Wu Wei Zi
Schisandrae Fructus
sweet, sour, warm
PRIMARY FUNCTION:
Stabilize and Bind
CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:
- Chronic cough
- Wheezing
- Nocturnal emissions
- Spermatorrhea
- Vaginal discharge
- Frequent urination
- Diarrhea
- Spontaneous sweating
- Dry mouth
- Excess thirst
- Night sweats
- Diabetes
- Insomnia
- Heart palpitations
- Bad dreams
Wu Wei Zi treats the branch symptoms of decline and loss of bodily fluids. In order to be effective it must be combined with herbs to treat the root of the deficiency in the area of greatest need.
Deficiency related decline can be from excess taxation (abuse of stimulants or high amounts of stress), age, or poor constitution. The primary effect of this herb is on the lung system and the adrenal glands. It potentially supports thyroid function or at least indirectly by improving the function of the areas of the body related to thyroid health such as the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands produce catecholamines, such as epinephrine and norepinephrine that are released under the sympathetic nervous system during moments or stress. When stress levels are too high for too long, this function begins to decline leading to poor energy levels and other symptoms related to adrenal gland dysregulation. The sex hormone balancing effect likely involves the adrenal glands more than the gonads because of the obvious improvements it makes in lung function.
Its effect on digestion is secondary but still keeps in line with the general theme of treating excess loss due to deficiency. When the adrenal glands are stressed they produce excess cortisol which triggers production of sugar in the liver (glycogenolysis/gluconeogenesis). This spike and drop in blood glucose causes stress on the pancreas which manages blood glucose levels with two main hormones: insulin and glucagon. The pancreas also produces enzymes for the digestion of food in the duodenum. Taxation to the pancreas will lead to not only lead to dysglycemia but also to indigestion and eventually to diarrhea patterns based on this deficiency of function.
Channels: heart, lung, kidney
COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:
- Increased pancreatic secretions
- Antidiarrheal
- Diabetes
- Palpitations
- Sleep disorders
- Cough
- Perimenopausal symptoms; night sweats, vaginal dryness
- Antihypertensive
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Biliary congestion
Formulas:
- Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan
- Bu Fei Tang
- Bu Shen Yi Gan Tang
- Da Ding Feng Zhu
- Di Huang Yin Zi
- Du Qi Wan
- Er Long Zuo Ci Wan
- Fu Tu Dan
- Jiu Xian San
- Ling Gan Wu Wei Jiang Xin Tang
- Mai Wei Di Huang Wan
- Ming Mu Di Huang Wan
- Qing Fei Tang
- Ren Shen Bu Fei Tang
- Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang
- She Gan Ma Huang Tang
- Sheng Mai San
- Si Shen Wan
- Tian Wang Bu Xin Dang
- Tu Si Zi Wan
- Xiao Qing Long Tang
Contraindications: Wu Wei Zi should be discontinued during acute cold and flu (exterior attacks) or when there is a rash that needs to be fully expressed to the surface
Zoo Image: a sweaty camel smoking and coughing dragging a toilet spilling poo has a water bottle, a kidney tattoo, and is walking by a spirit holding a qi pillow