Liu-wei-dihuang: a study by pulse analysis.

Pulse analysis method was used in studying the traditional Chinese formula Liu-Wei-Dihuang as well as five of its main components (Rehmannia glutinosa, Cornus officinalis, Paeonia Suffruticosa, Poria cocos and Alisma plantogo-aquatica var oriental). Based on our recently developed resonance theory, we tried to elucidate the mechanism and mutual reactions of these meridian related herbs. Hot water herbal extracts were injected intraperitoneally into rats and the pressure pulse spectrum at the caudate artery was measured. The results of this study indicated that Liu-Wei-Dihuang mildly increased blood flow to meridians with lower resonance frequency: namely the liver C1, the kidney C2 and the spleen C3; but decreased blood flow to the higher resonance frequency organs and meridians: the lung C4, the stomach C5, the gall bladder C6, and the bladder C7. It also decreased the heart load C0. All of the five herb components increased blood flow to the kidney C2 and the spleen C3; but their effects on the high frequency organs varied. Alisma plantogo-aquatica var. oriental decreased the C0, C5, C6, C7; Poria cocos decreased C1, C4, C5, C6; Rehmannia glutinosa, Paeonia Suffruticosa decreased C0, C4, C5, C6, C7; Cornus officinalis increased C4 but decreased C0, C5, C6, C7.