Chinese Herbal Medicine for Indigestion
This formula provides herbal support for indigestion and a variety of gastric complaints. Specifically, abdominal fullness, loss of taste and appetite, nausea and vomiting, belching, acid regurgitation, sensations of heaviness in the body, malaise (fatigue plus depression) and diarrhea. This may apply to the biomedical conditions of chronic gastritis, or IBS. This formula is actually known traditionally as "Ping Wei San" which translates to "Calm the Stomach Powder".
Comparing the three digestive formulas:
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DF #1: Focuses on heartburn and/or ulcers. Usually stress induced or aggravated.
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DF #2: Focuses on diarrhea or mucus lined stools. Usually stress induced or aggravated. This formula is best for calming the spirit in general and can be applied to PMS and other moody disorders.
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DF #3: Focuses on the stomach and abdomen for bloating, gas, nausea, vomiting and belching. This is the more traditional indigestion and isn't necessarily induced or aggravated by stress.
The ingredients are all extract powders from Taiwan where the factories are supervised by Australian herbal manufacturing practices that exceed the USA's requirements for purity and cleanliness. Bottle includes 100 capsules (500 mg. each) which is enough to treat symptoms for one to two weeks. Heavier patients (say, over 170 pounds) may need a higher dosage and so 100 capsules will last about a week. Patients under 120 pounds may take less and so this bottle will last two weeks.
Herbs arrive in capsules. The actual ingredients come from Evergreen herbs (City of Industry, California) who imports their extract powders from Taiwanese factories that all maintain the required Australian GMP (good manufacturing process). Contains no salt, sugar, starch, yeast, wheat, corn, mild, or preservatives. This product has not been evaluated by the FDA. The product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Note: Contains Gan Cao (licorice). Can raise blood pressure/cause water retention (sodium retention and potassium loss) and hypertension. Use with care in cases of hypertension. If adverse symptoms are noted, discontinue the formula.
INGREDIENTS
Cang Zhu (Atractylodes) 33.33%
Hou Po (Cortex Magnoliae officinalis) 20.0%
Chen Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae) 6.67%
Gan Cao (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) 6.67%
Da Zao (Fructus Zizyphi Jujubae) 13.33%
Sheng Jiang (Zingiber officinale) 20.0%
- Cang Zhu (Atractylodes)
- Natural distribution:
- China, Japan and Korea
- Parts used:
- Root
- Nature:
- Bitter and warm
- Affinity:
- Spleen and stomach
- Effects:
- "Stomachic"; drying; eliminates 'wind-damp' symptoms
- Indications:
- Aliments of damp excess in spleen and stomach; diarrhea, nausea and vomiting; tightness and a feeling of oppression in the chest and abdomen; gastroenteritis; 'damp-heat' in joints and muscles; weakness and sluggishness.
- Remarks:
- In early times people believed that food was not the only source of nutrition: that both healthy and ill could augment nutrition from the ingestion of herbs. Herbs were through to increase absorption of nutrients and strengthen body functions: stomachics. This herb has been shown to lower blood pressure, and have antibacterial and antiviral effects. In addition, anti-ulcerogenic activity was found in crude extracts, showing anti-secretory activity on gastric acid secretion stimulated by histamine. One component (hinesol) has been characterized as an inhibitor of H+, K+-ATPase, which is able to suppress gastric HCl secretion.
- Hou Po (Cortex Magnoliae officinalis)
- Natural distribution:
- Central China
- Parts used:
- Bark
- Nature:
- Bitter and pungent; warm
- Affinity:
- Spleen, stomach, lungs, large intestine
- Effects:
- Drying; digestive; antiemetic
- Indications:
- Ailments of damp excess in spleen and stomach; abdominal pressure and pain, oppression in chest, excess phlegm
- Remarks:
- Components of the herb have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, reducing prostaglandin and leukotriene levels and suppress thromboxane formation. The herb has also been found to stimulate gastric secretion and reflexive intestinal peristalsis. The essential oils, magnolol and honokiol exhibit anti-free radical activity. Magnolol is known to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. The alkaloids of Hou Po can cause relaxation of the skeletal muscles; lower blood pressure; contains some antibacterial activity. Especially effective in relieving pressure, fullness and oppression in abdominal region.
- Chen Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae)
- Natural distribution:
- Southeastern China, Taiwan, Vietnam
- Parts used:
- Rind of the fruit
- Nature:
- Pungent and bitter; warm
- Affinity:
- Spleen, lungs
- Effects:
- Regulates energy; digestive; increases gastric secretion and peristalsis; used as antiemetic; to dispel abdominal distension; anti-hiccough
- Indications:
- Spleen/Stomach stagnant qi patterns; epigastric/abdominal distension, fullness, bloating, belching, nausea and vomiting
- Remarks:
- The extract of the pericarp has potent anti-oxidative activity. In addition, extracts have been shown to inhibit the proliferation of murine myeloid leukemic cell clones. The pericarp (rind) contains Vitamins A, B and C.
- Gan Cao (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae viride)
- Natural distribution:
- Northern China, Mongolia, Siberia
- Parts used:
- Roots
- Nature:
- Sweet and neutral
- Affinity:
- Enters all 12 meridians and organs
- Effects:
- Tonic, antipyretic; antidote; soothing to lungs; ana
- Indications:
- 'Empty' spleen and stomach, energy deficiency; acute abdominal pains
- Remarks:
- Chinese licorice is the most commonly used Chinese herb. It benefits all the organs. It slows and prolongs the effects of strong tonic prescriptions and is used as an emollient in peptic ulcers. Note: Contains Gan Cao (licorice). Can raise blood pressure/cause water retention (sodium retention and potassium loss) and hypertension. Use with care in cases of hypertension. If adverse symptoms are noted, discontinue the formula.
- Da Zao (Fructus Zizyphi Jujubae)
- Natural distribution:
- China, Japan, India, Afghanistan and Malaysia
- Parts used:
- Seeds
- Nature:
- Sweet and sour; neutral
- Affinity:
- Heart, spleen, liver and gallbladder
- Effects:
- Sedative to liver; nutrient; tonic to yin; inhibits perspiration
- Indications:
- Insomnia, neurasthenia, cold sweats
- Remarks:
- Has a sedative or "calming the spirit" effect, nourishing the heart and tonifying the liver
- Sheng Jiang (Zingiber officinale)
- Natural distribution:
- Tropical countries
- Parts used:
- Dried rhizomes
- Nature:
- Pungent and warm
- Affinity:
- Heart, lungs, spleen, stomach and kidneys
- Effects:
- Warming; dissolves phlegm; stomachic; antiemetic
- Indications:
- Cold in spleen and stomach; nausea and vomiting, diarrhea; cold and painful abdomen, weak pulse
- Remarks:
- The fresh root is often used as a remedy for colds, 'cold' stomach, nausea and seafood poisoning
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