Study Questions (Part Thirteen- Herb Prep)

Question 1

Dry Fry Herbs

Effect:

Answer 1

Awakens and strengthens the Spleen.

Question 2

Dry Fry Herbs with Salt

Effect:

Answer 2

Directs action of herbs towards the Kidney.

Question 3

Charred Herbs

Effect:

Answer 3

Stops bleeding.

Question 4

Frying in Honey

Effect:

Answer 4

Increases tonifying and moistening properties.

Question 5

Frying in Vinegar

Effect:

Answer 5

Increases astringent and analgesic properties; invigorates blood and detoxifies.

Question 6

Frying in Wine

Effect:

Answer 6

Clears blockages, expels wind, alleviates pain.

Question 7

Frying in Ginger Juice

Effect:

Answer 7

Reduces bitterness, protect stomach from cold, mitigates toxic property of other herbs.

Question 8

Decoct herbs separately in gauze…

Why? Which?

Answer 8

Herbs that are small or would tickle the throat, such as

Che Qian Zi
Chi Shi Zhi
Xuan Fu Hua

Question 9

Cook Herbs First for 30- 60 minutes (or longer)

Why? Which?

Answer 9

Minerals, shells, and some toxic herbs such as

Ci Shi
Dai Zhe Shi
Shi Gao
Mu Li
Shi Jue Ming
Zhen Zhu
Bie Jia
Gui Ban
Long Gu
Shui Niu Jiao
Zhi Cao Wu
Zhi Chuan Wu
Zhi Fu Zi

Question 10

Decoct Herbs in the Last Few Minutes

Why? Which?

Answer 10

Aromatic herbs that would lose their vital oils if cooked longer such as

Bo He
Bai Dou Kou
Da Huang (if using for stronger purgative effect)
Mu Xiang
Qing Hao
Rou Gui
Sha Ren

Question 11

Decoct Herbs Alone (Separate from Other Herbs)

Why? Which?

Answer 11

Expensive herbs such as Lu Rong, Ren Shen, Xi Yang Shen

Question 12

Dissolve Herbs into Decoction

Why? Which?

Answer 12

Herbs that are liquid and need no cooking such as

E Jiao
Yi Tang

Question 13

Sheng Di Huang
Shu Di Huang
He Shou Wu
Ren Shen

Foods to avoid:

Answer 13

Onions
Garlic
Radishes

Question 14

Fu Ling

Foods to avoid:

Answer 14

Vinegar

Question 15

Mu Dan Pi

Foods to avoid:

Answer 15

Garlic

Question 16

Huang Lian

Foods to avoid:

Answer 16

Pork

Question 17

Ren Shen

Foods to avoid:

Answer 17

Tea
Turnips

Antidote to Ren Shen poisoning is mung bean soup

Question 18

Mutual Accentuation

Describe:

Answer 18

The combination of two or more similar herbs to enhance their mutual function.

Question 19

Mutual Enhancement

Describe:

Answer 19

Combining two or more herbs with different actions that together enhance a particular function.

Question 20

Mutual Counteraction

Describe:

Answer 20

Herbs that are combined so that the toxic nature of one herb is reduced or eliminated by another herb.

Question 21

Mutual Suppression

Describe:

Answer 21

Using a substance to counter the toxic property of another. Similar to mutual counteraction, but this category focuses on the herb doing the detoxifying.

Question 22

Mutual Antagonism

Describe:

Answer 22

Two or more herbs minimizing the positive effect of one another.

Question 23

Mutual Incompatibility

Describe:

Answer 23

When a combination causes side effects or toxins that would not be present if the herbs were used alone.

Question 24

Single Effect

Describe:

Answer 24

Using only one herb to treat a condition

Question 25

Mutually Incompatible Herbs

Li Lu:

Answer 25

Bai Shao
Dan Shen
Ku Shen
Ren Shen
Sha Shen
Xi Xin

Question 26

Mutually Incompatible Herbs

Zhi Wu Tou:

Answer 26

Bai Ji
Bai Lian
Bai Mu
Gua Lou
Zhi Ban Xia

Question 27

Mutually Incompatible Herbs

Gan Cao:

Answer 27

Da Ji
Gan Sui
Hai Zao
Yuan Hua