he huan pi/was Which Qi regulator

[Guest guest]

, Gabrielle Mathieu <

gabriellemathieu> wrote:

 

> He huan hua or He Huan pi are really lovely herbs too.

>

 

 

I like these herbs and use them a lot, but their use raises an interesting

question for me. since these herbs were not common in either classical

formulas or dui yao combinations, what is the best way to combine them into a

formula. I like to ideally modify my formulas:

 

1. according to source text

2. based upon the use of herbs in other formulas to address the

pathomechanisms at hand in the patient beore me

3. based upon standard dui yao pairs and triplets

 

However, when I use he huan pi, I am often combining it with other spirit

calmers or qi regulators to get mutual accentuation. but sometimes it is the

only herb I add to a formula because I feel its bipolar properties (spreading

and calming, I mean) are desirable, even if there is no historical precedent for

using it in the formula. Fact is, most of the herbs are in the zhong yao da ci

dian are like he huan pi in this regard. Qin bo wei says we can follow a

classical idea without following a classical formula, per se. But how do you

really craft an elegant formula when some of the combinations are made

purely by hunches and guesswork rather than history or experience? I think

one may actually have to consider such herbs as singles and make sure that

they do not have contradictions for your patient. the interactions in the

formula are probably unpredictable in many cases.