instant spleen qi

[Guest guest]

The other day I saw a student popping some pills with her meal. she

smiled and said its instant spleen qi. It was actually digestive enzymes.

I am a big proponent of digestive enzymes. They are a convenient safe,

naturally derived way to achieve certain desirable effects. I use

various plant based enzyme products, which are naturally fermented

products, quite analogous in a crude way to shen qu. I also use

pancreatic enzymes, which are often derived from animals. Again, not a

stretch for TCM. Research on pancreatic enzymes is pretty impressive with

regard to its effects on digestion when taken with food and inflammation

when taken between meals. Its powerful effects on inflammation make it

useful for many conditions, including autoimmunity and IBS. However, as

you might suspect, it is essential to me that such substances be given

careful consideration in terms of TCM if they are be used long term.

 

I do not think these substances conform to the normal parameters of a

substance that supplements vacuity. first, they are not sweet. They are

indicated for pain, redness, swelling and inflammation when taken between

meals, thus heat and stagnation. While these herbs could be used for heat

in deficiency patients, I see no indication that they actually address the

deficiency factor itself. They are used for bloating, gas, diarrhea,

fatigue after eating when taken with meals. While these latter symptoms

could be rooted in spleen xu, it is likely many of the symptoms are

actually caused by excesses due to spleen deficiency, such as damp, qi and

food stagnation. I think proof positive for all these things is the fact

that most enzyme salepersons will tell you that you will need the enzymes

forever. If you discontinue them, your sx will return eventually. This

does not sound like a long term tonic.

 

The enzymatic action of these supplements is certainly more akin to mai ya

and shen qu than how huang qi and renshen work. My hunch would be that

since when you put meat and enzymes in solution together, the enzymes

digest the meat, that is clear evidence that this type of substance has a

very direct dispersing effect. tonic herbs, on the other hand, typically

have effects on neuroendocrine regulatory and immune systems and their use

is long lasting and cumulative in its impact. this is not to dismiss the

value of enzymes, nor to even dismiss their long term use. Just to

suggest that they are probably not spleen qi tonics in any way. thus,

looking at contraindications for herbs of a similar nature, one sees that

they can be used long term as part of plan that includes rectification of

root patterns. I think it may be misleading for a student to think that

enzymes correct spleen qi vacuity, when according to TCM theory a

substance that disperse and clears heat may actually harm spleen qi in the

long run.

 

I have heard the question raised whether using enzymes will lead your body

to shut down its natural production. I really have no idea. Certainly

one's enzyme production runs on feedback loops. so if high levels of

enzymes circulate, the body would decrease its natural production at that

moment. I have not seen evidence that long term use leads to lower (or

higher) enzyme production even when not taking the supplements. However

that is true for thyroid hormone, for which production is permanently

affected by long term use of chemically isolated thyroid hormone. This

analogy may be closer than one thinks. Especially since pancreatic

enzymes are produced by another gland itself.

 

 

Chinese Herbs

 

 

" Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocre

minds " -- Albert Einstein