Chapter 1238 - 1238: What does 'added product' mean?

After Du Heng finished speaking this time, Sun Jiaxiang quietly let out a sigh of relief.

As Du Heng's introducer, Du Heng hadn't let him down; Du Heng had made him proud.

Now only one last question remained, a question he had been undecided about for a long time.

But before asking the last question, Sun Jiaxiang turned to the people behind him. "Do any of you still have any questions? If you do, please ask now."

Hearing Sun Jiaxiang's words, Du Heng finally understood.

Sun Jiaxiang had asked so many detailed questions earlier to help Du Heng identify any oversights, or rather, to use his questions to dispel the doubts of those present, whether they understood or not.

Moreover, Sun Jiaxiang's questions were direct, focused solely on the Patient's condition. This approach also sidestepped potential trick questions from those with ulterior motives, preventing Du Heng from unknowingly falling into a trap.

The people behind Sun Jiaxiang now wore strange expressions, but no one raised further questions.

Du Heng observed everyone's reactions: some were deep in thought, some showed dawning realization, some were dismissive, some looked intrigued, and some regarded him with admiration.

Through these reactions, Du Heng understood that his initial assessment was correct—some people here had definitely diagnosed the problem. But because they were unsure, or perhaps hesitant about prescribing medication, they had chosen to remain silent and go with the flow.

Seeing that no one else had questions, Sun Jiaxiang turned back to Du Heng. "Okay, since your syndrome differentiation is sound, how would you solve this problem?"

Sun Jiaxiang's tone was very serious as he stared intently at Du Heng. "You're aware of the Patient's current condition. Even a slight misstep in medication could prevent him from maintaining his current state."

Du Heng gratefully glanced at Sun Jiaxiang.

With that sentence, Sun Jiaxiang was telling him in no uncertain terms to be cautious with the medication.

Du Heng took a shallow breath. "My suggestion is to treat it with the Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Decoction, with added Medicine Ingredients."

The Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Decoction is a very famous Medicated Diet, known for nourishing yin and kidney, with anti-aging effects, suitable for individuals with kidney deficiency.

At first glance, this seemed quite appropriate. However, everyone present was a seasoned expert; a moment's thought was enough for them to identify the potential problem.

This is because the Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Decoction is a medicine for nourishing yin, and its Medicine Ingredients all tend to be cool and gentle, which can affect digestion.

In other words, this medicine is suitable for kidney yin deficiency but cannot be used for those with spleen and stomach weakness. Using it in such cases would be like 'adding frost to snow,' making matters worse.

The Old Man's current condition was obvious: he was weak, extremely weak all over. It was just that the kidney yin deficiency was so excessive it was disrupting the overall balance.

In this situation, if the Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Decoction were used, the Old Man's body might not be able to absorb it. If it couldn't be absorbed, it wouldn't produce any effect. And no effect means it's useless.

Furthermore, the Old Man already suffered from unusual spleen and stomach weakness, compounded by constipation. Even if he could absorb it, given the effects of the Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Decoction, it might not replenish the kidney water before his gastrointestinal system, spleen, and liver failed under the strain.

Therefore, using the Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Decoction, whether it worked or not, would bring no benefit to the Old Man.

However, everyone present was an exceptional individual, each possessing considerable shrewdness. Those unfamiliar with traditional Chinese medicine wouldn't speak out of turn, and those who understood it wouldn't speak rashly either.

Firstly, Sun Jiaxiang's earlier attitude: if Du Heng could understand it, they certainly could too. It was clear Sun Jiaxiang intended to promote the young man before them.

Considering Sun Jiaxiang's status, age, and influence, they saw no need to provoke him.

Secondly, what Du Heng had just proposed wasn't simply the 'Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Decoction,' but the 'Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Decoction with added Medicine Ingredients.'

What was meant by 'added Medicine Ingredients'?

It meant adding extra Medicine Ingredients that wouldn't interfere with the effects of the primary formula.

Considering the current situation, these added Medicine Ingredients should, firstly, help the Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Decoction exert its therapeutic properties without depleting the Old Man's scarce original qi. Secondly, they should counteract the adverse effects of the Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Decoction on individuals with spleen and stomach weakness.

But even if one could analyze the purpose of these 'added Medicine Ingredients,' did that mean one would know which specific Medicine Ingredients to add?

If it were that simple, the Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Decoction wouldn't have side effects or be unsuitable for certain users. It might have long since evolved into the 'Ten-Ingredient Rehmannia Decoction' or some 'XX Decoction.'

Moreover, the Old Man's condition was clearly too fragile. Regardless of the medicine used, if the formulation was incompatible with his constitution, the original problem would persist: he simply wouldn't be able to withstand it.

Formulas like the 'Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Decoction' or the 'Eight-Ingredient Rehmannia Decoction' would all be ineffective.

Sun Jiaxiang, of course, understood this as well. But this time, instead of urging Du Heng, he quietly waited for him to continue.

Du Heng took a deep breath. He knew that the specific formulation he was about to describe was the key to truly establishing his position within the Health Group. If everyone, or at least more than half, approved it, then regardless of whether the Old Man ultimately received the medication or not, he would be considered to have secured his footing. If they rejected the prescription he proposed, he would likely have to leave the same way he came.

With this realization, Du Heng first slowly stated the components of the 'Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Decoction.'

As soon as Du Heng finished, all the experts versed in traditional Chinese medicine frowned slightly before their expressions returned to normal.

The six Medicine Ingredients were precisely those six; Du Heng hadn't arbitrarily changed them, nor had he significantly adjusted the dosages. It wasn't much different from the Verified Prescription, except that the doses of rehmannia and cornus fruit were slightly higher.

This posed no issue, however, as everyone understood with a moment's consideration.

Rehmannia replenishes blood, nourishes yin, and restores essence and marrow. Given the Patient's current depletion of qi and blood, using a slightly larger dose was appropriate.

Furthermore, cornus fruit nourishes the liver and kidney, has astringent properties to consolidate essence and reduce urination, and promotes fluid generation. A slightly larger dose could not only benefit the liver and kidney but also prevent a collapse syndrome—an irreversible situation—should original qi be depleted by the effects of other Medicine Ingredients.

Having understood these points, everyone remained silent, waiting for Du Heng to reveal his added Medicine Ingredients—the true crux of his strategy.

Du Heng glanced at everyone, then slowly said, "Add white peony, ophiopogon, fried jujube seed, northern schisandra... for a total of six added Medicine Ingredients."

At this, everyone furrowed their eyebrows.

Never mind the onlookers who didn't understand traditional Chinese medicine or the Western medicine doctors; even among those who did understand traditional Chinese medicine—some skilled in syndrome differentiation, some in classical formulas, some with expertise in traditional chinese medicine ingredients—but regardless of their specialty, they couldn't quite piece together Du Heng's additions at first, nor could they fully grasp why these specific medicines were necessary. How were these Medicine Ingredients combined, and what was the intended effect of this combination?

Sun Jiaxiang was considered an expert in Chinese materia medica. However, to be precise, his research leaned more towards the molecular analysis typical of Western medicine rather than the application of compound formulas in Chinese herbal medicine.

Thus, when Du Heng finished speaking, even Sun Jiaxiang, a master of pharmacology, was momentarily unsure about the significance of Du Heng's added Medicine Ingredients.

Ultimately, Sun Jiaxiang had to ask, "Xiao Du, please explain in detail."

Du Heng nodded gently and then stated clearly, "The Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Decoction can replenish depleted kidney water; that much is self-evident. Adding ophiopogon and schisandra nourishes its transformative source without harming the gastrointestinal tract. White peony and bupleurum are used to calm the liver; with a calm liver, the phase fire lacks support and thus won't stir the Pericardium fire. Then, using jujube kernel and chamomile in combination soothes the heart qi.

In this way, the Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Decoction can fully exert its therapeutic effects, allowing kidney water to circulate effectively. With sufficient kidney water, the heart fire and the large intestine will be properly moistened, alleviating dryness and discomfort. Then, the kidney fire causing restlessness and insomnia will naturally subside, and the symptoms will inevitably improve. Simultaneously, the intestines, moistened by kidney yin, will find relief from constipation due to dryness, resolving the issue."

So that was it! That was how it worked!

It wasn't just pharmacology experts like Sun Jiaxiang who understood now; the specialists in syndrome differentiation and classical formulas also grasped it, one after another.

What these individuals lacked wasn't knowledge or experience, but the principle guiding such a combination. To these people, that principle was like a paper window. If that paper window wasn't pierced for them, they might wrack their brains and still not figure it out. But once someone explained it, they could immediately discern the strengths and weaknesses of the approach.

Alright, now that everyone understood and no one raised objections, could the Treatment begin?

Of course not. That was wishful thinking.

Did they really think the Old Man lying On the bed here was like any other elderly patient in a regular Hospital, where Treatment could commence as soon as the attending Physician and family members agreed?

No, a meeting had to be convened for discussion. A specific treatment plan could only be implemented after confirmation and approval from various divisions, sections, committees, groups, and other such Departments.

Du Heng had anticipated this.

But when he was led into a meeting room and saw the imposing lineup of over thirty people, he couldn't help but draw a sharp breath.

So many people couldn't possibly be from a single Department. Even if half of them were doctors specializing in traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine, that still left fifteen others. Assuming three people per Department, that meant at least five Departments were represented. With more than ten doctors discussing one treatment plan, Du Heng didn't think a conclusion could be reached easily. Even though he had just explained everything very clearly, differing Voices and doubts would inevitably arise. Although Western medicine had reached an impasse, the Old Man was currently being kept in a stable, balanced state by relying on Western medicine's nutrient solutions. When the time came, Western medicine practitioners would surely raise their concerns and demand corresponding solutions. Adding the final approvals from those five Departments to the mix, Du Heng felt it would probably take three or four days to get a definitive result. Suddenly, his scalp began to tingle. He found that here, treating the illness didn't seem to be the top priority; other matters appeared to hold more weight. It wasn't as straightforward as it was in his Department or at the Hospital.

After the meeting room quieted down, Du Heng, as the diagnostician for this case, reiterated his syndrome differentiation process from the Hospital room, along with the proposed prescription. Then, the intense discussion officially began.