Herb ID/Post-Midterm Flashcards
Da Huang
Rhei Radix et Rhizoma
Downward Draining Purgative
Bitter, Cold
HT, LV, ST, LI
*One of the best herbs for yang-ming bowel syndromes
*Most widely used herb in category
*Should cook 15-20 min for best purgative results
*Used as a “three yellow,” but is more powerful
Purges accumulations
Drains Fire
Clears heat, transforms damp and promotes urination
Drains heat from blood; can stop bleeding without causing blood stasis
Invigorates bood and dispels blood stasis
Reduces fire toxicity
Mang Xiao
Natrii Sulfas
Downward Draining Purgative
Acrid, Bitter, Salty, Very Cold
ST, LI
*Able to soften because salt creates hypertonic environment in intestines by absorbing water into GI tract
*Works well with Da Huang
Purges accumulations and guides out stagnation
Clears heat and drains fire
Reduces swelling
Fan Xie Ye
Sennae Folium
Downward Draining Purgative
Bitter, Sweet, Cold
LI
*Mild laxative
Drains downward and guides out stagnation
Can be used for acute and chronic problems
Often used alone
Lu Hui
Aloe
Downward Draining Purgative
Bitter, Cold
LV, LI, ST
Drains fire and guides out accumulations
Clears heat and cools the liver
Kills parasites and strengthens the stomach
*Does not actually “strengthen” the stomach; by draining out parasites, you are bringing the stomach back to balance
Huo Ma Ren
Cannabis Semen
Downward Draining, Moist Laxatives
Sweet, Neutral
SP, ST, LI
Nourishes and moistens the intestines
Nourishes the yin
Clears heat and promotes healing of sores
Yu Li Ren
Pruni Semen
Downward Draining Moist Laxatives
Acrid, Bitter, Sweet, Neutral
SP, LI, SI
Moistens the intestines and unblocks the bowels
Promotes urination and reduces edema
Feng Mi
Mel (Honey)
Downward Draining Moist Laxatives
Sweet, Neutral
SP, LU, LI
Gan Sui
Kansui Radix
Downward Draining, Harsh Expellants
Biter, Sweet, Cold, Toxic
KD, LU, LI
.5-1.5g
Drains water downward and drives out thin mucus
Drives out phlegm
Clears heat and reduces swelling
Qian Niu Zi
Pharbitidis Semen
Downward Draining, Harsh Expellants
Acrid, Bitter, Cold, Slightly Toxic
KD, LI, LU, SI
Unblocks and drains via urine and stool
Drains water and promotes urination
Drives out phlegm and thin mucus
Unblocks the bowels and removes accumulation
Expels intestinal parasites and reduces stagnation
Hong Da Ji
Knoxiae/Euphorbiae Radix
Downward Draining, Harsh Expellants
Acrid, Bitter, Cold, Slightly Toxic
KD, LI, SP
1.5-3g
Drains water downward and drives out thin mucus
Reduces swelling and dissipates nodules
Ba Dou
Crotonis Fructus
Downward Draining, Harsh Expellants
Acrid, Hot, Toxic
ST, LI, LU
Today we only use in more mild form - Ba Dou Sheng
Warmly unblocks and vigorously purges
Drives out water and reduces edema
Breaks up clogged phlegm and improves the condition of the throat
Promotes the healing of abscesses and ulcers
Fu Ling
Poria
Drains Dampness
LU, SP, KD, HT
Sweet, Bland, Neutral
Tonifies the spleen
Promotes urination and leaches out dampness
Strengthens the spleen and harmonizes middle burner
Quets the heart and calms the spirit
Yi Yi Ren
Coicis Semen
Drain Dampness
SP, ST, LU, KD
Bland, Sweet, Slightly Cold
Drain Dampness
Tonifies/strengthens the spleen, but less so than Fu Ling
Leaches dampness out of the bones, sinews and muscles to treat painful obstruction disorder
Clears heat and expels pus
Clears damp-heat
Hua Shi
Talcum
Drains Dampness
UB, ST
Sweet, Bland, Cold
Clears summerheat
Can be applied topically for damp-heat rashes and sores
Zhu Ling
Polyporus
Drain Dampness
SP, UB, KD
Bland, Sweet, Slightly Cool
Promotes urination and leaches out dampness
Han Fang Ji
Stephaniae Tetrandrae Rhizoma
Drain Dampness
UB, SP, KD
Acrid, BItter, Cold
Promotes urination and reduces edema (esp. in lower body)
Expels wind-damp and alleviates pain
Dong Kui Zi
Malvae Fructus
Drain Dampness
LI, SI, UB
Sweet, Cold
Benefits the breasts
Moistens the intestines and unblocks bowels
Shi Wei
Pyrosiae Folium
Drain Dampness
LU, UB
Bitter, Sweet, Slightly Cold
Halts bleeding due to heat / stops bleeding
C;ears damp-heat and unblocks painful urinary dribbling
Clears the lungs, expels phlegm and stops coughs
Mu Tong
Akebiae Caulis
Drain Dampness
UB, SI, HT
Slightly Cold, Bitter
Promotes urination and unblocks painful urinary dribbling
Drains heat from the heart via the SI
Promotes lactation and unblocks the blood vessels
Yin Chen
Artemisiae Scopariae Herba
Drains Dampness
LV, GB, ST, SP
Bitter, Slightly Cold
Clears heat, resolves dampness, and reduces jaundice
Dong Gua Zi
Benincasae Semen
Drain Dampness
ST, LI, SI, LU
Sweet, Cold
Clears heat, expels phlegm, and promotes the discarge of pus
Di Fu Zi
Kochiae Fructus
Drains Dampness
UB, KD
Sweet, Bitter, Cold
Clears wind-heat affecting the eyes and head
Clears damp-heat and promotes urination
Expels dampness and stops itching (can be used topically for this)
Deng Xin Cao
Junci Medulla
Drains Dampness
HT, LU, SI
Bland, Sweet, Slightly Cold
Promotes urination and unblocks painful urinary dribbling
Clears the heart and directs fire downward
Ze Xie
Alismatis Rhizoma
Drains Dampness
KD, UB
Sweet, Bland, Cold
Promotes urination and leaches out dampness
Settles ministerial fire in the kidneys by draining damp-heat from the lower burner
Qu Mai
Dianthi Herba
Drains Dampness
HT, SI, UB
Bitter, Cold
Clears damp-heat, promotes urination, and unblocks painful urinary dribbling
Breaks up blood stasis
Bi Xie
Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Rhizoma
Drains Dampness
UB, LV, ST
Bitter, Neutral
Separates clear from turbid
Expels wind-dampness, relazes the sinews, unblocks the collaterals
Clears damp-heat from the skin
Che Qian Zi
Plantaginis Semen
Drain Dampness
UB, KD, LV, LU
Sweet, Cold
Promotes urination and clears damp-heat
Promotes uriantion to solidify the stool
Clears the eyes
Expels phlegm and stops cough
Bian Xu
Polygoni Avicularis Herba
Drains Dampness
UB
Bitter, Slightly Cold
Clears damp-heat from the bladder, promotes urination, and unblocks painful urinary dribbling
Expels parasites and stops itching
Hai Jin Sha
Lygodii Spora
Drain Dampness
UB, SI
Bland, Cold, Sweet
Promotes urination, unblocks painful urinary dribbling, expels stones
Reduces edema and decreases jaundice
Du Huo
Angelicae Pubescentis Radix
Dispel Wind-Damp
Acrid, Bitter, Warm
KD, UB
Drying herb which can injure yin
When compared to Qing Huo, treats painful obstruction better in lower burner
Used for shao yin headache (beacuse goes to foot shao yin channel)
Wei Ling Xian
Clematidis Radix
Dispel Wind-Damp
Acrid, Salty, Warm
UB
Strongly mobilizes all twelve channels to unblock painful obstruction
Softens and transforms fish bones
Used for focal distention and accumulations in the middle burner b.c. it reduces phlegm and pathogenic water
Hai Tong Pi
Erythrinae Cortex
Dispel Wind-Damp
Bitter, Acrid, Neutral
LV, SP, KD
Treats wind-dampness in the lower half of the body
Unblocks the channels and collaterals
Can be used for patterns of either hot or cold
Promotes urination and reduces edema
Treats itching skin lesions
Used as a gargle for toothache due to dental caries
Mu Gua
Chaenomelis Fructus
Dispel Wind-Damp
Sour, Warm
LV, SP
Relaxes the sinews and unblocks the channels
Harmonizes the stomach and transforms dampness
Reduces food stagnation
Can Sha
Bombycis Faeces
Dispel Wind-Damp
Acrid, Sweet, Warm
LV, SP, ST
Dispels wind and eliminates dampness
Harmonizes the stoamch and transforms turbid dampness
Sang Ji Sheng
Taxilli Herba
Dispel Wind-Damp
Bitter, Sweet, Neutral
LV, KD
Tonifies the liver and kidneys
Strengthens the sinews and bones
Nourishes the blood
Calms the womb
Benefits the skin
Wu Jia Pi
Eleutherococci Gracilistyli Cortex
Dispel Wind-Damp
Acrid, Bitter, Warm
LV, KD
Strengthens sinews and bones
Reduces swelling
Qin Jiao
Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix
Dispel Wind-Damp
Acrid, Bitter, Slightly Cold
LV, GB, ST
Dispels wind-dampness and sooths the sinews and collaterals
Clears heat from deficiency
Reduces Jaundice
Moistens the intestines and unblocks the bowels
Sang Zhi
Mori Ramulus
Dispel Wind-Damp
Bitter, Neutral
LV
Unblocks the channels and collaterals
Benefits the joints
Used for edema, esp. when accompanied by joint pain
Xi Xian Cao
Siegesbeckiae Herba
Dispel Wind-Damp
LV, KD
Bitter, Cold
Unblocks the channels and collaterals
Clears heat and pacifies the liver
Clears and transforms damp-heat
Used for hypertension (due to liver yang rising)
Qian Hu
Peucedani Radix
Herbs that Cool & Transform Phlegm-Heat
Acrid, Bitter, Slightly Cold
LU
Directs qi downward and dispels phlegm
Disperses and scatters wind-heat
Chuan Bei Mu
Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus
Herbs that Cool & Transform Phlegm-Heat
Bitter, Sweet, Slightly Cold
HT, LU
Coears heat and transforms phlegm
Clears heat and dissipates nodules
*Compared to Zhe Bei Mu, it is better for lung
Zhe Bei Mu
Fritillariae Thunbergii Bulbus
Herbs that Cool & Transform Phlegm-Heat
Bitter, Cold
HT, LU
Clears and transforms phlegm-heat
Clears heat and dissipates nodules
*When compared to Chuan Bei Mu, this herb is better at dissipating nodules
Gua Lou
Trichosanthis Fructus
Herbs that Cool & Transform Phlegm-Heat
Sweet, Cold
LU, ST, LI
Clears heat and transforms phlegm heat
Unbinds the chest and dissipates nodules
Reduces abscesses and dissipates nodules
Gua Lou Pi
Trichosanthis Pericarpium
Herbs that Cool and Transform Phlegm-Heat
Sweet, Cold
LU, ST, LI
Clears the lungs and transforms phlegm
Regulates the qi and expands the chest
*Best at expanding the chest compared to other Gua Lou herbs
Gua Lou Ren
Trichosanthis Semen
Herbs that Cool and Transform Phlegm-Heat
Sweet, Cold
LU, ST, LI
Clears and transforms phlegm-heat
Expands the chest
Promotes the healing of sores
*Best at moistening the intestines compared to the other Gua Lou herbs
Zhu Ru
Bambusae Caulis In Taenim
Herbs that Cool and Transform Phlegm-Heat
Sweet, Slightly Cold
LU, ST, GB
Clears and transforms phlegm-heat
Clears heat and stops vomiting
Kun Bu
Eckioniae Thallus
Herbs that Cool and Transform Phlegm-Heat
Salty, Cold
KD, LV, ST
Reduces phlegm and softens areas of hardness
Promotes urination and reduces swelling
Hai Zao
Sargassum
Herbs that Cool and Transform Phlegm-Heat
Bitter, Salty, Cold
KD, LV, LU, ST
Reduces phlegm and softens areas of hardness
Promotes urination and reduces edema
Bai Jie Zi
Sinapis Semen
Herbs that Warm and Transform Phlegm-Cold
Acrid, Warm
LU
Warms the lungs, regulates Qi, and expels phlegm
Promotes movement of qi, disperses clumps, unblocks the collaterals, and stops pain
Bai Qian
Cynanchi Stauntonii Rhizoma
Herbs that Warm and Transform Phlegm-Cold
Acrid, Sweet, Slightly Warm
LU
Redirects the qi downward, disperses phlegm, stops cough
Jie Geng
Platycodi Radix
Herbs that Warm and Transform Phlegm-Cold
Acrid, Bitter, Neutral
LU
Opens up and disseminates the lung qi, dispels phlegm, and benefits the throat
Pushes out pus
Opens up and raises the lung qi which also directs the actions of other herbs to the upper regions of the body
*Used for LU or HT
Xuan Fu Hua
Inulae Flos
Herbs that Warm and Transform Phlegm-Cold
Acrid, Bitter, Salty, Slightly Warm
LU, LV, SP, ST
Reduces phlegm and promotes the dissipation of pathogenic water
Redirects the qi downward and stops vomitting
Zhi Ban Xia
Pinelliae Rhizoma Preparatum
Herbs that Warm and transform Phlegm-Cold
Acrid, Warm, Toxic
LU, SP, ST
Dries damp, transforms phlegm and causes rebellious qi to descend
Stops vomiting
Dissipates nodules and reduces clumps
Also for focal distention in the chest and epigastrum
*Bensky says this herb is slippery, bitter, and used for thin-phlegm (*Dr.Pai says this herb isnt really slippery, it is more drying in nature, and technically ALL herbs are some-what bitter)
Zhi Tian Nan Xing
Arisaematis Rhizoma Preparatum
Herbs that Warm and Transform Phlegm-Cold
Acrid, Bitter, Warm, Toxic
LU, LV, SP
Dries dampness and expels phlegm
Disperses wind-phlegm and stops spasms
Reduces swelling and alleviates pain
*One of the most drying herbs in…category?
Bile-prepared version (Dan Nan Xing) is made to reduce the severity of Tian Nan Xing and cool it down a bit. This process enhances its bitterness. It can then be used for the elderly, weak, and children.
Zi Wan
Asteris Radix
Relieve Cough and Wheeze
Acrid, Bitter, Slightly Warm
LU
Relieves cough and expels phlegm
Kuan Dong Hua
Farfarae Flos
Relieve Cough and Wheeze
Acrid, Warm
LU
Moistens the lungs, directs qi downward, stops cough, and transforms phlegm
Bai Bu
Stemonae Radix
Relieve Cough and Wheeze
Bitter, Sweet, Slightly Warm
LU
Moistens the lungs and stops cough
Expels parasites and kills lice
Sang Bai Pi
Mori Cortex
Relieve Cough and Wheeze
Sweet, Cold
LU
Drains heat from the lungs, stops cough, and calms wheezing
Promotes urination and reduces edema
Recently used for hypertension
*In past versions of the Materia Medica, this herb entered the SP as well
Pi Pa Ye
Eriobotrayae Folium
Relieve Cough and Wheeze
Bitter, Neutral
LU, ST
Transforms phlegm, clears lung heat, and redirects lung qi downward
Harmonizes the stomach, clears stomach heat, and reduces stomach qi downward
Xing Ren
Armeniacae Semen
Relieve Cough and Wheeze
Bitter, Slightly Warm, Slightly Toxic
LU, LI
Stops cough and calms wheezing
Moistens the intestines and unblocks the bowels
Zi Su Zi
Perillae Fructus
Relieve Cough and Wheeze
Acrid, Warm
LU, LI
Stops cough and calms wheezing, redirects the qi downward, and dissolves phlegm
Moistens the intestines and ublocks stool
Zhi Bai Fu Zi
Typhonii Rhizoma Preparatum
Warm Herbs that Transform Phlegm-Cold
Acrid, Sweet, Warm, Toxic
LV, SP, ST
Dries Damp, transforms phlegm, expels wind, stops spasms
Resolves toxicity and dissipates nodules
Dries damp and stops pain and itching
Hou Po
Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex
Aromatic, Transform Damp
Acird, Bitter, Warm
LU, LI, ST, SP
Promotes the movement of qi in the middle burner and resolves stagnation
Promotes the movement of qi downward, dries dampness, and transforms phlegm
Directs qi downward, reduces phlegm, and calms wheezing
Cang Zhu
Atractylodis Rhizoma
Aromatic, Transform Damp
Acrid, Bitter, Warm
SP, ST
Strongly dries dampness and strengthens the spleen
Induces sweating and dispels wind-dampness
Clears dampness from the lower burner
Improves vision
Huo Xiang
Pogostemonis/Agastaches Herba
Aromatic, Transform Damp
Acrid, Slightly Warm
LU, ST, SP
Aromatically transforms dampness, releases the exterior, and dispels summerheat
Harmonizes the middle burner and stops vomiting
Treats dermatosis
Sha Ren
Amomi Fructus
Aromatic, Transform Damp
Acrid, Aromatic, Warm
SP, ST
Promotes the movement of qi, tranforms dampness, and strengthens the spleen
Warms the middle and stops diarrhea
Calms the fetus
Also used in herbal prescriptions with tonifying herbs to preven them from causing stagnation
Bai Dou Kou
Amomi Fructus Rotundus
Aromatic, Transform Damp
Acrid, Aromatic, Warm
LU, SP, ST
Promotes the movement of qi, transforms dampness, and strengthens the stomach
Warms the middle burner and causes rebellious qi to descend
Cao Dou Kou
Alpiniae Katsumadai Semen
Aromatic, Transform Damp
Acrid, Aromatic, Warm
SP, ST
Dries dampness and warms the middle
Cao Guo
Tsaoko Fructus
Aromatic, Transforms Damp
Acrid, Warm
SP, ST
Strongly dries dampness and disperses cold
Checks malarial disorders
Dissolves stagnation and distention
Shan Zha
Crataegi Fructus
Relieve Food Stagnation
Sweet, Sour, Slightly Warm
LV, SP, ST
Reduces food stagnaton and transforms accumulation
Transforms blood stassis and dissipates clumps
Stops Diarrhea
Treats Hypertension
Mai Ya
Hordei Fructus Germinatus
Relieve Food Stagnation
Sweet, Neutral
LV, SP, ST
Reduces food stagnation and strengthens the stomach
Restrains lactation
Facilitates the smooth flow of liver qi
Lai Fu Zi
Raphani Semen
Relieve Food Stagnation
Acrid, Sweet, Neutral
LU, SP, ST
Reduces food stagnation and eliminates distention
Causes qi to descend and reduces phlegm
Recently used for hypertension
Shen Qu
Massa Medicata Fermentata
Relieve Food Stagnation
Acrid, Sweet, Warm
SP, ST
Reduces Food stagnation and harmonizes the stomach
Added to pills that contain minerals to aid in their digestion and absorption
Gu Ya
Setariae Fructus Germinatus
Relieve Food Stagnation
Sweet, Neutral
SP, ST
Ji Nei Jin
Gigeriae Galli Endothelium Corneum
Relieve Food Stagnation
Sweet, Neutral
UB, SI, ST, SP
Strongly reduces food stagnation and improves the spleen’s transportive function
Secures the essence and stops enuresis
Transforms hardness and dissolves stones
