Herbs II: Final Review (Part I) Flashcards
Fu Zi / Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata
Functions:
- Restores the Yang to rescue collapse and devastated Yang disorders. Can assist with Heart Yang above, warm Spleen Yang in the middle, and supplement Kidney Yang below.
- Strengthens the Yang and supplements the fire. Often used for cold syndromes such as impotence, lack of libido, cold pain of the lower back, epigastrium, and abdomen, frequent night urination, etc.
- Warms the channels; disperses cold and dampness.
Chuan Wu / Radix Aconiti Preparata
Functions:
- Dispels Wind-Dampness and Wind-Cold or Wind-Damp Bi syndrome. More effective than Fu Zi in dispelling cold, but has less tonifying properties
- Disperses Cold to alleviate pain
- Reduces swelling and treats abscesses and lesions
Cao Wu / Radix Aconiti Kusnezoffii
Functions:
The properties, channels entered, and actions of this herb are similar to Chuan Wu, but it is stronger and more toxic.
- Dispels Wind-Dampness and Wind-Cold or Wind-Damp Bi syndrome. More effective than Fu Zi in dispelling cold, but has less tonifying properties
- Disperses Cold to alleviate pain
- Reduces swelling and treats abscesses and lesions
Rou Gui / Cortex Cinnamomi Cassiae
Functions:
- Supplements fire and strengthens the Yang. Effective in treating various disorders due to Kidney Yang deficiency and vital gate fire wane
- Leads fires back to its source (i.e. upward-floating of deficient Kidney Yang)
- Disperses cold to alleviate pain
- Warms the channels and unblocks the vessels; treats amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea due to Chong and Ren channels deficiency and cold coagulation leading to blood stagnation
- Can invigorate the growth of Qi and Blood or constitutional deficiency caused by Qi and blood wane
Gan Jiang / Rhizoma Zingiberis
Functions:
- Warms the middle jiao and disperses cold
- Restores devastated Yang, warms and unblocks the channels
- Warms the Lung and transforms congested fluid (dissolves phlegm)
Wu Zhu Yu / Fructus Evodiae Rutaecarpae
Functions:
- Disperses cold and alleviates pain, various pain due to cold stagnating the Liver channel
- Warms the Middle Jiao to stop vomiting
- Spreads the Liver and descends rebellious Qi downward
- Strengthens Spleen Yang and stops diarrhea due to Spleen and Kidney deficiency cold
- Leads fire downward
- Activates Qi circulation and relieves pain
Xia Hui Xiang / Fructus Feoniculi Vulgaris
Functions:
- Disperses cold to alleviate pain; warms the Liver and Kidneys
- Regulates the Qi to harmonize the stomach
Bi Pa / Fructus Piperis Longi
Functions:
- Warms the middle jiao and disperses cold; helps relieve pain in the middle jiao from cold
Hu Jiao / Fructus Piperis Nigri
Functions:
- Warms the middle jiao and disperses cold; can also be used externally when placed in the navel for treating abdominal pain and diarrhea due to exterior cold evil attacking
Chuan Jiao / Pericarpium Zanthoxyli Bungeani
Functions:
- Warms the middle jiao and alleviates pain and helps relieve diarrhea
- Kills Parasites (particularly roundworm)
- Stops itch from eczema or vagina itch
Ding Xiang / Flos Caryophylli
Functions:
- Warms the middle jiao and descends rebellious Qi; used for addressing vomiting and hiccough due to stomach cold
- Disperses cold and alleviates pain; treats stomach cold with epigastric and abdominal pain
- Warms the Kidney and aids the Yang
- Used for Yin type sores or traumatic injury
Ding Xiang / Flos Caryophylli
Special Characteristics:
Do not combine with Yu Jin
Bi Pa / Fructus Piperis Longi
Special Characteristics:
Can help relieve toothache pain when used as a powder; also good for treating angina due to congestion in the chest (chest Bi syndrome)
Wu Zhu Yu / Fructus Evodiae Rutaecarpae
Special Characteristics:
Primarily targets the Liver and Stomach
Gan Jiang / Rhizoma Zingiberis
Special Characteristics:
Gan Jiang and Xi Xin are the only two herbs that can warm the lung and transform congested fluid
Rou Gui / Cortex Cinnamomi Cassiae
Special Charateristics:
When used in decoctions, should be added near the end; should be crushed into small pieces prior to use.
Cao Wu / Radix Aconiti Kusnezoffii
Special Characteristics:
Use of powder is not recommended due to its toxicity. This herb is incompatible with Ban Xia, Gua Lou, Bei Mu, Bai Lian, and Bai Ji
Chuan Wu / Radix Aconiti Preparata
Special Characteristics:
Use of powder is not recommended due to its toxicity. This herb is incompatible with Ban Xia, Gua Lou, Bei Mu, Bai Lian, and Bai Ji
Fu Zi / Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata
Special Characteristics:
This herb is incompatible with Ban Xia, Gua Lou, Bei Mu, Bai Lian, and Bai Ji
Ling Yang Jiao / Cornu Saigae Tataricae
Functions:
- Calms the spirit (heart, shen disturbance), and extinguishes liver wind. Treats spasms and convulsions due to internal movement of Liver Wind. Subdues central nervous system
- Calms the Liver and anchors Liver Yang
- Clears Liver Heat and improves vision. Headache, red, swollen eyes, dues to Liver fire rising
- Clears heat and relieves toxicity
Gou Teng / Ramulus Uncariae cum Uncis
Functions:
- Extinguishes wind and alleviates spasms; treats spasms, convulsions, and seizure disorders due to internal movement of Liver wind
- Clears heat and calms Liver Yang; treats headache and dizziness due to Liver Fire or Liver Yang rising
- Used for children at nighttime when weeping aloud
Tian Ma / Rhizoma Gastrodia
Functions:
- Calms the Liver and anchors Yang; major herb for treating dizziness
- Extinguishes wind and alleviates spasms; chief herb for treatment of spasms and convulsions due to internal movement of liver wind
- Unblocks channels and collaterals, and alleviates pain; treats headache, wind-damp Bi syndrome and numbness of limbs
Quan Xie / Scorpio
Functions:
- Extinguishes wind and alleviates spasms; treats spasms and convulsions due to various factors, especially excess patterns
- Attacks toxin and disperses nodules
- Unblocks channels and collaterals, and alleviates pain; used for chronic and stubborn Bi syndrome