Discussion on"common anemarrhena rhizome strengthening yin and protecting defensive qi"
Common anemarrhena rhizome is a classic herb for clearing heat fire,which can nourish yin owing to its sweet-cold nature on the basis of clearing fire to conserve yin due to its bitter-cold nature,delivering the direct effect of purging fire and strengthening yin.Defensive qi originates from the lower jiao while functions to invigorate the upper jiao,with its root lying in the kidney,while enriched and distributed through the lung.Common anemarrhena rhizome has the effect of both clearing excessive heat in the lung and nourishing yin fluids in the kidney.While reducing the consumption of yin fluids,it can also promote the transformation and generation of defensive qi in the body,thus having the effect of nourishing it.As dryness lurks inside the body,it may deplete and damage yin fluids in the lung and kidney,resulting in insufficient transformation of defensive qi and its dysfunction in defending against external pathogens.If triggered by external pathogenic factors,latent dryness can induce diseases,which undergoes such pathogenesis transformation processes as intense dryness turning into cold,dryness turning into qi as dampness,and restricted qi turning into fire.Common anemarrhena rhizome can nourish yin in the lower jiao as it clears heat,replenish the transformation source of defensive qi as it removes and moistens latent dryness,playing the part of strengthening yin and protecting defensive qi.And in this way,the herb can effectively cut off the transmission of diseases induced by latent dryness and external pathogens.The unique action of common anemarrhena rhizome is fully reflected in the classic Chinese patent medicines such as Jinhua Qinggan Granules and Yinqiao Qingre Tablets.
common anemarrhena rhizomestrengthening yin and protecting defensive qilatent dryness