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Properties of Chinese Medicinal Substances
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Ascending, Descending, Floating and Sinking
Ascending, descending, floating and sinking refer to the direction of action of medicinal substances on the human body. Ascending and floating substances have an upward and outward effect and are yang, used to ascend yang, release the exterior, disperse cold, induce and promote eruptions. The descending and sinking substances have a downward and inward effect and are yin, used to subdue yang, arrest, clear heat, purge fire, increase secretion of urine, check adverse rise of qi and anchor the mind. The action movement of medicinal substances is closely related to their property, taste and texture. Those acrid and sweet in taste, warm in nature move upwards and outwards, while those sour, bitter and salty in taste, cold and cool in nature move downward. The action of flowers, leaves, cortex and twigs move upward because they are light in weight, whereas seeds, fruits, minerals and shells move downward because they are heavy in weight. However, the above classification is not absolute. For example, Flos Inulae moves qi downward and resolve phlegm, as it has the descending action; Fructus Xanthii dispels wind and releases the exterior and relieves stuffy nose, as it has the ascending action. Besides, the moving action is also affected by processing and combination. For example, if fried with wine, it moves outwards, if fried with ginger juice, it moves outward, if fried with vinegar, it moves inward, if fried with salt water, it moves downward. The ascending and floating action of medicinal substances can be restricted if they are combined with those having the descending and sinking action. On the contrary, the descending and sinking action can be restricted if they are combined with those having the ascending and floating action.
Clinically, the general principles for administering medicinal substances are as follows: if the disorder is located exteriorly, medicinal substances floating in nature are given; if the disorder is located interiorly, medicinal substances sinking in nature are given; if the disorder tends to attack upward, medicinal substances descending in nature are given; if the disorder tends to attack downward, medicinal substances ascending in nature are given.
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Ascending |
Descending |
Toxicity
Toxic medicinal substances react violently or cause side effects. Improper use can result in toxicosis, or even endanger life. Nontoxic drugs are gentle in action and in general without side effect. The ancients attached great importance to herbal toxicity. Herbal classification in Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (Divine Husbandman’s Classic of Materia Medica) is based on toxicity. Toxic ones are those that struggle with and cure diseases and nontoxic ones are those that are used as tonics.
The studies of the toxicity lead to a successful prevention from poisoning and with processing, combination and making preparations to alleviate or remove toxicity and side effect, thus ensuring safety.
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