by Irene Lewis

This is a short information sheet on the Chinese Patent Formulas we carry here at Moonrise. The following information is a short synopsis.

 

Curing Pills: Kan Ning Wan. Curing pills are carminative and mildly warming and are indicated for the following conditions:

Indigestion, nausea, morning sickness, motion sickness, gas and bloating, food stagnation (a rock in the gut), gastritis, any gut bugs and will help decrease diarrhea. 

Overall it will help eliminate dampness in the digestive system, strengthen digestion and assimilation of nutrients. It is a great thing to have in your first aid kit for traveling.

It is also helpful in decreasing the effects of a hangover – take at night after you’ve been drinking.

Dosage usually 1-3 vials acute, 3-4 times per day.

*Ku Ling and Bao He Wan are similar formulas, if someone comes in looking for them, suggest Curing pills.

 

Six Flavor Tea Pills: Liu Wei Di Huang Wan. This formula is a foundation formula in TCM and there are many other patents that will take this foundation and add another two or three herbs for more specific situations. The six ‘flavors’ are Cornus fruit, Rehmannia Rt., Poria, Peony, Chinese Water Plantain and Chinese Diascorea. In combination these herbs help the kidneys, liver and blood. The dosage is usually 8 pills 3 times a day, in between meals or a half hour before meals.

This patent formula is indicated for the following conditions:

Lower back pain, tinnitus, knee weakness, excessive thirst, frequent urination, burning pain with urination, fear or restlessness, blurry vision.

Additionally, the patent is said to strengthen the immune system and resistance to bugs, long term usage can reduce seasonal allergies and colds/flus. It can increase vitality and sexual energy. It can also help nourish and rehydrate the skin, nails and hair.

Dosage usually 8 pills, 3 times a day.

 

Eight Flavor Rhemannia Tea Pills: Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan

This combo is the 6 Flavor patent with the additions of Anemarrhena and Phellodendron. The additional herbs are added because they are very cooling in nature. These should not be used by cold bodied people, it will cool them further. This is a formula for night sweats. This is a specific formula for Yin deficiency with heat signs. This is one of the best formulas for menopausal women with hot flashes. For these women, once the night sweats stop they could then go back to the Six Flavor Tea Pills.

Dosage is usually 8 pills, 3 times a day

 

Gan Mao Ling: This is a standard tea pill formula for the common cold and flu. It is said to be good for colds due to wind-cold or wind-heat. As with any cold and flu remedy, for it to be most effective, it should be taken as soon as symptoms are noticed. Dosage is usually 4 or 5 pills, 3 times a day.

 

Solitary Hermit: Du Huo Ji Sheng Wan. This formula is specific to bone and muscle issues and is especially helpful for the elderly and weak. It is used to help relieve body pain and strengthen the kidneys. Most often used for lower back pain, sciatica and arthritis.

Dosage is usually 8 pills, 3 times a day.

 

Yin Chiao Chieh Tu Pien: Used for the common cold caused by wind-heat: a common cold with fever, sore throat, nasal congestion and yellow mucus. Fever is usually fever without (or with only a little) chills and the other symptoms are slight sweating, thirst, headache and a sore, scratchy throat. This formula is a combination of nine herbs that help clear heat, are antibacterial and antiviral, move energy upward to the lungs, strengthens the lungs, reduce swelling, ease discomfort and help work with fever. Dosage is usually 8 pills, 3 times a day.

 

Sources:

Chinese Patent Medicines: A Beginner’s Guide by Mark Taylor;

our very own super herbalist Sly Holladay — thanks Sly!