Comprehensive Study Notes on Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine

Herbs that Dispel Wind-Damp

Primary function: Relieve external Wind and Dampness from the muscles, joints, and bones to treat Bì syndrome, course Qi, move Blood, and alleviate pain.
Most herbs in this category are warm and aromatic (drying); selected herbs are neutral, cool, or cold.
Du Huo (Angelicae Pubescentis Radix):
- Taste & Temp: Bitter, Acrid, Warm; Channels: Kidney, Bladder; Dosage: $3\text{-}9\,g$
- Key Functions: Dispels Wind-Damp for lower body Bì (low back and legs), disperses Wind-Cold-Damp exterior attacks, and treats Shao Yin stage headaches and toothaches.

Du Huo

Wei Ling Xian (Clematidis Radix):
- Taste & Temp: Acrid, Salty, Warm; Channel: Bladder; Dosage: $6\text{-}9\,g$
- Key Functions: Strongly mobilizes all 12 channels to unblock Wind, Damp, and Phlegm; softens and transforms fish bones lodged in the throat.
Hai Tong Pi (Erythrinae Cortex):
- Taste & Temp: Bitter, Acrid, Neutral; Channels: Liver, Spleen, Kidney; Dosage: $6\text{-}15\,g$
- Key Functions: Excels at lower body Wind-Damp pain, leg spasms, skin lesions/scabies, and dental caries when used as a gargle.
Mu Gua (Chaenomelis Fructus):
- Taste & Temp: Sour, Warm; Channels: Liver, Spleen; Dosage: $6\text{-}12\,g$
- Key Functions: Relaxes sinews, unblocks channels, harmonizes Spleen and Stomach for severe cramping in calves and abdominal pain in Sudden Turmoil Disorder.
Can Sha (Bombycis Faeces):
- Taste & Temp: Sweet, Acrid, Warm; Channels: Liver, Spleen, Stomach; Dosage: $4.5\text{-}9\,g$
- Key Functions: Dispels Wind-Damp for joint pain and itching rashes; harmonizes Stomach for cramping, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Sang Ji Sheng (Taxilli Herba):
- Taste & Temp: Bitter, Sweet, Neutral; Channels: Kidney, Liver; Dosage: $9\text{-}15\,g$
- Key Functions: Tonifies Liver and Kidneys, strengthens sinews and bones, expels Wind-Damp, calms restless fetus, and promotes lactation.

Sang Ji Sheng

Wu Jia Pi (Eleutherococci Gracilistyli Cortex):
- Taste & Temp: Acrid, Bitter, Warm; Channels: Kidney, Liver; Dosage: $4.5\text{-}9\,g$
- Key Functions: Dispels Wind-Damp, warms Kidneys and Liver to strengthen sinews/bones; ideal for elderly or children with developmental delays (5 Delays) and leg edema.
Qin Jiao (Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix):
- Taste & Temp: Bitter, Acrid, Slightly Cold; Channels: Gallbladder, Liver, Stomach; Dosage: $3\text{-}9\,g$
- Key Functions: Dispels Wind-Damp without drying; clears deficiency Heat (steaming bone disorder), resolves acute/infantile jaundice, and moistens intestines.
Sang Zhi (Mori Ramulus):
- Taste & Temp: Bitter, Neutral; Channel: Liver; Dosage: $9\text{-}15\,g$ (up to $30\,g$ )
- Key Functions: Dispels Wind-Damp in upper extremities; unblocks collaterals for pain, spasms, numbness, and itching in arms and shoulders.
Xi Xian Cao (Siegesbeckiae Herba):
- Taste & Temp: Bitter, Cold; Channels: Kidney, Liver; Dosage: $9\text{-}15\,g$
- Key Functions: Clears Heat, dispels Wind-Damp, pacifies Liver Yang rising (hypertension), calms Shen, and treats Damp-Heat rashes/sores.
Bai Hua She / Qi She (Agkistrodon / Bungarus):
- Taste & Temp: Sweet, Salty, Warm, Toxic; Channel: Liver; Dosage: $3\text{-}6\,g$ or $3\text{-}9\,g$ ( $0.5\text{-}1.5\,g$ powdered)
- Key Functions: Powerfully unblocks channels and tracks down stubborn Wind from sinews and skin; treats facial paralysis, tremors, and severe dermatosis.
Hu Gu (Os Tigris):
- Taste & Temp: Acrid, Salty, Warm; Channels: Liver, Kidney; Dosage: $3\text{-}6\,g$ powdered
- Key Functions: Obsolete/endangered; historically strengthened bones, searched out Wind, and alleviated severe spasms/atrophy.

Herbs that Cool and Transform Phlegm-Heat

Treat Phlegm-Heat and Dry-Phlegm; Cold in nature.
Biomedically act as expectorants, antitussives, sedatives, and anti-inflammatories.
Qian Hu (Peucedani Radix):
- Taste & Temp: Bitter, Acrid, Slightly Cold; Channel: Lung; Dosage: $3\text{-}9\,g$
- Key Functions: Directs Lung Qi downward, dispels thick turbid sputum, and scatters Wind-Heat with cough/headache.

Qian Hu

Chuan Bei Mu (Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus):
- Taste & Temp: Bitter, Sweet, Slightly Cold; Channels: Heart, Lung; Dosage: $3\text{-}9\,g$ ( $1\text{-}3\,g$ swallowed as powder)
- Key Functions: Cools, moistens, and transforms dry Phlegm; ideal for chronic Yin Xu cough with scant/blood-streaked sputum and dissipating nodules/abscesses.
Zhe Bei Mu (Fritillariae Thunbergii Bulbus):
- Taste & Temp: Bitter, Cold; Channels: Heart, Lung; Dosage: $4.5\text{-}9\,g$
- Key Functions: Strongly drains Heat, transforms acute Phlegm-Heat, and dissipates hard congealed nodules (scrofula, goiter, fibroids, breast/lung abscesses).

Zhe Bei Mu

Gua Lou (Trichosanthis Fructus):
- Taste & Temp: Sweet, Cold; Channels: Stomach, Large Intestine, Lung; Dosage: $9\text{-}21\,g$
- Key Functions: Whole fruit; clears Heat, transforms Phlegm-Heat, unbinds chest for Chest Bì with pain radiating to back, dissipates nodules, and moistens bowels.

Gua Lou

Gua Lou Pi (Trichosanthis Pericarpium):
- Taste & Temp: Sweet, Cold; Channels: Lung, Stomach, Large Intestine; Dosage: $6\text{-}12\,g$
- Key Functions: Pericarp/peel; regulates Lung Qi, expands chest, clears Phlegm-Heat in chest, and treats early breast abscesses.
Gua Lou Ren (Trichosanthis Semen):
- Taste & Temp: Sweet, Cold; Channels: Lung, Stomach, Large Intestine; Dosage: $9\text{-}15\,g$
- Key Functions: Seed; slippery nature moistens Lungs and Intestines, treats dry constipation accompanied by Phlegm-Heat cough with thick sputum.
Zhu Ru (Bambusae Caulis In Taeniam):
- Taste & Temp: Sweet, Slightly Cold; Channels: Lung, Stomach, Gallbladder; Dosage: $4.5\text{-}9\,g$
- Key Functions: Clears Phlegm-Heat from Gallbladder and Stomach, stops heat-type vomiting, sour belching, hiccups, and restlessness.
Kun Bu (Eckloniae Thallus) & Hai Zao (Sargassum):
- Taste & Temp: Salty (Hai Zao is also Bitter), Cold; Channels: Kidney, Liver, Stomach (Hai Zao enters Lung); Dosage: $6\text{-}15\,g$
- Key Functions: Indispensable pair that reduces Phlegm, softens hard congealed masses (goiter, scrofula, lipomas, tumors), and promotes urination to reduce edema.

Herbs that Warm and Transform Phlegm-Cold

Warm in nature; treat Phlegm-Cold, Phlegm-Dampness, and thin mucus accumulations.
Zhi Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma Preparatum):
- Taste & Temp: Acrid, Warm, Toxic; Channels: Lung, Spleen, Stomach; Dosage: $3\text{-}9\,g$
- Key Functions: Dries Dampness, transforms Phlegm, directs rebellious Stomach Qi downward to stop nausea/vomiting, and dissipates nodules.
Zhi Tian Nan Xing (Arisaematis Rhizoma Preparatum):
- Taste & Temp: Bitter, Acrid, Warm, Toxic; Channels: Liver, Lung, Spleen; Dosage: $3\text{-}9\,g$
- Key Functions: Extremely drying; eliminates Wind-Phlegm in channels and collaterals to relieve spasms, facial paralysis, lockjaw, and opisthotonos.
Dan Nan Xing (Arisaema Cum Bile):
- Taste & Temp: Bitter, Cool, Slightly Toxic; Channels: Liver, Lung, Spleen; Dosage: $2\text{-}5\,g$
- Key Functions: Bile-prepared; cooling and less drying; clears Heat, dissolves Phlegm, calms Wind, and stops infantile seizures/convulsions.

Dan Nan Xing

Bai Jie Zi (Sinapis Semen):
- Taste & Temp: Acrid, Warm; Channel: Lung; Dosage: $3\text{-}9\,g$
- Key Functions: Warms Lungs, penetrates Yin to restore Yang movement, expels Cold-Phlegm lodged between skin and membranes or subcostal region, and unblocks collaterals.
Jie Geng (Platycodi Radix):
- Taste & Temp: Bitter, Acrid, Neutral; Channel: Lung; Dosage: $3\text{-}9\,g$
- Key Functions: Opens up Lung Qi, benefits throat, dispels sputum, expels pus in Lung abscesses; acts as a guiding "boat" herb carrying actions to Upper Jiao.

Jie Geng

Xuan Fu Hua (Inulae Flos):
- Taste & Temp: Bitter, Acrid, Salty, Slightly Warm; Channels: Liver, Lung, Stomach, Spleen; Dosage: $3\text{-}9\,g$ (must wrap in cheesecloth/bag when decocting)
- Key Functions: Directs Qi downward, reduces sticky Phlegm and water accumulation, stops vomiting, belching, and hiccups.
Bai Qian (Cynanchi Stauntonii Rhizoma):
- Taste & Temp: Acrid, Sweet, Slightly Warm; Channel: Lung; Dosage: $3\text{-}9\,g$
- Key Functions: Directs Lung Qi downward to stop cough with profuse sputum and audible gurgling in the throat.

Herbs that Stop Cough and Wheeze

Target rebellious Lung Qi presenting as cough and wheezing from external invasions or internal imbalances.
Xing Ren (Armeniacae Semen):
- Taste & Temp: Bitter, Slightly Warm, Slightly Toxic; Channels: Lung, Large Intestine; Dosage: $3\text{-}9\,g$
- Key Functions: Directs Lung Qi down, calms cough/wheeze (especially external dry cough), disperses Wind-Cold/Damp, and moistens intestines.
Zi Wan (Asteris Radix):
- Taste & Temp: Acrid, Bitter, Slightly Warm; Channel: Lung; Dosage: $5\text{-}9\,g$
- Key Functions: Warms and moistens without drying; safe for many cough types, especially profuse sputum due to Wind-Cold obstructing Lung Qi.
Kuan Dong Hua (Farfarae Flos):
- Taste & Temp: Acrid, Warm; Channel: Lung; Dosage: $4.5\text{-}9\,g$
- Key Functions: Moistens Lungs, lowers Lung Qi, transforms Phlegm, and stops cough/wheeze; frequently paired with Zi Wan.
Zi Su Zi (Perillae Fructus):
- Taste & Temp: Acrid, Warm; Channels: Large Intestine, Lung; Dosage: $3\text{-}9\,g$
- Key Functions: Redirects Lung Qi down, dissolves Phlegm, calms labored exhalation/wheezing, and moistens intestines for dry constipation.
Pi Pa Ye (Eriobotryae Folium):
- Taste & Temp: Bitter, Neutral; Channels: Lung, Stomach; Dosage: $6\text{-}15\,g$ (must bag raw leaves to filter hairs)
- Key Functions: Clears Lung Heat, transforms Phlegm, directs Lung/Stomach Qi down to relieve dry cough, nausea, and vomiting.
Bai Bu (Stemonae Radix):
- Taste & Temp: Sweet, Bitter, Slightly Warm; Channel: Lung; Dosage: $3\text{-}9\,g$
- Key Functions: Moistens Lungs and stops acute/chronic deficiency coughs; topically/externally kills parasites, lice, fleas, and pinworms.
Sang Bai Pi (Mori Cortex):
- Taste & Temp: Sweet, Cold; Channel: Lung; Dosage: $6\text{-}15\,g$
- Key Functions: Drains Heat from Lungs, calms wheezing, and promotes urination to clear superficial/facial edema and lower high blood pressure.
Ma Dou Ling (Aristolochiae Fructus):
- Taste & Temp: Bitter, Slightly Cold, Slightly Toxic; Channels: Lung, Large Intestine; Dosage: $3\text{-}9\,g$
- Key Functions: Clears Lung Heat and Large Intestine Heat (hemorrhoids); obsolete/restricted due to nephrotoxic aristolochic acid.

Aromatic Herbs that Transform Dampness

Aromatic, warm, and drying; revive the Spleen to transform Middle Jiao Dampness, fullness, nausea, and loss of appetite.
Cang Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma):
- Taste & Temp: Acrid, Bitter, Aromatic, Warm; Channels: Spleen, Stomach; Dosage: $3\text{-}9\,g$
- Key Functions: Guiding herb for Spleen/Stomach; strongly dries Middle/Lower Jiao Dampness, dispels Wind-Damp Bì, and improves night vision.
Hou Po (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex):
- Taste & Temp: Bitter, Acrid, Aromatic, Warm; Channels: Spleen, Stomach, Lung, Large Intestine; Dosage: $3\text{-}9\,g$
- Key Functions: Promotes Middle Jiao Qi movement, "cracks" Qi stagnation, dries Dampness, transforms Phlegm, and resolves Food Stagnation fullness.
Huo Xiang (Pogostemonis / Agastaches Herba):
- Taste & Temp: Acrid, Aromatic, Slightly Warm; Channels: Spleen, Stomach, Lung; Dosage: $3\text{-}9\,g$
- Key Functions: Relieves Summerheat, transforms Dampness, harmonizes Middle Jiao to stop damp-induced vomiting/stomach flu, and treats dermatosis.
Sha Ren (Amomi Fructus):
- Taste & Temp: Acrid, Aromatic, Warm; Channels: Spleen, Stomach, Kidney; Dosage: $3\text{-}6\,g$ (crush before use)
- Key Functions: Promotes Qi movement, warms Middle Jiao to stop cold diarrhea, calms fetus, and prevents stagnation from cloying tonics.
Bai Dou Kou (Amomi Fructus Rotundus):
- Taste & Temp: Acrid, Aromatic, Warm; Channels: Spleen, Stomach, Lung; Dosage: $3\text{-}6\,g$
- Key Functions: Warms Middle Jiao, disseminates Lung Qi, transforms turbid Dampness, and lowers rebellious Qi for nausea and vomiting.
Cao Dou Kou (Alpiniae Katsumadai Semen):
- Taste & Temp: Acrid, Aromatic, Warm; Channels: Spleen, Stomach; Dosage: $3\text{-}6\,g$
- Key Functions: Strongly dries severe Cold-Dampness and warms Middle Jiao when Bai Dou Kou is insufficient.
Cao Guo (Tsaoko Fructus):
- Taste & Temp: Acrid, Warm; Channels: Spleen, Stomach; Dosage: $3\text{-}6\,g$
- Key Functions: Extremely drying; disperses internal Cold, transforms turbid Phlegm, checks malarial disorders, and resolves meat stagnation.

Herbs that Regulate and Invigorate Blood

Address fixed stabbing pain, masses, trauma, dark purple clotted bleeding, and stasis signs. Typically acrid, bitter, and warm.
Chuan Xiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma):
- Taste & Temp: Acrid, Warm; Channels: Liver, Gallbladder, Pericardium; Dosage: $3\text{-}9\,g$ ( $1\text{-}1.5\,g$ powdered)
- Key Functions: Invigorates Blood, moves Qi, expels Wind, and alleviates pain; paramount guiding herb for headaches and Chong Mai gynecological issues.

Chuan Xiong

Dan Shen (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix):
- Taste & Temp: Bitter, Slightly Cold; Channels: Heart, Pericardium, Liver; Dosage: $6\text{-}15\,g$
- Key Functions: Invigorates Blood, cools Blood, clears Ying-level Heat, calms Shen/irritability, resolves Chest Bì, and aids diabetic wound healing.

Dan Shen

Ji Xue Teng (Spatholobi Caulis):
- Taste & Temp: Bitter, Sweet, Warm; Channels: Heart, Liver, Spleen; Dosage: $9\text{-}15\,g$
- Key Functions: Both invigorates and tonifies Blood; relaxes sinews, unblocks collaterals for numbness, soreness, elderly paralysis, and dysmenorrhea.
Yan Hu Suo (Corydalis Rhizoma):
- Taste & Temp: Acrid, Bitter, Warm; Channels: Heart, Liver, Stomach; Dosage: $3\text{-}9\,g$ ( $1\text{-}1.5\,g$ powdered)
- Key Functions: Powerful pain reliever throughout the body by invigorating Blood and promoting Qi flow (vinegar-fried increases efficacy).
Yu Jin (Curcumae Radix):
- Taste & Temp: Acrid, Bitter, Cold; Channels: Heart, Lung, Liver; Dosage: $6\text{-}12\,g$
- Key Functions: Cools Blood, breaks stasis, moves Qi, relieves Liver constraint, clears Heart orifices (seizures/anxiety), and benefits Gallbladder/jaundice.
Jiang Huang (Curcumae Longae Rhizoma - Turmeric):
- Taste & Temp: Acrid, Bitter, Warm; Channels: Spleen, Stomach, Liver; Dosage: $3\text{-}9\,g$
- Key Functions: Invigorates Blood, breaks stasis, drives Qi down, and expels Wind-Damp Bì (especially effective for shoulder/arm pain).
Yi Mu Cao (Leonuri Herba):
- Taste & Temp: Acrid, Bitter, Slightly Cold; Channels: Heart, Liver, Bladder; Dosage: $9\text{-}15\,g$ (up to $30\,g$ )
- Key Functions: Invigorates Blood for OBGYN/postpartum stasis, clears toxicity, and promotes urination to resolve acute edema/nephritis.
Ze Lan (Lycopi Herba):
- Taste & Temp: Bitter, Acrid, Slightly Warm; Channels: Liver, Spleen; Dosage: $9\text{-}15\,g$
- Key Functions: Gently invigorates Blood without injuring Qi, dispels postpartum stasis, and promotes urination for edema.
Chi Shao (Paeoniae Radix Rubra):
- Taste & Temp: Sour, Bitter, Slightly Cold; Channels: Liver, Spleen; Dosage: $6\text{-}15\,g$
- Key Functions: Invigorates Blood, transforms stasis, clears Heat to cool Blood, and treats gynecology or skin rashes due to Blood-level Heat.
Tao Ren (Persicae Semen):
- Taste & Temp: Bitter, Sweet, Neutral; Channels: Heart, Large Intestine, Liver, Lung; Dosage: $4.5\text{-}9\,g$
- Key Functions: Breaks up Blood stasis (masses, trauma, lochia), moistens Large Intestine for dry constipation, and stops cough/wheeze.
Hong Hua (Carthami Flos):
- Taste & Temp: Acrid, Warm; Channels: Heart, Liver; Dosage: $3\text{-}9\,g$ ( $1\text{-}3\,g$ to harmonize Blood)
- Key Functions: Invigorates Blood, dispels stasis, and unblocks menses; lower doses ( $1\text{-}3\,g$ ) gently harmonize Blood.
E Zhu (Curcumae Rhizoma):
- Taste & Temp: Bitter, Acrid, Warm; Channels: Liver, Spleen; Dosage: $3\text{-}9\,g$
- Key Functions: Strongly breaks up Blood stasis, promotes Qi movement, dissolves Food Stagnation accumulations, and addresses cervical/solid tumors.

Overview of Exterior-Releasing and Heat-Clearing Categories

Warm Acrid Release Exterior (WARE):
- Primary Use: Treats Wind-Cold external invasions (fever, predominant chills, floating tight pulse).
- Key Herbs: Bai Zhi (opens nasal orifices, frontal headaches), Fang Feng (Wind in muscle layers, spasms), Gui Zhi (harmonizes Ying/Wei, unblocks chest Qi), Jing Jie (vents rashes, stops bleeding when charred), Ma Huang (stops wheeze, promotes urination in anhydrous cases), Qiang Huo (upper body Bì, guiding herb to UB/Du channels), Xin Yi Hua (unblocks nasal passages).
Cool Acrid Release Exterior (CARE):
- Primary Use: Treats Wind-Heat external attacks (fever, chills, floating rapid pulse, sore throat, rash).
- Key Herbs: Bo He (vents rashes, cools Liver), Chai Hu (harmonizes Shao Yang, spreads Liver Qi, raises Yang Qi), Ge Gen (relieves stiff neck, generates fluids, stops diarrhea), Ju Hua (clears eyes, cools Liver), Man Jing Zi (facial/eye/head Wind-Heat pain), Niu Bang Zi (cools throat, vents rashes, moistens intestines).
Clear Heat - Drain Fire:
- Primary Use: Clears Excess Fire from Qi level (4 Bigs) or organ levels.
- Key Herbs: Shi Gao (clears Yang Ming/Lung Heat, St Fire toothache), Zhi Mu (clears Yang Ming Heat, nourishes Yin), Zhi Zi (clears Heat from all 3 Jiaos and Liver jaundice), Xia Ku Cao (clears Liver Fire, brightens eyes, dissipates goiters/nodules), Lu Gen (generates fluids, stops stomach vomiting).
Clear Heat - Cool Blood:
- Primary Use: Clears Ying and Xue (Blood) level Heat presenting with crimson tongue, bleeding, or delirium.
- Key Herbs: Sheng Di Huang (cools Blood, nourishes Yin and Essence), Mu Dan Pi (cools Blood, clears Yin Xu Fire, invigorates Blood, drains pus).
Clear Heat - Clear Heat Toxicity:
- Primary Use: Clears localized infections, abscesses, and febrile conditions.
- Key Herbs: Lian Qiao & Jin Yin Hua (sore throat, skin abscesses, toxic infections), Pu Gong Ying (breast abscesses, jaundice), Lu Dou (Summerheat, antidote for Fu Zi poisoning).