herbs- lecture 1 dk 3

What are the Five Flavors (Wu Wei)?

Sour, Bitter, Sweet, Pungent/Acrid, and Salty.

What is the main idea behind the Five Flavors?

each flavor carries its own therapeutic actions.

What is the simplest action to associate with each of the Five Flavors?

→ Sour = astringes & holds
→ Bitter = clears & drains
→ Sweet = nourishes & tonifies
→ Pungent = disperses & moves
→ Salty = softens & purges

Is Sour Yin or Yang in nature?

Yin

What are the therapeutic functions of Sour?

Drain & contract, astringe, and prevent/reverse abnormal leakage of fluids and Qi.

What does the astringent action of Sour essentially do?

Contracts and holds things in, helping prevent abnormal leakage of fluids and Qi.

Where does the Sour flavor travel?

The sinews/tendons.

When should Sour be avoided?

When the sinews/tendons are diseased.

What are examples of Sour foods?

Lemon, plum, and hawthorn.

Is Bitter Yin or Yang in nature?

Yin

What are the therapeutic functions of Bitter?

Drain downward, purge and dry, descend rebellious Qi, dry Damp, and dispel/drain Heat.

What does Bitter do to rebellious Qi?

Descends it.

What does Bitter do to Dampness?

Dries Damp.

What does Bitter do to Heat?

Dispels/drains Heat.

Where does the Bitter flavor travel?

The bones.

When should Bitter be avoided?

When the bones are diseased.

What are examples of Bitter foods?

Bitter melon, Tartary buckwheat, and kale.

Is Sweet Yin or Yang in nature?

yang

What are the therapeutic functions of Sweet?

Moisten, tonify, soothe, slow down acute diseases, harmonize, and regulate the other herbs.

What flavor is especially associated with tonification and nourishment?

sweet

What does Sweet do in acute diseases?

Slows them down.

What does Sweet do when combined with other herbs?

Harmonizes and regulates the other herbs.

What are examples of Sweet foods?

Honey, millet, and Chinese dates.

Is Pungent/Acrid Yin or Yang in nature?

yang

What are the therapeutic functions of Pungent/Acrid?

Scatter, move, disperse, dispel EPIs, promote the normal flow of Qi, and stimulate Blood and body fluids.

What does EPI stand for?

Exterior Pathogenic Influence.

Which flavor helps dispel Exterior Pathogenic Influences (EPIs)?

Pungent/Acrid

What does Pungent do to Qi?

Promotes its normal flow.

What does Pungent stimulate?

Blood and body fluids.

Where does the Pungent flavor travel?

with qi

When should Pungent be avoided?

When Qi is diseased.

What are examples of Pungent foods?

Ginger, garlic, spring onion, and green onion/scallion.

Is Salty Yin or Yang in nature?

yin

What are the therapeutic functions of Salty?

Drain, soften and purge, soften hard masses/resolve lumps, and purge excess fluid accumulation.

Which flavor is associated with softening hard masses and resolving lumps?

salty

Which flavor can purge excess fluid accumulation?

salty

Where does the Salty flavor travel?

the blood

When should Salty be avoided

In Blood disorders.

What are examples of Salty foods?

Seaweed, oyster, and salt.

Which Five Flavors are Yin in nature?

Sour, Bitter, and Salty.

Which Five Flavors are Yang in nature?

Sweet and Pungent/Acrid.

Which flavor astringes and prevents leakage?

sour

Which flavor drains downward, dries, and clears Heat?

bitter

Which flavor tonifies, moistens, and harmonizes?

sweet

Which flavor scatters, moves, and disperses?

Pungent/Acrid

Which flavor softens hard masses and purges?

salty

Which flavor descends rebellious Qi?

bitter

Which flavor promotes the normal flow of Qi?

Pungent/Acrid

Which flavor helps prevent abnormal leakage of fluids and Qi?

sour

Which flavor regulates other herbs?

sweet