External herbs

CHAPTER 9 External herbs

Andrew Croysdale

Introduction

All cultures have a history of using herbs externally. Many people have used dock leaves for a stinging nettle sting as a child. Much of this knowledge has been lost in the West but China has preserved its knowledge, which has been continuously developed over the centuries. That, coupled with its vast array of flora and fauna, makes this an extremely interesting subject to learn. The use of external herbs, various oils, tinctures and washes form an important part of the Tui na therapist’s practice, aiding and increasing the effectiveness of treatments and enabling the patient to self-treat by applying various products supplied by the practitioner. There are many pre-made products on the market for use in Tui na, but actually producing your own brings something special to the healing process. It is also a very pleasurable thing to do. The formulas that are presented here have been passed onto me by various teachers over the years and I am extremely happy to pass on some of these tried and tested recipes.

Contraindications

The following contraindications apply to all of the herbal formulas in this chapter. Traditionally, herbal products may be applied during pregnancy but not over the abdomen. Virtually all external herbs, apart from ginger compress, have blood-moving properties; the early stages of a fetus are perceived in Chinese medicine as a clot, and therefore blood-moving herbs are not used on the abdomen. I never use external herbs during pregnancy because the herbs absorb into the bloodstream of the mother through the skin and via the blood into the baby.

Do not apply any herbs where the skin is broken, there is eczema or psoriasis, or there are any boils or spots present. Always ask the patient if they have sensitive skin or any particular allergies. If in doubt, apply a very small amount of the herb you are going to use to see if there is any reaction.

Contusions or bumps on the head can be effectively treated with Tui na and external herbs but the patient must first go to the hospital to be X-rayed and checked for concussion.

Oils

Juices

Juices of vegetables and roots are a useful asset in a Tui na treatment. They are generally always to hand in the kitchen or local shop. They are very simple to prepare and use, inexpensive and highly effective at enhancing a treatment. All juices should be applied with light Mo fa.

Preparation:

To prepare the vegetable or root, first wash and peel it if required, and then grate, pound or liquidize it. Place in a piece of linen cloth, and then twist and squeeze out the juice into a dish. Any left-over juice can be stored in the fridge for a few days.

Ginger

Its properties are pungent and slightly warm. It also releases the Exterior, clears Cold, warms the Middle Burner and stops nausea.

Treats:

When rubbed into the neck and shoulders using the points GB20 and Du14 and BL12, it treats stiffness of the neck, headache and the common cold. If rubbed over the chest it will cure cough with retention of phlegm. When applied on the Ren Mai meridian from Ren10 to Ren13 and to the abdominal area it will cure abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal bloating.

Safe to use during pregnancy

Note on green ginger

Green ginger can be used to treat a Wind-Cold invasion of the neck and shoulders. Cut a thick slice of green ginger root, about 5 cm in diameter, and peel off the skin. This is then used to perform gua sha over the affected areas. Scrape briskly down from GB20 to GB21. Repeat the process until the sha comes to the surface. Apply also down the Bladder meridian. The ginger juice acts as its own lubricant, warming and dispersing the Wind-Cold. I have had great success with this method and use it regularly. It is always good in an emergency.

The other use of a green ginger slice is to treat damaged tendons and ligaments. Perform gua sha over the tendons and ligaments for up to 5 minutes. The tendons will be warmed, lubricated and relaxed. Red areas will appear over the tendons or ligaments. This will indicate where the main damage is and further Tui na manipulation may be applied.

Garlic

Its properties are pungent and warm. It clears stagnant Qi, warms the Middle Burner, strengthens the Stomach energy, reduces swelling and clears athlete’s foot and fungal disorders. When applied to Ren17 and BL3 it treats common cold and cough. Two slices of garlic can be applied to Yongquan KD1 with a sticking plaster to clear colds and flu.

Safe to use during pregnancy

Peppermint

Its properties are pungent and cool. It clears Wind and cools Heat. It invigorates energy, and releases the Exterior. When applied to the temples and forehead it will treat Wind-Heat headache and stuffy nose. Around the throat region, it will soothe a sore throat.

Safe to use during pregnancy

Herbal compresses

Herbal compresses are the application of a folded flannel soaked in hot water in which herbs have been steeped. This is then covered with a towel allowing the herbs and heat to be slowly released into the desired area. This is generally used for acute Wind-Cold invasions, swelling, lower back pain and to release the Exterior. It is an extremely easy process to perform and brings rapid relief. It is great in an emergency as very simple herbs can be used, such as ginger, cinnamon, mugwort and spring onion.

Equipment

• Stove or cooker for boiling water and herbs – in the clinic, a flat-based camping stove is preferable, as safety is important when you have hot water boiling close to a patient

• Four to five toweling flannels for the compress

• A pair of tongs

• A lidded, airtight container to store the hot herbal liquid and keep it as hot as possible

• Two to three large towels per patient

• The herbs you need for your compress

• A small table or surface between yourself and the patient; this will ensure that any splashes or spillages are well away from you and your patient

Preparation

1. Take four cups of water and bring to the boil.

2. If herbs are dry, simmer for 20 minutes to extract the goodness of the herbs.

3. If herbs are fresh, take the water off the boil and add the freshly extracted herbal juice of the herbs you are using. This allows the vitality of the herb to be preserved.

4. Strain the hot liquid into a plastic lidded container. This will keep it hot longer. The straining is only essential with the hard herbs, as these will feel uncomfortable on the skin.

5. Place one flannel in the liquid, replace the lid and wait 30–40 seconds.

6. Use the tongs to remove the flannel by a corner of the flannel.

7. Allow excess water to drain. If it is too hot, take the other corner and open out the flannel, wave it back and forth three or four times and release one corner. With the other hand, grip the flannel lightly at the top and run your hand down its length quickly. This will remove excess hot liquid that could splash on your patient. Your hand will also tell you if it is too hot to put on the patient. If it burns, open it out and wave back and forth another three or four times. Fold the flannel into three along one length. Immediately place over the selected area on the patient’s bare skin and cover with a towel. Place another flannel in the container and close the lid. This will be hot and ready for when your first flannel cools.

< div class='tao-gold-member'>

Only gold members can continue reading. Log In or Register to continue

Related

Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel

Tags: Tui Na A manual of Chinese massage therapy

Jun 22, 2016 | Posted by admin in MANUAL THERAPIST | Comments Off

Full access? Get Clinical Tree

Get Clinical Tree app for offline access

Get Clinical Tree app for offline access