Herbs that Clear Heat & Drain Fire

What is the primary action of herbs that drain fire?

drains fire and heat at the Qi level or Yangming syndrome

what are signs and symptoms of fire?

• big fever, big sweat, big thirst, big pulse

• irritability

• restlessness

• constipation

what 2 herbs belong to the marquee subcategory?

Shi Gao, Zhi Mu

what 2 herbs belong to the subcategory of stopping irritability and promoting urination?

Zhi Zi, Dan Zhu Ye

what 2 herbs are good for generating fluids?

Lu Gen, Tian Hua Fen

which 2 herbs belong in the subcategory of liver and eyes?

Xia Ku Cao, Jue Ming Zi

what actions does shi gao have?

• Clears Heat and drains Fire (strongest herb for fever)

• Clears excess Lung Heat (cough, wheezing)

• Clears Stomach Fire (headache, toothache, gingivitis)

• Clears Heat from the skin (topical for burns, sores)

what cautions does shi gao have?

cold deficiency of spleen/stomach (i.e loose stool)

what actions does zhi mu have?

• Clears Heat and drains Fire

• Nourishes Yin, moisten Dryness

• Generates fluids (Xiao Ke)

what cautions/contraindications does zhi mu have?

spleen deficiency diarrhea

what actions does zhi zi have?

• Clears Heat and irritability

• Drains Damp-Heat, promotes urination

• Cools blood and stops bleeding (if charred)

• Goes to all three Jiao’s

what contraindications/cautions does zhi zi have?

• Cold Deficiency of SP/ST (i.e. loose stool)

• Dry-fried till yellow to reduce coldness (i.e. n/v)

what actions does dan zhu ye have?

• Clears Heat and irritability (HT)

• Clears Damp-Heat and promotes urination (SI)

what cautions does dan zhu ye have?

caution in pregnancy

what actions does xia ku cao have?

• Clears Heat in the Liver

• Brightens the eyes

• Dissipates nodules (i.e. LR/GB channels)

• Hypertension due to LR Yang rising, LR Fire

what cautions does xia ku cao have?

caution in deficiency of spleen or stomach

what actions does tian hua fen have?

• Drains Heat & generates fluids

• Clears & drains LU Heat, transforms Phlegm, moistens LU Dryness (dry cough with Phlegm)

• Resolves toxicity & expels pus (esp. for breast abscess – internal & external application)

what cautions does tain hua fen have?

caution in deficient cold of spleen or stomach, contraindicated in pregnancy, incompatible with Wu Tou

what actions does lu gen have?

• Clears Heat, generates fluids (heat patterns with

  thirst)

• Clears Heat, stops vomiting

• Clears Heat, promotes urination (esp. when

  accompanied by irritability and thirst)

• Encourages rashes to surface, expel pus (Lung

  abscess)

what cautions does lu gen have?

deficiency cold of stomach and spleen

what actions does jue ming zi have?

• Clears the LR and the eyes (Night blindness)

• Calms the LR, anchors Yang (Headaches and dizziness)

• Moistens intestines and unblocks the bowels (due to LR Yin def)

what cautions does jue ming zi have?

diarrhea due to spleen deficiency, low blood pressure

what dosage does lu gen have?

15-30 grams