Herbal Combinations
Medicinal Combinations are an important aspect of studying Traditional Herbal Medicine. By studying combinations that have been used long term we can learn the pairings that have shown synergistic or complementary activity. These combinations are commonly components of larger formulas.
Combinations of Medicine can achieve various results:
1. Strengthening the effect
When one medicine increases the effect of the other, or when both drugs mutally enhance each others effect. For example, Rhubarb can be either astringent or purgative. When combined with Red Earth, its astringent effect is enhanced. But when combined with Aloe, its purgative effect is strengthened.
Some combinations strengthen the effect by mutually enhancing. For example, Peach kernel and Safflower (and Bitter Almond and Saffron) work together to promote Blood circulation and resolve Stasis. Almond and Peach kernel are oily, lubricating and softening. They clear Blood Stasis and Bruising by resolving. Saffron and Safflower work more on the capillary circulation, opening the fine Blood vessels, Together, these medicines mutually enhance each other to achieve a more powerful effect than either can do alone.
Some medicines have the effect of enhancing the effect of all other medicines they are combined with. These medicines are called Yogavahi in Ayurveda. Honey, Ghee, Warm Water, Long and Black Pepper, Saffron, Shilajit, Gold, Cinnabar and Mercury are examples.
2. Correcting, or Removing adverse effects:
When a medicine removes the harmful or unwanted effects of another medicine. For example, Mastic corrects the effects of various purgative drugs, and Licorice corrects the effecs of various toxic drugs.
Very dry medicines are corrected by adding a little Moist medicine; Very Hot medicines can be corrected by adding a little Cooling medicine; Bitter medicines can be corrected by adding some Sweet; Harsh medicines can be corrected by adding soothing medicines.
The correction can also be energetic. For example, Pungent, aromatic medicines tend to rise up and disperse Qi but can be draining or over-stimulating. The addition of Chebulic Myrobalan helps anchor the Qi and corrects the upwards and dispersing nature.
Avicenna gave another example of combining Tragacanth and Bdellium with Aloe. The former allays the irritative effect on the Intestines, while the Bdellium promotes circulation to "strengthen the pores of the Veins". Thus the effect can be enhanced while Correcting the unwanted effect of the Aloe.
3. Quickening effect.
Some drugs are slow to work. Certain medicines can enhance the activity and thereby quicken the effect. For example, Ginger quickens Turbith. Ginger, Black and Long Peppers, in general, have this effect as well as enhancing bioavailability.
4. Penetrative effect:
Some drugs are used to help others penetrate further or deeper. For example, Camphor makes Saffron more penetrative to effect the Heart. Medicines like Camphor, Clove and Musk can do this with various medicines they are combined with.
5. Opposite Natures
When drugs of opposite Natures are combined, they can either balance one another, or retard each others effects. For example when Cinnamon and Red Coral are combined, they both have a beneficial effect on the Heart. But the Heat of Cinnamon is moderated by the Coldness of Coral, and the latter is likewise balanced by the former. Therefore the good effects of both can be harnessed without detriment.
As noted above, the application of Opposites can also serve as a Corrective.
Another example is Coptis and Ginger. Coptis is Cold and clears Heat, while Ginger is very Warm. The Ginger enhances the effct of Coptis without allowing the Coldness to hinder digestion or effect the Stomach. This combination can also be used if the Liver is Hot but the Stomach is Cold, for example.
6. Guiding or Directing Medicines
When one drug has a specific affinity for an organ or tissue, it can lead other drugs to that part when they are combined. For example, Eyebright will lead the effect to the Eyes.
Many Guiding drugs are derived from their Signature. For example, Red Medicines tend to lead to the Blood, Yellow Medicines direct to the Bile Humor, etc. Similarly, Walnut greatly resembles the Brain, and can be used to lead other medicines to the Brain, based on its similar form.
See also Directing Medicines.
Combinations of Medicine can achieve various results:
1. Strengthening the effect
When one medicine increases the effect of the other, or when both drugs mutally enhance each others effect. For example, Rhubarb can be either astringent or purgative. When combined with Red Earth, its astringent effect is enhanced. But when combined with Aloe, its purgative effect is strengthened.
Some combinations strengthen the effect by mutually enhancing. For example, Peach kernel and Safflower (and Bitter Almond and Saffron) work together to promote Blood circulation and resolve Stasis. Almond and Peach kernel are oily, lubricating and softening. They clear Blood Stasis and Bruising by resolving. Saffron and Safflower work more on the capillary circulation, opening the fine Blood vessels, Together, these medicines mutually enhance each other to achieve a more powerful effect than either can do alone.
Some medicines have the effect of enhancing the effect of all other medicines they are combined with. These medicines are called Yogavahi in Ayurveda. Honey, Ghee, Warm Water, Long and Black Pepper, Saffron, Shilajit, Gold, Cinnabar and Mercury are examples.
2. Correcting, or Removing adverse effects:
When a medicine removes the harmful or unwanted effects of another medicine. For example, Mastic corrects the effects of various purgative drugs, and Licorice corrects the effecs of various toxic drugs.
Very dry medicines are corrected by adding a little Moist medicine; Very Hot medicines can be corrected by adding a little Cooling medicine; Bitter medicines can be corrected by adding some Sweet; Harsh medicines can be corrected by adding soothing medicines.
The correction can also be energetic. For example, Pungent, aromatic medicines tend to rise up and disperse Qi but can be draining or over-stimulating. The addition of Chebulic Myrobalan helps anchor the Qi and corrects the upwards and dispersing nature.
Avicenna gave another example of combining Tragacanth and Bdellium with Aloe. The former allays the irritative effect on the Intestines, while the Bdellium promotes circulation to "strengthen the pores of the Veins". Thus the effect can be enhanced while Correcting the unwanted effect of the Aloe.
3. Quickening effect.
Some drugs are slow to work. Certain medicines can enhance the activity and thereby quicken the effect. For example, Ginger quickens Turbith. Ginger, Black and Long Peppers, in general, have this effect as well as enhancing bioavailability.
4. Penetrative effect:
Some drugs are used to help others penetrate further or deeper. For example, Camphor makes Saffron more penetrative to effect the Heart. Medicines like Camphor, Clove and Musk can do this with various medicines they are combined with.
5. Opposite Natures
When drugs of opposite Natures are combined, they can either balance one another, or retard each others effects. For example when Cinnamon and Red Coral are combined, they both have a beneficial effect on the Heart. But the Heat of Cinnamon is moderated by the Coldness of Coral, and the latter is likewise balanced by the former. Therefore the good effects of both can be harnessed without detriment.
As noted above, the application of Opposites can also serve as a Corrective.
Another example is Coptis and Ginger. Coptis is Cold and clears Heat, while Ginger is very Warm. The Ginger enhances the effct of Coptis without allowing the Coldness to hinder digestion or effect the Stomach. This combination can also be used if the Liver is Hot but the Stomach is Cold, for example.
6. Guiding or Directing Medicines
When one drug has a specific affinity for an organ or tissue, it can lead other drugs to that part when they are combined. For example, Eyebright will lead the effect to the Eyes.
Many Guiding drugs are derived from their Signature. For example, Red Medicines tend to lead to the Blood, Yellow Medicines direct to the Bile Humor, etc. Similarly, Walnut greatly resembles the Brain, and can be used to lead other medicines to the Brain, based on its similar form.
See also Directing Medicines.