Essentials of Warm disease

Of all the diseases under heaven, which is more [prevalent] than warm disease?” – Wen Bing Tiao Bian

By: Qin Bo-Wei

Introduction by Jason Blalack:

Although all of us have some ideas about warm disease theory, it is one of the most complex and misunderstood areas in Chinese medicine. One reason for its complexity is that it was developed during a time period – the Qing dynasty – when Chinese medicine was flourishing on many levels. Consequently, contributions from a multitude of doctors spanning more than 300 years resulted in the large array of books, theories, and case histories that now pepper our modern texts and formula books.

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Understanding Ye Tian Shi’s Cases

Charles Chace recently brought this following passage to my attention. We both found it interesting in helping to understand Ye Tian-Shi’s case studies and putting into context the shorthand style that his cases are presented in. It is an excerpt from Thinking with Cases — Specialist Knowledge and Chinese Cultural History(2007) by Charlotte Furth. A great read.

“… the admirers of Ye Gui (1666-1745) saw to it that after his death some of this legendary doctor’s personal clinical records found their way into best-selling collections. Of these, Medical Cases as a Guide to Clinical Practice (Lin zheng zhinan yi’an), published in 1768, was the most authoritative and enduringly popular (there survive thirty-nine editions printed before tlIe end of the imperial era). A clinically oriented innovator from a hereditary medical family in Suzhou, Ye established a model style of case history that continues to be admired and imitated even today. Stripped of storytelling flourishes or social detail concerning the patients’ identities, Ye’s cases offered a laconic narrative that cut through the presenting symptoms to an underlying diagnostic pattern and concentrated on a customized prescription formula. The “Organizing Principles” (Fanli) that introduced the first edition of the collection help explain its thinking. They warn of the limitations of the nosological categories that constitute the surface organization of the section headings. By the selection and arrangement of cases within each category, the reader is being taught to distinguish between easily recognizable symptoms and syndromes (zheng, clusters of symptoms) and the more subtle “diagnostic patterns” (zhenghou) that identify the disorder at the most fundamental level.

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Dong chong xia cao (cordyceps)

冬虫夏草

There has been recent interest of cordyceps (dong chong xia cao) by some on the newsgroup CHA. I have been using this herb in my clinic for some time and bringing back bags of it from China. Below are some sample formulas that were written on some of these bags. I hope this helps expand one’s usage options of cordyceps.1. Clear the Lungs and Stop cough – Moistens the Lungs, clears heat, and stop cough – xia cao, chuan bei mu, xing ren, sha shen,2. Strengthen the brain and calm the spirit – insomnia, nervous system weakness, abnormal heart rate – xia cao, bai he, long yan rou, gan cao, bai zi ren3. Fortify the lower back and strengthen the Kidneys – frequent nocturia, dizziness, tinnitus, Lower back soreness, bone pain. – xia cao, shan yao, qian shi, du zhong, gou qi zi4. Nourishes the face and darken the hair – easy hair loss, grey complexion, grey hair, many spots / macules – xia cao, he shou wu, gou qi zi, dang gui.5. Increase appetite and strengthen the body – Weak body with many diseases, easy gan mao / cough, poor memory. xia cao 3, shan yao 5, long yan rou 5, gou qi zi 3, qian shi 5,6.

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