Herbs 2 Flashcards
What is the emperor herb for gynaecological disorders?
Ai ye (mugwort leaf)
What are the properties and channels entered of ai ye (mugwort leaf)?
Bitter, acrid and warm
Kidney, Liver and Spleen
What are 8 actions of ai ye (mugwort leaf)?
Warms the womb
Warms Qi and blood
Stops bleeding – good for bleeding during pregnancy, threatened miscarriage and heavy period
Pacifies the foetus
Disperses cold and chases out deep contractable cold – particularly useful for cold in the lower Jiao
Alleviates pain
Dries damp and stops itching – can be used as an external wash to treat eczema.
Dilates the blood vessels
What blood regulating herb rescues yang from collapse and dries damp and stops itching?
Ai ye (mugwort leaf)
What are the properties and channels entered of di yu (sanguisorba)?
Bitter, sour and slightly cold
Liver, Large Intestine and stomach
Name 3 actions of di yu (sanguisorba)?
Cools the blood and stops bleeding
Clears heat and generate flesh – apply topically to sores, ulcers, and injuries from burns
Has a sinking nature – targets the lower Jiao – great for bleeding haemorrhoids
What are the properties and channels entered of Ce bai ye (oriental arborvitea leafy twig)?
Bitter, astringent and slightly cold
Lung, Liver and Large Intestines
Name 4 actions of Ce bai ye (oriental arborvitea leafy twig)
Cools the blood and stops bleeding due to blood heat
Cools and clears lung heat to expels phlegm (hot, yellow, difficult to expectorate) and stop cough
Promotes hair growth and prevents premature hair loss – immerse fresh leaves in 60% alcohol and rub on bald patches
Promotes the healing of burns
What herb treats all forms of haemorrhage, burns, chronic bronchitis and cough with phlegm that is difficult to expectorate?
Ce bai ye (oriental arborvitea leafy twig)
What are the properties and channels entered of Bai mao gen (woolly grass)?
Sweet and cold
Lung, stomach, small intestines and bladder
What is the emperor herb for nosebleeds?
Bai mao gen (woolly grass)
Which blood regulating herb is great for thirst, diabetes, vomiting up blood and coughing up blood?
Bai mao gen (woolly grass)
Name 3 actions of Bai mao gen (woolly grass)
Cools the blood and stops bleeding due to heat
Clears heat from the lungs and stomach - Great for coughing/vomiting up blood
Promotes urination and clears heat from the body out through the urine
What are the properties and channels entered of san qi (notoginseng)?
Sweet, slightly bitter and warm
Liver and Stomach
Which herb was used by the army by applying the grounded raw form onto injuries to help with pain and swelling?
san qi (notoginseng)
Name 5 actions of san qi (notoginseng)?
Miraculous herb to stop bleeding without causing blood stasis
Invigorates blood and transforms blood stasis
Heals wounds without causing any scars - Nanofibers in herb stimulate platelet formation.
Reduces swelling and stops pain - Grind raw herb and apply to external injury
Increases blood circulation
What blood regulating herb is used for nosebleeds, chest pain, sprains and can be taken on its own in pill form for menstrual pain.?
san qi (notoginseng)
What are the properties and channels entered of Pu Huang (cattail pollen)?
Sweet, acrid and neutral
Liver, Heart and Spleen
What blood regulating herb causes uterine contractions in it raw form and is therefore contraindicated during pregnancy?
Pu Huang (cattail pollen)
Which is the emperor herb for threatened miscarriage?
Pu Huang (cattail pollen)
What are 6 actions of Pu Huang (cattail pollen)?
Emperor herb for threatened miscarriage when charred
Stops bleeding in either hot or cold conditions (charred form) - Can be applied externally to stop bleeding
Invigorates Blood and dispels blood stasis
Stimulates uterus – caution during pregnancy when in raw form
Relieves pain – great for epigastric, chest pain and menstrual pain (raw form)
Promotes urination (raw form)
What are the properties and channels entered of Huai hua mi (sophora bud)?
Bitter and cool
Liver and Large intestines
What are 2 actions of Huai hua mi (sophora bud)?
Cools blood and stops bleeding – great for haemorrhoids, dysentery and damp-heat patterns of the LI
Cools the liver and clears liver heat – brightens the eyes and treats headaches
What blood invigorating herb treats haemorrhoids, red swollen eyes and headaches?
Huai hua mi (sophora bud)
What are the properties and channels entered of Da Ji (large thistle)?
Sweet and cool
Liver, spleen and heart
Name 3 actions of Da Ji (large thistle)
Cools blood and stops bleeding - Great for bleeding oesophagus – vomiting/coughing up blood
Benefits the gall bladder and reduces jaundice
Reduces swelling and generates flesh at sores (used topically as raw form)
What blood regulating herb is the emperor herb to treat damp-heat jaundice?
Da Ji (large thistle)
What are the properties and channels entered of Chi Shao (red peony root)?
Sour, bitter and slightly cold
Spleen and Liver
Name 5 actions of Chi Shao (red peony root)
Invigorates Blood and dispels stasis Relieves pain Clears heat and cools the Blood Clears Liver fire by anchoring Yang Reduces swelling from sores and abscesses
What blood invigorating herb anchors Yang to clear Liver fire, treats fevers, post-partum pain and abdominal masses?
Chi Shao (red peony root)
What are the properties and channels entered of Chuan niu xi (cyathula root)?
Bitter, sour and neutral
Liver and Kidney
Name 5 actions of Chuan niu xi (cyathula root)
Invigorates Blood and expels blood stasis to unblock the menses
Expels wind and drains damp (particularly in the lower Jiao)
Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys which strengthens the sinews and bones
Descends Blood and fire from the upper burner - treats Liver Yang rising
Promotes urination and treats dysuria
What is the main difference of Chuan Niu Xi (cyathula root) and Huai Niu Xi (achyranthes root)?
Chuan Niu Xi is characterised by promoting Blood circulation and directing it downwards.
Huai Niu Xi is more tonifying and treats weakness in the legs and knees.
What are the properties and channels entered of Chuan Xiong (szechuan lovage root)?
Acrid and warm
Liver, Gall Bladder and pericardium
What are 5 actions of Chuan Xiong (szechuan lovage root)?
Invigorates Blood and dissolves stasis due to cold
Warms and unblocks the blood vessels – great for angina and menstrual problems
Promotes the movement of Qi in all directions and causes Qi to ascend – do not give to rising conditions
Relieves pain and expels wind - great for treating headaches
Helps to promote the discharge of the placenta
What blood invigorating herb has a rapid onset that treats headaches, retained placenta, angina and should not be used in patients with liver yang rising or high blood pressure?
Chuan Xiong (szechuan lovage root)
What are the properties and channels entered of Dan Shen (salvia root)?
Bitter and slightly cold
Liver, heart and pericardium
What are 5 actions of Chuan Xiong (szechuan lovage root)?
Invigorates Blood and dissolves stasis due to cold -
Warms and unblocks the blood vessels – great for angina and menstrual problems
Promotes the movement of Qi in all directions and causes Qi to ascend – do not give to rising conditions. Great for Liver Qi stagnation
Relieves pain and expels wind - great for treating headaches
Helps to promote the discharge of the placenta
What single herb is said to have the same efficacy and therapeutic benefits of Si Wu Tang formula?
Dan Shen (salvia root)
What blood invigorating herb treats insomnia, abnormal menstruation, angina and enlarged liver and spleen?
Dan Shen (salvia root)
What are the properties and channels entered of Yan Hu Suo (corydalis rhizome)?
Acrid, bitter and warm
Heart, Liver and Stomach
What is the number 1 and number 2 herb for treating pain?
- Yan Hu Suo (corydalis rhizome)
2. Wu Ling Zhi (flying squirrel faeces)
Name 4 actions of Yan Hu Suo (corydalis rhizome)?
Relieves pain - Relaxes spasmodic tension all over the body
Stimulates the circulation of Blood
Moves Qi and blood to transform blood stagnation
Warms and unblocks the blood vessels
What blood invigorating herb treats spasmodic tension all over the body?
Yan Hu Suo (corydalis rhizome)
What are the properties and channels entered of Ji Xue teng (spatholobus root and vine)
Bitter, sweet and warm
Heart, spleen and liver
Name 6 actions of Ji Xue teng (spatholobus root and vine)
Invigorates the blood (mild, gentle action)
Tonifies and nourishes the blood (mild action, better at moving than tonifying)
Boosts immune system – combine with Gou Qi Zi (10g each)
Promotes uterine contractions – do not give when pregnant
Unblocks the channels and relaxes the sinews
Effective at treating anaemia
What blood invigorating herb treats anaemia and is great at boosting the immune system?
Ji Xue teng (spatholobus root and vine)
What are the properties and channels entered of Tao Ren (peach kernel)?
Bitter, sweet and neutral
Heart, Large Intestines, Liver, Lungs
Name 4 actions of Tao Ren (peach kernel)
Invigorates the blood
Forcefully breaks up blood stagnation in the lower Jiao and dissolves tumours
Moistens Intestines and unblocks the bowels (rich in oils)
Generates new blood
What blood invigorating herbs treats endometriosis, fibroids, tumours in the lower jiao and constipation due to dry intestines?
Tao Ren (peach kernel)
What are the properties and channels entered of Hong Hua (safflower)?
Acrid and warm
Liver and Heart
What are the therapeutic differences in the dosage of Hong Hua (safflower)?
- large doses >3g this herb breaks up blood stag forcefully and is used to facilitate abortion (IV or oral)
- small doses 3g or less it gently moves and nourishes the blood (harmonise the blood)
What are 6 actions of Hong Hua (safflower)?
Invigorates blood and dispels Blood stagnation – great for menstrual problems
Helps to generate new blood
Opens the channels
Promotes uterine contractions – Only use during pregnancy if wanting to induce labour
Increases the expression of rashes and measles
Stops pain and reduces swelling by invigorating the blood
What are the properties and channels entered of Lu lu tong (liquidambar fruit)?
Bitter and neutral
Liver and Stomach
What blood invigorating herb is one of the best herbs at promoting lactation?
Lu lu tong (liquidambar fruit)
What are 5 actions of Lu lu tong (liquidambar fruit)?
Invigorates Qi and Blood to dispels stasis
Unblocks all 12 channels
Disperses wind-damp-bi pain
Promotes urination to reduce oedema
Promotes lactation - one of the best herbs for this action
What are the properties and channels entered of Wu ling zhi (flying squirrel shit)?
Bitter, sweet and warm
Liver
Name 4 actions of Wu ling zhi (flying squirrel shit)
Invigorates blood and disperses stasis (raw form)
Great at alleviating pain (2nd to yan hu suo)
Stops bleeding
Treats childhood nutritional impairment
What are the properties and channels entered of Huai niu xi (white oxknee root)?
Bitter, sour and neutral
Liver and Kidney
Name 5 actions of Huai niu xi (white oxknee root)
Invigorates Blood and expels blood stasis
Clears damp-heat in the Lower Burner
Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys to strengthen the sinews and bones
Relieves pain and treats weakness in the knees and legs
promotes urination
What are the properties and channels entered of Wang bu liu xing (vaccaria seeds)?
Bitter and neutral
Liver and Stomach
Name 3 actions of Wang bu liu xing (vaccaria seeds)
Invigorates Blood and dispels stasis - Above - Unblocks lactation (powerful effect) - Below - Unblocks period Can induce labour Enhances urination to reduce oedema
What Blood invigorating her is said to be so fast moving that the king cannot restrain it?
Wang bu liu xing (vaccaria seeds)
What are the properties and channels entered of Si Gua Luo (loofah)?
Sweet and neutral
Lung, Stomach and Liver
What blood invigorating herb treats insufficient lactation, hot phlegm, arthritic pain and mastitis?
Si Gua Luo (loofah)
Name 5 actions of Si Gua Luo (loofah)
Invigorates the blood and dispels blood stasis
Benefits the breasts and unblocks lactation
Resolves toxicity and reduces swelling
Unblocks the channels and collaterals and dispels wind
Expels phlegm due to lung heat
What are the properties and channels entered of E Zhu (Curcuma rhizome)?
Bitter, acrid and warm
Liver and Spleen
Name 4 actions of E Zhu (Curcuma rhizome)
Forcefully moves Qi and Blood and breaks up blood stasis (better at breaking up Qi than San Leng)
Alleviates pain – great for food stagnation pain
Dissolves accumulations
Anti-cancer herb
What 2 herbs are used together for invigorating blood if other herbs fail?
E Zhu (Curcuma rhizome) and San Leng (burr reed rhizome)
What are the properties and channels entered of San Leng (burr reed rhizome)
Bitter, acrid and neutral
Liver and Spleen
Name 4 actions of San Leng (burr reed rhizome)
Forcefully moves Qi and Blood and breaks up blood stasis (better at breaking up Blood than E Zhu)
Alleviates pain
Dissolves accumulations
Anti-cancer herb
What blood invigorating herb treats fullness due to food stagnation, cancers, palpable masses and ectopic pregnancy?
San Leng (burr reed rhizome)
What are the properties and channels entered of Jiang Huang (turmeric)?
Bitter, acrid and warm
Spleen, Stomach and Liver
What blood invigorating herb treats wind-cold-damp bi pain of the shoulders and arms?
Jiang Huang (turmeric)
Name 4 actions of Jiang Huang (turmeric)?
Invigorates Blood and dispels stasis – unblock menses
Promotes the movement of Qi and opens the channels
Expels wind and alleviates pain
Dispels wind-damp bi pain - Targets the shoulders and arms
What are the properties and channels entered of Yu Jin (curcuma)?
Liver, heart and Lung
Bitter, acrid and cool
What blood invigorating herb treats emotional instability and depression when there is an element of heat obstructing the Shen?
Yu Jin (curcuma)
Name 6 actions of Yu Jin (curcuma)
Invigorates Blood and dispels stasis
Promotes the movement of Qi
Clears heat and cools the Blood
Clears the Heart and opens the orifices to calm the Shen and relieve depression when hot phlegm is obstructing
Normalises Gall Bladder function to reduce jaundice and treat gallstones
Can reverse Liver damage
What are the properties and channels entered of Ze Lan (lycopos)?
Bitter, acrid and slightly warm
Liver and Spleen
Name 4 actions of Ze Lan (lycopos)
Gently Invigorates Blood and dispels stasis
Unblocks menstruation
Promotes urination and regulates fluid metabolism - Treats swelling, facial oedema, fluid retention
Moves Liver Qi
What blood invigorating herb treats facial oedema, menstrual pain, post-partum pain and painful urinary dysfunction?
Ze Lan (lycopos)
What are the properties and channels entered of Yi Mu Cao (Leonurus)
Acrid, bitter, slightly cold
Heart, liver and bladder
Name 4 actions of Yi Mu Cao (Leonurus)
Activates Blood flow and removes Blood stagnation to regulate menses
Promotes urination and reduces oedema and swellings
Clears heat and resolves toxicity
Reduces uterus back to original size after labour – Action is like oxytocin and will help with 3rd stage labour
What blood invigorating herb reduces the uterus back to its original size post labour?
Yi Mu Cao (Leonurus)
What are the properties and channels entered of Gan Jiang (dried ginger)?
Acrid and hot
Heart, lungs, spleen, stomach and kidney
Name 7 actions of Gan Jiang (dried ginger)
Warms the Middle and expels cold
Harmonises the stomach – great for nausea/vomiting
Warms the Lungs and transforms thin phlegm
Warms Original Yang to rescue devastated Yang
Warms the channels and unblocks the pulse
Stops bleeding (Charred - Pao Jiang)
Dispels wind-dampness seeping into the lower Jiao
What interior warming herb warms the middle Jiao, is great for nausea/vomiting and transforms thin phlegm?
Gan Jiang (dried ginger)
What are the properties and channels entered of Fu Zi (Aconite)?
Acrid, hot and toxic
Kidney, heart and spleen
Name 4 actions of Rou Gui (cinnamon bark)
Warms and strengthens Kidney, Spleen and Heart Yang
Disperses deep cold and warms the channels to treat pain and bi syndrome
Anchors floating heat - leads fire back to its source – if Kidney Yang is deficient, you will have yin cold, yin cold repels yang and the deficient yang floats upwards and fails to reside in the lower burner and as a result the person will present with disturbed spirit, malar flush (false heat above with true cold below, not heat above/cold below)
Assists in the generation of Qi and Blood
What herb when you put on your tongue grounded tastes sweet if your body needs it?
Rou Gui (cinnamon bark)
What hot herb treats Kidney, Spleen and Heart Yang deficiency and infertility caused by cold?
Rou Gui (cinnamon bark)
What are the properties and channels entered of Wu Zhu Yu (evodia fruit)?
Bitter, acrid, hot, slightly toxic
Heart, Stomach, Liver and Spleen
Name 8 actions of Wu Zhu Yu (evodia fruit)
Strongly warms the Middle Burner Warms the Spleen and stops diarrhoea, vomiting and nausea Disperses cold Redirects rebellious Qi downwards Expels damp-cold Leads fire downwards Warms Liver channel to stop pain in lower Jiao Anchors floating heat externally
What herb is the main herb in the formula wen jing tang, a gynaecological formula where cold is causing blood stagnation in the uterus?
Wu Zhu Yu (evodia fruit)
What herb strongly warms the middle burner, treats nausea and vomiting, mouth ulcers and anchors floating heat externally?
Wu Zhu Yu (evodia fruit)
What are the properties and channels entered of Xiao Hui Xiang (Fennel seeds)?
Acrid and warm
Kidney, Liver, Stomach and Spleen
Name 5 actions of Xiao Hui Xiang (Fennel seeds)
Warms interior and stops pain
Warms and harmonises the middle and lower Jiao (Kidney, Liver, Stomach and Spleen)
Regulates Qi
Disperses and scatters cold
Harmonises the Stomach and aids digestion
What warming herb treats hernias, indigestion, lack of appetite and vomiting?
Xiao Hui Xiang (Fennel seeds)
Name 7 actions of Fu Zi (Aconite)?
Restores devastated Yang and warms original Yang to treat Yang collapse (Tuo syndrome)
Warms the Kidneys and allows Ming Men Fire to return to life
Warms the middle Jiao and assists Heart, Kidney, and Spleen Yang
Disperses cold and dampness
Warms the channels and alleviates pain
Helps Shen find it residence in the heart – promotes peaceful sleep
Guides the action of other herbs into all twelve channels
What violently drying and short acting herb is a scheduled herb and cannot be prescribed in Aus?
Fu Zi (Aconite)
What herb is one of the best herbs at treating Yang collapse (Tuo syndrome), body aches due to wind-cold-damp, cold extremities and extreme fatigue following illness?
Fu Zi (Aconite)
What are the properties and channels entered of Bai Zhu (astractylodes rhizome)?
Bitter, sweet and warm
Spleen and Stomach
Name 4 actions of Bai Zhu (astractylodes rhizome)
Tonifies and enhances Spleen Qi
Dries dampness and promotes water metabolism
Stabilises the exterior and stops sweating
Stabilises pregnancy, calms the foetus and prevents miscarriage by enhancing Spleen Qi and its ability to hold.
What herb that is said to be the partner herb of Fu Ling is one of the best herbs at treating damp and Spleen Qi deficiency?
Bai Zhu (astractylodes rhizome)
What herb stabilises pregnancy, calms the foetus and prevents miscarriage by enhancing Spleen Qi and its ability to hold?
Bai Zhu (astractylodes rhizome)
What are the properties and channels entered of Da Zao (Jujube, Chinese dates)?
Sweet and warm
Spleen and Stomach
Name 5 actions of Da Zao (Jujube, Chinese dates)
Tonifies Spleen and Stomach Qi Nourishes Blood Calms the Shen Moderates nutritive and protective Qi Moderates and harmonises the harsh properties of other herbs.
Which Qi tonifying herb can generate damp if taken too much?
Da Zao (Jujube, Chinese dates)
Which tonifying Qi herb is great for fatigue, insomnia, irritability and poor appetite?
Da Zao (Jujube, Chinese dates)
What are the properties and channels entered of Dang Shen (Codonopsis root)?
Sweet and neutral
Lung and Spleen
What herb is known as the poor man’s Ren Shen as it has similar action without the ability to tonify the heart or Original Qi?
Dang Shen (Codonopsis root)
Name 4 actions of Dang Shen (Codonopsis root)
Tonifies the Middle Burner
Tonifies the Lungs and treats asthma and cough
Generates Body fluids and treats diabetes
Indirectly nourishes the Blood
What are the properties and channels entered of Gan Cao (licorice root)?
Sweet, neutral (raw). Sweet, warm (dry-fried – Zhi Gan Cao)
All 12 channels including the Heart, Lung, Spleen, Stomach
Name 6 actions of Gan Cao (licorice root)
Tonifies Qi
Moistens and nourishes the Lungs to stop cough (honey fried)
Nourishes Spleen and Heart (Honey fried)
Clears heat and relieves fire toxicity (raw)
Relieves spasms and pain (raw)
Neutralises toxins and moderates’ actions of other herbs and guides the herbs to all 12 channels
What herb when abused or chronically used can result in hypertension, like cushions syndrome and lower basal metabolite rate to decrease thyroid function?
Gan Cao (licorice root)
What herb is great for treating painful muscle spasms of the abdomen or legs, toxic abscesses, asthma and palpitations?
Gan Cao (licorice root)
What are the properties and channels entered of Huang Qi (Astragalus root)?
Sweet and slightly warm
Lung and Spleen
Name 7 actions of Huang Qi (Astragalus root)
Tonifies Lung and Spleen Qi
Enhances the production of Blood
Raises Yang Qi of the Spleen and Stomach for when there is a failure to hold , can cause insomnia if taken at night.
Consolidates the Exterior and tonifies Wei Qi – treats spontaneous sweating and prevents the invasion of pathogens
Regulates fluid metabolism and enhances urination
Generates flesh and muscle growth
Promotes the discharge of pus
Which Qi tonifying herb can cause insomnia due to its ability to raise Yang Qi?
Huang Qi (Astragalus root)
Which Qi tonifying herb treats asthma, weakness from illness, diabetes, spontaneous sweating, oedema and prolapse?
Huang Qi (Astragalus root)
What are the properties and channels entered of Ren Shen (Ginseng root)?
Sweet, slightly bitter, slightly warm
Lung and Spleen
What herb is one of the most powrful herb at tonifying the Original Qi of the five organs and reviving Qi collapse?
Ren Shen (Ginseng root)