Winter has arrived, and we often talk about how to avoid the cold.Many friends know that those who are not afraid of the cold in winter generally have sufficient Yang energy, or in other words, their Yang energy is well-regulated.From the perspective of TCM health preservation, although we often speak of the harmony of Yin and Yang, due to the nature of Yang energy being active and warming, we tend to focus more on the regulation of Yang energy in our daily lives.Therefore, in the minds of many, “Yang harmony” is considered a very good state.In TCM formulas, there is a formula named after “Yang harmony,” which is Yanghe Decoction (阳和汤).In a previous article, we mentioned that it is a remedy for cold legs, capable of dispelling cold, warming the meridians, and invigorating blood.Today, let us explore the essence of the experiences of our predecessors from its composition.We will start with the verse that describes its ingredients:Yanghe Decoction resolves cold stagnation, dispels bone-aching wind, Shu Di (熟地), Rou Gui (肉桂), Ma Huang (麻黄), Lu Jiao Jiao (鹿角胶), Bai Jie Zi (白芥子), Jiang Tan (姜炭), and Sheng Gan Cao (生甘草).From the verse, we can easily identify the components of Yanghe Decoction: Shu Di, Rou Gui, Ma Huang, Lu Jiao Jiao, Bai Jie Zi, Jiang Tan, and Sheng Gan Cao.In terms of composition, Yanghe Decoction is quite refined; aside from Lu Jiao Jiao, which is slightly less commonly used, the rest are all frequently used ingredients.According to the text, the main indication for Yanghe Decoction is Yin Ju (阴疽).What is Yin Ju? It refers to a type of sore or abscess, roughly corresponding to what modern science describes as a bacterial infection of the skin and muscle tissue leading to pus formation.The reason it is called “Yin Ju” is primarily because this type of “Ju” does not exhibit typical redness, swelling, heat, or pain, but rather presents as diffuse swelling without a head, unchanged skin color, and soreness without heat.Patients may also exhibit symptoms such as thirstlessness, pale tongue with white coating, and a deep, thin or slow pulse, which are manifestations of Yin cold.The difference between Yin Ju and Yang syndrome sores, characterized by “redness, swelling, heat, and pain,” is mainly due to insufficient Yang energy in the body.Some may also have deficiencies in Ying and blood, which explains symptoms like thirstlessness and a pale tongue with white coating, indicating both Yang energy and Yin blood deficiencies.The symptom of thirstlessness primarily reflects insufficient Yang energy, while the deep, thin, or slow pulse indicates a deficiency of Yin blood.Thus, Yin Ju, while also a type of abscess, is classified as a Yin syndrome.Its characteristic is that it is “not yet pus-filled and difficult to resolve swelling.”In our common understanding, sores and abscesses typically require “clearing heat and resolving toxicity” from the outset; if pus has formed and ruptured, it must be drained and the tissue regenerated.However, Yin Ju almost entirely breaks these rules, as it presents with “three difficulties”: difficulty in resolving before pus forms, difficulty in rupturing once pus has formed, and difficulty in healing after rupture.Wang Hongxu’s Yanghe Decoction is precisely designed to address these “three difficulties” of Yin Ju:Insufficient Yang energy cannot warm and circulate the meridians and blood, leading to stagnation of Qi and blood.At the same time, there is also insufficient Yin blood, and the stagnated Qi and blood in the affected area cannot be warmed and nourished.This is akin to a cold, barren plateau; even if there is some life, it is devoid of vitality.Insufficient Yin blood is like a dried-up riverbed, where the flow is bound to be slow, and sedimentation may occur.In the body, insufficient Qi, blood, and body fluids lead to stagnation, and coupled with insufficient Yang energy that cannot disperse, it results in the accumulation of phlegm and turbid substances, even leading to cold phlegm congealing.From the composition of Yanghe Decoction, we can see that the formula:can both warm Yang energy (Rou Gui, Ma Huang), and nourish essence and blood (Shu Di, Lu Jiao Jiao), while also dispelling cold and resolving stagnation (Bai Jie Zi, Ma Huang).Thus, it is a warming Yang, nourishing blood, and dispelling cold to unblock formula, making it suitable for the symptoms of Yin Ju.Since the root cause of Yin Ju lies in insufficient Yang energy that cannot warm and regulate, but also has insufficient Yin blood, and the disease is located deeper.Therefore, its treatment method must warm Yang and nourish blood, combined with dispelling cold and unblocking stagnation.In terms of the “nourishing” aspect of Yanghe Decoction, it can be said to be a combination of warming and nourishing.Shu Di is slightly warming; although it primarily nourishes Yin and blood, it can also help to cultivate Yang energy.Lu Jiao Jiao can both warm Yang and nourish essence and blood.These two ingredients, while warming and nourishing Yang energy, can also benefit Yin blood, distinguishing them from warming Yang herbs like Fu Zi.In terms of the “unblocking” aspect of Yanghe Decoction, it refers to the four warming and pungent ingredients: Jiang Tan, Rou Gui, Bai Jie Zi, and Ma Huang.Their warmth is more about “unblocking”; Rou Gui “moves without being restrained,” Bai Jie Zi reaches the skin and membranes, Ma Huang disperses and moves outward, and Jiang Tan also warms and disperses Yang.This kind of combination of warming and unblocking also indirectly illustrates the difference between the symptoms of Yin Ju and Yang syndrome sores.According to the Huangdi Neijing, Yang syndrome sores and abscesses are primarily due to Ying Qi not flowing properly, leading to stagnation in the flesh.In contrast, Yin Ju is characterized by insufficient Yang energy combined with Yin blood deficiency, and this treatment method perfectly aligns with the warming and unblocking composition of Yanghe Decoction.This is the true meaning of the formula “Yanghe Decoction,” which is different from warming and nourishing formulas like Li Zhong Tang and Shen Qi Wan.In fact, its “warming Yang” should be viewed as “distributing and harmonizing Yang.” It is like not only heating a cold boiler but also getting the hot air inside the boiler to circulate, thereby warming the Yang energy that has been replenished throughout the body, which is the essence of Yanghe Decoction.Recommended reading: ● Five Flavors of Chinese Herbs, Greatly Dispelling Cold and Dampness, Greatly Nourishing Yang Energy● When the Spleen and Stomach are no longer cold, the energy will be sufficient; a formula to treat Spleen and Stomach deficiency and cold, providing energy to the Spleen and Stomach
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