Use of Jin Bo (gold leaves) 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: Purify the told to 99.99% and press it to sheet
Dosage: 3-6g
Main actions according to TCM*: Sedates the Heart and calms the Mind. Clears Toxic-Heat. Stop convulsions.
Primary conditions or symptoms for which Jin Bo may be prescribed by TCM doctors*: Mania Epilepsy Convulsions
Common TCM formulas in which Jin Bo is used*
Zhi Bao Dan
Source date: 1075
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Formula key actions: Clears Heat. Opens the sensory orifices. Resolves toxicity. Transforms Phlegm .
Conditions targeted*: Acute encephalitisAcute meningitis and others
Jin Bo is an assistant ingredient in Zhi Bao Dan. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Zhi Bao Dan, Jin Bo sedates the Heart and calm the Mind, resolving the irritability and impairment of speech and consciousness.
The original formula also includes Silver leaves which serves the same role as Gold leaves here.
Zi Xue Dan
Source date: 752 AD
Number of ingredients: 17 herbs
Formula key actions: Clears Heat. Opens the sensory orifices. Controls spasms and convulsions. Extinguishes Wind.
Conditions targeted*: Acute encephalitisAcute meningitis and others
Jin Bo is an envoy ingredient in Zi Xue Dan. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
In Zi Xue Dan, Jin Bo sedates the Mind.
Key TCM concepts behind Jin Bo's properties
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Jin Bo belongs to the 'Herbs that nourish the Heart and calm the Spirit' category. These herbs are substances that tranquilize the Mind and treat symptoms such as restlessness, palpitations, anxiety or insomnia. They tend to have sedative properties by tonifying Heart Yin and Blood as in TCM it is believed that the Heart is the store of the Mind.
Furthermore Jin Bo is Neutral in nature. This means that Jin Bo typically doesn't affect the balance in your body. Balance between Yin and Yang is a key health concept in TCM. Eating too many "Hot" (Yang) ingredients can lead to an imbalance whereby one has a Yang Excess. The inverse is true as well: too many "Cold" (Yin) ingredients can lead to a Yin Excess. The Neutral nature of Jin Bo means that you don't have to worry about that!
Jin Bo also tastes Bitter. 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. Bitter ingredients like Jin Bo tends to have a cleansing action on the body by clearing Heat, drying Dampness and promoting elimination via urination or bowel movements.
The tastes of ingredients in TCM also determine what Organs and Meridians they target. As such Jin Bo is thought to target the Heart and the Lung. In addition to regulating Blood flow, in TCM the Heart is believed to be the store of the 'Mind' which basically refers to someone's vitality. In addition to performing respiration, the Lungs are thought in TCM to be a key part of the production chain for Qi and the Body Fluids that nourish the body.