A Guide to Herbs and Their Uses

This guide provides information on various herbs, their parts used, properties, and applications in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

Glycyrrhiza uralensis (Licorice Root)

• Part Used: Whole plant, including the root.

• Uses: Clears heat and transforms phlegm, used for conditions like phlegm-heat in the lower burner, stagnation causing cough, and loss of appetite.

Herbs for Clearing Heat and Transforming Phlegm:

• Bamboo Shavings:

• Earthworm: (Also used to soothe asthma)

• Platycodon grandiflorum (Balloon Flower Root): For phlegm-cold

Herbs for Warming the Lungs and Relieving Cough:

• Bitter Almond:

• Mulberry Bark: (Also used to clear the lung)

Herbs for Soothing the Liver and Suppressing Wind:

• Used for conditions like epilepsy, mental deficiency, and seizures.

Properties of Key Herbs:

• Glycyrrhiza uralensis (Licorice Root): Calms the mind, sweet taste, enters the Heart and Liver meridians.

• Radix Gelsemii (Gelsemium Root): Suppresses wind, calms the liver, and nurtures the yang.

• Fructus Ligustri Lucidi (Ligustrum Fruit): Calms the liver, brightens the eyes, and soothes the liver and relieves stagnation.

• Scolopendra (Centipede): Suppresses wind, calms the liver, softens hardened masses, and disperses accumulations.

• Buthus martensii (Scorpion): Suppresses wind, calms the liver, clears the channels and relieves pain.

• Earthworm: Calms the liver, clears the channels, and soothes asthma.

Dosage:

• Buthus martensii (Scorpion): 2-5g (whole scorpion)

• Borneol: 0.22-0.44g

• Musk: 0.04-0.2g

Properties of Other Important Herbs:

• Borneol: Clears the orifices and dissipates stagnation.

• Concha Ostreae (Oyster Shell): Opens the orifices, clarifies the mind, expels phlegm, and transforms dampness.

• Gleditsia sinensis (Honey Locust Thorn): Opens the orifices, eliminates phlegm, reduces swelling, induces sneezing, and induces vomiting.

• Musk: Opens the orifices, promotes mental clarity, and removes stagnation.

Differentiating Symptoms:

• Cold Syndrome: Fear of cold, mild fever, no sweating, tight and rapid pulse. Use: Ephedra, Aconitum.

• Warm Syndrome: Sweating, weak and floating pulse. Use: Cinnamon twig.

• Herbs for Both Cold and Warm Syndromes: Peppermint, Perilla.

Herbs for Cold Deficiency:

• Used for conditions like deficiency of kidney yang, deficiency of spleen and kidney yang.

Properties of Warming Herbs:

• Cinnamomum cassia (Cassia Bark): Pungent, sweet, very warm, slightly toxic, enters the Liver, Kidney, Heart, and Spleen meridians.

• Piper longum (Long Pepper): Pungent, warm, slightly toxic, enters the Spleen, Lung, and Kidney meridians.

• Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata (Processed Aconite Root): Pungent, sweet, very warm, toxic, enters all 12 meridians.

• Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel Seed): Pungent, warm, enters the Liver, Kidney, Spleen, and Stomach meridians.

• Illicium verum (Star Anise): Pungent, sweet, warm, enters the Liver, Kidney, Spleen, and Stomach meridians.

Properties of Important Herbs:

• Amomum villosum (Cardamom): Eliminates dampness, digests food, warms the spleen, stops diarrhea, harmonizes the Qi, and calms the fetus.

• Caryophyllus aromaticus (Clove): Warms the spleen, descends rebellious Qi, tonifies kidney yang, and relieves pain.

• Angelica dahurica (Angelica Root): Warms the middle burner, dispels cold, eliminates dampness, and eliminates stagnant Qi.

• Eucommia ulmoides (Eucommia Bark): Warms the middle burner, descends rebellious Qi, disinfects, stops diarrhea, and consolidates.

• Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel Seed): Dispels cold, warms the liver, tonifies the kidney, harmonizes the Qi, harmonizes the stomach, strengthens the spleen.

Classifying Herbs:

• Clear Heat and Relieve Summer Heat: Clears summer heat and expels pathogens from the body.

• Clear Heat and Detoxify: Clears heat and eliminates toxins in the metabolic process.

• Clear Heat and Reduce Fire: Clears heat and detoxifies fire invading the Qi.

• Clear Heat and Dry Dampness: Clears heat and toxins, dries up dampness in the body.

• Clear Heat and Cool Blood: Clears heat and toxins invading the blood.

Herbs for Cooling the Blood:

• Radix Rehmanniae Preparata (Prepared Rehmannia Root):

Herbs for Clearing Heat and Drying Dampness:

• Cortex Phellodendri (Phellodendron Bark):

Herbs for Clearing Heat and Relieving Summer Heat:

• Fructus Citri Limoniae (Lemon Fruit):

Herbs for Clearing Heat and Detoxifying:

• Herba Houttuyniae (Houttuynia Herb): (Also known as Fish Mint)

Herbs for Clearing Heat and Reducing Fire:

• Fructus Gardeniae (Gardenia Fruit):

Other Important Herbs:

• Herba Houttuyniae (Houttuynia Herb): (Also known as Fish Mint)

• Saxifraga sarmentosa (Strawberry Begonia): (Also known as Chinese Strawberry)

• Ixeris chinensis (Bitter Herb): (Also known as Seashore Herb)

• Herba Swertiae (Swertia Herb): (Also known as Fan Herb)

• Imperata cylindrica (Cogon Grass): (Also known as White Hair Root)

Herbs for Moving Qi and Resolving Stagnation:

• Used for conditions like Qi stagnation causing bloating, indigestion, heartburn, nausea, constipation, and weak spleen and stomach.

Pregnant Women Should Avoid:

• Herbs that dispel Qi and descend rebellious Qi, open the orifices and promote Qi circulation, dissolve blood clots, and expel stagnation.

Important Herb:

• Radix Cyperi (Cyperus Root):

Contraindications:

• Citrus aurantium (Tangerine Peel): Heat in the stomach, dry cough, yin deficiency without phlegm.

• Fructus Ziziphi Spinosae (Spiny Jujube Fruit): Pregnancy, deficiency, diarrhea due to real heat, and no Qi stagnation.

• Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis (Magnolia Bark): Severe spleen and stomach deficiency, weak vital energy.

• Radix Cyperi (Cyperus Root): Yin deficiency, Qi deficiency with heat, blood deficiency with constipation.

• Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis (Magnolia Bark): Heat syndrome, insufficient body fluids, weak vital energy.

Herbs for Activating Blood Circulation and Removing Blood Stasis:

• Treat swelling and pain caused by poor blood circulation.

• Treat blood stasis due to injury.

Herbs for Cooling Blood and Stopping Bleeding:

• Plantago asiatica (Plantain):

• Smilax glabra (Smilax Root):

• Imperata cylindrica (Cogon Grass):

• Artocarpus heterophyllus (Jackfruit Leaf):

Herbs for Removing Blood Stasis and Stopping Bleeding:

• Panax notoginseng (Sanqi Ginseng):

Strengthening the Spleen and Supplementing Qi:

• Used for conditions like spleen deficiency failing to govern blood (pale complexion, fatigue, etc.).

Supplementing Qi and Nourishing Blood:

• Used for conditions like Qi deficiency failing to govern blood (pale complexion, etc.).

Meridian Properties:

• Herbs for Nourishing Blood: Heart, Liver, Spleen, and Kidney.

• Herbs for Eliminating Water: Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine.

• Herbs for Diuretics: Kidney, Bladder.

Other Important Herbs:

• Vaccinium bracteatum (Blueberry): (Also known as Golden Peach)

• Fructus Jobstephiae (Jobstephia Fruit): (Also known as Ear of Mouse)

• Stigma Maydis (Corn Silk): (Also known as Jade Millet Tuft)

• Radix Astragali Membranacei (Membranous Milkvetch Root): (Also known as Ground Bone Bark)

• Psidium guajava (Guava): (Also known as Phan Shi榴)

Herbs for Nourishing Yin:

• Ophiopogon japonicus (Ophiopogon Tuber):

• Lilium brownii (Lily):

• Radix Scrophulariae (Scrophularia Root):

• Fructus Lycii (Wolfberry Fruit):

Herbs for Supplementing Qi:

• Atractylodes macrocephala (Atractylodes Rhizome):

Properties of Herbs:

• Herbs for Supplementing Qi: Sweet, neutral, enters the Spleen and Lung meridians.

• Herbs for Nourishing Yin: Slippery, sweet, cold, enters the Liver, Kidney, and Lung meridians.

• Herbs for Nourishing Blood: Slippery, red, sweet, cold to warm, enters the Heart, Liver, Spleen, and Kidney meridians.

• Herbs for Nourishing Yang: Pungent, sweet, warm, enters the Spleen, Kidney, and Liver meridians.

Functions of Herbs:

• Herbs for Supplementing Qi: Strengthen the spleen and supplement the lung, used for conditions like Qi deficiency, weak Qi, etc.

• Herbs for Supplementing Yang: Tonify the kidney, invigorate yang, strengthen the bones and tendons, etc.

• Herbs for Nourishing Yin: Generate body fluids, used for conditions like lung deficiency, liver blood deficiency, etc.

• Herbs for Nourishing Blood: Create blood, nourish blood, used to treat conditions like blood deficiency, etc.

Important Herb:

• Rhizoma Dioscoreae (Dioscorea Rhizome):

Properties of Important Herbs:

• Polygonum multiflorum (Fo-Ti): Tonifies Qi and blood, nourishes kidney yin, detoxifies, reduces inflammation, lubricates the bowels, promotes bowel movements, calms the mind.

• Angelica sinensis (Dong Quai): Nourishes blood, nourishes the five internal organs, activates blood circulation, resolves stagnation, lubricates the intestines, promotes bowel movements, detoxifies.

• Radix et Rhizoma Rehmanniae (Rehmannia Root): Nourishes yin, nourishes the yang, tonifies the kidney, strengthens the bones, generates body fluids, tonifies Qi, and stops bleeding.

• Serratula coronata (Tulipa): Tonifies the liver and kidneys, strengthens the bones and tendons, repairs fractures, relieves pain, and stops bleeding.

• Anemarrhena asphodeloides (Anemarrhena Rhizome): Nourishes the stomach, generates body fluids, moistens the lungs and transforms phlegm, stops thirst, cools blood and stops bleeding, and promotes urination.

Other Important Herbs:

• Allium tuberosum (Garlic Chives): (Also known as Nine-Tai)

• Semen Dolichoris (Dolichos Seed): (Also known as Ox Carrying)

• Lilium brownii (Lily): (Also known as Lily)

• Dryopteris crassirhizoma (Dryopteris Fern): (Also known as Dragon Scales)

Properties of Important Herbs:

• Radix Rehmanniae Preparata (Prepared Rehmannia Root): Sweet, warm, enters the Heart, Liver, and Kidney meridians.

• Fructus Jujubae (Jujube Fruit): Sweet, neutral, enters the Heart, Spleen, and Stomach meridians.

• Radix Codonopsis (Codonopsis Root): Sweet, neutral, warm, enters the Lung and Spleen meridians.

• Longan (Dragon Eye): Sweet, neutral, enters the Heart and Spleen meridians.

• Cortex Mori (Mulberry Bark): Sweet, sour, warm, enters the Liver and Kidney meridians.

Contraindications:

• Morinda officinalis (Indian Mulberry): Yin deficiency with excessive fire, constipation due to real heat, premature menstruation.

• Radix Rehmanniae Preparata (Prepared Rehmannia Root): Spleen and stomach deficiency, coldness.

• Longan (Dragon Eye): Phlegm-heat, dampness stagnation, phlegm and dampness.

• Angelica sinensis (Dong Quai): Dampness-heat in the spleen and stomach, loose stools.

• Rhizoma Dioscoreae (Dioscorea Rhizome): Kidney fire, constipation due to real heat, loose stools due to yang deficiency.

Herbs for Powerful Diuretics:

• Used for conditions like severe edema, ascites, edema in the abdomen, edema due to peritoneal tuberculosis, ascites due to cirrhosis, and cardiac edema.

Herbs for Diuretics and Clearing the Channels:

• Used for conditions like acute nephritis, chronic nephritis, etc.

Herbs for Diuretics and Dispelling Wind:

• Used for conditions like wind-dampness stagnation in the tendons, bones, and channels.

Herbs for Strengthening the Spleen and Stopping Diarrhea:

• Used for conditions like chronic diarrhea.

Important Herb:

• Stigma Maydis (Corn Silk):

Dosage:

• Fructus Strychni (Strychnos Fruit): 0.1-0.3g after processing.

Herbs for Aromatic Fragrance and Eliminating Dampness:

• Atractylodes macrocephala (Atractylodes Rhizome):

• Agastache rugosa (Giant Hyssop):

Herbs for Dispelling Wind and Eliminating Dampness:

• Angelica dahurica (Angelica Root):

• Fructus Viticis (Vitex Fruit):

• Rhizoma Dioscoreae (Dioscorea Rhizome):

• Fructus Acanthopanacis (Acanthopanax Fruit):

Combining Herbs:

• Tonify the Kidney: Used in combination with dampness-removing herbs for chronic conditions affecting bones and joints.

• Promote Urination: Used in combination with dampness-removing herbs for reducing local swelling.

• Nourish Liver Blood: Used in combination with dampness-removing herbs for muscle atrophy and joint stiffness.

• Tonify Liver and Kidney: Used in combination with dampness-removing herbs for back pain and weakness in the legs.

Properties of Important Herbs:

• Radix Angelicae Pubescentis (Angelica Root): Dispels wind-dampness, relieves pain, eliminates stagnation, and reverses the flow.

• Radix Achyranthis (Achyranthes Root): Eliminates dampness, relieves cough, transforms phlegm, disinfects, and promotes healing.

• Piper betle (Betel Leaf): Dispels wind, strengthens the stomach, eliminates dampness, reduces inflammation.

• Fructus Jobstephiae (Jobstephia Fruit): Dispels wind-dampness, opens the obstructed orifices, detoxifies, and reduces inflammation.

• Radix Ligustici Chuanxiong (Chuanxiong Root): Dispels wind, eliminates dampness, relieves pain, and disperses cold.

Herbs for Digesting Food:

• Used for conditions like poor digestion, food stagnation in the stomach and intestines causing bloating, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and indigestion.

Herbs for Purgation with Heat Properties:

• Semen Dolichoris (Dolichos Seed):

• Vicia faba (Broad Bean):

• Sulfur: (Used for constipation due to cold stagnation in the intestines, etc.)

Herbs for Purgation with Cold Properties:

• Used for conditions like real heat constipation, constipation due to heat in the Qi stagnating in the stomach and intestines.

Herbs for Purgation with Cold Properties:

• Rhizoma Rhei (Rhubarb Root):

• Aloe:

• Cassia fistula (Golden Shower Tree):

• Senna:

Herbs for Consolidating the Exterior and Stopping Sweating:

• Fructus Schisandrae (Schisandra Berry):

• Galla Chinensis (Chinese Gallnut):

• Os Draconis (Dragon Bone):

• Os Humanum (Human Bone):

Herbs for Consolidating the Intestines and Stopping Diarrhea:

• Fructus Perillae (Perilla Seed):

Properties of Herbs:

• Herbs for Clearing Heat: Bitter taste, cold/cool.

• Pungent Taste: Expels, promotes Qi and blood circulation.

• Bitter Taste: Purges, clears heat, and dries dampness.

• Sour Taste: Consolidates and astringes.

• Salty Taste: Softens hardened masses and lubricates.

• Sweet Taste: Tonifies and harmonizes.

Important Herbs:

• Rhizoma Rhei (Rhubarb Root): Enters all 10 meridians.

• Glycyrrhiza uralensis (Licorice Root): Enters all 12 meridians.

• Panax ginseng (Ginseng): Enters all 12 meridians.

• Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata (Processed Aconite Root): Enters all 12 meridians.

• Cortex Mori (Mulberry Bark): Enters the Lung meridian.

Dietary Guidance:

• Foods that benefit the Spleen: Sweet taste: beef, buffalo, glutinous rice.

• Foods that benefit the Heart: Bitter taste: barley, goat meat, apricot kernels.

• Foods that benefit the Kidney: Salty taste: pork, chestnuts, soybean sprouts.

• Foods that benefit the Liver: Sour taste: sesame, black sesame, plums, chives.

• Foods that benefit the Lung: Pungent taste: chicken, peaches, scallions.

Properties of Important Herbs:

• Semen Plantaginis (Plantain Seed): Promotes urination, clears the channels, and brightens the eyes.

• Radix Achyranthis (Achyranthes Root): Promotes urination, eliminates dampness, activates blood circulation, and detoxifies.

• Coix lacryma-jobi (Job’s Tears): Strengthens the spleen, supplements the lung, clears heat, and eliminates dampness.

• Herba Plantaginis (Plantain Herb): Clears heat, benefits the lung, and reduces swelling.

• Cortex Citri Grandis (Pomelo Peel): Descends Qi, promotes urination, opens the large and small intestines.

• Smilax glabra (Smilax Root): Promotes urination, clears heat and dampness, and tonifies Qi.

• Poria cocos (Poria Mushroom): Eliminates edema, and eliminates dampness.

Properties of Important Herbs:

• Fructus Citri Limon (Lemon Fruit): Sour, warm, enters the Spleen, Stomach, Liver, and Lung meridians.

• Fructus Acanthopanacis (Acanthopanax Fruit): Bitter, cool, enters the Liver and Kidney meridians.

• Radix Angelicae Pubescentis (Angelica Root): Pungent, warm, enters the Liver and Kidney meridians.

• Radix Morindae Officinalis (Indian Mulberry Root): Astringent, neutral, enters the Kidney and Large Intestine meridians.

• Fructus Trichosanthis (Trichosanthes Fruit): Bitter, pungent, slightly cold, enters the Stomach, Liver, and Gallbladder meridians.

Conditions Treated:

• Mimosa pudica (Sensitive Plant): Aches and pains in the bones and joints, insomnia, palpitations.

• Astragalus membranaceus (Astragalus Root): Aches and pains in the bones and joints, cramps, abdominal pain, indigestion.

• Achyranthes bidentata (Achyranthes Root): Aches and pains in the bones and joints, headache, numbness and weakness, boils, constipation.

• Agastache rugosa (Giant Hyssop): Relieves summer heat, transforms dampness, bloating, indigestion.

• Atractylodes macrocephala (Atractylodes Rhizome): Wind-dampness, numbness, aches and pains in bones and joints, blurry vision, indigestion.

Properties of Important Herbs:

• Fructus Crataegi (Hawthorn Fruit): Digests food and eliminates accumulations, stops diarrhea.

• Radix Angelicae Pubescentis (Angelica Root): Moves Qi, strengthens the spleen, warms the kidney.

• Cymbopogon citratus (Lemongrass): Stimulates digestion, relieves the exterior.

• Areca catechu (Areca Nut): Moves Qi, disinfects, promotes urination.

• Myristica fragrans (Nutmeg): Warms the spleen, digests food, transforms dampness.

Important Herbs:

• Hordeum vulgare (Barley): Reduces lactation.

• Flea: Source of Cantharis.

• Fructus Perillae (Perilla Seed): Consolidates the lung and relieves cough.

Properties of Important Herbs:

• Radix Astragali Membranacei (Membranous Milkvetch Root): Tonifies Qi, consolidates the exterior, nourishes blood, promotes urination, eliminates toxins, and discharges pus.

• Radix Codonopsis (Codonopsis Root): Tonifies the middle, supplements Qi, strengthens the spleen, supplements the lung, and promotes urination.

• Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Jiaogulan): Tonifies Qi, digests food, relieves cough, promotes lactation.

• Gekko (Gecko Lizard): Tonifies the kidney, supplements the lung, absorbs Qi, and relieves asthma, enhances intelligence.

• Fructus Rubi (Rubus Fruit): Tonifies the liver and kidney, dispels wind-dampness, strengthens the bones.

• Zingiber officinale (Ginger): Relieves cold, warms the stomach, stops vomiting, transforms phlegm, stops thirst, disinfects, and detoxifies.

• Sinapis alba (White Mustard Seed): Relieves cold, opens the orifices, and regulates menstruation.

• Cinnamomum cassia (Cassia Bark): Relieves cold, promotes Yang Qi, warms the channels, activates blood circulation, relieves pain.

• Flos Chrysanthemi (Chrysanthemum Flower): Dispels wind-heat, clears the liver and brightens the eyes, detoxifies.

• Fructus Trichosanthis (Trichosanthes Fruit): Dispels wind-heat, stimulates digestion, and relieves restlessness.

• Herba Chrysanthemi (Chrysanthemum Herb): Dispels wind-heat, stimulates digestion, and relieves pain.

Conditions Treated:

• Polygala tenuifolia (Polygala Root): Restlessness, insomnia, forgetfulness, dizziness, tinnitus, cough with phlegm, boils, and hemorrhoids.

• Concha Ostreae (Oyster Shell): Nervous system weakness, insomnia, epilepsy, manic-depressive illness, gastric and duodenal ulcers, abscesses.

• Passiflora incarnata (Passionflower): Heart palpitations, mental anxiety, insomnia, thirst, red and painful eyes.

• Benincasa hispida (Winter Melon): Hepatitis, jaundice, indigestion, urinary difficulty, scanty urination, pinworm and roundworm infections.

• Earthworm: High fever with convulsions, hypertension, wind-dampness, hemiplegia, asthma, and urinary difficulty.

Important Herbs:

• Amomum villosum (Cardamom): Moves Qi, eliminates dampness, calms the fetus.

• Herbs that should be avoided when cooking with fire: Radix Cyperi (Cyperus Root)

• Properties of Important Herbs:

• Herba Menthae (Mint): Clears heat and relieves summer heat, eliminates dampness and stops bleeding, calms the mind.

• Vicia faba (Broad Bean): Clears heat and relieves summer heat, strengthens the spleen, and supplements Qi.

• Elsholtzia ciliata (Elsholtzia Herb): Clears heat and relieves summer heat, promotes urination, induces sweating, and dispels dampness.

• Flos Lonicerae (Honeysuckle Flower): Clears heat and detoxifies, cools blood, and relieves the exterior.

• Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion): Clears heat and detoxifies, cools blood, promotes lactation, strengthens the stomach, and stops vomiting.

Properties of Important Herbs:

• Elsholtzia ciliata (Elsholtzia Herb): Pungent, warm, enters the Lung and Stomach meridians.

• Herba Leonuri (Lion’s Ear Herb): Bitter, neutral, enters the Liver, Spleen, and Stomach meridians.

• Fructus Eriobotryae (Loquat Fruit): Sweet, neutral, enters the Heart and Stomach meridians.

• Vicia faba (Broad Bean): Sweet, warm, enters the Spleen and Stomach meridians.

• Herba Houttuyniae (Houttuynia Herb): Pungent, sour, slightly cold, enters the Lung and Large Intestine meridians.

Important Herbs:

• Saxifraga sarmentosa (Strawberry Begonia): Clears heat, detoxifies, stops bleeding, and stops dysentery.

• Properties of Important Herbs:

• Swertia japonica (Swertia Herb): Clears heat, detoxifies, dissolves blood clots, and eliminates phlegm, opens the channels.

• Ixeris chinensis (Bitter Herb): Clears heat, detoxifies, dissolves blood clots, and stops diarrhea.

• Herba Houttuyniae (Houttuynia Herb): Clears heat, detoxifies, reduces swelling.

• Momordica charantia (Bitter Melon): Clears heat, detoxifies.

• Herba Swertiae (Swertia Herb): Clears heat, detoxifies, dissolves blood clots, and transforms phlegm, opens the channels.

Conditions Treated:

• Pinellia ternata (Pinellia Tuber): Cough with phlegm, vomiting, boils and swelling.

• Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata (Processed Aconite Root): Numbness, convulsions, and facial paralysis, hemicrania.

• Fructus Momordicae (Bitter Melon Fruit): Cough with phlegm-heat and phlegm stagnation in the lungs, tonsillitis.

• Fructus Fici (Fig Fruit): Phlegm obstructing the throat, lubricates the bowels for patients after surgery.

• Cortex Mori Alba (White Mulberry Bark): Cough due to lung heat, phlegm-heat, asthma, hemoptysis, edema.

Properties of Important Herbs:

• Bitter Almond: Warms the lung and relieves cough, lubricates the bowels.

• Flos Lonicerae Japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle Flower): Relieves cough, transforms phlegm.

• Platycodon grandiflorum (Balloon Flower Root): Expels pus, disperses wind-cold.

• Datura stramonium (Jimsonweed): Soothes asthma, eliminates swelling, relieves pain.

• Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgo Seed): Soothes asthma, consolidates, and stops leukorrhea.

Properties of Important Herbs:

• Concha Margaritifera (Pearl): Calms the nerves, clears the liver and eliminates stagnation, promotes healing.

• Concha Ostreae (Oyster Shell): Calms the mind, strengthens the stomach, clears the lung, and reduces inflammation.

• Semen Cassiae (Cassia Seed): Clears the liver, tonifies the kidney, brightens the eyes, and lubricates the bowels, promotes bowel movements.

• Herba Leonuri (Lion’s Ear Herb): Clears the heart and transforms phlegm, calms the mind, calms the liver, and lowers blood pressure.

• Semen Sophorae (Sophora Seed): Calms the liver, nourishes the yang, clears the liver and brightens the eyes.

Conditions Treated:

• Folium Mori (Mulberry Leaf): Relieves heat, regulates sweating, cough due to wind-heat, red and swollen eyes, hypertension.

• Piper betle (Betel Leaf): Cold-dampness causing aches and pains, stomach pain, indigestion, bloating.

• Herba Menthae (Mint): Headache, red and swollen eyes, cough due to wind-heat, increased bile secretion, stimulates digestion, promotes the eruption of measles.

• Radix Platycodi (Balloon Flower Root): Treats external wind-heat with high fever, thirst, headache, detoxifies, and lowers blood pressure.

• Rhizoma Zingiberis (Ginger): Relieves heat, reduces burning sensation, gastric ulcers, sores in the mouth and tongue, promotes the eruption of measles.

Important Herbs:

• Cicada: Source of Cantharis.

• Scolopendra (Centipede): Source of Scolopendra.

• Buthus martensii (Scorpion): Source of Buthus.

• Properties of Important Herbs:

• Zingiber officinale (Ginger): Warms the middle burner, disperses cold, relieves pain, digests food.

• Cinnamomum cassia (Cassia Bark): Tonifies the kidney yang, activates blood circulation, disperses cold, relieves pain, detoxifies.

• Piper longum (Long Pepper): Warms the middle burner, descends rebellious Qi, stops diarrhea, relieves pain, disinfects, and eliminates accumulations.

• Caryophyllus aromaticus (Clove): Warms the spleen, descends rebellious Qi, tonifies kidney yang, relieves pain.

Important Herbs:

• Herbs that reverse the flow in the group of herbs for dispelling cold: Fructus Amomi (Cardamom Fruit)

• Properties of Important Herbs:

• Radix Dipsaci (Teasel Root): Activates blood circulation, opens the channels, tonifies the liver and kidney, strengthens the bones and tendons, stops bleeding, promotes urination, and lowers blood pressure.

• Caulis Akebiae (Akebia Stem): Activates blood circulation, relaxes the muscles, opens the channels, tonifies the kidney and strengthens the bones, nourishes blood.

• Panax notoginseng (Sanqi Ginseng): Disperses stagnation, eliminates swelling, activates blood circulation, stops bleeding, moves Qi and relieves pain.

• Curcuma longa (Turmeric): Dissolves blood clots, activates blood circulation, resolves stagnation, digests food, transforms phlegm, relieves toxicity, reduces pain, promotes healing, and tonifies kidney yang.

• Panax notoginseng (Sanqi Ginseng): Resolves stagnation, stops bleeding, relieves pain, and reduces inflammation.

Important Herbs:

• Silk: Source of Eriobotrya japonica (Loquat)

• Side Effects of Glycyrrhiza uralensis (Licorice Root): Increases water and salt retention, which can lead to hypertension.

• Other Important Herbs:

• Fructus Rubi (Rubus Fruit): (Also known as Long Cu Li)

• Ficus pumila (Creeping Fig): Disinfects and promotes healing, relieves pain.

• Piper betle (Betel Leaf): Detoxifies, d