https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/A4PeQB2Vq1CW8xtc-5KQOA
Everyone is welcome to share their experiences with the trial medicines in the replies, to facilitate other students’ searching and learning.
114. Vinegar Shanglu
The taste is mellow and rich. Setting aside the sourness of vinegar, it is roughly sweet with a bit of bitterness and slight roasted aroma. Upon first sip, there is a tingling sensation on the back and scalp, like a breeze blowing through; the sensation feels cold and there is some irritation to the oral mucosa.
After about 5 minutes, you feel the phlegm in the lungs being pressed up to the throat, with a sense of fullness in the nasal sinuses. Then both lungs and nasal passages feel more unobstructed; there is a twisting sensation in the large intestine, and after a few intestinal gurgling sounds, the twisting sensation disappears. After drinking another sip, the twisting sensation instantly reappears (once the pathway is established, no need to wait 5 minutes).
Effect: Unblocks the qi flow through the back and the area behind the occiput, dispels phlegm and clears orifices, promotes intestinal peristalsis.
115. Qian Niu Zi (Morning Glory Seeds)
After soaking in water, it becomes very sticky, similar to Plantago seeds. Eating one seed initially tastes quite fragrant, but soon turns into a kind of indescribable sour and astringent taste, irritating to the oral mucosa and throat.
Drinking the soaked water tastes bland, slightly bitter.
Effect: Aside from its laxative effect, other effects are not obvious, but just from its throat-irritating effect, one can at least sense its “toxicity.”
Generally speaking, stubborn phlegm and water retention require Qian Niu Zi; in ancient times it was also used as an anthelmintic. In modern use, it’s preferable to use “conventional medicines” first; if those don’t work, then resort to such strongly irritating herbs.
Qian Niu Zi glycoside has poor dissolution; oral administration requires powdering or pill making. The glycoside converts into Qian Niu Su (Ipomoea alkaloid) in the intestines, exerting laxative and other effects.
116. Croton Oil Frost
Have not tried, omitted.
117. Qian Jin Zi (Senecio Root)
Have not tried, omitted.
118. Du Huo (Angelica Pubescens)
The scent is actually quite pleasant, somewhat reminiscent of Bai Zhi (Angelica Dahurica) and star anise.
After soaking in water, chewing feels somewhat like eating garlic, with a strong taste.
The soaked water tastes mainly bitter and causes tongue numbness.
Coincidentally, my forearm which had been exposed to air conditioning felt a bit sore. After drinking, I clearly felt a force filling the sore area, pushing out cold and dampness; that area slightly softened and changed from soreness to numbness and swelling.
Effect: Dispel wind, cold, and dampness; unblock collaterals and relieve bi syndrome; alleviate pain.
The scope of Du Huo’s actions should be throughout the whole body, from head to feet, reaching everywhere.
“Wind” as a pathological concept objectively relates to external cold wind (heat wind does not cause fear). Once it invades the body, there are two main manifestations: ① local stagnation of qi and blood, creating a “low energy zone,” similar to a “low pressure area” caused by wind pressure — this pathological mechanism can be summarized as “wind”; ② imbalance of qi and blood distribution inside the body, so patients personally feel a sensation of wind blowing within (for example, tidal fever — not regular afternoon heat but a wave-like rising heat to the upper body), or symptoms exhibit spatial changes (such as urticaria).
Also, generally speaking, pure wind or pure dampness alone do not harm the body; it is only when accompanied by “cold” (temperature below body temperature) that harm occurs.
Therefore, when “wind evil” and “damp evil” exist, “cold evil” must accompany them. The fundamental cause is deficiency (xu), hence here it is not termed simply “wind-damp” but “wind-cold-damp.”