止血;生甘草性凉,清热解毒,蜜炙后性温,能补中益气;生地黄性寒,清热凉血,熟地黄性温,滋阴补血;何首乌生用。

4.药性峻烈的药物经炮制可缓和药性
  如麻黄生用辛散解表发汗作用较强,蜜制后辛散作用缓和,发汗力减弱,而止咳平喘作用增强;苍术、枳壳麸炒缓和燥性;槐花炒黄、黄连酒炙、大黄酒炙缓和苦寒之性;牛蒡子炒黄缓和寒滑之性等。

5. 增强药物疗效
  可通过炮制后改变药物质地,使其质地酥脆、易于粉碎、利于成分的煎出而提高疗效。如种子类药物炒黄;质地坚硬的矿物药、贝壳类煅制。还可借助辅料的作用增强疗效,如蜜炙款冬花、紫菀等,由于蜂蜜的协同作用,可增强其润肺止咳作用;羊脂炙淫羊藿可增强其治疗阳痿的效能;胆汁制南星能增强其镇惊作用。

6.改变或增强药物作用的部位和趋向
  通过炮制可引药入经,改变作用部位及趋向。如大黄酒炙能引药上行;柴胡、香附等经醋制后有助于引药入肝;小茴香、橘核等经盐制后,有助于引药入肾。

7.便于调剂和制剂
  矿物类、贝壳类及动物骨甲类药物,必须经过煅、煅淬、砂烫等,使其质地变为酥脆,易于粉碎及煎出有效成分。

8.有利于贮藏及保存药效
  药物经过干燥处理,使药物含水量降低,避免霉烂变质,有利于贮存。一些昆虫类、动物类药物经过热处理,如蒸、炒等能杀死虫卵,防止孵化,便于贮存,如桑螵蛸等。植物种子类药物经过蒸、炒、燀等的加热处理,能终止种子发芽,便于贮存而不变质,如苏子、莱菔子等。加热处理可杀酶保苷,如黄芩、杏仁等。

9. 矫味矫臭,利于服用
  动物类药物或其他有特殊臭味的药物,炮制后均能起到矫味矫臭的效果,如酒制乌梢蛇、紫河车、麸炒僵蚕、椿根皮,醋制乳香、没药,长流水漂洗人中白等。

10.提高药物净度,确保用药质量
  这是药物炮制的共同目的。如种子类药物要去沙土、杂质,根类药物要去芦头,皮类药物要去粗皮等。

Thursday, September 3, 2009

中药炮制与临床疗效

中药必须经过炮制之后才能入药,是中医用药的特点之一。中药炮制是根据中医药理论,依照辩证施治用药的需要和药物自身性质,以及调剂、制剂的不同要求,所采取的制药技术。

中药炮制与临床疗效

1. 中药炮制是中医长期临床用药经验的总结。炮制工艺的确定应以临床需求为依据。炮制工艺是否合理、方法是否恰当,直接影响到临床疗效。中药的净制、切制、加热炮制与加辅料制均可影响临床疗效。

2. 加热是中药炮制的重要手段,其中炒制、煅制应用广泛。许多中药经炒制后,可杀酶保苷,如芥子,牛蒡子等;煅制常用于处理矿物药,动物甲壳及化石类药物,能使质脆易碎,而且作用也会发生变化。如白矾煅后燥湿、收敛作用增强。血余煅炭后能止血。川乌、草乌加热煮制后,其毒性显著降低,保证了临床用药安全有效。

3. 中药经辅料制后,在性味、功效、作用趋向归经和毒副作用方面都会发生某些变化,从而最大限度地发挥疗效。

炮制对药性的影响

1. 炮制对四气五味的影响
- 是通过“反制”纠正药物过偏之性,以缓和药性。如栀子姜汁制后,能降低苦寒之性,以免伤中;
- 是通过“从制”,使药物的性味增强,增强疗效。如胆汁制黄连,增强黄连苦寒之性,所谓寒者益寒;酒制仙茅,增强仙茅温肾壮阳作用,所谓热者益热;
- 是通过炮制,改变药性,扩大药物的用途。如天南星辛温,善于燥湿化痰,祛风止痉;加胆汁制成胆南星,则性味转为苦凉,具有清热化痰,熄风定惊的功效。

2. 炮制对升降浮沉的影响
药物经炮制后,可改变其作用趋向,如酒制引药上行,盐炙引药下行入肾经。

3. 炮制对归经的影响
中药炮制很多都是以归经理论作指导的,特别是用某些辅料炮制药物,如醋制入肝经,蜜制入脾经,盐制入肾经等。

4. 炮制对毒性的影响
去毒常用的炮制方法有净制、水泡漂、水飞、加热、加辅料处理、去油制霜等。具有毒性的中药经炮制均可降低毒性。

Monday, August 31, 2009

Si Shen Tang, Liu Wei Tang (四神汤, 六味汤)

In this blog, I shall also cover some nice and easy to cook herbal soups that are useful in building up our health over time or even just after recovery of illness.We will look at how we can prepare these easy and delicious herbal dishes for everyone. Don't think that traditional Chinese Medicine is just some bitter medical prescription. It can smell nice and at the same time delicious. It is also easy to prepare. In additional, as all the ingredients are herbal, there is no major side-effect in taking them for long terms. However please be noted that there are indeed some herbal medication that are NOT recommended for long term consumption. I will remind you about that as we go along.

In today's post, we shall take a look at the 2 herbal soups that are easy to prepare and good for the spleen. These 2 herbal soups are also especially GOOD for recovery after illness. It is very easy to prepare and it tastes great.


The first herbal soup that I am covering is the Si Shen Tang (四神汤). The ingredients are Xiang Lian (湘莲 ), Qian Shi (欠实), Huai Shan (淮山), Fu Ling (茯苓).

First, wash 2 items, Xiang Lian and Qian Shi, in hot water. This is to remove a bit of the outside 'skin' of the medicine so that the soup will not look too 'red' later. Do not remove all of the skin, as that is the part that is aiding in strengthening the spleen.

Next, rinse the remaining 2 items and put all items in the pot and boil. After boiling, bring it to small fire and let it cook for at least 1 hour. At this point you can put in our choice of meat. It tastes great with duck. However, we will not recommend you cook the soup with duck if you have a weaker stomach or is currently ill. The reason being, duck is more oily, so it is not recommended to consume too oily food when you have a weak stomach or when you are sick. Salt can be added to taste.

This soup is suitable for everyone from young to the elderly. Just take note for the young and elderly, use lean meat. Or the other way to enjoy this soup is to boil the soup without meat and cook with other stuff such as mee suan, porridge or mixed with your oat meal.

This soup is also great for babies.


The next soup that I am recommending is Liu Wei Tang (六味汤). The ingredients used is quite similar to Si Shen Tang (四神汤). The ingredients are Xiang Lian (湘莲), Qian Shi (欠实), Huai Shan (淮山), Yu Zhu (玉竹), Bai He (百合), Dried Longan (龙眼肉).

This soup helps in improving digestion, improves appetite and also nourish the lungs. The way of cooking is similar to Si Shen Tang (四神汤).

First, wash the 2 items, Xiang Lian and Qian Shi, in hot water. This is to remove a bit of the outside 'skin' of the medicine so that the soup will not look too 'red' later. Do not remove all of the skin, as that is the part that is aiding in strengthening the spleen.

Next, rinse the remaining 4 items and put all items in the pot and boil. After boiling, bring it to small fire and let it cook for at least 1 hour. At this point you can put in our choice of meat. Salt can be added to taste.

For this soup, you can also cook it as a dessert. To have it as a dessert, do not add meat and salt. Instead, after cooking for 1 hour, add rock sugar to taste. Fore those who do not like to eat the ingredients, you can just drink the soup alone. It is very refreshing when chilled. It can also be served as a form of refreshing tea too.

This soup is also suitable for everyone from babies to the young to the elderly.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency (G6PD)

With regards to the last posting on the prescription for treatment of anti-viral infections, there is an important thing to note.

This prescription is UNSUITABLE for children or anyone with G6PD deficiency.

So what is G6PD?

Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency (G6PD)is basically an inherited condition where the body does not have enough of the enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, or G6PD. The effect of G6PD is to help the red blood cells (RBCs) in our body to function normally. The deficiency of G6PD can cause hemolytic anemia, and this usually happens after consumption of certain medications, foods, or even infections.

It is important to note that people with G6PD deficiency normally do not develop any symptoms unless their RBCs have been destroyed. Once their RBCs are destroyed, they will developed a condition called hemolysis. These symptoms will normally disappear once the cause, or trigger, of the G6PD is removed. In very rare cases, G6PD deficiency could also lead to chronic anemia.

With the right precautions in mind, anyone with G6PD deficiency can also lead a healthy and active life. So to all, whenever you are in DOUBT, seek professional advice.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Viral Infection - Treatment the TCM Way

We have just cover the effect of TAMIFLU in our last post. With the various side effects and the necessary precautions that we have to be aware of, Is there any other way out? Well, it seems like there is..

There are various traditional chinese herbs that have anti-viral treatment effect. Chuan Xin Lian (穿心连) for example is a very typical and effective anti-viral herb that can be used for oral ulceration, sore and swelling throat, turbid urine, pain in urinary tract, carbuncle and boil.

The following prescription, was tested and found to effective as an anti-viral drug. The components of the prescription are as follow: -
1. Xiang Ru (香茹, 二钱)
2. Ban Lan Gen (板兰根, 二钱)
3. Shuang Huang Lian (双黄连, 各二钱)
4. Sheng Gan Cao (生甘草, 一钱)
5. Yu Xing Cao (鱼腥草, 二钱)
6. Tian Ju Ye (甜菊叶, 半钱)
7. Chan Tui (蝉退, 两只)
8. Shuang Gou Teng (双钩藤, 一钱)
9. Chai Ge Gen (柴葛根, 二钱)

After taking the medicine, there might be a urge to pass motion (sometimes will be loose and waterly). There is no cause for alarm as in the context of TCM, this is a form of releasing internal body heat. There are three ways of releasing internal body heat, namely passing motion, urination, perspiration. So there is no worry, if you experience loose bowels.

So what are the symptoms that warrant the consumption of the above prescription. The symptoms are:-
1. Continuous fever in the range of 37.8 to 39.5 degree C.
2. Oral ulceration, sore and swelling throat
3. Swollen and painful gums, ulcers on the tongue

There are also a few important things to note:-
1. The use of western anti-fever medicine such as paracetamol, asprin, etc. should continued
2. Chai Ge Gen, 柴葛根 is different from Ge Gen Pian, 葛根片

Monday, August 17, 2009

What is TAMIFLU? What is The Effect of TAMIFLU ???

With the recent emphasis on H1N1, the hast to develop a vaccine for the H1N1 virus has led to the creation of the TAMIFLU vaccine. So what is TAMIFLU??

When treating flu symptoms, TAMIFLU when taken within two days of experiencing symptoms, it will works well by helping to stop the flu virus from spreading inside the body. If it is used for flu prevention, that is when you have been exposed to someone with the flu, taking TAMIFLU can help you keep the virus from making you sick. TAMIFLU is not a substitute for the flu shot; vaccination is the first line of defense for flu protection. This above is reference from http://www.tamiflu.com.

So, is there any side effect of TAMIFLU? Where, there is. The side effect of TAMIFLU are as follow:-
1. Skin Reactions with Allergic Reactions have been reported.
2. Confusions, Illusion are particularly common for small children and adolescents. They might have the high probability of self inflict injury or even sleep walking etc. If there is any unusual behavior, a healthcare professional should be contacted immediately if the patient taking TAMIFLU shows any signs of unusual behavior.

In addition, take the following precautions when using TAMIFLU:-
1. You should not take TAMIFLU if you are allergic to oseltamivir phosphate or any other ingredients of TAMIFLU.
2. TAMIFLU is normally not recommended for use during pregnancy or nursing, as the effects on the unborn child or nursing infant are unknown. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding while taking TAMIFLU, talk to your doctor before taking TAMIFLU.
3. If you have any type of kidney disease, talk to your doctor before starting TAMIFLU therapy.
4. The use of TAMIFLU along with an intranasal flu vaccine like FluMist®* has not been evaluated. However, due to the possibility for interference between these products, an intranasal flu vaccine should not be given within 2 weeks before or 48 hours after taking TAMIFLU, unless it is deemed appropriate by your doctor. The type of flu vaccine administered as a shot through the skin can be given at any time relative to use of TAMIFLU.
5. As with any medication, be sure to discuss with your doctor any over–the–counter or prescription medicines you are currently taking before beginning TAMIFLU therapy.

So look at the post above, with the numerous worries, what can be done the TCM way?