Tonifying

Yim TK, Ko KM, Ko R (2002) Antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities of Chinese tonifying herbs. Pharm Biol 40 329-335... 

This book mainly considers individual syndromes, such as the syndrome of Spleen-Qi deficiency, and it discusses the composition of individualized formulas, such as a formula to tonify the Spleen-Qi. In practice, a syndrome can be much more complicated. The sections on Common accompanying symptoms and treatment offer more possibilities for herb selection in complicated situations. To treat a syndrome with different kinds of secondary syndromes, such as Spleen-Qi deficiency with dampness accumulation or food accumulation, a practitioner should consult different chapters to compose an effective formula. 

In this type of combination, some herbs can reduce the therapeutic effect of others. For instance, Lai Fu Zi [Raphani semen) can reduce the ability of Ren Shen [Ginseng radix) to tonify the Qi. This type of herbal combination and effect should be avoided in treatment. The Chinese medical tradition has identified 18 antagonistic substances ... 

As soon as a treatment principle is established, the composition plan and treatment strategies can be arranged. For instance, to treat the syndrome of excess heat in the Lung and Stomach, one would first prescribe herbs that have sweet-cold, bitter-cold or salty-cold properties, and which have the functions of clearing heat and reducing fire in the Lung and Stomach. Second, herbs that are sweet and cold and that can nourish body fluids and protect the Yin, which has been severely consumed by the excess heat, should be selected. Herbs that can tonify the Qi should be selected if the Qi is weakened severely by the heat. Herbs that moderate the actions of the harsh herbs in the formula, and reduce their side effects, should also be added. 

In treating chronic diseases, or after intensive treatment for acute disorders lasting 1-4 weeks, the herbs in a formula should be prescribed at lower dosages. Herbs that tonify or harmonize the functions of the internal organs should be added. 

Gentle tonifying herbs can be used for months or even years at low doses to keep the patient s condi-... 

Gentle tonifying herbs can be used at low dosages for a long period of time to strengthen the body s resistance or to maintain good health. 

Tonifying herbs should initially be prescribed at low dosages because their cloying nature may cause indigestion. If all is well, the dosages may be gradually increased. 

Use herbs that reduce phlegm, food stagnation and dampness. Herbs that tonify the Qi and activate the Qi movement can be used if necessary. 

At times of great stress and high emotion, or of severe physical exertion and tiredness, the body becomes more sensitive, and herbs should be prescribed at lower dosages than normal. For instance, to treat severe tiredness due to Spleen-Qi and Heart-blood deficiency, herbs that tonify the Qi and blood should be used in the formula but their doses should be very low because any strong stimulation and tonification may cause further disorder in the body. If the patient suffers from insomnia and anxiety, formulas that calm the mind and sedate the Heart-spirit should be used first. At the time of menstruation, or if the patient has a bleeding... 

Pour another 200 ml of cold water onto the herbs in the pot and cook for a further 20 minutes. Strain the resulting liquid into the receptacle holding the first decoction, thus mixing the two decoctions together. The total liquid obtained should be about 200-250 ml. (Herbs that expel wind-cold or wind-heat should be cooked for 10 minutes less and tonifying herbs should be cooked for 10 minutes longer each time.)... 

Sugar has moistening and tonifying properties. Herbal syrups are often used for mild cases, such as to moisten the Lung. Because they taste sweet, they are more readily accepted by patients, especially by children. 

Since alcohol has dispersing and fast moving properties, it can increase the effect and speed of the herbs. Medicinal alcohol drink is often used for chronic disorders. Herbs that tonify the body, such as Ren Shen (Ginseng radix) and Gou Qi Zi (Lycii fructus), and herbs that disperse wind, damp and cold to treat Bi syndrome, such as Wu Jia Pi (Acan-thopanacis cortex), are often prepared in this way. Herbal alcohol drink is usually taken once a day in small amounts of 10-20 ml. 

Tonifying herbs are best taken 1 hour before meals. 

In a normal pregnancy, the Qi and blood are flourishing in the Chong and Ren meridians. This can often give rise to heat so cold herbs that reduce heat and soothe the Stomach-Qi are often used. After delivery, and while the mother is nursing the newborn baby, the Qi and blood are often weakened, therefore warm herbs that tonify the blood and Qi tend to be used. 

When treating chronic conditions in children, pay special attention to tonifying the Kidney in order to support their physical and mental development. 

In the course of chronic disease, or after surgical operations, the Qi and blood are weakened. Dampness, phlegm and food tend to accumulate in the body because the Qi is too weak to eliminate them. Treatment therefore needs to tonify the Qi and promote digestion, eliminating any accumulation of dampness, phlegm or food. 

When blood is weak, first tonify the Qi in order to accelerate the function of blood production, and, at the same time, tonify the essence as essence and blood can transform into each other. As Yin is a part of blood, one can tonify the Yin when there is dryness and heat in the blood. This method is also used in critical situations where the patient has lost a large amount of blood in a short period of time, and it is impossible to generate the blood quickly, even with blood transfusion. At this time, Ren Shen and Huang Qi should be used first to strengthen the Qi in order to control and generate the blood. 

When the Yin is deficient, the Qi can be tonified in order to accelerate the generation of Yin. When Yang is deficient, the Qi can be tonified in order to strengthen the Yang because Qi is a part of Yang in a broad sense. This strategy often brings quick results. 

To tonify either the Kidney-Yin or the Kidney-Yang, a large amount of herbs that tonify the Kidney-essence should be applied as Kidney-essence is the fuel for the Yang and a substantial source of the Yin. When Kidney-essence is sufficient, the Yang acts on the Yin and generates the Kidney-Qi. 

When Kidney-Yin is weak, the Kidney-Yang should be tonified. In the formula, herbs which tonify Kidney-essence are used to tonify the Yin, the material part of the body. In addition, a very small amount of hot and pungent herbs is used to activate the Kidney-Yang and thereby stimulate the growth of the Yin. 

When the Qi is deficient in general, the Spleen-Qi can be tonified first in order to generate the Qi of the other organs. 

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