Ch9 Herbs that regulate qi Flashcards
Chen Pi ***
“old skin”
(aged tangerine peel)
Acrid, bitter, warm, aromatic
LU, SP, ST
Promotes flow of Qi: Regulates Qi, adjusts the middle, relieves the diaphragm; Dries dampness and transforms phlegm; Helps prevent stagnation
NOT for dry cough with qi/yin xu, caution with excess heat and longterm use (injure yuan qi)
Qing Pi ***
unripe tangerine peel
bitter, acrid, warm
GB, LV, ST
Spreads LV Qi, breaks up stagnant Qi, directs Qi downward; Dissipates clumps and reduces stagnation, harmonizes ST
CAUTION with Qi xu (dispersing), taken before bed may interfere w/sleeping
Zhi Shi ***
“orange fruit”
(unripe bitter orange)
bitter, acrid, slightly cold
LI, SP, ST
Breaks up stagnant Qi and reduces accumulation; Transforms phlegm and expels focal distention, unblocks plugs; Used w/qi-tonifying herbs for gastriectasis, gastroptosis, rectal or uterine prolapse, also to raise blood pressure
CAUTION with pregnancy and SP/ST xu
Zhi Ke (Qiao) *** (bitter orange)
Bitter, acrid, slightly cold
SP, ST, LI
Promotes the flow of Qi, unblocks plugs
CAUTION during pregnancy
Xiang Fu ***
“aromatic attachment/affection”
(cyperus, nut-grass rhizome)
Acrid, slightly bitter, slightly sweet, neutral
LV, SJ, GB
Spreads and regulates LV Qi, promotes flow in ST channel; Regulates menstruation, alleviates pain
NOT with qi xu w/out stagnation, or with yin xu empty heat, or heat in the blood
Mu Xiang ***
“wood aromatic”
(aucklandia, costus root)
Acrid, bitter, warm
GB, LI, SP, ST, SJ
Promotes the movement of Q, stops pain; Adjusts and regulates stagnant qi in the intestines (mildly astringent, helps diarrhea); Strengthens the SP, prevents stagnation
CAUTION with depleted fluids, yin xu, or blazing fire
Wu Yao ***
“black medicine”
(Lindera root)
Acrid, warm
BL, KD, LU, SP
Promotes smooth flow of Qi, alleviates pain (bulging d/o and dysmenorrhea), disperse cold; Warms KD (for KD yang)
NOT for Qi or blood xu or internal heat
Chuan Lian Zi ***
“Mountain connection seed”
(toosendan fruit, Sichuan pagoda tree berry)
Bitter, COLD, slightly toxic
BL, LV, SI, ST
Dregdes LV Qi, releases constraint, STOPS PAIN (from LV stag or LV-ST disharmony), and conducts heat out from below; Kills parasites and stops pain
NOT for SP/ST xu cold, or longterm use
Da Fu Pi **
“Big Belly Skin”
(areca husk/peel)
acrid, slightly warm
LI, SI, SP, ST
Drives Qi downward and eases the middle (for difficult BM with Qi stag + damp), disperses formless Qi obstruction; promotes urination, REDUCES EDEMA
CAUTION during pregnancy
Chen Xiang **
“sinking aroma”
(aquaria wood, aloes wood)
1-1.5g
acrid, bitter, warm, aromatic
KD, SP, ST
Promotes movement of Qi and alleviates pain; Directs rebellious Qi downward and regulates the middle (for belching, hiccough, vomiting, morning sickness); AIDS THE KD in grasping the Qi (for cough and wheezing from KD xu)
Tan Xiang **
(sandalwood)
2-5g
acrid, warm, aromatic
LU, SP, ST
unblocks qi stagnation in the chest, promotes movement of Qi, alleviates pain; settles belching and nausea
NOT when there is fire or significant yin xu
Xie Bai **
“white garlic”
(Chinese garlic/chives)
Acrid, bitter, warm
LI, LU, ST
Unblocks the yang Qi and disperses turbid phlegm (unbinds congealed constraint); Directs Qi downward and reduces stagnation; warms, drains, and benefits the orifices
NOT for Qi xu, weak ST, and intolerance of garlic & onions
Fo Shou **
“Buddha’s Hand”
(finger citron fruit)
Acrid, bitter, warm
LV, LU, ST, SP
(MILD) Spreads and regulates the LV Qi; Harmonizes the ST and strengthens the SP (HARMONIZES MIDDLE); Transforms phlegm and stops cough
CAUTION with yin xu fire
Xiang Yuan **
Citron
Acrid, slightly bitter, sour, warm
LV, SP, LU
(Mild) Promotes the movement of Qi, awakens the SP, eases the middle; Dredges and regulates LV Qi and stops pain (stops nausea, restores appetite); Directs downward and drains as a means of reducing phlegm and stopping cough
Mei Gui Hua **
(rosebud)
1.5-6g
Sweet, slightly bitter, warm
LV, SP
(MILD) Promotes the movement of Qi and relieves constraint; Promotes movement of Qi, harmonizes the blood, and disperses stasis (for irregular menses)
