Posted by Hombre on June 15, 2010, at 6:25:19
In reply to Re: Turmeric, posted by Hombre on June 15, 2010, at 4:57:20
Apparently yu jin/curcuma is not the same as turmeric/jiang huang ("yellow ginger"). There is some confusion in the use of the common names of these two similar but not identical herbs in Chinese medicine.
http://www.itmonline.org/arts/turmeri3.htm
"Turmeric is reported to be especially useful for treating pain syndrome (8), including pain in the chest and hypochondriac region, amenorrhea with abdominal pain, injury pain, and bi syndrome, especially in the shoulders. This last indication is the reason for its inclusion in Juanbi Tang, which is indicated for pain, especially in the neck, shoulder, and upper back."
"Curcuma, aside from vitalizing blood circulation, is used to regulate qi, cool the blood and clear heat, and facilitate gallbladder function. Because of its ability to regulate qialong with its cool energy and its activating effect on the gallbladdercurcuma is sometimes used as a substitute for bupleurum*. Some doctors suggest that bupleurum can have an action that is too harsh, while curcuma has a similar but gentler action. Like turmeric, it is used for pain in the chest, hypochondriac region, and abdomen, and dysmenorrhea. Unlike turmeric, it is not indicated for bi syndrome. Unlike both turmeric and zedoaria, it is indicated for ***accumulation of turbidity that causes mental disorders***[emphasis added], for jaundice, and for spontaneous bleeding (due to blood heat)."
*bupleurum is used to remove liver stagnation, the #1 cause of depression according to TCM
"Yujin: To promote flow of qi, to eliminate blood stasis, ***to calm the nerves and ease the mind, and increase the flow of bile***. Indications: amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, distending or pricking pain in chest and abdomen; impairment of consciousness in febrile diseases; epilepsy; mania; jaundice with dark urine."
* the gall bladder and liver have to do with being able to make plans and having the "gall", or the guts, to carry them out. dysfunction of these systems could manifest as the inability to form long term plans, or to make lots of plans and not be able to carry them out...sound familiar?
"As can be seen from the formula applications, in most cases the herbs are used in accordance with their reported unique properties; hence, curcuma tends to be used for heat syndromes, and ***especially those with neurological effects and/or phlegm accumulation;***"
* phlegm -> depression, brain fog
"The common name turmeric, if it is to be used at all, should always apply to jianghuang, which should be derived from Curcuma longa. According to the original naming system developed by OHAI, curcuma should be the common name for yujin and it should be derived from Curcuma aromatica, while zedoaria should be the common name for ezhu which is derived from either Curcuma zedoaria or Curcuma kwangsinensis. Using the pinyin will help avoid some confusion, but students and practitioners of Chinese herbal medicine should also recognize the somewhat fluid nature of herb selection for making prescriptions and the use of substitute materials in different regions of China."
Salud,
Hombre
poster:Hombre
thread:950674
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20100516/msgs/951115.html