Warm, Acrid Herbs that Release the Exterior

Question 1

Ma Huang

Answer 1

acrid, sl bitter, warm
LU, BL
2-9
1. Induces sweating and releases the exterior
2. Disseminates and facilitates the LU qi, calms wheezing, stops coughing
3. Promotes urination and reduces edema
4. Warms and disperses cold pathogens

Question 2

Gui Zhi

Answer 2

acrid, sweet, warm
HT, LU, BL
3-9
1. Releases the exterior and assists the yang (excess or deficient wind cold)
2. Warms and unblocks the channels and collaterals (wind cold damp bi)
3. Warms the yang and transforms thin mucus (lack of transformation of fluids d/t yang def)
4. Assists the HT yang and unblocks the yang qi of the chest (listless chest yang together with upward movement of phlegm and thin mucus and loss of the orderly descent of the LU qi)
5. Warms the channels, vessels, and collaterals: removes bi and warms blood vessels to remove stagnation and regulate the menses
6. Warms the middle and directs turbid yin downward: for cold from deficiency of middle burner

Question 3

Zi Su Ye

Answer 3

acrid, aromatic, warm
LU, SP
5-9
1. Releases the exterior and disperses cold: externally contracted wind cold
2. Promotes movement of qi and expands the chest: nausea, vomiting, poor appetite
3. Use during pregnancy: calms restless fetus or morning sickness
4. Resolves seafood poisoning

Question 4

Jing Jie

Answer 4

acrid, slightly warm
LU, LV
4.5-9
1. Releases the exterior and dispels wind: either wind cold or heat
2. Vents rashes and alleviates itching: initial stage of measles
3. Stops bleeding: auxiliary herb

Question 5

Fang Feng

Answer 5

acrid, sweet, slightly warm
BL, LV, SP
1. Releases exterior and expels wind: wind-cold
2. Expels wind-dampness and alleviates pain: exterior wind-damp bi
3. Expels wind and relieves spasms: auxiliary herb to alleviate trembling of hands and feet or intestinal wind or migraines

Question 6

Qiang Huo

Answer 6

acrid, bitter, aromatic, warm
BL, KD
3-9
1. Releases the exterior and disperses cold: exterior cold patterns especially with damp
2. Unblocks bi and alleviates pain: wind-cold-damp bi esp upper limbs and back
3. Guides qi to Taiyang channel and Du Mai

Question 7

Gao Ben

Answer 7

acrid, warm
BL, Du Mai
3-9
1. Discharges exterior conditions and disperses cold: external wind-cold esp head ache (esp in Tai Yang) and congestion
2. Dispels wind, overcomes dampness, alleviates pain: wind-cold-damp bi a/w/a acute lower back pain d.t invasion of wind cold or dampness in digestion

Question 8

Bai Zhi

Answer 8

acrid, warm
LU, ST, SP
3-9
1. Expels wind, eliminates damp, unblocks the nasal passages, and alleviates pain: external wind cold esp with head ache or any issues of Yang Ming in head
2. Reduces swelling and expels pus: early stages of superficial sores and carbuncles
3. Expels dampness and alleviates discharge: esp vaginal discharge d/t cold damp in lower burner but also from damp heat
4. With Gan Cao for ulcers

Question 9

Xi Sin

Answer 9

acrid, warm
LU, HT, KD
1-3
1. Disperses cold and releases the exterior: any exterior cold patter exp with damp or underlying yang deficiency
2. Dispels wind, disperses cold, relieves pain: pain d/t wind and/or cold anywhere in the body esp head, bi, abdominal or tooth ache
3. Warms the Lungs and transforms thin mucus: for cough and qi which surges upwards and copious watery sputum
4. Unblocking and facilitating the orifices: various nasal congestion

Question 10

Sheng Jiang

Answer 10

acrid, sl warm
LU, SP, ST
3-9
1. Releases the exterior and disperses cold (exterior cold patterns)
2. Warms the middle burner and alleviates vomiting (cold in the ST)
3. Warms the Lungs, stop cough (cough d/t wind cold and chronic lung disorders with phlegm
4. Resolve toxicity (tx overdose of other herbs or seafood poisoning)

Question 11

Cong Bai

Answer 11

acrid, warm
LU, ST
3-9
1. Releases the exterior and induces sweating (very early stages of wind-cold)
2. Disperses cold and unblocks the yang (abdominal pain and distention or nasal congestion d/t blockage of yang qi)
3. Resolves toxicity and disperses clumps (sores and abscess)

Question 12

Xiang Ru

Answer 12

acrid, aromatic, sl warm
LU, ST
3-9
1. Induces sweating and releases the exterior (wind cold during the summer)
2. Promotes urination and reduces swelling (edema and urinary difficulties esp when associated with an exterior pattern)

Question 13

Cang Er Zi

Answer 13

sweet, bitter, warm, toxic
LU
3-9
1. Disperses wind and dampness, opens the nasal passages (any nasal or sinus problem with a thick, viscous discharge and head ache)(Primary herb)
2. Disperses wind and dispels dampness (wind-damp bi, skin d/o with itching)
3. Dispels exterior wind (auxiliary for splitting h/a radiating to back of the neck)

Question 14

Xin Yi

Answer 14

acrid, warm
LU, ST
3-9
1. Expels wind cold, unblocks the nasal passage (any nasal or sinus condition)

Question 15

E Bu Shi Cao

Answer 15

acrid, slightly warm
LU
6-9
1. Disperses wind cold and unblocks the nasal passages (variety of acute nasal conditions esp when accompanied by red and dry eyes)
2. Disperses pathogens, resolves toxicity, and reduces swelling (topically for toxic and traumatic swellings or painful bi.)

Question 16

Xi He Liu

Answer 16

acrid, sweet, warm
LU, ST, HT
3-9
1. Induces sweating, vents rashes (incomplete expression of measles or itching)