Ch 13 Herbs that stabilize and bind

Question 1

Shan Zhu Yu ***
(also called Shan Yu Rou)
(Asiatic cornelian cherry fruit)

Answer 1

Sour, slightly warm
KD, LV
Stabilizes the KD, secures essence/primal Qi; Stops excessive sweating and supports that which has collapsed; TONIFIES the LV and KD; Stabilizes the menses, stops bleeding
NOT w/urinary pain or difficulty, or w/DH

Question 2

Wu Wei Zi ***
“Five tastes seed”
(Schisandra fruit)

Answer 2

Sour, sweet, warm (3-6g)
HT, KD, LU
Contains leakage of LU qi and STOPS COUGH; Tonifies the KD, binds essence, stops diarrhea (calms intestines); Inhibits sweating and generates fluids; Quiets the spirit while calming and containing HT Qi

Question 3

Wu Mei ***
“Black Plum”
(Mume fruit)

Answer 3

Sour, astringent, warm
LI, LV, LU, SP
Inhibits leakage of LU Qi, stops cough; Generates fluids and alleviates thirst; Expels roundworms and alleviates pain; Binds up Intestines and stops diarrhea; Stops bleeding; Used topically for corns and warts
NOT w/internal heat from excess or constraint, or unresolved EPF

Question 4

Rou Dou Kou ***
“Fleshy Cardamon”
(nutmeg seeds)

Answer 4

Acrid, warm
LI, SP, ST
Binds up intestines and stops diarrhea (for day-break diarrhea); Warms the middle burner, moves Qi, alleviates pain
NOT w/hot diarrhea or heat in ST

Question 5

Jin Ying Zi ***
“Golden cherry fruit”
(Cherokee rosehip)

Answer 5

Sour, astringent, neutral
BL, KD, LI
Stabilizes the KD and secures essence; Binds up Intestines and stops diarrhea (mostly used by older Pt)
NOT w/excess pathogenic influences, like heat. prolonged use or overdose may cause Ab pain or constipation

Question 6

Fu Pen Zi ***
“Overturned [bed]pan fruit”
(Chinese raspberry)

Answer 6

Sweet, astringent, neutral
KD, LV
Augments and stabilizes KD (yin), binds essence, and contains urine (for incontinence and infertility); Assists the yang and improves vision
CAUTION w/yin xu heat, NOT w/urinary difficulty

Question 7

Fu Xiao Mai ***
“Light wheat grain”
(light wheat grain)

Answer 7

Sweet, slightly salty, cool (15-30g)
HT
Inhibits sweating, augments HT Qi, inhibits (stabilizes) HT fluids, clear heat from pores and interstices
NOT when sweating d/t EPF

Question 8

Hai Piao Xiao ***
(Also called Wu Zei Gu)
(cuttlefish bone)

Answer 8

Salty, astringent, slightly warm
KD, LV, ST
Restrains, holds in, and stops bleeding; Secures essence and stops discharge (spermatorrhea, leukorrhea); CONTROLS ACIDITY and alleviates pain (for GERD); Resolves dampness and promotes healing (topical)
NOT w/Zhi Fu Zi and Bai Ji, extended use may cause constipation

Question 9

Sang Piao Xiao ***
“mulberry piao xiao”
(praying mantis egg-casing)

Answer 9

Sweet, salty, neutral
KD, LV
Tonifies the KD, assists the yang, secures the essence, contains urine (for bedwetting in children, incontinence, impotence)
NOT w/yin xu heat, or DH in the BL

Question 10

He Zi **

myrobalan fruit, chebule

Answer 10

Bitter, sour, astringent, neutral
LU, ST, LI
Binds up Intestines and stops (chronic) diarrhea; Contains the leakage of LU Qi, stops coughs and directs Lu Qi down, and improves the condition of the throat, transforms phlegm
NOT w/exterior patterns, w/internal accumulation, or stagnation of DH

Question 11

Chun Pi **
(also called Chun Gen Pi)
(Ailanthus bark, or root bark)

Answer 11

Bitter, astringent, cold
LI, ST
Clears heat, dries dampness, and binds up Intestines (for diarrhea w/blood, leukorrhea); Kills parasites
CAUTION w/cold and xu of SP/ST, or significant KD yin xu

Question 12

Chi Shi Zhi **
“Crimson Stone Resin”
(Halloysite, Kaolin)

Answer 12

Sweet, sour, astringent, warm
SP, ST, LI
Binds up intestines ands tops diarrhea; Contains the blood and stops bleeding; Promotes the healing of wounds
CAUTION during pregnancy. NOT for hot diarrhea, early dysentery, or accumulation of DH excess

Question 13

Yu Yu Liang **

limonite, mixture of hydrated iron oxides

Answer 13

Sweet, astringent, neutral
LI, ST
Binds up Intestines and stops (chronic) diarrhea; Restrains, inhibits, and stops bleeding

Question 14

Lian Zi **

Lotus seed

Answer 14

Sweet, astringent, neutral
HT, KD, SP
Tonifies SP and stops diarrhea; Tonifies the KD and stabilizes essence; Nourishes the HT and calms spirit
NOT w/abdominal distention or constipation

Question 15

Lian Xu **

Lotus stamen

Answer 15

Sweet, astringent, neutral
HT, KD, LV
Clears the HT, stabilizes KD, while binding essence to stop its loss; Stops bleeding
NOT w/abdominal distention or constipation

Question 16

Qian Shi **

Euryale seeds

Answer 16

Sweet, stringent, neutral
KD, SP
Strengthens SP, stops diarrhea; Stabilizes KD, secures essence; Expels dampness and stops discharge (leukorrhea)
CAUTION in Pt w/difficulty in urinating or defecating

Question 17

Wu Bei Zi **
“Five multiples seed”
(Gallnut of Chinese sumac)

Answer 17

Sour, salty, cold
KD, LI, LU
Contains leakage of LU Qi, stops cough; Binds up Intestines, stops diarrhea; Preserves and restrains leakage (sweating, leukorrhea, spermatorrhea); Absorbs moisture, reduces swellings, resolves fire toxicity
NOT for cough from EPF WC, heat in LU, or DH dysentery

Question 18

Ma Huang Gen **

ephedra root

Answer 18

Sweet, neutral
LU
Stops sweating
NOT w/exterior disorder

Question 19

Nuo Dao Gen **

glutinous rice root

Answer 19

Sweet, neutral (15-30g)
KD, LV, LU
Stops excessive sweating from xu; Also used for fevers from yin xu

Question 20

Bai Guo **
“White fruit”
(Ginkgo nut)

Answer 20

Sweet, bitter, astringent, neutral, slightly toxic
KD, LU
Preserves LU and arrests wheezing; Eliminates dampness, stops discharge, and contains urine
NOT w/excess patterns. CAUTION w/viscous sputum that’s difficult to expectorate. Toxicity, not for longterm use or large dosage