Unlocking The Gate
Sage Solutions
Clears Heat and Dampness from the Lower Burner, tonifies Qi, constrains Essence, and supports the healthy, normal functions of the prostate and male urogenital system.
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- Herb: Saw palmetto fruit, Tokoro yam rhizome, Chinese yam rhizome, Pyrrosia leaf, Plantain seed, Poria, Japanese climbing fern spore, Amber resin, Achyranthes root, Phellodendron bark, Dandelion herb , Asiatic cornelian cherry, Chinese smilax rhizome, Asian water plantain rhizome, Gardenia fruit
- Herb (Pinyin): Saw palmetto, Bi xie , Shan yao, Shi wei, Che qian zi, Fu ling, Hai jin sha, Hu po, Huai niu xi, Huang bai, Pu gong ying, Shan zhu yu, Tu fu ling, Ze xie, Zhi zi
- Indications: Helps support a healthy prostate, Occasional soreness of the low back, perineum or testicles following sex
- Contraindications: None
The prostate gland is described as a chamber (Shi) that collects and releases Essence. In Chinese, the word for the fluid secretion of the prostate (semen) and the term for Essence are one and the same: Jing. While the Kidney is the source of all Essence, the prostate is the receptacle for reproductive Essence in particular. Like a sluice gate through which the life current exits, the prostate regulates the egress of Essence through sexual activity.
Situated near the base of the penis and testicles, the external organs of the Kidney Network, the prostate is nestled beneath the perineum and the acupuncture point hui yin, the first point on the Conception Vessel (Ren Mai). Although ancient herbalists may not have precisely known the internal anatomy of the male genitalia, they identified the physiological relationship between the penis, the prostate gland and the testicles whose mutual interaction is imperative for the development of healthy sexuality and fertility. Sperm is transported within a lubricating substance, the spermatic fluid, from the testicles to the prostate via internal ducts called the epididymis and vas deferens. When the spermatic fluid reaches the region of the prostate, it is mixed with nutrient rich secretions from the seminal vesical and the prostate gland itself. The function of the prostate, together with the seminal vesicle, is to pump the fertile mixture of sperm and fluids into the penis during orgasm and ejaculation.
Each of the Five Viscera plays its own role in sexuality from the moment of arousal through the orgasmic consummation of intercourse. Preeminent are the Kidney and Liver: the Kidney supplies primal motivation (desire to perpetuate life) and essential ingredients (fertile fluids), while the Liver mobilizes (facilitates arousal) and implements the act itself (erection, penetration and ejaculation) via its external meridian pathway that courses through the perineum, testicles and penis. Semen is considered to be a nutrient fluid much like breast milk, both of which are derived from Blood (Xue) which is derived from Marrow (Sui) which is derived from Essence (Jing). While the Kidney preserves and releases the primal Essences of Water (Yuan Yin) and Fire (Yuan Yang), it is the Liver, in partnership with the Ministerial Fire (Xiang Huo), that moves the Qi, Moisture and Blood upward and outward from the Lower Burner.
Because the prostate gland, like the bladder, retains and processes fluids, it is occasionally vulnerable to accumulations of Moisture that may transform into Dampness or Phlegm. And because it is affected by heat released from the bladder through the urine as well as the heat generated by sexual arousal and intercourse, it is equally prone to the development and retention of Heat, Damp Heat and Blood stasis. Via the Liver meridian, these changes can be transmitted to the testicles as well. On the other hand, weakness of the Kidney and Liver Qi can lead to Coldness and stasis within the penis and testicles that may eventually engender Dampness, Damp Heat, Phlegm and Blood stagnation within the prostate gland itself. By dispersing stagnations within the seminal and urinary streams, the healthy function of the prostate gland is supported, freeing the mind from worry and securing the night for uninterrupted sleep.
Unlocking the Gate supports the functions that govern and are governed by the urogenital system: namely, to facilitate the flow and discharge of fluids, to support the circulation of Qi and Blood, to eliminate Heat and Dampness, to reinforce Qi and to conserve the body’s Vital Essence (Jing).
RATIONALE
Saw palmetto fruit has long been recognized within the Western herbal tradition as beneficial for the health of urogenital organs, especially the prostate gland. In addition to its special benefit for the urogenital system, Saw palmetto fruit is also helpful for supporting overall energy, transforming Phlegm and dispelling Dampness in the Upper Orifices.
In the nomenclature of Chinese herbology, these presentations correspond to patterns of deficiency of Yin (Blood and Essence), deficiency of Yang (Qi and Vital Heat), accumulation of Damp Heat and Phlegm and weakness of the Lung, Kidney and Liver Networks. Saw palmetto fruit is a remarkable tonic that not only eliminates stagnation, but supports visceral functions and nourishes vital body constituents. It could easily join other important Chinese herbs such as Plantain seed, Poria and Achyranthes root, which not only tonify Yin or Yang and strengthen internal organs, but also support the body in dispelling accumulations of Phlegm, Damp Heat, Blood Heat and Blood stagnation.
Like Saw palmetto fruit, combinations of Tokoro yam rhizome, Pyrrosia leaf, Achyranthes root, Amber resin, Japanese climbing fern spore and Dandelion herb are frequently employed to support healthy functioning of the urogenital organs. Together they dispel Dampness, drain Damp Heat downward, break up Blood stasis and Blood stagnation in the Lower Burner.
Gardenia fruit, Phellodendron bark, Poria, Asian water plantain and Plantain seed assist the primary herbs in eliminating Dampness and Damp Heat, supporting easy urination and discharge, protecting Yin fluids while dispersing Qi and Blood stagnation of the Liver and protecting the Spleen and Kidneys. Finally, Amber resin and Achyranthes root eliminate stagnation of Blood in the small vessels that feed and drain the testicles, penis and prostate gland.