Fermentum Cerevisiae, Yeast

Jiu Qu (Distillers Yeast, TCM)
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Botanical name:


Saccharomyces cerevisiae and/or Candida utilis

Parts used:


Froth or scum which rises to the surface of the wort of beer while fermenting.
Brewers or Distillers Yeast was traditionally prepared from Wheat, Barley or Rice, often mixed with other herbs, made into a paste, formed into pills, then left to sit until a powdery coat forms. These were then ready to be used to make alcohol and vinegar.

Temperature & Taste:


Warm, moist.

Constituents:


Rich in Vitamins of the B group (per 100 gm): thiamin 8-15 mg, riboflavin 4-8 mg, nicotinic acid amide 45-90 mg, pantothenic acid 7-25 mg, pyridoxine 4-10 mg, biotin 20 mg, folic acid 1-5 mg, vitamin B-12 20 mg.

Uses:


1. Nutritive, Nourishes Blood:
-nourishes and enriches the Blood
-Blood deficiency (pale face, feels the cold, weak pulse, menstrual deficiency)
-nourishes Skin, Hair and Nails
-tonic for mother and fetus during Pregnancy

2. Benefits Digestion, Clears Food Stagnation:
-Indigestion with Food stagnation, belching, foul breath, nausea, poor appetite
-approved for Dyspeptic complaints and loss of appetite (Commission E)
-as an aid in constipation associated with Food Stagnation
-‘Jiu Qu of different kinds are all good to help digestion’. (Li Shi Zhen)

3. Clears Heat and Toxin:
-it has been taken for Cold, Flu, acute Coughs

4. Externally:
-topically for Eczema, Acne, Abscesses, Furuncles
-itchiness
-applied to Gangrenous Wounds


Dose:


2–5 grams, twice daily.
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Main Combinations:


1. To stimulate digestion and clear Food stagnation, Yeast with Hawthorn berry and Orange peel
2. As a nutritional tonic for children and the aged, Yeast with Rosehip
3. As a blood tonic, Yeast with Dang Gui
4. Topically for skin inflammations, acne, abscesses, Yeast with Honey and Linseed meal.
5. Gangrene, apply Yeast as a poultice with Charcoal

Cautions:


1. Caution using with MAO inhibitors
2. Susceptible patients can have Migraines triggered by taking Yeast.

Main Preparations used:


1. Cataplasm of Yeast:
i. Brewers Yeast (half pint),Flour (1 pound); Mix and in a gentle warmth allow it to rise. (London Pharmacopoeia)
ii. Brewers Yeast, Honey (half pound), Flour (sufficient); make a soft paste. (Formulaire Magistral et Memorial Pharmaceutique, 1823)
iii. Linseed meal (4 oz.), Brewers Yeast (2 oz.), Galbanum triturated with egg yolk (1 oz.), Pulp of roasted Garlic (2 drams), Ointment of Resin (1 oz.), Oil of Lily, sufficient. Make a soft paste. (Henri)