He shou wu & Ye Jiao Teng--What a pair!

[Guest guest]

Dear colleagues,

 

Some people read novels, some people enjoy reading  dictionaries and reference

books,  but among other things, I enjoy greatly, reading an reviewing herbs and

formulas.  Every once in a while a question comes to mind, and I lay it out for

your edification. 

One of my favorite herbs is He Shou Wu. (How shortsited of the California state

board to not consider it one of the " important " herbs to be included on their

exam).  If you haven't noticed, it is from the same plant as Ye Jiao Teng.  

Here is today's question: In Chen and Chen's Chinese Medical Herbology and

Pharmacology, in the clinical studies and research heading under He Shou Wu, it

lists a study of 141participants  whereby 98.6% of subjects had either marked or

moderate improvement.  As a Blood and Jing nourishing herb entering the liver

and Kidneys, that makes perfect sense.  My questions then are 1. Why isn't

insomnia or shen disturbance listed as one of the conditions that this herb is

used for?  and 2.  Why would the two parts to the Polygoni plant: He Shou Wu and

Ye Jiao Teng (Which is a Shen calming herb and enters the Liver and Heart) be

used more frequently as a Dui Yao (Pair herbs)?  What a perfect fit, so it

appears!

 

Thank you all for your support and feedback concerning Chana.  I will be brewing

her next batch tonight.

 

With much respect and appreciation.