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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Hombre on June 16, 2010, at 0:52:23
Quotes are taken from "Chinese Traditional Herbal Medicine" by Michael Tierra, founder of the Planetary Herbals line of herbal formulas. I have no association with Dr. Tierra or his products. I am just using his text as a reference.
The Kidneys in TCM represent Water. "In the body, the water element is that which circulates, lubricates, sustains and deeply nourishes. This includes the Blood, lymph and the flowing aspect of Qi in the form of bioelectrical nervous energy, as well as the fluidity of the endocrine system, all internal secretions, perspiration, tears, saliva, sexual secretions, lactation, and the lubrication of the Lungs and all other mucus membranes of the body, and the moisture required for proper elimination from the Large Intestine and the Bladder. The fluid aspect of the Water Element is also responsible for maintaining lubrication, agility, suppleness and softness of the joints, muscles and skin."
"In TCM, the Kidneys, as the Yin Organ of Water, embody all of its aspects, including the regulation of the endocrine system. Obviously this goes beyond the role of the Kidneys per se and includes the small pea-like glands attached to them called the Adrenal glands. These regulate most of the endocrine functions, especially the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, through their secretion of Yang-stimulating adrenaline-type hormones and Yin-nourishing, cooling anti-inflammatory cortical hormones."
"Symptoms of Water imbalances include urinary diseases, edema, lower back and joint pains."
"Climate: Cold.
Cold specifically taxes the reserves of the TCM Kidney-Adrenals; thus they respond adversely to cold foods and fluids and cold drafts, particularly directly on the lower back where the kidneys reside.""Flavor: Salty
Salt is necessary to retain sufficient fluid to support and maintain all the functions associated with Water...A relatively small increase or decrease of the Water Element can put a severe stress on all homeostatic mechanisms. A sufficient amount of unrefined salt that naturally occurs with a variety of essential trace minerals is necessary to maintain proper Fluid balance. TCM recommends that herbal tonics for the Kidney-Adrenals be taken with a pinch of salt that helps potentize and carry the effects of the herbs into the Kidneys.""Inner Resource: Will (Zhi)
An individual who lacks personal motivation or will power has a Water imbalance in the form of Kidney-Adrenal Deficiency. Water is the deep reserve that gives power to all activities and processes. In most cases, individuals who lack motivation and will power have Kidney Yang Deficiency...unrefined sugar in all forms, including alcohol, saps will power and establishes the basis for all physical and mental addictions.It is becoming commonly understood that marijuana, an anti-motivational drug, diminishes our will and drive. From the TCM perspective, it is never appropriate to sedate or weaken the Kidney-Adrenals, which is exactly what marijuana does. The associated fear and insecurity that sometimes accompanies marijuana use further points to its debilitating effects on those whose Kidney Qi is already low."
"...the Balanced Water type would manifest a high level of self awareness and confidence with a sense that they are acting from a place of deep strength and inner reserves. When emotional or physical stress does occur, the flowing nature of their highly developed Water Element seems to not leave any lasting scars. Further, because of the power of their perfected Will, they are able to manifest a high degree of stamina and endurance when challenged."
"Yin Deficient Water Type
Water Yin Deficiency appears as a kind of auto-consumption, but in fact it is the very Essence that is unrestrainedly leaking out. Thus, there are symptoms of night sweats, insomnia, nervousness, anxiousness, irritability, thin or emaciated appearance, frequent urination and inflammatory conditions that are more localized in the extremities, such as a Yin Deficient sore throat or genito-urinary inflammation...With the inability to contain and restrain the Self, there is a kind of over-sensitivity, hollowness and inappropriateness to the Water Yin Deficient personality. The problem is that while there are many fitful and empty jabs at self expression, the Water Yin Deficient type lacks the stamina, endurance and, above all, inner focus to see things through to completion."
* Recommended foods:
moist, demulcent, solid, substantial and coolinge.g. pork, okra, malva(?), ghee
Herbs: Chinese schizandra berries (Wu Wei Zi) and cornus, or dogwood berries (Shan Zhu Yu). "One could think of a powerful tonic astringent, such as schizandra, as an herb that cements the aura of the personality and helps the body to contain its energy."
Primary Formulas:
- Anemarrhena, Phellodendron and Rehmannia Combination (Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan) and Rehmannia Six Combination (Liu Wei Di Huang Wan). Google these names to find inexpensive Chinese patent formulas you can take as pills.Yang Deficient Water Type
-Symptoms include: coldness, timidity, fatigue and frequent urination. "An inability to exercise and/or a lack of exercise are primary aggravating factors with Yang Deficient Water types.""In general there is a diminished ability to maintain one's self both in terms of the normal use of the joints of the body as well as the ability to engage in creative projects. The Yang Deficient Water type seems unable to mobilize their resources and whatever energy they may have, either in their own maintenance and defense or the prerequisite attention, care and protection of others."
"Sometimes this withdrawal fro life appears as physical detachment, but there is no wisdom in renouncing that which one is unable to attain. As a result, Yang Deficient types are particularly susceptible to delusion based on falsely upheld spiritual values, a kind of 'sour grapes' attitude that allows for a particular form of arrogant self-righteousness which occurs in some forms of Yin Deficiency as well. At this stage, both the Yin and Yang Deficient personality is nearly lost to further enlightenment except through some awakening. Depending on how one uses the opportunity, physical crisis may either plunge one into utter despair or it can lead to a greater depth of letting go and serving the Soul's preeminent need to evolve into higher knowledge and truth."
Major Formulas for Kidney Yang Deficiency
- Rehmannia Eight Combination (Ba Wei Di Huang Wan a.k.a. Golden Cabinet [forget the word] Kidney
Pill (Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan)- Replenishing the Yang Decoction (You Gui Wan) [literally replenish right (Yang) kidney. Don't get confused with Zuo Gui Wan, replenish the left (Yin) kidney.
Posted by janejane on June 16, 2010, at 6:08:38
In reply to Chinese Medicine + Depression: Kidneys/Adrenals, posted by Hombre on June 16, 2010, at 0:52:23
Informative as always. Thanks!
Posted by Lao Tzu on June 22, 2010, at 15:56:14
In reply to Chinese Medicine + Depression: Kidneys/Adrenals, posted by Hombre on June 16, 2010, at 0:52:23
Ones that interest me include Codonopsis, Astragalus, Atractylodes, Skullcap, Reishi, Schisandra, Fennel seed, Gotu Kola. I may experiement with these one at a time instead of using herbal tonics. Right now, I am waiting for my turmeric, and I'm contemplating using gingko. Can you use gingko if you are already on an antidepressant medication?
Posted by Hombre on June 22, 2010, at 20:00:50
In reply to Re: Chinese Medicine + Depression: Kidneys/Adrena, posted by Lao Tzu on June 22, 2010, at 15:56:14
I don't have a good enough reference to know whether or not gingko would interact with ADs.
This link:
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/ginkgo-biloba-000247.htm
suggests the possibility to serotonin syndrome if taken with SSRIs. Possible interactions with MAOIs as well. But a quick Google search seems to indicate that people use gingko to try to battle the sexual side effects of SSRIs.
"Chinese Medical Herbology & Pharmacology" seems to be a source for interactions between the Chinese materia medica (which includes gingko) and pharmaceuticals. Alas, it's currently beyond my budget and probably education level.
--
Not to beat a dead horse, but I have been seeing some really good results with Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan/Ba Wei Di Huang Wan. It seems to combat some of the side effects of the SNRI and atypical-antipsychotic that I am currently taking. More libido. Better, uh, blood flow. Better thyroid function - more energy and less accumulation of fluids and fat. I think it also boosts testosterone. But I also see a difference in terms of confidence and concentration. Since starting the herbs I've been able to affect some changes in my life that have eluded me for a long time, even after getting decent results from the meds.
I've been able to mix and match several different formulas with no adverse effects. I am currently also taking Shi Quan Da Bu Wan as a general tonic. It tonifies blood and Qi. Qi deficiency manifests as fatigue. If you have fatigue as a symptom, that points to Qi deficiency. It is basically a combination of basic spleen tonifying herbs (spleen turns food and drink into blood, at least according to the TCM theory) and Qi and immune enhancing herbs. It is safe to take for long periods of time. It also contains cinnamon, noted for its ability to warm the kidneys and thus boost your overall energy, especially sexual energy. Your mojo, if you will.
Posted by Hombre on June 25, 2010, at 4:48:38
In reply to Re: Chinese Medicine + Depression: Kidneys/Adrena » Lao Tzu, posted by Hombre on June 22, 2010, at 20:00:50
This author's foundational text on Chinese medicine is on Scribd. I won't link to it, but you'll find it. The section on Mental Disorders is really interesting in that in Chinese medicine they are pretty specific about describing various elements that make up one's mental, emotional and spiritual self - elements as concrete as the body; in fact, elements linked directly to the functioning of the "physical" body.
Looks like he's expanded that discussion into a full-blown text. 650 pages of all on mental illness - can we really dismiss or ignore it?
Posted by Lao Tzu on June 25, 2010, at 9:39:27
In reply to Re: Chinese Medicine + Depression: Kidneys/Adrena » Lao Tzu, posted by Hombre on June 22, 2010, at 20:00:50
Thanks for the info, Hombre. Might just try one of those tonics to replenish Qi. My libido is currently better since adding a little folic acid and cinnamon. Don't know why this is, but in my experience both folic acid and B12 seem to help with my libido, not to mention with mood as well. Still waiting for my turmeric. Will let you know how it works out, and will look into those tonics you mentioned. Thanks again for your posts.
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