Fall is Here - Treating with the Seasons

I was inspired today to revisit Gui Zhi. We last talked about Gui Zhi when we examined Cinnamon Twig Decoction in a previous entry.

Gui Zhi is used in formulas to fight off colds due to its action of releasing the exterior and helping to expel cold pathogens. However, today I'm using it to treat paralysis. Not all patients like to eat scorpions, so it's fortunate that we have alternative herbs. Gui Zhi has the action of warming and unblocking the channels and collaterals. With this particular patient, I was already employing herbs to open and unblock the channels and collaterals as well as invigorate blood to dispel stasis; however, with the weather beginning to turn colder, it is important to prevent cold from settling in the body and creating or exacerbating painful obstruction conditions. Gui Zhi's warming nature makes it a perfect addition to the formula, and, more importantly, highlights the idea of treating with the seasons.

Treating with the Seasons

Herbally, treating with the seasons can mean prescribing formulas that address the common complaints of each season, or it can involve simply modifying patients' existing formulas to mitigate the effects of the weather at a particular time of time. Here's a very basic breakdown of the strategy: 

• Summer is the season of Heat, so promote cooling and quenching of thirst. Chinese medicine also talks about the season of "Late Summer," and depending on where you live, you might experience this as well. This is the humid, muggy, dog days of summer that carry on into August and early September. Dampness combining with Heat becomes a concern, so be prepared to transform Dampness in addition to cooling and clearing Heat.

• Fall is the season of Dryness, so use herbs that are moistening and lubricating.

• Winter is the season of Cold, so warming herbs become most appropriate.

• Spring is the season of Wind. Wind is an interesting pathogen in Chinese medicine because it often serves as a vehicle for other evils. This is why (common) colds and allergies are called "Wind-Cold" or "Wind-Heat" attacks; the Cold or Heat pathogen occurs in combination with Wind. Wind can also occur on its own and become lodged in the channels. This is a common pathomechanism for Bell's palsy; wind becoming lodges in the channels and collaterals of the face and obstruct the movement of Qi, causing paralysis. In China, hospitals expect "Bell's palsy season" to last from about March to May. Spring is a time for using herbs that protect against and/or expel Wind.  

Fall Herbs

What's so cool about Chinese herbal medicine is that so many of the medicinals are foods. Here are some fall flavors that I bet you didn't even know were Chinese herbs! 

• Nutmeg aka Rou Dou Kou - warms the Stomach and Spleen, promotes the movement of Qi, treats diarrhea

• Cardamon aka Bai Dou Kou - disseminates the Lung Qi, awakes the Spleen, warms the middle, transforms dampness, pierces through and disperses turbidity 

• Tumeric aka Jiang Huang - warm in nature, invigorates the blood, breaks up stasis, drives Qi downward, treats Wind-Damp painful obstruction

• Clove aka Ding Xiang - warms the middle, directs Stomach Qi downward, treats hiccough, fortifies the Kidney Yang

• Fennel aka Xiao Hui Xiang - harmonizes the middle, warms the lower burner, treats bulging disorders

• Pumpkin aka Nan Gua - warms and nourishes the Stomach and Spleen, boosts Qi

Notice how most of these are warming and have an effect on the Spleen or Lung, the organs that create Defensive Qi. It's no wonder that these are popular fall spices - they warm the body and boost immunity just in time for the colder weather.

Food is Medicine!