赤石脂 in 桃花汤
By Karina • Jun 26th, 2008 • Category: Digestion & Elimination, shanghanlunThe situation:
“少阴病，下利便脓血者，桃花汤主之。”
The patient is undergoing 少阴病, understood as a chronic illness closely related to heart and kidney dysfunction. Now, he’s got diarrhea too, with blood in the stool!
The formula:
赤石脂 has to be the star in this three-herb formula comprising: 赤石脂、干姜、粳米.
- 赤石脂 is able to absorb all the bad stuff in the intestines, reducing the irritative effect of these things on the intestinal lining. It also protects the mucosa of the intestines.
- We know that 干姜 is warming and good for the digestive system, and indicated especially if you have vomit and diarrhea.
- 粳米 is great for you 脾气.
Miscellaneous:
- Note that 桃花汤 is unique among the decoctions as laid out in the textbooks regarding 少阴病寒化证. The rest of the herbs are 附子-based, like the 四逆汤 variety and the 真武汤/附子汤 variety.
- See its use in Po-chai Pills too.