Warm, Acrid Herbs that Release the Exterior Flashcards
Ma Huang combined with Gui Zhi
Used when pahtogenic cold has attacked and lodged in the exterior. Releases protective Qi level (ma huang) and nutritive Qi level (gui zhi).
Gui Zhi enhances Ma Huang diaphoretic ability.
Caution of excessive sweating damaging qi and fluids
Ma Huang Vs. Gui Zhi
Ma Huang - Gui Zhi
effects Wei Qi - effects Ying Qi
stronger sweat inducer - more mild
Ma Huang Toxicity and Cautions?
CNS stimulant may cause increased blood pressure, restlessness, insomnia.
Not in combination with cardiac glycosides, risks arrhythmias.
Cutaneous eruptions with slight fever or measles-like erythema indicate allergic response.
Long term use impacts the sphincter of Bladder and may cause oliguria and anuresis.
Toxic dose is 30-45g. Sx: palpitations, insomnia, restlessness, DIAPHORESIS, chest pain, fever, tremor. In extreme cases may cause convulsions, coma, bradycardia.
Gui Zhi*** - Cinnamon twig
“Small Twig”
Acrid, sweet, warm
Enters Heart, Lung, Bladder
Release the exterior and assists the yang
Warms and unblocks the channels and collaterals (treats pain)
Warms the yang and transforms thing mucus
Assists the HT yang and unblocks chest yang
Menses - Warms channels, vessels, and collaterals AND warms the middle and directs turbid yin downward
Caution: drying, can damage yin and disturb blood
Gui Zhi with Bai Shao
Gui Zhi rises and disperses (yang), Bai Shao has a restraining/inhibiting nature (yin) to preserve fluids and nourish Ying and Blood levels. Therefore they moderate the excesses of each other. Together used to treat interior and exterior, and excess or deficiency disorders
Zi Su Yi***
“purple leaf plant”
Acrid, AROMATIC, warm
Enters Lung and Spleen
Releases the exterior and disperses cold (milder than Ma Huang)
Promotes movement of Qi and expands the chest
Use during pregnancy to calms restless fetus
Resolves Seafood poisoning
Must cook for short time only
Jing Jie***
-Mild but capable like a lady
Acrid, SLIGHTLY warm Enters Lung and Liver Releases the exterior and expels wind (both heat and cold) Vents rashes and alleviates itching Stops bleeding (best charred) Caution: Don't cook long
Fang Feng***
“Prevent Wind” - moistening herb in the wind
Acrid, sweet, sl. warm Enters Bladder, Liver, and Spleen Less drying than many wind expelling herbs! Release the exterior and expel wind Expels wind-dampness, and alleviate pain Expels wind and relieves spasms
Fang Feng with Jing Jie?
Expels wind-cold and wind-heat at all levels (skin, muscle, blood, flesh, bone)
Combo is more mild than Ma Huang and Gui Zhi, thus used for EPFs in any season
Ma Huang***
“Yellow Cloth”
Acrid, sl bitter, warm
Enters Lung, Bladder
Induces sweating and releases the exterior
Disseminates and facilitates the lung Qi, calms wheezing, stop coughing
Promotes urination and reduces edema
Warms and disperses cold pathogens
Fang Feng Cautions
Not for use with Wind Stroke postpartum dizziness convulsions blood deficiency HA Qi rebellion (nausea or cough) Yin Xu or Yang Xu sweating Allergic reaction effects skin and digestion
Fang Feng Vs. Jing Jie
Both to eliminate wind, release exterior wind-cold and wind-heat but Jing Jie more mild and superficial. Jing Jie is light and spreading so it’s ability to expel wind is limited to skin, muscles, and blood.
Fang Feng is deeper (bones and flesh too) and can resolve dampness
Qiang Huo***
root
Acrid, bitter, AROMATIC, warm
Enters Bladder, Kidney
Releases the exterior and disperses cold
Unblocks painful obstruction and alleviates pain (especially in upper body and vertex), best with dampness
Guides Qi to Tai (Greater) Yang channels and GV
Qiang Huo Vs Du Huo
Both expel wind-dampness, eliminate painful obstruction and alleviate pain.
Qiang Huo rises, best treating upper/yang body. Treats Qi level. And warmer, more drying.
Du Huo sinks, best treating lower/yin/deeper body. Treats blood level. More moderate.
Bai Zhi***
“White Twig”
Acrid, Warm
Enters Lung, Stomach, Spleen
Expels wind, eliminates dampness, unblocks the nasal passages and alleviated pain (Yang Ming)
Reduces Swelling and expels pus
Expels dampness and alleviates discharge (GYN - vaginal)
Also to be used with Ulcers
Xi Xin***
“Thin Acrid”
Usually used as adjunctive, not Chief. Dose 1-3g
Acrid, warm (toxic)
Enters Lung, Heart, Kidney
Disperses cold and releases the exterior (TaiYang, ShaoYin)
Dispels wind, disperses cold, relieves pain (for W/C EPF with body aches)
Warms the lungs, transforms thin mucus
Unblocks and facilitates the orifices (head)
Xi Xin Cautions and Toxicity
Not for use in cases of Yin, Qi or Blood Xu, due to drying and dispersing nature.
Toxicity if not decocted long enough or too large a dosage. In extreme cases causing respiratory paralysis, cardiac problems, and convulsions.
Sheng Jiang***
“Fresh/raw Ginger”
Acrid, sl. warm
Enters Lung, Spleen, Stomach (strongly effects middle and phlegm)
Releases the exterior and disperse cold, best at first sign and with mild cold or phlegm
Warms the middle jiao and alleviates vomiting (morning sickness and cold in the ST)
Warms the lungs and stops cough
Resolves toxicity, seafood poisoning
Sheng Jiang with Da Zao
Best for harmonizing SP and ST and Ying and Wei Qi.
Sheng Jiang enters YangMing, Da Zao enters TaiYin
Da Zao’s conserving quality moderated here.
Sheng Jiang’s unblocking quality moderated here.
Used with tonifying herbs to prevent damp/phelgm accumulation, or in blood moving formulas to nourish without stagnation of Qi
Sheng Jiang Preparation and nomenclature
Baked - Wei Jiang (not dispersing, warmer and stronger to direct rebellious Qi downward
Ginger Peel - Sheng Jiang Pi (acrid and cooling, harmonize middle, promote urination, reduce edema under the skin)
Juice - Jiang Zhi (acrid and warm, stronger at dispersing and settling ST. Best for nausea and phlegmy cough)
Xiang Ru**
“Ma Huang of summertime”
Acrid, AROMATIC, sl. warm
Enters Lung, Stomach
Induces sweating and releases the exterior
Promotes urination and reduces swelling (especially when associated with EPF); For summerheat
Caution in cases with diaphoresis from exterior deficiency
Gao Ben**
lovage root
Acrid, warm
Enters Bladder, Du Mai
Discharges exterior conditions and disperses cold
Dispels wind, overcomes dampness, alleviates pain (vertex, HA involving teeth, abdominal pain and diarrhea from cold damp)
NOT for HA from blood xu or in heat disorders
Herbs for Headaches, by type of HA
Involving teeth - Gao Ben
Yang Ming - Bai Zhi
Tai Yang - Qiang Huo, Xi Xin?
Damp/sinus HA - Bai Zhi, Xin Yi, Qiang Huo (cold)
Cong Bai** - scallion
mild but effective
Acrid, warm (lightweight)
Enters Lung, Stomach
Releases the exterior and induces sweating
Disperses cold and unblocks the Yang (for abdominal pain and nasal congestion)
Resolves toxicity and disperse clumps
Cang Er Zi**
fruit
Sweet, bitter, warm, toxic (somewhat)
Enters Lung
Disperses wind and dampness, opens the nasal passages (unblocks orifices and painful obstruction)
Disperses wind and dispels dampness
Dispels exterior wind
Caution of toxic overdose with symptoms effecting the eyes, digestion, and head. And renal, hepatic, cardiac, and respiratory problems.
Cang Er Zi Addendum:
Cang Er Cao
Bitter, acrid, sl. cold, toxic. Dose 6-15g
Dispels wind, disperses heat, resolves toxicity, kills parasites
Xin Yi - magnolia flower
Acrid, warm (very smelly)
Enters Lung, Stomach
Expels wind-cold and unblocks the nasal passages, relieves sinus HA
Disseminates and disperses upper jiao wind-heat
Decoct in Gauze
