In my office, I make different teas each week, with variations based on the weather and whatever acute health issues I see arising. The intention is to offer strengthening, preventive treatment during the cold and flu season. The teas also act to strengthen the effect of acupuncture treatments.
I have recently made a Chinese herbal tea for prevention of illness in fall that I have named Su Zi Yin Qiao Tang –Perilla, Honeysuckle and Forsythia Decoction. The “Perilla” is in reference to the formula Zi Su Jiang Qi Tang, or Perilla Fruit Decoction for Directing the Qi Downward, which comes from the 11th century text entitled The Imperial Grace Formulary of the Tai Ping Era (Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang). As my version of this tea is primarily intended to be preventative, I am using only two herbs from this formula – perilla seed and pinellia.
The “Yin Qiao” is in reference to one of the most well-known modern formulas in Chinese Medicine called Yin Qiao San, or Honeysuckle and Forsythia Powder. This formula was composed by Wu Jutong and first appeared in the late 18th century text entitled Systematic Differentiation of Warm Diseases, or Wenbing Tiaobian. I am similarly using only the honeysuckle, forsythia and platycodon from this formula.
I have modified these original prescriptions by adding additional herbs to make this formula even stronger and more suitable for prevention of cold, cough and sore throat in early fall. It has components of other well-known Chinese formulas: Jade Windscreen Powder (Yu Ping Feng San), Ophiopogon Decoction (Mai Men Dong Tang), and Xanthium Powder (Cang Er Zi San).
In the modern West, we use supplements like vitamin C and Zinc, or herbs like echinacea and goldenseal, to try and strengthen the immune system and prevent illness. These substances are all energetically cold, damage the Spleen and Stomach, and cause harm with long-term use. In contrast, Chinese herbal formulas are based on approaches that have been in use for centuries and millennia. They are much more effective and safer than commonly used products from the health food store and internet.
Ingredients: Perilla Seed (Zi Su Zi), Pinella (Ban Xia), Platycodon (Jie Geng), Ophiopogon (Mai Men Dong), Atractylodes (Bai Zhu), Fritillary (Zhe Bei Mu), Astragalus (Huang Qi), Ledebouriella (Fang Feng), Honeysuckle (Jin Yin Hua), Forsythia (Lian Qiao), Magnolia Flower (Xin Yi Hua), Angelica Root (Bai Zhi), Liguisticum (Chuan Xiong), Licorice (Gan Cao), Jujube Dates (Da Zao)
Here is a picture of herbs in this formula. This formula can be ordered through the office via Stems and Branches Herbal Pharmacy
