J. Medicines that Regulate Qi
Medicines that Regulate Qi generally help to regulate nervous function and relax smooth muscle. We have divided this category into several groups as these classes share some similar effects and are often combined in clinical practice.
i. Move the Qi
Carminatives, Relaxants
This important group of medicines helps to regulate the flow of Qi and nervous energy. They are therefore very important in a number of areas associated with correct nervous function:
Main uses for Medicines that Move Qi:
1. They ease pain, as pain is caused by the obstruction of Qi and/or Blood. In acute conditions, usually Qi is obstructed, whereas in chronic conditions Qi and Blood are obstructed. Other pathogens such as Cold, Heat, Damp or Phlegm are often associated.
2. They relieve spasm and promote proper function of the smooth muscles. They are therefore very useful in conditions such as colic, griping and spasm of the smooth muscles including Intestines, Stomach, Gall Bladder, Bladder, Uterus and hollow organs in general.
3. Emotions are a prime cause of Qi obstruction, and therefore, some of these herbs are very useful for emotional troubles, and disorders associated with emotional factors.
4. They ease and regulate the Nerves, promote Calmness, calm the Mind and Spirit, resolve Stagnation, and open Obstructions. Some of them can be used for Wind disorders, which is effectively irregular Qi flow.
5. They regulate digestion, promote Appetite with their aromatic nature, and promote gastrointestinal motility with their pungency.
Because of their ability to move Qi, they can deplete Qi if overused or if used in weak people.
Use with other medicines:
1. With warming Spices to promote digestion and warm the Stomach.
2. With Blood-moving medicines to promote movement of Qi and Blood, open Obstructions and ease pain.
3. With medicines for Internal Wind for Wind diseases.
4. With Qi tonics to strengthen Qi while regulating its flow.
5. With Blood tonics to regulate Menstruation.
6. With laxative and purgatives to enhance their efficacy while eliminating Colic and griping.
7. Combine with astringents like Chebula or Nutmeg to move the Qi without dispersing.
Other Medicines which Regulate Qi and are Carminative include:
Mint, Basil. Pennyroyal, Calamint, Camomile, Rue, Wild Rue seed, Polypody, Dodder, Black Pepper, Sarcocolla, Lavender
TCM:
Canavalia (Sword Bean, Da Dou), Areca Da Fu Pi, Litchi seed Li Zhi He, Akebia Ba Yue Zha, Kaki Shi Di
ii. Aromatics that Resolve Dampness
Aromatic Gastric Stimulants
These represent a sub-class of the Aromatic medicines used to move the Qi, and are given their own category in TCM. They specifically stimulate the gastrointestinal system, and are used for symptoms such as poor appetite, low digestion, nausea, vomiting of mucus, a feeling of heaviness etc., all symptoms associated with dampness obstructing the digestive system. They are similar to medicines which clear Cold, but are not as Hot. They are VK–P+ in nature, therefore clearing Wind and Damp, but aggravating Heat in excess, or in hot bodies.
They are often combined with Heating medicines, other medicines which move the Qi, and with medicines which tonify the digestion and build the Qi.
iii. Aromatics that Open the Orifices
Cerebral Stimulants
In TCM, these types of herbs are used to open the mind and senses when they are blocked or closed. This may result in Fainting, Unconsciousness, Coma (including that after Strokes or Trauma), of in less serious cases, loss of the sense of smell, hearing, sight or taste etc. This may be caused by bleeding in the brain (CVA), or a failure of the nervous energy due to shock, emotions etc. It may also be caused by obstruction of Phlegm and Damp.
This type of syndrome is generally divided into Hot and Cold types:
1. Heat: Fever (esp. high), delirium, irritable, redness of the tongue and face as is seen in such diseases as Encephalitis, Meningitis and Septic Fever, as well as Sunstroke, CVA, and several other diseases.
2. Cold: the body is cold, face pale, pulse low; there may be vomiting of phlegm or froth. This is seen in some cases of Coma from CVA or trauma, and poisoning.
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Musk She Xiang Calamus Shi Chang Pu Schoenanth Benzoin Clove Castoreum Sal Ammoniac |
Borneo Camphor Bing Pian Storax Su He Xiang Orris Indian Spikenard Mace Ambergris Bezoar |
iv. Nerve Stimulants
Nerve Stimulants increase Nervous activity and may be used where Nervous function is disordered or weakened. They are a type of Qi-regulating medicine and are often combined with other Qi regulating medicines. Some are toxic or narcotic and are not suitable for long-term use.
Long-term use tends to depletes Qi and Yin.
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Tea Alcohol Kola nut Asafetida Cannabis Belladonna root Sal Ammoniac Musk |
Coffee Camphor Guarana Indian Spikenard Ephedra Nux Vomica Arsenic Castoreum |
Securinega
Chinese Classification