Traditional Chinese Medicine Case Studies / Medical Discussions / Reference Articles for Learning Clinical TCM
1As one reaches middle age, one inevitably finds goji berries in their thermos. This phrase captures the helplessness and inadequacy felt by many middle-aged individuals.It is said that as one enters middle age, life becomes shorter, marking a watershed moment. The physiological maturity leads to increased silence. The decline in bodily functions makes one feel increasingly powerless.This formula, recommended to everyone, comes from the Song Dynasty’s “Sheng Ji Zong Lu” and is called “Ling Xian San”.This formula is a miraculous remedy for those over middle age, capable of nourishing the essence and energy of the five organs; it is considered a tonic for middle-aged individuals.
This formula nourishes the kidneys, supports the liver, supplements the lungs, benefits the spleen, calms the heart, and invigorates the blood. It is effective for treating middle-aged and elderly individuals with deficiency of the five organs’ essence and energy, weakness, premature graying of hair, dental issues, dry intestines, and more…The complete formula consists of Bai Fu Ling (White Poria) 1 liang, Ji Sheng Zi (Sesame) 1 liang, Tian Men Dong (Asparagus Tuber) 1 liang, Bai Zhu (Atractylodes) 1 liang, Tao Ren (Peach Kernel) 1 liang, Huang Jing (Polygonatum) 1 liang, and these six herbs should be ground into powder and taken 2-3 times a day, 3-5 grams each time.Why is this formula called Ling Xian San? The ancients had their reasons for using the term ‘san’ (powder). Many people prefer pills, perhaps thinking they are more sophisticated. If you prefer pills, you can cook honey until it reaches the consistency of dropping pearls, then mix in the powdered herbs to form honey pills. The usual ratio is 10 (herbs) to 3 (honey).2Next, let’s delve deeper into the effects of these herbs:As the saying goes, all herbs have spirit, and everything has feelings; one might inadvertently cultivate (essence). Today, we will first introduce the herb “Huang Jing”.Huang Jing has a sweet taste and a neutral nature, entering the spleen, lung, and kidney meridians. The ancients believed that Huang Jing belongs to the category of medicinal herbs, embodying the essence and spirit of the earth, hence it is referred to as “Wu Ji Zhi” in the “Five Talismans Classic”. The famous physician Tao Hongjing from the Northern and Southern Dynasties also called it “Xian Ren Yu Liang” (the food of immortals).For men, frequent late nights, overtime work, and socializing can damage the essence in the kidneys. Taking Huang Jing can replenish kidney energy, improve fatigue, and strengthen the waist and nourish the bone marrow.According to the “Compendium of Materia Medica”, Huang Jing can replenish various deficiencies, generate essence and energy, prolong life when consumed regularly, and is considered a sacred food for men (meaning Huang Jing can replenish various parts or regulate the weakness of certain internal organs).For women, it nourishes yin, moistens the lungs, supplements qi and blood, improves anemia, nourishes the skin, and eliminates wrinkles. Additionally, it has a good regulating effect on symptoms caused by kidney essence deficiency, such as soreness in the lower back and knees, dizziness, tinnitus, fatigue, and premature graying of hair.Huang Jing is a health supplement that nourishes both qi and yin, capable of replenishing essence and marrow, moistening the lungs and generating fluids, and supplementing the deficiency of the five organs. Its properties are gentle, making it very suitable for regular consumption by middle-aged and elderly individuals, as they often have weak yang and insufficient yin fluids.Speaking of Ji Sheng Zi, many may not be familiar with it. If we mention black sesame, everyone knows it. The “Medicine King” Sun Simiao recorded in the “Thousand Gold Prescriptions” that “only sesame is good in the world, but unfortunately, ordinary people eat it raw”.This saying is widely circulated in Taoism, and sesame has long been listed as a top health food. Taoist health practices in our country have reached a high level but are not easily shared.Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that the kidneys are the foundation of innate vitality. As a person grows, kidney essence gradually diminishes, leading to symptoms such as lower back pain, hair loss, weakness in the legs, irritability, insomnia, and acne. When kidney energy declines, one approaches old age.When “Xian Ren Yu Liang” Huang Jing is combined with “Kidney Nourishing” black sesame, their combined effects on replenishing qi, darkening hair, and nourishing kidney essence become even more powerful!3Next, we have two herbs, Bai Zhu and Fu Ling.Many tonics are rich and greasy; we have all heard the saying “deficiency cannot withstand tonics”, meaning that if the body is weak, it cannot bear the power of tonics.When the body is weak, qi and blood cannot circulate normally, and with spleen and stomach deficiency, digestion and absorption are poor, leading to the inability to process nutrients. After taking tonics, one may experience abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, or even heat symptoms…At this time, Bai Zhu can strengthen the spleen and improve its function, preventing the tonics from being too rich and greasy, causing the body to be unable to withstand them.Bai Zhu is warm in nature, with a bitter and sweet taste, and is a key herb for strengthening the spleen. The spleen belongs to the earth in the five elements, located in the middle jiao of the human body, and earth can generate all things. “The spleen is the foundation of postnatal life and the source of qi and blood transformation”. After birth, all life activities rely on the nutrients absorbed by the spleen and stomach. Those with innate deficiencies can replenish through postnatal nourishment, which can also prolong life.Many talented individuals in the past ended their lives prematurely, which we now call “heaven jealous of talent”. If they had learned some TCM in their early years, such situations could have been avoided.Bai Zhu not only strengthens the spleen but also dries dampness and promotes water metabolism, helping to transform the fluids in the middle jiao.Li Shizhen’s “Compendium of Materia Medica” and other TCM records mention Bai Zhu’s ability to remove spots, and it is described as “extreme”. The ancient text “Discussion on Medicinal Properties” also states: “It brightens the complexion and removes spots.”In TCM, the spleen governs the muscles; a person’s muscle tone is related to the spleen. All symptoms of sagging muscles, drooping eyelids, facial muscle relaxation, sagging breasts, stomach prolapse, abdominal fat, and uterine prolapse are due to spleen deficiency.Bai Zhu and Fu Ling are also known as gentleman’s herbs, frequently appearing in formulas for strengthening the spleen and eliminating dampness.Fu Ling has a sweet, bland, and neutral nature, entering the heart, lung, and spleen meridians. It has the effects of promoting urination, strengthening the spleen, eliminating dampness, resolving phlegm, calming the heart, and soothing the spirit.Fu Ling has almost no taste; in TCM, it is called bland. Bland flavor has a special ability to promote dampness and invigorate the spleen’s ability to transform water and dampness, clearing excess water and fat from the body, which can also help with weight loss.For those who have oily hair and excessive dampness after washing, Fu Ling can guide the dampness down from the hair roots, thus treating seborrheic alopecia. The famous physician Yue Meizhong’s Fu Ling drink for hair loss has gained widespread popularity.Tian Men Dong has a sweet and bitter taste, with a cold nature, entering the lung and kidney meridians. It excels at nourishing kidney yin and clearing heat.Tian Men Dong is thick and oily, providing a cooling and nourishing effect, clearing the metal and transforming water, nourishing kidney yin from above downwards, achieving a harmonious balance of water and heaven to nourish muscles.Since the lungs govern the skin, many people have large pores, oily hair, and easily reddened skin, often sweating due to the leakage of kidney essence. If lung water is sufficient, the moisture in the skin will also gradually increase, so Tian Men Dong can also whiten the skin and reduce spots, leading to a radiant complexion with long-term use.4The last herb is Tao Ren.Tao Ren, the seed of the peach, has a bitter and sweet taste, neutral nature, and enters the heart, liver, and large intestine meridians. It can break blood stasis, moisten the intestines, and relieve cough and asthma.All fruit seeds in traditional Chinese medicine have oiliness; Tao Ren can relieve constipation. For elderly individuals with dry stools and insufficient body fluids, it is like a machine without oil, rusting and unable to function. When you add some oil, it starts to work again.Tao Ren can also moisturize the skin, alleviating dryness and itching, especially in winter when many elderly individuals experience dry and itchy skin at night, becoming even itchier under the covers. Symptoms resemble snake skin, with pants and socks appearing like snowflakes.The “Record of Famous Physicians” states it can “break masses and unblock menstrual flow”; Li Dongyuan referred to it as “moving stagnant blood in the skin”, and the “Compendium of Materia Medica” states it “governs blood stasis”, all indicating that Tao Ren has a strong ability to invigorate blood and resolve stasis.Tao Ren can break blood stasis with great strength, clearing useless blood clots and allowing new blood to regenerate, helping to eliminate spots and wrinkles, making it a superior beauty herb.The entire formula consists of six common herbs, but there are a few points to note:The first point is, there is a saying that goes very well, “Good herbs lead to good medicine; try to choose organic and reputable herbs.”The second point is, “Those who understand the preparation of Chinese herbs should use traditional methods for natural processing”. Although using traditional methods may be time-consuming and labor-intensive, it can make the entire formula more balanced, achieving nourishment without stagnation and toning without greasiness.Note:This article is intended to popularize TCM knowledge or serve as a learning reference. Please consult a physician for guidance before use.You may also like, click to read the original text:A topical formula and an internal formula, both said to be effective for lumbar painWang Qingqi: A classic formula for treating arrhythmia//////////#TCM Introduction Collection #Twelve Meridians Explained #Donghai Medical Collection #Experiences of Old TCM Practitioners #TCM Formulas #Secret Formulas #Masters of Traditional Chinese Medicine#Famous Cases of Cold Damage #Selected Famous Cases from the Golden Cabinet#Four Gentlemen Decoction #Etiology Assignment #Herbal Properties Assignment #Herbal Properties Song for 400 Herbs #Medical Three-Character Classic #Daily Insights from Mentorship#Daily Insights on Principles, Methods, Formulas, and Herbs#TCM Serialized Collection
