Xiang fu (Cyperus root) regulates the qi to address frequent sighing or dull tummy aches.
Alternative Names
This is the formula for the so-called “six stagnations”. When things aren’t flowing right, the body’s systems’ functions are compromised. This formula gets everything flowing well. More… »
An insect caught in sticky sap which becomes amber (Hu Po).
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Huang Lian (Coptis root) is great for bad breath, but also calms the spirit.
Benefits
This is a very potent formula for those with heat in their Stomach, Large Intestine and Heart. This heat can cause restlessness, panic attacks, and generalized anxiety. However a more contemporary application of this formula is in the treatment of social anxiety associated with bad breath or anal odor.
Is it my breath?
Chinese medicine doesn’t teach that anxiety is all in your head, rather it’s all in your Heart.
The (Chinese medicine concept of the) Heart is said to store the spirit. When there’s a problem in the Heart, the spirit is disturbed. Anxiety resides in the unsettled Heart, altering our entire perception of the world.
This formula addresses the kind of anxiety that arises from heat or fire in the Stomach and Intestines. This heat also causes stinky problems such as bad breath and anal odor that arises from heat or fire in the Stomach and Intestines. This heat also causes stinky problems such as bad breath and anal odor.
Heat in the Stomach can also cause problems along the trajectory of the Stomach channel such as bleeding gums, sores inside the mouth, and acne.
Heat in the Large Intestine can arise with dampness, in which case yellow, explosive and especially foul-smelling diarrhea is the outcome. Gas may arise from dampness and heat in the Large Intestine too. This is that really potent smelling gas that we used to call “silent but deadly” as children. Very little quantity, but very strong odor that may actually burn the anus.
If this heat in the Stomach and Intestines is allowed to stay remain long enough, it can dry up the fluids and give rise to constipation with hard dry poops.