Use of Feng La (beeswax) in TCM
Please note that you should never self-prescribe TCM ingredients. A TCM ingredient is almost never eaten on its own but as part of a formula containing several ingredients that act together. Please consult a professional TCM practitioner, they will be best able to guide you.
Preparation: Collect the raw max, melt, remove impurities and cool
Dosage: 5-10g
Main actions according to TCM*: Detoxifies and stops discharge, promotes wound healing. Promotes tissue generation. Relives pain.
Primary conditions or symptoms for which Feng La may be prescribed by TCM doctors*: Ulcers Acne Trauma Burns
Common TCM formulas in which Feng La is used*
Zi Dang Gao
Source date: 1831 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Formula key actions: Clears Heat and cools the Blood. Resolves toxicity . Moistens Dryness. Relieves pain and itching.
Conditions targeted*: Lip soresEczema and others
Feng La is an envoy ingredient in Zi Dang Gao. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
In Zi Dang Gao, Feng La detoxifies, stops discharge and relives pain. It also promotes wound healing and the generation or new tissues.
Key TCM concepts behind Feng La's properties
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Feng La belongs to the 'Herbs for external application' category. Like the name indicates, this category of herbs is used mostly for external application in the form of powders, pastes or ointments. As such they are used to treat trauma, inflammation, swelling, bruises, bleeding, pain and so forth.
Furthermore Feng La is Warm in nature. This means that Feng La tends to help people who have too much 'Cold' in their body, although with less effect than a plant that would be Hot in nature. Balance between Yin and Yang is a key health concept in TCM. Those who have too much Cold in their body are said to either have a Yin Excess (because Yin is Cold in nature) or a Yang Deficiency (Yang is Hot in Nature). Depending on your condition Feng La can help restore a harmonious balance between Yin and Yang.
Feng La also tastes Sweet. The so-called 'Five Phases' theory in Chinese Medicine states that the taste of TCM ingredients is a key determinant of their action in the body. Sweet ingredients like Feng La tends to slow down acute reactions and detoxify the body. They also have a tonic effect because they replenish Qi and Blood.
The tastes of ingredients in TCM also determine what Organs and Meridians they target. As such Feng La is thought to target the Spleen. In TCM the Spleen assists with digestion, Blood coagulation and Fluids metabolism in the body.