桂枝藥方 Guizhi Formulas

In Chinese herbal formulas class this quarter, we're studying six formulas each week, focused around an archetypal herb that features prominently, creating a "Formula Family." (See "10 Key Formulas in CM" by Huang Huang). I'm creating mandalas of each formula again, to facilitate my own process of understanding, enjoying, and memorizing them.... and wish to share with you. They're much simpler this time, for greater efficiency for me. It's perhaps less informative for you, but hopefully still interesting, at least aesthetically. Enjoy!

This week, 桂枝/ Guizhi/ Cinnamomum cassia, Lauraceae.

茯苓桂枝五味甘草湯 (Fuling Guizhi Wuwei Gancao Tang)

桂枝加龍骨牡蠣湯 (Guizhi Jia Longgu Muli Tang）

陽和湯 (Yang He Tang)

桃核承氣湯 (Tao He Cheng Qi Tang)

桂枝茯苓丸 (Guizhi Fuling Wan)

桂枝芍藥知母湯 (Guizhi Shaoyao Zhimu Tang)

Acu-Point Names

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1W2nAO48c9J7UQd73FeC3T-FHdPaeTAOIzw1RZK3h9hg/edit?usp=sharing

There's seemingly infinite possible translations for acu-point names. I compiled my favorites, cross-referencing between Deadman (standard points' reference), Ellis/ Wiseman (the only point names' book, "Grasping the Wind"), Cleaver (my teacher), and Worsley (my teacher's teacher). Deadman is functional but sometimes lacks poetry, Ellis/ Wiseman have great organization and explanations in their book (might be my favorite), Cleaver has a wonderful standardized system of translation for commonly used terms in acu-names (super useful) and includes clinical insights (but is sometimes overly literal), and Worsley is beautifully poetic but sometimes inaccurate (he didn't read Chinese). I share this with you, hoping that you add your own favorite translations, to further my own education, and elucidate our collective understanding.

Understanding point names allows access to deeper layers of meaning that may yield surprising insights, leading to further diversified, enlivened, and enriched clinical tools. My favorite translations acknowledge the poetic, clinical, historical, anatomical, and all other elements inherent in the Chinese (original) name, while being succinct, precise, and elegant.