Insights and Updates

A few days ago I published an article titled "Experience Using Pifang Xuedu Wan for Vaginal and Anal Itching," after which many readers contacted me—some asking about medication, others sharing their own experience treating genital itching. One reader told me about a Japanese Kampo product…

Zhuangyuan Wan (Top Scholar Pill) comes from "Gujin Yijian" (Ancient and Modern Medicine Mirror). Its composition: Shichangpu (Acorus rhizome, rinsed free of hairs, 3.3 cm, nine-jointed preferred), Digupi (wolfberry root bark, wood removed), Baifushen (Poria with hostwood, peel and wood removed), Yuanzhirou (Polygala root flesh,…

Take 2 liang of Zhuyazao (Chinese honey locust tooth), break it open, place it over a low heat until it smokes, and fumigate the anus for about 10-15 minutes; bowel sounds will ensue. If ineffective, repeat the fumigation 1-2 times. One report describes 10 cases…

The Chinese medicine Shichangpu is the rhizome of Acorus tatarinowii Schott, a plant of the Araceae family; fresh Shichangpu has a fragrant odor. According to traditional TCM theory, the medicinal Shichangpu is pungent and bitter in taste, slightly warm in nature, and enters the Heart,…

The "Quanguo Zhongchengyao Chufang Ji" (National Collection of Chinese Patent-Medicine Prescriptions) records two patent formulas for treating epilepsy. Formula 1: Yixian Wushuang Wan (Peerless Anti-Epilepsy Pill) Prescription: Quanxie (scorpion) 2 qian, Zhinanxing (processed Arisaema) 2 qian, Fabanxia (processed Pinellia) 2 liang, Wugong (centipede) 2 qian,…

The mind of the past cannot be grasped; the mind of the present cannot be grasped; the mind of the future cannot be grasped. — Diamond Sutra If one day bio-neurology advances to the point where the psychology and philosophy that we moderns so enjoy…

One emotion I have never experienced throughout my life should be jealousy; I may not even have experienced envy. I never begrudge others' lifestyles, social status, or economic conditions, so there is no comparison and thus no inferiority or superiority complex. Anyway, everyone is equal;…

Chaihu Huanglian Wan (Bupleurum-Coptis Pill) comes from "Xiao'er Weisheng Zongwei Lun" (General Treatise on Infantile Health). The formula contains equal parts of Chaihu (Bupleurum root) and Huhuanglian (Chinese Phellodendron rhizome). Preparation: grind the two herbs into an extremely fine powder, mix with refined honey into…

Pifang Xuedu Wan (Skin Blood-Toxin Pill) is a commonly used Chinese patent medicine in dermatology. It is very inexpensive, ranging from about ten to several dozen yuan per bottle, and patients can buy it directly from pharmacies. Manufacturers such as Tongrentang produce it; some factories…

In "Wenbing Chuyan" (Brief Remarks on Warm Diseases) there is a formula called "Qingre Gubiao Tang" (Heat-Clearing and Exterior-Securing Decoction), composed of: Sheng Shigao (raw gypsum) 1 liang (30g), Digupi (wolfberry root bark) 4 qian (12g), Fuxiaomai (light wheat) 1 liang (30g), Nuodaogen (glutinous rice…