Ch 5 Herbs that Dispel Wind Dampness

Question 1

What do most herbs in this chapter share?

Answer 1

Many are acrid, warm and dry–> so be careful with yin deficiency
Many good for pain, paralysis and weakness of limbs
Many are softening
Some are good for the bones
Often taken in wine, pills or powders

Question 2

Du Huo ***
“Self-reliant existence”
(pubescent angelica root)

Answer 2

Bitter, acrid, warm
KD, BL
Dispels W-D and alleviates pain (especially in back and lower body); Disperses W-C-D and releases exterior; Also for ShaoYin stage HA (in cheeks) and toothache; for Bi and damp rashes

Question 3

Du Huo Vs. Qiang Huo

Answer 3

Qiang Huo stronger for releasing exterior, and for HA in ShaoYang and vertex
Du Huo best for W-D in ShaoYin and lower body/lumbar and HA

Question 4

Du Huo Cautions

Answer 4

very drying so not for use with yin or blood deficiency or internal wind

Question 5

Du Huo With Xi Xin

Answer 5

For dispelling wind especially from head and upper body, like Shao Yin HA, also for Bi of bones and joints for W-C or Damp

Question 6

Wei Ling Xian ***
“awesome/powerful spiritual immortal”
(Clematis root)

Answer 6

Acrid, salty, warm
BL
Dispels W-D, unblocks the channels, alleviates pain (Bi), still sinews; Also for focal distention and accumulation in the middle burner because it reduces phlegm and pathogenic water; Softens and transforms fish bones

Question 7

Wei Ling Xian Cautions

Answer 7

Its very mobilizing and piercing, use sparsely. Not for those with Qi or blood xu or weak patients

Question 8

Wei Ling Xian Vs. Qin Jiao

Answer 8

Qin Jiao for steaming bones and D-H jaundice, and Bi with emphasis on heat
Wei Ling Xian for Bi with emphasis on cold, softens hardness

Question 9

Mu Gua ***
“Wood melon”
(Chinese Quince)

Answer 9

Sour, Warm
LV, SP
Relaxes the sinews and unblocks the channels (one of best for sinews!!!) - calf cramps, low back pain, abdominal cramps; Harmonizes the ST and transforms dampness (summer heat); Reduces food stagnation (not commonly used)

Question 10

Mu Gua cautions

Answer 10

Not for cases with constrained internal heat and scanty dark urine, and in those with hyperchlorhydria (highly acidic ST)

Question 11

Mu Gua with Wu Zhu Yu

Answer 11

Used for Leg Qi pain due to C-D with clumping in lower body preventing flow of Qi and blood, or Leg Qi in abdomen leading to cramping and distention

Question 12

Mu Gua Vs. Bai Shao

Answer 12

Both treat sinews and cramps
Mu Gua focus on transforming dampness for damp Bi, sudden turmoil d/o, decreased ROM of joints
Bai Shao nourishes blood preserves yin to soften sinews, more for spasms/cramping from malnourished sinews

Question 13

Sang Ji Sheng ***
“Mulberry parasite”
(mulberry mistletoe stems)

Answer 13

Bitter, sweet, neutral
KD, LV
Tonifies the LV and KD, strengthens the sinews and bones, expels W-D; for insufficiency of LV and KD yin with soreness and pain in lower back/legs, joint problems, numbs, weakness and atrophy of sinews and bones (esp for elderly); Nourishes the blood and calms the womb/fetus; nourishes blood, benefits skin

Question 14

Wu Jia Pi ***
“Bark of 5 additions”
(root bark)

Answer 14

Acrid, bitter, warm
KD, LV
Dispels W-D and strengthens the sinews and bones (obstruction of Qi and blood, even chronic); transforms dampness and reduces swelling; for elderly and developmental (motor) delays in children; tonify LV and KD

Question 15

Wu Jia Pi with Du Zhong

Answer 15

eliminate pathogenic W, D, C, strengthens LV and KD, nourish Sinews and Bones. For Bi especially of lower body. Also for hypertension

Question 16

Wu Jia Pi Vs. Sang Ji Sheng

Answer 16

Wu Jia Pi drives out EPFs and warms yang of LV and KD, promotes urination
Sang Ji Sheng more mild, augments LV and KD by nourishing blood to nourish joints for Bi, calms fetus

Question 17

Xu Chang Qing ***
“slow longlasting minister”
(paniculate swallow-wort root)

Answer 17

Acrid, warm (aromatic, short cooking)
LV, ST
Dispels wind, invigorates the blood, and stops pain (all kinds pain: Bi, backache, toothache, trauma); Resolves toxicity and stops itching

Question 18

Qin Jiao ***
“Thousand years of health”
(large gentian root)

Answer 18

Bitter, acrid, SLIGHTLY COLD
GB, LV, ST
Dispels wind dampness and soothes the sinews and collaterals (hot Bi of joints); clears heat from deficiency; resolves dampness and reduces jaundice; moistens the intestines and unblocks the bowels

Question 19

Qin Jiao with Bie Jia

Answer 19

Vent muscle layer heat, cool tidal fevers from consumption (from W-H EPF in wei deficiency), steaming bone, nourishes yin

Question 20

Qin Jiao Vs. Wei Ling Xian

Answer 20

both for pain and ROM issue in low body
Wei Ling Xian for Bi with cold and limited ROM, softens hardness
Qin Jiao for Bi with dampness and heat, steaming bone syndrome and jaundice

Question 21

Qin Jiao Vs. Long Dan Cao

Answer 21

Qin Jiao for W-D Bi, but not overly drying, good for steaming bone
Long Dan Cao drains fire from LV and lower burner, cramps and spams from LV heat wind

Question 22

Sang Zhi ***

mulberry tree twig

Answer 22

Bitter, neutral
LV
Dispels wind, unblocks the channels and collaterals, benefits the joints (especially upper body), stops Bi pain; Also for edema (especially of joints)

Question 23

Sang Zhi with Sang Ye

Answer 23

Together for internal and external wind dampness (edit)

Question 24

Sang Zhi Vs. Gui Zhi

Answer 24

edit

Question 25

Hai Tong Pi **

“Sea tree skin”

Answer 25

Bitter, acrid, neutral
LV, SP, KD
Dispels W-D, unblocks the channels and collaterals; Promotes urination and reduces edema; treats itching skin lesions; also as gargle for toothache due to dental caries

Question 26

Qing Feng Teng **

“Blue wind vine”

Answer 26

Bitter, Acrid, Neutral
LV, SP
Dispels wind and stops pain, unblocks collaterals and channels for Bi, and promotes urination

Question 27

Qing Feng Teng Vs. Hai Tong Pi

Answer 27

Hai Tong Pi more cooling for hot Bi esp in lower jiao and legs or topically for skin rashes or toothache
Qing Feng Teng is neutral for Bi, facilitates urination or damp like edema and swelling, or UTI

Question 28

Liang Mian Zhen **

“2 faced needle”

Answer 28

acrid, bitter, slightly warm, slightly toxic
LV, ST
Dispels W and unblocks collaterals, overcomes dampness and stops pain
NOT for use in pregnancy

Question 29

Hai Feng Teng **

“Sea wind vine”

Answer 29

Acrid, bitter, slightly warm
LV
Dispels W-D and unblocks channels and collaterals stop pain (Bi)

Question 30

Xi Xian Cao **

a type of grass

Answer 30

bitter, cold (Cold W-D herb!)
KD, LV
Dispels W-D and unblocks the channels and collaterals (Bi, cramps, spasms, numbness, wind-stroke sequelae); Clears heat and pacifies LV (Yang rising); Clears and transforms D-H (sores/itching); Also for hypertension

Question 31

Chou Wu Tong *

“Stinky parasol tree”

Answer 31

Acrid, bitter, sweet, cool
LV
Dispels W-D Bi, numbness of trunk or extremities, or hemiplegia; Also for eczema; Calms LV yang

Question 32

Xi Xian Cao Vs. Chou Wu Tong

Answer 32

Both for W-D and LYR (together in formula Xi Tong Wan)
Xi Xian Cao best for W-D within bones and sinews, and post wind-stroke with numbness of limbs
Chou Wu Tong best for LYR and treats dizziness

Question 33

Luo Shi Teng **

“Collateral stone vine”

Answer 33

Bitter, slightly cold
LV
Dispels W-D and unblocks collaterals; cools the blood and reduces (toxic) swellings (abscesses and sores)

Question 34

Can Sha **

silk worm feces

Answer 34

sweet, acrid, warm
LV, SP, ST
Dispels wind and eliminates dampness (topically for skin); Harmonizes the ST and transforms turbid dampness (often used this way)

Question 35

Can Sha Vs. Mu Gua

Answer 35

Can Sha good for dispelling wind damp

Mu gua for eliminating dampness, harmonizing middle jiao, calming LV and relaxing sinews

Question 36

Shen Jin Cao **
“Stretch sinew herb”
(ground pine, club moss)

Answer 36

Bitter, acrid, warm
LV, SP, KD
Dispels Wind eliminates Dampness (Bi); Relaxes sinews and invigorates the collaterals
Caution with pregnancy due to invigorating nature

Question 37

Wu Shao She **
“black tip snake”
(snake skin)

Answer 37

sweet, salty, neutral (non-toxic even though snake skin)
LV, SP
Powerfully unblocks the channels and extinguishes wind; Dispels wind from the skin; Dispels wind from the sinews and settles jitteriness and convulsions

Question 38

She Tui *

snake skins

Answer 38

Dispels wind, stops spasms; removes superficial visual obstruction
NOT for use during pregnancy, as with most snake skins

Question 39

Lao Guan Cao *

“Old crane herb”

Answer 39

neutral herb for hot or cold d/o
Dispels wind, eliminates dampness while dredging and unblocking the channels and collaterals; Clears heat, resolves toxicity, restrains and generates flesh

Question 40

Qian Nian Jian *

“A thousand years of health”

Answer 40

Taken in wine and drink (especially men)

Dispels W-D and strengthens sinews and bones