Basic knowledge of prescriptions and medicines that are essential for getting started with traditional Chinese medicine
Prescriptions and medicines are the two most important elements of traditional Chinese medicine. Do you know about the prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine? Below is the disease knowledge I brought to you about the prescriptions and medicines. Welcome to read.
1. The monarch, his ministers and his envoys
A prescription composed of a variety of medicines is called a prescription. There are certain rules for the composition of prescriptions, which are called prescriptions. Therefore, prescriptions are a further development of treatment with single herbs. Its characteristics are: it has comprehensive effects, has a wide therapeutic range, and can mediate the toxicity of drugs and reduce or avoid adverse reactions.
The composition of prescriptions is divided into four categories: monarch, minister, assistant and envoy. Generally, there are more than four kinds of prescription drugs, and they are all compatible with these four items. Even if there are less than four kinds of drugs or as many as dozens of kinds, this rule cannot be deviated from. Otherwise, it is undisciplined, the direction is unclear, and the predecessors have used medicine but no prescription.
1. Jun: Jun is the main medicine of a party. It is a medicine that can play a major role in targeting the main cause and main symptoms of a disease. That is what the "Nei Jing" says: the main disease is called Jun. There is not necessarily only one monarch medicine for each side, and it does not necessarily mean a powerful medicine can be used as a monarch medicine. The decision mainly depends on the specific situation and needs.
Li Dongyuan once said: If you treat wind, use Fangfeng as the king; to treat cold, use Aconite as the king; to treat dampness, use Fangji as the king; to clear the upper Jiao, use Coptidis Coptidis as the king; For medium burn, use Scutellaria baicalensis as the king. By analogy, even drugs with relatively weak properties and flavors, such as mulberry leaves, chrysanthemums, tangerine peels, bamboo shoots, etc., are qualified as monarch drugs.
2. Minister: The "Nei Jing" says: Those who assist the emperor are called ministers. The minister refers to the drug that assists and strengthens the efficacy of the monarch drug. For example, the cinnamon twig in the Ephedra decoction helps the ephedra sweat and relieve the symptoms, so it is the minister drug in the Ephedra decoction. There is no limit to just one type of ministerial medicine in a prescription. A monarch medicine can have several ministerial medicines. If there are two monarch medicines in one prescription, more ministerial medicines can be used for compatibility.
3. Assistant: It is called an adjuvant under the minister, and an adjuvant is a compound medicine that is close to the minister. In addition to assisting the monarch drug in the same way as the minister drug, it can also assist the monarch drug in relieving certain secondary symptoms.
For example, Mahuang Decoction uses almonds as an auxiliary, its function is to relieve the lungs, calm cough, and help the monarch medicine relieve the secondary symptoms of Mahuang Decoction syndrome. On the other hand, if the monarch medicine is toxic or the properties of the medicine are too biased, adjuvants can also be used to reconcile it.
4. Make: Judging from the meaning of the word "make", making medicine is the most important medicine in a party. "Nei Jing" says: The ministers should serve as envoys. It can be seen that the messenger drug is an auxiliary drug for the minister drug. In clinical practice, the drug is generally understood to be a drug that induces menstruation. The drug that induces menstruation means to guide the power of the medicine to the site of disease, so it is also called a drug, commonly known as a drug introduction.
Although the words "jun", "chen", "zuo" and "shi" have feudal connotations, they are actually used to represent the main medicine and auxiliary medicine to explain the organizational form of the prescription. Over the past thousands of years, Chinese medicine has accumulated rich experience in the combination of prescriptions. Both classic and contemporary prescriptions are formulated in compliance with this principle.
By the way, let’s talk about the issues of “Jing Fang” and “Time Fang”. Traditional Chinese medicine developed from the use of single herbs to prescriptions a long time ago. In the "Nei Jing", there is the Xueku prescription composed of cuttlefish bones, rhubarb and sparrow eggs, the Insomnia prescription composed of Pinellia ternata and rice, and the Jiufeng prescription composed of Alisma, Atractylodes and Mizuchi, etc. When Zhang Zhongjing collected many prescriptions and wrote Treatise on Febrile Diseases and Synopsis of the Golden Chamber, the prescriptions became more complete. Later generations valued his work as a classic, called his prescriptions Jingfang, and called his later prescriptions Shifang. We believe that the efficacy of classic prescriptions is certain, but the value of contemporary prescriptions is also undeniable. The formation of Shi Fang is also one of the examples of the continuous development of traditional Chinese medicine. For the same reason, the six-meridian syndrome differentiation mentioned above is based on "Treatise on Febrile Diseases", and the three-energizer syndrome differentiation is based on "Febrile Disease Treatise". One was in the Han Dynasty, and the other was in the Qing Dynasty. Not only is there no conflict, but also complement each other. The prescriptions in "Febrile Disease Treatise" are based on "Treatise on Febrile Diseases" and have many developments and supplements. Therefore, under the goal of serving the past for the present, we should pay attention to classic prescriptions, as well as contemporary prescriptions, and also pay attention to modern effective prescriptions.
2. Seven prescriptions
In terms of application, prescriptions are divided into seven categories due to the different types of drugs used and the speed of producing curative effect, referred to as Qifang, namely generous, Small prescription, slow prescription, urgent prescription, odd prescription, even prescription and compound prescription.
1. Generosity: The pathogenic factors are strong and cannot be controlled without strong force, so you must use generosity, such as the Dachengqi Decoction in the following method. When using generosity, you should first consider whether the righteousness is sufficient, because excessive sweating can damage yin, and sweating can destroy yang. Even if the evil is gone, righteousness will be damaged, which loses the meaning of using generosity.
2. Xiaofang: Xiaofang and generosity are relative. If the evil qi is mild, you only need to use a lighter prescription, or reduce the dosage according to the generous prescription. This is called a small prescription, such as the Xiaocheng Qi Decoction in the following method.
3. Relief prescription: For chronic and debilitating diseases, it is not possible to seek immediate results. It is advisable to use prescriptions with moderate potency for long-term care. For example, Sijunzi Decoction in the tonic method is a type of slow prescription.
4. Urgent prescription: Urgent prescription and slow prescription are relative. It is used for first aid when the illness is critical, such as diarrhea that does not stop, cold hands and feet, weak pulse, and Sini Decoction to restore Yang. When using urgent prescriptions for emergencies, not only the potency of the medicine should be specific, but the dosage should also be heavy, so it is often used in combination with generous prescriptions.
5. Qifang: Qifang is a singular number, and Qifang means specificity. If there is only one cause of the disease, a monarch drug is used to treat the main symptom in order to achieve a specific effect, so it is called a strange prescription. However, the strange prescription is not equal to a single medicine, but also includes combinations of ministerial medicine and adjuvant medicine.
6. Even: Even is an even number, which means taking both sides into account. If there are two causes of the disease at the same time and need to be treated with two monarch medicines, it is called an even prescription. The combination of sweating and lowering, or the combination of attacking and tonic mentioned in clinical syndromes all belong to the category of odd prescriptions.
7. Compound: Complex means complex and repetitive. Those with multiple causes or complex conditions require compound treatment. For example, Wuji Powder is composed of Mahuang Decoction, Guizhi Decoction, Pingwei Powder and Erchen Decoction. One prescription is used to remove wind, cold, phlegm, dampness, and eliminate pimples and accumulation.
The other method is to use this method if it doesn’t work, then use another method, and if the other method doesn’t work, use another method. As the "Nei Jing" says: If you don’t remove the odd things, you will get the odd things. If it doesn't go away, it will go away with help. Therefore, in some cases, a compound prescription is also called a heavy prescription, which is different from the compound prescription that is generally compared to a single medicine.
Seven prescriptions are one of the rules of prescription composition. In addition, there are also points from the therapeutic effect. For example, Zhang Jingyue once divided prescriptions into "eight formations", namely the supplementary formation, the harmonious formation, the attacking formation, the scattered formation, the cold formation, the hot formation, the solid formation, and the due formation. The prescriptions for replenishing the formation are used for diseases caused by loss of vitality and weak constitution; the prescriptions for harmonizing the formation are used to reconcile the prevailing pathogenic factors; the prescriptions for attacking the formation are used for internal symptoms; and the prescriptions for dispersing formation are used for external syndromes. The prescriptions of Hanzhen are used for heat syndrome; the prescriptions of Hotzhen are used for cold syndrome; the prescriptions of Guzhen are used for incontinent diarrhea; the prescriptions of Yinzhen are all based on the symptoms. At present, the classification of general prescriptions is mostly according to Wang Ang's "Collection of Medical Prescriptions", which is divided into twenty-two categories:
1. Tonic: nourishes the body's deficiency of yin and yang, qi and blood, and eliminates all debilitating diseases. Such as Liuwei Dihuang Pills, Sijunzi Decoction, etc.
2. Release agent: evacuate external evils and relieve superficial syndromes, such as Mahuang Decoction, Guizhi Decoction, etc.
3. Vomiting agent: induce evil to ascend and cause vomiting, such as Guadi Powder, Shenlu Powder, etc.
4. Li-gong agent: mainly used to relieve constipation and clear gastrointestinal evils, such as Dachengqi Decoction, Daxianxiong Decoction, etc.
5. External and internal agents: It not only removes external evils, but also removes internal evils, using both external and internal solutions, such as Dabupleurum decoction, Guizhi plus Dahuang decoction, etc.
6. Reconciliation agent: Use reconciliation methods to achieve the purpose of eliminating disease pathogens, such as Xiaobuihu Decoction, Xiaoyao Powder, etc.
7. Qi-regulating agent: to unblock the qi mechanism, relieve stagnation and reduce inverse conditions, such as Siqi Decoction, Xuanfudaizhe Decoction, etc.
8. Blood-regulating agent: harmonizes blood, removes blood stasis, nourishes and stops bleeding, such as Siwu Decoction, Jiaoai Decoction, etc.
9. Qufeng agents: to stimulate yang and disperse wind, nourish yin and calm wind, such as Xiao Xu Ming Decoction, Rehmannia glutinosa Yinzi, etc.
10. Cold dispelling agents: Fuyang and warming the middle, dispelling internal cold, such as Zhenwu Decoction, Sini Decoction, etc.
11. Heat-clearing agent: to clear away heat-heat evil, such as Xiangzhi Yin, Liuyi Powder, etc.
12. Diuretics: excrete water and dampness, such as Wuling powder, Wupi drink, etc.
13. Moisturizer: Moisturizes dry body and blood, such as Qiongyu Paste, Xiaoke Fang, etc.
14. Fire purging agent: clear away heat and detoxify, such as Baihu Decoction, Huanglian Jiedu Decoction, etc.
15. Phlegm-removing agents: reduce phlegm and purify phlegm, such as Erchen Decoction, Zhenshi Guntan Pills, etc.
16. Digestive agents: eliminate accumulated Qi and strengthen the spleen and stomach, such as Zhizhu Pills, Baohe Pills, etc.
17. Astringent: astringent essence, solidifying astringent slippage, such as Zhenren Yangzang Decoction, Jinsuo Gujing Pills, etc.
18. Insecticides: to expel intestinal parasites, such as Jixiao Pills, Huachong Pills, etc.
19. Eye-improving agents: Specially used to treat eye diseases, such as Yanggan Pills, Puyun Tuiyi Pills, etc.
20. Carbuncle agent: Specially used to treat surgical tumors and ulcers, such as Zhenren Huoming Drink, Sanzhuangguijian Decoction, etc.
21. Menopausal medicine: specially used to treat gynecological menstruation and prenatal and postpartum diseases, such as Liuhe Decoction, Dasheng Yin, etc.
22. First aid: including first aid for freezing, drowning and poisonous insect bites.
Traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions are generally difficult to classify. The reason is that a prescription often contains multiple effects, so it cannot be fixed in one category. Even if several prescriptions have the same therapeutic purpose, there are differences in their use. Big discrepancy. For example, nutritional supplements are not only used for frailty syndromes, but can also be used for other syndromes; and prescriptions such as nutritional supplements are not suitable for all frailty syndromes. In addition, the addition, subtraction, and dosage of drugs in the prescription can change their properties and effects. For example, ephedra decoction is composed of ephedra, cinnamon twigs, almonds, and licorice, and is a diaphoretic and surface-relieving agent; if the cinnamon twigs are replaced with gypsum, it becomes Maxing Shigan Decoction, which can treat lung heat and asthma; or if the cinnamon twigs are removed and used, it will be It is Sanao Decoction, used to treat colds, nasal congestion and cough. Another example is Xiaochengqi Decoction and Magnolia officinalis Sanwu Decoction, which are also composed of rhubarb, Zhishi, and Magnolia officinalis. However, Xiaochengqi Decoction uses rhubarb as the base and Magnolia officinalis as the auxiliary. The dosage of Magnolia officinalis is half that of rhubarb; Pu Sanwu Decoction uses Magnolia officinalis as the king and rhubarb as the auxiliary. The dosage of Magnolia officinalis is double that of rhubarb. In this way, Xiaochengqi Decoction is suitable for purging heat and clearing stools, while Houpu Sanwu Decoction is a prescription for promoting qi and removing fullness. This shows that the classification according to the therapeutic effect refers to its main effect, which must be considered when using it.
3. Dosage Forms
Prescriptions come in a variety of dosage forms, each with different properties and effects. Commonly used types include pills, powders, ointments, pills, wine, soups, etc. .
1. Pills: Pills are commonly known as pills, or pills. After grinding the medicine into fine powder, add cold boiled water or honey, or rice paste, batter and other adhesives to make a round shape. According to the treatment requirements, the size and weight of the pills are inconsistent. Some are as small as mustard seeds, some are as big as pellets, and some are as big as mung beans or sycamore seeds. Each large pill weighs about one, two or three cents, small pills weigh between 200 and 400 pills, small pills weigh between 600 and 1500 pills, and very small pills weigh between 5000 and 10000 pills.
Pills enter the stomach and are absorbed slowly. They are mostly used for people with chronic diseases who need to take them for a long time. Therefore, the predecessors said that pills are "slow", and this is what it means. In addition, pills are often used when the disease is in the lower Jiao, because they are slowly absorbed and have no effect until they reach the intestines; there are also pills for acute and severe cases, because they can be made in advance, so they are more convenient.
2. Powder: powder, grind the drug into fine powder. There are procedures such as separate research, joint research, and successive research. It is generally used in combination, but sticky drugs such as frankincense, myrrh, blood drain, catechu, etc., or highly volatile drugs such as musk, borneol, camphor, etc., or more expensive drugs such as rhino horn, antelope horn, and pearls. , bear gallbladder, toad gallbladder, etc., all are grinded separately. Successive grinding is used when the prescription contains a small amount of valuable medicine, or there are other drugs that need to be ground separately. After grinding the medicines that need to be mixed, place one in a mortar, and then add the same amount of other medicine powders. , after grinding evenly, add the same amount of other medicinal powders and grind them together, and gradually increase the amount until everything is mixed evenly.
Powder is for oral administration, and its efficacy is faster than that of pills; it can also be used in the nose or for external application.
3. Ointment: Decoction the medicine with water and concentrate it into a thick semi-solid form. Pick an appropriate amount and drink it with boiling water. General preparation method: Soak the medicine in water overnight, fry it two to four times, take the juice and filter it in batches, combine it and boil it until it does not seep through the paper. In addition, those made from vegetable oil are used as external plasters.
Most of the ointments are nourishing and are used for chronic weakness. The tonic ointments taken in winter also fall into this category.
4. Pills: Pills are made by sublimation or fusion, and are mainly mineral drugs. It can also be made by mixing general medicines, which means "chixinwuxuyuedan". Dan is available in different dosage forms, including pills, powders, and lozenges.
Usage is the same as pills and powders.
5. Liquor: It is the leachate obtained by leaching medicine with liquor as a solvent, so it is commonly called medicinal wine. There are two production methods: cold soaking and hot soaking. In cold soaking, the medicine is soaked in wine and can be taken after a period of time; in hot soaking, the medicine and wine are sealed in a jar, separated by water and slowly heated over a slow fire to keep the temperature low. After three to seven days, remove the heat and let it cool.
Medicinal wine is mostly used for rheumatic arthralgia. It uses the power of wine to help circulate qi and blood and enhance the effect of relaxing muscles and activating collaterals.
6. Decoction: that is, water decoction. Use appropriate amount of water to decoct the concoction, pour it out, add water and decoct again. The first time is the first decoction, and the second time is the second decoction. Generally, each dose is decoctioned twice. The first and second decoctions can be taken separately, or the first and second decoctions can be combined and then taken twice. In terms of clinical symptoms, decoctions are the most widely used. They are not only quick to absorb and have strong effects, but also are easy to add or subtract according to the disease.
Most of the pills, powders, ointments, elixirs, and wines are patent medicines, and they can also be prescribed according to the needs of the disease. In addition to being used alone, some pills, powders, ointments, and elixirs can also be fried in decoctions or mixed with concoctions. ;