Actions of the Yao and the Eight Methods 

This article explains the actions of the Yao (Chinese medicinal products) and the Eight Methods. It also provides specific information on the tastes of the herbs and their relation to the organs in mammals. 

There are many types of prescriptions, however, we will focus on seven common kinds: 1. Da (large/big), 2. Xiao (small), 3. Huan (slow), 4. Ji (fast/urgent), 5. Ji (one action), 6. Ou (double action), 7. Fu (many actions). 

When a horse is exhausted after a special workout, ie endurance or racing, we must use formulas of type Da to quickly restore the proper level of energy and the balance of Yin and Yang within the body. In a formula of type Da there are many strong Yao. In a formula of type Xiao the Yao used are less powerful. If a sickness develops rapidly, a formula of type Ji will be used, and if it is a slow development we prescribe the formula of type Huan. 

Eight Methods 

The seven types of formulas can be used in Eight Methods: 1. Han (perspire), 2. Tu (induce vomiting - not in the case of horses), 3. Xia (purge), 4. He (harmonize), 5. Wen (warm), 6. Qing (purify or refresh/clear heat), 7. Xiao (disperse), 8. Bu (tonify). 

Going back to the exhausted horse, one will use a "big" formula and also a formula with the method of tonification. There are many formulas to tonify, and the tonification will depend on the individual case. For example, is it the Yang aspect, which is more related to the functioning of the body and the spirit? Or is there a lack of or too much heat? Or is it the Yin aspect which is more related to the matter (Yin) of life, such as building the blood or building the muscles. If a horse sweats too fast or too easily, one should use a formula which will tonify and also cool down - a Yin formula. There are also formulas that can tonify the blood and help its circulation and these formulas should not be too Yang or too Yin. 

Each Yao has a different dosage within each formula. For specific Yao, we must use a small dosage. For others, we must use a high dosage. It is also important to understand the use of Chinese Yao. In general, it should be used only when the horse is sick. If the horse is a high-level athlete, then some formulas can be used as part of a prevention and maintenance program. 
  

The Five Tastes 

The taste of Yao is very important. Each taste reinforces the action of a Zang (see article No. 3) and is related to the other Zang by the Five Elements cycle. It is because different types of Yao have different types of Qi that they are able to deal with different diseases.  

It can be said that acidity goes to the tendons, bitterness enters the Xue (blood), sweetness enters the flesh and muscles, pungency enters the Qi, and saltiness enters the bones. Often, a diseased organ may be diagnosed by a sudden craving for its particular taste. The pungent/spicy flavor disperses, the sour flavor gathers together, the sweet flavor slows down, the bitter flavor strengthens, and the salty flavor softens. This understanding of the body in relation to the tastes is valid for any mammal. When a formula is the right one for the horse, the improvement can be seen in a matter of days - in some cases even overnight, depending on whether it is a chronic or a sudden condition. 

Tastes can be used to nourish the organs and therefore the body, or to tonify or calm down certain aspects of the functioning. The following table explains attractions and contradictions of tastes and organs. Because Chinese medicinal formulas are based on tastes - and even though some cases may appear to have the same symptoms - the dosage may be different for each individual case. It becomes very complicated, and that is why each Chinese medicinal formula is always made of at least four different Yao (medicinal herbs) with each herb playing a role. Of course, in each formula the strongest Yao plays the role of the emperor; then the other Yao play the role of the minister(s), the assistant(s) and the messenger(s)

	Acid	Bitter	Sweet	Pungent	Salt
Liver  (wood)	¸			No (external conditions)  Tonify (internal conditions)
Heart  (fire)		¸   (internal, chronic conditions)			No  (external conditions)  Tonify  (internal conditions)
Spleen  (earth)	No	¸   (internal conditions)	¸
Lungs  (metal)	Tonify	No		¸
Kidneys  (water)		Tonify  (internal conditions)	No		¸   (internal conditions)

Arno Leblic is a certified acupuncturist (NACA/EUCM) and practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine. He has committed himself to a life-time study of TCM at the European University of Chinese Medicine, Vancouver, BC, branch. Mr. Leblic is a specialist in the application of TCM on the equine athlete in North America. His company, Horse Sense Herbs Ltd., provides a variety of services to horse owners, trainers, breeders, and veterinarians. They include personal and telephone consultations, as well as seminars. 

The knowledge provided here comes from discourses by Prof. Leung Kok Yuen that have been translated by the European University of Chinese Medicine. We thank Prof. Leung Kok Yuen for sharing his wisdom and experience, and for maintaining Traditional Chinese Medicine at its purest form.