tendon power vs flexibility decoction

[daoust]

I have talked to a guy lately about the flexibility decoction used by yoga practitioner and he told me that there is some chance that this product was not good for the tendon power because it should bring the tendon more elastic and weak . Do somebody have any idea about that ? Here is a link for the product I m talking about.

http://www.plumdragonherbs.com/catalog/ ... 1e08e486de

Thank you

[timbaglio]

Hi there,

At first glance this formula appears to contain 肉桂，白芍，甘草，黄芩，and 木瓜. (cinnamon, white peony root, licorice, skullcap and quince). As for rigid tendons, 白芍 and especially 木瓜 have a function to soothe the liver to relax and soften them. Sounds like the customer reviews are generally positive... Would taking this formula cause the tendons to become too "elastic and weak"? That sounds like someone saying that doing yoga would over-stretch your tendons and cause your kicks to be slow. But probably it's less harm than good.

Tim

[JE]

I would disagree with what you're being told. The herbs in that formula will help to soften unproductive tension but will not overly soften the tendons. Making a liniment with these using vinegar and applying that for a prolonged period of time might cause some negative side effects but making a hot soak/compress for tight areas with this would be fine.

I disagree with Tim about one of the ingredients. Huang Qin/Skullcap - likely the yellow herb in the image is Jiang Huang - a form of turmeric which slightly warms and invigorates the blood. Huang Qin is cold and is used for more acute inflammatory conditions. The inclusion of Jiang Huang would match better overall for this formula. The combination of Gan Cao/Licorice, Mu Gua/Quince, and Bai Shao/White Peony is a classic combination for spasms and cramping. Adding some Rou Gui/Cinnamon bark and Jiang Huang/Turmeric helps to warm the formula to promote relaxation of the sinews/tendons.

All that said, good balanced training should take care of most of your needs. Herbs are great but they won't correct training that leads to bad structural balance. Make sure your training is proper first and then only use herbs to supplement.

Peace,
Justin

[timbaglio]

Wow JE, you must be a certified practicing herbalist! This formula would work as a liniment but it would be more effective if taken internally, as specified on the website. I gotta admit, 姜黄 crossed my mind; it is very useful for stopping pain and spasms and might be a more appropriate herb for this decoction. However, 姜黄 is bright yellow and the herb pictured clearly shows the green striations that are indicative only of 黄芩.

[JE]

Well I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree on this. I'm an acupuncturist by profession with a very solid background in Dit Daa. I looked at the image again and on a small screen I certainly leave space for being wrong but I'd be curious what function you would give that much Huang Qin/Skullcap/黄芩 in a formula designed to relax the sinews. Especially using this as a tea... Huang Qin would be pretty highly contraindicated in my opinion. That is not to mention how bitter it would taste which someone selling stuff over the internet would typically not want to do as it would not be good for business. Jiang Huang/姜黄/turmeric on the other hand warms, soothes, and has a very mild taste. As nothing else in the formula is particularly bitter one taste would answer the question. The formula should be sweet, sour, and spicy - spicy to warm the sinews, sweet and sour to nourish fluids and lubricate the sinews. Bitter, as a flavor strategy, really doesn't play into the function of the formula.

Anyhow, just my thoughts on the Rx...

[daoust]

Ok

Thank you for your repply . For the taste , I can tell you it tast cinnamon . it have been made with 1 gal of hot water but the supplyer told me it should be better if it was made with alchool and wait for 6 month like the dit dat jow reciep. So for the tendon power , do you belive it will make my tendon to much relax that it will not help for the tendon power or this have nothing to do with tendon power ?

Thank you for your help

[JE]

This will not impede your training. At least unless there is something with your constitution that I'm unaware of. The herbs in the formula are all very gentle and safe. I wouldn't drink the formula constantly for months - maybe do a few weeks and then take a break for a bit before restarting. They will soften your sinew tightness but won't replace proper training. The best thing for that is to follow the teachings of your sifu.

[Daifong]

This is what that conversation would have looked like, if "in person":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ASYp0Cl ... re=related

[JE]

classic...