Monday, October 6, 2008

Processing (Chinese materia medica)

Processing in Chinese materia medica is the technique of altering the properties of crude medicines by such means as roasting, honey frying, wine frying, earth frying, vinegar frying, calcining, or other means. This is a kind of alchemical processing used in everyday preparation of herbal, mineral and animal medicinals. There are also more esoteric traditions of processing, including those involving , but the term is used to refer to the more common preparations. For instance, frying with wine is believed to enhance the circulatory properties of herbs. Frying with salt is believed to draw the herbal actions to the kidneys. Otherwise cooling herbs may be warmed up by heated techniques. These techniques have been applied to Western herbal medicine in the David Winston Center for Herbal Studies for the last 20 years.

The technique is somewhat similar to the Ayurvedic , although the latter technique is more complex and may involve prayers as well as physical techniques. An intriguing study of the effectiveness of the Ayurvedic equivalent of Pao Zhi was printed in the Journal of Postgrad Medicine:

Crude aconite is an extremely lethal substance. However, the science of Ayurveda looks upon aconite as a therapeutic entity. Crude aconite is always processed i.e. it undergoes 'samskaras' before being utilised in the Ayurvedic formulations. This study was undertaken in mice, to ascertain whether 'processed' aconite is less toxic as compared to the crude or unprocessed one. It was seen that crude aconite was significantly toxic to mice whereas the fully processed aconite was absolutely non-toxic . Further, all the steps in the processing were essential for complete detoxification

Po Sum On

Po Sum On is a medicated oil from Hong Kong.

The product was licensed since 1907 by the Po Sum On Medicine Factory Limited and sold in herbal stores world wide.The ointment and healing balm were invented by Kwok Cheu Nam and manufactured originally at the company's factory at 162 Tung Lo Wan Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.

Active Ingredients:
* Peppermint Oil
* Dragon's Blood
* Cinnamon Oil
* Camelia Oil


Po Sum On Oil Ingredients
Peppermint Oil
Menthe haplocalyx. Peppermint oil is a volatile oil which is frozen from a solution distilled from fresh peppermint and water. According to ancient Chinese medicine books, peppermint oil's main effect is relieving headache caused by colds and flu's, primary infection of the upper respiratory canal, and sore throat, mouth ulcer, skin rash and lungs discomfort caused by fever or other epidemic diseases.

Chinese camellia Oil
Camellia sinensis . A volatile oil extracted by distilling dried camellia branches and leaves, it has a light colour and fragrance and a consistency like olive oil that gives this formulation its rich quality. According to ancient Chinese medicine books, Chinese camellia oil can eliminate chill and ease pain. It is a major ingredient for cold remedies and stomach tonic.

Dragon's Blood
Daemonorops draco, also known as Resina Draconis . According to the import medicinal herbs standards set forth by China's Ministry of Health, Dragon's Blood can stop bleeding and eases bruises. Dispels blood stasis and alleviated pain; used for fractures, strains and contusions.

Liquorice
Glycyrrhiza uralensis. .The dried root of liquorice, a legume. According to ancient Chinese medicine books, liquorice can eliminate heat, toxins and sputum, ease coughing, and sooth cramps and pains in the limbs.

Scute
Radix Scutellaria baicalensis. . Clears heat, treats hot sores and swellings.
Use & Safety
The oil and balm have passed the safety tests of Zhongshan University and SGS of Hong Kong. It is verified that the products cause no skin irritation or allergic reaction, and are safe and suitable for long-term use.
NB This product is suitable for external use only, for adults and children over two years old. Do not apply close to the eyes, or delicate or wounded skin. In case of accidental ingestion, seek medical attention immediately. In the event of skin allergic reaction, cease using.

If the symptoms persist after several days, stop using it and consult a doctor. Do not cover the treatment area with bandage after application.
Used commonly for relief of muscular tension in neck, shoulders and upper back.

Typical application:
apply to upper back, neck and back of head. This formula has a descending action, so caution is advised in those with low blood pressure.

Although originally formulated for the upper back and neck, it is also very effective when massaged into other areas where there is pain. One source advises adding a teasponnful to a bowl of warm water to soak hands/feet affected by arthritis.

Po Chai Pills

Po Chai Pills is a Traditional Chinese Medicine product made from several herbs formed into tiny pills about the size of buckshots. It is used as a remedy for the relief of indigestion, heartburn, vomiting, diarrohea, and bloating. It can also be used as a hangover prevention remedy.

Po Chai Pills were developed by Li Shiu Kei in Foshan, Guangdong in 1896. Following the Chinese Civil War, the Li family fled to Hong Kong and reestablished their company, Li Chung Shing Tong. However, their mainland property was nationalized. As a result there are now two manufacturers of Po Chai Pills:

*Li Chung Shing Tong Limited in Hong Kong; and
*Guangzhou Wanglaoji Pharmaceutical Company Limited in Guangzhou, China.


A mutual agreement between both parties has limited Wanglaoji's trademark rights to mainland China, while Li Chung Shing Tong has the rights to use the trademark in the rest of the world. The mainland manufacturer exports them from China as Curing Pills or Bao Ji Pills.

Ingredients


*Halloysitum I minera
*Rhizoma Atrach root
*Oryzae Satiae/sprout
*Herba leave
*Selerotrum Porifungal
*Radix Puepariae root
*Herba Agastaches S leaves
*Excarpium Citri/tangerined red part
*Cortex magnoliae O. bark
*Masse Fermentata Neaven leave

Plum blossom (Chinese medicine)

Plum blossom or seven star is the light tapping of an area of the body with a small sterile hammer which has seven points. This technique is a part of traditional Chinese Medicine therapy.

Peter Deadman

Peter Deadman is a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner and teacher. He co-authored ''A Manual of Acupuncture'', one of the very first textbooks for acupuncture in Western world. He is also the founder of ''The Journal of Chinese Medicine'', an English language journal concerning traditional Chinese medicine.

Pericardium (TCM)

As distinct from the Western medical concept of pericardium, this concept from Traditional Chinese Medicine is more a way of describing a set of interrelated parts than an anatomical organ.

The Pericardium is also called the "heart protector," and, for clinical purposes, is considered a yin organ paired with the yang organ San Jiao. In general theory, the Pericardium is not distinguished from the Heart. It is also the first line of defence against the Heart from External Pathogenic Influences. The Pericardium has a named for it, which reflects the health of the organ. In terms of the Five Elements, these organs are both associated with the fire element. In treatment, it is often best to approach heart problems via the Pericardium, rather than directly. The peak time for the Pericardium is from 7pm to 9pm.

Pearl powder

Pearl powder is a preparation of crushed pearls used in China for skin care, and in traditional Chinese medicine as an anti-inflammatory and detoxification agent.

Pearl powder is a finely milled powder made from freshwater pearls, which contains a number of amino acids and several minerals. It can also be made from saltwater pearls. It is considered by its proponents to help improve the appearance of the skin. A typical dose is 1 gram of pearl powder taken by mouth, traditionally mixed into water or tea, twice weekly.