Application of Dahuang(Rhubarb)in Shang Han Za Bing Lun Based on Faxiang(Image)Thinking
Faxiang thinking is the basic thinking of medical practitioners in the past generations to explain the efficacy of medicines and guide the clinical use of medicines,which was born in the practice of Chinese medicine in ancient times,and its existence is helpful for the modern practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine to recognize and understand the thinking and experience of ancient medical practitioners in the use of medicines.From the Faxiang thinking to explore the law of Zhang Zhongjing's application of Dahuang(Rhu-barb)in Shang Han Za Bing Lun,it can be seen as follows:the root and rhizome of rhubarb can be used as drug,the texture of which is heavy and dense.It is yellow in color and is produced in the high and cold area.the line pattern is longitudinal and transverse,when harvested in February or August.It is bitterly cold in character with strong flavor.There is an image of downward growth and sedimenta-tion in winter.It functions into the Spleen and Stomach,like limbs,tendons and flesh in shape.The line pattern is like the blood meridi-ans and colleratels.When harvested,it endows the Qi of the four seasons,with the nature of being active as a drug.Therefore,rhubarb has the functions of encouraging diarrhea and attacking accumulation,calming the Stomach and lowering Qi,purging the Intestine and Stomach,opening up congestion,facilitating the limbs and joints,clearing away Heat and Fire,cooling the blood and detoxifying,invigor-ating the blood,removing blood stasis and regulating menstruation,regulating the Middle Jiao and transforming the food to settle down the Five Zang,inducing Ddampness and eliminating yellowish skin color,dispelling Phlegm and stagnated Water within body.
Dahuang(Rhubarb)Faxiang(Image)ThinkingShang Han Za Bing LunZhang Zhongjing