Ch 8 Herbs that relieve food stagnation

Question 1

Shan Zha
“Mountain plant”
(Hawthorn fruit)

Answer 1

Sour, sweet, slightly warm (3-9, but used up to 30g)
LV, SP, ST
Reduces food stagnation, transforms accumulation (esp. greasy and meats); Transforms blood stasis, dissipates clumps (invigorates blood and stops pain); stops diarrhea (dry-fried/charred); Also for hypertension, coronary artery disease, and elevated cholesterol
NOT for SP, ST xu, and not in large doses during pregnancy

Question 2

Shen Qu
“divine leaven”
(medicated leaven, fermented from many plants

Answer 2

Sweet, acrid, warm, 6-15g
SP, ST
Reduces food stagnation, harmonizes the ST (esp w/starches and cold); Added to pills that contain minerals to aid in digestion/absorption

Question 3

Mai Ya

Barley sprouts, malt

Answer 3

Sweet, neutral
LV, SP, ST
Reduces food stagnation, strengthens ST (esp starches), also for poor digestion in infants; Restrains lactation (30-120g); facilitates smooth flow of LV Qi (w/LV-SP disharmony). Dry fried is milder

Question 4

Gu Ya
“grain sprouts”
(either as sprouted millet or rice)

Answer 4

Sweet, neutral or warm
SP, ST
Reduces food stagnation, strengthens ST, esp. for starches, or w/weak digestion or appetite (more mild, better for children or elderly)

Question 5

Lai Fu Zi

radish seeds

Answer 5

Sweet, acrid, neutral
SP, ST, LU
Reduces food stag, eliminates distention; Causes Qi to descend, reduces phlegm (productive cough); reduces hypertension.
STRONGLY breaks up food stag, avoid longterm use, use dry-fried unless to induce vomiting. DON’T combine w/Ren Shen, Shu Di Huang, He Shou Wu

Question 6

Ji Nei Jin

lining of chicken gizzard

Answer 6

sweet, neutral
BL, SI, SP, ST
STRONGLY reduces food stag, improves the SP’s transportive fx; Secures the essence, stops enuresis; Transforms hardness, dissolves stones (KD or GB stones)