Translation challenges : Toxic to Non Toxic substances
Hello lovely steem residents
In my last post over a month ago I talked about a Chinese Herbal Medicine translation project that i had agreed to undertake.
There have been almost endless obstacles and challenges, Many of which i am not really interested in talking about.
The primary challenge so far in translation has been, Regional colloquial names for herbs and the consistent use of often toxic mineral "Herbal" ingredients in formulas .
Take for example a common Shaolin Herbal trauma treatment called:
"Purple Gold Elixir" or Di Bi Zi Jin dan.
The Forumla contains 8 herbs and requires a moderately complex preparation process. The Final result of the process being a traditional herbal pill that acts as an Anti inflamitory agent,expectorant and analgesic (Reducing swelling, Expelling phlegm and turbidity and easing pain ).
This formula, However contains 2 Toxic mineral ingredients.
- Realgar: Chinese Herb Name: Xiong Huang
( Commonly called Ruby sulfur or more importantly "Ruby of Arsenic"
commonly Used to kill parasites and expel pathogens.
- Cinnabar: Chinese Herb Name: Zhu Sha
(Commonly called: Mercury sulfide)
Commonly used as a relief for blood toxicity and as a mild sedative
As one can imagine these substances are no longer allowed to be used in modern practice and my challenge is to find suitable replacements Herbs for a modernised version of this formula that is not counteracted or itself toxic with the other herbs. Now there are modern patent medicine variations of this formula, However the ingredients lists are kept secret as they are proprietary products.
Things are never as simple as they might at first seem.
But that is part of the fun.
Wishing you all the best.
Be safe.
~ Chris
(Image source: wikipedia image. Wikicommons.)
Many revere an old military manual called the Bubishi, in which there is a section on herbology with relation to time/s. By your nomicker I am sure you are well aware of this book.
Well we need to take this with the concept of time in mind as new discoveries change old ways.
Many of these herbs or substances have replaced for; better substances, greater knowledge of the human body, other herbs or concoctions that work more efficiently, as well as their level of rarity (in some cases)...lost to antiquity or their abundance.
Take Turmeric as example handles these symptoms, but is not toxic, easily found and it even enhances the flavor of foods.
Nice write-up though as many follow "traditions" blindly and we need to examine all before using these ways or advancing beyond them.
I am indeed aware of this book .
It was my first book on Karate when i was in my early teens. (Followed by The essentials of Karate by Masutatsu Oyama). ot only was it my first book on Karate, it was a major inspiration to study the things i have studied. I managed to get my first copy of it signed when i was 16 and visiting the Australian College of Natural medicine (or ACNM as it was called back then) for it's open day.
During this process , I have already come across a small number of herbs that no longer exist for or fell out of use for the very reasons you have listed above.
I agree completely, having the access to the resources of today and the accumulated generational knowledge of Herbalists from the time of shen nong to present. I also feel It would be negligent of me not to do so. I have no intention of falling into the tradition trap and equally no intention of discarding the understanding of the tradition.
The above pictured quote has many layers and is one of those that guide me.
Peace and Health to you Sensei Pantazi
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