Blue Poppy Originals

Chinese Traditional medicine has a rich history that includes over 2000 years of experience in harnessing the power of nature to support health and to promote optimal well-being. Chinese Traditional medicine is still practiced extensively in the East and is becoming more and more accepted in the West as well. Trying to take advantage of the benefits of Chinese traditional herbals and botanicals is not however without its own set of challenges. The biggest challenge to applying this system of medicine to your own health and the health of your family, is trying to determine which herbs and botanicals are best suited to your circumstances.

The Blue Poppy Originals range of supplements has taken the research out of applying these herbs to your daily life. A full range of supplements designed specifically for supporting the body in different circumstances makes Blue Poppy Originals an excellent choice for applying Eastern medicine to Western culture.

This formula is based on a modification of Zhang Zhong-jing’s Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) from his late Han dynasty Shang Han Lun (Treatise on Damage [Due to] Cold). It was created by Gan Guo-dong and Huang Qiu-xing from the Shunde Municipal Integrated Chinese-Western Medical Hospital. Our version is a 9:1 extract. 500mg 60 capsules.

INDICATIONS
 A liver-spleen disharmony with dampness pouring downward resulting in urinary frequency, urgency, and possible pain. In addition, liver depression has resulted in depressive heat affecting the functions of the stomach, heart, and lungs, while spleen qi vacuity has resulted in nonconstruction of the heart spirit. Hence there is disquietude of the spirit and association and aggravation of the urinary symptoms with
 psychoemotional stress. In terms of disease diagnosis, this formula is mainly for the treatment of neurogenic bladder. If the patterns
 fit, this formula may also be used to treat interstitial cystitis.

THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF LIVER DEPRESSION QI STAGNATION INCLUDE

•A bowstring pulse

• Possible PMS and/or dysmenorrhea

• Irritability

•A dark tongue

THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSIVE HEAT AFFECTING THE HEART AND/OR STOMACH INCLUDE

•Easy hunger

• Possible rapid pulse

• Possible redness of the tongue tip and/or sides

• Possible yellow tongue fur

• Possible swelling of the tongue sides

• Restlessness and agitation, possible profuse dreams or poor sleep

THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF SPLEEN VACUITY WITH DAMPNESS INCLUDE

•Fatigue

•A fine pulse

•Lack of strength

•A swollen tongue with teeth-marks on its edges

•A tendency to loose stools

THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF NONCONSTRUCTION OF THE HEART SPIRIT INCLUDE

• Excessive worry and anxiety

• Restlessness

•Poor sleep

• Confusion and/or impaired memory

• Possible palpitations

 FORMULA EXPLANATION
 Although this formula in Chinese is named after Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction), it is actually a modified combination of Xiao Chai Hu Tang, Xiao Yao San (Rambling Powder), and Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Supplement the Center & Boost the Qi Decoction). In this formula, Bupleurum, Ledebouriella, Orange Peel, and uncooked Ginger course the liver and rectify the qi, while Peony and Dang Gui nourish the blood and emolliate the liver. Astragalus, Codonopsis, Poria, Licorice, and Red Dates supplement the spleen and construct the heart spirit. Poria, Pinellia, Orange Peel, and uncooked

 Ginger seep and transform dampness. Scutellaria clears heat from the liver, stomach, and lungs. Depressive heat from the liver drafts upward, affecting the stomach and lungs. In Chinese medicine, it is said that, “The kidneys are the sluice-gate of the stomach.” This means that the stomach and kidneys are related in terms of the production of urine. If the stomach is hot and hyperactive, it not only disperses food too quickly downward, it also disperses liquids too quickly downward, thus contributing to urinary frequency and urgency. Similarly, depressive heat from the liver and stomach may accumulate

 in the lungs, affecting the lungs’ control over the water passageways. Ophiopogon clears heat from the stomach and heart, helps transform dampness and phlegm, and nourishes yin, therefore, preventing the ruling ingredient, Bupleurum, from plundering yin. Achyranthes helps move the blood and thus also heat and fluids downward, while empirically also treating any tendency to low back pain. Polygala and Caulis Polygoni both quiet the spirit. In addition, Polygala rectifies the qi and transforms phlegm, while
 Caulis Polygoni nourishes the blood and treats both irritability and insomnia. This formula has achieved a 90.3% total amelioration rate in one study of 31 patients with urinary bladder neck syndrome and neurogenic bladder, with a 61.2% cure rate.

 COMBINATIONS
 If symptoms of spleen qi vacuity or central qi falling downward are more pronounced, this formula may be combined with Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan (Supplement the Center & Boost the Qi Pills). If stomach heat is marked, it may be combined with Huang Lian Su (Coptis Simple) or Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang (Pinellia Drain the Heart Decoction). If dampness and turbidity are more marked, this formula can be combined with Er Chen Wan (Two Aged [Ingredients] Pills). If heart spirit nonconstruction and malnourishment are more pronounced, it can be combined with Gan Mai Da Zao Wan (Licorice, Wheat & Red Date Pills). If kidney qi not securing complicates the picture, it can be combined with Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan
 (Golden Lock Secure the Essence Pills). If complicated by blood stasis, this formula can be combined with Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang Wan (Lower Abdomen Dispel Stasis Decoction Pills).