1. Herbs- General Introduction
Violet Song
Need to know ratios between herbs in the formulas. Need to know toxic herbs and doses. Know the doses for emergency herbs too.
Reviewing: V will give paired up herbs for review – commonalities, differences. Differences between similar herbs.

2. Properties of Herbs 4 Nature (temperature) 5 Flavor
Acrid: Disperse (Bo He), Move (qi: Xiang Fu, Blood, Chuan Xiong)
Sweet: Tonify (Ren Shen), Relieve (Yi Tang), Harmonize ( Da Zao)
Sour (acerbity) : astringent (Wu Mei)
Bitter: Purge (Huang Lian, Xing Ren, Da Huang), Dry ( Cang Zhu)
Salty: Soften (Kun Bu), Purge (Mang Xiao)
Bland: diuresis (Fu Ling)
Some q’s won’t directly test you about the nature, but will give q’s in which you have to know the temp in order to answer the question correctly.

3. Tendency: texture, nature Channel tropism Toxicity
Channel tropism is hard to memorize one at a time. Not all that necessary. Hard to memorize all of the channels an herb goes to. Combine function for this. Generally only 1-2 questions related to this. Can get a clue from the effect. Some are special, however. Example: bai zhi treats frontal headache, so Stomach. Qiang huo treats back of the head and thus Bladder.

4. Compatibilities 7 basic compatibilities Dan Xing: A | B
Xiang Xu: Aeff↑+ Beff↑
Xiang Shi: A eff↑ + B
Xiang Wei: A tox↓+ B
Xiang Sha: B + Atox↓
Xiang Wu: A eff↓ + B
Xiang Fan: A tox↑ + B

5. 18 Incompatibilities 19 Antagonisms Pregnancy forbidden
Gan Cao: Gan Sui, Da Ji, Yuan Hua, Hai Zao
WU Tou/ Fu Zi: Bei Mu, Gua Lou, Ban Xia, Bai Lian, Bai Ji
Li Lu: 5 Shen (xuan shen, dang shen, etc.), 2 Shao Yao, Xi Xin
19 Antagonisms
Ding Xiang+ Yu Jin
Rou Gui+ Chi Shi Zhi
Pregnancy forbidden
This is a high risk group. The board loves to test you on this. No blood movers – except Dan Shen. That’s ok.
MEMORIZE!!!

6. Dosage Know this! Esp Gui Zhi and Bai Shao (1:1). Administration
Morning
Before meals (tonify)
After meals (digestive)
Before sleep
Certain time
Frequent taking (emergency rescue type, for pts who are vomiting – freq small doses)
Pediatric doses are also tested. 1/6th, 1/3rd of adult, etc. See the material from Ped’s section of HTD 3.

7. Herbs-Release Exterior

8. Release exterior syndrome
Acrid, LU, UB
Release exterior syndrome
Disperse LU
Diuresis (promote urination)
Vents rashes
Caution
Stop when syndrome is controlled
Not suitable for people with poor body constitution – combine with tonification herbs
Short time decoction (contain aromatic/volatile oils – long term decoction will decrease effectiveness)

9. Section 1 Herbs-Release Exterior Wind-C (14)
   Ma Huang, Gui Zhi, Zi Su Ye, Fang Feng, Jing Jie, Bai Zhi, Qiang Huo 
 Section 2 Herbs-Release Exterior Wind-H (11)
Bo He, Niu Bang Zi, Sang Ye, Ju Hua, Ge Gen, Chai Hu

10. Section 1 Herbs-Release Ext W-C
Ma Huang, Gui Zhi
Common: Both + sweat/-exterior.
Ma huang stronger to +sweat, calm wheeze, +urination. Better for edema, wheezing than Gui zhi.
Gui Zhi is milder to + sweat, but warm/dredge channels, can warm yang to elim edema (2nd/assist function), opens chest bi and yang, good for –WCD bi in upper part of body.
Zi Su Ye, Sheng Jiang
Both –WC, harmonize/reg MJ, are antidote for poisoning from fish
Zi su ye also regulates Qi (gas/bloating – zi su gen better), calms the fetus. Made into a tea for a.m. sickness.
Sheng Jiang: warm MJ to stop vomit (#1 herb for vomit), warm LU to stop cough
Jing Jie, Fang Feng
Common: release exterior, either for WH or WC, both very mild
Jing Jie: vent rash/-itch, stop gyno bleeding (tan) b/c jing jie goes upward
Fang feng: tx dampness to stop pain/convulsion.
Qiang Huo, Gao Ben
Common: -WC, -HA d/t WD
Qiang Huo: Taiyang HA
Gao Ben: Jueyin HA (goes to LV ch)
Xi Xin, Bai Zhi, Xin Yi Hua, Cang Er Zi
Common: all open the nose, stop pain (esp sinus)
Xi Xin: strongest to stop pain, most aromatic, strongest, harshest. Warms LU to resolve water retention (Xiao Qing Long Tang)
Bai Zhi: Yangming/frontal HA, astringes dampness in upper nose/lower vagina
Xin Yi Hua: nothing special. Just treats the nose.
Cang Er Zi: slightly toxic – must use chao/stir-fried version for safety. Will be 1-2 processing questions like this on board. Also dries dampness. Often paired with Xin Yi Hua.
Xiang Ru, Ma Huang
Common: release WC, +urine/-edema
Xiang Ru: used in Summertime.
Ma Huang: stops wheezing FYI: harvest it in August just so you know. Very good for asthma/wheezing.
KNOW the Calm Fetus herbs!

11. Section 2 Herbs-Release Ext W-H
Bo He, Niu Bang Zi, Chan Tui
Common: expel WH, vent rashes
Bo He: refreshes mind, +throat (cools burning), soothes LV qi.
Niu Bang Zi: -WH and –heat toxins, + throat (sore throat), eliminates sores
Chan Tui: brighten eyes, expels W to stop convulsions (and for night crying), tx hoarse voice
Sang Ye, Ju Hua
Common: expel WH, calm LV, brighten eyes
Sang Ye: stronger to –WH, clr LU heat, moisten dryness. Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang – severe case of warm dryness. Cool blood and stop bleeding
Ju Hua: stronger calm LV than Sang Ye, clear heat toxin
Ge Gen, Chai Hu, Sheng Ma
Common: release WH, lift yang,
Ge Gen: (weakest to lift yang) pain/rigidity of upper back/neck, moistens BFs to stop thirst, vents rashes.
Chai Hu: (middle strength to lift yang) treats Shaoyang disease/syndrome, lifts yang, soothes LV
Sheng Ma: (strongest to lift yang) clears heat toxins, vents rashes.
Man Jing Zi Releases WH, clears head, stops HA.
Dan Dou Chi Releases exterior, treats restlessness. Often combined with zhi zi for restlessness. This is a soy product – beware of allergic issues.

12. Herbs- Clear Heat

13. Clear interior Heat Caution
Cold or cool in nature and can destroy Middle Jiao (esp MJ yang qi): be careful with loose stools with SP deficiency
Stop taking them when syndrome is controlled

14. Section 1 Herbs- Drain Fire (10)
Shi Gao, Zhi Mu, Zhi Zi, Xia Ku Cao
Section 2 Herbs- Clear Heat and Cool Blood (6)
Sheng Di Huang, Xuan Shen, Mu Dan Pi, Chi Shao
Section 3 Herbs- Clear Heat and Dry Damp (6)
Huang Qin, Huang Lian, Huang Bai

15. Section 4 Herbs- Clear Heat and Relive Toxicity (22)
Jin Yin Hua, Lian Qiao, Ban Lan Gen, Pu Gong Ying, Yu Xing Cao, She Gan, Bai Tou Weng
Section 5 Herbs- Clear Deficient Heat (5)
Qing Hao, Di Gu Pi
Section 6 Herbs- Clear Summer Heat (3)

16. Section 1 Herbs- Drain Fire
Shi Gao, Zhi Mu (LU, ST excess h)
Common: clr ht/drain fire, both elim restlessness (d/t excess heat/high fever), stop thirst.
Shi Gao: shu shi gao is cooked and is most common for plasters, sheng shi gao has water in it and clears excess heat. Very strong.
Zhi Mu: nourishes yin and LU, nourishes ST to +BF’s. Tx dryness constipation.
Tian Hua Fen, Lu Gen (for LU)
Common: clear heat, + BF’s, - cough, - pus
Tian Hua Fen: stronger to + BFs
Lu Gen: milder to + BFs, stops vomiting, + urination
Zhi Zi, Dan Zhu Ye (urine)
Common: clear heat, elim restlessness, +BF’s, + urination
Zhi Zi: drains thru all 3 jiao, -DH, cool blood, -toxicity.
Dan Zhu Ye: stronger + urination
Xia Ku Cao, Jue Ming Zi (LV heat)
Common: clear Lv fire, brighten eyes.
Xia Ku Cao: Dissipate nodules d/t ph/fire. Lower blood pressure.
Jue Ming Zi: Moisten intestine

17. Section 2 Herbs- Clear Heat and Cool Blood
Sheng Di, Xuan Shen
Both clear heat/cool blood, both nourish yin, both moisten intestines
Sheng Di: More nourishing than Xuan Shen. Promotes BF’s, stops blood heat type bleeding. More cloying than Xuan Shen.
Xuan Shen: Dissipates nodules, clears heat toxins.
Mu Dan Pi, Chi Shao
Both from very similar botanical flowers – both leaves are tri-leaves. Both clear heat/cool blood. Both move blood, remove blood stasis.
Mu Dan Pi: better to cool blood than Chi Shao. Specialty 1: for eliminating deficient heat. Specialty 2: Good to treat internal abscesses (intestinal abscesses/appendicitis)
Chi Shao: better to stop pain. Lots of trauma medicines have this in it. Specialty 1: clears Liver Fire. Specialty 2: for external abscesses.
Zi Cao Clears heat, cools blood, detoxifies, vents rashes (like diaper rashes, used externally, but dyes the skin or clothes a purplish red. Use calendula cream – works better, doesn’t stain). Can cause damage to the Liver internally taken.
Shui Niu Jiao Clears heat, cools blood, detoxifies. Used for the Xue stage of heat damaged disease.

18. Section 3 Herbs- Clear Heat and Dry Damp
Huang Qin, Huang Lian, Huang Bai
Common: Clear heat/dry damp, detoxify.
Huang Qin: UJ. Calms fetus. LU and LI fire.
Huang Lian: MJ. Strongest for heat toxins. HT and ST fire.
Huang Bai: LJ. Yin xu with fire. Xu fire.
Long Dan Cao, Ku Shen
Common: Clear heat, dry damp.
Long Dan Cao: Enters LV channel. Clears LV fire (excess heat/damp heat in LV).
Ku Shen: Enters HT channel. Kill insects/stop itching – used in external washes a lot. Promotes urination.

19. Section 4 Herbs- Clear Heat and Relive Toxicity
Jin Yin Hua, Lian Qiao Often paired – couplet herbs
Common: Clears heat toxins, expel WH (control this function by cooking short time – if you cook longer 15 + minutes, are no longer aromatic, but become clear heat toxin herbs and treat acne.
Jin Yin Hua: Stronger clear heat toxins than lian qiao. Clears summer heat. (Catch them before they flower and make tea to eliminate summer heat.)
Lian Qiao: treats sores/carbuncles/skin issues, +urination,
Pu Gong Ying, Zi Hua Di Ding, Ye Ju Hua, Yu Xing Cao, Bai Jiang Cao, Hong Teng
Common: clear heat toxins
Pu Gong Ying: Breast abscesses. +urination, -dampness.
Zi Hua Di Ding: Skin issues/abscesses.
Ye Ju Hua: Calms Liver.
Yu Xing Cao: Lung abscesses. The fresher the better – smells like grass or stinky fish when you get it at MT Market. Also +urination.
Bai Jiang Cao: Intestinal, Lung, Liver abscesses. Also specialty fnx: -blood stasis, -pain. Commonly used post-partum with blood yu  abdominal pain.
Hong Teng/Da Xue Teng: Intestinal abscess. Moves blood, -pain.
Da Qing Ye, Ban Lan Gen, Qing Dai
Common: from same plant (isatis/woad) – clear heat toxins, cool blood, benefit throat
Da Qing Ye: cool blood, eliminate heat related purpura.
Ban Lan Gen: specialty is to benefit throat
Qing Dai: good to clear LV, calm convulsions. LV fire invading LU and coughing with blood.

20. Bai Hua She She Cao Cancers – esp for digestive system types.
She Gan, Shan Dou Gen, Ma Bo Throat group – sore throat heat clearing toxins.
Common: clear heat to calm sore throat
She gan: also elim phlegm
Shan dou gen: stronger to stop pain. This is a spray for very sore red throat. Very cold. Don’t use it alone, don’t use for kids most of the time.
Ma bo: stops bleeding also. Sore throat + spitting blood or see deep red spots on the back of the throat. This is a fungus/mushroom. Might be allergy problems in some patients.
Bai Tou Weng, Ya Dan Zi
Common: dysentery or diarrhea group. Clear heat, cool blood, stops dysentery.
Bai Tou Weng: 1st choice herb for dysentery due to amoebic dysentery.
Ya Dan Zi: toxic. Can kill insects, treats malaria, eliminates warts. Ya dan zi extract in China used for gastric cancers – fight fire with fire concept.
Chuan Xin Lian Clears heat toxins, dries dampness, clears LU, stops cough. Mostly respiratory stuff. LU heat.
Bai Xian Pi Clears heat toxins, dries dampness, expels wind, stops itcing (often in an external wash for itching, eczema, etc.)
Ban Bian Lian Clears heat toxins, +urination. Used in oncology, esp for LV cancer.
Bai Hua She She Cao Cancers – esp for digestive system types.
Tu Fu Ling Essential herb for syphilis (from “tu fooling around.”) Also, clear heat toxins, dry damp. Can be used for mercury poisoning too.

21. Section 5 Herbs- Clear Deficient Heat
Qing Hao, Di Gu Pi, Bai Wei
Common: clear xu heat, cool blood
Qing hao: clears LV heat, clears summer heat, treats malaria. Extract is “qing hao su.” Used in Africa for drug resistant malaria.
Di gu pi: Clears LU, stop cough (in Xie Bai San for this). Promotes BF’s, stops cough + bleeding. Bark of the root of gou qi zi. Gou qi zi nourishes yin, this herb clears the assoc’d xu heat.
Bai wei: + urination
Yin Chai Hu, Hu Huang Lian
Common: clear xu heat, eliminate/treat malnutritional xu heat.
Yin Chai Hu:
Hu Huang Lian: clear damp het
Di Gu Pi, *Mu Dan Pi
Common: clear xu heat, cool blood. And no, these aren’t from the same grouping.
Di Gu Pi: clears LU and stop cough.
Mu Dan Pi: move blood, stop pain.

22. Herbs- Downward Draining

23. Purge downward to treat Interior excessive syndrome Caution
Easily damage vital qi, be careful with children, old patients and weak body constitution patients
Stop when syndrome controlled
Pregnancy caution or forbidden
Section 3: toxic and strong/harsh
Section1, 3: Need an empty stomach to take

24. Section 1 Herbs- Purgatives (3) Section 2 Herbs- Laxatives (2)
Da Huang , Mang Xiao
Section 2 Herbs- Laxatives (2)
Huo Ma Ren, Yu Li Ren
Section 3 Herbs- Harsh Expellants (4)
Gan Sui, Qian Niu Zi, Ba Dou

25. Section 1 Herbs- Purgatives
Da Huang, Mang Xiao Paired in use often. NCCAOM likes to test you on paired herbs!
Common: Purge downward, clear heat
Da Huang: much stronger than mang xiao. Has other special fx: 1) can eliminate dampness and tx jaundice (combined with yin chen hao and zhi zi for this), 2) move blood (use jiu liquor processed), 3) stops bleeding (tan form). Note: one of the commonly tested single herbs! you should know it can treat burns. Powdered and topical. This is a board question about treating burns. Da huang shouldn’t be taken during breast feeding b/c goes thru breast milk
Mang Xiao: strongly softens. Externally can reduce/draw back lactation
Fan Xie Ye
Not as strong as da huang, but can purge down, promote urination and eliminate distention.
Da huang and fan xie ye: let px know they *will* have abdominal pain (b/c of strong peristalsis).

26. Section 2 Herbs- Laxatives
Huo Ma Ren, Yu Li Ren
Both moisten dryness and + defectation
Huo ma ren
Yu li ren = + urination, - edema.

27. Section 3 Herbs- Harsh Expellants
Gan Sui, Da Ji (Jing Da Ji, Hong Da Ji), Yuan Hua
Common: All 3 partially drive out water.
Incompatibilities: don’t mix these with Gan Cao. The higher dose of gan cao, the more toxic gan sui is. Use da zao as the harmonizer
Ba Dou
This is the only one that is hot. All other purgatives are cold in nature.
Has to be processed to get the oil out so it isn’t toxic.

28. Herbs- Warm Interior and Expel Cold
Treat interior cold syndrome, often acrid, warm or hot.

29. Warm Interior cold syndrome Acrid, warm or hot, SP, ST, K, H (LU, LIV)
Only 8 herbs in category
Fu Zi, Gan Jiang, Rou Gui, Wu Zhu Yu
Fu Zi and Gan Jiang
Both rescue prolapsing yang, disperse cold, stop pain.
Fu zi: toxic. Reduce by cooking long time. Warms upper/heart yang, middle/spleen yang, lower/kidney yang. Warms whole body like a nuclear bomb.
Gan jiang: warms spleen yang (cold epi pain, vom/diarrhea) and lung (cold in lung, wheezing and cough). Doesn’t touch kidney. Warming aspect more stable in the areas targeted.
Fu zi walks, gan jiang stays. Refers to how they warm. Without gan jiang fu zi is not hot…need that lasting heat from gan jiang.

30. Fu Zi, Rou Gui
Both tonify Yang, expel cold, stop pain
Fu Zi better to rescue prolapsing yang
Rou Gui warms channels (esp for cold blocking channels)
Rou Gui, *Gui Zhi
Rou Gui – focus on interior, guides fire back to origin/vital gate.
Gui Zhi – focus on exterior
Wu Zhu Yu
Slightly toxic. Goes to LV, ST, KI. Goes to Jueyin, treats cold liver type pain (hernia) and headaches at the vertex. (Compared to gao ben, this is internally induced cold where gao ben is external cold.) Good for tx pt with Yangming st cold type vomiting. Treats early morning/cocks crow diarrhea related to Kidney yang xu.
Toxic side fx: n/v, dizziness. Drink it cool temperature and rest afterwards for min
Ding Xiang, Xiao Hui Xiang (fennel), Hua Jiao (sichuan pepper), Gao Liang Jiang
All warm MJ, disperse cold.
Ding Xiang – descends vomiting d/t xu cold. Warms KI to treat yang xu impotence.
Xiao Hui Xiang – reg qi, used for lower lateral ab pain d/t cold coagulation
Hua Jiao or Shu Jiao – kill parasites, tx toothache.
Gao Liang Jiang – warms MJ, tx stomach cold.

31. Herbs-Drain Dampness
All water related issues have been grouped.

32. Dredge water passage, drain dampness
Edema, urination difficulty, jaundice, large amount of leucorrhea, eczema, etc
Sweet, bland or bitter; Neutral temp usually
UB, SP, SI
Promote urination, drain dampness, eliminate jaundice

33. Section 1 Promote Urination and Relieve Edema (7)
Fu Ling (Fu Ling Pi, Fu Shen), Ze Xie, Yi Yi Ren
Section 2 Promote Urination and Relieve PUD (12)
Che Qian Zi (Cao)
Section 3 Drain Damp and Relieve Jaundice (3)
Yin Chen Hao, Jin Qian Cao, Hu Zhang

34. Section 1 Promote Urination and Relieve Edema
Fu Ling, Yi Yi Ren
Common: + urination, - dampness, strengthen SP
Fu Ling: stronger to + urination. Neutral– can use for any temp. Calms shen. This herb grows around the pine tree roots, wrapping the root. The exterior part is fu ling pi – dark grey color. When peeled there’s a brownish layer – chi fu ling. The interior part is the white colored fu ling. The very center right around the tree root is fu shen. The closer to the exterior you go the more it will promote urination, drain damp. The closer to the center the more you calm shen. Note: not water soluble. You need to grind it into small pieces before decocting.
Yi yi ren: slightly cold/cool. Clears heat. H20 ret with heat. Eliminates pus – like acne type pus or internal organ abscess like appendicitis. Chao yi yi ren (stir fried)
Fu Ling, Zhu Ling, Ze Xie
All bland, promote urination, elim dampness.
Fu ling:see above
Zhu ling: +urination. Floats on water, light in texture. Looks like pig poop…no seriously!
Ze Xie: Good for heat type b/c is cold in nature, esp for lower jiao d/h. “Which herb promotes urination but doesn’t damage Ki yin?” this is a board question.

35. Section 2 Promote Urination and Relieve PUD
Che Qian Zi, Hua Shi
Common: cold. + urination, - Lin syndrome.
Che qian zi: elim dampness/stop diarrhea by dragging excess water from intestine into bladder. Clears liver, brightens eyes. Clear Lung, stop cough (esp LU heat). Lowers BP.
Hua shi: special fnx: 1) clear summer heat , 2) elim dampness and promote healing process externally.
Mu Tong, Tong Cao, Deng Xin Cao
Common: + urination, tx d/h PUD
Mu tong: - heart, + lactation. Chuan mu tong is ok, guan mu tong is toxic and causes ki failure.
Tong cao: Max dose: 6 grams.
Deng xin cao: also clrs heart, elim restlessness.

36. Jin Qian Cao, Hai Jin Sha, Shi Wei
Use with caution! Moves stones around and can get stuck in the gut.
Jin qian cao – clears all kinds of stones both GB and BL, clears heat sx
Hai jin sha – gb and urine stones
Shi wei – cool blood/stop bleeding.
Di Fu Zi, Bian Xu, Qu Mai, Bi Xie Frequently compared. Know the specialties.
Common: clr DH, tx PUD
Di fu zi: expel wind, stop itching. Common for w/d type of chronic itching. Internal or exter
Bian Xu: pruritis, vaginal stuff
Qu Mai: Specialty: move blood. Also dredge channels
Bi Xie: treats cloudy lin or gao lin. Expels wind/damp

37. Section 3 Drain Damp and Relive Jaundice
Yin Chen Hao, Jin Qian Cao
Clr heat, reduce damp, elim dampness
Yin chen hao: this is the yao yao (essential herb) for jaundice.
Jin Qian cao: yao yao for stones, also used for snakebite (external use).

38. Herbs- Expel Wind- Dampness

39. Treats Wind-Dampness Bi Syndrome Wind, damp, cold or heat
Treats Wind-Dampness Bi Syndrome Wind, damp, cold or heat. Don’t focus on one aspect, so aren’t as strong and must be combined with other herbs to strengthen function. Focus is arthritis pain.
Acrid, bitter, Liv, K
Cautions
Combine with blood, qi moving herbs
Chronic Bi syndrome: add Liv, K tonics, bone and sinew strengthening herbs

40. Section 1 Relieve Cold Wind Dampness (7)
Du Huo, Mu Gua, Qi She (Bai Hua She)
Section 2 Relieve Heat Wind Dampness (7)
Qin Jiao, Han Fang Ji, Sang Zhi
Section 3 Strengthen Tendons & Bones (5)
Sang Ji Sheng

41. Section 1 Relieve Cold Wind Dampness
Du Huo, *Qiang Huo
Common: well, not the category! Until the Tang dynasty didn’t separate these 2. Expel W/D, disperse W/C, stop pain
Du Huo: milder in strength. Know: interior, lower, shaoyin (headache rel to hidden wind)
Qiang Huo: more drastic/strong. Know: exterior, upper, taiyang (headache in occiput area and upper back).
Wei Ling Xian, Hai Feng Teng
Expel W/D, dredge channels.
Wei ling xian: strong, fast. Wei = strong, ling=magic, xian=fairy. Numbness and spasms in extremities due to w/c/d. Special fnx: fish bone (stuck) – large dose like over 30 g)
Hai feng teng: milder. Moves blood. Good for block ch due to traumatic injury
Qi She, Wu Shao She
Common
Qi she (aka bai hua she): expel wind, dredge channels, calm convulsions and fright.
Mu Gua
Helps expel wind, -pain. Has strong elim damp fnx, but not drying. Good to treat stomach type spasms causing vomiting. Promotes body fluids but not greasy. Sometimes translated as Chinese papaya, but not the same as you get in groc store.

42. Section 2 Relieve Heat Wind Dampness
Qin Jiao, Han Fang Ji
Both cold in nature, dredge channels
Qin jiao – also tx deficient heat/steaming bones. Bones may feel soft, lack of strength, usually weak. Eliminates jaundice
Fang ji: good for lower jiao damp heat.
Sang Zhi, SI Gua Luo
Expel wind/dredge channels.
Sang zhi – from mulberry tree. Good for heat bi in upper extremities.
Si gua lou is the loufa. Eliminates phlegm and dissipates nodules.
Xi Xian Cao
Expels w/d, dredge channels, lowers BP, clear heat toxins

43. Section 3 Strengthen Tendons & Bones
Sang Ji Sheng, Wu Jia Pi
Expel w/d, tonify LV/KI, strengthen bone and tendon
Sang ji sheng – more tonifying. Often used for miscarriage, infertility. Calm fetus!
Wu jia pi – used for herbal liquor. Tonify LV/KI, expel w/c/d. Tingling, rigid joints w/o flexibility.
Qian Nian Jian
Focus on strengthen bones/tendons. Doesn’t dredge/open channels.

44. Herbs- Aromatic transform Damp

45. Resolve dampness, awaken SP
Resolve dampness, awaken SP. Spleen isn’t deficient, just tired due to dampness which blocks it.
Acrid, warm, SP, ST
Cautions
Short decoction
Be careful of damage qi, yin.
8 herbs
Cang Zhu, Hou Po, Huo Xiang

46. Sha Ren, Bai Dou Kou, Cao Dou Kou
Cang Zhu, Hou Po
Both dry damp etc.
Cang Zhu: tonify SP (connect this with bai zhu when memorizing – were mixed in olden days. Expels w/d. Spec fnx: night blindness.
Hou Po: goes downward, so contra for preggers. Move qi (used more for this), eliminate food stagnation, calm wheezing,
Huo Xiang, Pei Lan
Commonly coupled to resolve damp, tx summer heat
Huo xiang: stronger. Release exterior, stop vomiting
Pei lan: milder. Spec fnx: treat greasiness/tastelessness d/t damp heat in spleen. Profuse saliva.
Huo Xiang, *Xiang Ru
Both tx dampness, elim summer heat.
Xiang Ru: stronger to release exterior
Huo Xiang: stronger for interior dampness resolution.
Sha Ren, Bai Dou Kou, Cao Dou Kou
All 3 warm MJ, move qi
Sha ren: calm fetus. Stop vomiting. Stop diarrhea by strengthen SP.
Bai Dou Kou: Stop vomiting. Eliminate turbidity. Mildest to dry damp.
Cao Dou Kou: strongest of the 3. Dry dampness (not resolve dampness).

47. Herbs- Resolve Phlegm

48. Herbs resolve phlegm, relieve cough or asthma
Acrid, bitter, go to LU
Compatibility –combine with other herbs like exterior release or interior heat/cold herbs. Phlegm can also cause epilepsy/shen disturbance and can be combined with these.

49. Section 1 Herbs- Resolve Phlegm-C (7)
Ban Xia, Jie Geng
Section 2 Herbs- Resolve Phlegm-H (15)
Zhe Bei Mu, Chuan Bei Mu, Gua Lou
Section 3 Herbs- Relieve Cough & Wheezing (9)
Sang Bai Pi, Ting Li Zi, Xing Ren, Su ZI

50. Section 1 Herbs- Resolve Phlegm-C
Ban Xia, Tian Nan Xing
Both are toxic, irritating to mucus (esp digestive) linings. Raw form will burn these tissues.
Ban xia: internally dry damp, resolve phlegm. Externally dissipate nodules. Yao yao for treating phlegm. Good to stop vomiting, often combined with sheng jiang for this which also reduces toxicity.
Tian nan xing: treats tough deep old phlegm causing blockage/nodules. (example: epilepsy – hard to treat, old phlegm patterns) Good for wind phlegm (stroke). Can use cow bile to cool it off during processing so it can treat ph/h.
Tian Nan Xing, Bai Fu Zi
Both are toxic, both dry damp/resolve phlegm, extinguish wind.
Tian nan xing: see above.
Bai fu zi: also tx snake bite.
Bai Jie Zi, Jie Geng
Both resolve phlegm.
Bai jie zi: warm herb, treats phlegm from LU as well as invisible phlegm in the channels/ membranes.
Jie geng: commonly used to open LU qi. Benefit throat. Guides upward.
Xuan Fu Hua, *Dai Zhe Shi
Often paired together to descend qi, stop vomiting.
Xuan fu hua eliminates phlegm. This is the yao yao for stomach qi rebellion of all kinds. The only downward moving flower.
Dai zhi shi: subdue liver yang, cool blood, stop bleeding
Bai Qian, Qian Hu (P-H)
Both descend LU qi, resolve phlegm, commonly used for cough + phl.
Bai qian: warm
Qian hu: slightly cold. Disperses wind heat.

51. Section 2 Herbs- Resolve Phlegm-H
Gua Lou, Gua Lou Ke, Gua Lou Ren
All move qi, open chest, resolve phlegm including dissipate nodules. Moistens intestines, promotes defecation.
Gua lou pi is good for opening the chest – good for tightness with qi blockage. Good for chest bi syndrome too.
Gua lou ren moistens the intestines well.
Tian hua fen (root) clears heat, promotes body fluids.
Chuan Bei Mu, Zhe Bei Mu
Both clear heat, resolve phlegm and dissipate nodules
Chuan bei mu is better for moistening the lung (like for nonproductive cough)
Zhe bei mu is stronger to clear heat toxins.
Kun Bu, Hai Zao
Both are seaweed plants. Kun bu is nori. Both resolve phlegm, dissipate nodues, + urination/- edema.
Kun bu is the stronger of the 2 to dissipate nodules/resolve phlegm.
Hai zao
Hai Ge Ke, Hai Fu Shi
Both clear phlegm heat, dissip nodules,
Hai ge ke: after being carbonized will control acid. This is tru for many shells. Can be ground into powder, mixed with qing dai for a hard to cough out sticky phlegm. Can loosen phlegm so pt can cough it out.

52. Section 3 Herbs- Relieve Cough & Wheezing
Xing Ren, (zi) Su Zi
Stop cough, calm wheeze. Both are seeds. Both moisten intestines/promote defecation
Xing ren is the bitter apricot. Yao yao for cough/wheeze. Pretty neutral herb – good for heat or cold.
Su zi is the seed of zi su ye – from same botanical as peppermint. Warm in nature. Descends the excess of qi.
Xing Ren, *Tao Ren
Not from same category. Both are nuts, moist intestine/+defecation, stop cough/wheeze
Tao ren is mostly about moving blood, but also treats wheeze/cough. Can be used in asthma meds for this reason.
Sang Bai Pi, Ting Li Zi
Purge lung to stop wheezing. +urination/-edema. Function to flush ph is strong, esp profuse phlegm. Resolving profuse phlegm is too slow – flush it out!
Ting li zi is stronger to get rid of phlegm. Use when px has COPD with lots of phlegm congesting chest, can’t breathe lying down.
Bai Bu, Zi Wan, Kuan Dong Hua
These 3 stop cough and often used together.
Bai bu moistens LU to stop cough. Also kills insects (lice), used externally also for trich and pruritis in genital area. Often used for pets to get rid of skin bugs.
Zi wan has stronger resolve phlegm function.
Kuan dong hua
Pi Pa Ye clrs ph/h and stops cough. Grows all over the place in Austin. Descends st qi to tx vomiting rel to heat. This is loquat.
Bai Guo is the gingko fruit. Astringes lung to calm wheezing. Often combined with ma huang to tx wheezing. Also for leukorrhea.

53. Herbs-Regulate Qi
Qi blocked – not smoothe in flow. This is about qi movement.
Qi rebelling. This is about qi movement.
Qi deficient/weak

54. Regulate qi movement to treat qi stagnation and qi adverse flowing
Acrid, bitter, aromatic; warm; SP, ST, LIV, LU
SP ST qi stagnation: Regulate qi and to strengthen Sp.
LIV qi stagnation: Sooth Liv to relieve depress Distention in chest/breast, irreg menses, hernia pain
LU qi stagnation: Move qi to widen chest Chest oppression/pain, causes LU qi rebelling cough and/or wheeze.
And remove food stagnation, dry dampness Food stagnation and damp go together.
Acrid flavor moves. . . And can cause qi deficiency by moving it too much if you aren’t careful.

55. (13) Herbs Chen Pi, Zhi Shi/Zhi Ke, Mu Xiang, Xiang Fu
Chen Pi, Qing Pi
Both relieve food stagnation, focus on mj in chest/epigastrium.
Qing Pi breaks qi stagnation and is stronger on qi movement. Focus on MJ/LJ (breaking LV qi stag), dissipates nodules to stop pain.
Chen Pi – resolve damp/phlegm
Zhi Shi, Zhi Ke
Both move qi
Zhi Ke – move qi, elim food stagnation
Zhi Shi is the whole unripe fruit - strongest and ‘breaks’ qi stagnation all over the chest/ab. Also resolves phlegm. Common for chest bi syndrome.
Mu Xiang, Xiang Fu, Chen Xiang, Chuan Lian Zi, Wu Yao
Common: Move qi, stop pain
Xiang fu – neutral in property. “General of Qi Disease”. Commonly used in gyno for reg menses
Chuan Lian zi – cold
Wu yao – lower abdominal pain.
Chen Xiang – grasps back qi from vital gate (like asthma)
Mu xiang – focus on lower intestines, common for intestinal urgency with diarrhea (common to combine with huang lian). When roasted, can stop diarrhea.
Wu Yao - Warms kidney – enuresis, freq urination, etc. Very important for dog/cat problems. Treats the hundred diseases for dogs/cats.
Know the location of the stagnation and thus the organ. Then you will know what herb to pick.

56. Xie Bai Open the chest for chest bi
Xie Bai Open the chest for chest bi. This is the head of a type of onion. Dredges yang qi and spreads yang qi. This is the yao yao for chest bi.
Fo Shou Gentle, good for weak body constitution. Soothes liver, resolves phlegm.
*Hou Po, Zhi Shi
Hou Po – strong on Qi moving, though is in resolve damp category. Can also dry dampness, has fnx to elim food stagnaton.
Zhi Shi – break qi, resolve phlegm, chest/epi
Xiang Fu, *Chai Hu
Both soothe liver, reg menses
Xiang fu = neutral
Chai hu = cooler. Also has 1) lift yang, 2) ext wind heat

57. Herbs-Regulate Blood
Blood stagnation – not moving properly. This is a process or procedure on the way to stasis. Blood stasis is the result of the stagnation.
Blood moves out of the vessel – bleeding
Deficiency

58. Section 1 Herbs-stop bleeding
Stop bleeding and astringe (4)
Bai Ji
Stop bleeding and cool blood (6)
Di Yu, Xiao Ji
Stop bleeding and relieve blood stasis (3)
San Qi, Qian Cao
Stop bleeding and warm meridians (2)
Ai Ye

59. 1-1 Stop bleeding and astringe
Bai Ji, Xian He Cao, Zong Lu Tan, Ou Jie
Bai Ji: Slightly cold, strong and sticky functions. Good at promote flesh generation. Esp good for LU and ST injury. Ulceration in the stomach for instance. Also good for burns and skin lesions/chapping due to cold/dry weather.
Xian He Cao: Neutral so works for hot/cold type bleeding. Also tx malaria, stops dysentery. Heals trichomonas
Zong Lu Tan: Charred herb. No special function.
Ou Jie: No special fnx, just stop bleed by astringe. Commonly used in ped’s for cough with blood. This is part of the lotus root and is a food so good for kids.

60. 1-2 Stop bleeding and cool blood
Da Ji, Xiao Ji
Common – both to LV/HT, cool blood, stop bleeding, clear heat toxins. Blood in urine.
Da Ji – Stronger than xiao ji. Da ji is a bush.
Xiao Ji – this is a grass. Common for blood in the urine.
Di Yu, Huai Hua Mi
Common – blood in stools or hemorrhoids that bleed.
Di yu – this is the yao yao for burns.
Huai hua mi – also clears liver fire. Often fried a bit to make tea for red eyes due to liver heat. Can help promote defecation.
Bai Mao Gen, Ce Bai Ye
Common: lung related bleeding due to heat, cough with blood.
Bai mao gen: strong clr heat, promote body fluids. Also promotes urination.
Ce bai ye: Special fnx for treating burns, for hair loss. Both used externally.
Bai Mao Gen, *Lu Gen
Both clear heat, promo body fluids, promote urination,
Lu Gen: to qi level.
Bai Mao Gen: to blood level.

61. 2-3 Invigorate blood and treat traumatic injuries
San Qi, Pu Huang
San Qi
Pu Huang – tan is for bleeding.
Qian Cao (or qian cao gen) Cool blood, stop bleeding herb function when charred. Fresh will move blood.

62. 3-4 Stop bleeding and warm meridians
Pao Jiang, Ai Ye Deficient cold induced bleeding.
Pao Jiang: processed ginger. To strengthen warm/stop bleeding then char. To warm MJ, uncharred.
Ai Ye: fried or charred to tan will stop bleeding. Unprocessed will expel cold, warm. This is moxa!

63. Section 2 Herbs-Invigorate blood
Dredge channels, promote blood circulation
Acrid, bitter, H, Liv
Cautions
Pregnant contraindication
Combine with qi moving herbs!!

64. Invigorate blood and relieve pain (7)
Chuan Xiong, Yu Jin, Yan Hu Suo
Invigorate blood and regulate menses (8)
Yi Mu Cao, Hong Hua, Tao Ren, Dan Shen, Niu Xi
Invigorate blood and treat traumatic injuries (4)
Invigorate blood and resolve masses (3)

65. 2-1Invigorate blood and relieve pain
Chuan Xiong, Yan Hu Suo Both move blood/qi to stop pain.
Chuan xiong: qi herb in the blood moving section. Reg mens, move blood stasis, reg qi. Yao Yao for tx headache except for LV yang uprising headache! Don’t use it for that.
Yan hu suo: tx pain everywhere. Comes from opium family so if you have a px that is tested for drugs, you have to warn them about this. Also good for dysmenorrhea, ab pain, heart pain/angina.
Yu Jin, Jiang Huang Tricky b/c they share same botanical source: one is major root, one is 2nd root. Both move blood/qi to stop pain
Yu jin: cold in nature. Clears heat, soothes liver, elim jaundice.
Jiang huang: warm in nature. Tumeric. Good for cold syndrome of blood yu, qi stagn. Good for dredging channels to stop pain. Common use in traumatic injury. External for skin sores, swellig.
Ru Xiang, Mo Yao Resins. Move blood, stop pain. Generate flesh. Often coupled together.
Ru Xiang (frankincense) move blood
Mo Yao (myrrh) breaks blood
Wu Ling Zhi, Pu Huang Often paired for px with blood yu and bleeding. Fresh are stronger to move, fried are stronger to stop bleeding.
Wu Ling zhi – moves blood.
Pu Huang – stops bleeding.

66. 2-2 Invigorate blood and regulate menses
Dan Shen , Yi Mu Cao Move blood, -stasis, clear heat toxins
Dan Shen clears heart and elim restlesess. Good for blood stasis in the chest. Cool in nature. Widely used in gyno, all others and is ok for pregs.
Yi Mu Cao – yao yao in gyno. Benefits the mother grass. +urination/-edema.
Tao Ren, Hong Hua, *Zang Hong Hua all move blood, elim stasis. Tao ren/hong hua often paired – take ‘em out during menses.
Tao ren: neutral, can break blood stasis. Stops cough/wheezing, moistens intestines, promo defecation.
Hong hua: safflower flower. Dredge channels, stop pain. Cold type blood yu/stagnation.
Zang hong hua: expensive. Cool blood/ clear heat toxins. Good for bloody patches on skin. Calms shen. Expensive.
Niu Xi, Chuan Niu Xi move blood, promo urination, guide fire/blood downward.
Niu xi/huai niu xi: ton LV/KI to strgth bone/sinew
Chuan niu xi: remove blood stasis,
Ji Xue Teng Chicken blood vine. Move bld, ton blood. Gentle – ok for elderly. Relax tendons, dredge channels. Move and tonify blood.

67. 2-3 Invigorate blood and treat traumatic injuries
Zhe Chong, Shui Zhi Break blood yu.
Zhe chong – helps reconnection of broken blood vessels. Bone regeneration.
Shui zhi – dredge channels. In bio med used for blood stasis problems.
*Wu Ling Zhi, Xue Jie, Su Mu Move blood, elim stasis, stop pain.
Wu ling zhi. Stop leaking, flooding
Xue jie. Dragon blood.Stop bleeding, promo flesh generation. Strong on bone regeneration also.
Su mu. Dredges channels.

68. 2-4 Invigorate blood and resolve masses
E Zhu, San Leng Break blood, move qi, dissip nodules, stop pain. Commonly used for masses, tumor, cancer related to bld yu.
E zhu: break qi
San leng: break blood stasis
Chuan Shan Jia, *Wang Bu Liu Xing Move blood dredge channels, +lactation.
Chuan shan jia – animal prod. Stronger moving fn
Wang bu liu xing – ear seeds. Much milder of than others. Also + urinationhi

69. Herbs- Tonifying

70. Tonify vital qi, strengthen body constitution, enhance the ability of anti-disease
Deficiency syndrome
Qi deficiency: SP, LU
Yang deficiency: K, SP, LU
Blood deficiency: H, LIV
Yin, deficiency: LU, ST, H, LIV & K
Cautions
Not suitable for excessive pathogenic factor, in case keep enemy inside.

71. Section 1 Herbs-tonify qi (11)
Ren Shen, Dang Shen, Huang Qi, Bai Zhu, Gan Cao
Section 2 Herbs-tonify blood (6)
Dang Gui, Shu Di Huang, He Shou Wu, Bai Shao, E Jiao
Section 3 Herbs-tonify yang (20)
Lu Rong, Yin Yang Huo, Du Zhong, Xu Duan, Rou Cong Rong
Section 4 Herbs-tonify yin (14)
Bei Sha Shen, Mai Men Dong

72. Section 1 Herbs-tonify qi
Hong Shen is red ginseng – hottest. Ren shen is multi-fnx ginseng. By order of heat starting at hottest: hong shen, ren shen, dang shen, xi yang shen, tai zi shen.
Ren Shen, Dang Shen
Ren shen: tonify original qi, tonify all zangfu organ qi, promotes BF’s, calm shen (which is why some sleeping patents contain it), benefits intelligence
Dang shen: nourishes blood. Tonifies LU and SP.
Ren Shen, Xi Yang Shen
Xi yang shen is cool in nature. American ginseng. Tonify qi and nourish yin. Can tonify qi, clear fire, nourish yin.
Xi Yang Shen, Tai Zi Shen
Tai zi shen has the same fnx as xi yang shen, but milder and gentler. Good for non-severe qi or yin xu or for px that is very weak in constitution and can’t stand too much tonification. Kids for instance.
Huang Qi, Bai Zhu Tonify qi and promote urination. Consolidate exterior to stop sweating.
Huang qi – stronger qi tonify fnx than bai zhu. Can lift yang (bu zhong yi qi tang), promote venting of sores/generation of flesh. Commonly tested on boards. Long term wound not healing can be treated with huang qi.
Bai zhu – dry dampness. Calm fetus.
*Cang Zhu, Bai Zhu
Gan Cao, Da Zao Tonify MJ and harmonize.
Gan cao: spec fnx zhi gan cao = tonify heart qi, stop palps/intermittent pulse. Helps relieve spasms (zhi). Unprocessed will clear heat toxins, stop cough, elim phlegm. Overdose of gan cao = bloating, edema.
Da zao: nourish blood, calm shen.
Shan Yao, Bai Bian Dou Tonify qi, strengthen spleen.
Shan yao: tonify qi and yin of the lung, spleen, kidney. Lu = wheezing/cough, SP=diarrhea, KI=spermatorrhea/leukorrhea.
Bai Bian Dou: w/c attack in summer especially.
Wu Jia Shen (Ci Wu Jia) – Siberian ginseng
Tonify qi, str SP, tonify KI, calm shen.
Feng Mi (honey)
Tonfiy MJ, relieve spasm, moisten LU/LI to help with cough and constipation.

73. Section 2 Herbs-tonify blood
Dang Gui, SHu Di Huang, He Shou Wu, Bai Shao, E Jiao, Long Yan Rou
Dang gui – reg mens, moist int, +BM.
Head: tonify. Tail: move blood.
Shu di huang: tonify essence, can be cloying
He shou wu: fnx totally changes with processing. Unprocessed = tx malaria. Processed = hair – steam it, process it with soy, etc.
Bai shao: nourish blood, astringe yin, calm liver, stop pain. Chao bai shao is stronger to nourish yin.
E jiao: gelatin, good stop stop bleeding. All of the jiaos are. Tonifies blood, stop bleeding. Nourishes LU yin (i.e., yin xu dry cough). Should be dissolved or melted in hot liquid.
Long yan rou: HT, SP, Qi, Blood. Same fnx as gui pi tang!
*Sheng Di Huang, Shu Di Huang
From same plant, diff category. Both nourish yin, + fluids.
Sheng di huang clears heat
Shu di huang nourishes essence
*Chi Shao, Bai Shao
Both are peony root. They are not red flower/white flower, but b/c chi shao is dug out and dried. Bai shao is steamed so is harder texture and serrated.
Chi shao: move blood
Bai shao: stop spasms, nourish LV

74. Section 3 Herbs-tonify yang
Lu Rong, Zi He Che +Ki ess, +essence/blood
Lu rong: + original yang, strngthn bone/sinew, regulate 3 extraord channels. Can treat yin source.
Zi he che: kidney tonification, ki yang, LU and KI. Good for cough/wheeze d/t lu/ki xu.
Rou Cong Rong, Suo Yang
Yin Yang Huo (Xian Ling Pi), Ba Ji Tian
+KI yang and eliminate W/D. Usually for joints w/ Ki yang xu.
Yin yang huo strong
Ba ji tian milder
Bu Gu Zhi, Yi Zhi Ren
Bu gu: grasp qi to stop wheezing
Yi zhi ren: drooling
Tu Si Zi, Sha Yuan Zi
The Eyes grouping. Strengthen KI yang, consolidate KI essence (spermatorrhea, profuse or night urine). Tonify liver, brighten eyes.
Tu si zi can also +SP, stop diarrhea
Sha yuan zi has stronger astrignet fnx. Same as sha yuan zhi li.
Du Zhong, Xu Duan
Calm fetus grouping. Tonify bone, LV/KI, strengthen tendon.
Du zhong is stronger. Spec fnx: lower blood pressure.
Xu duan is better for traumatic injury.
Xu Duan, *GU Sui BU
Tonify KI, tx traumatic injury
Xu duan – calm fetus fnx.
Ge Jie, Dong Chong Xia Cao, Hu Tao Ren (He Tao Ren)
LU/KI group or cough/wheeze grop. Tonify both KI and LU to stop cough/wheeze.
Ge jie: yao yao for LU KI xu type cough/wheeze.
Dong chong xia cao: coughing blood. Also used for post severe disease for health regulation.
Hu tao ren is walnut. Also moistens intestines.
Xian Mao
Tonify ki yang, expel cold/damp. Toxic, contra for pregs.
Hai Ma
Fortify yang (good for male funx), good for move blood/traumatic injury. Can’t get it here.

75. Section 4 Herbs-tonify yin
Bei Sha Shen, Nan Sha Shen Forget it. Don’t have it here. Good for lu/st yin
Mai Men Dong, Tian Dong
Nourish LU yin, moist intestines.
Tian men dong is stronger. For kidney – good for diabetic type thirst.
Mai men dong also for stomach and heart. Good for stomach yin xu thirst, heart fire  insomnia.
Shi Hu, Yu Zhu
Nourish ST fluids.
Shi hu  kidney, can brighten the eyes. Commonly used for diabetes.
Yu zhu – exterior pathogen attack + yin xu
Huang Jing, Yu Zhu
Bai He, Mai Dong
Heart lung grouping.
Bai he is better to moisten lung
Mai dong is better to clear heart.
Gou Qi Zi, Nu Zhen Zi
Nourish LV/KI yin, brighten the eyes.
Gou qi zi moistens LU
Nu zhen zi clears xu heat
Sang Shen, Han Lian Cao
Nourish KI
Sang shen nourishes blood, moist intestines.
Han Lian cao – clear heat, stop bleeding.
Gui Ban, Bie Jia
Two turtle shells. Both  LV, KI. Nourish yin, subdue yang (b/c they are shells), clr xu heat
Gui Ban nourishes yin
Bie jia – clears xu heat. dissipate nodules. Tx liver cancer/tumors.

76. Herbs- Relieve Food stagnation

77. Relieve food stagnation, promote digestion Sweet, neutral, SP, ST
Food stagnation BM affectation is based on whether there is dampness accumulation.
abdominal distention
acid regurgitation
Vomiting
irregular defecation
Cautions
Combination
After meals
Know what type of food stagnation each herb is good for.

78. (6) Herbs
Shan Zha, Shen Qu
Shan Zha Meat stagnation, move blood/-stasis, modernly for high cholesterol. Don’t use on an empty stomach/ulceration in the stomach b/c this can break down meats and will also call stomach pain/acid reflux in these conditions. Contraindications: Not for preggers. Causes uterine cntrx.
Mai Ya Barley. Best for grain type food stagnation (pizza, tortillas, breads, etc.) Also has special fnx to draw back lactation when it is raw/unfried – use a large dosage (30-60g) to reduce lactation. You can use the stir fried type to treat more safely.
Lai Fu Zi Radish seeds. Doesn’t focus on a type of food stagnation, but is good to eliminate distention b/c it breaks qi blockage and moves qi. Also helps to eliminate phlegm. Often combined with zi su zi and bai ji zi – 3 seed decoction. Profuse phlegm accum in the LU. Should be fried a little to get rid of the stimulant oil in the seed. Caution: reduces effectiveness of ginseng. Then again, can be used for ginseng overdose.
Ji Nei Jin Chicken gizzard. Golden yellow color. Commonly used for food stagnation, strengthen spleen. Special fx: get rid of stones – gb or bl. Also stops spermatorrhea, night urination b/c is astringent. Contains a lot of amino acids. Process with hot sand to fry it crispy or vinegar fried to help extraction of amino acids.
Shen Qu This is a whole bunch of fermented herbs: barley, grains/rice, tons more stuff. There’s also a version called jian qu which has a release exterior. Common cold with poor appetite for instance. Good for fermented foods and beverages type of food stagnation. Also used as a binder in pill making
Gu Ya Nothing special. Just tonify/strengthen SP, promote digestion.
Know the special fnx of these herbs.

79. Herbs- Expel Parasites

80. Not just herbs from this category. Sour, acrid and bitter.
Bitter, SP, ST, LI
Not just herbs from this category.
Sour, acrid and bitter.
Sour quiets parasites
Acrid – eliminate parasites
Bitter – descend parasites
Cautions
Take care – not on an empty stomach. Often combined with purgation herbs to trr parasites.

81. (7) Herbs Shi Jun Zi, Ku Lian Gen Pi
Shi jun zi more important. Both expel round worms. Break up the herb – these are the pills you use. 3 tiny black seeds for a 3 year old, etc. Fry it a bit, take with a porrige.Good for food stagnation
Ku lian gen pi is toxic. Tx a lot of parasites – round, hook worms, etc. used eternally for tinea and other skin diseases. Not that important of an herb.
Bin Lang, Nan Gua Zi
Common – good for tape worm.
Bing lang – Seeds of betel nut. tape worm - actually numbs them up, especially the head so that it releases it’s grasp and falls away from it’s attachment. Also to eliminate food stagnation, move qi, promote urination. (Da fu pi is the husk of the same herb and it moves qi, promotes urination.)
Nan gua zi – focuses on the medial and tail sections of the tape worm. Large dose of pumpkin seeds will treat schistosomiasis from the Schistoma parasite which affects liver. Also moistens the intestine.
Guan Zhong Used for tapeworms and roundworms. Also used for clear heat toxins and treats flu commonly. When you carbonize it, cool blood stop bleeding.

82. Herbs- Stabilize and Bind

83. Astringe and stabilize Treat the branch, not the root
Astringe and stabilize Treat the branch, not the root. Combine with tonifying herbs.
Sour, acerbity, LU, SP, K, LI
LU: Stabilize exterior to stop sweating
LU: Astringe LU to stop cough
LI/SP: Bind LI to stop diarrhea (or profuse saliva)
KI: Stabilize essence, leucorrhea and urine
Cautions
For Biao treatment, so combined with tonify herbs

84. Section 1 Exterior (3) Section 2 LU & LI (7) Section 3 K (7)
Wu Wei Zi, Wu Mei,
Section 3 K (7)
Shan Zhu Yu, Hai Piao Xiao

85. Section 1 Exterior Ma Huang Gen, Fu Xiao Mai Common: Stop sweating
Ma huang gen – nothing special. Just stop sweating
Fu xiao mai - + qi, - deficient heat. Also gluten issue related. This is a barley – soak in water and collect those that float.

86. Section 2 LU & LI Wu Wei Zi, Wu Mei Wu Bei Zi, Ying Su Ke, He Zi
Common: Astringe LU, LI, + body fluids. Helps deal with cough (LU), and diarrhea (LI), gen fluids
Wu wei zi – gen fluids, calm shen, astringe sweating. Don’t use it for tea – doesn’t tase nice.
Wu mei – chinese plum. Often proc’d, smoked. When carbonized will astringe lower orifice bleeding (blood in stools, vaginal). Calms parasites, esp round worm. Tastes good in tea.
Wu Bei Zi, Ying Su Ke, He Zi
Astringe lu to stop cough, astringe intestines to stop diarrhea. Not as sour as 1st 2, don’t promote body fluids.
Wu bei zi – stop sweating, bleeding, help recovery of the source.
Ying su ke – know it theoretically . Opium husk. Astringe LU, LI, stop pain. (Used to put it in hot pot as a spice to get people addicted to it.)
He zi – benefit throat in addition to common. Good for hoarse voice.
Rou Dou Kou, Chi Shi Zhi
Rou dou kou - don’t confuse bai dou kou or cao dou kou with rou dou kou. Rou do. Good to astringe intestines, tx diarrhea. Moves MJ qi.
Chi shi zhi is like a mud. Deals with px with loose stools. Helps with oozing, hlps ctrl water.

87. Section 3 KI Shan Zhu Yu, Fu Pen Zi
Shan zhu yu: to LV/KI to address spermatorrhea, urination. Very sour.
Fu pen zi brightens eyes. Sang Piao Xiao, Hai Piao Xiao, Jin Ying Zi
Sang Piao Xiao, Hai Piao Xiao, Jin Ying Zi
All astringe.
Sang piao xiao – strengthen and fortify KI. Infertility
Hai Piao Xiao – control acid in the stomach.
Jin Ying zi – can astringe diarrhea, heavy vag bleeding.
Lian Zi, Qian Shi 2 water lily type seeds/fruits
Common: +SP to stop diarrhea, +KI to astringe essence
Lian zi – lotus seed. Stronger + SP fnx. Nourishes Ht to calm shen.
Qian shi – watery lily seed. Milder +SP, but elim’s dampness.

88. Herbs- Calm Spirit

89. Heavily tested on the boards
Heavily tested on the boards. Know each subtle differences, what used for.
H, Liv is the focus. 2 Kinds:
Shells and stones: Anchor shen (excess cases) Can injure MJ – tonify SP and protect MJ. Dose 1 hour before sleep.
Plants: Nourish shen (deficiency cases)
Cautions
Minerals can cause Middle injury, needs combination of tonify SP and ST herbs
Take before sleep

90. Section1 Anchor to calm Shen (4) Section 2 Nourish to calm Shen (6)
Zhu Sha, Long Gu
Section 2 Nourish to calm Shen (6)
Suan Zao Ren

91. Section1 Anchor to calm Shen
Zhu Sha, Ci Shi
Common: Heavily anchor shen
Zhu sha – toxic (mercury). Still used in China in small dosages with fu shen to enhance the effects. Clears heart fire. Clears heat toxins (sore throat, mouth ulcers)
Ci shi – nontoxic. Also subdues LV yang due to heavy texture. Ear and eye orifices
Zhu Sha, Hu Po
Common: calm shen
Zhu sha – see above.
Hu po – amber, neutral can remove stasis, amenorrhea due to blood stagnation. More commonly used to + urination for painful urination diseases, blood in urine. Don’t confuse with hou po.
Long Gu, * Mu Li
Common – often combined as a pair. 3 basic fnx: Calm shen, subdue liver yang, astringent (moreso when carbonized).
Long gu – good to calm shen.
Mu li – good to subdue liver yang. Insomnia application. Wound oozing, won’t heal? Controls acid in the stomach. Salty, dissipates nodules.

92. Section 2 Nourish to calm Shen
Know the subtle differences for those below!!
Suan Zao Ren, Bai Zi Ren
Both nourish HT to calm shen.
Suan zao ren – heart and liver and more liver blood xu. If px has wiry pulse, irritability use this. Can astringe sweating (night or spontaneous + insomnia).
Bai zi ren – HT/KI disharmony. Moistens and tonifies both. Must have both involved, need essence xu – spermatorrhea, night urination. Very moist seed. Can also tx constipation.
Yuan Zhi, He Huan Pi, Ye Jiao Teng
All of them
Yuan zhi – insomnia due to HT and KI miscommunication – HT fire flaming + KI sx. Esp due to phlegm disturbance. Mi yuan zhi which elim’s phlegm, tx cough.
He huan pi – same as he huan hua. Good for emotion, depression, irritability with insomnia. Antidepressive effect, ‘brings the happy back.’ Moves blood. He huan hua is for qi movement by contrast.
Ye jiao teng – related to he shou wu in a way – nourishes blood. Insomnia with blood xu. Vine, so dredges channels (wind damp bi syndrome).

93. Herbs- Subdue Liv Yang and Extinguish Liv Wind

94. Subdue Liver yang and extinguish wind to stop spasm or convulsion
Liv is the major organ for this grouping.
Cautions
Excessive heat
Liv lack of nourishment
Insomnia
Coma

95. Section 1 Subdue Liver yang (5) Section 2 Extinguish Liver Wind (8)
Shi Jue Ming, Mu Li, Dai Zhe Shi
Section 2 Extinguish Liver Wind (8)
Ling Yang Jiao, Niu Huang, Gou Teng, Tian Ma

96. Section 1 Subdue Liver yang*
Shi Jue Ming, * Jue Ming Zi
Clear liver, brighten eyes.
Shi jue ming – abalone shell. Calm liver/subdue yang thru heaviness. Tx vertigo d/t lv yang rising.
Jue ming zi – grass/plant. This is a Clear Heat/Purge Fire herb. Also a seed and moistens intestines.
Mu Li, *Long Gu
See previous. Calm shen, subdue lv yang, astringe.
Long gu stronger for calm shen, mu li to subdue liver yang.
Often paired for certain usages.
Da Zhe Shi, *Xuan Fu Hua
Good to descend the stomach qi based on subdue liver yang. Often for st qi upflowing/retching/belching.
Dai zhe shi
*Zhen Zhu, Zhen Zhu Mu
Pearl and it’s mother. Both clear LV and brighten eyes.
Zhen zhu – pearl powder. Stronger settle shen function. Often used to benefit skin, generate new skin. Also used in eye drops from eye overuse.
Zhen zhu mu – mother of pearl/shell. Stronger to subdue yang
Bai Ji Li, *Luo Bu Ma
Both
Bai ji li/Ci ji li – board q’s about this. Calm LV, subdue yang, expel wind, brighten eyes (know this for sure), stop pain. Also helps vent sores/carbuncles.
Luo bu ma – not commonly tested, but lowers BP. Clrs LV heat, lowers BP, diuresis. This is an Indian herb, often used for pre-hypertension syndromes.
*and calm shen

97. Section 2 Extinguish Liver Wind
Ling Yang Jiao, Niu Huang
Both exting LV wind, clr heat toxins. Commonly used together. Clear HT/LV – high fever with LOC.
Ling yang jiao – yao yao for LV fire and wind.
Niu huang – cow gallbladder stones. Resolve phlegm, open orifices. LOC and coma d/t phlegm blocking heart orifice. Commonly for ulceration in tongue b/c clrs heat from HT.
Tian Ma, Gou Teng
Often coupled together to ext wind, sub LV yang.
Tian ma – neutral temperature. Essential/yao yao for vertigo either hot or cold types. Also expels WD to tx Bi syndrome (numb/tingle in extrems for example). Expensive herb.
Gou teng – slightly cold. Good for LV excess heat and wind. Common for HTN with headache d/t blood/heat flowing upward to head.
Quan Xie, Wu Gong
Both are insects. Insect fnx is stronger than plants. Ext wind/stop convulsion, dissipate nodules. Tumors, masses, goiter, etc. Dredge channels, stop pain. Used in china for gout, arthritis. Very strong, but very harsh. Will weaken stomach/digestion. Toxic. Strong to deal with tough diseases with blockage, wind. Facial paralysis for example.
Quan xie
Wu gong
Di Long, Jiang Can
Milder than the other 2 insects. Ext wind to stop convulsions.
Di long – KNOW EVERY FNX OF DI LONG! Often tested. Earth worm. Cold temp – clears heat, heat type bi. Dredges channels and thus digs holes! Calms heat type wheezing. Promote urination, tx edema.
Jiang can – sick silkworm. Also good to resolve phlegm. Expel wind, stop pain/itching. Skin nodules – goiter, phlegm accumulations.

98. Herbs- Open Orifices

99. Aromatic, traveling, open orifices, resuscitation Coma
Collapse
Closure
Cold type
Heat type
Cautions
Emergency use only
Short cooking time
Aromatic  pills, don’t need cooking. These are rescue herbs. Retains aromatic properties.

100. (4) Herbs She Xiang , Shi Chang PU Open orifice, resuscitation
She Xiang, Bing Pian
Open orifice, resuscitation
She xiang is the essential for opening orifices, hot or cold. Moves blood, dredges channels. Reduces swelling and pain. Added for trauma formulas for this reason. Promotes pass thru of lochia and dead fetus. Contra for preggers obviously – can’t even smell it. Dosage is extremely small.
Bing pian is to open orifices, cool temperature to treat heat closure. Clears heat toxins. Helps eliminate swelling/pain. Cheaper than she xiang. Strongly opens orifices, not suitable for preggers.
Shi Chang Pu, * Yuan Zhi
Common: opens orifices, expels phlegm, calms heart shen. Commonly combined for these purposes.
Shi chang pu: stronger elim phlegm, open orifices. Resolve damp/reg stomach.
Yuan zhi: weaker to eliminate phlegm, open orifices. Stronger to calm shen than shi chang pu. Commonly used for HT/KI disharmony. Expels phlegm, tx cough.
Su He Xiang
Yao yao for cold closure (this is warm opening herb). Stops cold pain.

101. Herbs- External Application

102. (5) Herbs
Liu Huang – sulphur. Treats skin diseases. Tinea, pruritis, insects, etc. Warms kidney yang, but not often used internally.
Xiong huang – toxic. Contains arsenic.
Ming Fan – clear heat toxins, kill insects. Externally used for eczema, pruritis. Internally, stops bleeding, diarrhea.
She Chuang Zi – commonly used in this one. Dry damp, kill insects. Yin care has this in it. Internally can tonify KI yang/expel cold.
Chan Su – extract from the toad’s gland behind the eye. Good to treat pain and for heart attack. Strongly resuscitates. Also poisonous. Strong stimulation of mucosa.
Try to compare differences of herbs in same category, of same functions. Know differences in types of preparation of a single herb (raw, dry fried, honey fried, etc.). Know the calm shen category and that they are commonly used. Cases seemed pretty easy in the board q’s – lots of guideance here. However if give stim of functions and you have to fill in the rest, that’s harder.
Dosages – only the special toxic herbs or herbs that need a large dosage for xxxx.
Focus on Dr. Zhou’s book and on TCMTests for singles.