Single Herbs Comprehensive Exam Review Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering Chinese herbal materia medica history, theory, properties, individual herbs, pairings, dosages, and indications based on lecture transcript sources.

Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (Divine Husbandman's Classic of the Materia Medica)

A foundational Chinese herbal text that categorizes substances into three grades: upper grade (tonifying herbs that nourish life), middle grade (herbs that nourish constitutional types), and lower grade (herbs that expel disease).

Traditional Chinese Weight Equivalents (Liang and Qian)

Classical Chinese herbal measurement standards where $1 \text{ Liang} = 30\,g$ and $1 \text{ Qian} = 3\,g$. Standard adult daily herbal dosage generally ranges between $3 \text{ to } 10\,g$.

Ma Huang (Ephedra)

A warm, acrid herb that releases the exterior and disperses cold in the absence of sweating, opens pores, facilitates lung qi to control wheezing, and promotes urination to reduce edema; enters the Lung and Bladder channels.

Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig)

A warm herb that adjusts nutritive and protective qi levels when sweating occurs without clinical improvement, warms and opens the channels, unblocks yang, and facilitates the flow of yang qi through the blood vessels and chest.

Zi Su Ye (Perilla Leaf)

Releases the exterior, disperses cold, promotes qi movement, alleviates seafood poisoning (often paired with Sheng Jiang), and calms a restless fetus or morning sickness during pregnancy.

Jing Jie (Schizonepeta)

A slightly warm/neutral exterior-releasing herb that expels either wind-cold or wind-heat, vents rashes, alleviates skin itching, and stops bleeding when charred.

Qiang Huo (Notopterygium Root)

Disperses wind-cold, unblocks painful obstruction, and directs other herbs in a prescription upward to the greater yang (Taiyang) channel and governing vessel.

Gao Ben (Ligusticum Root)

Expels wind and alleviates pain, specifically recognized for treating vertex headaches at the top of the head affecting both ends of the governing vessel.

Bai Zhi (Angelica Root)

An acrid, warm herb that expels wind, opens nasal passages for sinus congestion, reduces swelling, expels pus, treats damp-cold vaginal discharge, and relieves Yang Ming headaches.

Xi Xin (Chinese Wild Ginger)

A warm-to-hot toxic herb that disperses cold, warms the lungs, and treats Jue Yin orbital headaches; historically limited to a daily dosage of $3\,g$, then $1.5\,g$, before being largely restricted due to toxicity.

Bo He (Mentha / Field Mint)

An acrid, aromatic, cooling light-floating herb entering the Lung and Liver channels that clears the head, eyes, and throat, vents measles rashes, and courses liver qi in formulas like Xiao Yao San.

Chan Tui (Cicada Molting)

A cooling substance that disperses wind-heat for swollen sore throats, hoarseness, and loss of voice, vents rashes, clears floaters from the eyes, and stops spasms/night terrors in childhood febrile illness.

Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum Flower)

Clears the liver, brightens the eyes, extinguishes wind, and disperses wind-heat. White chrysanthemum (Bai Ju Hua) excels at nourishing the liver and eyes, while yellow chrysanthemum (Huang Ju Hua) possesses greater wind-heat dispersing capacity.

Ge Gen (Kudzu Root)

Releases muscles and clears heat for upper back and neck stiffness, generates fluids to stop thirst, vents measles (with Sheng Ma), alleviates diarrhea, raises spleen yang, and directs herbs to the Du Mai.

Chai Hu (Bupleurum)

Resolves lesser yang (Shao Yang) disorders characterized by alternating chills and fever with a bitter taste, spreads constrained liver qi, and raises spleen yang.

Sheng Ma (Cimicifuga)

Raises spleen yang and lifts sunken middle qi (along with Chai Hu and Ge Gen), vents measles, clears heat, and releases fire toxicity.

Shi Gao (Gypsum)

The coldest substance in the Materia Medica (sweet, acrid, very cold); enters the Lung and Stomach channels to drain excess fire, clear blazing stomach fire, and treat the 'four bigs' (high fever, severe thirst, profuse sweating, flooding pulse).

Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena Rhizome)

Clears heat and drains excess fire ('four bigs') while uniquely enriching yin, generating fluids, and moistening dry conditions.

Zhi Zi (Gardenia)

Clears heat, eliminates chest irritability, drains damp-heat (treating jaundice when combined with Yin Chen Hao and Da Huang), cools the blood, and stops bleeding when charred.

Lu Gen (Reed Rhizome)

A fluid-generating herb that acts 'like an IV', clearing lung heat with thick yellow sputum, clearing stomach heat, promoting urination, and encouraging rashes to the surface.

Jue Ming Zi (Cassia Seeds)

Expels wind-heat, clears liver fire to benefit the eyes, moistens the intestines for chronic constipation due to liver yin deficiency, and lowers blood pressure and serum cholesterol.

Sheng Di Huang (Fresh Rehmannia Root)

A sweet, bitter, cold herb entering the Heart, Kidney, and Liver channels that cools the blood, nourishes yin, and generates fluids.

Mu Dan Pi (Tree Peony Bark)

Clears both excess full heat and deficient empty heat, cools the blood, and invigorates blood to dispel stasis without injuring fluids.

Di Gu Pi (Lycium Bark)

Drains fire from yin deficiency with sweating, clears lung heat cough, cools the blood for nosebleeds, and drains floating fire in the kidney channel for toothaches.

Huang Lian (Coptis Rhizome)

A powerfully bitter, cold herb that drains fire and dries dampness in the middle burner, clears heart fire, and clears stomach fire for toothaches and Shao Ke (wasting and thirsting diabetes).

Huang Bai (Phellodendron Bark)

Drains damp-heat specifically from the lower burner, drains kidney fire from yin deficiency, and relieves fire toxicity.

Long Dan Cao (Gentian Root)

Drains damp-heat from the Liver and Gallbladder channels (treating UTIs, swollen ears, jaundice, and foul vaginal discharge) and pacifies excessive liver fire.

Jin Yin Hua (Honeysuckle Flower)

Clears heat and fire toxicity in the upper jiao, expels wind-heat, and treats skin infections and intestinal abscesses; its stem (Ren Dong Teng) clears wind-damp-heat from the channels.

Lian Qiao (Forsythia Fruit)

Clears heat and fire toxicity, dissipates nodules, and uniquely enters the Heart channel to treat mental confusion, fever, and CNS symptoms.

Bai Jiang Cao (Patrinia)

Clears heat, relieves toxicity, and dispels blood stasis specifically for intestinal abscesses, appendicitis, and pelvic infections.

Yu Xing Cao (Houttuynia)

A 'fishy smelling herb' that clears heat, drains damp-heat, promotes urination, and specifically treats lung abscesses.

Ma Bo (Lasiosphaera / Puffball)

Clears lung heat and fire toxicity specifically affecting the throat, relieving severe throat pain, abscesses, and loss of voice.

Xi Gua (Watermelon Fruit)

Clears summer heat and generates rich fluids; known as the 'natural White Tiger Decoction' because it clears heat from the greater yang stomach channel.

Da Huang (Rhubarb Root)

A bitter, cold purgative that drains heat, purges constipation, drains damp-heat, and invigorates blood stasis; loses its purgative strength if cooked for longer than $10 \text{ minutes}$.

Mang Xiao (Mirabilite)

A salty purgative substance that treats severe constipation by moistening dryness and softening hard, dry stool masses.

Huo Ma Ren (Cannabis Seeds)

A moist laxative that nourishes and moistens the intestines for constipation in elderly, postpartum, debilitated, or yin-deficient patients.

Gan Sui (Kansui Root)

A harsh cathartic herb that drains water downward and drives out congested fluids, causing violent anal passage of fluids; incompatible with Gan Cao.

Fu Ling (Poria Fungus)

A sweet, neutral fungus growing on pine roots that promotes urination, leeches out dampness, strengthens the spleen, transforms phlegm, and calms the spirit without damaging Qi.

Jin Qian Cao (Lysimachia)

A golden herb that promotes urination, clears liver and gallbladder damp-heat, and specifically expels gallbladder and kidney stones.

Yin Chen Hao (Artemisia Yinchenhao)

The principal herb for treating jaundice due to either damp-heat or damp-cold by clearing damp-heat from the Liver and Gallbladder.

Du Huo (Pubescent Angelica Root)

Dispels wind-dampness and directs action downward to relieve painful B syndrome in the lower back and legs and lesser yin headaches.

Qin Jiao (Gentiana Macrophylla Root)

A slightly cold wind-damp herb specifically indicated for treating acute or chronic Hot B syndrome and reducing jaundice.

Wei Ling Xian (Clematis Root)

A salty, fast-acting herb that strongly unblocks channels, alleviates wind-damp pain, and softens fish bones lodged in the throat ($15 \text{ to } 30\,g$ decocted with vinegar and brown sugar).

Cang Er Zi (Xanthium Fruit)

A dry, slightly toxic herb that disperses wind-dampness, stops skin itching, and forcefully opens nasal passages for sinus congestion and allergies.

Chuan Bei Mu vs. Zhe Bei Mu

Chuan Bei Mu (Sichuan Fritillaria) clears heat and transforms phlegm for coughs with underlying yin deficiency, whereas Zhe Bei Mu (Thornburg Fritillaria) clears acute lung heat with productive coughs.

Gua Lou Ren (Trichosanthus Seeds)

Clears phlegm-heat, expands the chest, and moistens the intestines; combined with Yu Xing Cao and Jie Geng to treat lung abscesses.

Zhu Ru (Bamboo Shavings)

Clears phlegm-heat, cools the blood, and stops vomiting caused by stomach heat or morning sickness.

Kun Bu and Hai Zhao

A paired seaweed combination containing iodine that clears phlegm-heat, softens hard neck nodules and goiters, and promotes urination.

Ban Xia (Pinellia Rhizome)

Dries dampness, transforms wet spleen phlegm, descends rebellious stomach qi, and stops vomiting; raw form is toxic to the tongue and must be processed (Fa Ban Xia).

Tian Nan Xing (Arisaema)

A warm, processed herb drier and stronger than Ban Xia that expels wind-phlegm in the channels for stroke, facial paralysis, and spasms; combined with bovine bile (Dan Nan Xing) to clear phlegm-heat.

Bai Jie Zi (White Mustard Seed)

Warms the lungs, regulates qi, and expels phlegm; applied topically as an irritating herbal patch on back points to treat asthma, bronchitis, and facial paralysis.

Jie Geng (Platycodon Root)

A guiding herb to the Lung meridian that opens lung qi, expels phlegm, benefits the throat, and directs other herbs upward ('lifts the lid of the teapot').

Xing Ren (Apricot Seed)

Stops coughing, calms wheezing, and moistens the intestines; toxic in high doses ($10$ kernels lethal for children, $50 \text{ to } 60$ for adults).

Zi Su Zi (Perilla Seed)

Redirects lung qi downward to stop coughing and wheezing, particularly when exhalation is more labored than inhalation.

Bai Bu (Stemona Root)

Moistens the lungs to stop acute, chronic, or TB coughs, and topically or via enema expels parasites, lice, and pinworms.

Sang Bai Pi (Mulberry Bark)

Drains lung heat, stops coughing and wheezing, promotes urination to reduce upper/facial edema, and lowers blood pressure.

Huo Xiang (Agastache)

An aromatic herb that transforms middle burner dampness, releases summer damp-heat exterior, harmonizes the stomach, and stops vomiting.

Hou Po (Magnolia Bark)

Promotes qi movement, transforms dampness, directs rebellious qi downward, and strongly relieves abdominal fullness and distension due to excess.

Cang Zhu (Black Atractylodes Rhizome)

A strongly drying herb that fortifies the spleen, expels wind-dampness, and clears lower burner damp-heat when combined with Huang Bai in Er Miao San.

Sha Ren (Cardamom Fruit)

Transforms dampness, moves qi, calms a restless fetus, and prevents cloying or stagnation caused by rich tonifying herbs.

Shan Zha (Hawthorn Fruit)

Reduces and guides out food stagnation caused by meat or greasy foods, transforms blood stasis, and lowers blood pressure.

Mai Ya (Barley Sprout)

Reduces food stagnation resulting from undigested starchy foods and strengthens the stomach.

Ji Nei Jin (Chicken Gizzard Lining)

A golden herb that strongly reduces food stagnation, improves spleen transport, secures essence, and works with Jin Qian Cao to dissolve stones.

Lai Fu Zi (Radish Seed)

Reduces food stagnation, moves qi downward, transforms phlegm, and counteracts or cancels Ginseng overdose.

Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel)

Regulates middle jiao qi, improves spleen transport, dries dampness, and transforms phlegm (paired with Ban Xia in Er Chen Tang).

Qing Pi (Immature Tangerine Peel)

Stronger than Chen Pi; spreads liver qi and breaks up stagnant qi, specifically targeting distension and pain in the chest and breasts.

Zhi Shi (Unripe Bitter Orange)

A powerful, fast-acting herb that breaks up qi stagnation, reduces focal accumulation, and unblocks the bowels (milder form is Zhi Ke).

Xiang Fu (Cyperus Rhizome)

A neutral 'Commander of Qi' herb that spreads liver qi, harmonizes the liver and spleen, regulates menses, and relieves PMS and gynecological stagnation.

Mu Xiang (Aucklandia Root)

Promotes qi movement in the stomach, spleen, liver, and intestines (relieving tenesmus and diarrhea) and prevents tonifying herbs from stagnating.

Wu Yao (Lindera Root)

Moves qi and relieves cold pain across all three jiaos, warming the kidneys to treat urinary incontinence and cold-deficiency frequent urination.

Chen Xiang (Aquilaria / Aloeswood)

A heavy, fragrant sinking wood that directs rebellious qi downward and aids the kidneys in grasping qi to treat asthma.

Chuan Lian Zi (Melia Fruit)

A slightly toxic herb that moves liver qi, stops hernia pain, clears heat, and expels roundworms and tapeworms.

Pu Huang (Bulrush Pollen)

A unique substance that stops bleeding while simultaneously invigorating blood to dispel stasis; raw form moves blood, charred form stops bleeding.

San Qi (Notoginseng Root)

The 'King of stop bleeding herbs' that stops bleeding and transforms stasis without causing blood stagnation.

Huai Hua Mi (Sophora Flower)

Cools the blood and stops bleeding, specifically indicated for damp-heat bleeding hemorrhoids and bloody dysentery.

Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum Rhizome)

The Qi herb within the blood level that invigorates blood, moves qi, treats gynecological disorders, and relieves Shao Yang headaches.

Ji Xue Teng (Chicken Blood Vine)

A unique vine herb that tonifies blood while moving qi and blood, unblocking channels and micro-vessels.

Yan Hu So (Corydalis Rhizome)

'Chinese aspirin' that strongly invigorates qi and blood to alleviate general body pain ('marvelous beyond words').

Chi Shao (Red Peony Root)

Invigorates blood, dispels blood stasis, cools heat in the blood level, and clears liver fire.

Er Zhu and San Leng

Paired blood-stasis breaking herbs; Er Zhu acts primarily on the Qi level, while San Leng acts forcefully on the Blood level.

Niu Xi (Achyranthes Root)

Ox knee herb that directs blood downward, unblocks urination, and strengthens lower limbs; Chuan Niu Xi excels at moving stasis/joints, while Hua Niu Xi tonifies Liver and Kidneys.

Fu Zi (Aconite Accessory Root)

An acrid, hot, highly toxic herb entering the Heart, Kidney, and Spleen channels that restores devastated yang and warms kidney fire.

Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger)

The primary herb to warm the middle jiao (Spleen/Stomach), restore devastated yang, and warm the lungs to transform phlegm.

Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark)

A pure yang herb that warms the kidneys, fortifies yang, and leads floating deficient fire back to its source.

Wu Zhu Yu (Evodia Fruit)

Warms the middle jiao, disperses liver channel cold, redirects rebellious stomach qi downward, and stops vomiting and flank pain.

Ren Shen (Ginseng Root)

Strongly tonifies basal qi, strengthens Spleen/Stomach, generates fluids, and calms the spirit; white root treats qi/yin deficiency, red root is cured and warmer.

Dang Shen (Codonopsis Root)

A sweet, accessible substitute for Ren Shen that serves as the number one choice for middle jiao Qi deficiency.

Huang Qi (Astragalus Root)

'Queen of tonifying qi herbs' with five major functions: raises spleen yang, tonifies qi/blood, boosts protective Wei Qi, promotes urination/reduces edema, and discharges pus/generates flesh.

Shan Yao (Chinese Yam)

An astringent tonifying herb that fortifies Spleen, Lung, and Kidney qi and yin, stopping diarrhea, leukorrhea, and nocturnal emissions.

Gan Cao (Licorice Root)

A sweet neutral herb that tonifies Spleen qi, moistens the lungs, and moderates spasms; raw form clears heat, dry-fried form (Zhi Gan Cao) tonifies stomach and spleen qi.

Huang Jing (Polygonatum Rhizome)

The number two immune system booster that tonifies Qi and augments Spleen and Stomach Yin.

Shu Di Huang (Prepared Rehmannia Root)

The chief blood tonifying herb entering Heart, Liver, and Kidney that nourishes blood, yin, and essence; rich and cloying in nature.

He Shou Wu (Polygonum Multiflorum Root)

Tonifies Liver and Kidneys, nourishes blood, secures essence, darkens premature gray hair, and moistens the intestines.

Dang Gui (Chinese Angelica Root)

'King of tonifying blood herbs' and 'women's ginseng' that tonifies blood, regulates menses, moves blood and qi, and moistens the intestines.

Bai Shao (White Peony Root)

A cool blood-tonifying herb that preserves yin, calms liver yang, and alleviates abdominal/limb cramps and spasms.

Gou Qi Zi (Lycium Fruit / Goji Berry)

Nourishes Liver and Kidney blood and yin, enriches essence, and brightens vision.

Long Yan Rou (Longan Fruit Flesh)

Tonifies Heart and Spleen blood, calms the spirit, and treats insomnia, palpitations, and forgetfulness from overthinking or intense studying.

Lu Rong (Deer Antler)

Strongly tonifies Kidney yang, fortifies essence, and strengthens the extraordinary vessels (Du, Ren, Chong, Dai).

Rou Cong Rong (Cistanche)

Warms Kidney yang, warms the womb for infertility, and moistens the large intestine to treat constipation from dry intestines.

Yin Yang Huo (Epimedium / Goat Weed)

Tonifies Kidney yang, expels wind-dampness, boosts the immune system, and treats impotence and rheumatic joints.