Listlessness in cats may be a sign of qi deficiency

What are the appropriate tonic drugs for cats? Some deficiency syndromes of the body refer to some symptoms caused by insufficient yin and yang in the body. In traditional Chinese medicine, There are four types of deficiency syndromes, namely qi deficiency, blood deficiency, yin deficiency, and yang deficiency. These four types will also show different symptoms after being produced inside the cat’s body, so the deficiency medicines are also divided into qi-tonifying and blood-tonifying drugs. There are four categories: , nourishing yin, and supporting yang. However, we all know that in life activities, qi, blood, yin and yang are interconnected, and the same is true for cats, so we must also take other deficiency syndromes into consideration when using corresponding drugs.

1. Qi-tonifying medicine

The lungs and spleen are the main organs that produce Qi in cats. The spleen is the foundation of acquired nature and the source of biochemistry. Cats When the spleen is deficient, we can see that the cat is listless, lethargic, unwilling to be active, has a loss of appetite, and has diarrhea. In terms of breathing, we can also see that the cat is short of breath, wheezes with the slightest exercise, and has spontaneous sweating and weakness. If your cat shows these symptoms, you can use Qi-tonifying medicine.

1. Ginseng

Ginseng

Ginseng is a perennial herb that likes a cool and humid climate and mostly grows in the temperature difference between day and night. In small coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forests or miscellaneous wood forests on gentle slopes or slopes of mountains with an altitude of 500 to 1100 meters. Because the root is hypertrophic, spindle-shaped, and often bifurcated, and its overall appearance resembles a human head, hands, feet, and limbs, it is called ginseng. In ancient times, ginseng was commonly known as Polygonatum, Goblin, and Divine Grass. Ginseng is known as the "King of Herbs" and is one of the famous "Three Treasures of the Northeast" (ginseng, mink, and deer antlers). It is a precious medicinal material well-known at home and abroad and known to all ages.

Ginseng tastes sweet, slightly bitter, and is slightly warm in nature. It returns to the spleen, lungs, heart, and kidney meridians. It strengthens Qi and moisturizes the body, rising more than falling. It has the functions of nourishing Qi and strengthening detoxification, strengthening the spleen and lungs, and calming the heart. It has the effect of improving intelligence, nourishing blood and promoting body fluid.

Ginseng is used to treat various deficiency syndromes, such as cold limbs and weak pulse in cats after collapse, or weakened stomach digestive function caused by spleen deficiency, loose stools, or coughing and asthma caused by lung deficiency, etc. etc. Ginseng can also produce fluid and is used to treat dry mouth and spontaneous sweating in cats after serious illness. It can be used together with Ophiopogon japonicus and Schisandra chinensis. At the same time, ginseng also has the effect of calming the nerves and can be combined with angelica and jujube.

2. Atractylodes

Atractylodes

Atractylodes is a perennial herb, 30 to 80 cm high. The rhizome is thick and slightly fist-shaped. The stem is upright, branched at the upper part, lignified at the base, and has an inconspicuous longitudinal groove. Native to mountainous and hilly areas, wild species are almost extinct in their places of origin. It is now widely cultivated in Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan, Hubei, Sichuan, Guizhou and other places, with the largest number cultivated in Zhejiang.

Pharmacologically, Atractylodes has a diuretic effect, can inhibit renal tubular reabsorption, and can also lower blood sugar levels. Atractylodes is an important medicine for replenishing the spleen and replenishing qi. It can be used in cats with spleen deficiency, loose stools, loss of appetite, and mental atrophy.It is very effective for fatigue and fatigue. It is often used together with Codonopsis pilosula and Poria cocos. When the cat's internal water is too wet and edema occurs, you can also use Atractylodes Rhizome, which has the effect of diuresis and removing water and dampness. It is worth noting that Atractylodes macrocephala is also a tocolytic medicine. When the female cat has uneasy fetal movements, Atractylodes macrocephala can be used to treat fetal movements.

2. Blood-tonifying drugs

As the name suggests, blood-tonifying drugs have the effect of nourishing blood. When cats have blood deficiency, such as thin body, charred hair, and pale mouth, It can be used when you are depressed. The heart governs blood, the liver stores blood, and the spleen governs blood. Therefore, blood deficiency is closely related to the heart, liver, and spleen, so attention should be paid during treatment.

1. Angelica

Angelica

Angelica is the root of the Angelica sinensis plant of the Umbelliferae family. Angelica sinensis is a perennial herb that grows in cold and rainy mountainous areas; it is often cultivated. Distributed in Shaanxi, Gansu, Hubei, Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou and other places. It is generally harvested after 2 years of growth. Dig it in late October, remove the soil and remaining petioles, wait for the water to evaporate slightly, smoke it dry in a tent, first smoke it with wet firewood to color the angelica until the skin turns red, and then use coal fire or Firewood is smoked and dried.

Angelica sinensis has a bidirectional effect on the uterus, which can cause uterine contraction or uterine sluggishness. Angelica sinensis polysaccharide can make bone marrow hematopoietic and increase peripheral white blood cells.

Dangquai can activate blood circulation and replenish blood. It is often used to treat anemia in cats with Astragalus, Codonopsis, Rehmannia glutinosa, etc. It is also miraculous in treating bruises and postpartum blood stasis and pain in cats. It can be used with Motherwort and peach kernel can be used together. Blood deficiency can also cause constipation in cats. Angelica sinensis is used to treat intestinal dryness and constipation, and is compatible with hemp seeds, peach seeds, and cistanche deserticola.

2. White peony root

White peony root

White peony root is a perennial herb, 50 to 80 cm high. Roots are enlarged, usually cylindrical or slightly spindle-shaped. Stem erect, smooth and hairless. Leaves are alternate; have long stalks; 2-3 compound leaves, leaflets are oval to lanceolate, 8 to 12 cm long, 2 to 4 cm wide, apex acuminate or

acute, base Wedge-shaped, entire margin, leaf margin with very fine papillae, dark green above, light green below, veins bulging below, leaf base often reddish. The flowers are very large, solitary on the branch tips of the flower stems. Each flower stem has 2 to 5 flowers, and the flower stem is 9 to 11 cm long. There are 3 sepals, leaf-like; about 10 or more petals, obovate, white, pink or red. ; Many stamens, anthers yellow; 3 to 5 carpels, separated. The follicles have 3 to 5 pieces, ovate, with the apex hook-shaped and bent outwards. The flowering period is from May to July. The fruiting period is from June to July.

White peony has varying degrees of relaxing effects on gastrointestinal smooth muscles and analgesic effects. It can be used for abdominal pain and diarrhea caused by liver excess. It is often used together with fried atractylodes, tangerine peel, saposhnikovia, and licorice. It can also be used with blood deficiency. It causes night sweats in cats, which can be relieved by combining it with Angelica sinensis and Rehmannia glutinosa.

3. Yang-supporting drugs

The effect of Yang-supporting drugs is to supplementKidneys strengthen yang, strengthen muscles and bones. We also know that kidneys are the foundation of nature, so the main function of yang-supporting drugs is to warm and replenish kidney yang. If the kidneys are deficient, symptoms such as cold limbs, weakness in the waist and hips, and diarrhea will occur. Yang-supporting drugs It is mostly warm and dry and cannot be used for symptoms such as yin deficiency and fever.

1. Morinda officinalis

Morinda officinalis

Morinda officinalis is a vine-like shrub. The root is fleshy, cylindrical, enlarged irregularly and intermittently, in the shape of a rosary. The stems have thin longitudinal ribs and are covered with brown coarse hairs when young. The leaves are opposite; the petiole is 4-8mm long, with brown coarse hairs; the blade is oblong, 3-13cm long, 1.5-5cm wide, the apex is short acuminate, the base is blunt or rounded, the entire edge, dark green above, often with stripes when tender Canthus color, with sparse short coarse hairs; when old, the stalk is smooth and hairless, with short coarse hairs on the lower side along the midrib, short eyelashes on the leaf margin, and 6-7 pairs of lateral veins; the stipules are membranous and sheath-shaped.

Morinda officinalis can nourish the kidneys and yang, and is used to treat premature ejaculation in cats. It is often used together with Cistanche deserticola, psoralen, and fenugreek. Morinda officinalis can also strengthen muscles and bones, and is used to treat kidney deficiency and bone atrophy, waist and hip weakness, difficulty in walking, etc. It can be used together with Eucommia ulmoides, Dipsacus bark, and Cuscuta japonica.

2. Eucommia

Eucommia

Eucommia is a deciduous tree, up to 20m high. The bark is grey-brown, rough, with many filaments when broken and pulled apart. Young branches have yellowish-brown hairs, which later become hairless, and old branches have lenticels. Single leaves are alternate; the petiole is 1-2cm long, has grooves on it, and is covered with scattered hairs; the leaves are oval, oval or oblong, 6-15cm long, 3.5-6.5cm wide, apex acuminate, base round or broad Wedge-shaped, dark green above and light green below, the old leaves are slightly wrinkled and have serrated edges; 6-9 pairs of lateral veins.

Eucommia ulmoides can lower blood pressure and reduce cholesterol absorption. It also has a diuretic effect and can make cats calm.

Eucommia ulmoides is mainly used to nourish the liver, strengthen muscles and bones, and is mainly used for low back pain due to hair-sensitive kidney deficiency. It is often combined with psoralen, dodder, wolfberry, rehmannia glutinosa, dogwood, and achyranthes. It can also be used with rheumatism. The medicine is used together to treat rheumatism in cats. Eucommia ulmoides also has anti-fetal effects and has a good effect on fetal movements in pregnant cats.

4. Yin-nourishing drugs

The main functions of yin-nourishing drugs are to nourish kidney yin, nourish lung yin, etc. Cats with yin deficiency often have glossy tongues No coating, dry mouth, cough, etc.

1. Northern Adenophora

Northern Adenophora

Perennial herb, 5-20cm high. The whole plant is covered with white pubescence. The main root is slender, cylindrical, 30cm long, 0.5-1.5cm thick, rarely branched. The part of the stem exposed above ground is short and the part underground is elongated. The basal leaves are thick and have long stalks; the petioles are 5-15cm long, with a broad sheath-like base and membranous edges; the outline of the leaves is round-ovate to triangular-ovate, with three-out or two-pinnately divided three-out branches. Back lobes obovate to ovateRound, 1-6cm long, 1-4cm tall, apex rounded to acuminate, base wedge-shaped to truncate, edge serrated, white with cartilage; petiole and veins have fine bristles; flowering period 5- July, fruiting period from June to August.

The main functions of Northern Adenophora are to nourish yin and clear the lungs; benefit the stomach and promote fluid production, and have antitussive effects. It is used for chronic cough due to yin deficiency and lung heat, and dry cough. It is compatible with Ophiopogon japonicus and Trichosanthes trichosanthes. It also has a certain effect on dry mouth and constipation in cats. It is often combined with Rehmannia glutinosa, Ophiopogon japonicus and Polygonatum odoratum.

2. Asparagus Asparagus

Asparagus Asparagus

Asparagus is a climbing-like perennial herb. The stem is thin and has longitudinal grooves. The leaf-like branches have 2 to 3 clusters of leaf axils, linear, flat, 1 to 3cm long and about 1mm wide. The leaves degenerate into scales, and the scaly leaves on the main stem often turn into short, downwardly curved thorns. 1 to 3 flowers clustered in leaf axils, yellowish white or white; tepals 6; pistil 1, ovary 3-chambered. The berries are spherical and red when ripe. Flowering period is May.

Asparagus has antitussive and expectorant effects. It nourishes lung yin and clears lung heat. It is suitable for dry cough caused by lung heat. It is often combined with Ophiopogon japonicus, Trichosanthes trichosanthes and Sichuan Fritillaria. It can reduce deficiency fire and nourish kidney yin. It can be used together with Rehmannia glutinosa, Ophiopogon japonicus, Anemarrhenae, and Cortex Phellodendron. It should be noted that Ophiopogon japonicus should not be used for cats with cough after being exposed to cold or for cats with spleen deficiency and diarrhea.

The above lists some tonic drugs. When using them, you should pay attention. Although the tonic drugs can eliminate symptoms, improper application will leave evil spirits in the body. They should not be used early. They should be used after some symptoms have been eliminated. , and for cats, the dosage of different drugs is also different.