TCM Herbs Flashcards
Which formula is best suited for chronic Lung Qi and Yin deficiency, with symptoms of fatigue, chronic cough, and spontaneous sweating?
A) Bu Fei Tang
B) Sheng Mai San
C) Er Chen Tang
D) Ding Chuan Tang
Correct Answer: B) Sheng Mai San
Rationale: Sheng Mai San means “Generate the Pulse Powder.” It contains ingredients like Ren Shen (ginseng) to tonify Qi, Mai Men Dong to generate fluids and nourish Yin, and Wu Wei Zi to preserve Yin and prevent excessive sweating. This formula is well-suited for chronic Lung Qi and Yin deficiency as it focuses on nourishing the Yin and preserving the Qi.
Incorrect Options:
A) Bu Fei Tang is better for Lung Qi deficiency without significant Yin deficiency.
C) Er Chen Tang targets phlegm-damp accumulation rather than Qi and Yin deficiency.
D) Ding Chuan Tang is formulated for wheezing and phlegm-heat, not for chronic deficiency conditions.
More info:
Sheng Mai San (Generate the Pulse Powder)
Sheng (生): “Generate” or “restore,” reflecting the formula’s purpose of revitalizing energy and restoring strength.
Mai (脉): “Pulse,” referring to vitality and circulatory health in TCM, often seen as an indicator of Qi and blood balance.
San (散): “Powder.”
Meaning: Sheng Mai San is designed to generate and restore pulse strength, nourishing Qi and Yin, especially beneficial in conditions of Qi and Yin deficiency.
Which herbal formula is particularly useful for protecting the body from recurrent colds and spontaneous sweating due to Wei Qi deficiency?
A) Yu Ping Feng San
B) Bu Fei E Jiao Tang
C) Sheng Mai San
D) Ding Chuan Tang
Correct Answer: A) Yu Ping Feng San
Rationale: Yu Ping Feng San means “Jade Windscreen Powder,” reflecting its purpose to act as a protective shield. It strengthens Wei Qi (defensive Qi) with ingredients like Huang Qi and stabilizes the exterior to prevent recurrent colds and spontaneous sweating.
Incorrect Options:
B) Bu Fei E Jiao Tang nourishes Lung Yin and treats heat signs, not protective for recurrent exterior deficiency.
C) Sheng Mai San primarily addresses Lung Qi and Yin deficiency with chronic cough.
D) Ding Chuan Tang is for treating wheezing and phlegm-heat, not to protect against wind-cold invasions.
A patient presents with wheezing, cough with yellow phlegm, and a feeling of heat. Which of the following would best treat these symptoms caused by phlegm-heat in the Lungs?
A) Bu Fei E Jiao Tang
B) Ding Chuan Tang
C) Er Chen Tang
D) Bu Fei Tang
B) Ding Chuan Tang
Rationale: Ding Chuan Tang means “Arrest Wheezing Decoction,” which aligns with its main action to stop wheezing and descend Lung Qi. This formula also clears phlegm-heat, making it suitable for phlegm-heat conditions in the Lung causing wheezing and yellow phlegm.
Incorrect Options:
A) Bu Fei E Jiao Tang is for Lung Yin deficiency and focuses on nourishing rather than clearing phlegm-heat.
C) Er Chen Tang addresses phlegm-damp, typically with less heat, and is related to Spleen dysfunction.
D) Bu Fei Tang augments Lung Qi but lacks the heat-clearing properties necessary for this case.
Which formula is most appropriate for a patient experiencing phlegm-damp accumulation in the Lung due to Spleen dysfunction, causing cough with white sputum and digestive issues?
A) Er Chen Tang
B) Sheng Mai San
C) Bu Fei Tang
D) Yu Ping Feng San
A) Er Chen Tang
Rationale: Er Chen Tang translates to “Two-Aged Decoction,” reflecting the use of aged ingredients to treat phlegm-damp. It is beneficial for phlegm-damp in the Lung due to Spleen dysfunction, often manifesting as cough with white sputum and digestive symptoms. It transforms dampness, resolves phlegm, and harmonizes the middle burner.
Incorrect Options:
B) Sheng Mai San targets Lung Qi and Yin deficiency and does not address phlegm-damp.
C) Bu Fei Tang augments Lung Qi but is not formulated for resolving dampness or treating Spleen-related phlegm.
D) Yu Ping Feng San strengthens the exterior for Wei Qi deficiency but does not resolve internal phlegm-damp.
More information:
Er Chen Tang (Two-Aged [Herb] Decoction)
Er (二): “Two,” referring to the two main herbs in the formula: aged citrus peel (Chen Pi) and pinellia (Ban Xia).
Chen (陈): “Aged,” which emphasizes using aged or prepared herbs that are believed to have greater potency and effectiveness for transforming phlegm.
Tang (汤): “Decoction.”
Meaning: Er Chen Tang is named after its two key aged ingredients that are traditionally valued for transforming dampness and resolving phlegm, especially in respiratory or digestive issues related to Spleen dysfunction.
What is the best formula for a patient with Lung Yin deficiency and symptoms of dry cough, scanty sputum, and blood-streaked phlegm?
A) Ding Chuan Tang
B) Bu Fei E Jiao Tang
C) Sheng Mai San
D) Yu Ping Feng San
Correct Answer: B) Bu Fei E Jiao Tang
Rationale: Bu Fei E Jiao Tang means “Tonify the Lungs with E Jiao Decoction.” It is indicated for Lung Yin deficiency with heat, characterized by a dry cough, scanty or blood-streaked sputum, and heat signs. E Jiao nourishes Yin and is suitable for Lung Yin deficiency with heat signs.
Incorrect Options:
A) Ding Chuan Tang is for phlegm-heat with wheezing and is not indicated for Lung Yin deficiency.
C) Sheng Mai San does nourish Lung Yin but is more specific to chronic Qi and Yin deficiency rather than acute Yin deficiency with heat.
D) Yu Ping Feng San augments Wei Qi and is for exterior deficiency, not for treating internal Lung Yin deficiency with heat.
Which formula is best suited for long-term chronic conditions with spontaneous sweating, focused on stabilizing the exterior and strengthening Wei Qi?
A. Sheng Mai San
B. Bu Fei Tang
C. Yu Ping Feng San
D. Er Chen Tang
C. Yu Ping Feng San
Rationale: Yu Ping Feng San strengthens Wei Qi, stabilizes the exterior, and is well-suited for chronic conditions with spontaneous sweating.
Incorrect Choices:
A. Sheng Mai San: Focuses on generating fluids and preserving Yin, not primarily on Wei Qi or chronic sweating.
B. Bu Fei Tang: Treats Lung Qi deficiency without a primary focus on stabilizing the exterior or spontaneous sweating.
D. Er Chen Tang: Addresses phlegm-dampness, not Wei Qi or sweating.
More information:
Yu Ping Feng San (Jade Windscreen Powder)
Yu (玉): “Jade,” representing protection, resilience, and value in traditional Chinese culture. It suggests that this formula acts as a protective shield for the body.
Ping (屏): “Screen” or “shield,” referring to protection or something that blocks or guards. Here, it signifies creating a defense against external pathogens.
Feng (风): “Wind,” which, in TCM, refers to environmental factors that can invade and disrupt health.
San (散): “Powder” or “dispersing,” describing the form of the herbal preparation
Here is what Yu Ping Feng San protects and stabilizes the body.
Sheng Mai San restores and strengthens vitality.
Bu Fei Tang nourishes and supports the Lungs.
Er Chen Tang transforms phlegm and addresses dampness through aged ingredients.the words translate to, so hopefully it will help you out
Yu Ping Feng San (Jade Windscreen Powder)
“Jade” symbolizes protection, suggesting that this formula protects the body (like a windscreen) by strengthening Wei Qi (defensive energy) and stabilizing the exterior to prevent illness.
Sheng Mai San (Generate the Pulse Powder)
“Sheng” means to generate or restore, and “Mai” means pulse. This formula restores pulse strength by tonifying Qi and nourishing Yin. It’s useful in conditions of Qi and Yin deficiency.
Bu Fei Tang (Tonify the Lungs Decoction)
Bu Fei Tang (Tonify the Lungs Decoction)
Bu (补): “Tonify” or “nourish,” indicating the formula’s focus on building up or supplementing energy.
Fei (肺): “Lung,” specifying the formula’s focus on Lung health.
Tang (汤): “Decoction” or liquid preparation.
Meaning: Bu Fei Tang specifically nourishes and supports Lung Qi, addressing deficiencies in Lung function, particularly related to breathing and respiratory energy.
Bu Fei E Jiao Tang (Tonify the Lungs with E Jiao Decoction)
Similar to Bu Fei Tang, “Bu Fei” means to nourish the Lungs. E Jiao is a tonic herb that nourishes Yin, so this formula is used to tonify the Lung Yin with additional benefits for stopping cough and controlling bleeding.
Ding Chuan Tang (Arrest Wheezing Decoction)
“Ding Chuan” means to stop or control wheezing. This formula clears phlegm-heat and descends Lung Qi, making it useful in treating wheezing due to phlegm and heat in the Lungs.
Er Chen Tang (Two-Aged [Herb] Decoction)
“Er Chen” means two “aged” or prepared ingredients, referring to aged citrus peel and pinellia in the formula. This formula transforms dampness and resolves phlegm, often due to Spleen dysfunction.
