Wise Judge

The Metal element rules the Lung. The Lung receives heavenly energy and sends it downward and throughout the body. For this, it is important that the Lungs have a moist, strong texture and that the breath be even and regular. Wise Judge helps the breath flow from the heavens, to infuse us with life from moment to moment. The classics say that the Metal element both obeys and changes, and our Wise Judge allows for both this constancy and softness.

The Chinese say a “sea of Qi” gathers in the chest. This energy reservoir regulates rhythmic movement, especially the constant life motions of respiration and heartbeat. Wise Judge is an important preparation commonly used by Chinese people when they want to “kick back,” taking it as a mild, replenishing tonic to counter the wear and tear of a busy life. It is especially designed for the Yin and Qi of the Lungs. The Lungs govern the upper limits of Qi, keeping the bodily energy intact by condensing, consolidating and regrouping the Qi when it becomes scattered or its boundaries ill-defined. As they are concerned with moment-to-moment inhalation and exhalation, the Lungs relate to the give and take of ordinary human activity. In China this is a popular tonic, reflecting their cultural belief that when one expends energy with an intense self- directed pace, a mild tonic is needed to let the cool, refreshing, gentle movements of heaven recharge one’s being.

PHYSICAL INDICATIONS

Wise Judge primarily moistens the Lungs, and is very thirst-quenching. Because the lungs govern the exterior of the body, it is also indicated for occasional dry skin.

PSYCHOLOGICAL AND TRANSFORMATIONAL INDICATIONS

This formula is for someone that needs replenishment after the strain of losing something they were holding onto, or for people that cannot take from the world what is rightfully theirs. It also relieves the burn-out that comes from the hassles of ordinary activity.

On a deeper level, this formula is used for the sense of grief that makes one withdraw from the world and experience existence as weary, pointless and too difficult. Such bereavement can apply to many areas of life, and Wise Judge can help the Metal element become remolded into a new shape, allowing for a healing transformation. Accumulated grief that has hardened and needs to be released can also be facilitated by this herbal combination.

On a spiritual level, Wise Judge can help one confront the give-and-take that underlies the cosmos, and thereby move more easily in the world. It can help create the space for one to be remolded with new ideas, and can provide excellent nourishment when new directions are being taken.

Finally, the Lungs are said to be the cover for the other organs. When they are moist and pliant, a person can be open to what the Chinese call “the permutations of Heaven.”

Wise Judge is indicated during the period of recovery from a loss of any kind; the loss can be physical or involve other aspects of life, such as work or relationships. This formula is also helpful in any situation requiring a new and unfamiliar direction.

ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT

While Wise Judge (Sha Shen Mai Dong Yin and Sheng Mai San) has become so popular in China that it can practically be called a food preparation, we have modeled our Wise Judge after Dr. Wu Ju-Tong’s formula, “Glehnia Ophiopogon Drink” (Sha Shen Mai Dong Yin). We have modified this formula by omitting the Mulberry leaves and following the herbs suggested in Wang Ang’s formula “Lily Bulb Firm Metal Soup” (Bai He Gu Jin Tang) by adding Lily bulb, Zhejiang fritillary bulb, Dong quai root, Platycodon root and prepared Rehmannia root, as described in his Collected Formulas and Explanations in 1682 A.D.

In order to create a more well-rounded formula, we have also added the ingredients of “Generate the Pulse Powder” (Sheng Mai San) from Li Dong-Yuan’s Discussion on Distinguishing Confusion Concerning Internal and External Injury (1231 A.D.). We have also added Tremella fruiting body to further moisten the Lungs.

ABOUT THE HERBS

Glehnia root is an herb frequently used to support healthy Lungs. It moistens, helping things to move more smoothly. It is sweet and slightly cold, and enters the Lung and Stomach meridians.

Ophiopogon tuber strengthens the Yin and Qi of the Upper Burner and helps in allowing for change. It also strengthens the pulse. It is sweet, slightly bitter and slightly cold, and enters the Heart, Lung and Stomach meridians.

Aromatic Solomon’s seal rhizome is a valuable tonic for the Lung’s moistness and the entire body. It is commonly taken as a home tonic in China. It is sweet and neutral in temperature, and enters the Lung and Stomach meridians.

Lily bulb moistens the Lung and imparts a sense of mental, emotional and spiritual clarity to the Mind and Spirit (Shen). It is sweet and slightly cold, and enters the Heart and Lung meridians.

American ginseng root is one of the herbs that the Chinese immediately adopted from the New World – George Washington added to his income by selling this herb to the Chinese. A tonifying herb that mainly nourishes the fluids, it is an important support for the Lung Yin and Qi. It is sweet and slightly cold, and enters the Lung and Stomach meridians.

Pseudostellaria root is being included here, following Dr. Li’s usage, to tonify the Lung Yin and Qi. It is sweet and slightly warm, and enters the Lung and Spleen meridians.

Chinese asparagus tuber is used to moisten the Lung Yin and also the Kidney Yin. It is sweet, bitter and cold, and enters the Lung and Kidney meridians.

Platycodon root expels Phlegm from the Lungs. It also brings energy to the upper portion of the body. It is bitter, acrid and neutral in temperature, and enters the Lung meridian.

Zhejiang fritillary bulb clears Heat from the Lung, expels Phlegm and removes occasional obstructions that cause rigidness and hardness. It is bitter and cold, and enters the Heart and Lung meridians.

Tremella fruiting body is a commonly used Chinese food which moistens the Lung. It is sweet and neutral in temperature, and enters the Lung and Stomach meridians.

Dong quai root moves and tonifies the Blood, and its use here follows Dr. Wang’s suggestion that it be included even in a Metal formula. It is sweet, spicy, bitter and warm, and enters the Liver, Heart and Spleen meridians.

Prepared Rehmannia root moistens the entire body. It is sweet and slightly warm, and enters the Liver, Kidney and Heart meridians.

Chinese licorice root and rhizome is used to moisten the Lungs. It is sweet and slightly warm, and enters the Spleen and Lung meridians.

Poria has replaced the original ingredient used by Dr. Wu Ju-Tong, Dolichos beans (Bai Bian Dou). It is sweet and neutral, and enters many meridians, including the Spleen, Stomach, Heart, Lung and Kidney.

Schisandra fruit is usually used to dry the Lung, but here a tiny amount is being included, following Dr. Li’s usage, to tonify the Lung Yin and Qi, and strengthen the Lungs in general. It is sour and warm, and enters the Lung and Kidney meridians.