(287) Xiang Fu (Cyperi Rhizome) - 2

[HB KIM]

... Continued from the previous article


2.   GYNECOLOGICAL DISORDERS

The major physiological difference between the sexes is a female's ability to become pregnant. Women have a uterus, ovaries, and breasts that are designed for pregnancy and giving birth.  Additionally women's bodies tend to have a higher percentage of fat than men, which is necessary to support a pregnancy.  Some anthropologists also say women tend to sleep more lightly than man do in order to hear a baby's cries at night.  (*Of course having children depends on each individual woman's desire, but the availability of pregnancy is a main physiological difference between men and women).

Xiang Fu is one of the most important herbs for pregnancy, the uterus, and ovaries by regulating both Qi and menstruation.  Because of this, it is used for various kinds of gynecological diseases routinely. This includes dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation, PMS, functional infertility, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, and even thyroid disorders and breast diseases.

Dui-Yao
For most gynecological disorders, Xiang Fu can be used in the formula.  Use Xiang Fu as a king herb, and combine with one of the following Dui-Yao depending on the pattern being treated: <Dang Gui Wei + Chi Shao>, <Shu Di + Dang Gui>, <Dang Gui + Chuan Xiong>, <Si Wu Tang>, <Chuan Xiong + Wu Yao>, <San Leng + E Zhu>, <Ai Ye + Rou Gui>, <Gan Jiang + Rou Gui>, <E Jiao + Ai Ye>, <Tao Ren + Hong Hua>, <Dan Shen + Su Mu>, <Bai Zhu + Huang Qin>, <Tu Si Zi + Lu Rong>, <Shu Di + Tu Si Zi>, <Yi Mu Cao + Mu Dan Pi>, <Yan Hu Suo + Mu Dan Pi>.

Caution
For chronic Qi stagnation with Blood or Yin deficiency, Xiang Fu is used for 4-6g only and can be combined with Tonify HT Blood herbs (Long Yan Rou / Suan Zao Ren / Dang Gui) or Tonify LV Yin herbs (Bai Shao / He Shou Wu).  Especially when the tongue is very dry and contracted, which means severe Blood/Yin deficiency, use Xiang Fu with caution or infrequently.

Preparation
There are three most common ways of using Xiang Fu: Raw Xiang Fu, Xiang Fu fried with vinegar, and Xiang Fu prepared with wine and salt.  To strengthen the Qi regulating effect, use Raw Xiang Fu; for chronic Qi stagnation, use Xiang Fu fried with vinegar to increase its nourishing nature; for gynecological disorders, use Xiang Fu prepared with wine and salt.

As many practitioners use raw herbs in Asia, Herb Suppliers say they can tell which clinic has more female patients by the amount of Xiang Fu they buy. Xiang Fu is not limited to use in females, but it is especially good for Qi stagnation and gynecological diseases in females.



3.   CASE STUDY

Case: A 40 year old, female patient has a main complaint of difficult inhalation while breathing, accompanied by shoulder pain, hypochondriac pain, occipital headache, and a plum-pit sensation in the throat. She also has constipation, a quick-temper, hot-flashes once in a while, profuse sweating, irregular menses, severe dysmenorrhea, a tongue with teethmarks, and a pulse that is weak in the LU position, and floating in the HT position.

Analysis and Herbs:
Chronic Qi stagnation, sweating: HT Blood deficiency - Suan Zao Ren
Hot flashes, constipation: HT heat - Huang Lian
Difficult inhalation, plum-pit, occipital headache, shoulder pain, hyponchondriac pain: Qi stagnation - Xiang Fu, Chai Hu, Chen Pi

Prescription: Suan Zao Ren 12g / Long Yan Rou 12g / Xiang Fu 6g / Chen Pi 6g / Chai Hu 4g / Huang Lian 2g 

Commentary:  Difficulty in inhalation is not always KD not grasping the LU Qi.  Liver Qi has a tendency to rise and chronic Qi stagnation can lead to rebellious Qi, causing difficult inhalation, sighing, and even asthma.  For this case, use LI4, SJ3, and RN23 combination, which can calm down the breathing.  For chronic Qi stagnation like the above case, you should use HT Blood Tonics as a king rather than Qi regulators.