11.1 Herbs that Drain Dampness and Relieve Edema

Question 1

What is the overarching category for Chapter 11 herbs?

Answer 1

Herbs that remove water and eliminated dampness

Question 2

What is the general taste for herbs that remove water and eliminate dampness?

Answer 2

Mostly sweet and bland

Question 3

What are the primary indications for herbs that remove water and eliminate dampness?

Answer 3

• damp Bi syndrome
• diarrhea
• dysuria
• eczema
• edema
• jaundice
• leukorrhea
• oliguria

Question 4

What are the three subcategoriesfor herbs that remove water and eliminate dampness?

Answer 4

1. Herbs that drain dampness and relieve edema
2. Herbs that relieve dysuria
3. Herbs that eliminate dampness, relieve jaundice

Question 5

General characteristics (energy, taste, meridians, symptoms) for herbs that drain dampness and relieve edema?

Answer 5

Energy: even or slightly cold

Taste: Sweet, bland

Meridians: spleen, kidney and bladder

Diuretic properties used for edema, shortness of urination, diarrhea and water retention in chest and abdomen.

Question 6

For edema with exterior pathogen combine with herbs that …

Answer 6

vent the lung and promote sweating

Question 7

For long term edema with spleen and kidney yang deficiency, combine with herbs that …

Answer 7

warm the spleen and kidney Yang

Question 8

In cases of damp heat syndrome, combine with herbs that …

Answer 8

clear heat and dry dampness

Question 9

In damp cold syndrome, combine with herbs that …

Answer 9

warm interior and dry dampness

Question 10

This group of herbs are also often used together with herbs that …

Answer 10

move Qi to strengthen the effect

Question 11

Precautions and contraindications for herbs that remove water and eliminate dampness?

Answer 11

1. Herbs in this catgeory can easily damage Yin and fluid, they are contraindicated to Yin and fluid deficiency.
2. Use with caution for patients with spermatorrhea due to kidney deficiency.

Question 12

Pharmaceutical, Botanical and Common names for Fu Ling?

Answer 12

Sclerotium Poriae Cocos

Poria coco

Poria

Question 13

Energy, Taste and Meridians for Fu Ling?

Answer 13

Energy: Even

Taste: Sweet, Bland

Meridians: Heart, Lung, Spleen, Stomach, Kidney

Question 14

Functions and Indications for Fu Ling?

Answer 14

1. Promotes urination and relieve edema, use for water retention - scanty urination, edema
2. Strengthens spleen, stop diarrhea - diarrhea due to spleen deficiency dampness
3. Nourishes heart and calms spirit - palpitations, poor memory, insomnia due to Heart Yin or Blood Xu

Even though Fu Ling is in category of drain dampness, remember it also has a function to tonify (deficiency of SP and HT).

Question 15

Pharmaceutical, Botanical and Common Names for Zhu Ling?

Answer 15

Sclerotium Polypori Umbellati

Polyporus umbellatus

Polyporus

Question 16

Energy, Taste and Meridians for Zhu Ling?

Answer 16

Energy: Even

Taste: Sweet, Bland

Meridians: Kidney, Bladder

Question 17

Functions and Indications for Zhu Ling?

Answer 17

1. Eliminate water, remove Dampness, promote urination - for difficult urination, scanty urination, turbid urination, leukorrhea due to dampness

Modern day: edema due to nephritis, rheumatic heart disease, ascites, acute urinary retention

Question 18

Pharmaceutical, Botanical and Common names for Ze Xie?

Answer 18

Rhizoma Alismatis Orientalis

Alisma plantago-aquatica

Water plantain rhizome

Question 19

Energy, Taste, Meridians for Ze Xie?

Answer 19

Energy: Cold

Taste: Sweet, Bland

Meridians: Kidney, Bladder

Question 20

Functions and Indications for Ze Xie?

Answer 20

1. Eliminate water, remove dampness - diarrhea or edema d/t dampness, ascites
2. Promote urination, stop dysuria - difficult or scanty urination, damp heat in BL
3. Resolve phlegm water retention, stop dizziness - anti-atherosclerosis, rheumatic heart disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, acute hepatitis with jaundice
4. Drain kidney fire - treat spermatorrhea due to kid yin deficiency, diabetes

Question 21

Pharmaceutical, Botanical and Common names for Yi Yi Ren?

Answer 21

Semen Coicis Lachryma-jobi

Coix lachryma jobi

Job’s tears, Coix seed

Question 22

Energy, Taste, Meridians for Yi Yi Ren?

Answer 22

Energy: Cool

Taste: Sweet, Bland

Meridians: Spleen, Kidney, Lung

Question 23

Functions and Indications of Yi Yi Ren?

Answer 23

1. Promotes urination and relieves edema - all types of edema and scanty urination
2. Tonifies spleen, stops diarrhea - diarrhea d/t Spleen Xu
3. Clears heat and toxin, expels pus - abscess of lung, appendicitis
4. Eliminate wind-dampness, remove obstruction - muscle spasms, limited joint movement, Wind Damp Bi pain, rheumatic arthritis
5. For treatment of plantar warts.

Question 24

Pharmaceutical, Botanical and Common names for Che Qian Zi?

Answer 24

Semen Plantaginis

Plantago asiatica

Plantago seeds

Question 25

Energy, Taste, Merdians for Che Qian Zi?

Answer 25

Energy: Cold Taste: Sweet Meridians: Liver, Kidney, Small intestine, Lung

Question 26

Che Qian Zi Functions and Indications?

Answer 26

1. Promotes urination and stops dysuria - edema, scanthy urination, dyruria d/t damp heat 2. Drain dampness, stops diarrhea - diarrhea caused by damp heat (not SP Xu) 3. Clears liver. Bright vision - red, painful swollen eyes, blurry vision d/t Liver Heat or LV/KI Xu 4. Clears lung, stops cough - chronic bronchitis, whooping cough, cough from lung heat

Question 27

Pharmaceutical, Botanical and Common names for Dong Gua Pi (Ren)

Answer 27

Epicarpium Benincasae Hispidae Benicasa hispida Winter melon or wax gourd peel (seeds)

Question 28

Energy, Taste, Merdians for Dong Gua Pi (Ren)?

Answer 28

Energy: Cool Taste: Sweet, Bland Meridians: Stomach, Spleen, Large Intestine, Small Intestine

Question 29

Functions and Indications for Dong Gua Pi (Ren)?

Answer 29

1. Clears heat, eliminate dampness relieve edema - edema, scanty urination d/t water retention, turbid leukorrhea 2. Clears heat, expels phlegm, promotes discharge of pus - abscess of lung or intestines (painful diarrhea with blood and mucus in stool), appendicities d/t heat stasis, 3. Clear lung, resolve phlegm - cough with thick yellow sputum due to Lung heat, bronchitis

Question 30

Pharmaceutical, Botanical and Common names for Yu Mi Xu?

Answer 30

Stylus Zeae Mays Zea mays Corn silk

Question 31

Energy, Taste, Meridians for Yu Mi Xu?

Answer 31

Energy: Even Taste: Sweet Meridians: Bladder, Liver, Gallbladder

Question 32

Functions and Indications for Yu Mi Xu?

Answer 32

1. Promotes urination, relieves dysuria - edema or scanty painful urination d/t damp heat 2. Benefits gallbladder and removes jaundice - jaundice d/t damp heat 3. For hypertension, diabetes

Question 33

Pharmaceutical, Botanical and Common names for Chi Xiao Dou?

Answer 33

Semen Phaseoli Calcarati Phaseolus calcaratus Aduki Bean

Question 34

Energy, Taste, Meridians for Chi Xiao Dou?

Answer 34

Energy: Even Taste: Sweet, Sour Meridians: Heart, Small Intestine

Question 35

Functions and Indications for Chi Xiao Dou?

Answer 35

1. Clears heat and promotes urination, relieve edema - scanty urination, edema d/t water retention 2. Disperses blood stasis, reduces swelling, and fire toxicity - boils, carbuncles, skin infection d/t heat toxin 3. Clears damp-heat - acute nephritis, hypertension

Question 36

Pharmaceutical, Botanical and Common names for Ban Bian Lian?

Answer 36

Herba Lobeliae Chinensis cum Radice Lobelia chinensis Lobelia "Half Edge Lily"

Question 37

Energy, Taste, Meridians for Ban Bian Lian?

Answer 37

Energy: Even Taste: Pungent Meridians: Heart, Small Intestine, Lung

Question 38

Functions and Indications for Ban Bian Lian?

Answer 38

1. Promotes urination, reduces edema - edema, ascites (due to schistosomiasis or end stage liver cirrhosis), scanty urination d/t water retention 2. Cools blood and reduces toxicity - for snake bites (internal and topical), wasp stings, tonsillitis, boils, carbuncles, mastitis (topically)