Herbs: Regulate Qi Flashcards
What do herbs that regulate qi do?
They facilitate the proper workings of the qi dynamic, thereby helping it work smoothly and freely as a means of eliminating qi stagnation or rebellious qi.
What are the tastes and temperatures of herbs that regulate qi?
they are aromatic and warm, and are acrid or bitter in nature.
What are regulate qi herbs used for?
They are used to promote the movement of qi, reduce distention, smooth the flow of qi, expand the chest, relieve constraint, stop pain, and direct rebellious qi downward to stop vomiting.
From the perpective of Organs, which are the most important in the regulate qi category?
The Lungs, which govern the qi
The Liver, with governs dredging and draining
The Spleen, which governs transformation and transportation
The Stomach, which governs receiving and taking in
What are the two principle types of dysfunction in Regulate Qi herbs?
stagnation and rebellion
What does stagnation look like?
Stagnation is marked by sensations associated with blockage such as pain, distention, or stifling.
What does rebellion look like?
Rebellion is manifested in an upward movement of qi which should otherwise move downward.
What are the three major types of stagnant qi?
Stagnant Spleen and Stomach qi, Constrained Liver qi, and Stagnant Lung qi leading to loss of dissemination and descending.
What are the symptoms of Stagnant Spleen and Stomach qi?
epigastric and abdominal fullness, distention, and pain, belching, gas, acid regurgitation, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and diarrhea or constipation.
What are the symptoms of Constrained Liver qi?
stifling sensation in the chest, pain in the flanks, loss of appetite, depression, irritability, and (in severe cases) bulging disorders. In women this problem can also present as irregular menstruation or swollen, tender breasts.
What are the symptoms of Stagnant Lung qi leading to loss of dissemination and descending?
cough and wheezing accompanied by labored breathing, shortness of breath, and stifling sensation in the chest.
Where is pain felt that is due to blockage in the channels?
in the head or extremities
Where does stagnant qi that affects the Organs generally manifest?
in the chest and abdomen
Are herbs that regulate qi used alone or with other?
they are rarely used by themselves
What will long term use of Regulate qi herbs do?
Most of them are aromatic and dry in nature; longterm use will deplete the yin. The also disperse the qi and should therefore be used with caution in those with qi deficiency.
Anne’s Bullets on Chen Pi (Aged tangerine peel)
- Warm
- dries damp, transforms phlegm
- prevent stagnation
- # 1 herb that prevents tonifying herbs from causing stagnation
- good for nausea (combined with Ban Sha and Sheng Jiang)
- stops cough
Chen Pi (Aged tangerine peel) tastes and channels entered
acrid, bitter, warm, aromatic
Lung, Spleen, Stomach
Anne’s Bullets on Zhi Shi (Unripe bitter orange)
- Cool
- breaks up qi stagnation, reduces accumulations
- downward moving
- transforms phlegm, expel focal distention, constipation
- unblocks plugs
Zhi Shi (Unripe bitter orange) tastes and channels entered
bitter, acrid, slightly cold,
Large Intestine, Spleen, Stomach
Anne’s Bullets Zhi Ke (Bitter orange)
- used more for lungs, phlegm
- more gentle than Zhi Shi
Zhi Ke (Bitter orange) tastes and channels entered
bitter, acrid, slightly cold
Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestines
Anne’s Bullets Mu Xiang (Aucklandia, costus root)
- farting herb
- good for food stasis
- promotes movement of qi, alleviates pain (St and abdomen pain), tenesmus
Mu Xiang (Aucklandia, costus root) tastes and channels
acrid, bitter, warm
Gallbladder, Large Intestine, Spleen, Stomach, San Jiao
Anne’s Bullets Chen Xiang (Aquilaria Wood)
- enters the Kidney
- alleviates pain
- helps Kidney grasp Lung qi
Chen Xiang (Aquilaria Wood) tastes and channels
acrid, bitter, warm, aromatic
Kidney, Spleen, Stomach
Anne’s Bullets Wu Yao (Lindera root)
- Lower Jiao
- Abdominal pain, hernia (urogenital pain), menses pain (typically used for cramps)
- Warms Kidneys: stops enuresis and urine frequency
- Best qi regulator for menstrual pain and issues
Wu Yao (Lindera root) tastes and channels
acrid, warm
Bladder, Kidney, Lung, Spleen
Anne’s Bullets Xiang Fu (Cyperus)
- Emotional Herb
- Liver, ribs, costal region
- Regulates menses, alleviates pain
- Big PMS herb
Xiang Fu (Cyperus) tastes and channels
acrid, slightly bitter/sweet, neutral
Liver, San Jiao, Gallbladder
Anne’s Bullets Qing Pi (Unripe tangerine peel)
- # 1 guide to breasts
- breast pain/tenderness (premenstrual)
- bulging disorders: genitals, testicles
- dissipates clumps (nodules), reduces food stagnation
- raises blood pressure
Qing Pi (Unripe tangerine peel) tastes and channels
bitter, acrid, warm
Gallbladder, Liver, Stomach
Anne’s Bullet’s Chuan Lian Zi (Pagoda tree)
- only Cold herb in regulate qi category
- high toxicity
- kills parasites
Chuan Lian Zi (Pagoda tree) tastes and channels
bitter, cold, slightly toxic
Bladder, Liver, Small Intestine, Stomach
Anne’s Bullets Da Fu Pi (Areca husk)
- epigastric and abdominal distention, belching
- edema
- damp in stomach and intestines
Da Fu Pi (Areca husk) tastes and channels
acrid, slightly warm
Large Intestine, Small Intestine, Spleen, Stomach
Anne’s Bullets Mei Gui Hua (Rosebud)
- menstrual pain due to PMS
- light emotions
Mei Gui Hua (Rosebud) tastes and channels
sweet, slightly bitter, warm
Liver, Spleen
Anne’s Bullets Li Zhi He (Leechee nut)
- astringent
- disperses cold and stagnation, hernia and testicular pain: Shan Disorder
Li Zhi He (Leechee nut) tastes and channels
sweet, warm
Liver, Stomach
