Drain Downward Flashcards
What is the main action of herbs in the downward draining category?
To facilitate the expulsion of stool.
Purgatives: primarily are cold natured herbs. Used to pass stool due to heat accumulation in the colon. Interior excess cases.
Moist laxatives: mostly consist of nuts/seeds. They lubricate the intestine and are best for the elderly or weekend patients after febrile disease or childbirth.
Cathartics: strong drugs that induce diarrhea. Used for water retention in the upper body.
How can you turn a cold purgative herb into a warm pergative herb?
Add fu zi - aconite to the formula. You will need to use the same amount or more of aconite as what you used for the purgative herb for it to get warm enough.
What are the three main actions of Da Huang - rhubarb?
- Clear heat accumulation
- Clear other forms of heat (excess heat, damp heat, toxic heat, blood heat)
- Moves blood
Bitter, cold
HT, LV, LI, ST 3-15g
NOTE: is a strong purgative by driving out stasis and increasing bowel peristalsis
What are the 3 main actions of mang xiao - sodium sulfate?
- Cleat heat accumulation
- Moistens dryness and softens hardness.
- Can be used externally for breast abcess.
acrid, bitter, salty, very cold
ST, LI 6-18g
NOTE: is an osmotic agent that softens the stool by drawing in more water into the bowel to facilitate movement of stool
What is the main action of Fan xie ye - senna?
- Clear heat accumulation
sweet, bitter, cold
LI
What are the main actions of Lu hui - aloe?
- Clear heat accumulation
- Clear heat and cool the liver (helpful for constipation accompanied by insomnia and irritability)
- Kill parasite and strengthen the stomach
Bitter, cold
LI, LV, ST
What are the main contraindications for the purgative herbs in this category?
ST/SP weakness due to cold
Pregnancy
Lactation (da huang)
What are the 3 main actions of huo ma ren - hemp seed?
- Nourish and moisten the intestines
- Nourish yin
- Clear heat and promote healing of sores
Sweet, neutral temp
LI, SP, ST
9-15g
The excessive combination of downward-draining herbs and pharmaceutical laxatives/diuretics may cause or exaggerate:
A. diarrhea
B. dehydration
C. electrolyte imbalance
D. all of the above
D. all of the above
Which Dui-Yao (herb pair) is most suitable for constipation due to cold accumulation?
A. Da Huang + Mang Xiao
B. Da Huang + Fu Zi
B. Da Huang - rhubarb + Fu Zi - aconite
How would you cook Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) for a strong purgative effect?
A. Use wine-treated Da Huang
B. Cook additional 30 minutes longer
C. Add near the end
D. Cook with small fire for longer time
C. Add near the end of the
Purgatives strongly induce defecation and eliminate excess accumulation. COLD purgatives treat heat accumulation;
WARM purgatives treat cold accumulation. Which herb does NOT belong to COLD purgatives?
A. Ba Dou
B. Mang Xiao
C. Da Huang
D. Lu Hui
A. Ba Dou - crotonius fructus
Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) has a bitter and cold property with a strong downward-directing action. In the Shang Han Lun, which stage does it treat?
A. Yang Brightness Channel stage
B. Yang Brightness Organ stage
Which herb passes through the breast milk, may turn yellow, and causes diarrhea in infants?
A. Da Huang
B. Mang Xiao
C. Fan Xie Ye
D. Lu Hui
A. Da Huang
In Ba Zheng San (Eight-herb powder for rectification), the action of Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma):
A. is purgative
B. drains fire toxin
C. clears heat and transform dampness
D. invigorates the blood
C. clears heat and transform dampness