Page 7 - Catalog 5.1

defense and adaptation of the normal organism that can
lead to disharmony. In the Chinese system, the ability to
achieve glowing health and great vital longevity chiefly
depends on the ability of an organism to resist internal
and external challenges from within and to flourish by
maintaining dynamic balance, vitality and a steady spirit
even as circumstances change. Thus, “assisting the positive”
is primary and should be embraced by everyone, while
“eliminating the noxious” should be delegated to the care of
professionals. *These herb illustrations/photos are available as large format posters (canvas, 15” x 21” or 21” x 29”). www.dragonherbs.com/posters
Life is just like a garden. For life to truly blossom to its full
potential, it needs our constant attention and conscious herbs for rising conditions. Herbs with Monarch Minister Assistant Harmonizer
efforts. It needs a lot of nurturing, involving specific tools sinking tendency can be used for Rising
and techniques. conditions that reside inside the
Tonic Herbalism is a primary tool for average people to body or in the lower body while Floating
cultivate their lives so as to achieve glowing health. There herbs with floating tendency can be
are also other important tools such as an evolved clean diet, useful for conditions on the surface Sinking
correct exercise, acupuncture, massage and meditation. or the upper body. Descending and is therefore the main ingredient(s). The Minister Introduction
supports the Monarch by strengthening Monarch’s
Your life deserves cultivation and we are here to help. Atmospheric Energy primary function(s), or it serves a secondary function,
Each herb and food in the Chinese health system or both. The Assistant either strengthens the activities
Knowing the Herbs has an energy that can be described in terms of of the Monarch and the Minister or addresses some
For most products, we have a section called Traditional its “temperature,” that is, how the herb influences minor conditions not yet covered by the Monarch or
Functions that describe the herbs’ function using TCM our body temperature dynamics. Herbs are categorized as the Minister. The Assistant can also reduce the side
terminologies. The key concepts are presented below as hot, warm, neutral, cool, and cold. Generally, hot and warm effects or intensity of the Monarch and the Minister. The
well as in the section Introduction to Tonic Herbalism O-5 herbs are yang, while cool and cold herbs are yin. Neutral Harmonizer is sometimes translated as the Messenger.
on pages 99-113. herbs are balanced. This “atmospheric energy” is one of the It helps deliver the other herbs in the formula to the
key considerations when designing an herbal program. This desired locations or it harmonizes all the other herbs to
The channels (Organs) an herb enters applies to our diet as well. achieve a harmonious result. General herbs and inferior
Traditionally, an herb is said to “enter a channel” which refers Hot Warm Neutral Cool Cold herbs should be mostly taken in formulas.
to the Organ meridian that this herb effects. An herb can The tonic herbs are so well-balanced naturally and
enter one or multiple channels. The channels, some of which Teamwork and Customization of so safe that they mostly do not need herbs to assist,
are called “meridians,” are energetic and move throughout Herbal Formulations guide or modulate them. They are “formulations unto
the body. The locations of various manifestations along themselves.” They can be consumed solo.
these channels provide important clues to you and the Different from common western herbalism where most herbs
herbalists, revealing what herbs to use. For example, tension are used solo, Chinese Herbalism primarily uses a teamwork Herbal Programs – Custom Herbal Strategies
on the forehead calls for herbs entering the Stomach approach: the formulation. A “formulation” contains two With Modern Convenience
Meridian while tension in the back of your head may call or more herbs and all the herbs are typically cooked and
for herbs entering the Liver or Gall Bladder Meridians. Learn consumed together as an integrated whole. Formulation is a Nowadays, advanced herbal production technologies
more about the “Chinese Organ System” on pages 110-113. way to address multi-faceted issues and to assure the safety spare the modern consumers the burden of home
and efficacy of the herbs. How the herbs interact together decoction and replace it with ready-to-ingest products.
has been thoroughly studied and meticulously documented Herbs are usually pre-extracted, pre-blended and
over the past 2500 years. Formulation is also a critical tool delivered usually in capsules or in tinctures. With some
for the herbalists to adapt the herbal solution to a person’s exceptions, if a product does not use extracted herbs, it is
constitution, current conditions and goals. usually of inferior value. Raw herbs are often roots, bark,
In the old days, an herbalist would write a single customized rhizomes, twigs, stems, pods and tough leaves – all of this
can be very hard for the body to digest and assimilate
formula to address every need he or she has assessed during without prior extraction. Raw herbalism is reserved only
the consultation with each client, one formula per session. for some fruits like Goji berries. Customization’s building
These formulations could contain dozens of individual herbs blocks have evolved from raw herbs to finished herbal
in varying amounts. The clients would bring the formulas to products. Dragon Herbs produces over 250 extract-
an herb shop to buy the herbs and then decoct them at home. based herbal products. Each product is the result of years
The herbalist would often tweak the formula in follow-up of research and development and is made at the highest
sessions to adapt to the changing conditions of the client. standards possible.
In tonic herbalism, the most important aspect of formula The goal of adapting to the clients’ specific health
creation (“team building” or “program building”) was and conditions and objectives is now fulfilled by customized
still is to make sure that the formulation contains all Three herbal programs made up of several ready-made
Treasures in appropriate amounts, along with some other finished products (single herbs and/or multi-herb
herbs for specific purposes. Another important traditional formulations) combined in a modular fashion. With
approach is to build a formula based on the “Four Responsible a little study, it is perfectly possible to build a Three
Positions” in an herbal formulation, akin to roles that existed
The “Four Directional Tendencies” of Herbs in a human feudal society: the Monarch, the Minister, the Treasures Program on your own. But many people find
The herbs’ influence on the body have four directional Assistant and the Harmonizer. Each plays a different role, that the creation of the most profound customized
program requires training, experience, knowledge and
tendencies: rising, descending, floating and sinking. For and each role can be borne by one herb or multiple herbs. insight. Professionally trained herbal guides can provide
example, conditions with descending tendency can be The Monarch is the leader of the formula. The Monarch this high level of expertise.
countered with herbs with rising tendency or descending performs the primary function(s), is the strongest in the team,
7