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The selection and treatment of the herbs, combined with the use of alcohol makes this formula very moderate and balanced in temperature and safe for long term use. Because of this, the flexibility of using this formula is wide ranging, and has its place in treating almost every situation where the "TCM" liver and/or gall bladder is involved. As the liver is a major pathway for detoxification, this formula can be used for aiding the clearing of dampness and heat in almost every system.
When combined with other formulas we have seen great results in treating presentaions from irritable bowel syndrome to skin disorders to hyperthyroidism. In an appropriate situation where you have a client that you perceive as stuck on a plateau in their healing process, you can think of adding Skye Herbals blend to enhance their current therapy, especially when the liver is involved. If you would like more information about how others have used this formula in their practice, or if you would like to share your experiences, feel free to call and talk to one of us at any time, or visit our practitioner chat room in the Discussion Forum.
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Excess vs. Deficiency
Chinese Medicine takes special care in distinguishing between excess and deficient conditions. Deficient patients are generally weak, debilitated, lacking in energy and strength; a condition which often follows a long illness, childbirth, or transpires during old age. Excess conditions are the opposite, being strong, and full. This type requires a draining and cleansing therapy which is much different than the tonifying, nurturing therapy required for deficient conditions.
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Something to be aware of, as modern day practitioners, is that the ancient Chinese did not have many dietary factors that now complicate our health and disease patterns. For example, ancient peoples did not have fried foods, preservatives, and additives that now greatly contribute to current diseases. They also consumed more natural and whole foods such as whole grains and vegetables as opposed to refined carbohydrates such as pasta, bread, and sugar that often form the basis of the American diet.
Keeping this in mind, one aspect of modern day deficiency that is often overlooked is that many people today are deficient due to clogged, overburdened digestive systems. For example, some who are overweight, whose spleens are weak and unable to properly absorb and process nutrients, are actually deficient due to excess. In other words, many people in western countries who have an abundance of food are actually starving of malnutrition. This is due to the over-consumption of rich, fried, fatty, processed foods which overburden the liver, spleen, and intestines, preventing them from being able to properly absorb nutrients and give the body the energy and nourishment that it needs.
The herbs in this formula are typically thought of as reducing and clearing for a person who is excess in nature. However, one of the special qualities of Milk Thistle is that it cleanses and detoxifies an overburdened and stagnant liver while also being able to strengthen and tonify a weak liver; thus, delivering potent medicine to clogged, excess conditions as well as to weakened, deficient conditions. Similarly, Dandelion is an herb which cleanses and helps to remove stagnations in the digestive system and liver. Yet, it also helps strengthen the digestion by stimulating the secretion of bile, thus aiding digestion and acting as a mild laxative and stool softener, bringing special benefit to those with sluggish metabolisms.
So, when asking if this extract is beneficial for deficient conditions, it may also be helpful to determine if the patient in question is truly deficient or if they are lacking energy, absorbtion, and nourishment due to a system that is weighed down by improper diet and long term excess and stagnation.
In our practice we have found that, in the right circumstances, deficient as well as excess patients have actually received great benefit from this formula due to it's balanced thermal nature, the adaptogenic qualities of the Milk Thistle, and the ability of this extract to enhance the digestive process.
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DISCLAIMER:
This information has not been reviewed by the FDA, and as such should not be taken as medical advice or medical fact. We request that all practitioners refer to their clinical training and experience when evaluating the true effectiveness and use of these herbs with their patients. (The organs listed in our literature, such as Liver, refer to the common Traditional Oriental Medical functional groups, and may not directly relate to the anatomical counterpart or commonly known functions at all times.) When in doubt, please refer to such texts as the Herbal PDR and peer reviewed journals for the most recent list of clinical studies as well as side affects and contra-indications. We ask that practitioners please read all the provided information in order to best acquaint themselves with all the uses and indications for this product.
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