Aromatic Herbs that Transform Dampness

Question 1

Cang Zhu

Answer 1

acrid, bitter, warm
SP, ST
3-9
1. Strongly dries dampness and strengthens the SP (dampness obstructing the middle burner and blocking the transportive and transformative functions of the SP)
2. Induces sweating and dispels wind-dampness (exterior conditions for wind-cold-damp or wind-damp)
3. Clears dampness from lower burner (damp heat pouring downwards, vaginal discharge, swollen sore joints with herbs that clear heat)
4. Improves the vision (for night blindness or diminished vision with rough sensations in the eyes)

Question 2

Huo Po

Answer 2

acrid, bitter, warm
LI, LU, SP, ST
3-9
1. Promotes the movement of qi in the middle burner and resolves stagnation (Important herb for reducing or eliminating distention and fullness and can be used whenever these symptoms occure d.t qi stagnation)
2. Promotes movement of qi downwards, dries dampness, transforms phlegm (damp or phlegm obstructing the middle burner affecting the qi dynamic)
3. Directs qi downwards, reduces phlegm, and calms wheezing (for cough and wheezing from phlegm clogging the lungs)

Question 3

Guang Huo Xiang

Answer 3

acrid, slightly warm
LU, SP, ST
3-9
1. Aromatically transforms dampness, releases the exterior, and dispels summerheat (dampness obstructing the middle burner as well as summer heat dampness and damp warmth)
2. Harmonizes the middle burner and stops vomiting (most commonly used in cases of nausea or vomitting d/t dampness obstructing the middle burner and for morning sickness)
3. Treats dermatosis: (affecting either hands or feet)

Question 4

Pei Lan

Answer 4

acrid, neutral
SP, ST
3-9 (double when used fresh)
1. Aromatically transforms dampness, awakens the SP, regulates the middle (dampness obstructing the middle burner. Neutral herb so can be used with damp heat)
2. Transforms dampness and releases summer heat: (exterior summerheat dampness patterns with nausea. Also for early stages of damp warmth)
3. Aromatically dispels middle burner turbid filth to unbind the stomach (internal accumulation of increasingly thickened dampness in the middle burner binding ST qi)

Question 5

Sha Ren

Answer 5

acrid, warm, aromatic
SP, ST
3-6 (add near end. Crush before use)
1. Promotes movement of qi, transforms dampness, strengthens the SP (qi stagnation affecting the SP and ST or symptoms of obstruction by dampness)
2. Warms the middle and stops diarrhea (diarrhea from SP cold)
3. Calms the fetus (morning sickness or restless fetus)
4. Add to tonifying formulas to prevent stagnation

Question 6

Bai Dou Kou

Answer 6

acrid, warm, aromatic
LU, SP, ST
3-6
1. Promote movement of qi, transforms dampness, and strengthens the SP (dampness obstructing the middle burner as well as damp warmth)
2. Warms the middle burner and causes rebellious qi to descend (vomitting d/t cld from deficiency of the SP and ST, ST cold, cold-damp, food stagnation)

Question 7

Hong Dou Kou

Answer 7

acrid, warm
SP, LU
3-6 (pulverized before using)
1. Warms the middle, dries dampness, awakens the SP, reduces food stagnation (cold and painful epigastrium and abdomen, abdominal distention from accumulation of food)

Question 8

Cao Dou Kou

Answer 8

acrid, warm, aromatic
SP, ST
3-6 (add near end. Crush before using)
1. Dries dampness and warms the middle (cold-dampness of the SP and ST)

Question 9

Cao Guo

Answer 9

acrid, warm
SP, ST
3-6
1. Strongly dries dampness and disperses cold (cold-dampness obstructing the SP and ST)
2. Checks malarial disorders (intermittent fever and chills, associated with malarial disorders esp when due to cold-dampness or turbid dampness)
3. Dissolves stagnation and distention (for indigestion d/t meat stagnation)