I have two main ideas about how to start building formulas with these herbs. In the first project, after identifying the major (and minor) domains of physiology, we would identify an herb which most centrally represents, establishes, and restores each physiological function. An Ur-formula could then be defined as the combination of all those herbs. Other herbs would then be understood in terms of the way their function deviates from that of the core herbs. In building a custom formula, we would select the herbs which have the specific deviations appropriate to our patient’s condition and we would omit those herbs which are not needed. (We would probably want to refine this approach by identifying an Ur-formula for each aspect of physiology: identifying the sub-aspects of each of the major aspects of physiology and selecting an herb to establish that sub-function, etc.)
The second project is a little less systematic. In this approach we would just choose particular herbs that we are interested in, try to understand their actions, and then develop formulas which appropriately bring out that effect.
The first project takes its focus from the body; the second project takes its lead from the herbs that we have chosen to work with. If both projects could be carried out, we would have a reasonably complete system of herbalism. Ideas?
The second project is a little less systematic. In this approach we would just choose particular herbs that we are interested in, try to understand their actions, and then develop formulas which appropriately bring out that effect.
The first project takes its focus from the body; the second project takes its lead from the herbs that we have chosen to work with. If both projects could be carried out, we would have a reasonably complete system of herbalism. Ideas?
From studying with Western Herbalists and going through CCM education/training... It seems that herbalists will find their own unique way of formulating. Think about Dr. Zeng and how he had his base formulas that he would modify. I've seen this idea in Western Herbalism as well. There are old Eclectic Formulas that certain herbalists studied for years and found which ones worked for them and which ones didn't. I heard Matthew Wood once say that although Lobelia is a magnificent herb, it always acted unpredictably when he used it. So here is another thought... how the practitioner's energy effects the herb/formulas. Also I would suggest talking to Scott Kloos, The School of Forestry Medicine, and Elderberry School as many of these folks have done a lot of this work already- body actions. When talking about Western Herbs do you have a focus on what herbs you'd like to discover. This focus is pretty big right now.....
ReplyDeleteSolomon, the body based approach is very similar to the way I learned to formulate in the western tradition I studied. We learned triads (usually) in which there was a main herb (similar to the emperor) and two support herbs, one to direct the formula to the system to be addressed (minister), and one to harmonize (servant). To this we would add the herbs we knew well that were appropriate, with the goal in mind of balance, and less is more. For example, if I wanted to address a nervous system disorder where the main symptom was inability to sleep due to restless mind, I might choose passiflora as my emperor, as it addresses both sleeplessness and mental restlessness, add melissa for it's affinity with the mind, and avena as my harmonizer. I might add other herbs, specifically to address the endocrine system which always suffers with insomnia and restless mind, but to be honest, I would more likely create a flower essence to root out the underlying cause of the restless mind.
ReplyDeleteDespite many years as an herbalist, like most herbalists I am good friends with a double handful of herbs I hang out with all the time, and have many friendly acquaintances with whom I get together on occasion. The more I hang out with them, the more I know whether I want to get closer with them. In Christine's post she noted that MW finds Lobelia unpredictable. Lobelia is one of my good friends, and she always acts exactly as I expect her too! Yet, Valerian rarely does--is this because I so love the flower I hate to see it uprooted for the medicine? Maybe--I have a pretty visceral response to digging up Valerian. All this to support Christine's comment that we are well served by taking into account personal relationships with the plants and their medicine.
Hi Karin, it sounds to me like the method you describe is actually a formalized version of project #2: starting with an herb of interest and building out from there to bring out a desired aspect of its activity. Project #1 has more to do with identifying a system of physiology and a set of core herbs each of which are "therapo-gnomonic" for a particular aspects of physiology.
DeleteIs this LeSassier's method that you are describing? I know that he worked with triads, but I dont know much more than that. Also, Im very curious to hear more about what "harmonization" means in this system. Are there particular herbs that are usually used as harmonziers.
Im going to start a separate thread to discuss personal relationship with herbs.