https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/A4PeQB2Vq1CW8xtc-5KQOA
Welcome everyone to share your medicine trial experiences in the replies to facilitate other classmates’ searching and learning.
173. Talc
3MgO·4SiO2·H2O, Mohs hardness is 1 (the lowest possible, with talc as the standard reference), truly the shame of hardness among minerals.
The water boiled from it has a slight sweetness (possibly residual taste).
It has an effect of guiding qi downward, which can disperse the qi in the upper burner to the lower burner. For the so-called “heat above and cold below” (I really dislike this phrase; it sounds very old-fashioned), it has a good effect on the “heat above.”
However, talc cannot keep qi in the lower burner; instead, it transports it to the bladder for excretion, so it cannot solve the “cold below” issue.
Recently, the WHO classified talcum powder as “possibly carcinogenic.” Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder is the biggest loser (it was consumers who first discovered certain tumors linked to the use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder and sued the company, which then brought attention to the carcinogenicity of this compound).
Regarding this, I currently remain reserved.
Finally, for Blue Cat’s 3000 Questions segment: athletes in pole vaulting and rings apply a powder to their hands before starting; that powder is not talcum powder but magnesium powder, consisting of magnesium carbonate. Magnesium carbonate absorbs moisture, increases friction, reduces wear on the athlete’s grip, and prevents slipping due to sweat. In this case, using talcum powder would be useless.
174. Aristolochia (Mu Tong)
Because Guan Mu Tong caused problems, Aristolochia (Mu Tong) also became hard to buy, so only Chuan Mu Tong is used as a substitute.
174.1 Chuan Mu Tong
Like plantain seed, when brewed, it has the texture of lotus root powder or kudzu powder, somewhat viscous, with a lightly sweet taste and a slight woody fragrance.
Just from the taste, it can be discerned that Chuan Mu Tong has a certain effect of supplementing body fluids, nourishing lung and stomach fluids (not stomach acid); it can also lubricate the muscles and pores, allowing blood vessels to run more smoothly. This may be the mechanism for its diuretic effect, promoting urination and relieving stranguria, and for promoting menstruation and lactation.
The effect of clearing the heart and dispelling vexation is not very noticeable, possibly only seen in Aristolochia species Mu Tong.
175. Tong Cao (Tetrapanax papyrifer)
Basically tasteless, it feels like water with a bit of viscosity added; if anything, it smells a bit like a rubber tube.
Its effects on promoting menstruation and lactation are likely true and the main selling points because after drinking it, the chest immediately feels a numbness and soreness. However, as a male with natural physiological limitations, I might need to wait for official certification from the imperial army to verify the exact effects.
The heat-clearing effect is also not very obvious, though it does have diuretic effects.
175.1 Xiao Tong Cao (Ding Jie Hua)
Too viscous, it sticks to the throat walls; the aftertaste has a slight pungency, somewhat like rosin.
It is relatively cold in nature, with a certain heat-clearing effect concentrated in the lower abdomen. Its effect of relieving stranguria should be the best among the three.
You all should be able to understand my intention, which is to taste ancient and modern forms of Tong Cao on the same day.
Ancient Tong Cao (Mu Tong), when used in formulas like Dang Gui Si Ni Tang, shows why it can open the channels.
Dang Gui 3 liang, Gui Zhi 3 liang, Shao Yao 3 liang, Xi Xin 2 liang, Gan Cao 2 liang, Tong Cao 2 liang, 25 large dates.
One liang is regarded as 15 grams. Some might ask, using 30 grams of Xi Xin—would the patient survive? There are two possibilities here: one is that a large portion of the medicine at that time was fresh material, which weighs 3-5 times more than the dried form; another possibility is that the patient’s constitution was simply very tough (I drank 30 grams myself without issue, but medical licensure is hard-earned, so please do not prescribe such doses to anyone but yourself).
The distinctions between Tong Cao (Tong Tuo Mu) and Xiao Tong Cao (Ding Jie Hua) should also be understood by now. Conclusion with celebration.