Chinese Herbs for your first aid kit and medicine cabinet

As an herbalist I get a lot of questions about what herbs I take for various conditions, what I have around the house for emergencies, and what I travel with. We're not all blessed with a complete herbal pharmacy in the house or access to raw herbs growing in the backyard. So I thought I would write about my "go to" formulas and patents.

Without question the number one formula everyone should have around the house and in their travel kit is Yunnan Bai Yao. This legendary Chinese formula stops bleeding, and inhibits inflammation. It is said members of the Chinese army all carry vials in their first aid kits. The formula is a family secret and remains so to this day. It comes in several versions - capsule, powder, and spray. I personally like the powder for healing wounds. This powdered version also comes with a little pill in the cap to stop internal bleeding. Yunnan Bai Yao is also popular for use on pets, so much so that people often use it for pets that are stricken with cancer.

The second formula that I consider essential is Curing Pills or Po Chai Pills. These little round pills come in either pouches or small vials, and can relieve indigestion, and excessive stomach acid. I have used them to combat the effects of overeating, nausea, hangovers, food poisoning, and even at the beginning of a cold or flu when my stomach doesn't quite feel right.

One of my favorites when I have a cough or feel a sore throat coming on is San She Dan Chuan Bei Ye. This liquid comes in little vials with a straw and at one point contained snake bile!! It tastes sweet, soothes the throat, and calms cough. Typically I'll take something like Loquat and Fritillary Syrup every four hours, and in between doses add the San She Dan vials. The loquat syrup is known as Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa, and also tastes very sweet with a bit of menthol. I typically mix a tablespoon into a cup of green tea when I feel a cold coming on, or when I'm trying to get rid of a lingering cough.

When it comes to muscle soreness, and recovery there are a vast array of products. I generally approach healing muscles with a  pre-workout formula, and a post workout formula. For the pre-workout I always turn to Zheng Gu Shui. It's both cooling and warm, and immediately begins to loosen stiff or painful muscles, while bringing blood flow to the tendons and ligaments. For post-workout I use a variety of dit dar jow, or die da jiu (Mandarin-pinyin). For generations dit dar jow was primarily made by kung fu practitioners and instructors, and was hard to find if you weren't in the know. Today there are many commercial variations. I always have Herbal Science Die Da Yao Jiu on hand, but I also have used X-Jow, and some custom formulas. There are two great resources online for dit dar jow as well, Plum Dragon herbs, and Dale Dugas. Both offer pre-aged formulas, and raw herbs and supplies for you to make your own if you so choose.

When I travel, I take along small packets of everything mentioned above, but I also have a bit of a pre-travel ritual as well. I start about two weeks before taking Dragon Herb's Supreme Protector. All of the ingredients (Reishi, Astragalus, Schizandra, and Cordyceps) help to build the immune system, and aid the adaptability of the body to handle stress. The day I get on the plane, and for the duration of the trip, I switch to another Dragon Herbs formula known as Perilla Clear (Perilla, Ashwaganda, Cordyceps, and Reishi). This formula continues to strengthen the immune system but also helps relieve any phlegm or cough that may be caught on the plane. Perilla (zi su zi in pinyin) is also known to moisten the intestines which can help regulate travel related constipation. Perilla Clear is one of the most adaptogenic formulas you could take, so I also suggested this formula during seasonal change, time change or geography change, and periods of increased stress. It's especially helpful for anyone who suffers from seasonal allergies.

For burns I really like Ching Wan Hung, a traditional patent with dang gui (a blood invigorator), and mo yao (myrrh) which heals flesh. This topical ointment will not only heal burns faster, but can also minimize scarring.

There are many more, but this short list can help you begin to build your own home Chinese herbal pharmacy...

Nanjing, Day 9 and 10

Day 9

Unfortunately, massive rain this morning. I got the messages on WeChat that everyone was sleeping in. I walked over to the park in the rain at about 7:30am, but it was torrential, and I decided no practice would happen this morning. Lo and behold, the rain let up around 10:30am, and I started to get messages that Shifu would meet us in the park if we wanted to train. A few of us met Shifu, and we got another 2 hours of practice in on the new sword form. One of his students asked how long I had been working on the 42 sword, and I said "since yesterday, with all of you." She looked surprised, and then laughed as she told me they had been working on the form for over 3 weeks. Ah ha, that's why they all looked so good. Well, I was happy I kept up, and didn't feel so terrible any more...

After, Melody met us for another amazing lunch at Li's restaurant. We had lots of food as Shifu explained the intricacies of "second wife" in China, its history, and current practices. Melody was very good humored about it, and a bit surprised at all the drama in Chinese relationships. 

In the afternoon we made our way to Librarie Avant Garde, a very cool bookstore I visited on my last trip that has been built into an old underground parking garage near the People's Stadium. Though most of the books are in Chinese, the vibe is incredible. Every weekend there are signing events and lectures with authors, there is a great coffee shop, and the sheer quantity and quality of books is overwhelming. Every classic title I could think of from the west has been translated into Chinese, and is available here in multiple formats. I found a few TCM books, and a great translation of the Dao de Jing. It was a wet, sloggy day, but we had fun (though by the time we landed in Los Angeles 2 days later the wet and cold took it's toll on Melody).

Day 10

Our final day, and I definitely felt like I needed more time in Nanjing. The sun came out, and I made my way to the park. I saw Gao shifu one more time, and we worked on the Chen form for a bit. He seemed pleased with the corrections, and I'm excited to work them into my own class back in Los Angeles. Even with all my videos, notes and diligent practice little pieces begin to slide, and change shape.

At 7:30am the rest of Da Shifu's class started to roll into the park and we jumped right into the forms. In the park there is rarely any kind of warmup. Sometimes in the beginners class the teacher will lead everyone through some basic drills and qigong, but if you're with a serious teacher its expected that you will arrive early and be ready to work when he gets there.

We worked through another section of the form for a couple hours, and slowly the rest of the class faded away, sad goodbyes, but I promised to return in the fall. By 10:30 it was just me, Shifu, his son, and another student. We worked through each section of the form, and in between gave form demonstrations for the passersby.

At one point a new student came by and showed us a taiji form created by the Red Army. It was painfully long, and full of power, as it was mainly based on Chen movements.

By noon I had the whole form. My hips and knees were tortured from all the low stances, and the desire to impress both Shifu, and the continuous parade of onlookers. There were many photos taken, and video from the audience (I've been told there is video on Youku, the Chinese version of Youtube). Shifu was happy, and I was pleased to get the whole form in such a short time. We said our goodbyes, and I prepared for the long trip home….

Nanjing, Day 8

Day 8

Back to training. I went early to the park to practice the Chen broadsword set I knew I would be tested on later in the day, but then ran into my old teacher Gao Xiao Ming. I had brought him a gift as well, so it was an auspicious meeting. We worked through the forms he had taught me, and he gave me some very detailed corrections. Lots of good information to practice when I get home. His class began to gather just before 7:30, and I went off to practice my other forms. 

My new teacher showed up right on time, but I did get to run through the broadsword form once before he got there. We went through the form a few times, and surprisingly a lot of his students began to show up even though this is not their regular training day. One very nice older woman drove for an hour just to meet and train with the American!! 

After running through a few forms with the class, we started a new sword form, the Combined 42 straight sword form. Most of the class seemed to be working on this for the first time which was nice, everyone at the same level, not so much attention on me. They all picked up the form so fast, I was struggling to keep up. We got through almost half the form in one day!! That's a huge amount of information, but I took video, and notes….

Melody and I spent the rest of the day seeing the sights of Nanjing. A little Fu Zi Miao, shopping for gifts for family and friends, and a delicious lunch at Nanjing Impressions, a chain restaurant in which the staff wear Qin era costumes. It's a bit like Pirates of the Caribbean at Disney World, but the food is surprisingly excellent. Ordering was interesting, as not one person on staff spoke English, and it was kind of the end of the lunch service, so everything was rushed and a bit hectic. 

Nanjing, Day 7

Day 7

Off to Nanjing today. A peaceful ride to the airport, and then a bit of torture at the Guilin airport. For some reason, Chinese announcements are loud and constant at the airport, not one moment of peace for 2 hours. Arriving in Nanjing we took a taxi to the Sofitel right across the street from the park I meet my teachers in. We settled in and then went out into the city so I could give Melody a general idea of where I practice in the morning, and where all the coffee shops are.

We walked down to the restaurant of one of my fellow students, and he treated us to a great dinner, and a surprise visit from Shifu. Luckily I had the requisite gifts with me just in case. 

We shared lots of pictures of my last trip, and got all of our QQ and WeChat apps in sync so we could easily communicate while in China, and when I get back home to Los Angeles. 

Melody and I finished the night at Fu Zi Miao, the Confuscious Temple, and a prime shopping area in Nanjing.

Yangshuo, Day 5 and 6

Day 5

This morning we woke to another massive thunderstorm. We used a break in the rain to hike up into the valley behind our hotel where we found a beautiful citrus orchard hidden away in the flats of the valley. We also braved the rains to bike ride along the Yulong River for a bit. Soaked to the bone, but still fun!!

Day 6

Last full day in Yangshuo, and we've decided to hike up Moonhill. A relatively short but steep hike with beautiful views of the valley below. 

We then made our way to the Big Banyan Tree which was relatively disappointing after visiting the banyan tree in Guilin. First the Yangshuo tree has an entrance fee, and then it was actually a bit smaller. In typical Chinese fashion it was fenced in and surrounded by so many signs that it was difficult to get a clean picture of it. Also, it was a complete tourist trap, just a zoo. 

We walked across the street to Jianshan buddhist temple, and it also was a disappointment. There was simply no life there at all, a few monks asleep near the altars, no one praying, and awful new age chant music playing loudly throughout the temple. I haven't been to Shaolin or some of the other popular Buddhist temples in China, but the ones I have visited have been a let down. Nowhere hear as vibrant or qi filled as the Daoist temples. 

A taxi ride back to Yangshuo town to run up the shopping street, and a few cafe visits for coffee snacks, and our day was done. 

Yangshuo, Day 3 and 4

Day 3

Last night there was a brutal storm. huge thunder claps, lightening, and torrential rain. I woke early again for tai ji practice, and it had just about stopped. Making my way to the park I saw how much rain had really fallen. The lake was almost running over its banks. I found a quiet spot on an ornamental dragon boat in the center of the lake, and worked through Yang and Chen forms again. I was alone in the park as there weren't many covered areas. The boat was attached to a very private rock and bamboo garden. If we were staying longer, this would be my practice spot. 

With the help of our hotel in Yangshuo, we made our way to the boat that would take us from Guilin to Yangshuo, 3 hours down river. Normally this would be a 4 hour trip, but the river was running fast due to all the extra water from the nights rain. The scenery was incredible, often appearing as if someone had painted it. The weather went from misty to sunny, couldn't have been better. 

Upon landing we made our way to the Tea Cozy resort outside of Yangshuo, and once again well-rested, we went straight out for an adventure. We walked along the Yulong River for a few kilometers until we reached Da Shi Zhai village. We found a sweet little temple up on a hill devoted to Quanyin and local deities. We said our hallelujah's and lit incense. There aren't a lot of temples here in Guilin county, but I'm hoping we can visit the largest temple, Jianshan, before we leave. 

We walked back to the hotel, took naps, and had an amazing meal at the hotel restaurant before crashed into bed. 

Day 4

I woke before the sunrise and walked down to the local basketball court to practice this morning. No one else was practicing there, and I got some strange looks, but it was fun. We decided to go to Bai Shi town today for the big farmer's market, and it was huge. All manner of food, herbs, kitchen products, and clothes were for sale. The highlight being fresh local herbs for sale. It was a bit of a struggle to identify all of them in their raw, unprocessed state, but a huge learning experience for sure. We bought some tea, and then a quick scooter ride to the Dragon Bridge, where we hopped on bamboo rafts for the ride home. It was a lazy, slow cruise with more beautiful scenery. 

The afternoon brought us to downtown Yangshuo where we shopped, drank tea and coffee, and played tourist. The coolest thing that Yangshuo has to offer, which I have rarely seen in China, are homemade jiu's, Chinese wines and liquor infused with herbs. Some are just for flavor, others for medicinal purposes. We sampled many jiu during the day, but the best jiu came after dinner. We settled on a well reviewed spot called Cloud 9, but none of the reviews we saw mentioned the homemade wines they had here, all from a family recipe, and of course made locally. Melody had a shan zha rice wine said to aid digestion, and I had a snake rice wine for bone and joint health. It had been aged for 6 years, and contained 3 snakes along with other Chinese herbs. It was insanely strong, a lot like grappa, but gave me a pretty good boost of energy. 

After some more nighttime strolling we crashed back at the hotel, and prepared for our next 2 days in Yangshuo….

Guilin, Day 2

I woke early and struck out for Banyan Tree park where I had read people do tai ji and qigong in the mornings. As I walked the city streets I was reminded that my China is really found in the morning, before the general populace is awake. In the silence of the morning there is an undercurrent, a vibration that is easily tapped into. Walking into the park I immediately saw a few people through the mist practicing qigong amongst the trees. Banyan Tree park is home to a 1000 year old banyan tree, and encompasses three connected lakes. I walked for a bit wanting to find a peaceful spot, but also being careful not to take someone else's regular practice spot. My experience has been that general tai ji classes and dance classes seem to start around 7:30am, more experienced practitioners, and the teachers who are looking for solitude are out between 6:00 and 7:00am. 

I found a spot along the lake, looking out at the karsts shrouded in mist, and not too far away from a qigong practitioner. He appeared to be doing some sort of movement based qigong set combined with a Six Healing Sounds derivative. I began to practice Yang and Chen styles, and listened to his chanting. About halfway through my practice another guy down the way starting singing a Chinese folksong. It echoed across the water, and once again China worked its magic on me. I found my rhythm and worked through my practice sets. 

Returning to the hotel, Melody and I made our way out to find breakfast. I took her back towards the lakes I had just found, searching for some peace, and we found it - at Starbucks. Normally, in China I might run into Starbucks for a chai, or to check my email, but this morning we sat, like good Americans, had our coffee and latte's while we made a plan for the day. It was a nice reset. 

This particular Starbucks was attached to a department store, so I figured a little retail therapy couldn't hurt. We walked through the various floors amazed at how expensive American and European items are in China. As an example, a pair of New Balance sneakers are $225 here, while their fake counterparts New Bailone are $65. Same logo, probably the same factory. Melody was shocked to see that Japanese and American makeup was as expensive and even more expensive here than they are in the U.S. 

The makeup counter also had some Chinese herbs which was cool. They sell reishi spore oil for skin rejuvenation, just as our company does in the states, and it was also more expensive!!

The most fun we had was looking at, and taking pictures of all the crazy t-shirts with poor translations, and seemingly random worlds printed on them. There will be a Facebook and Instagram post as soon as we are free of the Great Firewall. 

The rest of the day was spent quietly walking around the city, eating, drinking, and remembering what it's like not to be studying for school or the state boards...