Beyond being a thorough and useful clinical manual on treating the most common geriatric diseases, this book further presents a broadly helpful discussion of the interrelationship between qi and blood. Whether one treats elderly patients or not, this manual plays an important role in the English-language TCM literature.

Editor Preface
Author Preface

1 The Relationship of Qi and Blood to Senility
2 Master Yan? Diagnosis of the Pattern of Static Blood
3 The Relationship Between the Symptoms of Senility and Static Blood
4 Quickening the Blood & Regulating the Qi as an Effective Method for Combating Senility
5 The Clinical Application of the Balancing Method
6 Formulas for Combating Senility & Preserving Healthy Based on the Balancing Method
7 Secret Essentials in the Treatment of Commonly Seen Geriatric Patterns
8 Secret Essentials in the Treatment of Commonly Seen Geriatric Diseases
Conclusion
Index

Excerpt

Based on my many years of clinical experience, I have come to the realization that vacuity detriment of the viscera and bowels does not fully describe the causes and conditions of human senility. Through research and observation, I have discovered that: 1) Human birth, growth, youthful vigor, and the decline and debility of aging are all related to the qi and blood. 2) The chief mechanism of senility is loss of regulation and harmony of the qi and blood. 3) This disharmony is mainly due to blood stasis. As an extension of this realization, by applying the balancing method (heng fa), i.e., the methods of quickening the blood and rectifying the qi, one may obtain marked effects in combating senility.

As the creator of this heng fa or balancing method, I have developed and refined this method through constant practice. Based on the viewpoint that, "Life consists of trans-portation and stirring (i.e., movement)" and "Life consists of balance", I have come to the conclusion that "Phlegm and stasis have a common origin" and that "Boosting the qi transforms stasis." Based on these conclusions, I have selected Chinese medicinals to quicken the blood, open the network vessels, rectify the qi, and transform phlegm in the preparation of excellent formulas, such as Heng Fa Chong Ji (Balancing Method Soluble Preparation) and Heng Fa Sheng Fang (Balancing Method Sagelike Formula). Through clinical and experimental research, marked effects have been obtained using this method in preventing and eliminating stasis. Below is a description of the relationship of the theory of qi and blood to senility as well as the theoretical basis and clinical effects of this balancing method.

Publisher's Comments

This book is important whether or not you are treating geriatric patients. It includes one of the best general discussions of qi and blood in the English literature. In addition, because blood stasis complicates most chronic disease, it is clinically very important to understand the diagnosis and treatment of this disease mechanism and pattern.

BACKCOVER: Yan De-xin is one of the leading "old Chinese doctors" in the People's Republic of China today. His theories on blood stasis and aging have revolutionized 2,000 years of TCM geriatrics. Besides being a clinical manual on the treatment of all the most commonly seen geriatric diseases, this book contains the best discussion of the interrelationship of the qi and blood of any so far in the English language. Thus, no matter whether one sees elderly patients or not, this book is an important addition to the English language TCM literature.