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Aidus & E-Fong Herbal Solution
Herbal Formula for Strengthening
Herbal Formula for Strengthening
Chapter 7
Herbal Formula for Strengthening
Herbal formula for strengthening or tonifying is mainly composed of the tonifying herbs for deficiency syndrome through
strengthening qi, blood, yin and yang. It belongs to strengthening therapy in eight therapeutic therapies.
Deficiency syndrome mainly points to insufficiency of genuine qi, which is from many causative factors. Generally, they
can be sorted out into two kinds: congenital insufficiency and acquired deficiency of nourishment. Genuine qi refers to
the motive power and material basis of life activities of the human body, which are closely related to qi, blood, yin and
yang. Over consumption may lead to various deficiency syndromes, such as qi deficiency, blood deficiency, yin
deficiency and yang deficiency.
Chapter 20 in Su Wen (the Plain Questions) states: "Deficiency syndromes should be treated by strengthening." Chapter
5 in the same book states: "The inadequate body should be treated with warm strengthening , while insufficiency of the
essence should be treated with the tonic of strong flavour. " In accordance with these principles, deficiency syndrome
should be treated with strengthening therapy. Since deficiency syndromes fall into different types called deficiency of qi,
deficiency of blood, deficiency of yin and deficiency of yang, tonic formulae are divided into those formulae which tonify
qi, tonify blood, tonify both qi and blood, tonify yin and tonify yang.
Formulae to tonify qi and tonify blood are different but are closely related. "Qi is the commander of blood, while blood
is mother of qi" . They are closely related each other. Therefore blood deficiency syndrome complicated by qi
deficiency must be treated by tonifying blood and concomitantly tonifying qi. If there is deficiency of blood without qi
deficiency, treatment should be added a small amount of herbs for tonifying qi on the basis of tonifying blood, so as to
promoting blood formation. If syndrome of blood deficiency is caused by heavy bleeding, tonifying qi is necessary to
rescue the patient from collapse and promote blood generation. As for syndrome of qi deficiency, herb for strengthening
qi is the main part, associating with small amount of herbs for tonifying blood, to prevent impairment of stomach qi.
The strengthening of yin and yang is similar to that of qi and blood mentioned above. Because yin and yang have their
roots in each other, they being the relationships of mutual dependence and transformation, the formulae to tonify yin
contains the herbs for strengthening yang so that" Yin receives yang to ascend, there would be a rich source" ; the
formulae to tonify yang contains some herbs for strengthening yin in order to benefit much in that "Yang receives support
from yiri, there would be growth and development endlessly." These show that yin and yang should be taken as an
integrated whole when herbs for tonifying yin or herbs for tonifying yang is applied. It should not be stressed on only one
side.
To be summed up, the qi and blood share the same source, and yin and yang have their roots in each other. No matter
what strengthening qi, or strengthening blood, or tonifying yin, or tonifying yang is used, only in taking comprehensive
consideration can it bring out the best in each other.
In addition, deficiency syndrome is always related to ‘zang organ and f u viscera'. Proper formulae must be used
according to characteristics of viscera and their relationships. So far as tonifying therapies of five zang organs are
concerned, ancient doctors especially paid more attention to tonify the spleen and kidney. The reason is that the spleen
is the foundation of acquired constitution and is the source of growth and transformation, while the kidney is the
foundation of congenital constitution, containing genuine yin and genuine yang, and is the source of life. Therefore,
tonifying spleen and kidney is called treating" root", which is very important among tonifying therapies.
Tonic formulae are further divided into the invigorating tonification and the general tonification. Acute syndrome is
indicated by invigorating tonification which' has great dose with few herbs and strong effects in rescuing critical situation.
The general tonification is indicated to chronic diseases and can be taken by a period of time. In addition, when tonic
formulae are used, it is necessary to add appropriate amount of herbs for strengthening spleen, harmonizing stomach,
regulating qi and promoting blood circulation, so that one does not forget to eliminate the evil qi and to avoid stickiness
of herbs when invigorating the genuine qi.
It is necessary to point out that real or pseudo-phenomena of deficiency and excess syndrome must be differentiated
when applying tonic formulae. So-called “symptoms of deficiency in extreme deficiency” is pseudo-excess syndrome,
and erroneous purgation may cause worse deficiency syndrome. Deficiency of genuine qi uncleared evil or deficiency
complicated with excess should be treated by both strengthening genuine qi and eliminating the evil qi in order to prevent
that" invaders are kept in the house due to closed doors" happened.
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