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RELEASE EXTERIOR COLD
PROPERTIESWarm, acrid
CHANNELS:LU
ACTIONS/INDICATIONS: herbs release pathogen expel through sweating; Treats wind-cold w/chills, mild fever, body aches
LU ▪ Dispels Wind-Damp, Opens Nasal Passages: sinusitis with thick viscous discharge▪ Dispels Wind-Damp: wind-damp bi or wind damp itching in skin**contraindicated in pork
CHONG BAI(Scallions)
Warm, acrid LU, ST ▪ Releases exterior, Promotes Sweating: esp. very early stage wind-cold disease▪ Dispels Cold, Unblocks Yang: abd. pain, distension, nasal congestion from cold block▪ Resolves Toxic Sores, Dispels Clumps: treat sores and abcesses
FANG FENG(Ledebouriella root)
Warm, acrid, sweet SP, LIV, UB ▪ Expels ALL Types Wind: exterior wind, wind bi, tremors hands and feet▪ Expels Intestinal Wind: abdominal pain, tenesmus, painful diarrhea with blood
GAO BEN(Chinese lovage root)
Warm, acrid, aromatic
UB, GV ▪ Dispels Wind-Cold in Greater Yang: treat vertex headaches (ascending nature)▪ Unblocks Painful Bi: wind-cold bi esp. in lower back
GUI ZHI(Cinnamon Twig)
Warm, acrid, sweet LU, HT, UB ▪ Releases Muscle Layer: harmonize Ying and Wei Qi to squeeze out cold pathogen▪ Warms Channels, Moves Blood: wind cold bi, cold amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea▪ Warms Yang, Transforms Water: edema or palpations from yang excess
JING JIE(Schizopeta bud)
Warm, acrid, aromatic
LU, LIV ▪ Releases Exterior, Dispels Wind: exterior pathogenic wind cold or wind heat ▪ Vents Rashes, Stops Itch: early stage measles or itchy skin lesions▪ Stops bleeding: charred form to stop bleeding
KID, UB ▪ Releases Exterior: externally contracted wind cold▪ Unblocks Painful Bi: treat damp-bi pain nape and upper limbs (lightweight)▪ Guides Qi to Greater Yang and Du Vessels: as envoy for other herbs
SHENG JIANG(Ginger rhizome)
Warm, acrid LU, SP, ST ▪ Releases Exterior Cold▪ Warms Lungs, Stops Cough: from wind-cold or chronic lung disorder with phlegm▪ Warm Middle, Stop Vomiting: esp. cold in stomach with vomiting ▪ Moderates toxicity of other herbs
XIANG RU(Aromatic madder)
Warm, acrid, aromatic
LU, ST ▪ Releases Exterior, Induces Sweat: esp. wind-cold during summer with damp▪ Promotes urination, Reduces Swelling: edema, dysuria asso. w/exterior pathogen
ACTION/INDICATIONS: herbs release pathogen expel through sweating; Treats wind-heat invasion, some vent rashes, treat eye problems
BO HE(Peppermint)
Cool, acid, aromatic
LU, LIV ▪ Disperses Wind-Heat in Head, Eye and Throat: fever, cough, sore throat, red eyes▪ Relieves LIV Qi stagnation: chest distension, irritable ▪ Expels turbid filth: summerheat gastric pain, vomiting, diarrhea w/greasy yellow coat▪ Vents rashes: makes early stage rashes come to surface to speed recovery
CHAI HU(Thorowax root)
Cool, acrid, bitter PC, SJ, LIV, GB ▪ Resolves Shaoyang (Lesser Yang): alternating chills and fever▪ Relieves LIV Qi stagnation▪ Raises Yang Qi: prolapse, hemorrhoids, discharge, bleeding
CHAN TUI(Cicadae Perostracum)
Cold, sweet, salty LU, LIV ▪ Dispels Wind, Clears Heat: wind-heat invasion with sore throat and loss of voice ▪ Clears Eyes, Removes Superficial Obstruction▪ Extinguish Wind, Stops Spasms: childhood convulsions and spasms, night terrrors
DAN DOU CHI(Soybeans)
Cool, sweet, bitter LU, ST ▪ Releases Exterior: best treat exterior disorders with underlying yin deficiency▪ Stops Irritability: following a febrile disease
FU PING (Duck weed)
Cold, acid LU, UB ▪ Release Exterior, Strong Diaphoretic: wind-heat without sweating▪ Promotes urination, Reduce Swelling: hot, superficial yang edema▪ Vents rashes and stops itching: has been used as a mosquito repellant
GE GEN(Kudzu root)
Cool, acid, sweet SP, ST ▪ Releases Muscle Layer: pathogen in muscle layer w/fever, headache, stiff neck▪ Generates fluids, Stop Thirst: thirst from exterior heat or wasting and thirsting▪ Raises Yang, Stops diarrhea: exterior disease causing dysentery or SP Qi deficiency
JU HUA(Chrysanthem flower)
Cold, bitter, sweet LU, LIV ▪ Dispels Wind-Heat: wind-heat invasion with Sang Ye▪ Calms LIV, Clears Eyes: treat red painful dry eyes from LIV yang rising**▪ Calms LIV, Stops Wind: dizziness, headache, deafness from LIV yang rising**drink as tea everyday to facilitate Qi/Bl, lighten body, prevent aging
MAN JING ZI(Vitex fruit)
Bitter, sweet, neutral
LU, LIV, ST ▪ Dispels Wind-Heat in Head and Eyes: wind-heat headache, red, swollen, tearing eyes▪ Drains Wind-Damp Bi: esp. in limbs used with other herbs
MU ZEI(Shave grass)
Bitter, sweet, neutral
LU, LIV, GB ▪ Disperses Wind-Heat from Eyes: red, painful swelling eyes from wind-heat▪ Clears Heat, Stops Bleeding: stop bleeding hemorrhoid with other herbs
NIU BANG ZI(Great bordock fruit)
Cool, acid, bitter LU, ST ▪ Benefits Throat: best treatment for sore throat**▪ Moistens intestines: constipation from heat dries stool▪ Works as Envoy for other herbs
SANG YE(White mulberry leaf)
Cold, bitter, sweet LU, LIV ▪ Disperses, Scatters Wind-Heat: wind-heat invasion▪ Clams LIV, Clears Eyes: LIV yang rising causing red, sore painful dry eyes, floaters▪ Moistens LU: dry cough or expectoration of thick yellow sputum▪ Cools Blood, Stops Bleeding: mild vomiting of blood
ORGAN INDICATIONS/ACTIONS: treats heat injuring the nutritive level, function to nourish yin & blood, cools heat from deficiency & clears nutritive level
MU DAN PI (Peony Tree Cortex)
Cold, bitter, Acrid HT, LIV, KD ▪ Clears Ying Level Heat: high fever ,thirst, hemorrhages, frequent profuse menses▪ Clears Deficiency Heat: esp. steaming bone disorder following warm disease▪ Moves Blood, Dispels Stasis: amenorrhea, abdominal masses, lumps▪ Clears Ascending LIV Fire: headache, eye pain, flank pain, flushing▪ Drains Pus, Reduces swelling when used topically firm non-draining sores
Cold, sweet HT, LIV ▪ Vents Fire toxins in Skin: measles, chicken pox, very dark purple rashes▪ Clears Damp-Heat in Skin: damp sores or vaginal discharge▪ Promotes Urine, Unblocks Intestines (mild constipation from heat)
CLEARS HEAT,DRIES DAMP
PROPERTIES:cold, bitter
ORGAN ACTIONS/INDICATIONS: intestines: dysentery, tenesmus, burning diarrhea, UB: dysuria, hematauria, LIV: hepatitis, jaundice, CI SP/ST deficiency
HUANG BAI(Phelloderdri Cortex)
Cold, bitter KD, UB ▪ Drains Damp-Heat Lower Burners: thick yellow discharge, foul diarrhea, hot leg qi ▪ Drains KD fire from Deficiency: streaming bone, night sweats, spermatorrhea▪ Drains Fire Toxins: damp sores on skin **Often combined with Huang Qin and Huang Bai for Damp-Heat
HUANG LAIN(Coptidis Rhizoma)
Cold, bitter**very drying
HT, LIV, ST, LI ▪ Drains Damp-Heat Middle Burners: burning epi pain, bad breath, reflux, nausea▪ Clears Heat, Stops MJ Bleeding: vomiting blood, blood stool or urine▪ Drains HT/ST Fire Toxins: high fever, irritable, delirium, rapid full pulse
HUANG QI(Scuttelariae Radix) aka: Skullcap Root
Cold, bitter LU, ST, GB, LI ▪ Drains Damp-Heat Upper Burners: fever, thirst, cough with thick yellow sputum ▪ Clears Heat, Stops UJ Bleeding: vomiting blood, nosebleeds, coughing blood ▪ Calms restless fetus: restless, kicking fetus from heat▪ Calms LIV Yang Rising: headache, irritable, red eyes, flushed face, bitter taste
LONG DONG SHO Cold, bitter GB, LIV, ST ▪ Drains LIV/GB Damp-Heat: red swollen ears, deafness, jaundice, painful genitals▪ Drains, Pacifies LIV Fire: HA, red eyes (flaring up); spasms, convulsion (LIV wind)
KU SHEN(Sophorae Radix)Aka: Sophoria Root
Cold, bitter HT, LIV, ST, SI, LI, UB
▪ Best Damp-Heat in Lower Burners: jaundice, dysentery, vaginal dc, sores ▪ Kills Parasites, Stop Itch: damp sores with chronic itching or vaginal discharge ▪ Promotes Urination: damp-heat SI, UTI or hot edema
QIN PI(Fraxini Cortex)Aka: Korean Ash Bark
Cold, bitter, astringent
LIV, GB, ST, LI ▪ Clears Damp-Heat, Stops Diarrhea: esp. diarrhea w/blood (dysentery)▪ Drains LIV fire, Clears Eyes: red, painful swollen eyes, as eyedrop▪ Dispels Wind-Damp Bi: esp. hot type painful obstruction▪ Calms Wheeze, Cough from LU heat (relationship w/LI)
CLEARS FIRE PROPERTIES ORGAN INDICATIONS: interior heat- fever without chills, dry mouth, thirst, irritability ,scanty dark urine, yellow coat, constipation or diarrhea, abdominal distension
DAN ZHU YE (Bamboo Leaf)
Cold, bland, sweet ST, HT, SI ▪ Clears HT/ST Heat ,Stops Irritability: irritable, thirst, mouth ulcers, swollen gums▪ Promote Urination, Clears Damp-Heat: scanty painful urination; esp. if heat in SI
GU JING CAO (Eriosaculi Flos)
Neutral, sweet LV, ST ▪ Clears Wind-Heat from Eyes: red, swollen eyes, tearing, visual obstruction ▪ Clears Wind-Heat from Head: headache, toothache, sore throat
JUE MING ZI (Cassiae Semen)
Cold, biiter, sweet, salty
LIV, LI, KD ▪ Clears LIV Heat affecting Eyes: treats all eye problems caused by heat** ▪ Calms Liver, Anchors Yang: headaches, dizziness ▪ Moistens the Intestines: treat dry constipation
LIAN ZI XIN (Nelumbinis plumula)
Cold, bitter HT, PC ▪ Clears HT/PC fire: heat pathogen invading PC causing mental confusion, delirium ▪ Stops Bleeding, Binds the Essence: vomiting blood, spermatorrhea as powder
LU GEN (Reed Rhizome)
Cold, sweet LU, ST ▪ Clears LU/ST Heat, Generates Fluids: upward surge rebellious Qi causing thirst ▪ Promotes Urination: dark, scanty urine or bloody urine esp. with irritability and thirst ▪ Vents Rashes: encourages expression of rashes
MI MENG HUA (Buddlejae Flos)
Cold, sweet LV ▪ Clears LIV, Improves Vision: used LIV Yin/Blood deficiency injured by heat causing red, swollen painful eyes, blurry vision, obstruction, gradual loss of vision, floaters, tearing
Cold, acrid, sweet LU, ST ▪ Clears LU/ST Heat at the Qi level: treat Yang Ming stage febrile disease (4 Bigs) ▪ Clears Stomach Fire #1: big appetite, ulcers, bleeding gums and toothache ▪ Clears Lung Heat: cough, wheeze with thick viscous yellow sputum ▪ Burns, Abscesses, and Eczema, apply topically as a powder
XIA KU CAO (Purella Spika)
Cold, acrid, bitter LV, GB ▪ Clears LIV Fire, Brightens Eyes: red, painful eyes (LIV fire); eye pain at night (LIV yin def) ▪ Eliminates Nodules: when phlegm is thickened by heat causing scrofula, lipomas, goiter
YE MING SHA (Bat Feces)
Cold, acrid LV ▪ Clears LIV Heat, Improves Vision: night blindness, cataracts, visual obstructions ▪ Dispels Blood Stasis and Accumilations: trauma or childhood accumulation disorders
Cold, bitter, salty LU, HT, ST ▪ Resolve Heat Toxins: treat severe contagious diseases, esp. in the thorat▪ Cools Blood, Dissipates Macules: macules from heat in blood
JIN YIN HUA(Honeysuckle)
Cold, sweet LU, LI, ST ▪ Resolve Heat Toxin: hot painful sores and swellings, esp. breast, throat and eyes▪ Expel Exterior Wind-Heat: wind-heat invasion w/fever, chills, sore throat▪ Clear Lower Jaio Damp-Heat: dysentery, Lin Syndrome
Bitter, cold, salty ST, LI ▪ Clears Heat Toxins in Breast: sore, swollen tender breast▪ Descends Milk: encourages lactation when there is heat; NOT insuff. Lactation dt deficiency
MA BO(Puffball Fruiting body)
Cold, bitter LU ▪ Clears Heat Toxins from LU and Throat: toxic swelling (tonsillitis), loss of voice (laryngitis) ▪ Stops Bleeding: esp. from the mouth, lips or bleeding gums from frostbite
MA CHI XIAN(Purslane)
Cold, sour, slippery LIV, LI ▪ Resolves Fire Toxins, Cools Blood, Stops Bleeding: bloody hot diarrhea or urination ▪ Clears Damp-Heat Sores▪ Treats Snake bites, Wasp Stings
PU GONG YING(Dandilion)
Cold, bitter, sweet LIV, ST ▪ Reduces Abscesses, Dissipates Nodules: internally or externally esp. if hard and firm ▪ Calm LIV to Clear Eyes: red, swollen eyes▪ Clears LIV Damp-Heat: jaundice, painful urinary dribble
QING DAI(Indigo)
Cold, salty LU, LIV, ST ▪ Clears Heat Toxins, Reduces Maculae: heat in blood causing maculae, nosebleeds▪ Dispel Summerheat stirring LIV Wind: red eyes, sore throat, convulsions▪ Drains LIV Fire Attacking LU: cough, chest pain, red eyes
REN DONG TENG(HoneySuckle Vine)
Cold, sweet LU, LI, ST ▪ Resolves Heat Toxins: various sores▪ Dispels Wind-Damp from Sinews: wind-damp hot bi syndrome ▪ Cools Blood: used in combination for early menses and mastitis
SHAN DOU GEN(Bushy Sophora)
Cold, bitter LU, LI ▪ Clears Heat Toxins from Throat: swollen painful throat, as a gargle▪ Disperses Heat Toxic Swellings: lung abscesses, throat/lung cancer (hold in mouth, swallow juice)
SHE GAN(Belamcanda Rhizoma)
Cold, bitter LU ▪ Clears Fire Toxins from Throat: swollen, painful throat, obstructions▪ Transforms LU Phlegm Heat: treat cough and wheeze from phlegm obstruction, widely used
SHI SHANG BAI(Selaginella)
Bitter, cold, sweet, acrid, neural
LIV ▪ Clears Heat Toxins in LU and Throat: cough, sore swollen throat ▪ Clears LIV Damp-Heat: Jaundice, ascites caused cirrohsis
TU FU LNIG(Smooth Greenbrier)
Neutral, sweet, bland
LIV, ST ▪ Resolves Damp Toxins: joint pain, turbid urination, jaundice▪ Clears Damp-Heat from Skin: recurrent ulcers and hot skin lesions
TU NIU XI(Achyranthis Root)
Bitter, sour, neutral LIV, KD ▪ Drains Fire Toxins from Throat: sore, swollen throat, esp. diptheria▪ Clears Heat Toxins from Skin: abscess or sores▪ Invigorates Blood, Dispels Stasis: esp. GYN, dysmenorrheal, amenorrhea ▪ Treats Painful Urinary Dribble (enters KD)
YA DAN ZI(Brucea fruit)
Cold, bitter, toxic LIV, LI ▪ Treats Dysentery: esp. chronic cold stagnation that wax and wanes▪ Treats Intermitted Fever and Chills: malaria ▪ Topically for Corns and warts topically, Recently for Colon and Breast CA
YE JU HUA Cold, bitter,acrid LU, LIV ▪ Clears Fire Toxins in Skin: carbuncles, furuncles, sores, sore tho
(Wils Chrysanthem) ▪ Treats Wind Fire (excessive wind heat) causing red eyes and sore throatYU XING CAO(Houttuynia)
Cool, acrid LU, LI ▪ Clears Heat Toxins, Reduces Abscesses: LU abcesses w/ cough, yellow, thick green sputum▪ Drains Damp-Heat, Promotes Urination: damp-heat diarrhea or urination
ZI HUA DI DING(Violet)
Cold, bitter, acrid LU, LIV ▪ Clears Heat Toxins: esp. red swollen eyes, throat, mumps, snake bites ▪ Treats Hot Sores, especially on head and back
CLEAR SUMMERHEAT
PROPERIES ORGAN ACTION/INDICATIONS : clear summerheat –severe heat and damp
Cold, sweet HT, ST ▪ Clears Summerheat: esp. with thirst (made into tea to prevent summerheat in summer)▪ Clears Heat Toxins: sores and swellings (made into powder and drank as a tea)▪ Antidote for Aconite Poisoning
CLEARDEFICIENCY HEAT
PROPERTIES ORGAN ACTION/INDICATIONS: enter the yin to treat KID/LIV Yin deficiency leading to deficiency heat with s/s: streaming bone, tidal fever, 5 palm heat, night sweats
BAI WEI(Cynanchi Root)
Cold, bitter, salty LU, ST, KID ▪ Clear Ying or Xue Heat: summertime fever, post-partum fever, lingering fever after disease▪ Cools Blood, Promotes urination: hot bloody painful urine esp. before or after giving birth
DI GU PI(Wolfberry)
Cold, sweet, bland LU, LIV, KID ▪ Clear KID Fire, Reduces Steaming Bone: heat in bones, night sweats, low fever▪ Clears LU Heat: cough, wheeze
HU HUANG LIAN(Picrorhiza rhizome)
Cold, bitter ST, LIV, LI ▪ Clears Yin Deficiency Heat▪ Drains Damp-Heat: dysentery disorders and damp sores▪ Reduced Childhood Nutritional Impairment: esp. with distension, fevers and dysentary
QING HAO(Wormswood)
Cold, bitter LIV, GB, KID ▪ Clears Summerheat: esp. low fever, headache, dizziness, chest oppression▪ Clears Deficiency Fever: esp. steaming bone disorders w/out sweating▪ Cools Blood, Stops bleeding: purpura, epistaxis from heat in blood▪ Malarial disorders: alternating fever and chills
CALM THE SPIRIT PROPERTIES ORGANHT-houses shenLIV-houses hun
ACTION/INDICATIONS: enter the HT and/or LIV to treat irritability, insomnia, anxiety, insanity by anchoring the spirit or nourishing the heart▪ anchoring herbs are heavy and cold so should combo with herbs nourish SP/ST
SUBSTANCE ANCHOR, SETTLE AND CALM SPIRIT▪ Minerals and shells with a function related to weight and density to calm spirit descend yang, decend rebellious LU Qi and ST Qi▪ Caution: minerals can injure ST Qi causing indigestion and loss of appetite Combine w/herb tonify SP/ST, only take for short time
Cold, sweet, salty HT, LIV ▪ Settle Tremors and Palpitations: ▪ Eliminate Superficial Visual Obstructions: blurry vision from pterygium▪ Promotes Healing, Generates Flesh (topically)▪ Clears Dark discolorations of Skin, commonly used in skin creams
Cold, sweet, salty HT, LIV ▪ Settle Tremors and Palpitations: ▪ Eliminate Superficial Visual Obstructions: blurry vision from pterygium▪ Promotes Healing, Generates Flesh (topically)▪ Clears Dark Discolorations of Skin, commonly used in skin creams
NOURISH HEART, CALMS SPIRIT ▪ Plants with sweet, moist properties that Nourish HT, LIV, Tonify Blood and Yin to calm the spirit treat general malaise, palpitations, irrit., insomnia▪ Sour –contracts to treat expansion of spirit with s/s excessive laughter, hyperactivity, mania▪ Acrid –spreads to treat contraction of spirit with s/s constraint, depression
SUAN ZAO REN(Sour Jujube seed)
Neutral, sweet, sour HT, SP, LIV, GB ▪ Nourishes HT Yin, LIV Blood: irritability, insomnia, palpitations with anxiety▪ Prevents Abnormal Sweating: spontaneous sweating, night sweats**Widely used in formulas to treat shen disorder from HT/LIV blood deficiency
▪ Strongly Opens ALL orifices: PC heat w/LOC, delirium, irrational speech, closed dos▪ Moves Blood, Dispel Clumps: boils, masses, traumatic injury causing blocked meridian▪ Stops Pain: chest bi pain, pain from trauma (topically over UB15 for angina)▪ Dispels Dead Fetus: facilitates downward passage of dead fetus or placenta**chief herb for LOC, wind-stroke, phlegm collapse and high fever, trauma medicine, etc.
ACTIONS/INDICATIONS: These herbs have strong heat clearing properties, best to treats interior heat causing constipation; CI: pregnancy, SP/ST deficiency
DA HUANG(Rhubarb root)
Cold, bitter ST, LI, HT, LIV ▪ Drains Heat, Purges Accumulations: constipation from heat▪ Drains Fire: high fever, sore throat, red swollen eyes asso. with constipation ▪ Clears Damp-Heat, Promotes Urination: edema, jaundice, painful urine/diarrhea▪ Dispel Blood Stasis: amenorrhea, fixed abdominal masses, trauma
FAN XIE YE (Senna) Cold, bitter, sweet LI ▪ Drains Down, Guides out Stagnation: acute or chonic constipation dt heat
LU HUI(Aloe leaf juice)
Cold, bitter ST, LI, LIV ▪ Drains Fire, Purges Accumulations: constipation from heat with LIV/HT Fire▪ Cools Liver: irritability, dizziness, headache, tinnitus with constipation▪ Kills parasites, Strengthen ST: childhood impairment esp. with roundworms
ACTIONS/INDICATIONS: nuts or seeds that lubricate intestines, best for debilitated and elderly patients constipation; CI: pregnancy, SP/ST deficiency
HUO MA REN(Cannabis/Hemp seed)
Neutral, sweet SP, ST, LI ▪ Moistens intestines, Nourish Yin: constipation from blood/yin def.
YU LI REN(Bush Cherry Pit)
Neutral, sweet, acid, bitter
SP, SI, LI ▪ Moistens intestine: constipation from Qi stagnation in intestines ▪ Promotes Urine, Reduce Edema: leg qi or edema with dysuria and constipation
DOWN DRAINING,HARSH EXPELLANTS
PROPERTIES:**very harsh
ORGAN ACTIONS/INDICATIONS: strong, harsh drive out excess water to treats severe constipation dt stagnated fluids, Caution: causes explosive diarrhea, pregnancy
BA DOU(Croton Seed)
Hot, acrid, toxic LU, ST, LI ▪ Drives Out Water: esp. ascites from late stage schistosomiatisis▪ Expel Phlegm in the Throat: dypena, wheeze, chest distension ▪ Healing of Abscesses and Ulcers
GAN SUI(Kansui Root)
Cold, bitter, sweet, toxic
LU, LI, KID ▪ Drains and Expels Water: fluid chest and abdomen, general edema▪ Drives Out Phlegm: wind-phlegm seziures or withdraw mania
JING DA JI (Da Ji)(Japanese Thistle)
Cold, bitter, acrid, toxic
SP, LI, KID ▪ Drains and Expels Water: : fluid chest and abdomen, general edema▪ Reduces Swelling and Nodules: red, swollen painful sores topicall
YUAN HUA(Genkwa flower)
Warm, bitter, acrid, toxic
LU, LI, KID ▪ Drains and Expels Water: : fluid chest and abdomen, general edema▪ Dispels Phlegm, Stop Cough: chronic bronchitis taken alone with sugar▪ Kills parasites
TRANSFORMS DAMPNESS
PROPERTIES:warm, acrid, aromatic
CHANNEL(SP/ST)
ACTION/INDICATIONS: transform damp, resolves qi and strengthen SP/ST to treat distention, nausea, reflux, loose stool, anorexia, lassitude**Caution: very drying, can easily exhaust Qi and injure the yin
BAI DOU KOU(Round Cardamom)
Warm, acrid, aromatic
SP, ST, LU ▪ Moves Qi, Transforms Damp: chest, epigastric or abdomen distention▪ Warms and Strengthen ST to Descend Rebellion: all types vomiting from cold
CANG ZHU(Black Rhizome)
Warm, acrid, bitter,aromatic
SP, ST ▪ Strongly Dries Damp, Strengthens Spleen: damp obstructing t/t of spleen▪ Dispels Exterior Wind-Damp: fever, chills, headache, nasal congestion▪ Clears Lower Jaio Damp: damp heat pouring down leg qi, vaginal discharge▪ Improves Vision: night blindness, decrease vision with rough sensation in eyes
CAO DOU KOU(Katsumada Seed)
Warm, acrid, aromatic
SP, ST ▪ Warms Middle, Dries Damp: SP/ST cold damp with diarrhea, vomiting▪ Warms Middle, Stops Vomiting
CAO GUO(Tasaoko Fruit)
Warm, acrid, aromatic
SP, ST ▪ Warms Middle, Strongly Dries Damp: SP/ST cold damp with diarrhea, vomiiting▪ Dissolves Stagnation: indigestion from meat stagnation, local distension▪ Treats Malaria: alternating fevers and chills esp. dt cold-damp
HOU PO(Magnolia Bark)
Warm, bitter, spicy,aromatic
SP, ST ▪ Moves Qi, Transforms Damp: best herb for distention dt Qi stagnation**▪ Dries SP Damp, Transforms Phlegm: distention, fullness, nausea, diarrhea▪ Descends LU Qi, Transforms Phlegm: cough, wheeze dt phlegm clogging lungs
HUO XIANG(Patchouli)
Warm, spicy SP, ST, LU ▪ Transform Damp, Dispels Summerheat: middle damp or summerheat damp▪ Harmonize Middle, Stop Vomiting: n/v dt damp obstructing middle▪ Treat Dermatosis: affecting hands and feet
PEI LIAN Neutral, spicy SP, ST ▪ Transform Damp, Dispels Summerheat: middle damp or summerheat damp
SP, ST ▪ Moves Qi, Transforms Damp: distention in epigastric and abdomen▪ Warms Middle, Stops Diarrhea: diarrhea dt cold ▪ Calms fetus
DRAINS DAMPNESS
PROPERTIESneutral, swt, bland
ORGANSI, UB
ACTION/INDICATIONS: All herbs drain damp to treats edema below waist by promoting water metabolism by increasing urination (diuretics).Caution: yin deficiency or lack fluids
1) Drain Damp, Reduce Edema, (neutral, sweet, bland) used for difficult urination, diarrhea, phlegm retention and fluid retention
CHI XIAO DOU(Adzuki Beans)
Neutral, sour, sweet
HT, SI ▪ Drains Damp, Promotes Urination: ascites, leg qi edema (can be eaten as food)▪ Resolves Damp-Heat Jaundice: for mild cases▪ Resolves Fire Toxins and Swelling in Skin: sores, carbuncles and furuncles (boils)
DONG GUA PI(Winter Melon Rind)
Slightly cold, bland, sweet
LU, SI ▪ Drains Damp, Promotes Urination: esp. for edema from damp-heat
SP, KID, UB ▪ Drains Damp, Promotes Urination: dysuria, scanty urine, diarrhea, edema**can be used alone for painful urinary dribble during pregnancy
2) Promote Urination, Remove Strangury (Painful Urinary Dribble/Lin Syndrome) black urine, stranguary from heat, stone with blood, turbity
(CHUAN) MU TONG(Akebiae Caulis)
Cold, bitter, bland HT, SI, UB ▪ Clears Damp-Heat, Promotes Urination: painful urinary dribble ▪ Drains HT Heat via SI: irritable, scanty urine, sores mouth and tongue▪ Promotes Lactation
BI XIE(Tokoro)
Neutral, bitter ST, LIV, UB ▪ Separate Pure from Turbid, Promotes Urination: cloudy painful urinary dribble▪ Expels Wind-Damp, Relax Sinews: wind-damp or damp-heat bi
3) Drain Damp, Eliminate Jaundice (bitter and cold, enters spleen, stomach, liver, gallbladder) jaundice, eczema, sores and carbuncles
JIN QIAN CAO(Lysimachia Herb)
Slightly cold, salty, sweet
LIV, GB, KID, UB ▪ Clears LIV/GB Damp-Heat: jaundice, red swollen eyes, gallstones▪ Expels Urinary or Gallstones, used alone in large doses as a tea▪ Reduces Toxic Swellings: snakebites, abscesses, trauma
YIN CHEN(Wormwood)
Slightly cold, bitter SP, ST, LIV, GB ▪ Clears LIV/GB Damp-Heat or Cold-Heat: best herb to treat jaundice***▪ Resolves Damp Sores: esp. lower body as a wash
DISPEL WIND-DAMP PROPERTIES:Aromatic, Warm
ORGAN ACTIONS/INDICATIONS: drying herbs dispel wind-damp from muscles, sinews, joints and bones to treats bi syndrome and unblocks the channels.Caution: very drying nature can injure yin and blood, becareful Yin/Blood Deficiency
Cold, bitter LIV ▪ Dispels Wind-Damp, Relaxes Sinews: hot bi with cramping and stiffness▪ Unblocks Channels, Relaxes sinews: swelling, heat and pain from trauma
LAO GUAN CAO(Crane’s Bill)
Neutral, bitter, acrid SP, LIV, KID ▪ Dispel Wind-Damp by Dredging, Unblocking Collaterals: severe bi pain**▪ Resolves Heat Toxins, Generates Flesh: sore, abscesses, burns, eczema
LIANG MIAN ZHEN Warm, bit, acrid, toxic ST, LIV ▪ Dispels Wind-Damp, Stops Pain, used alone for generalized pain
LUO SHI TENG(Star Jasmine Stem)
Cold, bitter LIV ▪ Dispels Wind-Damp, Unblocks Collaterals: hot wind-damp with spasms▪ Cools Blood, Reduces Swellings: treat hot painful sores, painful throat obs.
MU GUA(Papaya or Quince fruit)
Warm, sour**no in book
SP, LIV ▪ Relaxes Tendons, Unblocks Collaterals▪ Dispels Damp, Harmonizes ST
QI SHE(Agkistrodon)
Warm, salty, sweet, toxic
LIV ▪ Powerfully Dispels Wind-Damp, Unblocks Channel: esp. for stubborn bi cases ▪ Dispels Wind in Sinews, Settles Jitteriness: ANY kind spasms, tremors, seizures ▪ Dispels Wind in Skin: dermatosis, skin numbness, any kind of rash
QIAN NIAN JIAN(Homalomena Rhizome)
Warm, bitter, acid LIV, KID ▪ Expel Wind-Damp: pain, spasms and numb superficially (sinews) or deep (bones)▪ Tonify LIV/KID, Strengthen Sinews/Bones: weak softened bones in elderly
QIN JIAO(Gentiana Macrophylla)
Slightly cold, bitter, acrid
ST, LIV, GB ▪ Expels Wind-Damp, Relaxes Sinews: hot wind-damp bi with cramping▪ Clears Deficiency Heat: afternoon fever, steaming bone▪ Resolves Jaundice: esp. acute cases in infants▪ Moistens Intestines: dry constipation (used counteract dryness other herb)
QING FENG TENG Neutral, bitter, acrid SP, LIV ▪ Dispels Wind-Damp, Stop Pain, used alone
Neutral, bitter LIV ▪ Expel Wind-Damp, Benefits Joints: wind-damp bi with spasms esp. upper extrem.▪ Reduces Edema: esp. good for edema with joint pain
SHE TUI(Snake Skin Slough)
neutral, salty, sweet LIV ▪ Dispels Wind-Damp, Stops Spasms: wind skin lesion and childhood seizures▪ Removes Visual Obstructions: pterygium or cornea disorders
XI XIAN CAO Cold, bitter LIV, KID ▪ Expel Wind-Damp, Unblocks Collaterals: wind-damp bi joints with spasms▪ Calms LIV Yang: headache, dizziness, HTN dt ascending LIV Yang
HT, LIV, KID ▪ Dispels Wind-Damp, Strengthen Sinews/Bone: bi with joint spasms and pain▪ Promotes Urination, Reduce Edema
XU CHANG QING (Paniculate Swallow-Wort
Warm ,acrid ST, LIV ▪ Dispels Wind-Damp, Moves Blood, Stops Pain: wind-damp bi and trauma▪ Resolves Toxicity, Stops Itching, used alone itching of skin
Warm Herbs that Transform Cold Phlegm- ▪ Action warming lung, expel cold, dry damp, transforms phlegm, reduce swelling and alleviate pain used to treat cold or damp phlegmBAI FU ZI Warm, acrid,
Sweet, toxicSP, ST, LIV ▪ Expel wind-phlegm, relieves spasms and stops pain
▪ Detoxify and dispels massBAI JIE ZI Warm, acrid LU ▪ Warm lung and resolve phlegm
▪ Promote Qi movement▪ Subsides swellings and disperse masses
JIE GENG Neutral, acrid, bitter LU ▪ Resolves phlegm▪ Disperse lung Qi, Benefits the throat ▪ Relieves abscesses, Promoting discharge of pus**serves as an envoy to guide other herb to throat
TIAN NAN XING Warm, acrid, bitter, toxic**
LU, LIV, SP ▪ Dry dampness and transforms phlegm▪ Expel wind and relieves spasms▪ Subsides masses and reduces swelling
XUAN FU HUA Slight warm, acrid, bitter, salty
LU, SP, ST, LIV ▪ Descends Qi and stops vomiting▪ Transforms phlegm and stops cough
Cool Herbs that Transform Heat Phlegm -cold or cool, clear heat and transform phlegm; some are moist; some salty to soften hardnessheat phlegm, dry phlegm with cough, wheeze and sticky yellow sputum, CI: cold and damp phlegm syndromesBAN XIA MU Warm, acrid,
Slightly cold, sweet LU, ST, GB ▪ Clear heat and transform phlegm▪ Reduce vexation and stop vomiting
RELEIVE FOOD STAGNATION
PROPERTIES:warm, neutral, sw
ORGAN:SP, ST
ACTIONS/INDICATIONS: Relieves food stagnation, Stimulates appetite, Harmonizes middle jaio
GU YA(Grain/rice sprouts)
Neutral, sweet SP, ST ▪ Reduces food stagnation from too much STARCHY food***▪ Tonify SP Qi to stimulate appetite (treat dyspepsia w/SP Qi deficiency)
JI NEI JIN(Gizzard lining)
Neutral, sweet SP, ST, SI, UB ▪ Strongly reduces food stagnation***▪ Tonify SP/ST in food retention and childhood malnutrition w/ protruding abd▪ Stabilizes essence to relieve enuresis from KID yang deficiency▪ Dissolves UB/GB stones
LAI FU ZI(Radish seed)
Neutral, acrid, harsh, sweet
SP, ST, LU ▪ Reduces food stagnation causing bloating abdomen from ANY food***▪ Unblocks and regulates Qi to relieve Qi stagnation▪ Relieves cough and dissolves phlegm (treat thin phlegm in lungs)
MAI YA(Barley sprouts)
Neutral, sweet SP, ST, LIV ▪ Reduces food stagnation from too much STARCHY food***▪ Stops lactation▪ Sooths liver, Regulates Qi (treat LIV Qi stagnation, LIV invading SP/ST)
SHAN ZHA(Hawthorn fruit)
Sl.warm, sour, sweet SP, ST, LIV ▪ Reduces food stagnation from too much MEAT***▪ Invigorates blood, dissolves blood stasis
SHEN QU(Medicated leaven)
Warm, acrid, sweet SP, ST ▪ Reduces food stagnation from too much ANY food***▪ Relieves side effects from minerals, i.e. Fe2O3 (ferrous oxide) causing mania
REGULATE QI PROPERTIES ORGAN ACTIONS/INDICATIONS:
CHEN PI/JU PI(Ages Tangerine Peel)
Warm, acrid, bitter, aromatic
LU, SP, ST ▪ Regulates SP/ST Qi, Harmonizes middle jiao▪ Relieves diaphragm due to SP/ST Qi stag/rebellion (distension, bloat, n/v, belching)▪ Dry damp, transforms cold-damp or damp-phlegm in lungs (cough w/viscous sputum)
CHEN XIANG(Eaglewood)
Warm, acrid, bitter SP, ST, KID ▪ Regulates Qi, directs cold SP/ST downward (n/v, hiccups, vomiting)▪ Relieves pain from cold stagnated in lower jaio▪ Tonify KID, aids KID grasping LU Qi (retained phlegm causing asthma)
CHUAN LIAN ZI(China Berry Fruit)
Cold, bitter,Sl. toxic
ST, SI, LIV, UB ▪ Regulates Qi, Stops paim▪ Clears heat from LIV Qi stagnation LIV fire invading SP/ST or GB damp-heat▪ Kills parasites
FO SHOU(Buddha’s Hand)
Warm, acrid,bitter, mild
LU, SP, ST, LIV ▪ Sooths and regulates LIV Qi ▪ Harmonizes middle jaio, dries damp SP/ST▪ Dissolves accumulation LU phlegm (copious phlegm w/chronic cough)
MU XIANG(Costa Root)
Warm, acrid, bitter
SP, ST, GB, LI ▪ Regulates SP/ST Qi, Harmonizes middle jaio· Stops pain from LIV invading SP▪ Treats damp stagnation in LI (tenesmus, pain, diarrhea)▪ Promotes movement LIV/GB Qi from stagnation (hypochondriac, flank pain)
QING PI(Green Tangerine Peel)
Warm, acrid, bitter, Harsh
ST, LIV, GB ▪ Sooths LIV Qi, Breaks stagnation such as cold hernias▪ Dissolves food stagnation
SHI DI(Persimmon)
Neutral, acrid,Bitter
ST ▪ Directs rebellious ST Qi downward ▪ Stops hiccups, vomiting, belching from heat or cold patterns
TAN XIANG(Fragrant Sandlewood)
Warm, acrid, Aromatic
LU, SP, ST ▪ Moves Qi to relieve stagnated Qi/Bd from def. cold (chest bi= angina, CAD)▪ Moves and regulates Qi, relieves pain ▪ Harmonizes cold stagnation in middle jaio (pain, vomiting watery fluid)
WU YAO(Lindera Root)
Warm, acrid LU, SP, KID, UB ▪ Promotes Qi movement▪ Relieves pain from cold in abdomen and liver channel▪ Warms KID, dispels cold treat KID yang def, UB deficiency (prolaspe, bedwetting)
XIANG FU(Rhizoma Cyprus)
Neutral, acrid, sl. bitter, sl. sweet
LIV, SJ ▪ Releases constraint of LIV Qi, Disperses Qi stagnation▪ Harmonizes LIV/SP Disharmony (chronic gastritis, ulcers, hepatitis, cholecystitis, stones)▪ Regulates menses, dissolves breast fibroids
XIE BAI Warm, acrid, LU, ST, LI ▪ Unblocks chest bi pain from blood obstructing HT channel
(Chinese chives) Bitter ▪Unblocks ST/LU yang Qi to promote Qi flow▪ Disperses cold LU phlegm from retained cold-phlegm (wheezing, dyspena)▪ Directs Qi downward, reducing damp-heat stagnated in LI (dysentery, bloat, diarrhea)
ZHI SHI(Immature Bitter Orange)
Sl. cold, acrid,Bitter
SP, ST, LI ▪ Unblocks SP/ST Qi stagnation▪ Relieves food retention▪ Unblocks bowels to release excess damp heat causing constipation▪ Dissolves retained phlegm in lung and chest, relieving chest bi pain
LIV, LU, HT, LI ▪ Cools blood to strongly stop bleeding▪ Stops cough: yellow phlegm heat/blood streaked sputum (bronchitis)**▪ Stops itching: used topically for alopecia or dandruff▪ Heals burns, as a powder
DA JI(Big Japanese Thistle)
Cool, sl. bitter, sweet
LIV, HT, SP ▪ Cools blood to stops bleeding: best treat hemataemesis, hemoptysis▪ Promotes healing, reduces swellings: treat carbuncles and furuncles (boils)▪ Benefits the gallbladder: jaundice, hepatitis, hypertension
DI YU(Bloodwort Root)
Sl. cold, bitter, sour
LIV, ST, LI ▪ Cools blood and stop bleeding: best lower jaio damp heat▪ Promotes healing, reduces swellings: sores, ulcers, burns, eczema, burns, boils
HUAI HUA MI(Pagoda Flower Bud)
Sl. cold, bitter LIV, LI ▪ Cools blood to stops bleeding: best LI damp heat, esp. hemmroids▪ Clears liver heat, Brightens eyes: treat red eyes, dizzy, bleeding gums, HTN
PU HUANG(Cattail Pollen)
Neutral, acrid,pungent, sweet**astringent
PC, LIV (LIV, HT, SP)
▪ Stops bleeding: external from trauma or internal nose, mouth, intestines or uterus
LIV, LU, SP ▪ Strongly stops bleeding: used any type of bleeding (cold/heat/excess/deficiency)▪ Stops chronic diarrhea: to relieves dysentery ▪ Kills parasites: expels tapeworms or trichomonas (yellow foamy foul leukorrhea)
XIAO JI(Little Japanese Thistle)
Cool, sweet LIV, HT, SP ▪ Cools blood to stops bleeding: best treats hematauria **function weaker than Da Ji
Cold, sweet HT, LIV ▪ Invigorates blood, Dispels stasis, Unblocks menses▪ Cools blood to resolves toxicity: maculopapular rash with high fevers
HONG HUA Warm, acrid HT, LIV ▪ Invigorates blood, Dispels stasis, Unblocks menses
JI XUE TENG(Spatholobus Root)
warm, bitter, sweet HT, LIV, SP ▪ Promotes movement and tonify blood: blood def. patterns with abd. pain▪ Relaxes sinews: back or knee pain, paralysis or numbness d/t blood def. in elderly
JIANG HUANG(Turmeric)
warm, acrid, bitter LIV, SP, ST ▪ Invigorates blood, Unblocks menses: chest or abd pain from cold▪ Promotes movement of Qi, Stops pain: epigastric or abd pain from stagnated qi▪ Expels wind, Promote movement of blood: wind damp bi, esp. in shoulders
Neutral, bitter, sour KID, LIV ▪ Invigorates blood, Dispels stasis▪ Tonify LIV/KID to strengthen sinews/bones: LBP, knee pain dt LIV/KID def.▪ Induces downward move blood and fire: chaotic movement blood UJ or LIV yang rising▪ Clears damp-heat lower jaio: damp bi knees/back, urine dribble w/stones and LPB
RU XIANG(Frankincense)
warm, acrid, bitter HT, LIV, SP ▪ Invigorates blood, Promotes movement Qi: chest, epigastric, abd pain▪ Reduces swellings to stop pain, generates flesh: traumatic painful injuries, boils, ulcers ▪ Relaxes sinews: wind-damp bi with rigidity and spasms
SAN LENG(Burr Reed Rhizome)
neutral, acrid, bitter LIV, SP ▪ Forcefully breaks blood stasis, Promotes movement Qi: amenorrhea d/t stasis▪ Dissolves accumulation, Alleviates pain: severe abd pain/distension d/t food stag.
SHUI ZHI(Leech)
Neutral, bitter,Salty, toxic
UB, LIV ▪ Breaks up and drives out blood stasis: amenorrhea w/masses ▪ Reduces fixed masses: abdominal or uterine masses
SU MU(Sappan Wood)
Neutral, acrid, Salty, sweet
HT, SP, LIV ▪ Invigorates blood, Alleviates pain and swelling: pain, swelling from trauma▪ Stops bleeding: excess post-partum bleeding w/dizziness, vertigo, SOB
TAO REN(Peach Kernal)
Neutral, bitter, sweet LU, HT, LI, LIV ▪ Breaks blood stasis: lung/abdominal abscess with fixed abdominal mass▪ Moistens Intestines to unblock bowels: constipation
WANG BU XING(Vaccaria Seeds)
Neutral, bitter ST, LIV ▪ Promotes movement of blood, Invigorates Channel: promotes lactation▪ Reduces swelling: painful swollen breast or testes
XUE JIE(Dragons Blood)
Neutral, salty,Sweet
HT, LIV ▪ Dispel blood stasis, Alleviate pain: stasis dt falls, fractures, contusions, sprains ▪ Stop bleeding: external bleeding injuries, internal upper GI bleeding
YAN HU SUO(Corydalis)
warm, acrid, bitter HT, LIV, ST ▪ Invigorates blood, Promotes movement Qi: used all types pain (aspirin herb**)▪ Alleviates pain: esp. epigastric pain, dysmenorrhea; **main herb treat any type of pain
YI MU CAO(Chinese Motherwort)
sl. cold, acrid, bitter HT, LIV, UB ▪ Invigorates blood, Dispels stasis: all types of OB/GYN disorders▪ Promotes urination, Reduces swelling: acute edema, esp. if also have blood in urine
YU JIN(Curcuma Tuber)
cold, acrid, bitter HT, LIV, LU ▪ Invigorates blood, Promotes movement Qi: chronic sores, traumatic injuries▪ Stops pain, Resolves constraints: esp. LIV Qi stagnation with heat s/s▪ Clears heat, Cools blood: reckless bleeding, nosebleed with onset on menses▪ Clears heart, Opens Orifices: hot phlegm obstructing HT w/anxiety, agitation, delirium▪ Sooths LIV/GB: treat jaundice
▪ Revives yang, Rescues rebellion: following severe vomiting, diarrhea, sweating ▪ Warm fire , Assists yang: HT, SP or KID Yang def. **esp. with interior cold▪ Warm the channel, Disperse cold to stop pain: wind-cold bi, cold blocking organs**greats anytime yang need to be activated or mobilized
GAN JIANG(Ginger)
hot, acrid LU, HT, SP, ST ▪ Rescues yang, Expels interior cold▪ Warms middle, Expels cold: excess cold SP/ST or yang qi deficiency▪ Warm lung, Transforms thin mucosa: lung cold with thin, watery white sputum▪ Warms channel, Stops bleeding: pale, chronic bleeding, esp. uterine
GAO LIANG JIANG(Galanga)
Hot, acrid SP, ST ▪ Warms middle, Stops pain: abd pain, vomiting, hiccups, diarrhea
▪ Warms HT Yang: chest pain with slow pulse▪ Disperses deep cold, Warms and unblocks channels, Stops pain:cold in LIV channel causing dys/amenorrhea, cold damp bi, yin sores w clear fluid▪ Leads fire back to source: flushed face, wheeze, severe sweat, cold limbs▪ Encourages generation of Qi/Blood: treat chronic qi/bld deficiency
WU ZHU YU(Evodia Fruit)
hot, acrid, bitter, toxic
LIV, SP, ST ▪ Warm middle, Disperse cold, Promotes movement Qi, Stops Pain:LIV/ST cold HA, epigastric pain, nausea**, drooling, hernia, reduce taste▪ Redirects rebellion down, Stops vomiting▪ Warms SP, Stops diarrhea: cold diarrhea d/t SP def.▪ Expels cold damp: cold damp leg qi▪ Leads fire down: tongue ulcers, powder placed in middle sole of foot**best warming LIV/ST to stop nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
XIAO HUI XIANG(Fennel)
Warm, acrid LIV, SP, ST, LIV ▪ Disperse cold, Warms LIV/KID, Stops pain: lower burner cold, hernia**▪ Regulates Qi, Harmonizes ST: treat ST cold with pain, indigest, vomit, lack appetite
TONIFY QI PROPERTIES:sweet,
ORGAN:SP, LU
ACTIONS/INDICATIONS: SP/LU Qi deficiencies b/c they are involved in extraction of Qi from food and air and transforming qi in the body.
BAI ZHU(Atractylodes Rhizoma)
Warm, bitter, sweet SP, ST ▪ Strengthen SP/ST Qi, Dries Damp: treat Sp Qi deficiency with damp obstructing▪ Promotes water metabolism: treat edema, damp bi obstruction▪ Stabilzes exterior, Stops sweating: treat spontaneous sweating▪ Calms fetus
DA ZAO(Chinese Date)
Warm, sweet SP, ST ▪ Strengthen SP Qi: treat SP Qi deficiency▪ Nourishes blood, Calms spirit: treat irritability, emotionally labile d/t restless organ▪ Moderates toxicities of other herbs
DANG SHEN(Codonopsis Root)
Neutral, sweet LU, SP ▪ Strengthen SP Qi: treat SP Qi deficiency▪ Strengthen LU Qi: treat LU Qi deficiency with chronic cough or copious sputum
GAN CAO(Licorice Root)
Neutral, sweet LU, HT, SP, ST**all 12channel
▪ Stregnthens SP Qi: treat SP Qi deficiency with palpitations or irregular pulse▪ Moistens lungs, Stops cough: treat heat or cold causing unproductive cough▪ Moderates spasms, Stops pain: painful abdomen or leg spasms▪ Clears heat, Resolves fire toxins: treat boils, sore throat (unprepared form)▪ Moderates toxicities of other herbs
Neutral, sweet LU, SP, KID ▪ Strengthen SP/ST Qi and Yin: treat SP Qi/Yin deficiency▪ Strengthen LU Qi and Yin: treat chronic cough or wheeze▪ Strengthen KID, Secures essence: treat DM, spermatorrhea, polyuria, vaginal d/c
TAI ZI SHEN(Pseudostellaria Root)
Neutral, bitter, sweet LU, SP ▪ Strengthen SP Qi: treat SP Qi deficiency▪ Generates fluids: treat thirst from severe febrile disease or summerheat
TONIFY BLOOD PROPERTIES:sweet
ORGAN:HT, SP, LIV
ACTIONS/INDICATIONS: treat blood def, often combined herbs tonify yin and/or qi. Herbs cloying so can cause indigestion combine with stomach strengthening herb
BAI SHAO(White Peony Root)
Cold, bitter, sour SP, LIV ▪ Nourish blood, Regulates menses: treat irregular menses▪ Calms LIV Yang rising, Stops pain: treat flank/chest/abd pain from stagnate LIV Qi▪ Preserves yin, Adjusts nutritive and protective levels
DANG GUI(Angelica Root)
warm, acrid, sweet HT, SP, LIV ▪ Tonify blood, Regulate menses: treat bld def w/irregular menses, dys/amenorrhea▪ Invigorates blood, Disperses cold: stop pain dt blood stasis from cold▪ Moistens intestines and unblocks bowels: treat constipation w/bld def.▪ Reduces swelling, Expels pus, Generates flesh, Stops pain: treat sores, abscesses▪ Treats cough, very weak in this function
E JAIO(Donkey Hide Gelatin)
Neutral, sweet LU, LIV, KID ▪ Tonify blood: treat bld def, used stand alone melted in white rice▪ Nourish blood, Stops bleeding: treat any bleeding esp. blood in stool, excessive menses▪ Nourish and moisten yin: treat yin def. in aftermath of fever
Warm, bitter, sweet LIV, KID ▪ Tonify LIV/KID: treat wind cold damp with underlying LIV/KID deficiency ▪ Strengthen sinews and bone, Expel wind cold damp in LP and knees
GU SUI BU(Drynaria Rhizoma)
Warm, bitter LIV, KID ▪ Tonify KID Yang: best for tinnitus, deafness, teeth loss▪ Reconnects sinews and bone: treat ligment injuries or simple fractures▪ Stimulates growth hair
HAI LONG(Pipe-Fish)
Warm, salty, sweet KID ▪Tonify KID Yang: impotence and lack of energy in elderly▪ Reduce swelling, Dissipates nodules: treat scrofula
HAI MA(Sea Hoarse)
Warm, salty, sweet LIV, KID ▪ Tonify KID Yang: impotence and lack of energy in elderly▪ Invigorate blood, relieves stasis: bleeding and pain, delayed labor, boils, abd masses
LIV, KID ▪ Tonify KID Yang▪ Dispel wind cold damp: spasms, cramps, numbness or hemiplegia following windstroke
ZI HE CHE(Human Placenta)
Warm, salty, sweet LU, LIV, KID ▪ Tonify LIV/KID Yang, Augment essence, **very powerful tonify yin, yang, qi, blood▪ Tonify LU Qi: esp. wheezing used between attacks or chronic cough▪ Augments Qi and Blood: emaciation, pallor, streaming bone after fever or major illness
TONIFY YIN PROPERTIES:cold, sweet, moist
CHANNELS:LU, ST, LIV, KID
ACTIONS/INDICATION: Tonify yin, nourish, enrich and moisten the body.**don’t use with SP/ST deficiency, obstructive damp/phlegm, distension or diarrhea
SP, LIV ▪ Strongly Nourish Yin: steaming bone, consumption with night sweats▪ Heavily Anchors Yang: vertigo, dizziness, tinnitus, face spasms, limb tremors▪ Invigorates blood, Promotes menses: blood stasis chest/flank with pain and amenorr.▪ Dissipates nodules: malaria with palpable masses▪ Unblocks and aids in function blood vessels: good in children w/issue of clumping
GUI BAN(Fresh Water Turtle)
Cold, salty, sweet**pure yin
HT, LIV, KID ▪ Strongly Nourish Yin: steaming bone, consumption w/night sweats▪ Anchors Yang: vertigo, dizziness, tinnitus, face spasms, limb tremors▪ Nourish KID Yin, Strengthens bones: failure fontanels to close, skeletal deformities▪ Stabilize Ren and Chong: red/white vaginal discharge , spermatorrhea▪ Cools blood, Stops uterine bleeding: excess menses from chaotic hot blood▪ Nourish HT Blood: anxiety, insomnia, forgetfulness▪ Treat non-healing sores and ulcers
Cold, sweet LU, ST ▪ Nourish LU/ST Yin: cough, dry throat, irritable, thirst▪ Moistens dryness: steaming bone, wasting and thirst w/intense hunger and constip.▪ Extinguishes wind: dizziness d/t internal wind, external wind-heat▪ Moistens sinews: pain, spasms from insufficient fluids
STABLIZE & BIND:“keeps fluids in”
PROPERTIES:sour, astringent
CHANNELS ACTIONS/INDICATION: discharge of substances or prolapses caused by old age, chronic disease, weak primal qi or improper use purgative or dispersing herbs**only treat manifestions, must be combined to treat root of do (usually deficiency)**CI exterior disorder not resolved, dampness or heat
BAI GUO(Ginkgo Biloba)
neutral, sweet, bitter, astringent, TOXIC
LU, KID ▪ Stops wheeze: chronic cough with wheeze and copious sputum▪ Stops discharge and leakage, Dispels damp: vaginal discharge, turbid urination
cold, sour, salty LU, LI, KID ▪ Stops cough: chronic cough dt LU deficiency ▪ Stop diarrhea: chornic diarrhea, dysentery, blood in stool, rectal prolaspe ▪ Secures and Restrains: for any type of leakage******▪ Reduces swelling, Resolves toxicity: topically for damp sores, scar tissue
WU MEI(Mume Fruit)
Warm, sour,astringent
LU, SP, LIV, LI ▪ Stops cough: chronic cough dt LU Qi deficiency▪ Stops diarrhea: chronic diarrhea, dysentery or blood in the stool▪ Stops bleeding: used in charred form for anus, uterine or vaginal bleeding▪ Stops thirst, Generates fluids: thirst from yin deficiency or wasting and thirsting▪ Expels round worm, Stops pain: abdominal pain w/vomiting of roundworms
LU ▪ Stops wheeze▪ Relieves chest oppression and pain
YING SU KE(Opium Poppy Husk)
neutral, sour, astringent, TOXIC
LU, KID, LI ▪ Stops Cough: chronic cough dt LU Qi deficiency or KID not grasping the Qi▪ Stabilize lower burner: spermatorrhea, seminal emissions, vaginal discharge, polyuria▪ Stops pain: treat all types of pain***esp. abdominal, sinews and bones
YU YU LIANG(Limonite)
neutral, sweet,astringent, **heavy
ST, LI ▪ Stop diarrhea: esp. to point of incontinence ▪ Controls bleeding: chronic vaginal discharge or uterine bleeding
CALM THE SPIRIT PROPERTIES:Neutral, sweet
ORGANHT, LIV
ACTION/INDICATIONS: treat disturbed spirit with s/s: of irritability, insomnia, palpitations with anxiety, insanity caused by jing or overwork leads HT/LIV def. **these herbs treat symptoms, always combine with herb treat underlying cause (root)
SUBSTANCE ANCHOR, SETTLE AND CALM SPIRIT▪ Minerals and shells with a function related to weight and density to calm spirit, descend rising LV yang, descend rebellious LU Qi and ST Qi▪ Caution: minerals can injure ST Qi causing indigestion and loss of appetite Combine w/herb nourish SP/ST, only take for short time
NOURISH HEART, CALMS SPIRIT : **mild tonifying herbs with few side effect▪ Plants with sweet, moist properties that Nourish HT/LIV, Tonify Blood, Tonify Yin to calm the spirit with s/s of malaise, palp., irritability, insomnia ▪ Sour –contracts to treat expansion of spirit with s/s excessive laughter, hyperactivity, mania▪ Acrid –spreads and disperses to treat contraction of spirit with s/s constraint, depression
BAI ZI REN(Biota seed)
Neutral, sweet**very gentle, moist
HT, KID, LI ▪ Nourishes HT Yin/Blood: irritability, insomnia, forgetful, palpitations, night terrors▪ Moistens intestines: constipation in elderly and post-partum from yin/blood def.▪ Treats night sweats: from yin deficiency
HE HUAN PI(Silktree bark)
Neutral, sweet HT, LIV ▪ Relieves LIV Qi constraint: bad temper, depression, insomnia, irritability, poor mem.▪ Harm. blood, Stops pain, Reconnects sinews/bones: pain from trauma or fractures▪ Reduces abscesses, Dispel swelling: external, internal abscess, esp. LU abscesses
ORGAN ACTIONS/INDICATIONS: pathogenic influences causing phlegm to envelop the heart or close the orifices causes spirit to be locked up leads delirium, coma
▪ Closed disorders –pathogen invades orifices causing the spirit to be “locked-up” or “closed”1) Hot Closed do –warm pathogen enters nutritive level; s/s: delirium, irritability, convulsion, red face, heavy breathing (meningitis, infection)2) Cold Closed do –cold pathogen enters nutritive level; s/s: ashen, blue face, sudden collapse, foaming of mouth (strokes, poisonings)
▪ Caution: -aromatic herbs are scattering and can injures source Qi; use for short time, Treat manifestations not root of disease so combine -do not use aromatic herbs to treat abandoned patterns –LOC from deficiency, **always as a pill/powder except She Xiang Pu
HT, SP ▪ Opens orifice, Expels turbid filth: wind stroke collapse, coma, seizures dt cold phlegm▪ Opens constraint, Stops pain: abdominal or chest bi pain from cold phlegm
STOPS WIND/STOP TREMORS
PROPERTIES:cold or warm, drying
ORGAN:LIV, KID
ACTIONS/INDICATION: interior wind from pathogenic changes of LIV or KID such as LIV/KID Yin deficiency, LIV yang rising, Blood deficiency, High fevers
BAI JIANG CAN(Silkworm)
Neutral, acrid, salty**drying nature to transform phlegm, damp
LU, LIV ▪ Stops Spasm, Convulsions: childhood convulsion, facial paralysis▪ Dispels Wind-Heat, Stop Pain: HA, toothache, red eyes, sore swollen throat**, aphasia▪ Stops Itch: itchy skin lesion dt wind-heat or LIV wind▪ Transforms Phlegm, Softens Hard Masses: scrofula and other phlegm-heat nodules**externally for mastitis, burn it hold fingers in smoke to thicken soft, brittle finger nails
BAI/CI JI LI (Caltrop Fruit)
Neutral, acrid, bitter**light weight
LIV ▪ Calms LIV, Anchors Yang: HA, vertigo, dizziness▪ Smooth LIV Qi, Dispels Clumps: flank distension, irregular menses, difficult lactation▪ Dispels Wind-Heat, Improves Vision: red, swollen painful eyes, excess tearing▪Dispels Wind, Stops Itch: any skin lesions with intense itching i.e. hives
DAI ZHE SHI(Hematite)
Cold, bitter**heavy
LIV, HT, PC ▪ Clears LIV fire, Subdues Yang: rising LIV fire/yang with dizziness, tinnitus, deafness▪ Strongly Descends Rebellious Qi: belching, vomiting, hiccups, wheeze (LIV fire attacking)▪ Cools blood, Stops bleeding: vomiting blood, nose bleeds
DI LONG(Earthworm)
Cold, salty**downward directing nature –move and perice
Cold, sweet**light, clearing, draining nature good exterior wind
LIV, PC**PC governs fire
▪ Stops Spasms: liver heat stirring wind causing tremors, childhood seizures, eclampsia ▪ Drains LIV heat, Subdues Yang: rising LIV fire/yang with HA, red eyes, dizziness, HTN▪ Releases Exterior: wind-heat invasion w/ fever, child, red eyes, sore throat, HA
LING YANG JIAO(Antelope Horn)
Cold, salty LIV, HT ▪ Stops Spasms, Convulsions: childhood convulsions from high fevers▪ Anchors LIV Yang: dizziness, vertigo, irritability, splitting HA, HTN▪ Improves Vision: red, swollen eyes, photophobia▪ Drains heat, Resolves fire toxins: warm heat pathogens causing high fever, mania, LOC▪ Clears Damp-Heat: wind-damp heat bi
LOU BU MA(Dogbane Leaf)
Cool, bitter, sweet LIV ▪ Clear LIV heat, Subdues Yang: rising LIV fire/yang with HA, red eyes, dizziness, HTN▪ Nourish HT, Calm Spirit: insomnia, palpitation, generalizes nervousness▪ Promotes urination: edema, dysuria with heat**usually taken daily in tea to clear heat, prevent dizziness, lower BP, reduce edema
▪ Stops Tremors, Convulsions: spasms hands and feet, twitching, tics, torticollis▪ Unblocks Collaterals, Stop Pain: stubborn HA and Bi syndrome▪ Resolves Fire Toxins, Dissipates Nodules: topically toxic sores, swelling ,scrofula
SHI JUE MING(Haliotidae)
Cold, salty LIV, KIDCOMBO: Jue Ming Zi
▪ Clear LIV heat, Subdues Yang: rising LIV fire/yang with HA, red eyes, dizziness, HTN▪ Improves Vision, Recedes Visual Obstructions, pterygium, red, swollen eyes▪ Increases Gastric Acidity and topically for bleeding**Also Nourishes LIV Yin to treat not only the branch but the root of LIV yang rising
TIAN MA(Gastrodia Rhizoma)
Neutral, sweet**moist
LIVCOMBO: Gou Teng
▪ Stops Spasms, Tremors: all types internal stirring LIV wind from hot or cold ▪ Stops Pain: headache, dizziness, migraines from wind-phlegm or wind-stroke▪ Disperses Painful Bi: wind-damp bi of LB or extremities
WU GONG(Centipede)
Warm, acrid, toxic**traveling, piercing
LIVCOMBO: Quan Xie, Bai Jiang
▪ Stops Spasms, Convulsions: childhood convulsions, ridgid spasms, lockjaw, seizures ▪ Unblocks Collaterals, Stops Pain: stubborn HA and Bi syndrome▪ Resolves Toxins, Dissipates Nodules: sores, carbuncles, scrofula, snake bites