Clear Heat and Dry Dampness

Question 1

Herbs that Clear Heat and Dry Dampness

Answer 1

Dampness is characterized by stubbornness. Damp-heat is especially difficult because dampness is a yin pathogen and heat is a yang pathogen.

• Diarrhea, dysentery
• Urination problems (difficult or painful urination)
• Jaundice
• Skin problems (boils, furuncles, carbuncles, eczema)
• Vaginal discharge

These herbs are cold and bitter. Use caution in cases of Spleen deficiency.

These herbs are often combined with Herbs that Drain Fire or Herbs that Resolve Toxicity.

Question 2

List some herbs that Clear Heat and Dry Dampness?

Answer 2

huáng qín 
huáng lián 
huáng bǎi 
lóng dǎn cǎo 
kǔ shēn
qín pí

Question 3

What are the 3 Huangs and what do they do??

Answer 3

Huang Qin (weakest)
UPPER JIAO
Clears Lung heat: fever, thirst, cough with thick, yellow, sticky sputum
Also clears heat from Stomach, Gallbladder, and Lower Jiao

Huang Lian (strongest)
MIDDLE JIAO
Damp-heat in SP/ST: diarrhea
Also clears Heart heat

Huang Bai
LOWER JIAO
Damp-heat in UB: vaginal discharge, urination problems
Also clears heat due to Kidney yin deficiency

Question 4

Huáng Qín ***

Answer 4

Skullcap Root

Temp: cold
Taste: bitter
Channels: LU, ST, GB, LI
Dosage: 3-9 grams

1. clears heat and dries dampness
   • for damp-heat in the Stomach, Large Intestine (diarrhea) • for damp-heat in the lower jiao (urination problems)
2. clears heat and resolves toxicity
   • clears Lung heat → fever, thirst, irritability, cough with thick yellow sputum • clears Liver heat → headache, irritability, red eyes, bitter taste
   • for hot sores and boils (also used topically)
3. cools blood to stop bleeding
4. calms the fetus

Question 5

Huáng Lián ***

Answer 5

Gold Thread Root

Temp: cold
Taste: bitter
Channels: HT, LI, LV, ST
Dosage: 1.5-9 grams

1. clears heat and dries dampness
   • for damp-heat in the Stomach, Large Intestine (diarrhea)
2. clears heat and resolves toxicity
   • clears Heart heat (irritability, delirium, disorientation)
   • clears Stomach heat (nausea, acid reflux)
   • treats skin problems (boils, carbuncles, abscesses)
3. cools blood to stop bleeding

Question 6

Huáng Bǎi ***

Answer 6

Corktree Bark

Temp: cold
Taste: bitter
Channels: KI, UB
Dosage: 3-12 grams

1. clears heat and dries dampness
   • esp. for damp-heat in the lower jiao
   • for leukorrhea, diarrhea, pain in knees
2. clears deficiency heat
   • for heat due to Kidney yin deficiency

Question 7

Lóng Dǎn Cǎo ***

Answer 7

Chinese Gentian Root

Temp: cold
Taste: bitter
Channels: LV, GB, ST
Dosage: 3-9 grams

1. clears heat and dries dampness
   • drains damp-heat from Liver and Gallbladder
   • for jaundice, leukorrhea, genital itching, herpes
2. clears excess heat from Liver and Gallbladder • for headache, red eyes, flank pain

Question 8

Kǔ Shēn **

Answer 8

Sophora Root

Temp: cold
Taste: bitter
Channels: UB, HT, LV, LI, ST, SI
Dosage: 3-9 grams

1. clears heat and dries dampness
   • for damp-heat in the lower jiao
   • for jaundice, diarrhea, leukorrhea, sores
2. kills parasites and stops itching
   • for fungal infections, genital itching, athlete’s foot • used internally or externally
3. promotes urination to treat lin syndrome

Question 9

Qín Pí **

Answer 9

Ash Bark

Temp: cold
Taste: bitter, astringent
Channels: GB, LI, LV, ST
Dosage: 6-12 grams

1. clears heat and dries dampness
   • for diarrhea and dysentery
   • binds the intestines
2. clears Liver heat to brighten eyes
3. treats hot bi syndrome
4. stops cough and wheezing • for cough due to Lung heat

Question 10

Bai Xian Pí

Answer 10

Chinese Dittany Root Bark

Taste: Bitter (Salty)
Temperature: Cold
Channels: SP/ST
Dosage:4-16g

Clears Heat, resolves Fire-toxicity, expels Wind and dries Dampness

Clears Damp-Heat and stops itching