Chinese medicines

Fructus lycii (wolfberry fruit)

Fructus lycii belongs to the Solanaceae family (solanum).
The plant is capable of tonifying yin and, correspondingly, filling out the yin of the Orbis renalis and the Orbis hepaticus and supplementing the yin.
In traditional Chinese medicine, it is frequently used to treat the following syndromes:

1. Impotence
2. Pains or weakness in the back and legs
3. Vertiginous attacks
4. General muscular weakness

Thanks to its ability to supplement yin, it is also used for the treatment of infertility for both sexes.
It is also regarded as an excellent medicine for treating diabetes mellitus.

Fructus lycii is contained in receptors such as Qui Ju Di Huang Wan or Zuo Goi Yin.

Fructus cornii (Japanese Cornelian cherries)

Fructus cornii belongs to the Cornacea family (dogwood plants)

Thanks to its ability to tonify the Orbis renalis and the Orbis hepaticus, it is used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of

1. Dizziness
2. Tinnitus
3. Impotence
4. Pains in the lumbar spine and the knees
5. Pollakiuria.

Its sour and astringent taste helps to preserve the yin and counteract severe losses of bodily fluids. It can therefore be used most beneficially to treat enuresis, sweating and excessive micturition.
The remedies for which it is used include Liu Wei Di Huang Wan.

Semen trichosantis (Trichosanthes seeds) and Fructus trichosantis (Trichosanthes fruit)

Trichosantis belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family (pumpkin plants)

In traditional Chinese medicine it has enormous significance in the treatment of disorders for which Calor pituitae (hot mucus) has to be transformed.
The Western indication fields are:

1. Coughing with large quantities of yellow, glutinous mucus and purulent sputum
2. Feelings of tightness and pressure in the chest
3. Respiratory distress
4. Chronic constipation
5. Abscesses and ulcers

Trichosanthes seeds and fruit are contained in remedies such as Bei Mu Gua Lou San or Gua Lou Xie Bai Yiu Kan.

Fructus jujubae (Chinese dates)

Fructus jujubae belong to the Rhamnaceae family (buckthorn plants)

Chinese dates belong to the medicines that tonify the qi and have a particular effect on the phase of change, or the so-called middle (Orbis lienalis).
Chinese dates strengthen the qi lienale and the qi stomachi (spleen and stomach qi), nourish the blood and calm the mind.
Relevant indications include disorders characterised by a lack of spleen and stomach qi, such as weakness, shortness of breath, lack of appetite and tiredness, unformed faeces and diarrhea.
Fructus jujubae is contained in receptors such as Gui Zhi Tang. Chinese dates, which have a rather neutral temperature and a sweet taste, are generally regarded as having a harmonising effect, as are Radix glycyrrhizae and Rhizoma zingiberis.



Fructus gardeniae (Chinese Cape Jasmine fruit)

Fructus gardeniae belong to the Rubiacea family (madder plants).
They are used primarily for disorders based on processes of becoming hot.

Fructus gardeniae are used to treat disorders including fever accompanied by restlessness, insomnia, boils and ulcers, painful bladder dysfunctions and nosebleeds.
It is referred to as a cooling medicine (Refrigerantium caloris intimae)

Fructus gardenia are contained in remedies such as the coptis decoction, which alleviates toxic effects (Huang Lian Jie Du Tang) and Rhizoma gastrodiae and Ramalus uncariae potion (Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin).




Flos magnoliae (biond magnolia flower)

Magnolia flower belongs to the Magnoliaceae family (magnolia plants). It belongs to the Liberantia group (surface freeing medicines) and is administered especially in the treatment of colds and influenza. It frees the nose and is used to treat a blocked nose, runny nose, headaches, chronic paranasal sinusitis and the loss of the sense of smell.
Flos magnoliae is used, for example, in xanthine powder (Cang Er Zi San).



Flos carthami (safflower)

Flos carthami belongs to the Compositae family (composite flowers).
It is regarded as the animantium of the xue. This means that it has strong xue moving effect, and for this reason it is prohibited during pregnancy. Ii is particularly significant in the gynaecological field, where it is used in the treatment of menstrual disorders, menstrual pains and postpartum haemorrhages. Its "blood-moving" properties mean that it cannot be administered during pregnancy.
Flos carthami is contained in remedies such as Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang.


Rhizoma phragmatis (reed rhizome)

Rhizoma Phragmatis belongs to the Gramineae, or grass family.

The refrigerant has a clear relationship with the lung and stomach feedback circuit and is used to treat syndromes in which heat in these circuits has to be cooled. It is used particularly in the treatment of high fever, thirst, restlessness, bronchitis, lung abscesses, eructation and vomiting and feverish disorders with exanthema.
Rhizoma phragmatis is contained in, for example, Folium mori and chrysanthemum potion (Sang Ju Yin).



Pericarpium aurantii (bitter orange peel)

Pericarpium aurantii belongs to the Rutaceae family (rue plants).

It is a regulator of qi, and is particularly effective in the stomach, spleen and lung feedback circuits. It is used to treat relevant stagnations affecting the phases of change in the middle, such as meteorism, distention, nausea, eructation, vomiting and feelings of fullness or tension, as well as disorders that are accompanied by coughing and large quantities of clear mucus.
It is contained in many remedies, including the Six-Gentlemen Formula (Liu Jun Zi Tang).

Massa medicata

These are fermented medicinal mixtures.

Massa medicata has a sweet taste and warm thermal behaviour. It takes effect on the spleen and stomach feedback circuits and is administered especially in the treatment of faltering digestion and feelings of tension in the upper abdomen.



Radix gentianae (gentian)

Radix gentianae belongs to the Gentianaceae family (gentian plants). It belongs to the Refrigerantiae group and has the task of clearing up heat and drawing off fluids. Accordingly, it is used to treat jaundice, discharges, genital inflammations, pains and swelling in the ear, swelling in the genital and groin area, itching, etc.
Radix gentianae is contained in the Radix Gentianae decoction, which relieves the liver (Long Dan Xie Gan Tang).

Pinellia (pinellia)

Rhizoma pinelliae belongs to the Araceae family (arum plants).
Pinellia is one of the most important so-called mucus transforming medicines and is capable of drying fluids (Humor) and transforming mucus (Pituita) in accordance with Chinese ideas.
It has warm thermal behaviour and a pungent taste and takes effect particularly on the middle calorium, primarily in the spleen and stomach feedback circuits (Orbis lienalis and Orbis stomachi). It also has a connection with the Orbis pulmonalis (lung feedback circuit).
Pinellia plays a prominent role in traditional Chinese medicinal therapy, since according to traditional Chinese notions Pituita (mucus) is a major factor in many syndromes.
In connection with the above, mucus may be regarded not as mucus in the Western sense, but rather as an energetic construction.
In this way, for example, the Chinese approach frequently links vertiginous disorders causally with mucous processes.
Pinellia is administered for the treatment of disorders such as coughing accompanied by abundant mucus, nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal disorders, dizziness and impaired consciousness.
In remedies, pinellia is frequently administered together with Zingiberis, since Zingiberis neutralises side effects of Pinellia.
The remedies in which pinellia is administered include the following: bupleurum decoction (Xiao Chai Hu Tang),
small blue-green dragon decoction (Xiao Qing Long Tang),
Gentlemen decoction (Liu Jun Zi Tang).

Bupleurum (Chinese umbellifers)

Bupleurum belongs to the large Umbelliferae family (umbelliferous plants).

It is used, for example, as a so-called indicator medicine for a number of tracts and interrelates with many functional areas, such as liver feedback circuit (Orbis hepaticus), the gall bladder feedback circuit (Orbis felleus), the pericardium feedback circuit (Pericardialis) and the three-heat area (Tricalorium).

Bupleurum belongs to the large group of pungent, cool and surface-opening medicines and – in accordance with Chinese notions – has a particularly surface-freeing, fever-reducing, antipyretic effect; it also eliminates heat.
The liver qi is regulated and the upward movement of the spleen qi is supported as an important pathophysiological factor in Chinese medicine (in contrast to stomach qi, which has to move downwards).
Bupleurum is administered in the treatment of all liver qi stagnation processes that can manifest themselves in, for example, pains in the costal arches, dizziness, tinnitus, menstrual disorders, sight disorders, emotional instability and hot flushes. It is also used, however, to treat falling spleen qi processes that can manifest themselves in fatigue, anal prolapse, chronic diarrhea or prolapse of the uterus.
Bupleurum is used in large numbers of remedies, for example in serenity powder (Pulvis serenitatis or Xiao Yaosan), and also in the great bupleurum decoction (Da Cai Hu Tang) and the cold extremity powder (Sinisan).
Bupleurum can also be administered with excellent results in the psychiatric field, e.g. for the treatment of psychiatric disorders such as irritability, depressive tendencies, chronic weakness, psychogenic dizziness, etc.

Rhizoma zingiberis (fresh ginger)

Rhizoma zingiberis belongs to the Zingiberaceae family (ginger plants).

Ginger has outstanding significance not only in Chinese medical teachings, but also in Chinese dietetics. Zingiberis influences the lung, spleen and stomach change phases and is assigned to the group of pungent, warm and surface freeing medicines.

According to Chinese ideas, Zingiberis is capable of loosening up and freeing the surface (Extima) and dispersing algor. For this reason, Zingiberis is administered with particular frequency to treat light colds.

But Zingiberis is also capable of transforming cold mucus (Pituita algida), and is outstandingly effective in the treatment of bronchial mucus and a runny nose, shivering, fever and headaches as well as nausea, vomiting, feelings of fullness and vomiting during pregnancy.

Chronic coughing processes can be treated most beneficially with Zingiberis; it also has a major role as an antidote, however, and is effective in countering certain types of intoxication such as fish poisoning.
As far as our Western needs are concerned, though, Zingiberis is indispensable, particularly for treating the initial stages of colds.

Ginger tea can be brewed for everyday consumption simply by chopping up the ginger peel into small pieces and making a stock with hot, boiling water.

Ginger tea of this kind can, for example, be given to small children to counter nausea and indigestion. It can also be administered to chronically ill patients to increase their appetite during the recuperation phase.

Radix puerariae (Kudzuvine root)

Pueraria belongs to the Leguminosae family (peas and beans).

By and large, Pueraria is assigned to the group of surface-opening medicines.

It has relations with Orbis lienalis and Orbis stomachi and is capable of dissolving bodily tissue. Pueraria is used very frequently in the treatment of tenseness, headaches, hardening of the muscles, stiffness of the neck, etc. It also supports and accelerates the recovery and healing process in the case of feverish and infectious disorders.
Recently this medicine has also been used in the treatment of arterial hypertonus. The pathogenesis of the hypertonus follows special traditional Chinese laws that cannot be explained in detail here.
Pueraria is contained in, for example, the Cinicifuga and Pueraria decoction (in Chinese, Sheng Ma Ge Geng).

Semen coicis (Coix seed)

Semen Coicis belongs to the Gramineae, or grass family.
It has a rather cold thermal behaviour and tastes sweet; its effects are reductive.
It has a feedback circuit relationship with orbis lienalis, stomachi, pulmonalis and rinalis.
The diuretic effect in the treatment of edemas and water accumulations in the body is of outstanding significance.

In addition to that, Semen coices is capable of cooling heat processes (cold thermal behaviour) and is also used in the treatment of purulent disorders.

Semen coicis is also crucially significant in the treatment of rheumatism. According to traditional Chinese notions, rheumatological disorders are among the bisyndromes and, thanks to traditional Chinese therapy, are often extremely successful healers.
Semen coicis is contained in, for example, the semen coicis decoction Yi Yi Ren Tang.

Poria

Poria (Poria) belongs to the Polyporaceae family. It is a coconut fungus mycelium. Poria has neutral thermal behaviour, a sweet taste and a reductive effect.

It is related to the heart, lung, stomach, spleen and kidney feedback circuits.

Poria is capable of regulating the water balance and eliminating moisture (Humor).
It is administered in the treatment of edemas and swelling and insufficient urination. It is also highly beneficial, though, in the areas of sleeplessness, palpitations and forgetfulness. Poria is one of the most important Chinese medicines for the elimination of moisture.

It is contained in, for example, Ramulus cinnamomi and Poria pill decoction (Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan) and in the very well-known decoction that restores the spleen (Gui Pi Tang).
This decoction is enormously significant in Chinese medicine and is also used very frequently in the treatment of severe exhaustion attributable to a "weakness of the middle".

Concha ostrae (oyster shell)

Concha ostrae belongs to the Ostridae (oysters) group. It is part of the group of reductive, mind-calming medicines and is also used very frequently in the psychiatric field.
Thanks to its sedative effects, it is administered in the treatment of excessive heart yang processes that can manifest themselves in restlessness, sleeplessness, anxiety and arrhythmia.

Concha ostrae can also be used to treat spontaneous sweating, nocturnal sweating, spontaneous seminal loss, etc. in the area of yin insufficiency processes and general weakness of the Orbis Rhenalis.
Those are the main indications.

Concha ostrae is one of the most important sedatives. It is capable of anchoring the shen.
It is contained in, for example, the Radix bupleurium decoction with Concha ostrae (Zhai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang).

Traditional Chinese medicine encompasses more than 5000 known herbs and Chinese medicines. Only around 500 of these are used in Europe.

This overview is designed merely to give you some idea of the diversity of options offered by traditional Chinese therapy.

On the whole, it must be concluded that traditional Chinese medicine can be used for the treatment of every syndrome.

Western thought patterns are often unable to grasp the thinking on which traditional Chinese pathophysiology is based. One thing is certain, however: this medicine is more than 3000 years old and is the only medical system – as far as the teachings of balanced pharamacotherapy are concerned – to have proved its worth around the world over so many millennia.

As the years go by I am going to expand this website and present Chinese treatment strategies for individual syndromes such as iabetes mellitus, carcinoma of the breast, hair loss, asthma, eheumatism and tinnitus. This, however, is a lifelong task, and accordingly the site will change and be enriched time and again with further results and experiences.

Just a few weeks ago, for example, a new standard work on the traditional Chinese treatment of cancerous diseases was published. This standard work is based on extensive studies carried out at major universities in China; these have proven beyond doubt that traditional Chinese medicinal therapy and acupuncture are capable of considerably increasing the life expectancy of e.g. breast cancer patients.

I am also going to summarise developments in the above fields on my website over the next few years – step by step, so to speak.

It is important, though, that we understand the basic Chinese ideas.
Qi and xue must be in a state of flux, i.e. the crucial element is the harmonisation of the different energetic qualities in our body, mind and soul.

Some Western herbs

Herba hypericum (St. John’s wort)

The most important effect of St John’s wort is that of an anti-depressant.
There is a wealth of scientific studies indicating that hypericum influences the enzymatic metabolism in the monoamine oxydase of the serotonin type and that, via a complicated biochemical process, an anti-depressant effect equivalent to Western chemical medicines is triggered.

Hypericum is used to treat psycho-vegetative disorders, depression, anxiety and nervous restlessness.
The effectiveness of some medicines can be impaired by hypericum, e.g. anticoagulants, hormone preparations.

It is important to take at least 1 gram of hyperforin per day. Even now, Hypericum is frequently administered in excessively small doses because it is believed to be a placebo – in such cases it will naturally be ineffective.



Mistletoe (Visci albi herba)

Mistletoe therapy is used to treat malignant tumors.
There is a host of studies that prove that the interleukin I inducing effect of mistletoe lectin stimulates the division cycle of bone marrow cells and has a positive effect on the forecasting of tumor disorders.



Valerian (Valerianae radix)

Valerian is used particularly to promote sleep.
Valerian should not be used alone in the treatment of sleep disorders, however. A whole host other measures are necessary in this area.



Flori tilliae lindere (lime blossom)

The therapeutic application of lime blossom takes place primarily in the treatment of colds and dry chesty coughs.



Coltsfoot (Folium farfarae)

Coltsfoot is used particularly in the treatment of coughing and hoarseness as well as inflammations of the mucus in the mouth and pharynx.



Bearberry leaves (Uvae ursi folium)

Bearberry leaves are used to treat inflammatory disorders of the outgoing urinary tracts and have a bacteriostatic effect. The effects of bearberry leaf preparations in countering a host of bacteria are currently being examined scientifically.

There are many Western medicines of this kind, although naturally they cannot all be mentioned on this webpage.

The aim is merely to give an impression of how Western herbs can also positively influence and heal sickness processes. At present a great deal of scientific research is being conducted on how Western herbs can be administered in conjunction with traditional Chinese medicines.

This will be a major field of scientific activity over the next century.

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