Yang Yifan. Chinese Herbal Formulas. Treatment Principles and Composition Strategies

Churchill Livingstone, 2010. — ISBN10: 0702031321, ISBN13: 978-0702031328.Yifan Yang studied traditional and modern medicine from 1977 to 1982 at Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and, after graduation, worked there as a teacher and doctor in the Chinese Herbal Formulas Department. Besides teaching and practicing, she completed her Masters degree in Chinese Herbal Medicines and Formulas. In 1990, she moved to the Netherlands and now works there as a Practitioner in Traditional Chinese Medicine in a TCM clinic. She has also lectures on traditional Chinese herbal medicine to doctors and physiotherapists in both the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and Switzerland.Chinese herbs are not used singly in treatment, but in combinations known as herbal formulas. This is because herbal combinations have several advantages compared to the use of single herbs. First of all, herbal combinations may have wider applications than single herbs. For instance, when pathogenic heat accumulates in the Lung and Stomach, and the Qi of these two organs is deficient, a single herb can hardly treat this syndrome completely whereas a herbal combination can achieve an effective therapeutic result. Second, a herbal combination can reduce the side effects of individual herbs.Each single herb has its specific characteristics, whichbring a unique effect to treatment, but these characteristics may also become a weak point. For example, Shu Di Huang (Rehmanniae radix praeparata) is an excellent herb to tonify the blood and Kidney-essence but its cloying nature places an extra burden on the Stomach, which may impair its tonifying action. However, if it is used with Sha Ren (Amomi xanthioidis fructus), which promotes Qi movement and removes any accumulation of dampness, this side effect can be reduced. Third, a herbal combination can have a much stronger effect than that of individual herbs, and may even induce a new effect.For example, Huang Qi (Astragali radix) is able to tonify and raise the Spleen-Qi and increase muscular strength. Chai Hu (Bupleuri radix) and Sheng Ma (Cimicifugae rhizoma) have an ascending property but neither of them can tonify the Qi nor strengthen muscular contraction. However, if these three herbs are used together, the effect of raising the Qi and strengthening muscular contraction becomes much stronger. This combination can be used to treat weakness, heaviness of muscles and prolapse of internal organs due to Spleen-Qi deficiency.Common types of herbal combination
The process of formula composition
Dosages for individual herbs
Dosage in herbal formulas
Form of administration, preparation methods and their applications
Administration
Treatment principles and their sequence
Commonly used treatment methods and their applications
Commonly used treatment strategies
Contraindications and cautions in the use of Chinese herbal medicine
Combining western medicine with Chinese herbal formulas
Substitutions for unavailable, protected and banned herbs