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Six Excellent Medicines
The Six Excellent Medicines are a basic unit of Tibetan Medicine and appear in a number of Formulas. Each ingredient effects a particular organ and Humor, and together, the formula is regarded as being balanced.
Tabasheer–Lungs, Phlegm, Bile, Wind
Safflower–Liver, Bile, Blood
Clove–Life Channel, Wind
Nutmeg–Heart, Wind
Green Cardamon–Kidney, Phlegm
Black Cardamon–Spleen, Phlegm (Damp)
Safflower–Liver, Bile, Blood
Clove–Life Channel, Wind
Nutmeg–Heart, Wind
Green Cardamon–Kidney, Phlegm
Black Cardamon–Spleen, Phlegm (Damp)
This is regarded as a 'Balanced' Group of Medicines. Despite the fact that the last 4 medicines are Warming, it is regarded as similar in temperature to our body. Whereas TCM regards Safflower as Warm, Tibetan and Western Traditions generally regard Saffron and Safflower as cool.
It is worthy to contemplate why these particular medicines are accounted tonics.
Tabasheer (Tian Zhu Huang) clears Phlegm and Heat, the 2 pathogens most common to the Lungs. It is also regarded as tonic to the Lungs, and stops Wind. It also stops the other medicines from being excessively Warming.
Safflower (Hong Hua, or its more expensive relative Saffron) moves the Blood especially the small capillaries. The Liver being the largest and most vascular organ in the body requires good circulation for proper function. When combined with Bitters, it more strongly clears Liver heat while carrying the medicines deeper into the Liver. When combined with Liver tonics, they likewise are carried deeper. It also makes the effects of the other 5 medicines more effective.
Clove (Ding Xiang) regulates Qi and it important in Wind disorders. Its association with the 'Life Channel' means that it regulates the Yang Qi of the body in particular.
Nutmeg is regarded as a special medicine for the Heart, especially what Tibetan Medicine calls 'Heart Wind'. This is associated with Palpitations, Chest oppression and mental disorientation. Nutmeg works closely with Clove to regulate Qi, but the astringent activity harnesses Yang and anchors it in the lower body. Thus, with Clove, they effectively regulate Yang Qi without causing it to rise or disperse.
Lesser Cardamon is associated with the Kidney, and Warms the Kidney and helps clear Fluid.
Greater Cardamon (Sha Ren) is likewise recognised as having a particularly useful effect on the Spleen in TCM. It is warm, dry, and aromatic, therefore counters the enemy of the Spleen, Damp. It aromatic and pungent aroma moves Qi, especially of the digestive system.
Together, they harmonise and regulate the principle Organs and Humors, while helping balance Yin, Yang and Qi. Small amounts are regularly added to larger Tibetan Formulas to increase overall effectiveness.
The excessively drying nature makes them contraindicated in Yin deficiency, however, a little added to a Yin tonic formula will make it work quicker and more effectively.
When this combination is combined with Triphala, a truly overall balancing effect on the Organs and Humors is produced.
It is worthy to contemplate why these particular medicines are accounted tonics.
Tabasheer (Tian Zhu Huang) clears Phlegm and Heat, the 2 pathogens most common to the Lungs. It is also regarded as tonic to the Lungs, and stops Wind. It also stops the other medicines from being excessively Warming.
Safflower (Hong Hua, or its more expensive relative Saffron) moves the Blood especially the small capillaries. The Liver being the largest and most vascular organ in the body requires good circulation for proper function. When combined with Bitters, it more strongly clears Liver heat while carrying the medicines deeper into the Liver. When combined with Liver tonics, they likewise are carried deeper. It also makes the effects of the other 5 medicines more effective.
Clove (Ding Xiang) regulates Qi and it important in Wind disorders. Its association with the 'Life Channel' means that it regulates the Yang Qi of the body in particular.
Nutmeg is regarded as a special medicine for the Heart, especially what Tibetan Medicine calls 'Heart Wind'. This is associated with Palpitations, Chest oppression and mental disorientation. Nutmeg works closely with Clove to regulate Qi, but the astringent activity harnesses Yang and anchors it in the lower body. Thus, with Clove, they effectively regulate Yang Qi without causing it to rise or disperse.
Lesser Cardamon is associated with the Kidney, and Warms the Kidney and helps clear Fluid.
Greater Cardamon (Sha Ren) is likewise recognised as having a particularly useful effect on the Spleen in TCM. It is warm, dry, and aromatic, therefore counters the enemy of the Spleen, Damp. It aromatic and pungent aroma moves Qi, especially of the digestive system.
Together, they harmonise and regulate the principle Organs and Humors, while helping balance Yin, Yang and Qi. Small amounts are regularly added to larger Tibetan Formulas to increase overall effectiveness.
The excessively drying nature makes them contraindicated in Yin deficiency, however, a little added to a Yin tonic formula will make it work quicker and more effectively.
When this combination is combined with Triphala, a truly overall balancing effect on the Organs and Humors is produced.