Calamus & Polygala

Calamus is Warm, Dry, very Aromatic, and Pungent. It potently moves the Qi, opens Obstructions, clears the Senses, clears Wind and Damp, and has a strong effect on the Mind and Nerves.
    
Polygala Yuan Zhi is Warm, dry, aromatic, Pungent and Bitter. Its principal action is to calm the Heart, Clear Damp obstructing the Orifices (Mind and Senses), and to Calm the Spirit.
    
When combined, they are very effective to clarify the Mind, brighten the consciousness and benefit the Intelligence. They work synergistically to vaporise Phlegm and Damp misting the Orifices, aromatically revive the Qi to invigorate the mental faculties.
    
Especially, they lighten the Mind, relax the Nerves, lift the Spirits, quicken the Senses and promote the flow of Qi. They have often been combined for Poor or Failing Memory, dullness of Mind, Disorientation, Insomnia, as well as Anxiety and Emotional conditions associated with stagnation of Qi with Damp. They can be combined for cases of Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease, and similar degenerative neurological disorders, as long as there is a presentation of Phlegm-Damp. They can also be combined for Paralysis and Hemiplegia, especially if there is loss of Speech.

Key Indications

• Poor or Failing Memory (from Cold and Damp)
• mental dullness, mental retardation
• Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, Disorientation, confusion
• Insomnia, Vertigo
• Anxiety, Agitation, Depression

Example

An Shen Ding Zhi Wan
Di Huang Yin Zi
Ding Xian Wan
Ding Zhi Wan
Kong Sheng Zhen Zhong Dan
Shun Qi Dao Tan Tang (Smooth Qi and Guide Phlegm Decoction)

Additions:

1. For clouding of the Heart and Mind from Phlegm-Damp, add Curcuma Yu Jin
2. Forgetfulness or Depression add Ginseng and Poria Fu Ling
3. For Yin deficiency with unsettled Spirit, add Turtle Shell (Gui Ban) and Fossil Bones (Long Gu)
4. Mental dullness, delayed development, or deterioarting mental function, add Ginseng
5. Severe Emotional & Psychological Distress, add Pinellia Ban Xia, aged Tangerine peel (Chen Pi), Cyperus rotundus (Xiang Fu), Curcuma Yu Jin
6. Senile Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, add Polygonum He Shou Wu and Rehmannia Shu Di Huang
7. Paralysis, add Rehmannia Shu Di Huang, Cornus Shan Zhu Yu, Morinda Ba Ji Tian, Schisandra Wu Wei Zi, Aconitum Fu Zi
8. Sezures, Convulsions, Epilepsy from Wind-Phlegm, Gastrodia Tian Ma, Pinellia Ban Xia, Scorpions (Quan Xie), Amber (Hu Po)
9. Slow development in children, add Ginseng, Velvet Deer Horn