Four & Six Excellent Medicines

The Six Excellent Medicines are a basic unit of Tibetan Medicine and appear in a number of Formulas. Each ingredient effects a particular organ and Humor, and together, the formula is regarded as being balanced.

Tabasheer

–Lungs, Phlegm, Bile, Wind

Safflower

–Liver, Bile, Blood

Clove

–Life Channel, Qi/Wind

Nutmeg

–Heart, Qi/Wind

Green Cardamon

–Kidney, Phlegm

Black Cardamon

–Spleen, Qi, Phlegm/Damp


This is regarded as a ‘Balanced’ Group of Medicines. Despite the fact that the last 4 medicines are Warming, it is regarded as similar in temperature to our body.

The last Four drugs (Clove, Nutmeg, Green and Black Cardamon) are called the

Four Excellent Medicines

, or the Four Warming Medicines in Tibetan Medicine.

Individual effects of the Herbs:

Tabasheer

(Cu Gang, Tian Zhu Huang) clears Phlegm and Heat, the 2 pathogens most common to the Lungs. It is also regarded as tonic to the Lungs, and stops Wind. It also stops the other medicines from being excessively Warming.

Safflower

(Gur Gum, Hong Hua, or its more expensive relative Saffron) moves the Blood especially the small capillaries. The Liver being the largest and most vascular organ in the body requires good circulation for proper function. When combined with Bitters, it more strongly clears Liver heat while carrying the medicines deeper into the Liver. When combined with Liver tonics, they likewise are carried deeper. It also makes the effects of the other 5 medicines more effective.

Clove

(Li Shi, Ding Xiang) regulates Qi and it important in Wind disorders. Its association with the ‘Life Channel’ means that it regulates the Yang Qi of the body in particular.

Nutmeg

(Dza Ti, Rou Dou Kou) is regarded as a special medicine for the Heart, especially what Tibetan Medicine calls ‘Heart Wind’. This is associated with Palpitations, Chest oppression and mental disorientation. Nutmeg works closely with Clove to regulate Qi, but the astringent activity harnesses Yang and anchors it in the lower body. Thus, with Clove, they effectively regulate Yang Qi without causing it to rise or disperse.

Green or Lesser Cardamon

(Sug Smel) is associated with the Kidney, and Warms the Kidney and helps clear Fluid.

Black or Greater Cardamon

(Ka Ko La, Sha Ren) is associated with the Spleen and is likewise recognised as having a particularly useful effect on the Spleen in TCM. It’s warm, dry, and aromatic, therefore counters the enemy of the Spleen, Damp. Its aromatic and pungent aroma moves Qi, especially of the digestive system.

Together, they harmonise and regulate the principle Organs and Humors, while helping balance Yin, Yang and Qi. Small amounts are regularly added to larger Tibetan Formulas to increase overall effectiveness.

The excessively drying nature makes them contraindicated in Yin deficiency, however, a little added to a Yin tonic formula will make it work quicker and more effectively.

When this combination is combined with Triphala, a truly overall balancing effect on the Organs and Humors is produced. These two groups together form the foundation of a number of the Tibetan Jewel Pills (Precious Pills).

Examples:
1. Pills of Mother of Pearl (Tibetan Medicine)
2. Camphor 25 (Tibetan Medicine)
3. Aloeswood 31 (Tibetan Medicine)
4. Aloeswood 35 (Tibetan Medicine)
5. Sandalwood 18 (Tibetan Medicine)

Additions:
1. When the Six Excellent Medicines are combined with Triphala (Three Fruits) it forms a superior combination to regulate the Humors, clearing their excess while regulating and strengthening the organs responsible for creation and regulation of the Humors.
2. In cases with Cold, Damp and poor digestion, add Trikatu (Three Pungents–Ginger, Long and Black Pepper). This is more warming and enhances efficacy in a cold or phlegmatic body.
3. If there is Qi deficiency, add Qi tonics like Withania, Astragalus or Ginseng.
4. If there is Yin deficiency, combine Yin tonics like Asparagus root, Soloman’s Seal or Ophiopogon.