Herb differentiation: Clear Heat, Drain Fire

Question 1

which three herbs go exclusively to the LU and ST

Answer 1

Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum), Lu Gen (Phragmitis Rhizoma), and Tian Hua Fen (Trichosanthis Radix)

Question 2

which herb goes to the LU, ST, and KD

Answer 2

Zhi Mu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma)

Question 3

which herb goes to the LU, ST, LV, HT, and SJ

Answer 3

Zhi Zi (Gardeniae Fructus)

Question 4

which herb goes to the HT, ST, and UB

Answer 4

Xi Gua (Citrulli fructus)

Question 5

which herb goes to the HT, ST, and SI

Answer 5

Dan Zhu Ye (Lophateri Herba)

Question 6

which herb goes to the HT and PC

Answer 6

Lian Zi Xin (Nelumbinis Plumula)

Question 7

which herb goes to the LV and GB

Answer 7

Xia Ku Cao (Prunellae Spica)

Question 8

which herb goes to the LV, LI, and KD

Answer 8

Jue Ming Zi (Cassiae Semen)

Question 9

according to bensky, which herb is very cold

Answer 9

Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum)

Question 10

which herb in this category is slightly cold

Answer 10

Jue Ming Zi (Cassiae Semen)

Question 11

which two herbs in this category are acrid

Answer 11

Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum) and Xia Ku Cao (Prunellae Spica)

Question 12

which herb in this category is slightly sweet

Answer 12

Tian Hua Fen (Trichosanthis Radix)

Question 13

which herb in this category is bland

Answer 13

Dan Zhu Ye (Lophateri Herba)

Question 14

which herb in this category is salty

Answer 14

Jue Ming Zi (Cassiae Semen)

Question 15

which herb in this category should we use a small dose of 1.5-3g

Answer 15

Lian Zi Xin (Nelumbinis Plumula)

Question 16

which herb is considered very light and lifting (not because of acridity, but because of its porous nature which retains water)

Answer 16

Lu Gen (Phragmitis Rhizoma)

Question 17

which herb is considered to be the best herb for circulatory and emotional-induced fever

Answer 17

Lian Zi Xin (Nelumbinis Plumula)

Question 18

according to bensky, which herb has been recently used to prevent atherosclerosis by lowering blood pressure and serum cholesterol

Answer 18

Jue Ming Zi (Cassiae Semen)

Question 19

which two herbs can eliminate irritability according to bensky

Answer 19

Dan Zhu Ye (Lophateri Herba) and Zhi Zi (Gardeniae Fructus)

Question 20

accordig to bensky, which herbs promote urination

Answer 20

Lu Gen (Phragmitis Rhizoma), Xi Gua (Citrulli Fructus), & Dan Zhu Ye (Lophateri Herba)
*note: all herbs that generate fluids technically promote urination, which then should include Tian Hua Fen and Zhi Mu

Question 21

which herb can clear and drain lung heat, moisten lung dryness, and clear heat from the stomach as well as lubricating it

Answer 21

Tian Hua Fen (Trichosanthis Radix)

Question 22

according to bensky, which herb can release the muscle layer

Answer 22

Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum)

Question 23

which two herbs benefit the eyes

Answer 23

Xia Ku Cao (Prunellae Spica) - clears liver fire and brightens the eyes
Jue Ming Zi (Cassiae Semen) - Clears liver and the eyes

Question 24

which herb may be used to tonify yin

Answer 24

Zhi Mu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma)
*often paired with Huang Bai for this purpose

Question 25

which herb may be used for breast lumps

Answer 25

Tian Hua Fen (Trichosanthis Radix)

Question 26

what is one of the most frequently used herbs in formulas to clear heat because of the many organs it reaches

Answer 26

Zhi Zi (Gardeniae Fructus)

Question 27

which herb is a natural white tiger decoction

Answer 27

Xi Gua (Citrulli Fructus)

Question 28

which herb is used as an herbal antibiotic and can address inflammation conditions associated with heat

Answer 28

Zhi Zi (Gardeniae Fructus)

Question 29

which herb can be used to stop bleeding and bind the essence according to bensky, why?

Answer 29

Lian Zi Xin (Nelumbinis Plumula)
Because it is bitter and cold, it tends to be “holding”

Question 30

according to bensky, which herb has been recently used to treat hypertension

Answer 30

Xia Ku Cao (Prunellae Spica)
*note: only use this herb for this fxn when it is caused by liver yang rising

Question 31

which herb moistens the intestines and unblocks the bowels

Answer 31

Jue Ming Zi (Cassiae Semen)

Question 32

which herb expels jaundice (according to bensky)

Answer 32

Xi Gua (Citrulli Fructus)

Question 33

which herb drains heart fire (according to bensky)

Answer 33

Lian Zi Xin (Nelumbinis Plumula)
*does not touch the heart directly; it addresses the issue via the PC

Question 34

which herb can dissipate nodules

Answer 34

Xia Ku Cao (Prunellae Spica)

Question 35

which herbs can treat sores, rashes and toxicity

Answer 35

Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum) - treats eczema, burns and ulcerated sores
Lu Gen (Phragmitis Rhizoma) - encourages rashes to surface
Tian Hua Fen (Trichosanthis Radix) - Resolves toxicity and expels pus
Zhi Zi (Gardeniae Fructus) - Cools the blood and resolves toxicity

Question 36

Which two herbs reduce swelling

Answer 36

Tian Hua Fen (Trichosanthis Radix) and Zhi Zi (Gardeniae Fructus)

Question 37

what is the principle benefit of Zhi Mu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma)

Answer 37

Bitter and cold, it drains fire, while its sweet qualities are able to enrich the yin and moisten what is dry.

Question 38

which herb can anchor errant yang

Answer 38

Jue Ming Zi (Cassiae Semen)

Question 39

which two herbs can eliminate irritability

Answer 39

Dan Zhu Ye (Lophateri Herba) and Zhi Zi (Gardeniae Fructus)

Question 40

which four herbs generate fluids

Answer 40

Lu Gen (Phragmitis Rhizoma)
Tian Hua Fen (Trichosanthis Radix)
Zhi Mu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma)
Xi Gua (Citrulli Fructus)