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.

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。

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。

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.

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.

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

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?

Tian Qi Die Da Wan (田七跌打丸)

Tian Qi Die Da Wan (田七跌打丸) which means NotoGinseng Injuries Capsules. In this post, we shall discuss the NotoGinseng Injuries Capsules.

The prescription of Tian Qi Die Da Wan (田七跌打丸) consists of the following: -
1. Tian Qi (田七)
2. Gu Sui Pu (骨随朴)
3. Dang Gui (当归)
4. Da Huang (大黄)
5. Hong Hua (红花)
6. Chi Shao (赤芍)
7. Di Bie Chong (地蟞虫)
8. Ru Xiang (乳香)
9. Mo Yao (没药)

This prescription is suitable for traumatic injuries,obstuction of the blood stasis, painful of the joint, acute and chronic brusies, sprains, and swellings due to trauma. What it means is simply injuries substained from sprains, knocks, tight muscles and tendons can be treated using this prescription.

Xi Yang Shen Fen (西洋参粉)

In this post, we shall cover the discussionon the Radix Panacis Quinquefolii 西洋参. The medical effects of Xi Yang Shen Fen 西洋参粉 are tonifying the heart and tranquilizing. Supplement the vital energy, invigorating the lung. spleen and stomach and increasing the body resistance.

It is effective for conditions related to insomnia, loss of appetite, pale complexion, effective for energy deficiency, weakness in lung. It also helps to reinforce the functions of the lung, heart, kidney and stomach. It is also known to delay aging.

Regular consumption of Xi Yang Shen Fen 西洋参粉 can aid in strengthening body physical condition. The picture below shows the picture of the original herb of Xi Yang Shen 西洋参.


The original herb of Xi Yang Shen 西洋参 needs to be process before it can be grind to become powder. It has to heated in an oven to soften it before cutting into slices. After cutting in into slices, it can grind using a grinder to become powder. Please see the picture below.


So what are the advantages of powder over slice Xi Yang Shen 西洋参? The advantages are: -
1. In powder form, the effective component of the Xi Yang Shen 西洋参 is more easily absorb by the human body.
2. There is no need to double boiled the Xi Yang Shen 西洋参 as per the traditional handling of chinese herbs.
3. It can be carried around easily, therefore making it more easy to consume as it can be taken even if you travel around the world.

Sheng Mai Yin/Pian (生脉饮/片)

Today we shall discuss one of more typical Chinese medical prescription involving the Radix Ginseng 人参. Traditional prescription for the Sheng Mai Yin/Pian (生脉饮/片) contains the following herbs:-

1. Ren Shen (人参)
2. Mai Dong (麦冬)
3. Wu Wei Zi (五味子)

The medical effects of this prescription are replenishing Qi, promoting generation of body fluid, astringing yin and ceasing sweating. It is used for syndrome of impairment of both Qi and body fluid caused by profuse sweating due to summer heat.

The clinical manifestations are general debility, shortness of breath, spontaneous perspiration, dry mouth and tongue a feeble and rapid pulse of a feeble and thread pulse.

Ren Shen (人参) is typically an expensive and rare herb. To use Ren Shen (人参) in the todays' prescription of Sheng Mai Yin/Pian (生脉饮/片) would be costly and therefore in the prescription of Sheng Mai Yin/Pian (生脉饮/片) the Radix Codonopsis 党参 is normally use in place of the Radix Ginseng 人参 instead.

Therefore a typcally prescription Sheng Mai Yin/Pian (生脉饮/片) would look like this: -

1. Dang Shen (党参)
2. Mai Dong (麦冬)
3. Wu Wei Zi (五味子)

The Difference in the Different Type of Ginseng

In today's post, we will start off having some discussion on the differences that we can find in the different type of so called Ginseng. We are going to cover the following 4 types ginseng, Radix Ginseng 人参, Radix Panacis Quinquefolii 西洋参, Radix Codonopsis 党参, Radix Notoginseng 三七/田七. We will discuss the four properties, five favours, merdian tropism, medical effect and also the area that can cultivate and produce these ginseng.


We shall start with the most expensive of all, the Radix Ginseng 人参. It can be found mostly in the area of Ji Lin, Liao Ning, Hei Long Jiang (吉林, 辽宁, 黑龙江). It is neutral, sweet, and slight bitter (平, 甘, 微苦). It belongs to the lung, stomach and heart meridian tropism (肺, 脾和心). Its main effects are 大补元气, 补脾益肺, 生津, 安神益智.

Next we shall take a look at the Radix Panacis Quinquefolii 西洋参. It can be found Canada, United States of America (加拿大, 美国). It is cool, sweet and slight bitter (凉, 甘, 微苦). It belongs to the lung, heart, kidney and stomach meridian tropism (肺, 心, 肾和脾). Its main medical effects are 补气养阴,清热生津. Attempts have been made to re-seed and re-cultivate at Dong Bei, Hua Bei and Xi Bei (东北, 华北, 西北) which simulates the climatic nature of Canada and the US.

The Radix Codonopsis 党参 comes next. It can be found in Shan(1) Xi, Shan(3) Xi, Gan Su, Si Chuan, Dong Bei (山西, 陕西, 甘肃, 四川, 东北). It is neutral and sweet (平, 甘).
It belongs to the lung and stomach (肺和脾) meridian tropism. Its main medical effects are 补脾肺气, 补血, 生津.

Lastlt, we shall cover the Radix Notoginseng 三七/田七. It can be found in Guang Xi Tian Yang, Jing Xi, Bai Se, Yuan Nan Wen Shan (广西田阳, 靖西, 百色, 云南文山). It is warm, sweet and slight bitter (温, 甘, 微苦). It belongs to the liver and spleen (肝和胃) meridian tropism. Its main medical effects are 化瘀止血, 活血定痛.

The information contain within this post are obtained with reference from the Chinese Pharmacopeia, 2005 Edition (中华人民共和国药典, 2005年版).

In the next post, we shall discuss some of the typical medical prescription which uses the above 4 types of ginseng.

The Medicinal Side Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine (中药的毒副作用)

As medical science advance, the poison aspect to the treatment of illness is seen as the Medicinal Side Effect (中药的毒副作用). So what is Medicinal Side Effect?

Medicinal side effect is defined as the after effect on a human body after consuming the medicine with the correct dosage prescribed. These after effect is seen as the incorrect medicinal behaviour that should appear after consuming the medicine. Typically this after effect should not last long and should clear by itself after stopping the medicine.

Some of the example of these incorrect after effects are the appearing of rashes, stomach upsets, nausea, etc. The medicinal side effect caused by traditional chinese herbs can be caused by the characteristics of the herbs (药物本身的特性), the processing process of the herbs(炮制), mixture of herbs (配伍), etc. Through qualified practitioners medicinal side effect can be greatly reduced.

Drug allergy is also another form of medicinal side effect. This is a very aspect of medicinal side effect, where no one would know whether they would be having allergy to a certain drug. The common symptoms seen for drug allergy are rash, itch, chest discomfort, out of breath and for the more serious case, shock.

Poison Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine (中药的毒性)

In the old days, medicine is often referred to as Poison. There is a saying, as long as it is a medicine it has to have some poison components (是药三分毒). We use this poison component (better to call them side effect) to treat illness. It is the present of the side effect of chinese medicine that enable the treatment of illness. If any chinese medicine herb is as pure or as neutral as drinking water, how can it provide cure to illness?

The different classifications of posion level in the olden days are as follow: -
1. Big Poison (大毒)
2. Common Poison (常毒)
3. Small Poison (小毒)
4. No Poison (无毒)

Nowadays the Chinese Pharmacopeia, 2005 Edition (中华人民共和国药典, 2005年版) classified the poison levels as: -
1. Big Poison (大毒)
2. Poison (有毒)
3. Little Poison (小毒)

It is clearly stated in the Chinese Pharmacopeia, 2005 Edition, the different characteristic of different chinese herbs. It can seen from the attached information (extract from the Chinese Pharmacopeia, 2005 Edition), the Properities, Favours, Meridian Tropism and Poison status of the chinese herb Gan Sui (甘遂) is listed very clearly.



In the next post, we shall discussed the modern interpretation of the Medicinal Side Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine (中药的毒副作用).

Categorization of Illness through the Five Elements

The Five Elements theory, which consists of wood, fire, earth, metal, and water, are the basic elements that create the material world. These elements are in constant movement and change. This theory assigns each of the five elements a series of abstract generalizations and then applies them to the classification of all phenomena in the world.

Wood, for example, involved the aspects of extension, harmony, germination, and softness. As for the rest of the five elements: fire involves the aspects of heat and flaring; earth involves the aspects of growing, nourishing, and changing; metal is associated with cleaning up, killing, strength, and firmness; and water is associated with cold, moisture, and downward flowing. It is then inferred that anything with those characteristics similar to wood, fire, earth, metal, and water should be classified accordingly to the five elements.

The Five Elements theory is often to study and relate the connections between the physiology and pathology of the zang-fu (脏腹), tastes (味), sense organs (五官), tissues and the natural environment (大自然).

The following table classifies the different zang-fu (脏腹), tastes (味), sense organs (五官), tissues and the natural environment (大自然) according to five elements.


The complex connections between material objects can be explained using the relationship of inter-dependence and mutual restraint that governs the five elements, which will be discussed later. In traditional Chinese medicine, the Five Elements theory is typically used to interpret the relationships between the physiology and pathology of the human body and the natural environment.

The five elements are inter-dependence (相生) on each other. Starting with wood, wood generates fire, fire generates earth, earth generates metal, metal generates water, and water generates wood. There is an analogy of mother to son when these inter-dependence relationships are discussed.

Wood is the mother of fire, fire is the mother of earth, earth is the mother of metal, metal is the mother of water, and water is the mother of wood and the reverse is true as wood is the son of water, water is the son of metal, metal is the son of earth, earth is the son of fire and fire is the son of wood. Below is a figure showing the inter-dependence relationship.


Next,the mutual restraint that governs the five elements, can also be known as the control relationship (相克). The five elements generate a control over each other. Wood controls earth, fire controls metal, earth controls water, metal controls wood, and water controls fire. The figure below shows the controlling phase of the five elements.


These 2 relationships between the five elements are the normal relationship when one's body is healthy. So what is it like when one is ill?

First for the inter-dependence relationship. When the mother is sick, it can pass to the son, and vice versa. When the son is sick, it can pass to the mother. One example is when wood (refer to the liver) is sick, it can pass the illness to fire (refer to the heart), which is the son. Vice versa is true too.

For the control relationship, one can fall sick in 2 scenarios. The first scenario is when the control is over, (相乘）. What this means is - the usual is wood control earth, but wood is so much stronger now that instead of just controlling earth, it becomes bullying earth. Hence it will be wood bully earth, earth bully water, water bully fire, fire bully metal and metal bully wood.

The other scenario is the insult phase. In the insult phase (相侮), the five elements instead of generating a control over each other, they turn around and insult their controller. Earth insult wood, metal insult fire,water insult earth, wood insult metal, and fire insult water. The figure below shows the insulting phase of the five elements.


Depending on what is the reason that causes the illness, the method to cure is different too. For the case of the interdependence relationship, if it is the mother that is sick, the critical thing is to 'cure' the mother. So if it is the case whereby the son is sick, then we shall 'cure' the son. As for the case of the control relationship, we will have to suppress the party that is stronger and built up the weaker party. In conclusion, the 5 elements must stay in equilibrium in the inter-dependence phase and control phase, then there will be no sickness.

The Five Elements (五行)

The Five Elements in TCM

The five elements, also called "Wu Xing" (五行), namely wood, fire, earth, metal and water (木, 火, 土, 金, 水) and they represent the processes that are fundamental to the cycles of nature, and therefore correspond to the human body. This theory was most likely conceived in or around 476 – 221 BC during the warring states period.

The five elements, their characteristics, and their inter-relationships with the body can be defined as:

Wood (木)
Strong, rooted. The wood element represents the liver, yin (肝阴), and the gallbladder, yang (胆阳).

Fire (火)
Hot, ascending, light and energy. This is embodied in the TCM functions of the heart, yin (心阴) and small intestine, yang (小肠, 阳).

Earth (土)
Productive, fertile, growth. The earth element relates to the stomach, yang (脾阳) and the spleen, yin (胃阴). The stomach begins the process of digestive breakdown, while the spleen transforms and transports the energy from food and drink throughout the body.

Metal (金)
As a conductor, this element includes the lungs, yin (肺阴), which move vital energy throughout the body, and the large intestine, yang (大肠, 阳), which is responsible for receiving and discharging waste.

Water (水)
Wet, descending, flowing. The water element represents the urinary bladder, yang (膀胱阳), and the kidney (肾阴). The bladder receives, stores, and excretes urine. Water metabolism dissipates fluids throughout the body, moistening it, then accumulating in the kidneys. The kidneys also store the essence, and serve as the root of yin and yang for the entire body.

Video - The Five Elements

The video is brought to you by a third party and I do not promote or try to recommend any products mentioned in the video.

This video discuss the basic of the Five Element Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine which I will discuss in greater details later. But let's just watch this video and get some basic ideas.

Categorization of Illness through Yin and Yang

In TCM, we categorised the type of illness, the herbs and our bodies part into Yin and Yang. When all the Yin and Yang in our bodies are balanced or neither parties are stronger, we are healthy and well, as shown below.


When Yin becomes stronger such that it can suppress Yang (no change in Yang) or Yang becomes weaker such that Yin can suppress it (as illustrated below), we will become sick. The illness will be a Yin illness. For Yin illness, we can either remove some Yin or build up the Yang depending on the cause of the Yin illness.

Some examples of Yin symptons includes water retention, cold sweats, slower pulse, and etc.


For Yang illness, it can be either due to Yang becoming stronger such that it suppress Yin (no change in Yin) or Yin becoming weaker giving Yang a chance to suppress it (as illustrated below). Similiarly, we can either remove some Yang or we build up the Yin depending on the cause of the Yang illness.


Some examples of Yang symptons includes hot flush, hot tempered, blood pressure increase, and etc.

After understanding some basic on Yin and Yang, you can have a more understanding on the herbs properties and knowing what kind of Yin and Yang herbs that you can consume.

How is Chinese Medicinal Herb Classified?

For a start, we will look at the fundamentals of Chinese Medicines (zhong yao 中药).

Traditional Chinese Medicines are medicines that are used under the principles and theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine which are used to prevent, cure and diagnose illness. They also have healing properties and health benefits. They include both natural and processed medicines. As almost 80% of Chinese medicines are from plants, Chinese medicines are therefore also known as herbal medicine (ben cao 本草).

To be classify as Chinese medicine, these medicine must have at least 3 or more of the following characteristics:

(A) Four properties (si qi 四气)

The four properties of Chinese medicines refer to the cold, hot, warm and cool natures of medicines. "Cool" and"cold" medicines are good for clearing away heat, detoxifying and nourishing the yin. "Warm" and "hot" medicines are used for expelling cold, improving blood circulation, invigorating the yang and the qi. There is also a mild nature of medicines, such medicines are unclear in their cold, hot, warm and cool, nature, or has a mild effect.

(B) Five flavours (wu wei 五味)

The five flavours implies to the authentic flavour of the medicines. These flavours are pungent, sweet, sour, bitter and salty. These flavours do not directly indicate the exact taste of the medicines, it refers to the effect and actions of the medicines.

(C) Meridian tropism (gui jing 归经)

The Meridian tropism (gui jing 归经) implies that certain medicines have special effects on the various organs, they are able to boost these organs and cure illness resulting from the organs. With this knowledge, we are able to identify therapeutic effects of a Chinese medicine on specific internal organs and meridians.

(D) Direction of medicinal action (sheng jiang fu chen 升降浮沉)

The direction of medicinal action refers to the direction of the action of the medicine.

The Principle of Yin and Yang (阴阳论)

Yin (阴) and Yang (阳)

Yin and Yang are present in the Chinese history as a form of logic. They are both neither materials nor energies. They are both complementary in nature and they are used largely to explain the behaviour/relationships between different components of life. This theory is being widely used and it is slowly integrated into the study of TCM. The Yin and Yang theory are used to explain the complicated relationships of the human body.

The figure on the left shows the typical modern representation of the Yin Yang. Yin and Yang can be used to explain the different side of environmental, human behaviour,

Yin and Yang always opposed each other as seen in the figure on the left. Strong energy can dispel weak energy while weak energy can reduce the effect of strong energy. This process will occur until a state of equilibrium is achieved. If the Yin and Yang equilibrium state of the human body is disturbed, the human health will be affected.
The table above shows the Yin and Yang depiction of different components in our environment and human action. As can seen the Yin and Yang are opposing each other. Yin and Yang are mutually created and they fully complement and depend on each other. Yin and Yang change and grow in a cyclic manner and they balanced each other. Yin and Yang are also able to transform into each other.

Timeline of the Historical Development of TCM

The history of TCM can be summarized a list of important Doctors and Books.


Unknown Period

1. 黄帝内经 (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon)
2. 素问
3. 灵枢

Warring States Period (5th century BC to 221 BC):

1. 足臂十一脉灸经 (Moxibustion Classic of the Eleven Channels of Legs and Arms)
2. 阴阳十一脉灸经 (Moxibustion Classic on the Eleven Yin and Yang Channels)

Han Dynasty (206 BC–AD 220) to Three Kingdoms Period (220 - 280 AD):

1. 针灸枕中经 (Classic of Moxibustion and Acupuncture Preserved in a Pillow), Author 华佗 (Hua Tuo).
2. 伤寒杂病论, which has since been split into two texts: 伤寒论 (Treatise on Cold Damage Disorders - focusing on febrile conditions attributed to "Cold") , 金匱要略 (Essentials of the Golden Cabinet - focusing on "miscellaneous illnesses"), Author 张仲景 (Zhang Zjong Jing)

Jìn Dynasty (265 - 420):
1. 针灸甲乙经 (Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion), Author 皇甫谧 (Huang Fu Mi)

Tang Dynasty (618–907):

1. 备急千金要方(Emergency Formulas Worth a Thousand in Gold), 千金翼方(Supplement to the Formulas Worth a Thousand in Gold), Author 孙思邈 (Sun Si Miao)
2. 外台秘要 (Arcane Essentials from the Imperial Library), Author 王焘 (Wang Tao)

Song Dynasty (960 – 1279):

1. 铜人腧穴针灸图经 (Illustrated Manual of the Practice of Acupuncture and Moxibustion at the Transmission and other Acu-points, for use with the Bronze Figure), Author 王惟一 (Wang Wei Yi)

Yuan Dynasty (1271 to 1368):

1. 十四经发挥 (Exposition of the Fourteen Channels), Author 滑寿 (Hua Shou)

Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644) Golden age of Acupuncture and Moxibustion.

1. 针灸大全 (A Complete Collection of Acupuncture and Moxibustion), Author 徐凤 (Xu Feng)
2. 针灸聚英发挥 (An Exemplary Collection of Acupuncture and Moxibustion and their Essentials), Author 高武 (Gao Wu)
3. 针灸大成 (Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion), Author 杨继洲 (Yang Ji Zhou)
4. 本草冈目 (Compendium of Materia Medica), Author 李时珍 (Li Shi Zhen), the most complete and comprehensive pre-modern herbal book .
5. 温疫论, Author 吴有性 (Wu You Xing), 1642.

Qing Dynasty (1644-1912)

1. 医宗金鉴 (Golden Mirror of the Medical Tradition), Compiled by 吴谦 (Wu Quan), under imperial commission.
2. 针灸逢源 (The Source of Acupuncture and Moxibustion), Author 李学川 (Li Xue Chuan)
3. 温热论, Author 叶天士 (Ye Tian Shi).
4. 温病条辨 (Systematized Identification of Warm-factor disorders), Compiled by 吴鞠通 (Wu Ju Tong), in 1798.

The History of Traditional Chinese Medicine, An Introduction

The history of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is long and rich, and TCM is the third oldest form of medicine compared to the Egyptian and Babylonian medicine. The fact that TCM has existed for thousands of years, and TCM is still being used today is a testimonial to its value as a form of healthcare.

The isolation of China by the world in directly limits the development of TCM in other parts world. However, with the opening of China in 1972, TCM has been spreading like wild fire to many Western and European countries. TCM's practice has been shaped over time by the many factors such as culture, philosophy, politics, religion, and science and many much more ...

Today, we have China as one united country, but this is only recently. Throughout history, China was made up of many states, many rulers, that were often at war with each other and they repeatedly united and divided. These states were ruled by dynasties and they were often living in feudalistic societies.

In the development of TCM over the years, there was no sequential build up of knowledge based on the previous dynasty's contributions. How each individual practiced TCM was influenced largely by his teacher's views. Even in today context, we will see these differences. For example, different TCM practitioners may prescribe a person with the same symptoms different herbal remedies, but each herbal remedy will cure the symptoms even though they have different ingredients. The success of the treatment is measured through the experience of the TCM practitioners, observation and how the patient feels.

TCM plays a very important role in today's medicine. It is important to understand TCM through history and this will gives further insight to this ancient form of medicine and establishes its validity as a healthcare system.TCM plays a very important part in the history of medicine. Understanding TCM through a historical context gives an insight to this ancient form of medicine and establishes its validity as a healthcare system.