Sheng Mai San comes from "Medical Origin" and is composed of ginseng, Ophiopogon japonicus and Schisandra chinensis. It has the effects of invigorating Qi and promoting body fluid, nourishing Yin and stopping sweating. It is often used to treat symptoms such as fatigue, thirst and excessive sweating caused by deficiency of both Qi and Yin.
The composition and efficacy of Sheng Mai San
Ginseng : replenishes the yin of the five internal organs, replenishes qi and produces body fluid, protects yin and strengthens the exterior. Ginseng can replenish lung qi and produce body fluid, which helps to improve symptoms such as thirst, shortness of breath, and thin pulse caused by deficiency of both qi and yin.
Ophiopogon japonicus : nourishes yin and moistens the lungs, produces fluid and quenches thirst, nourishes the heart and calms the mind. Ophiopogon japonicus can relieve symptoms such as cough, wheezing, thirst and dry throat caused by insufficient lung fluid, and improve symptoms such as insufficient heart qi, palpitations, insomnia, irritability and restlessness.
Schisandra chinensis : It can soothe the lungs and relieve coughs, replenish the lung qi, and work together with Ophiopogon japonicus and ginseng to nourish yin and moisten the lungs, replenish qi and promote the production of body fluids, and improve symptoms such as palpitations and insomnia.
Addition and subtraction of Shengmaisan
The composition of Sheng Mai San can be increased or decreased according to the specific situation. For example, if the Qi deficiency is not serious, ginseng can be replaced with Dangshen; if the Qi and Yin are insufficient and there is internal heat, American ginseng can be used instead.
Traditional Method of Taking Sheng Mai San
The traditional method of taking the medicine is to boil 3 qian of ginseng, 5 qian of Radix Ophiopogonis, and 2 qian of Schisandrae Chinensis in water twice for two doses, and take 2 doses a day. The modern method is to boil 1 dose 3 times and take it all in one day.
Causes and prevention of heat exhaustion
In recent years, the temperature has been rising year by year in the summer, and the number of patients with heat exhaustion in outpatient clinics has also increased. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include elevated body temperature, thirst, dizziness, weakness in the limbs, and cold skin, which indicate dehydration. In severe cases, heat exhaustion may develop into heat stroke, with a higher body temperature and unconsciousness, and emergency infusion and cooling treatment must be given.
Heat exhaustion not only occurs in people who spend a lot of time outdoors, but also in some office workers who sit for a long time and frequently go in and out of air-conditioned rooms. When they are exposed to cold, their pores shrink and they cannot sweat and dissipate heat. Heat accumulation in the body can also produce symptoms similar to heat exhaustion. Therefore, when entering an air-conditioned room from a high temperature outdoors, you should first stay in a place with weak air conditioning, such as a hallway or stairwell, for a while, so that your body can adapt to the temperature change before entering a low temperature area.
TCM perspective: nourishing the heart in summer
From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, summer is the season for nourishing the heart. Sweat is the fluid of the heart. Excessive high temperatures increase sweating, which easily dissipates the heart's qi. Shengmai San is a commonly used Chinese medicine prescription that has the effect of nourishing the heart and lung qi. It is composed of ginseng (American ginseng can be substituted), Ophiopogon japonicus, and Schisandra chinensis.
Indications and Applications of Shengmaisan
The main effect of Sheng Mai San is to "replenish Qi and produce body fluid, and to nourish Yin and stop sweating". It is a representative prescription for treating "Qi and Yin deficiency syndrome". It is mainly used to treat summer heat damaging Qi, body fluid deficiency, chronic cough damaging the lungs, and Qi and Yin deficiency syndrome.
The main symptoms of heatstroke include lack of vitality, easy fatigue, tiredness, dry mouth and tongue, dry cough with little sputum, shortness of breath and laziness, easy sweating, red tongue, and weak pulse.
Clinical application of Sheng Mai San
Shengmai San is widely used in modern medicine to improve heart function and enhance the body's immune function. For example, patients with respiratory diseases such as coronary heart disease, heart failure, arrhythmia, heart failure, hypotension, angina, acute myocardial infarction, myocarditis, cor pulmonale, pulmonary tuberculosis, chronic bronchitis, etc., which are caused by deficiency of both qi and yin, can all be treated with Shengmai San.
In addition, Shengmai San can also be used for various types of shock, heatstroke, Alzheimer's disease, neonatal sclerosis and other symptoms of deficiency of both Qi and Yin.
Precautions and side effects of Sheng Mai San
Sheng Mai San is a tonifying and consolidating medicine, suitable for both qi and yin deficiency, pure deficiency without excess. It is not suitable for patients with febrile diseases where qi and yin are damaged but residual heat is not cleared, or patients with long-term cough and lung deficiency with phlegm and heat. In addition, it is not suitable for patients with exogenous pathogens that have not been resolved, or patients with summer heat disease with excessive heat but qi and yin are not damaged.
For chronic cough and lung deficiency, it should only be used when the yin is damaged and the qi is depleted, and the patient is completely weak and without any evil.
Diet therapy combined with adjunctive therapy
In the hot summer, in addition to using Sheng Mai San, you can also use food therapy to assist in the treatment of heat exhaustion. Taiwan is located in the subtropical zone, and summer heat and humidity easily combine to form summer dampness, accompanied by symptoms such as chest tightness, nausea, loss of appetite, dizziness, fatigue, and diarrhea. At this time, you can eat more foods that can relieve heat and promote urination, such as coix seed, loofah, watermelon, etc.
Conclusion
As a traditional Chinese medicine, Sheng Mai San has significant effects of replenishing qi and promoting body fluid, nourishing yin and stopping sweating, and is particularly suitable for nourishing the heart and protecting the lungs in summer. Through reasonable dietary therapy, common summer diseases such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke can be better prevented and treated. When using Shengmai San, it should be increased or decreased according to the specific situation, and its indications and contraindications should be noted to ensure efficacy and safety.
References
The Origin of Medicine
Modern Chinese Medicine Research Data
Clinical Medical Research Report