Guest guest Posted January 6, 2002 Report Share Posted January 6, 2002 David Leonard wrote: There was consternation from a few rs regarding the energetic functions of coffee in the last report. (This may have been due to their drinking too much coffee.) Some practitioners sent reasonable alternative perspectives that were quite useful. I will reformat the energetic functions of coffee and send you an updated version soon. As always, your feedback and comments are welcome and given consideration. Bear in mind that some of the energetic information in these reports is speculation. (Indeed, all energetic functions of herbs are speculation.) But to avoid confusion, I will differentiate my personal perspectives from those derived from Chinese sources. The first two energetic functions of Cordyline (cools the blood and stops bleeding, stops pain) are from the Chinese. The others are my observations. Special thanks to Kalei Tsuha for correcting my stumbling Hawaiian in the last report. Here is the correct wording of the traditional saying: "Ina malama kakou i ka 'aina, na ka 'aina e malama ia kakou. Aka, ina hana 'ino kakou i ka 'aina, e make kakou." "If we nurture the land, the land nurtures us. If we abuse the land, we die." Have a wonderful and prosperous New Year. Aloha no, David xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Plant Name: Cordyline fruticosa (Linn.) A. Cheval Image: http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/carr/images/cor_fru.jpg Family: Liliaceae Other Names: Cordyline terminalis; Dracaena terminalis L. Common Names: La'i, Ki [Hawai'i], Ti [uSA], Si [Tonga]; Jeluang[sumatra]; Sawang [borneo]; Ti kouka, Cabbage tree (Cordyline australis) [New Zealand]; Dracena, Bloddracena [sweden] Category: Clear Heat Cool the Blood Properties: Bland, Sweet, Cool Meridian Affinities: Liver, Kidney, Lungs Western Functions: Aphrodisiac, depurative, febrifuge, hemostatic, laxative, purgative, tonic. Energetic Functions: 1) Cools the blood and stops bleeding 2) Stops pain 3) Clears heat quells fire 4) Reduces swelling 5) Clears the lungs and opens the chest 6) Clears lower burner damp heat Common Medicinal Uses: 1) Blessings 2) Bandages 3) Topical for fevers and headaches. Esoteric Medicinal Uses: * Cardiovascular: Bleeding [Hawai'i]; bleeding hemorrhoids [China] * Dermatological: Skin ailments (juiced); dermatosis [Malaya]; mashed topical for boils [Hawai'i]; burns [samoa] * Digestive: Indigestion [Java]; abdominal pain [Tahiti]; “lump in the stomach” [Hawai'i]; stomach problems [Caroline Islands]; diarrhea [Malaya, Samoa, Tahiti]; enteritis, dysentery [China, Hawai'i, Malaya]; severe constipation [Hawai'i] * Head and throat: 1) Eye problems [samoa, Tonga]; eye strain and inflammation (juice, eye wash unfurled terminal leaves stirred in water) [Hawai'i]; 2) Gingivitis, gum diseases, and toothache. [sumatra, Tonga (oil)] 3) Headache (leaf topical) [Hawai'i]; nasal polyps (flowers juiced and snorted) [Hawai'i]; earache [samoa, Tahiti] * Hepatic: Liver cancer [China]; malarial fevers [Malaya] * Infection: Dry fevers (leaves topical) [Hawai'i, Samoa]; fever (internal, leaves topical) [Hawai'i, Samoa, Trinidad]; smallpox [Malaya, Philippines]; abscess [Tahiti, Tonga] * Musculoskeletal / Trauma: 1) Arthritis [Hawai'i, Malaya, Samoa]; back pain (leaf topical as hot stone wrapping) [Hawai'i]; gout [samoa]. For pain, a Hawaiian "hot pack" is made with heated leaves and sometimes heated “lomi stones” wrapped in La'i leaves and applied topically. Also used for massage in Samoa. 2) Traumatic injury, broken bones [Hawai'i]; as a bandage (terminal leaf unfurled) [Hawai'i]; wounds [Hawai'i, Malaya, Samoa] 3) For blisters on the feet a leaf can be placed into the lining of shoes. And for burns (topical, leaves infused) [Cook Islands] * Neurological: Leaves infused for inflammations [samoa]; swelling and neuritis [Hawai'i] * Oncology: Lung tumors [China], growths [Hawai'i] * Psychospiritual: 1) Blessings and purifications, offerings (ho'okupu) [Hawai'i] 2) For exorcisms, to ward off evil spirits, to dispel curses with pa'akai (Hawaiian salt) [Hawai'i] and to relieve astral possession (occult traditions) [uSA] 3) Agitated psychological states (leaves brushed down the body)[Hawai'i], insanity [Malaya], and the "evil eye" [Philippines] * Reproductive: Venereal disease, vaginal discharge, "groin swelling"[Hawai'i]; scrotal swelling [samoa]; amenorrhea [Trinidad]; pregnancy [China, Hawai'i]; threatened abortion [China] * Respiratory: Asthma (flowers and leaves) [Hawai'i, Samoa]; common cold [samoa]; chest congestion and sticky phlegm (pa'a)[Hawai'i, Samoa]; cough [india, Malaya, Trinidad]; lung congestion, bronchitis (leaves and shoots) [Hawai'i]; tuberculosis, cough with blood; shortness of breath [samoa] * Urinary: Urinary complaints [samoa] * Other medicinal uses: A body cover or a "girdle" was made with the leaves to induce sweating [Hawai'i]; debility [Hawai'i]; abdominal diseases [samoa]; elephantiasis [samoa] Use As Food: * The La'i roots were boiled or baked and made into food, a sweet candy, and into a fermented drink (see below). * Maoris of New Zealand used an infertile, edible type of La'i, but it is now extinct. The leaves were used in Hawai'i to preserve breadfruit. Also used for cooking in underground ovens (called an 'imu) in Hawai'i, and as a sweetener in Fiji. Other Uses: * The most sacred of all Hawaiian plants, La'i leaves have been used as wrappers, house thatching, sandals, cheerleader pom poms, plates, cooking utensils, rain coats, cordage, bandages, and damned near anything else you can imagine. * La'i was used to make whistles, balls, and even used for sledding (holua) down muddy or grassy slopes. * Used to wrap meat or yams before cooking in an underground oven ('Imu) * As fringing for fish nets and to add spiritual power (mana) to fishing lures. * Used as a lei carrier and gift offering (ho'okupu) * In Hawai'i, stones wrapped in La'i leaves are often seen placed along hiking trails as a blessing. This is a popular activity among non-Hawaiians. Part Used: Flower, leaf, root Habitat: Native to tropical Asia, Mostly cultivated through the tropics and subtropics. Found along previously inhabited streams in Hawai'i. Traditional Combinations: (Please note: Some of these traditional ingredients are TOXIC. DO NOT USE THESE COMBINATIONS WITHOUT PROFESSIONAL SUPERVISION.) * With Solanum nigrum (Popolo) to clear heat and reduce inflammation. Also with Solanum nigrum (Popolo) for common cold, fever, earache and headache. [Hawai'i] * As an emetic with Ipomoea spp. (Morning glory) to clear the lungs. [Hawai'i] * Juiced and mixed with castor oil as a laxative. [Cook Islands] * With heated Morinda citrifolia (Noni) for boils [Hawai’i] * With Euodia hortensis (Uhi) for eye swelling (mata pupula) from supernatural causes. [Tonga] * Flowers used as food for asthma, mixed with poi or potato[Hawai'i] * Juiced with Zingiber officinale (Ginger) with fern fiddle heads (probably Cibotium spp. - Hapu'u) as a "cotton ball". Liquid snorted for nasal polyps and nose ailments [Hawai'i] Cautions and Contraindications: Not recommended in pregnancy until more research is done. Energetic Cautions: Caution with Cold Spleen / Stomach. Status in Hawai'i: The green La'i is Polynesian introduction. Preparation: Infused, decocted. Used fresh. Gather flowers in summer. Roots and leaves can be gathered all year. Leaves are "de-boned" by removing the mid rib (kua) and the shiny side (the "alo" side) placed against the skin. Dosage: Leaves 6-10 grams, Roots 3-5 grams, Flowers 10-15 grams Notes 'n Quotes: * There are almost fifty varieties of Cordyline grown by the Maenge of New Britain including thick and thin, striped and mottled leaves. These include a kaleidoscope of red, green, yellow, black and purple leaves. * Cordyline is considered sacred in Hawai'i, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, New Guinea, and Polynesia * Green La'i is sacred in Hawai'i, red La'i is sacred in many parts of Malaysia, and the Iban of Borneo plant both red and green La'i after certain ceremonies * In Indonesia green La'i is used for white magick and red La'i for black magick. * In New Guinea, warriors placed their life spirits into a red La'i plant before going off to battle; and it was a "Wise Woman" tradition for a wife to place a red Cordyline flower on the outside of her house to let her husband know when she was menstruating. * In Hawai'i, La'i was brought as a canoe plant by the first Hawaiian settlers and will only grow at up to about 4000 feet elevation * A symbol of purity and spiritual power in ancient (and modern) Hawai'i La'i is planted around houses, made into healer's leis, and used in ceremonial blessings. It was often grown at temples of the medicine god Lono and the hula goddess Laka. Temples to Lono were thatched with La'i leaves and those to Ku (the war god) were thatched with other plants. * Legend has it that a La'i stalk was used to test the waters of Waipi'o stream to protect against a shark who lived there. * "... grows at the place of promising with the highest god.... as man lives or dies the Sawang (Cordyline) is used. People always erect it. If there is a promise between the living the wood must be planted, when there is a promise with the dead it is finally thrown into the river. The Sawang is planted for the newly married, for the dead it is thrown into the water." - - A Ngaju, Borneo ritual practitioner * A "white lightning" called "Okolehao" (bearing a remarkable resemblance to an industrial solvent) was made in old Hawai'i." Okolehao" means "Iron ass" in Hawaiian, perhaps a reference to the observation that this beverage burns upon both entry and exit. -- ************************* David Leonard, L.Ac. -- , FAX: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 6, 2002 Report Share Posted January 6, 2002 I don't agree that 'energetic' functions of herbs are speculation. What is in the Chinese materia medica (and Ayurvedic, Tibetan and Grec-Arabic) are observations of effects to human beings by medicinal substances, and observations of the natures of those substances as they manifest in nature. Early stages of observation by single physicians are speculative. . . .as more practitioners observe medicinal effects, and over time, confirmation is given, and the use of a medicinal is established. This method is firmly established in Chinese medicine, where we see that newer medicinals often are incomplete in their description, especially in terms of entering channels. On Sunday, January 6, 2002, at 10:19 AM, David wrote: > Bear in mind that some of the energetic information in these > reports is speculation. (Indeed, all energetic functions of herbs > are speculation.) But to avoid confusion, I will differentiate my > personal perspectives from those derived from Chinese sources. > The first two energetic functions of Cordyline (cools the blood > and stops bleeding, stops pain) are from the Chinese. The others > are my observations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 6, 2002 Report Share Posted January 6, 2002 I agree that all medicinal descriptions are speculation. All medicinal descriptions are human conceptualizations of reality and, as such, they are not reality itself. However, I agree with Z'ev that those specualtions should be based on empirical experience. If enough other practitioners accept a description as valid and useful in terms of their own empirical experience, then that description becomes standard, at least as long as that consensus holds. I think it's important not to place too much belief in our own conceptualizations. Conceptualizations are useful tools. However, they are only that. They are not intrinsically valuable in and of themselves. If we value and trust our conceptions too highly, there is the possibility of our becoming enslaved and blinded by them. In that case, instead of us using these stools, we are abused by our own creations. Bob , " " <zrosenbe@s...> wrote: > I don't agree that 'energetic' functions of herbs are speculation. What > is in the Chinese materia medica (and Ayurvedic, Tibetan and > Grec-Arabic) are observations of effects to human beings by medicinal > substances, and observations of the natures of those substances as they > manifest in nature. Early stages of observation by single physicians > are speculative. . . .as more practitioners observe medicinal effects, > and over time, confirmation is given, and the use of a medicinal is > established. This method is firmly established in Chinese medicine, > where we see that newer medicinals often are incomplete in their > description, especially in terms of entering channels. > > > On Sunday, January 6, 2002, at 10:19 AM, David wrote: > > > Bear in mind that some of the energetic information in these > > reports is speculation. (Indeed, all energetic functions of herbs > > are speculation.) But to avoid confusion, I will differentiate my > > personal perspectives from those derived from Chinese sources. > > The first two energetic functions of Cordyline (cools the blood > > and stops bleeding, stops pain) are from the Chinese. The others > > are my observations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 6, 2002 Report Share Posted January 6, 2002 However, I agree with Z'ev that those specualtions should be based on empirical experience. If enough other practitioners accept a description as valid and useful in terms of their own empirical experience, then that description becomes standard, at least as long as that consensus holds. >>>>Dogma has its way of becoming rooted. When possible we should go beyond empirical experience. Scientific methods have merits and we should incorporate them to sort through standard, traditional beliefs. Bob's example of opium is a good one to see that one medicine can have diverse properties or opinions, not all of which may be true. Alon - pemachophel2001 Sunday, January 06, 2002 1:36 PM Re: [Fwd: Cordyline fruticosa I agree that all medicinal descriptions are speculation. All medicinal descriptions are human conceptualizations of reality and, as such, they are not reality itself. However, I agree with Z'ev that those specualtions should be based on empirical experience. If enough other practitioners accept a description as valid and useful in terms of their own empirical experience, then that description becomes standard, at least as long as that consensus holds. I think it's important not to place too much belief in our own conceptualizations. Conceptualizations are useful tools. However, they are only that. They are not intrinsically valuable in and of themselves. If we value and trust our conceptions too highly, there is the possibility of our becoming enslaved and blinded by them. In that case, instead of us using these stools, we are abused by our own creations.Bob , "" <zrosenbe@s...> wrote:> I don't agree that 'energetic' functions of herbs are speculation. What > is in the Chinese materia medica (and Ayurvedic, Tibetan and > Grec-Arabic) are observations of effects to human beings by medicinal > substances, and observations of the natures of those substances as they > manifest in nature. Early stages of observation by single physicians > are speculative. . . .as more practitioners observe medicinal effects, > and over time, confirmation is given, and the use of a medicinal is > established. This method is firmly established in Chinese medicine, > where we see that newer medicinals often are incomplete in their > description, especially in terms of entering channels.> > > On Sunday, January 6, 2002, at 10:19 AM, David wrote:> > > Bear in mind that some of the energetic information in these> > reports is speculation. (Indeed, all energetic functions of herbs> > are speculation.) But to avoid confusion, I will differentiate my> > personal perspectives from those derived from Chinese sources.> > The first two energetic functions of Cordyline (cools the blood> > and stops bleeding, stops pain) are from the Chinese. The others> > are my observations.Chinese Herbal Medicine, a voluntary organization of licensed healthcare practitioners, matriculated students and postgraduate academics specializing in Chinese Herbal Medicine, provides a variety of professional services, including board approved online continuing education. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 6, 2002 Report Share Posted January 6, 2002 I think we can say that all of the observations of opium in the zhong cao da ci dian are based on a consensus of empirical observations, therefore they must have merit. Factors that can influence properties of medicinals include habitat/environment (see Zhu Da-xun's " Forgotten Traditions of Ancient " , translated by Unschuld), harvesting method, and preparation method. Response to medicinals can be varied, according to constitution and pattern. This will account for variations in descriptions, especially with crude medicinals that are not as standardized for potency and actual chemical structure. On Sunday, January 6, 2002, at 12:04 PM, Alon Marcus wrote: > However, I agree with Z'ev that those > specualtions should be based on empirical experience. If enough other > practitioners accept a description as valid and useful in terms of > their own empirical experience, then that description becomes > standard, at least as long as that consensus holds. > >>>>Dogma has its way of becoming rooted. When possible we should go > beyond empirical experience. Scientific methods have merits and we > should incorporate them to sort through standard, traditional beliefs. > Bob's example of opium is a good one to see that one medicine can > have diverse properties or opinions, not all of which may be true. > Alon > > - > pemachophel2001 > > Sunday, January 06, 2002 1:36 PM > Re: [Fwd: Cordyline fruticosa > > I agree that all medicinal descriptions are speculation. All medicinal > descriptions are human conceptualizations of reality and, as such, > they are not reality itself. However, I agree with Z'ev that those > specualtions should be based on empirical experience. If enough other > practitioners accept a description as valid and useful in terms of > their own empirical experience, then that description becomes > standard, at least as long as that consensus holds. I think it's > important not to place too much belief in our own conceptualizations. > Conceptualizations are useful tools. However, they are only that. They > are not intrinsically valuable in and of themselves. If we value and > trust our conceptions too highly, there is the possibility of our > becoming enslaved and blinded by them. In that case, instead of us > using these stools, we are abused by our own creations. > > Bob > > , " " <zrosenbe@s...> > wrote: > > I don't agree that 'energetic' functions of herbs are speculation. > What > > is in the Chinese materia medica (and Ayurvedic, Tibetan and > > Grec-Arabic) are observations of effects to human beings by > medicinal > > substances, and observations of the natures of those substances as > they > > manifest in nature. Early stages of observation by single > physicians > > are speculative. . . .as more practitioners observe medicinal > effects, > > and over time, confirmation is given, and the use of a medicinal is > > established. This method is firmly established in Chinese medicine, > > where we see that newer medicinals often are incomplete in their > > description, especially in terms of entering channels. > > > > > > On Sunday, January 6, 2002, at 10:19 AM, David wrote: > > > > > Bear in mind that some of the energetic information in these > > > reports is speculation. (Indeed, all energetic functions of herbs > > > are speculation.) But to avoid confusion, I will differentiate my > > > personal perspectives from those derived from Chinese sources. > > > The first two energetic functions of Cordyline (cools the blood > > > and stops bleeding, stops pain) are from the Chinese. The others > > > are my observations. > > > > Chinese Herbal Medicine, a voluntary organization of licensed > healthcare practitioners, matriculated students and postgraduate > academics specializing in Chinese Herbal Medicine, provides a variety > of professional services, including board approved online continuing > education. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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