Yi Yi Ren, E Jiao, Hua Shi, Cong Bai, and Gan Cao
By Daniel Cho, L.Ac. (email: [email protected])
In this issue, we have carefully selected herbs that, while not commonly used in daily practice, remain highly significant and indispensable in clinical applications. These herbs may not frequently appear in prescriptions, but their therapeutic value is undeniable, making them essential for any practitioner to understand and remember.
By focusing on the specific symptoms that each herb is primarily used for, acupuncturists and herbalists can train themselves to recall these remedies more easily. When patients describe their symptoms, having these herbs come to mind promptly can significantly facilitate the formulation of an effective prescription, ultimately enhancing treatment outcomes and clinical efficiency.
For example, practitioners who can train themselves to associate specific herbs with particular clinical conditions will find these remedies beneficial.
In dermatological conditions of various types, Yi Yi Ren (Coix Seed) is frequently employed due to its ability to dispel dampness, clear heat, and improve skin health. In cases related to gynecology or general bleeding disorders, E Jiao (Donkey-Hide Gelatin) is a crucial remedy for its powerful blood-nourishing and hemostatic properties. For acute urinary problems caused by inflammation, Hua Shi (Talc) is particularly effective, as it promotes urination, clears heat, and relieves discomfort in the lower urinary tract. Additionally, for abdominal pain caused by internal cold, Cong Bai (Scallion Bulb) is an excellent choice due to its warming and dispersing properties, helping to alleviate cold-induced stagnation and pain.
These herbs are particularly valuable because, in some cases, even a single herb can produce remarkable therapeutic effects. When used correctly, these individual herbs can significantly contribute to the success of treatment, demonstrating their strong clinical efficacy even without the need for complex herbal formulations. By remembering these associations, practitioners can quickly recall and apply the appropriate herb when encountering patients with these specific symptoms, enhancing both efficiency and precision in clinical practice.
Yi Yi Ren (薏苡仁): Symptom Indicator Score+, Frequency of Use+
Main Symptoms (Mostly in Ma Xing Yi Gan Tang and rarely in Yi Yi Fu Zi Bai Jiang San)
-Dry-type skin disorders: atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema with dry skin, flakes, scleroderma, lichenification, discoloration and such, or
-Wet-type skin disorders: skin-colored lumps, which don’t produce pus and only clear/yellowish discharge when squeezed i.e. seborrheic verruca, hand eczema, pimples and such
Possible Symptoms: In rare cases, benign tumors of internal organs. (in Wei Jing Tang, Yi Yi Fu Zi Bai Jiang San)
E Jiao (阿膠): Symptom Indicator Score+, Frequency of Use+
-Main Symptoms: Overall bleeding: mostly vaginal bleeding, menorrhagia, delayed period, polymenorrhea and such. Sometimes used for other kinds of bleeding such as bloody stool, hemorrhoid, hematuria, nosebleed, retinal hemorrhage, and subcutaneous hemorrhage.
Possible Symptoms: Dry-type skin disorders: atopic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis and such that accompany skin dryness.
-Tendency: Skin flakes or scaling and thickening of palms and soles due to dry skin. TIP: For various kinds of bleeding, we can also consider Huang Lian, Shui Zui, Ai Ye, Huang Tu, Chi Shi Zhi.
Hua Shi (滑石): Symptom Indicator Score+, Frequency of Use+
-Main Symptoms: Hua Shi is mostly used for overall urinary disorders caused by acute inflammation. In clinical practice, when symptoms such as frequent urination, urinary retention, dysuria, and/or urinary pain are present, we can consider Hua Shi.
Cong Bai (蔥白): Symptom Indicator Score++, Frequency of Use+
-Main Symptoms: Cold pain in the lower abdomen, menstrual cramps, and urinating pain are symptoms of Cold Hernia (寒疝). Cong Bai is used with Gan Jiang or Fu Zi in Bai Tong Tang, Bai Tong Jia Zhu Dan Zhi Tang, and Tong Mai Si Ni Jia Cong Bai Tang to treat Cold Hernia (寒疝).
Gan Cao (甘草): Symptom Indicator Score-, Frequency of Use +++
-Possible Symptoms: ①Hypertonicity of skeletal muscles and hypertonicity and pain of abdominal muscles. ②Throat pain and sores due to damage to throat membranes.
-TIP: Gan Cao has a very low indicator score, meaning its clinical signs are tough to find.
