The art of Hit medicine

[Nataraya]

part 2:

List 1a:

Ru Xiang (Gummi Olibanum) 12 gMo Yao (Myrrh) 12 gChi Shao (Radix Paeoniae Rubra) 12 gMu Xiang (Radix Saussureae seu Vladimiriae) 12 gHong Hua (Flos Carthami Tinctorii) 9 gTao Ren (Semen Persicae) 9 gDang Gui Wei (Radix Angelicae Sinensis)12 gPu Huang (Pollen Typhae) 12 gDa Huang Tan (Rhizoma Rhei - Charred) 9 gTian Qi (Radix Pseudoginseng) 12 gXue Ji (Sanguois Draconis) 9 gDing Xiang (Flos Caryophylli) 9 g

list 2:

these are the botanical names and Chinese names) 1 oz.=30 grams · 1 bottle of strong vodka, gin or Chinese rice wine · Artemesia (Liu ji nu) - 5g · Borneol (Bingpian) - 1g · Carthamus (Honghua) - 5g · atechu (Ercha) - 8g · Cinnabar (Zhusha) - 5g · Cirsium (DaJi) - 1g · Dragon's Blood (Xuejie) - 30g · Mastic (Ruxiang) - 5g · Musk (Shexiang) - 1g · Myrrh (Moyao) - 5g · Pinellia (ShengBanXia) - 5g

Those of you who know your Bensky Formulas, might recognize this Rx is very similar to qi li san (seven thousandths of a tael powder) from Liang fang ji ye (Small collection of fine Rx) or even the die da wan from Quan guo cheng yao chu fang ji (Collection of Country's Prepared Herbals) but addresses pain, blood movement and stop bleeding more. The measurements of the herbs is also different because this is more of an external use liniment. This Rx is fine for bruises, minor contusions, and sprains, but to make it a better Rx, we should modify the Rx according to our uses.

continuing story........

[pitbull]

wow! thank you for the long read...now i know why certain plants are put there etc...

what is the snake really for anyway?

[Nataraya]

Pibull, I will come back on the snake aspects. Skin quality, flexibility, blood and form have a deeper meaning in using a snake. Chinese men like to visit Thailand to 'update' their sexual potency.....


Last part:

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For example, if there are broken bones, we should add Xu Duan (Radix Dipsaci Asperi), Wei Ling Xian (Radix Clematidis), and Tu Bie Chong (Eupolyphaga seu Opisthoplatia). If our focus is pain, add chuan xiong (Radix Ligustici), yan hu suo (Rhizoma Corydalis), yu jin (Curcumae), jiang huang (Rhozoma Curcumae Longae), ji xue teng (Radix et Caulis Jixueteng), san leng (Rhizoma Sparganii Stoloniferi) , mu tong (Caulis Mutong), di long (Lumbricus), su mu (Lignum Sappan), or wu ling zhi (Excrementum Trogopteri seu Pteromi) according to what your needs are. If there is pain in a certain area, we should add in Qiang Huo (Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii) for the upper back, Du Huo (Radix Angelicae Pubecentis) for lower back, Bai Zhi (Radix Angelicae Dahuricae) for front of head, Tan Xiang (Lignum Sappan) for the chest, Niu Xi (Radix Achyrathis Bidentatae) to guide to the lower extremities, Xuan Fu Hua (Flos Inulae)to guide downwards, and Ma Huang (Herba Ephedrae) to guide upwards to the skin. We can even get more specific to use the guiding herbs enter particular channels by simply choosing herbs that go to that channel. For internal bleeding, add Di Yu (Radix Sanguisorbae Officinalis), Da Ji (Herba seu Radix Cirsii Japonici) and Xiao Ji (Herba Cephalanoploris). To make the Rx more fragrant to stop pain and open the orifices, add bing pian (Borneol) she xiang (Secret
Io Moschus Moschiferi) su he xiang (Styrax Liquidis), and to address wind, cold or damp Bi, you can also modify it with expel wind damp herbs, such as fang feng, gui zhi (Ramulus Cinnamoni) bai hua she (Agkistrodon seu Bungarus), hu gu (os tigris), lou shi teng (Caulis Trachelospermi Jasminoidis), hai feng teng (Caulis Piperis Futokadsurae), wu jia pi (Cortex Acanthopanacis Gracilistyli Radicis), and kuan jin teng (Flos Tussilaginis Farfarae). For more traumatic swellings, add Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae Ternatae), Chuan Wu (Radix Aconiti Carmichaeli), Cao Wu ( Radix Aconiti Kusnezoffii) and Tian Nan Xing (Rhizoma Arisaematis).

I caution the person who is not knowledgeable in herbology to not put all the ingredients together to form one "super die da jiu"! I'm not sure what he or she would create! Look up the proper dosage of the herbs to use, and choose what you need and for what specific use in mind. Just for some background information, sometimes herbs are substituted for one another based on local availability and for financial reasons. Be wise in choosing what you need. For example, Hu Gu (Os tigris) may not be available because it is illegal. Wu Shao She (Zaocys Dhumnades) and Bai Hua She make fine substitutes (and no, you don't need both) and whichever is less expensive will work fine. Pregnant women should not touch or use this medicine.

All in all, one small Rx can turn into literally thousands of variations from one functional base of herbs in a Rx. When others boast their secret die da recipe is the original or more secret, they're simply blowing smoke and trying to say they're the best. It depends on what the function of the formula is for. I have a saying, "Let application be your guide; let function rule over form." It is applicable to medicine or martial arts.

You will also need a clean glass gallon bottle or jar and enough gin or vodka to fill a gallon. If you prefer a more traditional approach, of equal parts alcohol and water, you may use 50% spring water and 50% Everclear grain alcohol to make one gallon.
Traditionally, mi jiu tou (rice wine head) is used - again, a gallon's worth, but the alcohol content is weaker than vodka or gin. One prepares the herbs by parching them through pan frying (no oil) in a wok or simply toasting all the herbs in a toaster oven to enhance the blood moving effect. No need to char them excessively, lest you lose all the active ingredients. Place the herbs in the container and pour the alcohol over the herbs. The alcohol used is always of a good drinking quality (ethyl alcohol), in cases where traumatic injury may be also internal. (Of course, if your die da jiu has poisonous ingredients, it would not do well to ingest it internally.) Beware of going the cheap route with isopropyl alcohol, you are simply making a poison batch of die da jiu. Traditionally, we never use isopropyl alcohol. Seal the container so that it is air tight and date and mark the bottle, and store in a dark place. Shake the bottle occasionally. In about 3 - 4 months, your die da jiu will be ready and will be superior to any on the market because you made it and you know specifically what you designed it for.

The herbal wine you created can be used simply by massaging it in to the affected area, or for use with tui na. You can also use the wine in the technique of fire cupping (hou guan), by placing a small amount in a cup, just enough to wet the bottom, spread it evenly and ignite it, then apply to the affected area. In doing this, I would caution that practice and common sense be your guide - lest you burn and scar your patient and have a nice liability lawsuit on your hands.

This is a brief introduction to die da shang ke and the common herbs used. In future articles, I will focus on plasters, pills, decoctions, their applications and modifications and how to create them.

[Nataraya]

Snake:

Bai Hua She: Agkistrodon seu Bungaris

Parts used: The entire body without the head,
Nature: Sweet and salty, warm,
Affinity: Liver
Indications: Anti rheumatic, sedative,
Dosage: 4- 10gram [8 fen – 1.5 qian.
Remarks: Poisonous: the drug is highly effective against tetanus infections and attendant spasmatic convulsions.

TCM classification: Antirheumatic or “expel wind –damp”.

This is directly extracted from a Materia Medica. Sounds all interesting, but that’s all. My lessons from a Chinese professor from Shanghai, did spent much more time in the symbolical meaning of (for instance) animal ingredients. Fascinating lectures I must say.

Why is there a distinction made between the use of white snake and black snakes (Wu Shao She). A familiar thing for us martial artist.

Why should a snake help by rheumatic diseases? Does have the flexibility any meaning. Why do we think that a snake is good for Iron Palm training? Why do we add Tiger Bone to it then? Why Tiger and not dog bones? Why Eagle claws and not chicken claws?

Why are the turtle soup/ tea so popular in Hong Kong? I found the taste awful, and drank it only ones. Why are snakes and rhinoceros horn being used for erection problems? And I can go on and on…… What I try to explain that there is NOT always the species that work, but have a more symbolical meaning, very important for Chinese culture. It is the image that stimulates the mind which directs ………. I will be the last one to say everything”, but in case of animal species there is a strong correlation.

Doesn’t matter, for me it is fascinating and of more importancy, the poultices, washes and Hit wine do their work. Absolutely!

Feel free to ask questions. Oh yes, if you catch thingyroaches ( Tu Bie Chong, Eupolyphagae seu Opistoplatiae) Then safe them and use them in your wine and poultices. My question: why do you think this is helpful? Just catch one and try to squeeze it between your fingers, then you know.

Warm regards,

Evert.

[pitbull]

wow! thanks for the long write up!!!!

how about using other species of snakes?

is fujien university or xiamenU known for herbology? im thinking of studying/working in china

[Nataraya]

Dear Pitbull,

I took the time to inform about the quality of the university in Xiamen, but were not able to find any information about it. But I would say thate every basic program of Chginese Herbology, or TCM will do. Because it is all basics, then you need to specialize yourself. I focused - in the case of herbology, on Die Da. This because all my ancestors were Die Da doctors as well. I was able to collect and analyze 9 togetehr with my student Justin) hundreds of formula's. We have thousands of them, and willing to share for the serious interested practitioner. Let's say, the same as in studying the traditional arts.

You can contact me if you have the basic and I will show you the depth and details of this beautiful art. Like TCMA it is hard to find one student willing to study the choreography and principles behind the art. So beautiful to discover, and hardly anyone is interested anymore?

My student did a paper for his course in California. I will ask him to present (in parts) this paper. That's why I start today with the patent medicine you can buy in almost any Chinese shop.

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PATENT MEDICINES – EXTERNAL USE

The following is a short list of common patent medicines used for treating trauma. Most should be available in the PCOM clinic and all are commonly available at Chinese pharmacies.

Zheng Gu Shui – This is a rather warming alcohol based liniment. It contains a high percentage of aromatics (camphor/menthol) and so creates a strong sensation at the site of application. In some cases is can cause contact dermatitis. This is a strong pain killing formula.

Five Photos Liniment – Five Photos is an alcohol-based liniment that lists Tian Qi (Rx. Pseudoginseng) as a major ingredient. It does not contain any aromatics and so does not cause any specific sensations on the skin. It is a fairly mild formula and will rarely cause and reactions on the skin.

Po Sum On Oil – Po Sum On is a commonly used medicated oil. Like most medicated oils it contains a very high amount of aromatics to create a strong topical sensation. Po Sum On also contains several herbal ingredients to clear heat and promote the movement of qi and blood. This formula is cooling.

White Flower Oil – White Flower Oil is a very cooling medicated oil. It contains aromatic oils that are cold in nature and is best used for hot inflammed conditions.

Wu Yang Medicated Plasters – There are many types of medicated plasters available on the market. This is just one such brand. Most contain blood invigorating substances and then either hot or cold herbs. Wu Yang Medicated Plasters is a cooling formula and is best used for hot inflammed conditions. It is not uncommon for this formula to cause contact dermatitis so be certain to inform your patients before prescribing its use.

PATENT MEDICINES – INTERNAL USE

The Great Mender – Jin Gu Die Shang Wan – This is a teapill formula from Plum Flower. The ingredients can be found in their patent formula book. It contains blood quickening and bone mending medicinals. It is quite strong and is designed for treating acute trauma that presents with severe blood stasis.

Yunnan Pai Yao – The main ingredient of this formula is Tian Qi (Rx. Pseudoginseng) although the complete formula is unknown. This formula is ideal for acute truama and can also be taken following surgery to reduce swelling, clear bruising, and promote a quick recovery.

Du Huo Ji Sheng Wan – This formula is available from many companies. It warms and dispels wind-cold-damp from the lower body. It is ideal for treating lower body injuries during the chronic stage as it both tonifies and disperses obstructions in the channels.

Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang – This is a classic formula for treating blood stasis in the chest. It strongly dispels stasis and quickens the blood and should mainly be used for treating acute injuries with significant blood stasis. Because of the strong blood quickening properties this formula should not be taken when there is potential for bleeding.

Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan – Kidney Qi Pill is a classic Kidney tonic formula and can be used to supplement the body throughout the healing process. It does not contain any medicinals that specifically treat damage to the bones or sinews and should be combined with another formula like Jin Gu Die Shang Wan when treating trauma.

Resinal E/Resinal K – These formulas are from Health Concerns and are modern versions of Qi Li San, a classic trauma formula. Qi Li San strongly clears blood stasis and stops pain. It should be used for acute injuries.

[Nataraya]

Time to look to the most important ingredients of Die Da. The first one that we start with is Hong Hua or Carthamus.



Hong Hua:

Dispel Wind; Invigorate Blood; Break Blood Stasis; Unblock the Channels/Collaterals; Reduce Swelling; Pain Killing; Hong Hua is a very popular herb for trauma. It is warm and has a strong influence on the blood.In particular it is used to stimulate circulation, break up blood stasis, and clear extravasated blood. Hong Hua also helps to soften the pain associated with blood stasis (Xue Yu).

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**In large doses it dispels blood stasis, while in small doses it harmonizes the blood. Good quality has long petals, a fresh red color, and is soft.

**Pregnancy. Overdose can cause weight loss.

***Preparation notes: Usually added near the end in decoctions as it should not be cooked for a long time. In alcohol it breaks blood stasis, when raw it invigorates circulation, and when in water it has a more tonifying effect.

[Nataraya]

Dear readers,

I have decided to start analyzing an old recipes per ingredient, over the coming months. I think the next formula is a rather nice formula to explain the most important ingredients as used in training. Step by step I hope to facilitate the reader in trying to collect the recipes as being used in their lineage. Preservation is an important task for us all.

In my previous mail I started with the ingredient Hong Hua. Feel free to ask and/ or add any extra information. If we can present a nice product at the end of this discussion, then it is worth the time I think.

I will send Russ Smith also a big format picture of this recipes so that you can download this in a 3 times higher resolution. With that you can enter a Chinese pharmacy and try to buy the Herbs. Feel free to experiment, as long if you do NOT drink it, nothing is wrong with preparation. The questions will come to the surface automatically then. Enjoy………..




Kindest regards,

Evert.

[Nataraya]

If you look to the formula, then you notice directly the dosage of the herb. Together with Mu Gua [Chaenomelis] it means that it have (generally) a big impact on the recipes.

Description:

Main roots sub conical or cylindrical, 1-6 cm long, 1-4 cm in diameter. Externally greyish-brown or greyish-yellow with interrupted longitudinal wrinkles and branch root scars. Stem scars at the apex surrounded by warty protruding. Texture heavy and compact, fracture greyish-green, yellowish-green or greyish-white, wood slightly rakishly arranged. Odour, slight; taste, bitter but afterwards sweetish.

Action:
To eliminate blood stasis, arrest bleeding, cause subsidence of swelling and alleviate pain.

Major Characteristics:

San Qi is a beautiful herb for treating trauma. It is one of the most extensively used herbs because it both stops bleeding while invigorating the blood to clear blood stasis. It also reduces swelling and promotes the healing of wounds.

Preparation notes:

When San Qi is used internally to treat trauma it must be in its raw powdered form. Cooking causes San Qi to become a blood tonic and lose its blood quickening properties.

General notes:

Good quality is large, solid, and heavy with a thin cortex and a dark color.

Evert.

[Nataraya]

Ingredient: 14.



Okay, I took another ingredient with a high dosage. The normally dosage is 6 gram (by Internal use), but in this case it is for External use, and of course the indications are clear why the dosage is that high.
Arthritis with ankylosis, aching and heaviness sensation of the loins and knees; edema and weakness of the legs.

Sine the drug can produce the effects of resolving dampness and removing the accumulation of damp evil with its warm nature, and soothing muscles and tendons to treat contracture and pain limbs

Indications & Combinations


*. To promote blood circulation in the channels and collaterals; 2. To relax muscles and tendons; 3. To transform dampness and harmonize the stomach

1. Convulsions and spasms. Chaenomeles fruit (Mugua) is used with Frankincense (Ruxiang) and Myrrh (Moyao), both in the presented formula.
2. Painful and swollen legs with irritability.
3. Wind-damp obstruction syndrome manifested as rheumatic pain, numbness of limbs and joint pain. Chaenomeles fruit (Mugua) is used with Clematis root (Weilingxian) and Chinese angelica root (Danggui).

Tips:

**Especially effective antispasmodic for cramps in the calves

Part Used & Method for Preparations

The fruit is gathered in summer or autumn when it is ripe. Then it is halved, soaked in hot water, dried in the sun and cut into slices.


Evert.

[Nataraya]

MA QIAN ZI:

Dear Readers,

Much can be said about ingredient number: 12. Looking to the dosage you might find it low, especially when you compare it with the others. But in fact, the dosage is very HIGH. This have a reason, and can be find in the allergic reactions, which we like to make use of. The power of this Herb – I am speaking purely about the external applications! – is that the reaction of the skin will be enormous. It will open strongly the pores of the skin, so that the other Herbs can infiltrate easily. Also the effect on masses, irritation of the tissues, is BIG.
The ‘great’ palm specialist of the USA, searched fro a long time, to find the answer what this Herb was. He thought of a secret, which it is not. But you NEED to know the herb, because the impact on the body can be deadly, especially when you are taking it Internally. Okay enough, now some more clinical actions:


Origin:
The ripe seed of Strychnos nux-vomica L., or Strychnos cheliensis Hu, a woody large vine, of the family Loganiaceae. The nux-vomica tree is grown in India, Ceylon, Vietnam, Burma, Thailand, etc.; while Strychnos cheliensis is produced in China. The Bombay variety is considered the best commercial sort. This is a moderate-sized tree, with a short, pretty thick, often crooked trunk. The branches are irregular, covered with smooth, ash-colored bark; the young shoots deep-green and highly polished. The wood is white, hard, close-grained, and bitter. The leaves are opposite, short-stalked, oval, shining, smooth on both sides, 3 to 5-nerved, or rather between that and triple, or quintuple, differing in size from 3 to 12 cm long, and from 2 to 6 cm wide. In China, Strychnos cheliensis is mainly produced in the provinces Yunnan, Guangdong, Hainan, etc., while Strychnos nux-vomica is mainly produced outside of China, in India, Vietnam, Burma, Thailand, etc. Vomiting nut seed is harvested when the fruit ripens in winter. Take the seeds out of the nut, dry them in the sun and blast-fry for inclusion in a preparation. Also called Poison Nut.


Properties:
Bitter in flavor, cold and highly toxic in nature, it is related to the liver and spleen channels.

Functions:
Resolves masses to subdue swelling and removes obstruction in the channels and collaterals to alleviate pain.

Applications:
1. Treats traumatic injuries, boils and pyogenic infections, etc.: Vomiting nut seed can resolve masses, subdue swelling and kill pain.


b) Swelling and pain due to inflammation of the throat:

Vomiting nut seed is ground together with subprostrate sophora root, etc., into powder for blowing into the throat, e.g., the relevant recipe in the book 'Extracts from Recipes.'

c) Carbuncles and swelling, acute and chronic erysipelas (an acute febrile disease associated with intense edematous local inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissues):



2. Treats rheumatism and arthralgia, numbness and paralysis, etc.:


Dosage and Administration:
0.3-0.9 g.


More interesting information:

www.xnmtyy.com/infoE.htm

Warm regards,

Evert.

[Nataraya]

After studying for many years the ingredients as used in the art of Hit Medicine, I was able to make an investigation of the most common herbs as used in the several application. With this ‘most frequent used’ list I was able to structure the lessons towards the descendants. The next two descriptions will be that of Olibanum/ Frankincense, and Myrrha (Mo Yao). Both ingredients are ranked: 2nd and 3rd place. (Note: Carthamus/ Hong Hua is ranked 5th place!)

Today, more about Olibanum:

Actions:
1.Activating blood circulation to relieve pain
2.Subduing swelling and promoting tissue regeneration
3.Relieving rigidity of muscles and joints

Major Characteristics:

This herb is very similar to Mo Yao and the two are often used together to have a more pronounced effect. Ru Xiang is warm, quickens the blood, helps break blood stasis, unblocks the meridians and collaterals, soothes the sinews, and reduces swelling. It also has anti-inflammatory and pain killing properties and promotes healing. It is one of the most common herbs for treating trauma.

Preparation Notes:

Fry with vinegar to enhance its blood invigorating properties. The raw version of this herb is irritating to the stomach's mucous membranes and cause nausea and vomiting. The raw form should only be used externally. When used in decoction, Ru Xiang should be stir-fried or prepared with vinegar.

General notes:

Good quality is light yellow, semitranslucent, granular but with out any sand, and aromatic. The wine prepared version is dark while the raw is light yellow.

Some interesting links:

www.aromatrading.co.uk/frankin/

www.nizwa.net/env/frankensence/fkensence.html



Warm regards,

Evert.

[Nataraya]

RANKED: number 2.

The ingredient of Myrrhe (Mo Yao) is used in all kind of Die Da applications; such as wines, poultices, balm and of course for Internal purposes. It has a ‘neutral’ quality, in which the power can be found! With that I mean that this ingredient can be used in all three stages of the healing process.

Major Characteristics:

Mo Yao is a very common ingredient for trauma. It breaks up blood stasis, promotes healing, strongly relieves pain, reduces swelling, and helps relax the tendons. As a resin, it seeps into the collaterals to drive out blood stasis.

Contraindications:

Pregnancy and excessive uterine bleeding.

General notes:

Good quality is clean, aromatic, and has a reddish brown color.

Preparation Notes:

Fry in vinegar to enhance its blood-invigorating qualities. The raw version of this herb is irritating to the stomach's mucous membranes and cause nausea and vomiting. The raw form should only be used externally. When used in decoction, Mo Yao should be stir-fried or prepared with vinegar.


Evert.

[Nataraya]

Ingredient number 5 in the recipes: "Luo Han Fu Gou Shi Jiu."

Listed number 1, certainly in the Internal section part. But there is a distinction to be made. In many External recipes we use another part of this herb, namely the tails. A tail is more yang and hyperactive, and so better to use externally. Then the name is (slightly) different; Dang Gui Wei or even better Gui Wei.

Much can be said, but it must be ther reader who start searching too, it is not only a swallowing thing. The Net make a lot of links to this particular Herb. Below a comprehensive part from my family's database.


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Major Characteristics:

Dang Gui is the emperor herb for medicinal wines. It is the most common ingredient. Dang Gui is ideal for treating trauma because it both quickens and nourishes the blood. In particular it nourishes Liver blood and so can be used to help nourish the Sinews. The head of the herb is the most tonifying while the tails are the most invigorating. When both characteristics are desired use the whole root. Dang Gui helps to clear bruising by leading the blood back to the channels (Dang Gui Yin Xue Gui Jing - Dang Gui Leads Blood Roots Channels).

Preparation Notes:

Frying the herb in vinegar or wine strengthens its blood-invigorating properties; toasting it to ash enhances its ability to warm the channels and stop bleeding.

General Notes:

Good quality is large, long, moist and oily, fragrant, has few branches, a yellowish-brown cortex, and a yellowish-white cross section. Herbs that are dry, totally lacking in oil, or have a greenish-brown cross section should not be used.

Contra indications:

Use with caution in cases of diarrhea or abdominal distention due to damp obstruction. Contraindicated for yin deficiency with heat signs.

Warm regards,

Evert

[Nataraya]

Shennung: God who created the plow and taught man the arts of agriculture and medicine. Patron of pharmacists. (He symbolises the element of Air).

Shen Nong is an ancestral hero, you need an ancestral shrine to get him to your city.

Shen Nong halves the cost of:

- Farm House and food fields
- Hemp Farm and hemp fields
- Market Square
- Food Shop
- Mill
- Herbalist's Stall

Shen Nong can bless:

- Farmhouse: the farm once produces 4 loads instead of one. Another blessing is needed if you want another 4 loads.
- Hemp Farm: idem to farmhouse

Shen Nong acts like a:

- Diviner
- Herbalist

Shen Nong also gives these benefits:

- He will satisfy food requests by non-player cities: you still have to dispatch the goods yourself like normal, but the food won't be taken from your warehouses/mills.

The following monuments are associated with Shen Nong:

- Splendid Temple
- Grand Temple Complex
- Grand Tumulus
- Clock Tower