Clear Heat/Resolve Toxicity Flashcards
Herbs that Clear Heat and Resolve Toxicity
Heat toxicity (热毒 rè dú) is extreme accumulation of heat, usually associated with an infectious disease.
Herbs in this category treat symptoms such as:
• hot, swollen, painful, deep-set sores (boils, carbuncles, furuncles)
• abscess (collection of pus), including breast abscess and intestinal abscess
• diarrhea and dysentery (inflammation of colon, severe diarrhea, abdominal pain) • epidemic febrile outbreak (e.g. mumps, encephalitis)
• snake bite or insect bite
• cancer
Heat toxicity is almost always acute in nature.
Many of these herbs can also be used topically as well.
What are the properties of herbs that clear heat and resolve toxicity?
Taste: bitter
Temp: cold
Cautions - Cold and bitter can damage the Spleen
What is an Abscess?
swollen area within body tissue, containing an accumulation of pus
What is a Boil or furuncle?
skin infection that starts in a hair follicle or oil gland, usually caused by staphylococcal bacteria
What is a carbuncle?
red, swollen, and painful cluster of boils that
are connected to each other under the skin
What is a sty?
a boil that forms in the eyelid
List some herbs that Clear Heat and Resolve Toxicity
- jīn yín huā
- lián qiào
- dà qīng yè / bǎn lán gēn
- qīng dǎi
- pú gōng yīng
- zǐ huā dì dīng
- bài jiàng cǎo
- chuān xīn lián
- bài tóu wēng
- mǎ chǐ xiàn
- hé yè
- lù dóu
- bái xiān pí
- tǔ fú líng
- shān dóu gēn
- shè gān
- bài huā shé shé cǎo
Jīn Yín Huā ***
Troliflower
Temp: cold
Taste: sweet
Channels: LI, LU, ST
Dosage: 6-20 grams
- clears heat toxicity
• for hot, painful sores and swellings on the throat, breast, eyes
• for large intestine abscess, diarrhea with blood or pus
• can be used internally or externally to treat skin infection - expels wind-heat invasion
- clears damp-heat from lower-jiao
• for lin syndrome, diarrhea - use charred to stop bleeding
• for bloody dysentery
Lián Qiào ***
Forsythia Fruit
Temp: slightly cold
Taste: bitter, slightly acrid
Channels: HT, LU, GB
Dosage: 6-15 grams
- clears heat toxicity
• esp. Heart heat, heat in upper jiao
• promotes urination to treat lin syndrome - expels wind-heat invasion
- discharges pus
• for sores, abscess, scrofula, throat obstruction
Pú Gōng Yīng ***
Dandelion
Temp: cold
Taste: bitter, sweet
Channels: LV, ST
Dosage: 9-30 grams
- clears heat toxicity
• reduces swelling and pain, discharges pus
• for breast abscess, mastitis - clears Liver heat to brighten eyes
- promotes urination to drain dampness
• for jaundice, lin syndrome
Dà Qīng Yè / Bǎn Lán Gēn **
Isatidis Leaf / Isatidis Root Temp: very cold Taste: bitter Channels: HT, LU, ST Dosage: 9-15 grams
- clears heat toxicity
• for epidemic febrile disease
• esp. for throat problems, Lung heat - cools the blood
• for macular rashes or skin eruptions due to blood heat
• for bleeding due to blood heat (nosebleed, vomiting blood, etc.)
Qīng Dǎi **
Indigo
Temp: cold
Taste: salty
Channels: LV, LU, ST
Dosage: 1.5-3 grams (stir powder with strained decoction)
- clears heat toxicity and cools the blood
• for swelling, macular rashes, mumps, and other skin eruptions • for swollen painful throat, mouth sores
• for bleeding due to heat; esp. nosebleed - drains Liver fire, extinguishes wind, and stops tremor
• for febrile convulsions
• for cough due to Liver fire entering the Lung
Qing Dai is powder from indigo plant processed with lime (calcium-oxide — not the fruit). It can be used externally for skin problems and nosebleed
Zǐ Huā Dì Dīng **
Violet
Temp: cold
Taste: bitter, acrid
Channels: HT, LV
Dosage: 15-30 grams
- clears heat toxicity
• treats skin infection; for deep-set, hot sores
• for insect bites, snake bites
• used internally or externally (usually fresh)
Bài Jiàng Cǎo **
Patrinia
Temp: slightly cold
Taste: acrid, bitter
Channels: ST, LI, LV
Dosage: 6-15 grams
- clears heat toxicity and discharges pus
• for hot sores, Large Intestine abscess - invigorates blood
• for pain due to blood stagnation caused by heat
• esp. for abdominal pain, chest pain,
postpartum pain, OB/GYN conditions
Bài Tóu Wēng **
Pulsatilla Root
Temp: cold
Taste: bitter
Channels: LI, ST
Dosage: 6-15 grams
- clears heat toxicity
• one of the most effective herbs for dysentery
