Insights and Updates

Old physician Gong Zhixian was born in 1907, began studying with a master at 13, and opened his practice at 16. Before he passed away, Dr. Gong treated cirrhotic patients and published two case records. From these cases we can learn his experience in treating…

Tongguangsan is the stem, leaf and root of Marsdenia tenacissima of the Asclepiadaceae family, a common folk medicinal herb in Yunnan and Guizhou. The earliest record of Tongguansan is in the Diannan Bencao, written by Lan Mao, a Songming native of Yunnan in the Ming…

Shenying Pill comes from the Taiping Huimin Heji Jufang. It consists of Weilingxian (Radix Clematidis), Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) and Rougui (Cortex Cinnamomi) in a 2:1:1 ratio (for self-preparation, use Weilingxian 100 g, Danggui 50 g, Rougui 50 g as one batch and commission the…

Jiaotai Pill comes from the Han Shi Yi Tong by the Ming physician Han Mao. It consists of raw Chuanhuanglian (Coptis) 1 liang (30 g) and Rouguixin (Cinnamon heart) 1 qian (3 g). Preparation: grind the two into a fine powder and make pills with…

The twenty-six "water disease" sections of the Waitai Miyao (Arcane Essentials from the Imperial Library) specifically collect thirteen formulas for treating edema. All thirteen promote diuresis and reduce swelling, and remain of reference value today; they are transcribed below. Fan Wang's Edema Formula Tinglizi (Semen…

Shengma Gegen Decoction comes from the Taiping Huimin Heji Jufang (Prescription Pharmacy Harmonous Formula). It consists of Shengma (Rhizoma Cimicifugae), Baishao (Radix Paeoniae Alba), Zhigancao (honey-fried Radix Glycyrrhizae) and Gegen (Radix Puerariae) in a 2:2:2:3 ratio. The herbs are mixed and ground into coarse powder;…

The Mongolian people of China have unique ethnopharmacological experience, and some Mongolian medicine empirical formulas are quite effective. Wuwei Qingzhi San is a famous Mongolian medicine formula for indigestion. It consists of Shiliu (pomegranate) 400 g, Honghua (Flos Carthami) 200 g, Baidoukou (Semen Amomi Rotundus)…

Huanglian Zhuru Jupi Banxia Decoction comes from the Wenre Jingwei (Mirror of Thermal Diseases), and consists of Huanglian (Rhizoma Coptidis), Zhuru (Caulis Bambusae in Taeniam), Jupi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae) and Banxia (Rhizoma Pinelliae), in equal parts (each 3-6 g). It has the actions of clearing…

During the May Day holiday, my son suddenly said he wanted a pet and asked us to take him to the pet market. Once there, he saw a cat he could not put down; while petting it he was infinitely gentle. I urged him to…

Foshou is the fruit of Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis of the Rutaceae family, also called Foshou Xiangyuan, Miluo Gan, Wuzhi Gan, Fushou Gan and Foshou Gua. Ripe Buddha's hand is sweet, fragrant and juicy, a delicious fruit popular in southern Fujian, Guangxi and other places.