Herbs That Tonify Qi

Question 1

What two organs are the dominant sources of Qi?

Answer 1

Lung and Spleen

Question 2

True or False
In TCM we treat the “patterns of disharmony” with acupuncture and herbs

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Generally, what property do the herbs that tonify Qi have?

Answer 3

Sweet

Question 4

What two organs are mainly the channel entrance for the herbs that tonify Qi?

Answer 4

Lung and Spleen

Question 5

What herb strongly tonifies Yuang Qi?

Answer 5

Ren Shen
(Distinguishing factor of Ren shen)

Question 6

Besides Ren shen entering the Lung and Spleen channels, what other organ is it associated with?

Answer 6

Heart
(Benefits the Heart Qi- another distinguishing factor of Ren shen)

Question 7

Besides having a sweet property, what other property is associated with Ren shen?

Answer 7

Warm (and slightly bitter)

Question 8

What herb is very expensive and takes many years to cultivate?

Answer 8

Ren shen

Question 9

What #1 herb can replace Ren shen that is much cheaper even at triple the dose?

Answer 9

Dang shen

Question 10

In English, what is Ren shen?

Answer 10

Ginseng root

Question 11

Is the herb that is substituted for Ren shen, Dang shen, also a root?

Answer 11

Yes

Question 12

If Dang shen is one of the herbs that tonify Qi, what would you say is the property of it?

Answer 12

Sweet

Question 13

Besides being sweet, Ren shen is also slightly:

Answer 13

Warm

Question 14

If Dang shen is a herb that tonifies Qi, what organ channels could you say they enter?

Answer 14

Lung and Spleen

Question 15

Does Dang shen, the herb that replaces Ren shen, have an effect on Yuan Qi?

Answer 15

No, only Ren shen does

Question 16

What herb that tonifies Qi also calms the spirit?

Answer 16

Ren shen, as also the heart is benefited by this herb

Question 17

What is the basic dosage for herbs that tonify Qi?

Answer 17

9 to 12 grams

Question 18

Why would excess, heat, or high blood pressure be a contradiction for Ren shen?

Answer 18

Because it is a tonic

Question 19

What herb looks like a yellow tongue depressor?

Answer 19

Huang qi
(Huang = yellow)

Question 20

If Huang qi is a herb that tonifies, what can you say the property of it is?

Answer 20

Sweet (and warm)

Question 21

Because Huang qi is a herb that tonifies Qi, then what organ channels could you safely say it enters?

Answer 21

Lung and Spleen

Question 22

What Qi tonifying herb is very safe where you can use up to 100 grams?

Answer 22

Huang qi (tongue depressor)

Question 23

Besides tonifying Qi, list three other actions of Huang qi

Answer 23

1. Tonifies blood as well
2. Raises Yang Qi of Spleen (protects spleen from prolapse)
3. Tonifies Wei Qi (stabilize the exterior)

Question 24

Generally herbs that tonify qi enter into the Lung and Spleen channels. What herb that tonifies Qi also enters into the Kidney channel?

Answer 24

Shan yao (unique characteristic of Shan yao)

Question 25

True or False Shan yao (chinese yam) is a very rich and nourishing herb, even too nourishing for a spleen deficiency

Answer 25

True

Question 26

What herb that tonifies Qi is also well known to dry dampness?

Answer 26

Bai zhu

Question 27

The Qi tonifying Herb,Bai zhu, which is known to dry dampness, is also well known for what else?

Answer 27

Preventing miscarriage (calm the fetus)

Question 28

Bai zhu is a tonifying Herb but does not enter the Lung channel. What channel does it enter instead?

Answer 28

Stomach (dries dampness)

Question 29

Bai zhu not only dries dampness and prevents miscarriages, but it also does what else?

Answer 29

Stops sweating by stabilizing the exterior

Question 30

What two #2 herbs are used in formulas to moderate or harmonize the harsh properties of other herbs?

Answer 30

1. Da zao (chinese date) 2. Gan cao (licorice root)

Question 31

If Bai zhu is a herb that dries dampness and is a warm herb, what is a contraindication for use?

Answer 31

Yin deficiency (already a lack of water) with heat signs

Question 32

What #1 herb is in 75% of all formulas?

Answer 32

Gan cao (licorice root)

Question 33

Why is Gan cao (licorice root) used in many formulas?

Answer 33

It moderates and harmonizes the characteristics of the other herbs

Question 34

Sweet herbs have a function of:

Answer 34

Tonify, or harmonize, or nourish, or moisten

Question 35

In general, what syndrome is contraindicated for herbs that tonify Qi?

Answer 35

Yin deficiency with heat, excess heat

Question 36

Name all 6 Herbs that Tonify Qi

Answer 36

1. Ren shen 2. Dang shen 3. Huang qi 4. Bai Zhu 5. Gan cao 6. Shan yao

Question 37

Name the one #2 herb in the herbs that Tonify qi

Answer 37

Da zao

Question 38

What two herbs in herbs that tonify Qi are associated with Spleen and stomach meridian?

Answer 38

1. Bai zhu 2. Da zao

Question 39

Name two herbs that tonify Qi that stabilize the exterior

Answer 39

1. Bai Zhu (bay damp) 2. Huang qi (qi qi qi)