Happy Thanksgiving

Turkey, ham, stuffing, yams, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, wine, beer, coffee; yeah, I'm going to stuff my face this Turkey Day! It's tradition to pile your plate high and eat way beyond satiation. There are multiple levels of "full" on Thanksgiving, and I want to introduce an herbal formula designed to help us from feeling sick from overeating.

Zhu Dan Xi, a 15th century Chinese physician and herbal master who believed that overindulgence in food, drink, and other worldly pleasures was the major source of illness, created the most popular herbal formula for the treatment of what we call "Food Stagnation."



Food Stagnation is exactly what it sounds like and generally encompasses that "Oh, God, I ate too much and feel sick" sensation. That could be anything from abdominal distention and bloating, pain, acid regurgitation, belching, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The main formula we use to treat this, especially when it's caused by overconsumption of meats, greasy foods, and alcohol, is Bao He Wan or "Preserve Harmon Pill."

The main ingredient of Bao He Wan is hawthorne berry. It's primary functions in this formula are transforming accumulated food stagnation by awakening the Spleen, unbinding the Stomach, promoting food intake, and assisting digestion. We know from modern western research on hawthorne berries, called Shan Zha in Chinese, that is has the ability to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, so there is multi-leveled benefit to this herb. 

In China, Shan Zha is often eaten as a dessert after meals. You can find the berries candied on a stick in most food markets.

Let's breakdown the actions of the other herbs in the formula. In addition to Shan Zha, the is also Shen Qu (Massa Medicata Fermentata), which assists the main ingredient in reducing the stagnant accumulation of alcohol and food. It directs Qi downward to transform phlegm, warms to Stomach to transform thin mucus, and strengthens the Spleen to alleviate diarrhea and distention. Lai Fu Zi (Radish Seed) excels at reducing the accumulation of phlegm from stagnant grains and at facilitating the flow of Qi. These three herbs in combination can thus treat food stagnation caused by overindulgence in food and drink of all types. Zhi Ban Xia (Pinellia Rhizome) and Chen Pi (Aged Citrus Peel) promote the movement of Qi and transform stagnation; they are really good at harmonizing the Stomach to stop nausea and vomiting. Fu Ling (Poria) strengthens the Spleen and leeches out dampness, helping to stop diarrhea. The last herb Lian Qiao (Forsythia Fruit) is generally considered a heat-clearing medicinal, and it is included her to address the potential build-up of heat from constraint that often accompanies accumulation. It's dispersing and penetrating action further reinforce the functions of the formula.

As an added bonus, because this formula treats the same symptoms due to accumulation from drinking alcohol, it makes for a good hangover remedy! Have a happy Thanksgiving!