As we venture into the holiday season, with it comes colder weather and the beginnings of cold and flu season as well. Traditional Chinese Medicine has much to offer on this subject, and several herbal formulas that can help with prevention and symptom relief during. For prevention, one of the most well known formulas is Yu Ping Feng, or Jade Screen. Plum Flower Jade Screen Teapills is one of our most popular versions. I asked our Clinic Director Warren Cargal, L. Ac a few questions about its history and use.
Could you briefly explain the concept of wei qi?
In Chinese medicine wei qi is the body’s defensive energy and prevents opportunistic infections such as viral or bacterial from entering the body. The body's wei qi defensive energy is maintained by the opening and closing of the sweat pores in the skin. These sweat pores are seen as the entry portals for pathogenic influences.
Consider this, during the winter when it is cold you would want the sweat pores to stay closed to prevent loss of body heat and prevent pathogenic entry, conversely during the summer you would want the pores to easily open to expel waste, heat and prevent buildup of pathogens on the skin (sweat has antibacterial properties). Thus, when the pores are inappropriately open pathogens can penetrate the skin through these open pores and gain a foothold in the muscles; from there it can initiate a disease process which, if not halted, can proceed to systemically and to the inner organs.
Jade Screen was designed to boost the wei qi and arrest sweating by closing the pores.
Where does the name Jade Screen originate?
Jade Screen, Yu ping feng (yu = jade; ping feng = screen).
In Chinese history, jade reflects value and strength, and screen indicates protection, as a barrier. The term ping, by itself, means a screen. In Chinese medicine, wind can be a carrier of illness, for example if the wind is too cold or too hot illness can result. The term feng means wind.
Jade Screen translates as a strong barrier to invading wind, the traditional carrier of illness.
What are the key herbs in Jade Screen and what are their functions in the formula?
The key herbs for Jade Screen are:
- astragalus (huang qi),
- atractylodes (bai zhu), and
- siler (fang feng).
In this formula, siler and astragalus regulate the wei qi; atractylodes is used to invigorate the spleen function: with astragalus, it boosts the generation of qi and astringes sweating.
When should someone begin taking Jade Screen, and how long is appropriate to keep taking?
Jade Screen Formula is indicated in the treatment of a weakness of wei qi: fear of draft, dislike exposure to wind and concern about easily becoming ill, spontaneous perspiration, chronic respiratory weakness, pallor, pale tongue, white tongue fur, floating, weak, and soft pulse.
SO WHEN DO YOU BEGIN TAKING IT AND FOR HOW LONG?
While it may be appropriate for some taken for longer periods, that should be determined with your practitioner.
Depending on individual conditions, there are other formulas that may be better suited.
Besides general prevention during cold and flu season, are there other conditions Jade Screen is appropriate for?
- Recurrent upper respiratory infections
- Cough and asthma
- Rhinitis, especially allergic rhinitis
- Urticaria, allergic dermatitis
- Chronic colitis
- Hemorrhagic purpura
- Facial palsy
- Chronic bronchitis
Is Jade Screen useful to take if you already have acute symptoms of cold and flu? If not, what other formulas are best at that time?
You would not consider this formula is you already have acute cold & flu symptoms. Formulas that would be considered for acute symptoms of cold & flu are Gan Mao Ling or Yin Qiao.
Are there other situations or health conditions where someone should not take Jade Screen?
You would be cautious if someone has high blood pressure as it may increase blood pressure, in some cases. If pregnant, always consult your physician and/or practitioner before taking herbal formulas.
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