Herbs that Nourish the HT and Calm the Spirit

Question 1

Category Characteristics: Nourish HT, Calm Shen

Answer 1

• Treat Shen disturbance - palpations, insomnia from HT blood and LV Yin xu
• All enter HT channel, many enter LV
• Minerals/shells - anchor Shen, can injure SP/ST qi
• Seeds - lubtricate/nourish the HT/SHen
• Should not be used for long periods of time

Question 2

• Sweet / Cool, TOXIC
• Sedates HT, calms spirit - typically only used in patents
• Clears heat, resolves toxicity - topically for carbuncles, mouth sores, sore throat, snakebite
• Expels phlegm, clears heat (internal or external) - phlegm misting the HT
• VERY TOXIC - can cause mercury poisoning

Answer 2

Zhū Shā 朱砂 (Cinnabais) - Cinnabar

Question 3

• Sweet / Neutral
• UB, HT, LV
• Tremors, palpatations, calms Shen
• Moves blood statsis
• Promotes urination - especially good for blood lin
• Reduces swelling, promotes healing - ulcerations, carbuncles, pain of scrotum/vulva
• CAD

Answer 3

Hŭ Pò 琥魄 (Succinum) - Amber

Question 4

• Sweet, Sour / Neutral
• LV/GB, HT, SP
• Nourishes HT Yin, augments LV blood, calms shen (raw) - #1 to noursh HT blood/Yin to calm shen
• Prevents abnormal sweating, spontaneous sweating, night sweating (dry fried)
• Preparation: crush before decocting, take in the morning
• Safe for long term use
• Raw - calms Shen, Dry fried - strengthens MJ/treats excessive sweating

Answer 4

Suān Zăo Rén 酸枣仁 (Semen Zizyphi Spinosae - Jujube Seed

Question 5

• Sweet / Neutral
• HT, KD, LI, SP
• Nourishes HT, calms Shen
• Moistens intestines, unblocks bowels - elderly/postpartum/xu conditions
• Night sweats/Yin xu

Answer 5

Băi Zĭ Rén 柏子仁 (Semen Platycladi) - Biota Seed

Question 6

• Bitter, Acrid / Sl. Warm
• HT, LU
• Calms Shen, quiets HT - pent up emotions
• Expels phlegm, clears orifices misting HT
• Expels (dry/hot) phlegm from LU - copious, difficult to expectorate sputum
• Reduces abscesses, disappates swelling - boils, abscesses, sores, swollen/painful breasts
• Disharmony of HT/KD
• Angina (recent)
• CI: Yin xu
• Incompatible w/ Zhen Zhu

Answer 6

Yuán Zhì 元志 (Radix Polygalae Tenuifoliae) - Senega Root

Question 7

• Sweet, Sl. Bitter / Neutral
• HT, LV
• Nourishes HT Blood, calms Shen - yin or blood xu w/ insomnia, sweating irritability, dream disturbed sleep
• Nourishes blood, unblocks channels - weakness, soreness, pain, numbness (wind)

Answer 7

Yè Jiāo Téng 夜交藤 (Polygoni Multiflori Caulis) - Fleeceflower Vine

Question 8

• Sweet, Bland / Neutral
• HT, SP, KD
• Calms Shen: insomnia, anxiety (SP/HT xu)
• Strengthens SP
• Promotes urination

Answer 8

Fú Shén 茯神 (Sclerotium Pararadicis Poriae Cocos) - Poria Sclerotium

Question 9

• Sweet / Neutral
• HT, LV
• Calms Shen, relieves constraint (LV qi stagnation)
• Moves blood, stops pain, reduces swelling - trauma/abscesses

Answer 9

Hé Huān Pí 合欢皮 (Cortex Albizziae Julibrissinis) - Mimosa Tree Bark

Question 10

• Sweet / Warm
• HT, LV
• Sedates HT, settles tremors/palpatations (not common)
• Warms LU, directs qi downward (cold deficiency)
• Warms womb - #1 for excessive menses, uterine bleeding or infertility (cold womb)

Answer 10

Zĭ Shí Yīng 紫石英 (Fluoritum) - Fluorite