Nourish (Fluids)™

TCM herbal formula for chronic consumptive disorders characterized by dryness and body fluids deficiency — thirst, dry mouth, post-infective cough, non-productive cough, chronic bronchitis, laryngitis, bronchiectasis, tuberculosis, non-specific pneumonia, smoking-related complications, oral lesions, nausea, vomiting, stomach and duodenal ulcers, gastritis, constipation and dry stools, Sjögren's syndrome (dry eyes and mouth), dryness and thirst from chemotherapy and radiation, and antibiotic-related side effects — nourishes Lung and Stomach yin; replenishes body fluids; harmonizes the middle jiao; antitussive; expectorant; antiulcer; hepatoprotective; regulates endocrine system.

⚠️ Contraindicated in cases of excess heat or dampness. Do NOT take this formula alone when there is an active infection or inflammation — another formula is needed to treat the infection/inflammation concurrently. Patients with chronic consumptive diseases (cancer, chronic lung or stomach disorders) should receive concurrent treatments to eliminate the cause and replenish the fluids.

TCM pathophysiology: Chronic or consumptive disorders are characterized by weakness, dryness, and lack of elasticity of the tissues — diagnosed in TCM as "dryness" with "body fluids deficiency." Such deficiencies often occur as a result of overwork, over-exhaustion, chronic illness, dietary imbalances, and chronic exposure to environmental toxins. The purpose of this formula is to strengthen the body, moisten dryness, replenish body fluids, and restore the body to optimal health. TCM is distinctly superior to Western medicine for these conditions — symptoms of thirst, dryness, and insufficient hydration of body tissues are non-specific and non-diagnostic in Western medicine, but are obvious presentations of "dryness and body fluid deficiencies" in TCM.

CLINICAL APPLICATIONS

* Thirst and dryness due to Lung and Stomach yin deficiencies

* Chronic consumptive disorders with dryness and body fluids deficiency

* Lung disorders with chronic consumptive characteristics: post-infective cough, chronic bronchitis, laryngitis, bronchiectasis, tuberculosis, non-specific pneumonia, and smoking-related complications

* Stomach disorders with chronic consumptive characteristics: oral lesions, thirst, dryness of the mouth, nausea, vomiting, stomach and duodenal ulcers, gastritis, constipation, and dry stools

* Cancer: dryness and thirst associated with chemotherapy and radiation

* Antibiotic-related side effects such as dryness, thirst, and weakness

* Sjögren's syndrome with dry eyes and mouth

* Also beneficial in: bronchial asthma, pneumonia, laryngopharyngitis, hoarse voice, whooping cough, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and arteriosclerosis — when characterized by yin and/or body fluid deficiency

Key herb-level clinical data:

— Mai Dong (Radix Ophiopogonis / Ophiopogon Root / Dwarf Lilyturf Tuber): chief herb — enters the Lung and Stomach to quickly replenish yin, relieve thirst, and moisten dryness; clinical study: daily use in 100 geriatric patients associated with significant improvement in overall health

— Tian Dong (Radix Asparagi / Asparagus Root / Chinese Asparagus): chief herb — enters the Lung and Stomach to quickly replenish yin, relieve thirst, and moisten dryness; clinical: effective in supporting/treating 42 patients with breast cancer and malignant lymphoma

— Bei Sha Shen (Radix Glehniae / Glehnia Root / Beach Silvertop): assists chief herbs to nourish yin and replenish body fluids to relieve dryness

— Nan Sha Shen (Radix Adenophorae / Adenophora Root / Ladybell Root): assists chief herbs to nourish yin and replenish body fluids to relieve dryness

— Bai He (Bulbus Lilii / Lily Bulb): assists chief herbs to nourish yin and replenish body fluids; marked antitussive and expectorant effects; clinical applications: chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, tuberculosis, non-specific pneumonia, pulmonary tuberculosis, smoking complications, atrophic gastritis; adaptogenic — improves both mental and physical health and performance

— Xi Yang Shen (Radix Panacis Quinquefolii / American Ginseng): nourishes both yin and qi; relieves fatigue and weakness associated with yin deficiency; slightly cool in property — clears deficiency heat symptoms; adaptogenic — improves mental and physical health and performance; clinical study: significant reduction of chemotherapy and radiation side effects including dry mouth, nausea, and vomiting

— Zhi Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae Praeparata cum Melle / Honey-Prepared Licorice Root): marked antitussive and expectorant effects; antiulcer — inhibits gastric acid secretion, binds and deactivates gastric acid, promotes recovery from ulceration; clinical: peptic ulcer and intestinal spasms; hepatoprotective — increases cytochrome P450 in liver; protects against tetrachloride-induced liver damage and liver cancer; glycyrrhizin: 77% effectiveness in treating 30 patients with hepatitis B — reduces liver cell damage, decreases inflammatory reaction, promotes liver cell regeneration, lowers risk of cirrhosis and necrosis; endocrine — stimulates production of adrenocortical hormones (glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids); glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid prolong therapeutic effect of cortisone; balances water and electrolyte levels; 8 of 9 patients with declining pituitary function treated successfully with Zhi Gan Cao-based herbal combination for 2–3 months; increases body weight, muscle strength, and physical endurance; harmonizes the formula

— Geng Mi (Semen Oryzae / Rice / Oryza): harmonizes the formula; tonifies the middle jiao

— Da Zao (Fructus Jujubae / Jujube / Chinese Red Date): harmonizes the formula; tonifies the middle jiao

WESTERN THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Antitussive / expectorant — Bai He + Zhi Gan Cao (marked antitussive and expectorant effects; chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, tuberculosis, non-specific pneumonia, pulmonary tuberculosis, smoking complications)

* Antiulcer / GI — Zhi Gan Cao (inhibits gastric acid secretion; promotes ulcer recovery; peptic ulcer and intestinal spasms); Bai He (atrophic gastritis)

* Hepatoprotective — Zhi Gan Cao (cytochrome P450↑; liver protection against tetrachloride; glycyrrhizin: 30 patients hepatitis B — 77% effective; liver cell regeneration↑; cirrhosis and necrosis risk↓)

* Endocrine / hormonal — Zhi Gan Cao (adrenocortical hormones↑; glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids↑; prolongs cortisone effect; balances water and electrolyte levels; 8/9 patients declining pituitary function treated successfully)

* General tonic / adaptogenic — Zhi Gan Cao (body weight↑, muscle strength↑, physical endurance↑); Xi Yang Shen (adaptogenic; mental and physical health and performance↑); Bai He (adaptogenic); Mai Dong (100 geriatric patients: significant improvement in overall health)

* Cancer / chemotherapy support — Tian Dong (42 patients with breast cancer and malignant lymphoma); Xi Yang Shen (significant reduction of dry mouth, nausea, and vomiting from chemotherapy and radiation)

CHINESE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Nourishes Lung and Stomach yin; replenishes body fluids; relieves thirst and moistens dryness (Mai Dong, Tian Dong, Bei Sha Shen, Nan Sha Shen, Bai He)

* Nourishes yin and qi; relieves fatigue and weakness; clears deficiency heat (Xi Yang Shen)

* Harmonizes the formula; tonifies the middle jiao (Geng Mi, Da Zao, Zhi Gan Cao)

DOSAGE

Standard: 3–4 capsules three times daily. For maximum effect, take on an empty stomach with one tall glass of warm water and honey.

Supplementary formulas: Chronic respiratory disorder — add Respitrol (Deficient). Stomach or duodenal ulcer — add GI Care. Chronic constipation or constipation due to dryness — add Gentle Lax (Deficient). Diabetes — add Equilibrium. Hepatitis — add Liver DTX. Hair loss — add Polygonum 14. Nausea, vomiting, and fatigue after chemotherapy and radiation — add C/R Support. Terminal stage cancer — add CA Support. Qi, blood, yin, and yang deficiencies — add Imperial Tonic. Cough — add Respitrol (CF). Excess fire or fever — add Gardenia Complex. Sjögren's syndrome with swollen glands — add Herbal ENT and Resolve (AI). Menopause with yin-deficient heat — add Balance (Heat). Kidney yin deficiency — add Nourish or Kidney Tonic (Yin). Vaginal dryness — add Balance Spring.

Nutrition: Increase intake of foods that nourish yin and moisten dryness: Mexican yam, yam, radishes, potatoes, carrots, melons, cucumbers, beets, turnips, malanga, celeriac, taro, rutabaga, and millet. Decrease intake of warm and hot natured foods that damage qi and yin: fruits that produce heat (mango, durian); stimulants (coffee, alcohol, energy drinks); spicy/pungent/aromatic vegetables (pepper, garlic, onions, basil, rosemary, cumin, fennel, anise, leeks, chives, scallions, thyme, saffron, wormwood, mustard, chili pepper, wasabi). Avoid food and drinks with artificial coloring. Consume as few meat products as possible — avoid processed meats (lunch meats, hot dogs, sausages) containing nitrites associated with inflammation and chronic disease.

Tao of Nutrition (Dr. Maoshing Ni and Cathy McNease):

— Thirst: drink bok choy and cucumber juice.

— Thirst, irritability, and sore throat: drink fresh, raw watercress juice.

— Yin and blood deficiencies: eat steamed chicken eggs.

— Clear heat: eat lightly steamed broccoli.

Lifestyle: Engage in regular exercise. Avoid stress whenever possible.

CASE STUDIES

— M.M., 65-year-old male: Chronic dry cough; thirst, dryness, constipation, poor appetite; tendency to overwork as a massage therapist with long hours; taking Concerta (methylphenidate) for ADD and BuSpar (buspirone) for depression; Kidney yin deficiency and Liver blood deficiency; ADD and bronchitis. Nourish (Fluids). Result: great results — improvement in digestion and breathing; additional improvements in gum health, urinary stream, and mental focus. Patient very happy with the formula.

— C.R., 56-year-old female: Hot flashes; difficulty sleeping, dry mouth, anxiety and depression; constant palpitations and sweating; Kidney yin-deficient heat. Nourish (Fluids) + Kidney Tonic (Yin) + Balance (Heat). Result: Kidney Tonic (Yin) + Balance (Heat) — less heat sensation, decreased anxiety and sleep difficulty, slight sweating remaining. Kidney Tonic (Yin) + Nourish (Fluids) — dry mouth and thirst completely resolved.

— J.N., 59-year-old female: Chronic dry hacking cough; shortness of breath; dry hair and nails; BP 120/80 mmHg, HR 78 bpm; Lung and Kidney qi and yin deficiencies. Respitrol (Deficient) + Nourish (Fluids). Result: cough became looser and not as painful; able to cough up a little sputum; improvement in hair and nails also noted.

Related Reading

Also see: Respitrol (Deficient) – for chronic respiratory disorder | Respitrol (CF) – for cough | GI Care – for stomach or duodenal ulcer | Gentle Lax (Deficient) – for chronic constipation or dryness-related constipation | Equilibrium – for diabetes | Liver DTX – for hepatitis | Polygonum 14 – for hair loss | C/R Support – for chemotherapy and radiation side effects | CA Support – for terminal stage cancer | Imperial Tonic – for qi, blood, yin, and yang deficiencies | Gardenia Complex – for excess fire or fever | Herbal ENT – for Sjögren's syndrome with swollen glands | Resolve (AI) – for Sjögren's syndrome with swollen glands | Balance (Heat) – for menopause with yin-deficient heat | Nourish – for Kidney yin deficiency | Kidney Tonic (Yin) – for Kidney yin deficiency without deficiency fire | Balance Spring – for vaginal dryness | Respiratory Health & Lung Support Collection.