Case-Based Insights from Brain Acupuncture Internship Observations

Kit Li

As part of the Brain Acupuncture Internship Program, three full days of observation in Dr. Wang’s clinic are obligatory.

This morning, I visited Dr. Wang’s clinic to begin fulfilling my three-day observation requirement. A total of 11 patients were treated, some of whom have been long-standing patients, receiving brain acupuncture with Dr. Wang for over two to eight years.

I was fortunate to observe a wide range of cases, including three patients with Motor Neurone Disease, two with Anxiety Disorder, as well as others suffering from dementia, chronic depression, infertility, epilepsy, and insomnia...etc.  Two patients had even travelled from Northern Ireland and Manchester. No matter the distance, their determination to see Dr. Wang was the most striking factor behind their commitment to treatment.

It has been a truly valuable experience that has deepened my understanding of Brain Acupuncture. What impressed me most during my observation was not only the variety of conditions treated, but also the patients’ responses, each of them left with a smile and a sense of positivity. They all share one strong belief: Brain Acupuncture has the power to change their lives.

Thank you Dr Wang!

作为脑针实习项目的一部分，我需要在王天俊教授的诊所进行三天的观察。

今天早上，我来到了王教授的诊所，开始履行三天观察的要求。一个早上已接诊了11位患者，其中一些是长期病人，他们在这里已经接受脑针治疗长达二至八年。

我有幸观察到各种不同的病例，包括三位运动神经元病患者、两位焦虑症患者，以及其他患有痴呆症、慢性抑郁症、不孕症、癫痫和失眠的病人。其中两位患者甚至远道而来，一位来自北爱尔兰，另一位来自曼彻斯特。无论路途多远，他们对治疗的执着与坚定最令我感动。

这次的观察经历极大地加深了我对脑针的理解。让我印象最深刻的不仅是治疗的病种之广，更是病人们的反应，他们每个人都带着笑容与积极的心情离开诊所。他们都有一个共同的信念：脑针能够改变他们的生活。

感谢王天俊教授。

Huang Qi and Tonifying Herbs for Strengthening Vitality

Kit Li

How much do you know about some Chinese Herbs that can replenish vital energy (Zheng Qi), strengthen the constitution, enhance resistance to illness, and treat patterns of deficiency. These are called tonifying herbs, also known as nourishing herbs or restorative herbs. 

Most of these herbs are sweet in taste, with the function of replenishing deficiency and strengthening weakness. They can supplement the body's Qi, Blood, Yin and Yang, and are used to treat deficiency syndromes, including Qi-deficiency, Blood-deficiency, Yin-deficiency, Yang-deficiency, Qi-Blood dual deficiency, and Yin-Yang dual deficiency. Some of these herbs also have additional effects such as clearing heat, dispelling cold, generating fluids, moistening dryness, or astringing loss, and thus treat corresponding conditions.

There are four categories in tonifying herbs:

1. Qi-tonifying herbs
2. Yang-tonifying herbs
3. Yin-tonifying herbs
4. Yang-tonifying herbs

Today, I’m going to introduce one of the most commonly used Qi-tonifying herbs, Huang Qi (Radix Astragali).(1) (2) 

Huang Qi (Radix Astragali), mainly produced in Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Heilongjiang, etc. Used raw or honey fried.

Properties

1. Sweet, slightly warm
2. Spleen and Lung Meridians

Functions:

1. Tonifies Qi and raises Yang
2. Strengthens the exterior and stabilises the surface (protects against external pathogens)
3. Promotes urination and reduces oedema
4. Expels toxins and promotes tissue regeneration

Clinical applications:

1. Spleen-Stomach Qi deficiency
2. Spleen-Qi deficiency with sinking middle Qi: organ prolapse (rectal, uterine, gastric prolapse, etc)
3. Lung-Qi deficiency: cough, asthma, shortness of breath
4. Qi-deficiency: spontaneous sweating, susceptibility to colds
5. Qi-deficiency with oedema and difficulty urination
6. Qi-Blood deficiency: anaemia, sallow complexion, numb limbs, chronic ulcers or wounds that fail to heal
7. Xiao Ke (wasting-thirst, diabetes mellitus)

 Caution:

The dosage of Huang Qi must be carefully considered when prescribing it in any formula. When used in small doses, it can raise blood pressure, whereas in large doses, it can lower blood pressure.

Huang Qi with modified Si Shen Tang (3): to strengthen Spleen, expels dampness, tranquilising the mind and also replenish Qi.

Ingredientes (equal part, 5g each)

1. Huang Qi (Astragalus root): tonifies Qi, raises Yang, strengthens the Spleen and Lung
2. ShanYao (Chinese Yam): tonifies the Spleen and nourishes Stomach Yin
3. Fuling (Poria): strengthens the Spleen, drains dampness, calms the mind
4. Lianzi (Lotus Seed): strengthens the Spleen, calm the mind, stops diarrhoea
5. Yiyiren (Coix seed): strengthens the Spleen, resolves dampness

Cooking methods:

1. Wash all the ingredients
2. Put all them in a ceramic pot with 1000ml water
3. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 45 minutes
4. Ready to drink

This homemade herbal soup is suitable for individuals with weak Spleen and Stomach functions, such as those experiencing poor appetite, fatigue, oedema, loose stools, pale complexion and mild insomnia.  In this formula, Huang Qi helps to tonify Qi and raise Yang, thereby strengthening the Spleen and Stomach.

Tonifying herbs like Huang Qi are important in TCM for restoring strength, boosting resistance to illness, and treating long-term weakness. When used with other gentle Spleen-strengthening herbs in Modified Si Shen Tang, they created a safe daily tonic to improve vitality, especially for people with weak digestion and low energy. Regular but careful use can help maintain health and build resilience.

References:

1) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38394541/

2) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33464616/

3) The Classic formula, Si Shen Tang: Shan Yao (Chinese Yam), Lianzi (Lotus Seeds), Fuling (Poria), and Qian Shi (Dried Fox Nut Barley): for strengthening Spleen and Stomach, resolves dampness and calming the nerves