One day, feeling troubled and falling into a state of worry, I sensed something was wrong. Wanting to try the Joyful Soup, I had no time to cook it in the morning, so I took the ingredients of the Joyful Soup to smell them. The joyful fragrance brought a smile to my face, feeling cool and refreshing. Sharing it with my family, we also felt joy, dispelling the worries, and thought that the Joyful Soup could be made into a Joyful Sachet.
Sharing it with you, I wish you physical and mental relaxation, joyful and cool.
I. The Pathological Core and Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory of the Joyful Sachet
1. The Modern Dilemma of Emotional Discomfort
- Liver Qi Stagnation: Modern people face a lot of pressure, easily showing symptoms of irritability, insomnia, and loss of appetite due to liver depression (as stated in “Su Wen · Ju Tong Lun”: “All diseases arise from Qi”).
- Spleen Deficiency and Phlegm Obstruction: Overthinking harms the spleen, leading to internal phlegm-dampness, which worsens the flow of Qi, forming the “Liver Depression and Spleen Deficiency” syndrome.
2. Principles of Formula Design
- Millettia: Promotes Qi circulation and relieves pain, resolving liver Qi stagnation (recorded in “Supplements to Compendium of Materia Medica” as “treating rib pain and abdominal distension”).
- Magnolia Bark + Immature Bitter Orange: One warm and one cool, they regulate the middle and promote Qi circulation, restoring the ascending and descending of the middle Jiao (as in “Treatise on Cold Damage” with the Bupleurum and Peony Decoction).
- Peppermint: Soothes the liver and clears heat, benefiting the head and eyes (as stated in “New Compilation of Materia Medica”: “Peppermint enters the liver and gallbladder, resolving depression and dissipating masses”).
II. Analysis of the Formula and Effects of the Joyful Sachet
Ingredients for the Joyful Sachet (Joyful Soup):
Millettia 9g, Raw Atractylodes 12g, Magnolia Bark 9g, Immature Bitter Orange 6g, Prunus Seed 9g, Chicken Gizzard Membrane 9g, Fresh Ginger 6g, Poria 9g, Finger Citron 9g, Ficus 6g, Roasted Loquat Leaf 12g, Mulberry Leaf 6g, Peppermint 6g, Raw Licorice 6g.
| Ingredient | Dosage | Core Function | Modern Pharmacological Effects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millettia | 9g | Promotes Qi circulation and relieves pain, resolves liver depression | Contains flavonoids, anti-anxiety, analgesic |
| Raw Atractylodes | 12g | Strengthens the spleen and dries dampness, protects the middle Jiao | Enhances gastrointestinal motility, regulates gut flora |
| Magnolia Bark | 9g | Promotes Qi circulation, relieves stagnation, alleviates fullness | Inhibits gastric acid secretion, relieves abdominal distension |
| Peppermint | 6g | Soothes the liver and clears heat, refreshes and invigorates | Volatile oils regulate GABA receptors, anti-anxiety |
| Finger Citron | 9g | Soothes the liver and harmonizes the stomach, promotes Qi circulation and resolves phlegm | Promotes bile secretion, improves indigestion |
| Overall Effect | — | Soothes the liver, strengthens the spleen, resolves phlegm, and relieves depression | Regulates serum 5-HT levels, improves mood disorders[^research] |
III. Full Process of Sachet Making and Scientific Improvements
1. Traditional Craft
Take a small amount of each ingredient of the Joyful Soup, the amount can be adjusted according to the size of the bag. Place the Ficus at the bottom or on one side to avoid blocking the scent. After filling, you can squeeze the bag to break the ingredients a bit, which helps in spreading the aroma.
Many sachet packages online are small, thick, and have a smell, which can mask the scent of the ingredients and add unwanted odors, please choose carefully. You can also use a filter bag or a disposable mask to pack them first.
The Joyful Sachet can be hung on phone cases, bags, clothes, skirts, cars, desks, bedside tables, workstations, in pockets, etc.
2. Upgrading the Traditional Craft
- Ingredient Processing:
- Millettia needs to be dried and ground through a 100-mesh sieve (to avoid particles irritating the respiratory tract).
- Peppermint should be used with fresh leaves rubbed before adding (to enhance the release of volatile components).
- Formula Optimization:
- Add 3g of Borneol (to open the orifices and refresh the mind), enhancing the penetration of the medicinal effect (as recorded in “Compendium of Materia Medica” as “opening all orifices”).
3. Modern Adaptation Design
- Portable Packaging:
- Use non-woven fabric for individual packaging (10g per bag), covered with a breathable cotton bag (refer to the sachet design of Shuguang Hospital 1).
- Avoid sealed plastic packaging (which hinders scent diffusion).
- Long-term Preservation:
- Add 2g of Mugwort (natural insect repellent), store in a cool, dry place, maintaining the medicinal effect for 2-3 months.
IV. Video Tutorial for Making and Usage Scenarios
1. Booking the Sachet Making Video Tutorial
1. Suitable Groups
- Emotional Disorders: Those with tendencies towards anxiety and depression (tongue appearance: red edges and tip, thin white coating), or those who are unhappy can wear it.
- Sub-health Conditions: Indigestion accompanied by insomnia, chronic fatigue syndrome.
2. Wearing Scheme
- Time: Wear from morning until bedtime (avoid during sleep to prevent over-stimulation).
- Location: Hang it on the chest (best effect within 15cm from the nose), or place it beside the desk.
V. Precautions and Contraindications
- Contraindicated Groups:
- Pregnant women (Magnolia Bark and Immature Bitter Orange may stimulate uterine contractions).
- Those with allergies (need to test locally before first use).
- All statements are personal opinions and for reference only. Do not self-medicate, as we are not responsible. Please consult a professional TCM practitioner for personalized diagnosis and treatment, in accordance with the principles of TCM.
- Maintaining Medicinal Effects:
- Sun-dry the sachet for 1 hour weekly (to prevent mold).
- Replace the ingredients when the scent fades (approximately after 1 month).
- Notes on Joyful Soup:
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