Merged to A087阴的濡润与阳的温煦v2
In A004, it was mentioned that after needling Zusanli (足三里), a warm current flows upward along the stomach meridian from the toes. When I wrote that, to emphasize the key point, I omitted a prior step. Before the warm current appears, there is a tearing pain, which probably quickly opens the originally narrow channels, thereby causing tearing pain. A similar experience was recorded in A029 describing moxibustion; first a fine tearing along a line, then the passage of warmth. There are many similar experiences like this, so I won’t list them all.
Based on these experiences, I thought that opening these channels (not sure which exact part of the main meridians, divergent meridians, collateral channels, superficial collaterals, or minute collaterals they refer to, so for now I just call them “channels”) follows a similar process: first opening, then energy flow.
However, today I happened to drink a little Chuanbei Loquat Syrup and experienced another kind of sensation, so I’m recording it here.
First, I copied the ingredient list of Chuanbei Loquat Syrup as follows. In Chinese medicine labels, ingredients appearing earlier usually have higher content, but the exact amount is unknown. Excipients are counted separately (I feel the honey, maltose, and syrup are the main components, haha).
Fritillaria (Chuanbei), loquat leaves, Southern ginseng (Nanshashen), Poria (Fuling), Citrus peel (Huajuhong), Platycodon (Jiegeng), Pinellia (Fabanxia), Schisandra (Wuweizi), Trichosanthes seed (Gualouzi), Coltsfoot flowers (Kuan donghua), Polygala (Yuanzhi), Bitter apricot seed (Kuxingren), Fresh ginger herb, Apricot kernel water, Menthol; excipients: honey, maltose, syrup.
The main effect is nourishing lung yin, clearing heat and resolving phlegm, plus a bit of cough relief. When I opened the bottle, my first impression was a relatively mild almond scent.
Pouring it out, the impression was a darker, more liquid honey color.
The first sip started with menthol, but the mint taste wasn’t strong, even weaker than some mint candies. Then came the honey sweetness (since I have never tried pure maltose or pure syrup, I only know the honey taste, and it basically matched my impression of honey). The sweetness also carried a bit of the bitter almond flavor.
Drinking a few more sips, the sweetness became less dominant and the menthol attracted more attention, though it was more fleeting and less intrusive. Now I can distinguish top, middle, and base notes: the top note is menthol; the middle note is honey and bitter apricot; the base note is a mixed traditional Chinese medicine flavor. This term is abstract because I can’t identify which herb exactly, but it’s the impression left by a mixture of Chinese herbs. This base note is mainly perceived on the sides and the root of the tongue.
Drinking slowly, first the esophagus and stomach felt cool, then with breathing, the lung also felt cool — easy to understand, since it’s menthol.
But as I continued drinking, something interesting happened: from the upper right stomach area, a little oil-like substance slowly lubricated upward along a seam toward the armpit. Different from the previous acupuncture or moxibustion experience where the channel is first torn and then warmed to open, this time it was gentle and carried a hint of coolness. The first felt like forcibly tearing off the gauze during a dressing change; the second was like first applying iodine and then gently lifting the gauze (those familiar with dressing changes know this). The warmth felt like urine flowing down the leg (yes, I have experienced that), while the coolness was like touching a piece of jade.
When this seam was fully lubricated, it felt like the previously torn tissues adhered together, becoming a whole. That’s about it — nothing more.
Epilogue
Every time I practice qigong, get needled, take medicine, or observe some reaction in my body, I find it very interesting and amazing.
The human body is truly marvelous.
This experience completed the sensation of nourishing from both yin and yang angles. These two words really fit perfectly; I can’t think of better terms to capture their feelings — yin as moistening, yang as warming.