Lantern vol 5-

for old formulas”. What Dr Huang opened us to When one is busy with a clinic year after year, one’s was the logic and intelligence behind the Shang understanding of classical formulas can became myopic Han Lun (Discussion of Cold-Induced Disorders) formulas. One could say he taught us more thoroughly how to understand and utilise the old uses for the old formulas. There have been several articles written about Huang Huang in recent issues of The Lantern,
including one interview with Dr Huang.2 Chris
WEN JING TANG (Warm the Menses Eddy and Michael Max and Dr Huang himself Decoction)1 has always been a favourite have done a good job of describing the method of
formula of mine. I have probably prescribed it diagnosis by body type and treating by matching
hundreds of times. A formula becomes a favourite the presentation with the formula. In this article,
when I begin to feel I know exactly how to use it I would like to continue to fill out the reader’s
and it is remarkably effective. How I have come to sense of Dr Huang’s teachings and perspective by
think of Wen Jing Tang over the years is probably looking at how he uses one particular formula,
how many of us think of it; when a patient comes Wen Jing Tang. I will base this on Dr Huang’s
in with dysmenorrhea due to cold on a background lectures, a case from Dr Huang’s clinic and
of blood deficiency I use Wen Jing Tang. When the information from his book Zhong Yi Shi Da Lei
diagnosis is right, the effect is rapid and almost Fang (The Ten Major Formula Categories in
magical. Yet, as can happen when one is busy with Chinese Medicine)3. Finally I will present a case
a clinic year after year, my understanding of the from my own clinic for which I would previously
potential of this classic formula became rather have never given Wen Jing Tang. You will see for
myopic in that I thought of it only for painful yourself the efficacy of this approach.
menstruation from cold. The fact that Formulas
and Strategies lists indications for Wen Jing Tang Wen Jing Tang presentation
such as dry lips and mouth, low grade fever at dusk
and warm palms and soles went over my head; I The Wen Jing Tang presentation in Dr Huang’s
focused on its ability to treat pain and cold. view is a subcategory of the Gui Zhi presentation. This past autumn I travelled to Nan Jing with In fact, Wen Jing Tang is made up of Gui Zhi Tang a small group of practitioners to study with Dr (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) with additions. The Huang Huang. Wen Jing Tang is just one example Wen Jing Tang patient will mostly appear as a Gui of a prescription for which my limited, stuck- Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) body type, which in-a-rut thinking was put back on the road means they will generally be deficient and thin with expanded possibilities. During the course with finely textured skin. They will be sensitive to we were impressed and inspired by the way Dr Huang opened our minds to the way of the jing 2. The Lantern: Volume 4-1 and 4-2.
3. Huang Huang (1995) Zhong Yi Shi Da Lei Fang (The Ten Jing. Yet this was not a simple case of “new uses Major Formula Categories in Chinese Medicine), Jiangsu: Science and Technology Press. (Now being translated by 1. From here simply referred to as Wen Jing Tang. Michael Max to be published by Eastland Press.) cold and have a tendency to abdominal pain. Their ten and plump up a prematurely withered woman. abdomen tends to be flat and their abdominal He told us that Wen Jing Tang will make the skin muscles tight. All of these characteristics can moist and lustrous and that is good for mucous manifest in the Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) membranes, such as in the mouth and vagina, and the Wen Jing Tang presentations and both that get thin and brittle. With a woman’s lips be- ‘Wen Jing Tang is the queen are deficiency presentations. Yet there are some coming full and moist, her breasts filling out, her differences between the two types. The Gui Zhi vaginal secretions starting to flow, her complexion (Cinnamomi Ramulus) presentation includes becoming moist and her hair becoming lustrous, moist skin and a tendency to sweat spontaneously, it is easy to see why this would be considered a at night or on the palms and soles. The Wen Jing beauty formula. He said that even her hands will Tang patient, on the other hand, presents with a become beautiful! “Yet, one cannot make an old key symptom of dryness. There are symptoms woman young so this formula is perfect for mid-of heat associated with Wen Jing Tang such as dle-aged women” he added. afternoon feverishness and heat in the palms and soles but this heat is not generally accompanied by Wen Jing Tang warms channels and uterus sweating. The only sweating symptom for Wen Jing Tang is spontaneous sweating but this sweat does It is interesting that during our course, Dr Huang not make the skin generally moist as in the Gui did not talk much about Wen Jing Tang as a Zhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) type person. warming formula, emphasising its moistening The pulse for the Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) ability. He did mention that Zhang Zhong-Jing presentation is floating and large while the pulse used Wen Jing Tang for cold womb infertility. In for Wen Jing Tang is mostly thin and may be wiry. addition, in his book Zhong Yi Shi Da Lei Fang (The Ten Major Formula Categories in Chinese Medicine) he discusses the application of Wen Jing Tang for warming the “jïng ” (a character that It is remarkable to me that such an important can be alternately translated as either channel or aspect of such an important formula was some- menstruation implying the womb).5 By warming
thing I never thought of in the clinic before. To the channels and womb, Wen Jing Tang vitalises put it succinctly, I now think of Wen Jing Tang as the blood, stops pain and stops bleeding. When primarily a moistening formula and secondarily there is pain or bleeding due to cold stagnating as a warming formula. In fact, Dr Huang describes the blood, the signs that indicate the blood stasis the function of Wen Jing Tang as nourishing the are a dark pale tongue body and blood that is dark blood and enriching the yin. and with clots. By warming the womb, Wen Jing The dryness seen in a Wen Jing Tang presentation Tang vitalises the blood. By vitalising the blood, is systemic. This means there is generally a Wen Jing Tang can also thereby stop bleeding due withered, dark and lack-lustre look to the patient’s to blood stasis. face and body. The body skin will seem loose. The My own thought is that the warming ability of lips and mouth will be dry, the lips being chapped Wen Jing Tang is related to its ability to nourish and cracked. The hands and feet may be especially the blood and enrich the yin. Just as in the winter dry with cracks and hang nails. On the feet it is when the world is frozen, we feel dryness more helpful to look at the heels for dryness. Then there than in the other seasons, in our bodies cold can also may be vaginal dryness or lack of secretions also lead to dryness. When our moisture reserves and dry head hair with broken or split ends. are frozen, they are not available. The abdomen and breasts may deflate, become One of the ways that Wen Jing Tang works to smaller and droop. Dr Huang said that sometimes nourish the blood and moisten the body is by women who wash a lot of dishes have dry hands melting what has been frozen. The moisture that but that it only gets this way easily because their spreads throughout the body is like the steaming constitution relates to Wen Jing Tang. up of the moist clouds in the spring when the sun finally warms up the earth. So, it is also by warming the womb that Wen Jing Tang can treat blood and yin deficiency and amenorrhea. Throughout the course, Dr Huang often spoke of formulas to help women attain their full endow- ment of beauty.4 Wen Jing Tang is the queen of the
beauty formulas and this is because it will mois- Dr Huang writes that the herbs Dang Gui (Angel- ica Sinensis Radix), Chuan Xiong (Chuanxiong 4. All participants in this course were women and all agreed Rhizoma), Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix alba) all that Dr Huang always spoke of women with the greatest respect and appreciation. Whenever he spoke of beauty 5. Zhong Yi Shi Da Lei Fang (The Ten Major Formula formulas, it was always in the context of beauty being the Categories in Chinese Medicine) Huang Huang, Jiangsu Science and Technology Press, 1995. pp 21.
have the traditional function of regulating Wen Jing Tang is mostly for 2. Gan Jiang or Sheng Jiang?
the menses and all of these herbs are in Wen Wen Jing Tang-type people: Dr Huang often uses Gan Jiang (Zingiberis Jing Tang.6 Aside from having herbs that
Rhizoma) rather than Sheng Jiang (Zin- regulate the menses in it, having seen how Throughout our course, Dr Huang giberis Rhizoma recens). He told us that Wen Jing Tang can generate blood and yin, it mentioned many formulas that could treat Sheng Jiang is more diaphoretic and Gan is clear that it treats scanty or late menstrua- particular diseases. Yet, he also constantly Jiang warms the interior. Sheng Jiang is more reminded us that the highest form of for vomiting while Gan Jiang is more for Given how it can stop bleeding when practice for the Chinese physician is to treat loose stool and diarrhea. The main reason there is too much or bleeding at the wrong the person and not the disease. Though a he uses Gan Jiang more though is because time, it can treat mid-cycle bleeding, early particular formula may be able to treat a the pharmacies do not tend to carry Sheng menstruation, prolonged menstruation, certain disease, it can treat the disease only Jiang –the raw ginger -- and many people menorrhagia and metrorrhagia. It is easy in a person for whom that formula’s body do not tend to cook their own herbs. Old to see how this formula will regulate men- type presentation matched. He wanted us people do tend to want to cook their own to always keep in mind the characteristics herbs and have Sheng Jiang at home. Sheng of, first, the Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) Jiang is cheaper than Gan Jiang and so, for person and then within that category, the these people he would use Sheng Jiang. He special characteristics of the Wen Jing Tang added that for patients who are perfection-person. Though Wen Jing Tang nourishes ists (usually Ban Xia types), he gives them Dr Huang emphasised that a woman must the blood, unless the blood deficient patient Sheng Jiang because the cooking instruc-be plumpish in order to get pregnant. From is a Wen Jing Tang type person, it will not tions are a bit more complicated and they our discussion of the moistening effect work. If the person is not a Wen Jing Tang love minute instructions on how to cook of Wen Jing Tang above, we can see how it type then they need a different formula. the herbs perfectly. As examples of the clas-would help a woman reach this goal. Us- The same is true for the other symptoms sical use of these two herbs, he told us that ing Wen Jing Tang, a woman’s lips, belly and and diseases Wen Jing Tang treats, such as Zhang Zhong-Jing used Sheng Jiang (Zin-breasts all plump up with natural physi- amenorrhea, infertility, dysmenorrhea, giberis Rhizoma recens) in Gui Zhi Tang uterine bleeding, menstrual spotting and (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) and Gan Jiang Dr Huang told us that Zhang Zhong-Jing early or late menstruation. (Zingiberis Rhizoma) in Li Zhong Tang wrote that cold qi in the womb was a cause People of other body types such as Chai (Regulate the Middle Pill). Xiao Chai Hu of infertility and we have seen how Wen Jing Hu (Bupleuri Radix) or Ban Xia (Pinelliae Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoctions) uses Tang can warm the womb. Rhizoma) types must have clear Wen Jing Sheng Jiang but if the patient has copious A woman must also have a rich, full and Tang key signs for it to be a Wen Jing Tang cough with thin fluids one would add Gan regular menstrual cycle in order to achieve presentation. A person of another body Jiang and Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Fructus). pregnancy. Again, from our discussion type can develop Wen Jing Tang signs and Sheng Jiang Xie Xin Tang (Fresh Ginger above, we can see that Wen Jing Tang helps symptoms and even become a Wen Jing Tang Decoction to Drain the Epigastrium) uses a woman achieve this. More specifically, type over time. Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma recens) Dr Huang told us that Wen Jing Tang helps Because of this it is important to review the and is more for borborygmus and vomiting ovarian function directly. He uses it when key signs of the Wen Jing Tang presentation while Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang (Pinellia De-
the basal body temperature is a flat line, as listed in this translation of Dr Huang’s coctin to Drain the Epigastrium) uses Gan
indicating lack of ovarian function. In this section on Wen Jing Tang from his Zhong Yi Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) and is more for
kind of case the menstrual cycle can be Shi Da Lei Fang (The Ten Major Formula diarrhea.
chaotic and the menstruation itself can be Categories in Chinese Medicine)7 (see
scanty. In the clinic one day, while talking breakout box next page).
3. Adjusting doses
to us about a patient he told us that blood deficiency combined with blood stasis in a Some special points on herbs in Wen Jing Tang. In one patient who Wen Jing Tang patient could even cause the using Wen Jing Tang was particularly dry he reduced the Wu Zhu Yu (Evodiae Fructus) because it is so bitter, When he took us back to the time of 1. Rou Gui or Gui Zhi?
hot and drying. In another patient who had Zhang Zhong-Jing, Dr Huang said that Dr Huang often used Rou Gui (Cinnamomi headaches, he increased the Wu Zhu Yu Master Zhang was very concerned about Cortex) rather than Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi (Evodiae Fructus). having babies to grow up and become Ramulus). We asked him why he did this soldiers. He said: “In Zhang Zhong-Jing’s and he told us that Rou Gui (Cinnamomi Wen Jing Tang Syrup time, Wen Jing Tang was the formula for Cortex) is stronger and more fragrant than helping women get pregnant, Dang Gui Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) and that Dr Huang often has his patients cook Wen Tang (Tangkuei Decoction) was the one for Zhang Zhong-Jing used Rou Gui (Cinnam- Jing Tang until it is very thick and concen- helping her stay pregnant and Gui Zhi Fu omi Cortex). The only reason to use Gui Zhi trated. He has patients turn it into a gao Ling Wan (Cinnamon and Poria Pill) was (Cinnamomi Ramulus) instead is because it (syrup) that will last a long time and can the one to help the baby come out.” be taken every day. You make enough for a month at a time. You can add herbs such as Long Yan Rou (Longan Arillus), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix), He Tao Ren (Jug- landis Semen), Hei Zhi Ma (Sesami Semen ni- grum) and more E Jiao (Asini Cori Colla) along with honey and rock sugar until the consistency From the Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essentials from the Golden Cabinet).
is right. This will make it thicker. Every day you put some of the syrup in hot water to drink. Wen Jing Tang type people will find it tastes re- ally good. While we were in Nan Jing we took a field trip to a pharmacy where they were making a gao of Wen Jing Tang. Though we would have to modify these instructions for our patients, see Dr Huang found that in China, most patients are Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix) or Ban Xia (Pinelliae Boil down in one measure of water and drink three doses a day, warm.
Rhizoma) types. He thought Americans probably tended to be more Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramu-lus) types. Since being home from China, the two of us in our clinic have found this to be true. Not only are there many Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ra- mulus) types but a lot of them are Wen Jing Tang Wen Jing Tang is a famous traditional types. Another practitioner in our clinic has joked formula for women. It is made up of Gui that we should change the name of our clinic to Zhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) with additional flavours. Within it, Dang afternoon feverishness and headache.
Gui (Angelica Sinensis Radix), Chuan Xiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma) and Bai 3. The abdominal wal is thin and without Shao (Paeoniae Radix alba) supplement ! Add Lu Jiao Jiao (Cervi Cornus Colla) and Fu and reactive (hypertonicity) and there is a feeling of pain or distention.
Zi (Aconiti Radix lateralis preparata) to in- are also the traditional herbs for regulat- crease the basal body temperature in yang defi- ing the menstrual cycle. E Jiao (Asini cient patients. Lu Jiao Jiao (Cervi Cornus Colla) is good for amenorrhea and makes a woman treat profuse menstruation and anaemia. disease presentation though it can be ! Add Tao Ren (Persicae Semen) for dry stool Mu Dan Pi (Moutan Cortex) has the abil- ity to vitalise blood, transform stasis and ! The original formula does not have Hong Zao clear heat. Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) (Jujubae Fructus) but Dr Huang uses up to 30 and Wu Zhu Yu (Evodiae Fructus) can grams per day. It is very good for hormones but does not have the side effects of synthetic This formula is altogether able to nourish bleeding. hormones. In the clinic Dr Huang mostly pre- blood, enrich yin, vitalise blood, trans- The key is in the colour and substance of scribed Da Zao (Jujubae Fructus) and did of- the blood. For the Wen Jing Tang pres- The scope of this formula’s application with clots. If the blood is crimson red or for treating such il nesses as irregular this is inner heat and Wen Jing Tang is not suitable. You can consider something Dr Huang said that to increase the effectiveness of like Dan Zhi Xiao Yao Tang (Augmented Wen Jing Tang we should encourage our patients abdominal cold pain and infertility. There to eat beef, lamb, pork trotters, tendons and skin. is a report that Wen Jing Tang has a These are best cooked a long time in stews. This The Wen Jing Tang patient can present should be eaten often, though not every day. It it has a positive physiological effect on is a folk custom to eat a long cooked stew made and that it stimulates the metabolism.
signs of a heat pattern. Yet, the aversion with pig’s trotters. Women with beautiful skin eat From my own experience I think that for oured tongue body and lower abdomi- Hong Shao Rou (red-cooked pork) is a very fatty the Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) body nal tightness and pain are al evidence of sweet stew of pork meat. Dr Huang said that Wen Jing Tang is the herbal formula that is the same as quently so it is important to pay atten-tion to the formula presentation: It is, therefore, important to real y pay Causes of the Wen Jing Tang presentation ed to use a hot-water bottle. Looking at her body, her facial colour was dark yellow and although Dr Huang told us that there used to be a lot of Gui her lips were dry, the colour was dark. Although Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) body types in China her tongue moss was yellow, under the yellow but because these days the nutrition is better, this was greasy and white and the tongue body was has changed. When patients over-work and have dark. I gave her five packages of Wen Jing Tang, her poor nutrition they become thin and withered, bleeding stopped and she was better.”becoming Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) body types. In China and in the West, women will of- ten go on diets, especially avoiding fats. This can greatly deplete them. Some women even go so far Soon after I arrived home, a new patient, Jan, as to be anorexic or bulimic and lose their men- aged 39, presented complaining of chronic fatigue. struation. In addition, serious athletes often de- At first look I noticed that she was thin with dry velop into Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) types damaged looking hair. Her main complaint was by overdoing it. Psychological stress such as in Epstein-Barr virus manifesting as fatigue, diz- university students studying for tests can create ziness and exhaustion. She mentioned she had this presentation. We also see it in patients un- had mononucleosis as a teen and that she was in dergoing chemotherapy who become thin and a bad car accident in 2003. At a time when she was greatly pushing herself her symptoms were greatly exacerbated. A holistic doctor put her on a thyroid supplement even though her blood work showed normal levels in order to “push her ener- Dr Huang listed the following diseases as treat- gy levels up”. Her sleeping was difficult since the able by Wen Jing Tang. Of course this would only car accident but became worse when she became be for patients who present with the Wen Jing hyperthyroid on this medication! She had wanted Tang key signs: to go to India but could not because of how ill Jan’s symptoms were fatigue, muscle fatigue, dizziness, whole body pain, heavy head, lower ! Symptoms associated with menopause (fever- clear sensation of cold in the flesh of her lower ishness, hot soles and palms, vaginal dryness, belly. This cold area she described as feeling uterine bleeding).
disconnected from the rest of her body. She also had very cold hands and feet and easily got Must all Wen Jing Tang signs appear?
chilled, especially after living in a damp hotel in One student reviewed a case from her own prac- the past. Jan experienced dysmenorrhea that was tice with Dr Huang. The patient had all of the dry not particularly relieved by warmth. The blood symptoms, including dry lips, feet and vagina, was red and there were clots. She bleeds for and had cracked fingertips. Yet this patient was a three days, during which she has pain. She then large fleshy woman. The student wondered if she spotted for three more days. She also had a clear could still use Wen Jing Tang. Dr Huang assured vaginal discharge. Jan often had a sore, scratchy her it was still correct. He said that the dry finger- and swollen throat that was always worse when tips and lips were really key signs. In the clinic, he her fatigue symptoms were worse. She tended to also combined Wen Jing Tang with other formulas if it was a combination presentation. A case from Dr Huang’s Zhong Yi Shi Da Lei Fang With its intense flavour and the smooth, fatty texture of the meat, hong shao rou is one of the most classic red-cooked dishes. Put 2 lbs boneless skinless “I treated one woman whose menstruation last- pork bel y cut into 1 1/2" chunks into a pot and cover with water; bring to a ed half a month. The colour was dark and clots boil. Uncover and cook for 2 minutes; drain and rinse. Heat 2 tbsp. peanut were mixed in. The joints of her whole body oil in a 14" flat-bottomed wok over high heat. Add a 2" piece ginger cut into were painful. Recently her usual headaches had "coins" and 10 scallions cut into 3" pieces and stir-fry for 10 seconds. Add become very frequent and she also experienced the pork belly and stir-fry for 1 minute. Add 1/4 cup shaoxing jiu (Chinese rice nausea and dry retching. Her lips were dry and wine); stir-fry until it begins to brown, 2–3 minutes. Add 5 tbsp. mushroom- her tongue moss was thin and yellow. The pre- flavored dark soy sauce and cook until absorbed, 2–3 minutes. Add 1 tsp. salt vious doctor treated her for a heat presentation, and 2 cups water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, giving her Dan Zhi Xiao Yao Tang (Augmented covered, stirring occasionally, until pork is just tender, about 1 hour. Uncover Rambling Powder). This caused her to have dull wok, stir in 3 tbsp. sugar, and cook until liquid has thickened slightly, 12–14 aching in her lower abdomen for which she want- have loose stool. Her sleep was better since going Qin Jiao off the thyroid medication but she still could not Bu Gu Zhi get to sleep until after midnight. She felt hot at night with night sweats and restless legs. She had I added Qin Jiao (Gentianae macrophyllae Ra- a weird pain associated with the restless legs that dix) for the empty heat at night and Bu Gu Zhi ‘When patients over work went from her hip down to her big toe. (Psoraleae Fructus) to further warm the Kidneys I observed and asked Jan about the Wen Jing in a way that would stop the vaginal discharge.
Tang key symptoms. She did have a very dry Right away, within a week, Jan’s energy returned mouth and her lips were quite chapped. She also like a spring and her cold belly became warm and experienced vaginal dryness and her fingers and connected feeling. Now it is December 10, 2007 feet, especially her heels, were quite dry. Jan’s and Jan has been on the same formula since she tongue was normal in size but reddish with some began on October 22, 2007, seven weeks. She has cracks over the tongue body and the tongue begun to plump up all over including her lips and moss was thin and a bit yellow. Her pulses were breasts. Her ovulation secretions have returned generally thin. Her abdomen was flat and tense though her vaginal discharge has cleared. Her hands and hair are not as dry. She has reported From a patho-physiological point of view, my feeling a libido for the first time in years and diagnosis was as follows: I knew Jan was deficient her menstruation was pain free and without because her body was thin and her abdomen clots. Virtually all of her niggling symptoms had weak. This was in part Kidney yin deficiency resolved. The main thing for Jan is that she has shown by the generalised cracks on her tongue. her energy back in a consistent way and because This helped explain the heat she felt at night, the of this she will finally be travelling to India within yellow tongue moss as well as the dryness. She a few months. also had Kidney yang deficiency, which I knew In the past I would not have used Wen Jing Tang because of the vaginal discharge with generalised for this person, given that she was yin deficient. cold symptoms. I also would not have expected such direct and This part of the diagnosis helped to explain instantaneous results! Jan is going to continue on her cold belly and the cold stagnating the Wen Jing Tang for the rest of the winter probably or blood. I knew she had blood stasis because of until her hair and hands and lips are thoroughly the dysmenorrhea and clots in her blood. The lustrous. prevalence of cold helped explain the blood stasis Dr Huang told us several times throughout as well as the dryness of her body fluids. So, my the course that when the formula matches the
diagnosis was Kidney yang deficiency with cold, presentation it is like an arrow hitting a bull’s
and Kidney yin deficiency with empty heat and eye. He emphasised that this matching not only
blood stasis.8
made the treatment effective but it also made it From a classical formula, body-type perspective, extremely safe. Jan had many of the key signs for Wen Jing Tang When the formula matches the presentation including a thin body with a flat, tense, empty he said you can use very strong herbs very safely, belly, a thin pulse, aversion to cold with chilliness, even Ma Huang (Ephedrae Herba) and Fu Zi blood stasis, feverishness and systemic dryness.
(Aconiti Radix lateralis preparata). He said that I gave her the following modified version of even seemingly benign herbs can be toxic if Wen Jing Tang (dosages are for one week): the presentation is not matched with the right formula. There is a lot of what Dr Huang taught that I do not feel I understand yet. Probably most of it! On the other hand, I have caught a glimpse of what the classic formulas and the way they are described by Zhang Zhong-Jing, have to offer. I Now when I look at the Formulas and Strategies’ list of indications for Wen Jing Tang and see “Mild persistent uterine bleeding, irregular menstruation . pain, distention, and cold in the lower abdomen, infertility, dry lips and mouth, Mai Men Dong 45g Ophiopogonis Radix low-grade fever at dusk, and warm palms and
soles”9 I understand at least this. !
8. The method I use for diagnosis is called “definitive diagnosis” which may make some of the language or the process I use unfamiliar to some of the readers. For information about definitive diagnosis go to: 9. Bensky and Barolet. (1990). Formulas and Strategies. www.whitepinehealingarts.com/gmp_about_2006.htm

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