Regulate the Qi

Question 1

Chen Pi

Answer 1

acrid, bitter, warm, aromatic
LU, SP, ST
3-9
1. Regulates the qi, adjusts the middle, and relieves the diaphragm (sp or st stagnant qi patterns. Promotes movement of qi in general, but specifically moves downwards. Good for nausea and vomiting)
2. Dries dampness and transforms phlegm (important herb for phlegm damp coughs. Also damp turbidity obstructing the middle. Important qi lvl herb for both SP and LU channels. Especially good for both channels))
3. Helps prevent stagnation (use with tonifying herbs to prevent cloying nature causing stagnation)

Question 2

Qing Pi

Answer 2

bitter, acrid, warm
GB, LV, SP
3-9
1. Spreads theLV qi and breaks up stagnation qi (constrained LV qi patterns)
2. Dissipates clumps and reduces stagnation (food stagnation, Often severe stagnation and for masses when stagnant qi progresses to blood stasis)

Question 3

Zhi Shi

Answer 3

bitter, acrid, sl cold
LI, SP, ST
3-9
1. Breaks up stagnant Qi and reduces accumulation (epigastric or abdominal pain and distention or indigestion with focal distention or gas. Used with Zhi Ke)
2. Transforms phlegm and expels focal distention (focal distention and fullness in the chest and epigastrium dt turbid phlegm obstructing and plugging the qi dynamic)
3. Used with qi tonifying herbs. Used to raise blood pressure)

Question 4

Zhi Ke (Zhi Qiao)

Answer 4

bitter, acrid, sl cold
SP, ST, LI
3-9
1. Promotes the flow of qi (qi stagnation leading to problems in the flow of qi. Effective for prolapse)

Question 5

Fo Shou

Answer 5

acrid, bitter, warm
LV, LU, ST, SP
3-9
1. Spreads qi and regulates the LV qi (LV qi constraint. Strongly promotes movement of qi but ability to alleviate pain is weak))
2. Harmonizes the ST and strengthens the SP (SP and ST qi stagnation)
3. Transform phlegm and stop cough (sub acute or chronic cough with copious phlegm. ESp useful for unrelenting cough with chest pain. Weak phlegm transforming function))

Question 6

Gan Song

Answer 6

acrid, sweet, warm
SP, ST
3-6
1. Awakens the SP, promotes the movement of qi ((abdominal and epigastric distention and pain with diminished appetite)

Question 7

Xiang Yuan

Answer 7

acrid, sl bitter, sour, warm
LV, SP, LU
3-9
1. Promotes the movement of qi, awakens the SP, and eases the middle (qi stagnation leading to epigastric and abdominal distention and pain)
2. Dredges and regulates the LV qi and stops pain (chest and flank distntion and pain from LV qi constraint)
3. Directs downward and drains as means of reducing phlegm and stopping phlegm (cough with profuse sputum and stifling sensation in the chest)

Question 8

Da Fu Pi

Answer 8

acrid, sl warm
LI, SI, SP, ST
4.5-9
1. Drives Qi downwards and eases the middle (patterns of dampness and other processes obstructing the middle and leading to qi stagnation. Especially useful when ass sx of of incomplete and irregular bowel movements.)
2. Promotes urination and reduces edema (abdominal distention accompanied by edema, esp superficial edema or food stagnation. Damp leg qi)

Question 9

Xiang Fu

Answer 9

acrid, sl bitter, sl sweet, neutral
LV, TW, GB
6-12
1. Spreads and regulates LV qi (constrained LV qi patterns with hypochondriac pain and epigastric distension as well as disharmony between the LV and SP. Popular because of neutral quality and ability to disperse and harmonize)
2. Regulates menstruation and alleviates pain (facilitate the flow of LV qi in GYN d/o)

Question 10

Mu Xiang

Answer 10

acrid, bitter, warm
GB, LI, SP, ST, TW
3-9
1. Promotes the movement of qi and stops pain (SP or ST stagnant qi. Stagnant LV or GB qi)
2. Adjusts and regulates stagnant qi in the intestines (Sl astringent, good for tenesmus)
3. Strengthens the SP and prevents stagnation (used with tonifying herbs to ameliorate their side effects. Esp when transform and transport are weak)

Question 11

Wu Yao

Answer 11

acrid, warm
BL, KD, LU, SP
3-9
1. Promotes the movement of qi and alleviates pain (constraint from cold and qi stagnation. Herb warms and disperses and is effective in spreading and unblocking the qi dynamic. Esp good when cold acupulation and qi stagnation manifest in lower burner.)
2. Warms KD (insufficiency of KD yang and cold from deficiency of the BL)

Question 12

Chen Xiang

Answer 12

acrid, bitter, warm, aromatic
KD, SP, ST
1-1.5 (used in decoction, add near end)
1. Promotes movement of qi and alleviates pain (stagnant qi patterns. Esp useful for problems dt cold from deficiency or blood stasis)
2. Directs rebellious qi downward and regulates the middle (rebellious qi wheezing of either excessive or deficiency type or cold in ST and SP)
3. Aids the KD in grasping the qi (asthma and wheezing dt KD deficiency)

Question 13

Tan Xiang

Answer 13

acrid, warm, aromatic
LU, SP, ST
2-5
1. Promotes the movement of qi and alleviates pain (pain associated with stagnant qi in the chest and abdomen. Recently used in tx of coronary artery disease)

Question 14

Xie Bai

Answer 14

acrid, bitter, warm
LI, LU, ST
5-9
1. Unblocks the yang qi and disperses turbid phlegm (cold damp painful obstruction of the chest dt cold, turbid phlegm congealing and stagnating in the chest where it prevents the dissemination and flow of the yang qi)
2. Directs the qi downward and reduces stagnation (damp stagnation in LI associated with dysenteric d/o)

Question 15

Mei Gui Hua

Answer 15

sweet, sl bitter, warm
LV, SP
1.5-6
1. Promotes movement of qi and relieves constraint (LV-ST disharmony)
2. Promotes movement of qi, harmonizes the blood, and disperses stasis (menstrual issues dt blood stasis. Also blood stasis secondary to trauma)

Question 16

Dao Dou

Answer 16

sweet, warm
SP, KD
3-9
1. Warms the middle and harmonizes the ST while directing qi down ward to stop hiccough (cold from deficiency of middle burner)
2. Warms the KD and assists the yang (lower back pain dt KD yan deficiency. Can be used alone)

Question 17

Chuan Lian Zi

Answer 17

bitter, cold, sl toxic
BL, LV, SI, ST
4.5-9
1. Dredges LV qi, releases constraint, stop paiin, conducts heat out from below (variety of sx from LV constraint. Most useful for problems involving heat.)
2. Kills parasites and stops pain (round worms, tape worms. Not very effective in expelling parasites. Able to alleviate pain. Topically for dermatosis of the scalp)

Question 18

Li Zhi He

Answer 18

sweet, warm
LV, ST
9-15 (crush before decocting)
1. Disperses cold and stagnation and stops pain (cold congealing in the LV channel. Or stagnation dt heat in LV channel)
2. Regulates the qi and stops pain (abdominal and epigastric pain d.t LV qi constraint. PMS dt qi stagnation and blood stasis)

Question 19

Shi Di

Answer 19

bitter, astringent, neutral
LU, ST
3-12
1. Directs the qi downwards and stops hiccough (ST dysfunction. Both hot and cold patterns)

Question 20

Ba Yue Zha

Answer 20

bitter, neutral
LV, ST
6-12
1. Dredges the LV, regulate the qi (LV qi constraint in chest and flanks. Also LV/SP disharmony)
2. Disperses clumps (scrofula)
3. Also can promote urination

Question 21

Jiu Xiang Chong

Answer 21

salty, warm
SP, LV, KD
3-9
1. Promotes movement of qi and stops pain (pain dt LV.SP disharmony dt. constraint of cold)
2. Warms the KD and aids the yang (insufficient KD yang. Mild action)

Question 22

Suo Luo Zi

Answer 22

sweet, warm
LV, ST
3-9
1. Dredges the LV and regulates the qi, eases the middle and harmonizes the ST (LV.ST disharmony or LV qi constraint)

Question 23

Zi Su Geng

Answer 23

acrid, sweet, sl warm
LU, SP, ST
4.5-9(do not cook long)
1. Expands the chest and benefits the diaphragm (qi stagnation in chest and abdomen)
2. Calms fetus and stops vomiting (morning sickness and restless fetus. Important herb for calming the fetus)