Herbs that Tonify Qi Flashcards
This card deck goes over the herbs in the category "Herbs that Tonify Qi". There will be properties, meridians, functions and indications covered. Plus any additional notes/comments, and comparisons to similar herbs.
What are the general qualities of the herbs that Tonify Qi?
Sweet and warm, or sweet and bland.
What are the most common meridians that Tonify Qi herbs go to?
Lung and Spleen
How does SP Qi Deficiency generally manifest?
Fatigue, poor appetite, fullness of epigastrium and abdomen, loose stool, oedema, and/or prolapse of internal organs.
How does LU Qi Deficiency generally manifest?
Shortness of breath, disinclination to speak, low and weak voice, and/or spontaneous sweating.
What is the relationship between Qi with Blood and Body Fluids?
Qi controls and generates blood and body fluids.
What herbs are often combined with Tonify Qi Herbs?
Herbs that stop bleeding, spontaneous sweating, and incontinence. Herbs to tonify yang, yin, and blood are often combined as well.
What are the precautions to take when using herbs that tonify qi?
One should add in the herbs that move qi to prevent stagnation, especially in the middle jiao.
What is Ren Shen also known as?
Radix Ginseng, Panax Ginseng.
What are the properties of Ren Shen?
Sweet, slightly bitter, slightly warm
What meridians does Ren Shen travel too?
Most potently the Lung and Spleen, but also all 5 organs.
What are the functions of Ren Shen?
It strongly tonifies basal (yuan) qi, and rescues collapse. Tonifies Lung Qi, strengthens SP, tonifies ST, generate fluids, stops thirst, benefits HT Qi, and calms the spirit.
What are the indications for the use of Ren Shen?
Extreme deficiency, collapse of qi, chronic disease, severe loss of blood, chronic diarrhea (due to SP Qi Xu), cough or asthma (due to LU Qi Xu), diabetes, high fever, HT Qi Xu, HT Xue Xu.
What are the symptoms of collapse of qi?
Shallow breathing, shortness of breath, cold limbs, profuse sweating, pale complexion, blood pressure drop, shock, severe fluid loss.
What is the number one herb to tonfiy qi?
Ren Shen
When should Ren Shen be avoided?
If an individual has anxiety, hypertension, or insomnia (it can stimulate the CNS system). Do not take with Wu Ling Zhi, Li Lu, or Luo Bo.
What herb to pair with Ren Shen to strongly tonify primary Qi of the body?
Huang Qi
What herb to pair with Ren Shen to tonify Qi and Yin (general Qi and Yin Xu)?
Mai Men Dong
If you pair Dan Shen and Ren Shen, what do you treat?
Nourish the blood, and tonify the heart. Use for poor memory with Blood Xu.
What is Xi Yang Shen?
American Ginseng
Properties and functions of Xi Yang Shen?
Sweet, slightly cool. It tonifies qi, yin and generates fluids. Gentler than Ren Shen to give your body a little boost.
What is Ci Wu Jian?
Siberian Ginseng
What is Ci Wu Jian good for?
Calming the mind, insomnia.
What is Dang Shen also known as?
Condonopsis Root, Poor Man’s Ginseng
What are the properties of Dang Shen?
Sweet, Neutral
What meridians does Dang Shen travel too?
Lung and Spleen
What are the functions of Dang Shen?
Tonifies the middle jiao, rescue collapse and augments qi. Tonifies the LU & SP. Nourishes fluids, stops thirst.
What are the indications for Dang Shen?
Any chronic illness due to SP Qi Xu, LU Qi Xu, copious sputum, Qi Xu, Blood Xu and Body Fluid Xu d/t chronic illness. Use for first treatment instead of Ren Shen (Dr. Cheng’s recommendation)
What are the contraindications for Dang Shen?
None - just use cautiously with excess conditions.
What is Tai Zi Shen also know as?
Prince Ginseng Root, Pseudostellaria Root
What are the properties of Tai Zi Shen?
Sweet, slightly bitter
What organs/meridians does Tai Zi Shen enter?
Spleen, Lung
What are the functions of Tai Zi Shen?
Tonify Qi, generate blood, generate fluids, stop thirst. Tnf. SP. In clinic, used commonly to treat HT & Xue Xu.
What are the indication for Tai Zi Shen?
Lassitude, spontaneous sweating, palpitations, extreme thirst due to impairment of body fluid.
What is Huang Qi also known as?
Astragalus
What are the properties of Huang Qi?
Sweet, slightly warm
What meridians does Huang Qi enter?
Spleen, Lung
What are the functions of Huang Qi?
Stabilize the exterior, stop sweating, tonify LU Qi, tonify SP Qi, promote urination, reduce oedema, rescue collapsed qi, ascend Yang Qi in SP/ST, generate blood and fluids.
What are the indications for Huang Qi?
Frequent cold, weak Wei Qi, Lu Qi Xu, SP Qi Xu, thirst, edema d/t Qi Xu, prolapse, collapse of qi, chronic ulcerations.
What are the contraindications for Huang Qi?
Exterior excess syndrome, internal stagnation, yin xu, and yang rising.
Western Herbal use for Huang Qi?
Strengthen immunity, chronic nephritis. Autoimmune disorders.
What is Bai Zhu also known as?
White Atractylodes
What are the qualities of Bai Zhu?
Sweet, Bitter, Warm
What organs/meridians does Bai Zhu affect?
Spleen, Stomach
What are the functions of Bai Zhu?
Calm fetus, tnf. SP, stop diarrhea, stop sweating, dry damp, remove water retention.
What is the main function of Sheng Bai Zhu?
Raw - Eliminate damp, esp. with edema
What is the main function of Cao Bai Zhu?
Roasted - tnf. SP, stop diarrhea
What are the indications for Bai Zhu?
Poor appetite, diarrhea due to spleen and stomach xu, spontaneous sweating (Qi xu), and cough with profuse pheglm or oedema due to SP Qi Xu
What are the contraindications for Bai Zhu?
Use cautiously, can cause middle jiao stagnation.
What is the difference between Cang Zhu and Bai Zhu?
Bai Zhu is used more for tonification, and Cang Zhu is used more for drying dampness.
What is Shan Yao also known as?
Chinese Yam
What are the qualities of Shan Yao?
Sweet, Even
What meridians/organs does Shan Yao affect?
LU, SP, KD
What are the functions of Shan Yao?
Tnf. SP, KD, and LU. Stop diarrhea, control essence, stop cough, generate fluids.
What are the indications for Shan Yao?
Poor appetite, diarrhea, frequent urination, seminal emissions, cough and asthma, thirst and lack of fluids.
What is Bai Bian Dou also known as?
Bian Dou - hyacinth bean.
What are the qualities of Bai Bian Dou?
Sweet, slightly warm
What organs/meridians does Bai Bian Dou enter?
Spleen, Stomach
What are the functions of Bai Bian Dou?
Tnf. SP, stop diarrhea. Resolve dampness, relieve Summer Heat
What are the indications for Bai Bian Dou?
Diarrhea, or Leukorrhea due to SP/ST Qi Xu causing Dampness, vomitting/diarrhea d/t Summer Heat
What is Da Zao also known as?
Jujube Date, Chinese Date
What are the properties of Da Zao?
Sweet, warm
What organs does Da Zao enter?
Spleen
What is the function of Da Zao?
Tnf. SP and Xue, stop bleeding and Nourish HT, Calm Spirit. Harmonizing herb.
What are the indications for Da Zao?
SP/ST Xu, purpura d/t Xue Xu, allergic reaction, insomnia, restlessness, HT Yin and Xue Xu.
What are the precautions for Da Zao?
Don’t eat too many :)
What is Huang Jing also known as?
Siberian Solomon’s Seal Rhizome
What are the properties of Huang Jing?
Sweet, neutral
What organs/meridians does Huang Jing enter?
Lung, Kidney, Spleen
What are the functions of Huang Jing?
Tnf. SP Qi and ST Yin, Moistens LU, Tnf. KD and Jing, removes wasting and thirsting. Augments Essence, anti-aging.
What are the indications for Huang Jing?
SP and ST Qi Xu, ST Yin XU, LU Qi and Yin Xu, Dryness, KD Yin and Jing Xu, Wasting and Thirsting Disorder
What are the contraindications for Huang Jing?
Excessive Damp, Internal Damp Heat
What is Gan Cao also known as?
Liquorice Root
What are the properties of Gan Cao?
Sweet, Even
What meridians does Gan Cao enter?
All 12 - esp. HT, LU, SP, ST
What are the functions of Gan Cao?
Harmonizing, Guiding, Tnf. Qi, restore pulse, relieve spasm, stop pain, remove phlegm, clear Heat and Fire Toxins, cure skin sores.
What are the indications for Gan Cao?
Intermittent pulse, abdominal spasms, Yin & Xue Xu, Yang Qi Xu, all types of cough, sore throat, boils, carbuncles, sores due to Fire Toxins. Palpitations.
What are the contraindications for Gan Cao?
Do not consume too much. Hypertension, Glaucoma, water retention.
What is Sheng Gan Cao best for?
Raw - relieving toxicity.
What is Zhi Gan Cao best for?
Honey Fried - tonifying.
What is Yi Tang also known as?
Barley Malt Sugar
What are the properties of Yi Tang?
Sweet, slightly warm
What organs does Yi Tang enter?
Spleen, Stomach, Lung
What are the functions of Yi Tang?
Tonify Middle Jiao, relieve spasm. Nourish LU, stop cough.
What are the indications for Yi Tang?
Abdominal spasms due to Cold. Dry cough due to Lung Xu