Downward Draining (Purgatives) Flashcards
Downward-Draining Herbs
Downward-Draining Herbs promote movement through the large intestine. This can be done to relieve constipation, or as a way to drain heat out of the body.
Purgatives - These herbs strongly induce diarrhea and should not be used with seniors, children, or people with a weak constitution. They are typically bitter and cold, and they treat constipation due to heat.
Moist Laxatives - These herbs tend to be oily seeds. Unlike Purgatives, Moist Laxatives gently relieve constipation and may take some time to work.
Harsh Expellants - These herbs are very strong and usually toxic. They should only be used in small doses, and only if the patient is strong enough to take them.
List some Downward-Draining Herbs?
PURGATIVES: • dà huáng • máng xiāo • fān xiè yè • lú huì
MOIST LAXATIVES:
• huǒ má rén
• yù lǐ rén
HARSH EXPELLANTS: • gān suì • qiān niú zǐ • dà jǐ • bā dòu
Purgative Properties:
Taste: Bitter
Temp: Cold
Channels: LI
Action: purge LI and clear heat
Caution in pregnancy and deficiency
Moist Laxative Properties:
Taste: Sweet
Temp: Neutral
Channels: LI
Action: moisten LI to gentle relieve constipation
Harsh expellant properties:
Taste: Toxic
Temp: Cold or Hot
Channels: LI, KI, LU
Action: purge water
Caution in pregnancy and deficiency
Dà Huáng ***
Rhubarb Root
Temp: cold
Taste: bitter
Channels: HT, LI, LV, ST
Dosage: 3-15 grams (for purgative effect, cook only 3-5 min.)
- purges Large Intestine to relieve constipation
• for Yang Ming Bowel disease (fever, constipation, abdominal pain) - clears heat and drains fire
• for heat in the intestines and upper body (fever, sore throat, painful eyes)
• cools blood to stop bleeding (hemorrhoids, blood in stool); use charred - invigorates blood
• for fixed, sharp pain; abdominal masses; amenorrhea due to stagnation
• for injury and trauma (can be used externally) - dries dampness to relieve jaundice
Dà Huáng (as the General)
What does this mean?
- Because it is so strong, Da Huang is nicknamed The General (Jian Jun)
- Da Huang is used for Yang Ming Bowel disease, characterized by heat bind in the Stomach and Large Intestine, abdominal pain that worsens with pressure, and constipation
- Because it purges the Large Intestine, clears heat, invigorates blood, and stops bleeding, Da Huang is especially useful for Large Intestine abscess and appendicitis
- Da Huang is so strong at invigorating blood, it is said that it “cracks the blood.” Because of its strong moving action and its strong downward action, it is contraindicated during pregnancy
- Use caution during breastfeeding, as its purgative effect may come through in the breastmilk
- Da Huang can used in its charred form to stop bleeding, especially for hemorrhoid and blood in the stool. This is useful because it can stop bleeding without causing stagnation.
- Da Huang is so good and invigorating blood and clearing heat, it can be used topically for injury and trauma when there is redness, swelling and heat, as in San Huang San (nicknamed Herbal Ice)
Máng Xiāo ***
Mirabilite
Temp: very cold
Taste: acrid, bitter, salty
Channels: ST, LI
Dosage: 6-18 grams (stir in at end)
- softens hardness to relieve constipation
• commonly used with Da Huang to purge the Large Intestine - clears heat toxicity
• for acute appendicitis, Large Intestine abscess
• used internally or externally to treat skin problems • for early stage breast abscess, poor lactation
Mang Xiao is gluaber’s salt (sodium sulfate). It’s salt, so it’s salty in flavour.
Mang Xiao is also contraindicated during pregnancy.
Fān Xiè Yè **
Senna Leaf
Temp: cold
Taste: sweet, bitter
Channels: LI
Dosage: 1.5-3 grams (prepare as tea; dosage can be adjusted by patient)
- purges Large Intestine to relieve constipation
• promotes movement in Large Intestine • often used as single herb
Huǒ Má Rén **
Cannabis Seed
Temp: neutral
Taste: sweet
Channels: LI, SP, ST
Dosage: 9-15 grams (crush before decocting)
- moistens Large Intestine to relieve constipation
• for dry constipation due to yin or blood deficiency
• for constipation after febrile disease, in the elderly, or postpartum - nourishes yin
- clears heat and heals sores
• used internally or externally for mouth sores due to Stomach heat
• mild; used as an auxiliary herb
Overuse of Huo Ma Ren can cause upset stomach or mild shen problems (agitation, restlessnes, confusion)
Lú Huì *
Aloe
Temp: cold
Taste: bitter
Channels: LI, LV, ST
Dosage: 1.5-4.5 grams (used in pills or tablets; do not decoct)
- purges Large Intestine to relieve constipation
- strongly clears heat from Liver and Gallbladder • for dizziness, headaches, tinnitus, red eyes, irritability
- kills Large Intestine parasites
• esp. for roundworms; also for tinea
This is the dried, bitter latex from the outer leaf of the aloe plant. It is completely different from aloe vera gel. It is especially useful for constipation due to Liver heat, or with parasites.
Since Lu Hui is so strong at both purging the Large Intestine and draining heat, it is usually used as a last resort after more gentle herbs have proved ineffective. Lu Hui is contraindicated in pregnancy. It can be excreted though breastmilk and act as a purgative for a breastfeeding baby.
Yù Lǐ Rén *
Bush Cherry Pit
Temp: neutral
Taste: acrid, bitter, sweet
Channels: LI, SI, SP
Dosage: 3-9 grams (crush before decocting)
- moistens Large Intestine to relieve constipation • esp for constipation due to dryness or qi stagnation
- promotes urination to treat edema
• mild; used as an auxiliary herb
Gān Suì **
Euphorbia Root
Temp: cold
Taste: bitter, sweet, toxic
Channels: KI, LI, LU
Dosage: 0.5-1.5 grams
- induces watery diarrhea to treat edema
• for severe accumulation of fluid in the chest and abdomen • for general edema, facial edema, abdominal distention - drives out phlegm
• for severe phlegm accumulation, e.g. seizures due to wind-phlegm, shen problems due to phlegm - used topically to reduce swelling • for skin problems due to damp-heat
“This is a violent, cathartic herb that causes one to pass water anally.” -Bensky Contraindicated during pregnancy.
Dà Jǐ **
Japanese Thistle
Temp: cold
Taste: bitter, acrid, toxic
Channels: KI, LI, SP
Dosage: 1.5-3 grams
- induces watery diarrhea to treat edema • for accumulation of fluids in the chest and flank
- use externally to clear heat toxicity • for red, swollen, painful sores or scrofula
Qiān Niú Zǐ *
Morning Glory Seed
Temp: cold
Taste: bitter, acrid, slightly toxic
Channels: KI, LI, LU, SI
Dosage: 3-6 grams in decoction (crush before decocting); 1.5-3 grams as powder
- drains water and promotes urination
• expels water through both the urine and the stool
• esp. for edema in the Lung, ascites
• for damp-heat or food stagnation in the Stomach and Intestines - drives out phlegm
• for cough, wheezing, fullness in chest due to thin mucus in the Lung - kills Large Intestine parasites • for roundworm and tapeworm
Contraindicated during pregnancy.
