Herbs that Cool and Transform Phlegm Heat

Question 1

Qian Hu

Answer 1

bitter, acrid, sl cold
LU
3-9
1. Directs qi downwards, dispels phlegm (cough or wheezing with thick sputum dt turbid clogging of the LU)
2. Disperses and scatters wind heat (exterior patterns of externally-contracted wind- heat with h/a and cough. Most suitable when wind heat constrains the LU)

Question 2

Chuan Bei Mu

Answer 2

bitter, sweet, sl cold
HT, LU
3-9
1. Clears heat, transforms phlegm (many types of cough, chiefly chronic cough, cough with signs of fire dt expectorate, or cough with blood streaked sputum. Most effective in tx cough accompanied by constrained qi)
2. Clears heat, dissipates nodules (d/x which phlegm-fire collects and produces etc)

Question 3

Zhe Bei Mu

Answer 3

bitter, cold
HT, LU
4.5-9
1. Clears and transforms phlegm heat (acute LU heat patterns with productive cough)
2. Clears heat and dissipates nodules (phlegm fire which congeals and causes neck swellings. Also important for LU and breast abscess and swellings)

Question 4

Gua Lou

Answer 4

sweet, cold
LI, LU, ST
9-21
1. Clears heat and transform phlegm-heat (heat iinduced coughs with sputum that is thick and difficult to expectorate. Stand alone for this)
2. Unbinds the chest and dissipates nodules (conditions in which qi accumulates in the chest leading to a stifiling or distending sensation)
3. Reduces abscesses and dissipates nodules (primarily for abscesses involving the LU, IN, or breast)

Question 5

Gua Lou Pi

Answer 5

sweet, cold
LU, ST, LI
6-12
1. Clears the LU and transforms phlegm (phlegm heat in the chest or dry cough with difficult to expectorate sputum and dry throat dt wind heat)
2. Regulates the qi and expands the chest (chest bi, clumping in the chest, early stages of breast abscess)

Question 6

Gua Lou Ren

Answer 6

sweet, cold
LU, ST, LI
9-15
1. Clears and transforms phlegm heat (phlegm heat cough. Both cools and moistens. Especially useful for cough with chest pain and thick, difficult to expectorate sputum)
2. Expands the chest (accumulation of phlegm in the chest leading to a stifling sensation, pain, or diaphragmatic pressure)
3. Moistens the Intestines (dry constipation, espeically when it appears in a pattern of LU heat with dry mouth, thirst, irritability)
4. Promotes healing of sores (used adjunctively for breast abscess and swelling as well as sores that have not yet suppurated)

Question 7

Zhu Li

Answer 7

sweet, cold
HT, LU, ST
30-60
1. Clears heat, transforms phlegm, penetrates to the channels (phlegm obstructing the heart (sensory) orifices(
2. Transforms phlegm-heat and stop cough (used in small doses as a powerful adjucting herb for treating cough dt phlegm heat)

Question 8

Zhu Ru

Answer 8

sweet, sl cold
LU, ST, GB
4.5-9
1. Clears and transforms phelgm heat (heat in the LU with viscous sputum. Also GB fire harboring phlegm and phlegm-heat)
2. Clears heat and stops vomiting (for vomiting of bitter or sour matter dt heat in the ST- from either excess of deficiency. Very effective at stopping vomiting.)

Question 9

Fu Shi

Answer 9

salty, cold
LU
6-10 (should be pulverized before decocting)
1. Clears heat from the LU and transforms heat (for heat accumulation in the LU with sputum that is viscous and difficult to expectorate. Most commonly used for long-term d/o)
2. Softens hardness and dissipates phlegm nodules (scrofula and similar d/o caused by phlegm fire)
3. Promotes urination as it unblocks the upper source of water (hot or stony lin)

Question 10

Fu Hai Shi

Answer 10

salty, cold
LU
6-10 (pulverize before decocting)
1. Same as Fu Shi, but more efective for dissipating clumps

Question 11

Qing Meng Shi

Answer 11

sweet, salty, neutral
LV, LU, ST
9-15
1. Directs qi downward and reduces phlegm (chronic wheezing and cough dt old and stubborn phlegm that has become especially viscous and clumped. Also used for severe food stagnation)
2. Calms the LV and suppresses jitteriness and convulsions (withdrawl-mania, chronic convulsions, severe palpitations dt clogging and disruption of phlegm heat)

Question 12

Ge Qiao (Ge Ke)

Answer 12

bitter, salty, cold
LU, ST
6-15
1. Clears heat and transforms phlegm (cough adn wheezing dt phlegm-heat or constrained clumping of phlegm fire which impaires the LU clarifying and descending functions.)
2. Softens hardness and dissipates nodules (d/o as phlegm fire goiter and scrofula)
3. Promotes urination and expels dampness (turbid lin and vaginal discharge. Mild effect)
4. Controls acidity and stops pain (used in calcinated, powdered form for epigastric pain and acid regurgitation. Excess stomach acid)
5. Mildly promotes urination (superficial edema and urinary dysfunction)

Question 13

Kun Bu

Answer 13

salty, cold
KD, LV, ST
6-15
1. Reduces phlegm and softens areas of hardness (various kinds of nodules in the neck or sensation of fullness and obstruction in the chest caused by phlegm, Recently used with substances that invigorate the blood and transform stasis)
2. Promotes urination and reduces swelling (weak action)

Question 14

Hai Zao

Answer 14

bitter, salty, cold
KD, LV, LU, ST
6-15
1. Reduces phlegm and softens areas of hardness (neck nodules. Also bulging disorders)
2. Promotes urination and reduces edema (adjunctive)

Question 15

Pang Da Hai

Answer 15

sweet, cold
LI, LU
2-3 peices
1. Clears and disseminates LU qi (sore throat, hoarseness, phlegm heat cough and constrained LU qi. Used as tea alone for hoarseness)
2. Moistens the Intestines and unblocks the bowels (mild to moderate constipation dt heat clumping in the intestines. Can be used alone for mild cases)
3. Encourages the expression of rashes (used adjunctively, as an external wash for incomplete expression of rashes)

Question 16

Ze Qi

Answer 16

acrid, bitter, sl cold, toxic
SI, LI, LU
5-10
1. Transforms Phelgm, stops cough, arrests wheezing (cough and wheezing dt LU heat with phlegm and thin mucus)
2. Transforms phlegm and dissipates nodules (scrofula)
3. Promotes urination and reduces edema (edema of the upper abdomen, face and eyes, and extremities. Strong effect)

Question 17

Huang Yao Zi

Answer 17

bitter, cold
LV, LU
6-15
1. Dissipates nodules and reduces goiter (used alone in a tincture)
2. Clears heat and resolves toxicity (for toxic swellings, swollen and painful throat, and animal bites. Only for emergency phase of snake bite. Never as a subsitute for anitvenom. Many types of cancer.)
3. Cools the blood, stops bleeding (sx vomiting blood, coughing up blood, uterine bleeding)
4. Stops coughs and calms wheezing (cough both acute and chronic bronchitus)

Question 18

Ming Dang Shen

Answer 18

sweet, sl bitter, cool
LU, LV
4.5-12
1. Moistens the LU and transforms phlegm (cough dt LU heat damaging the yin or cough due to externally contracted dryness with sputum that is difficult to oexpectorate
2. Nourish the st and harmonize the middle (damaged ST fluids in the aftermath of a febrile disease)

Question 19

Bi Qi

Answer 19

sweet, sl cold
LU, ST, LI
30-120 (30-60 g if the fresh, macerated juice is used)
1. Transforms phlegm and reduces accumulations (cough from phlegm heat or phlegm nodules)
2. Clears LU and ST heat, generates fluids, stops thirst (intense thirst and conspitation from heat in the LU and St)