Assistant herbs

In this way, it assists herbs that purge and drain downwards and herbs that descend Qi in the intestines. For applying this strategy, Jie Geng should be used in small dosage. 

Along with herbs in the second group, it is equally important to select slightly pungent and warm herbs that can stimulate the Lung-Qi to expel wind, thereby assisting herbs that clear wind-heat in the Upper-Jiao. 

Herbs that regulate the Lung-Qi so as to assist herbs that clear wind-heat as well as stop cough are often used. 

These two herbs are light in weight and dispersing in nature. They can spread the Liver-Qi, disperse the heat and assist herbs that calm the Liver-wind. They can treat dizziness, headache and vertigo. They are used together with herbs that calm convulsions. 

In formulas that treat damp-heat, as the chief, deputy and assistant herbs are not harsh in action or extreme in temperature, an envoy is not usually necessary. Zhi Gan Cao, the most commonly used envoy, is not suitable for use in this case as sweetness may hold onto and generate dampness. However, Zhi Gan Cao is sometimes used to slow down the action of pungent herbs and leads to a steady and lasting result of eliminating dampness. 

The assistant herbs can be divided into three groups ... 

Sheng Jiang is able to warm the Middle-Jiao and to promote digestion. Da Zao can tonify the Qi and blood. They are used as a pair of assistant herbs to strengthen the Middle-Jiao so as to help the chief and deputy herbs to eliminate dampness. 

Dang Gui and Bai Shao Yao are often used together to treat blood deficiency. Dang Gui can tonify the blood and promote blood circulation Bai Shao Yao can nourish the Yin and reduce heat. Although they do not have a direct function of calming the mind, they are effective in nourishing the blood of the liver. As they provide the residence of Heart-shen and Liver-hun, and can smooth the flow of Liver-Qi, they are often used to assist herbs that treat insomnia due to blood deficiency. 

Assistant Herb - reduces the side effects of the imperial herb... 

Wang J, XiaoX and Li G. 2008. Study of vacuum microwave-assisted extraction of polyphenolic compounds and pigment from Chinese herbs. J Chromatogr A 1198-1199 45-53. 

Patton, and A. King. Inhibition of human sperm motility by specific herbs used in alternative medicine. J Assist Reprod Genet 1999 16(2) 87—91. 

Following the treatment principle, which is established in accordance with the syndrome differentiation, a formula can be composed. A formula is neither a group of herbs that treat all symptoms nor a combination that only treats the main syndrome. It has a structure where herbs are organized in order to meet the needs of the treatment. The structure of a formula contains four parts, namely the chief, the deputy, the assistant(s) and the envoy. Each of these has specific functions in the formula. 

Since this role may require a range of actions, there are often several herbs or herbal combinations acting as assistants in any one herbal formula. 

In these situations, treatment procedures in TCM that are similar in approach to the hypnotic and sedative drugs should not be used, or used only with caution. Instead, procedures that disperse constrained Qi, clear heat, promote digestion, and remove dampness and phlegm should be applied. Herbs and a diet that tonify the blood should be used for a long period of time. All of these can assist western drugs to calm the mind in an effective way and to reduce their side effects. TCM treatment can thus shorten the course of treatment required with hypnotic and sedative drugs and reduce their dosage. 

Assistant Regulate the Lung-Qi, stop cough strengthen the Middle-Jiao in order to assist the chief herbs in expelling wind-cold... 

Xi Xin, Chuan Xiong and Bai Zhi are helping assistants they work in the same direction as the chief and deputy herbs. In addition, they can promote Qi and blood circulation and relieve headache and general pain. 

The other two assistants are Huang Qin and Sheng Di Huang. As cold herbs, they are particularly used for treating internal heat. At the same time they also serve as corrective assistants to reduce the warming and drying nature of the other herbs in the formula. 

The assistants can remove phlegm and stop cough and they also focus on regulating the Lung-Qi to assist the chief and deputy herbs ... 

The action of downward-draining herbs can move the bowels, thus eliminating toxins from the body when Liver and Kidney functions are impaired and they fail to remove toxic substances, such as in cirrhosis of the Liver and renal failure. If a toxic substance has been ingested, the action of downward-draining herbs can assist the body in eliminating it. 

These two herbs are often used as assistants to promote Qi movement and descend the Qi in the Large Intestine so as to assist the chief herb to move the stool. 

These four herbs all enter the Large Intestine meridian. In formulas for promoting bowel movement, they can effectively promote Qi movement so as to assist the purgative function of the chief herbs. They can be selected separately or in groups. 

Assistant and envoy Protect the Stomach and Spleen, and moderate the function of the purging herbs... 

Zhi Gan Cao is sweet and enters the Spleen meridian. In formulas that drain downwards, it is often used as corrective assistant and envoy to protect the Stomach from harsh herbs such as Da Huang and Lu Hui. It can also moderate the function of the herbs in the formulas and make the purgative action lasting and stable. 

Zhi Shi and Hou Po serve as assistants. They can activate the Qi movement in the intestines and the Lung so as to accelerate the purgative function of the chief and deputy herbs. They can also directly reduce the fullness of the abdomen. 

Gan Cao, Sheng Jiang and Da Zao are also used as assistants to protect the Stomach and Spleen from the purgative herbs. 

When Qi and blood are too weak to activate Qi movement in the intestines in order to move the stool, it is better to use some tonifying herbs to assist the purgative herbs. Otherwise, not only may the accumulation of heat and stool increase rapidly in the intestines, but these pathogenic products may also further injure the Qi and blood. 

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