Jade Spring Nourishing Formula is based on Jade Spring Pills (Yu Quan Wan), a relatively modern formula to address “Xiao ke”, a pattern recognized as early as the second century in China, presenting with occasional excessive thirst and frequent urination, occasional irritability, and occasional dry mouth. This formula addresses a deficiency of Yin, primarily of the Stomach, Spleen and Kidney, a deficiency of Qi with dryness, deficiency Heat, and declining Kidney Yang and Essence. Overconsumption of alcohol, a high intake of sweet and fatty foods, emotional stress and a constitutional tendency toward deficiency of Yin are all causes and contributing factors. Obesity and sedentary lifestyles are also causative factors for the increasing prevalence of this pattern which, over time, leads to a depletion of the essential Yang fluids, deficient Yin, deficient Heat, fullness in the Middle Burner and rising Qi. Jade Spring Nourishing Formula also addresses a general pattern of fluid depletion due to Yin deficiency by effectively replenishing body fluids, augmenting Qi, cooling Heat and nourishing the Yin. It is appropriate for patterns where the Qi and Yang fluids are deficient or when the Yin fluid deficiency is due to the inability of the Spleen and Lungs to transport andtransform fluids. The percentage of Ginseng specified in the base formula has been distributed between White ginseng root and rhizome and American ginseng root, to moderately reduce the Qi nourishing aspect of the formula and moderately increase the Yin nourishing and Heat clearing aspects of the formula, more appropriate for modern time. Raw Rehmannia root, a classical modification, has been added to further nourish the Yin. Ophiopogon tuber moistens the Lungs and nourishes the Yin of the Stomach, Spleen, Heart and Lungs, clears Heat and generates fluids. It is supported by raw Rehmannia root which clears Heat, cools the Blood, nourishes the Yin and generates fluids. Trichosanthes root drains Heat and generates fluids, clears and drains Lung Heat and transforms Phlegm. Kudzu root relieves Heat and generates fluids, especially addressing thirst due to Stomach Heat, and raises the clear Yang Qi of Yang Brightness. Astragalus root, White Asian ginseng root and rhizome, American ginseng root and Poria all augment the Qi. Astragalus root tonifies the Yang Qi, tonifies the Spleen and Lung Qi, tonifies Blood, supports healthy urination and addresses occasional water retention. White Asian ginseng root and rhizome strongly tonifies the primal Qi, strengthens the Spleen, tonifies the Stomach, tonifies the Lungs, and generates fluids. American ginseng root benefits the Qi, generates fluids, nourishes the Yin, nurtures Lung Yin and cools Fire from Yin deficiency. Poria tonifies the Spleen, harmonizes the Middle Burner, leaches out Dampness, supports healthy urination and quiets the Heart. Schisandra fruit grasps the Qi, tonifies the Kidneys, generates fluids, nourishes the Liver and quiets the Spirit (Shen). Chinese Licorice root and rhizome tonifies the Spleen, augments the Qi and clears Heat, and also moderates and harmonizes the characteristics of the other herbs. ORIGINS AND DEVELOPMENTBased on formulas from the writings of Ye Tianshi and Zhan Xi-chun, first recorded in the Qing Dynasty.
