Yang Tonic Herbs

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Tonic herbs are those that build Qi, Blood, Yin, or Yang when people are

Deficient in these properties. Today we look at the subclass of Yang tonic

herbs in more details.

 

Two of the things which Yang energy does in the body is to warm and to

activate. Thus, people who are Yang Deficient tend to be bothered by cold

and have problems warming up. Hypoglandular states are common

manifestations of a Root of Yang Deficiency. These people move and speak

very slowly and the pulse tends to be slow. (Cold slows things down.)

 

There are 3 broad subcategories of Yang tonic herbs: Those that target the

Kidney and Spleen, those that enter the Kidney and Liver, and those that

enter the Kidney and another system. Note that all Yang tonics enter the

Kidneys. The Kidneys supply Yang (and Yin) to the body.

 

The predominate symptoms of Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency are diarrhea,

fatigue, and incontinence. Spleen and/or Yang Deficiency fatigue is among

the most severe and crippling fatigue there is. Note: If the Yang Deficiency

is especially severe and prolonged, it can result not in diarrhea but in a

type of constipation better described as " colonic inertia " . This

" constipation " is characterized not by the hard, dry stools typical of Heat

constipation but by mushy bowel movements when there is a bowel movement.

Since most laxative or purgative herbs have Cold or Cool energy, some of

them can give temporary relief to a person suffering from Yang Deficiency

constipation but aggravate the underlying Root of Deficiency Cold (another

term for Yang Deficiency), thus increasing the person's problems in the

long-run.

 

The subclass of Yang tonic herbs which enter the Kidneys and Spleen are used

to treat generalized Yang Deficiency with predominating symptoms of

diarrhea/ Yang Deficiency constipation, extreme fatigue, and incontinence.

All Yang Deficiency is characterized by the person being sensitive to cold

and having problems warming up, but this subclass of Yang tonic herbs can be

the best to use when the problems with cold are especially severe. (The

herbalist may also need to include herbs to Warm the Interior along with the

Yang tonic herbs in these cases.)

 

In contrast, the Yang tonics which enter the Kidneys and Liver tend to be

used for Tendon and Bone atrophy or injury. (Wicke, vol. 2, p. 116) The use

of these Yang tonic herbs which promote the healing of bone and tendon

problems is not restricted to those with Yang Deficiency. However, when

they are used primarily to promote Bone and Tendon healing they need to be

combined with other herbs so as not to aggravate the person's overall

problems. For example, suppose that a person who is too Hot suffers an

injury to the bones and tendons. This subclass of Yang tonic herbs would

need to be combined in a formula with enough herbs with cooling thermal

energy to bring the overall thermal energy of the formula to the cool side

(or at least to neutral). Otherwise the person's Heat problems would be

aggravated. Yang tonic herbs tend to have warming energy. This is to be

expected since one function of Yang is to warm. (Just like it's expected

that Yin tonic herbs would have cooling energy since one function of Yin is

to cool the body.)

 

There are some Yang tonic herbs which enter the Kidneys and other systems

besides the Liver or Spleen. One example is Hb (Herba - herb) Cistanches,

aka Rou Cong Rong, which targets the Kidneys and Large Intestine. This one

is good for Warming the Womb and is used in Cold Deficiency of the Womb with

infertility, uterine bleeding or leukorrhea. (Wicke, vol. 2, p. 125)

However, it is contraindicated in Spleen and Stomach Deficiency diarrhea.

Why since it is a Yang tonic herb and diarrhea is one of the primary

symptoms of Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiency? Because unlike the majority

of Yang tonic herbs, this one has moistening properties. It " moistens the

Intestines and moves stools. " (Wicke, vol. 2, p. 125) One of the functions

of the Spleen is to transport and transform water in the body, and people

with Spleen Deficiency problems are people who tend to have Dampness

accumulation problems. Oh goody, just what a person with a tendency to

Dampness needs - an herb with moistening properties.

 

Hb Cistanches, aka Rou Cong Rong, also is contraindicated in Deficiency of

Yin with Heat. A lot of the Yang tonic herbs are contraindicated in cases

of Yin with Heat just as a lot of Yin tonic herbs are contraindicated in

Yang Deficiency with Cold. There can be a delicate balance between Yin and

Yang in the body. Increasing one can create a Deficiency in the other or

unmask a Deficiency in the other. When the Kidneys are affected, it's

almost certain that both Yin and Yang are Deficient though one will always

predominate. Also, according to Wicke, Yang needs Yin to house it. " Yang is

somewhat like pure energy, and it must have a container to hold it or it

will quickly dissipate. " (vol. 2, p. 116) For these reasons Yang tonic

herbs almost never are used alone. Even in cases of severe Yang Deficiency

it is customary to include at least one Yin tonic herb in the formula so as

to avoid these problems.

 

Cordyceps Sinensis, aka Dong Chong Xia Cao, is a fungus which grows on the

caterpillar larva of Hepialus varians Staudinger and other insects. This is

a Yang tonic herb which targets the Kidneys and Lungs. This is one of a few

Yang tonic substances which also is a Yin tonic. The cautions are to use

cautiously in conditions of Exterior Heat. This fungus is edible and should

be eaten in addition to being used in decoctions because it is expensive.

All the fungus healing substances should be used cautiously in people who

are allergic to many molds, fungii, mushrooms, etc.

 

Victoria

 

 

 

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