HERBS 1 REVIEW

Comprehensive review of Chinese Herbal Medicine categories including Exterior Releasing herbs, Clear Heat herbs, Draining Purgatives, and Damp-Draining herbs.

Bai Zhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix)

Opens the nasal orifices and swellings due to Heat Toxicity.

Cong Bai (Allii Fistulosi Bulbus)

Unblocks Yang, helps MJ Cold, disperses Cold, and is used in Food Therapy.

Fang Feng (Saposhnikoviae Radix)

Treats wind in the muscle layers, detoxifies mercury/arsenic, and addresses spasm/convulsions.

WARE

Warm Acrid Release Exterior category for treating Wind Cold, typically entering the Lung Channel to treat external invasion with fever, chills (greater than fever), and a floating tight pulse.

Cang Er Zi (Xanthii Fructus)

Opens the nasal orifices, treats W/D Bi Syndrome, and helps with itchy skin.

Gao Ben (Ligustici Rhizoma)

Used for Tai Yang Headaches and Wind Damp.

Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus)

Harmonizes the Ying and Wei, warms channels to help Yang, and unblocks Chest Qi.

Jing Jie (Schizonepetae Herba)

Vents rashes and stops bleeding due to Heat when charred.

Ma Huang (Ephedrae Herba)

Stops cough and wheeze and promotes urination; ideally used only when there is no sweating.

Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens)

Warms the Spleen/Stomach to help with nausea and vomiting; better for early stage W/C.

Sheng Jiang Pi (Zingiberis Rhizoma Cortex)

Acrid and Cool herb to treat superficial edema and promote urination.

Qiang Huo (Notopterygii Rhizoma seu Radix)

Used for pain in the Upper Body (Bi Syndrome), dispels Dampness, and acts as a guiding herb to the UB and Du.

Xi Xin (Asari Herba)

Warms the interior while releasing the exterior, and warms the Lung to treat phlegm.

Xiang Ru (Moslae Herba)

Known as Summertime Ma Huang; ideal for Colds during the Summer with Dampness.

Xin Yi Hua (Magnoliae Flos)

Unblocks the nose.

Zi Su Ye (Perillae Folium)

Treats nausea and vomiting, seafood food poisoning, and calms the fetus.

CARE

Cool Acrid Release Exterior category to treat Wind Heat, entering the Lung Channel for external attacks characterized by fever (greater than chills), floating rapid pulse, sweat, rash, or sore throat.

Bo He (Menthae Haplocalycis Herba)

Vents rashes, soothes/cools the Liver, and expels turbid filth.

Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix)

Harmonizes Shao Yang, spreads Liver Qi, and raises Yang Qi.

Chan Tui (Cicadae Periostracum)

Treats rashes, eyes, and sore throat; calms Liver Yang and softens the throat with its salty flavor.

Dan Dou Chi (Sojae Semen Preparatum)

Calms irritability and Shen; used for early stage Wind Heat.

Ge Gen (Puerariae Radix)

Treats stiff neck, whiplash, rashes, and HBP; generates fluids (Lung/Stomach), raises Yang to stop diarrhea.

Ju Hua (Chrysanthemi Flos)

Cools the Liver and clears Heat from the Eye.

Man Jing Zi (Viticis Fructus)

Treats pain of the face, eyes, and head due to Wind Heat.

Mu Zei (Equiseti Hiemalis Herba)

Treats wind heat affecting the eyes.

Niu Bang Zi (Arctii Fructus)

Cools the throat, vents rashes, moistens the intestines, and resolves toxicity.

Sang Ye (Mori Folium)

Calms the Liver to clear the eyes, moistens the Lungs to stop cough, and stops bleeding.

Sheng Ma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma)

Clears heat toxins (especially Stomach Heat), vents rashes, and raises Yang Qi.

Lian Zi Xin (Nelumbinis Plumula)

Clears Heat and calms Shen for Heart Fire issues, especially manic behavior and teething in babies.

Clear Heat - Drain Fire

Bitter and Cold category that drains Fire from Qi Level (4 bigs) or organ levels; signs include rapid forceful pulses and red tongue with yellow coat.

Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum)

Clears Yang Ming (LI, St) and Lung Heat, generates fluids, and clears St Fire for toothaches and skin issues.

Zhi Mu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma)

Clears Yang Ming Heat and nourishes Yin; useful for blazing Yin Deficiency Heat.

Zhi Zi (Gardeniae Fructus)

Clears Heat in all 3 Jiaos (Heart, Lung/St/LI, Liver), treats Jaundice, moves Blood, and clears Damp Heat.

Tian Hua Fen (Trichosanthis Radix)

Clears Heat from Lung and Stomach, handles thick/blood streaked sputum, generates Yin, and relieves toxicity/pus for breast abscesses.

Dan Zhu Ye (Lophateri Herba)

Sweet, Bland, and Cold; clears Heart Heat (insomnia, mouth sores) via the Small Intestine and promotes urination.

Xia Ku Cao (Prunellae Spica)

Treats Liver/Gallbladder Heat, brightens eyes, dissipates nodules/goiters, and lowers HBP.

Xi Gua (Citrulli Fructus)

Watermelon; clears Summerheat (Heat/Damp), promotes urination, and generates fluids.

Lu Gen (Phragmitis Rhizoma)

Treats Lung and Lin, generates fluid for Lung/Stomach Fire, handles nausea/vomiting and Lung abscesses.

Jue Ming Zi (Cassiae Semen)

Clears Liver Fire (especially in eyes), lowers HBP, and moistens the intestines.

Clear Heat - Cool Blood

Category for Ying and Blood Level Heat; signs include crimson tongue, rash, bleeding, convulsions, and delirium.

Xi Jiao (Rhinoceri Cornu)

Obsolete/Illegal/Immoral; cleared Heat Toxicity from Ying/Xue, calmed Shen, and extinguished Liver Wind.

Shui Niu Jiao (Bubali Cornu)

Replacement for Xi Jiao; clears Heat Toxicity from Ying/Xue and extinguishes Liver Wind (tremors/loss of consciousness).

Sheng Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix)

Cold, Sweet, and Bitter; clears Heat, cools Blood, nourishes Yin/Blood/Essence, and treats wasting/thirsting.

Xuan Shen (Scrophulariae Radix)

Clears Blood and Ying Level Heat and dissipates nodules, hardness, and goiter (scrofula).

Mu Dan Pi (Moutan Cortex)

Clears Fire due to Yin Xu, invigorates blood, and drains pus for abscesses and sores.

Zi Cao (Lithospermi Radix)

Clears Blood/Ying Level Heat for rashes (diaper rash, chicken pox, measles) and eczema.

Clear Heat - Dry Damp

Bitter and Cold category; signs include red tongue with greasy yellow coat, rapid slippery pulse, heaviness, and discharge/diarrhea.

Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix)

Treats Damp Heat in St/Intestines and Liver, calms the fetus, and clears Lung Heat (Upper Jiao).

Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma)

Most bitter herb; clears Damp Heat in Middle Jiao (N/V), Heart Fire, and diarrhea.

Huang Bai (Phellodendri Cortex)

Mainly treats Damp Heat in the Lower Jiao, especially genito-urinary issues.

Long Dan Cao (Gentianae Radix)

Treats Damp Heat in Liver/GB, Yang Jaundice, genital issues, and UTI.

Ku Shen (Sophorae Flavescentis Radix)

Treats Damp Heat urinary issues, parasites, and fungal infections in genital areas.

Qin Pi (Fraxi Cortex)

Treats Liver Damp Heat Jaundice, Liver Fire affecting the eyes, Bi Syndrome, and Diarrhea.

Clear Heat - Clear Deficiency Heat

Category for Heat due to Yin Deficiency; signs include 5-center heat, dry cough, steaming bone sensation, and peeled/scanty tongue coat.

Qing Hao (Artemisiae Annuae Herba)

Treats malaria, Summerheat, and deficiency fevers without sweat; clears Liver Heat for the eyes.

Bai Wei (Cynanchi Atrati Radix)

Treats Yin Xu Heat postpartum (fever/bleeding), lingering fevers, and sores/snakebites.

Di Gu Pi (Lycii Cortex)

Clears Heat and cools Blood for bleeding issues, night sweats, TB, and Lung Heat cough.

Yin Chai Hu (Stellariae Radix)

Used for consumptive disorders (residual heat from febrile disease, TB) and childhood nutritional impairment due to Heat.

Lian Qiao (Forsythiae Fructus)

Treats sore throat and pricks abscesses; Heart-shaped for clearing Heart Heat.

Jin Yin Hua (Lonicerae Flos)

Treats skin infections, sore throat, and Damp Heat dysentery in the Lower Jiao; mild blood tonic.

Da Qing Ye (Isatidis Folium)

Antiviral for encephalitis, flu, mumps, swellings, and sore throat.

Ban Lan Gen (Isatidis Radix)

Treats measles, mumps, hepatitis, and Yang Jaundice.

Pu Gong Ying (Taraxaci Herba)

Dandelion; used for breast abscesses, Damp Heat Jaundice, and Lin Syndrome.

Zi Hua Di Ding (Violae Herba)

Treats skin infections, bug bites, and snakebites.

Bai Jiang Cao (Patriniae Herba)

Expels pus; used for Lung and LI abscesses.

Chuan Xin Lian (Andrographitis Herba)

Treats Heat Tox in Upper Jiao (tonsillitis) and Damp Heat in Lower Jiao (Lin/dysentery).

Bai Hua She She Cao (Hedyotis Diffusae Herba)

Treats skin infections, snakebites, vaginal itching, WCD Bi, and digestive/colorectal cancers.

Bai Tou Weng (Pulsatillae Radix)

The primary herb for dysentery.

Ma Chi Xian (Portulacae Herba)

Addresses Damp Heat skin, stops LI and Kidney leakage; contraindicated during pregnancy.

He Ye (Nelumbinis Folium)

Treats Summerheat and diarrhea; raises Spleen Yang and stops vomiting of blood when charred.

Bai Xian Pi (Dictamni Cortex)

Treats Damp Heat/toxicity, athlete's foot, eczema, vaginal itching, and WCD Bi.

Lu Dou (Phaseoli Radiati Semen)

Treats Summerheat/thirst, toxic skin infections, and acts as an antidote for Fu Zi poisoning.

Tu Fu Ling (Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma)

Resolves mercury poisoning, treats syphilis, Lin syndrome, and Damp Heat skin conditions.

She Gan (Belamcandae Rhizoma)

Clears Lung heat and acute tonsillitis (Heat Tox in throat).

Shan Dou Gen (Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix)

Treats Heat Tox sore throat, skin infections, dog/snake bites, and some cancers; less drying than Ku Shen.

Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma)

Drains Fire from the Upper Body by clearing the Lower Body; contraindicated for pregnant/nursing mothers.

Mang Xiao (Natrii Sulfas)

Softens stool, reduces swelling, and softens hardness.

Fan Xie Ye (Sennae Folium)

Senna tea; used at low doses to clear the Large Intestine.

Lu Hui (Aloe)

Clears Heat in Liver/GB and kills parasites (roundworm).

Huo Ma Ren (Cannabis Semen)

Gentle laxative that nourishes Yin and Blood to relieve constipation.

Yu Li Ren (Pruni Semen)

Promotes urination and treats constipation; reduces edema.

Ba Dou (Crotonis Fructus)

Hot, toxic expellant; drives out water, treats edema, breaks up phlegm, and heals yin sores.

Gan Sui (Kansui Radix)

Cold and toxic herb used in doses of $0.5-1\,g$; causes forceful water evacuation.

Hong Da Ji (Knoxiae Euphorbiae Radix)

Cold and toxic; less potent than Gan Sui.

Qian Niu Zi (Pharbitidis Semen)

Cold and slightly toxic; used for purging bowel, fluid accumulations, food accumulation, and worms.

Fu Ling (Poria)

Tonifies Spleen/Stomach, drains dampness, and promotes urination.

Zhu Ling (Polyporus)

Stronger at draining dampness than Fu Ling but does not tonify Spleen.

Ze Xie (Alismatis Rhizoma)

Clears Damp Heat and guides Ministerial Fire back to the Kidneys.

Yi Yi Ren (Coicis Semen)

Tonifies Spleen, treats D/H at root/branch, expels pus, and treats Wind Damp Bi.

Che Qian Zi (Plantaginis Semen)

Helps with D/H diarrhea, clears Liver DH for eyes, and treats cough/phlegm; must be bagged for preparation.

Hua Shi (Talcum)

Treats Summerheat, internal/external damp heat, and smooths urine flow (Lin).

Mu Tong (Akebiae Caulis)

Treats W/D Bi, invigorates blood, drains Heart Heat via SI, unblocks lactation, and treats Lin.

Deng Xin Cao (Junci Medulla)

Clears Heart Heat (Heart-Kidney disharmony) and treats painful, dribbling urination (Lin).

Qu Mai (Dianthi Herba)

Helps with amenorrhea and Damp Heat Lin via the Small Intestine.

Bian Xu (Polygoni Avicularis Herba)

Anti-parasitic for intestinal parasites, anti-fungal for yeast/tinea, and treats Lin Syndrome (UB).

Shi Wei (Pyrrosiae Folium)

Treats bleeding/bloody Lin, Stone Lin, and Lung Heat.

Di Fu Zi (Kochiae Fructus)

Addresses Damp Heat in the UB and skin (scabies, eczema, athlete's foot).

Dong Gua Zi (Benincasae Semen)

Treats Damp Heat, expels pus/phlegm (Lung/LI), and addresses vaginal discharge.

Dong Kui Zi (Malvae Fructus)

Treats Lin, edema, constipation, insufficient lactation, and swollen breast.

Bi Xie (Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Rhizoma)

Treats Damp Heat skin, W/D or D/H Bi of the lower body, and cloudy Lin.