Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang

[Guest guest]

A discussion with a colleague on this formula centered around the

presence of Liver wind. We were trying to figure out why there would

be Liver wind -- none of the usual patterns for this are discussed in

any of the texts. Does anyone have any thoughts on where the Liver

wind is coming from? All we could come up with is the idea that

since Liver normally upbears, this normal movement would be the

mechanism behind bringing the dampness up to the head. But that

would be due to a normal movement of Liver, not a pathological Liver

wind.

 

Toni

[Guest guest]

>A discussion with a colleague on this formula centered around the

>presence of Liver wind. We were trying to figure out why there would

>be Liver wind -- none of the usual patterns for this are discussed in

>any of the texts. Does anyone have any thoughts on where the Liver

>wind is coming from? All we could come up with is the idea that

>since Liver normally upbears, this normal movement would be the

>mechanism behind bringing the dampness up to the head. But that

>would be due to a normal movement of Liver, not a pathological Liver

>wind.

 

 

 

Toni,

 

One of the possible explanations could be:

 

1.First, we may refer the above question to the more general interrogation:

 

How a weak Spleen (qi/yang xu) can generate Liver wind agitation (ganfeng

neidong)?

 

The Liver needs the nutritive elements provided by a healthy Spleen.If the

Spleen doesn't produce enough qi/xue and jinye, the " Wood " is malnourished.

 

Meanwhile, if it pre-exists a deficiency of yinfen in the Liver, the yang

can be agitated. This kind of <Ganfeng neidong> (Liver wind stirring

internally) is generally not too strong,i.e. the clinical signs are not

extremely intense and consist in spams and dizziness (vertigo).

 

The Liver yin deficiency is a requisite condition. If the Ganyin is

sufficient,it can hold back the yang and endures the lack of production in

qi/xue/jinye coming from a deficient Spleen.

 

If the Liver yin is already (for any other reason*)insufficient, this

deficit is worsened by the lack of supplies due to a weak Spleen. This is

why some " wind' can appear.

 

(* for example ,overuse of emetic or laxative medications)

 

2. More specifically, in the condition treated by:

 

<Banxia baizhu tianma tang (the one from " Yixue xinwu " not the other one

from " Piweilun " )>

 

the pathomechanism (bingji) is:

a) Pixu (weak Spleen) generates Tan

b) a mixture of Tan + shi (dampness)= " Shitan " causes obstruction in

Chest/diaphragm " xiongge "

c) the Clear yang cannot upbear (qingyang busheng)

d) formation of Fengtan, wind phlegm (more than a " real " Ganfeng, Liver wind)

d) Phlegm turbidity + Fengtan harassing* the Clear orifices (shangrao qingqiao)

 

===> this is why there are Xuanyun (xuan= black spots / yun = vertigo)

 

<Banxia baizhu tianma tang> cannot be used to treat dizziness and headaches

due to the syndrome " Ganyang shangkang " (ascendant hyperactivity of liver yang)

 

 

*Rao = harass (cf Wiseman's dictionary 1998)

 

 

Philip Riviere