Source Qi™

Sheng Qi Shi Zang Herbal Supplement

Raise the Qi and Consolidate the Organs Pill

Therapeutic Actions

Treats diarrhea accompanied by sinking of Qi, extreme deficiency of the spleen/stomach, prolapse of the anus, loss of appetite, food not being digested, fluids not being absorbed and “Passing straight through,” extreme thirst, insufficient fluids, weight loss and wasting of the limbs, fever and chills.

Source Qi may be taken for any type of chronic deficiency-cold diarrhea in which stomach/spleen injury is present. This formula was developed based on the treatment of cryptosporidiosis, a parasitic disease affecting AIDS patients, and which typically causes watery diarrhea, fatigue, loss of weight, and poor appetite. However, the formula may be used for other deficiency-cold chronic diarrhea conditions, such as those associated with Crohn’s disease, colitis, a wide range of parasite infestations, or chronic viral or bacterial infections.

Chinese Therapeutic Effects

• Strengthens the spleen/stomach
• Astringes the fluids
• Increases digestive function
• Tonifies Qi

Administration

Internal: 3 capsules, TID, between meals

To treat parasite infestations, take with Artestatin for best effects. Artestatin should be started at 1 capsule per day, increased as necessary up to 2 capsules TID.

90 capsules, 627mg

Ingredients

• Ailanthus bark*

Ailanthus altissima

• Astragalus root

huang qi

• Dioscorea root*

shan yao

• Asian Ginseng root

ren shen

• Bai-Zhu Atractylodes rhizome

bai zhu

• Cang-Zhu Atractylodes rhizome*

cang zhu

• Poria sclerotium*

fu ling

• Black Cohosh root*

sheng ma

• Bupleurum root

chai hu

• Ginger rhizome

gan jiang

• Nutmeg seed

rou dou kou

• Licorice root

zhi gan cao

*extract

Other Ingredients: Hypromellose (vegetable cellulose) and rice bran.

Formula Rationale

Source Qi was formulated based on the clinical observations of Misha Cohen, OMD, L.Ac. and Andrew Gaeddert, RH in treating cryptosporidiosis in AIDS and other chronic diarrhea patients. The formula was tested in an earlier form at the Quan Yin Healing Arts Center and in various private practices and adjusted by the formulators according to the accumulated experience.

The chief herb is phellodendron (huang bai), which clears heat and eliminates dampness, going to the large intestine, liver, and gallbladder, where it builds yin and energizes the lower jiao. Astragalus (huang qi), tonifies the spleen and augments the Qi when combined with Asian ginseng (ren shen), helps resolve lack of appetite, fatigue, and diarrhea. Bai-zhu atractylodes (bai zhu) addresses weakness, lassitude, and loose stools associated with spleen deficiency, and cang-zhu atractylodes (cang zhu) tonifies the spleen and dispels dampness. Dioscorea (shan yao), lotus seed (lian zi), and Job’s Tears (coix lacryma-jobi) tonify the spleen and relieve diarrhea. Black cohosh (sheng ma) raises the yang and lifts sunken Qi, and guides the effects of the other herbs upward. Ginger (gan jiang) warms the middle and expels cold, and restores the yang from collapse. Bupleurum (chai hu) raises the yang qi in spleen/stomach deficiency patterns and treats diarrhea due to collapse of spleen qi. Nutmeg seed (rou dou kou) warms the spleen and stomach and is used primarily for cold diarrhea. Licorice (gan cao) harmonizes the formula and Hawthorn (shan zha) relieves food stagnation and eliminates bloating.

Clinical Notes

• In addition to its other actions, phellodendron has been found in clinical studies to effectively treat bacterial dysentery, which appears to be useful in this formula since some types of chronic diarrhea are caused by parasite infestation.
• Results with this herbal formula should be seen within the first two weeks. However, to consolidate the effects, the formula should be continued for another two weeks after the diarrhea stops.
• This formula has been used successfully to treat diarrhea associated with chronic shigellosis.
• Also see Health Concerns Newsletter: Vol. 5 No. 1 Page 2 Chinese Herbal Treatment of Chronic Digestive Disorders, Part Two (Gaeddert).

Additional Formulas

• Consider Six Gentlemen when less warming is desired.
• Consider Colostroplex for diarrhea with heat signs or as an adjunct to Source Qi for diarrhea with cold signs.
• For acute diarrhea, with hot signs consider Colostroplex, Isatis Cooling, and Formula H.
• Quiet Digestion and Chzyme will improve the assimilation of Source Qi.