Module 2.

2b Reading Materials

Chinese Tonifying Herbs

Chinese tonic herbs are used for various types of deficiencies. These can be subdivided
into four distinct subcategories: Yang Deficiency, Qi Deficiency, Yin Deficiency, and
Blood Deficiency. The herbs used to treat each of these categories are not necessarily
restrictive in their actions and they can be combined or used singly as appropriate for
each individual situation. As one example, Ginseng, the most well-known of all tonic
herbs, is regarded as a useful one for all deficiencies, even though it is classified
according to its primary use as a Qi tonic.

Yin tonics have a heavy, moist nature and they can be divided into two types: those that
nourish the Kidney and Liver and those that “moisten” the Lung and Stomach. The
Kidney and Liver are located in the deepest aspects of the body, so that the greatest
degrees of Yin Deficiency always affect these organs. Yin Deficiency of Stomach and
Lung are conditions that can evolve over time or result from the prolonged presence of
a high fever or an acute viral disease.

Chinese tonic herbs should not be taken under conditions of excess stagnation,
because they can exacerbate symptoms. Individuals with poor digestion may find it
difficult to tolerate tonifc herbs; they may even develop symptomatic heat reactions,
such as dry mouth, irritability, insomnia, abdominal bloating, indigestion, nausea, and
loss of appetite.

For Yang invigoration, exercise is extremely important, while for Yin nourishment, rest
and sleep are recommended. Since Yin nourishment cannot replace sleep, prescribing
calming and sedative herbs is another approach to indirectly enhance Yin. While tonic
herbs constitute the most recognized aspect of Chinese Medicine, from a holistic
perspective it is always best to attempt to determine the underlying cause of a
deficiency. In most cases, deficiencies are caused by stress, for which the best remedy
is rest and good nutrition.

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Yang tonic (Yang-invigorating) herbs

Yang tonic herbs are generally used to treat Yang Deficiency of Spleen and Kidney.
Yang Deficiency exhibits symptoms such as aversion to cold; cold extremities; aching
soreness of the lower back, knees, and joints; impotence; frigidity; infertility; enuresis;
clear leukorrhea; loose stools; wheezing; white coating of the tongue; and deep pulse.
Yang tonics are generally warm and drying. If inappropriately taken for conditions of Yin
Deficiency, they can further compromise Yin and cause Yin fire to arise. To protect the
Kidney Yin, Yang tonics are usually taken with prepared Rehmannia, which can
enhance the effectiveness of these tonics in the body.

Qi tonic (Qi-invigorating) herbs

Qi tonic herbs are generally sweet and slightly warm. They enter the Spleen and
Lung. Symptoms of Spleen Qi Deficiency (脾虛) include fatigue, weakness, edema,
poor appetite, loose stools, abdominal distension (肺氣虛), and prolapse of the
anus and/or other internal organs. Lung Qi Deficiency exhibits many of the
characteristic symptoms of Qi Deficiency along with shortness of breath and
spontaneous sweating. Qi is also responsible for the generation and circulation of
Blood, so that Qi tonic herbs are used after acute blood loss.

Yin tonic (Yin nourishment) herbs

The Yin of the body represents its material and fluid substances. It becomes exhausted
and wasted as a result of hyperactivity of Yang or overstimulation of the sympathetic
nervous system. Yin Deficiency can be caused by mental activity or working beyond our
capacity – giving rise to “burnout”.
Genuine Yin Deficiency implies that there are signs of burnout in the form of heat or
inflammation. This may take the form of infectious and inflammatory diseases that are
unresponsive to conventional anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics. To treat such Yin
Deficiency-related inflammatory conditions, it is necessary to prescribe heat-clearing
drugs and/or herbs along with Yin and other tonics so that the body is given the strength
to enhance the effectiveness of administered anti-inflammatory drugs.

There are many characteristic Yin Deficiency diseases: these include multiple sclerosis,
diabetes, osteoporosis, AIDS, TB, and all other consumptive diseases, to name only a
few. Aging involves an inevitable degeneration or weakening of Yin that sets the stage
for the body’s functional decay. As a result, skin tends to become drier (wrinkled) as one
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ages, stiffness increases, and aches and pains are more prevalent. Reproductive
secretions decrease, memory wanes, and there is an increase in irritability and
sensitivity to strong light, sound, and other sensory experiences. All of this is aggravated
by the fact that with incipient Yin Deficiency, the elderly tend to sleep shorter hours.

Yin-nourishing herbs compensate for the waning of endogenous anti-stress hormones

and help to slow degenerative processes. It is for this reason that it is desirable to begin
a regular regimen of herbal tonics at some point after the age of 40.

Blood tonic (Blood enriching) herbs

Blood tonic herbs tend to be bitter or sweet, with either a warm or neutral nature. These
herbs are primarily used for treating conditions of Blood Deficiency including anemia
and symptoms of pale complexion, lips, and nails; dizziness, blurred vision; palpitations;
anxiety; and scanty, light red menses or cessation of menstruation. Chinese Medicine
describes that Qi can drive the generation and circulation of Blood. Because of this, Qi
and Blood tonics are often combined to treat symptoms of Blood Deficiency. Often,
Blood-regulating herbs are added to promote circulation. Blood being part of Yin is
reflected in the fact that certain Blood tonics are used to tonify Blood and Yin. Both
Blood and Yin tonic herbs are indicated for dryness, with the difference being that Yin
Deficiency is associated with poor digestion that may result in difficulty of assimilating
these herbs, so herbs that strengthen and regulate Spleen Qi are often added to Blood
tonic formulations.