KC

Herbs and Phlegm in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Overview of Phlegm

  • Phlegm is discussed as a significant concept in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and is linked to various health issues, particularly focusing on symptoms like dizziness, brain fog, ringing in the ears, and conditions like Meniere's disease.

  • Described as a secondary pathology, indicating that it does not occur independently but arises from other underlying conditions.

The Nature of Phlegm in TCM

  • Definition of Phlegm: It is considered the "mother of a hundred diseases" and is referred to as the "yin of acquired experiences" in TCM's Taoist classics.

    • Suggests that phlegm results from experiences throughout life that obscure our pure consciousness.

  • Concept of Acquired Experiences:

    • Infants are born perfectly and in unity with the Dao. However, life's challenges, traumas, and experiences layer over this purity, leading to a distorted view of reality.

    • Trauma and other negative experiences can become "unmetabolized," causing blockages that prevent individuals from being fully present in their current lives.

Causes of Phlegm in TCM

  • Phlegm arises from multiple conditions, often as a consequence rather than a primary issue. Common causes include:

    • Inappropriate Diet: Foods that are hard to digest may lead to the formation of phlegm.

    • Spleen Chi Deficiency: Affects the ability of the spleen to transport and transform food and liquids; leads to congealed fluids forming phlegm.

    • Kidney Deficiency: Influences the body's yang fire, deficient yang impacts the transformation processes, contributing to phlegm formation.

    • Excess Heat or Cold: Both conditions can contribute to phlegm by congealing bodily fluids.

    • Liver Qi Stagnation: Causes emotional repression; imbalances here can result in phlegm building up around repressed trauma.

Symptoms of Phlegm

  • Symptoms vary based on which organ is affected:

    • Lungs: Cough with sticky, copious sputum; wheezing; chest heaviness.

    • Stomach: Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite.

    • Liver & Gallbladder: Potential for gallstones; nausea/vomiting may occur due to phlegm.

    • Heart: Can lead to palpitations, seizures, strokes, and mental illness.

    • Brain: Symptoms include dizziness, brain fog, and mental disturbances when phlegm obstructs the brain.

    • General Symptoms of Phlegm: Typically heavy, sticky, turbid sensations in the body; cloudy mental state; may result in turbid urine and stools.

Treatment of Phlegm

  • Herbs Used: Treatment often combines herbs that transform phlegm with those that help move chi.

    • Characteristics of Effective Herbs: Herbs used are typically acrid, pungent, and bitter to break up the thick, sticky phlegm and restore proper chi descent in the body.

  • Differentiation of Phlegm Types: Two main types exist: Phlegm cold vs. Phlegm heat.

    • Phlegm Cold: Characterized by copious, white mucus; treated with warming herbs that stimulate movement.

    • Phlegm Heat: Characterized by thick, yellow mucus; requires cooling, moistening herbs.

Specific Herbs

Zirbanzha (Pinealea Rhizome)

  • Functions: Transforms phlegm, supports spleen function, enhances digestion; effective against chronic nausea, vomiting, and cough with white mucus.

  • Preparation: Often prepared with fresh ginger juice to mitigate its toxicity.

Baijitza (Mustard Seed)

  • Properties: Acrid, warming; effective for treating cold phlegm, alleviates chest tightness, aids in moving stuck mucus.

  • Cautions: Can deplete qi if used in people with weak lungs, should be administered carefully.

  • Uses: Effective for stubborn mucus after colds.

Gua Lo (Trichosanthes Melon)

  • Characteristics: Sweet, moistening, cooling, effective against heat and difficult-to-expectorate phlegm; aids lung and large intestine functions.

  • Applications: Useful for smoking-related cough and respiratory distress.

Xingren (Apricot Seed)

  • Functionality: Moistening herb for treating dry cough and constipation; aids the lung-large intestine relationship.

  • Toxicity Considerations: Contains cyanogenic glycosides; hazard mitigated through peeling and decoction.

Colt's Foot (Kundagua)

  • Use: Excellent for various coughs, especially dry coughs; moisturizing and protective for lung tissues; best used with other phlegm-relieving herbs.

Summary of Homework and Practical Applications

  • Quizzes and Readings: Students are to read from Bensky, focusing on herbs learnt in class, and include an additional article on herbal support for wildfire smoke inhalation.

  • Next Class Preparedness: Prepare decoctions for Fuling and bring aromatic herbs/spices for experiential learning during class.