WK6 - Syndromes: S/Sx

Question 1

What is toxin?

Answer 1

• heat accumulations in the body can become toxic

- can also be microbial infections that cause fever, often with inflammation or abscesses

Question 2

What are two types of toxin?

Answer 2

• heat toxin

- fire toxin

Question 3

What are some specific examples of toxicity?

Answer 3

• infectious disease with fever (mumps, encephalitis, tonsillitis)
• purulent or suppurative infections (pulmonary & breast abscesses, furuncles, carbuncles, sores, mastitis, appendicitis)
• burns & wounds
• dysentery

Question 4

What are the key characteristics of toxicity?

Answer 4

• usu. acute situation with sudden onset
• high heat & can transmit to organs quickly
• can be difficult to treat

Question 5

What are some herbs in the “Clear Heat, Relieve Toxicity”category?

Answer 5

1. Jin Yin Hua - Lonicerae Flos (Honeysuckle flower)

2. LIan Qiao - Forsythiae Fructus (Forsythia fruit)

Question 6

Herbs in the “Clear Heat from Deficiency” category are used for what conditions?

Answer 6

• LV & KD Yin Deficiency with Deficiency Heat

- also in later stage Heat Patterns (Wen Bing), when there is injury to fluids and Yin, and possibly heat in the Blood

Question 7

What are the signs & symptoms of Deficiency Heat?

Answer 7

• 5 center heat (palms, soles of feet, chest)
• night sweats (bc nighttime is Yin time)
• fever worse at night; tidal or afternoon fever
• thin, rapid pulse
• spermatorrhea
• tongue: usu. red or scarlet; no coat or thin & peeling
• malar flush
• continuous, mild thirst
• steaming bone disorder

Question 8

What herb is in the “Clear Heat from Deficiency”category?

Answer 8

Qing Hao - Artemisiae Annuae Herba (Sweet Wormwood)

Question 9

What is the basic treatment principle of herbs in the “Clear Heat from Deficiency” category?

Answer 9

1. Tonify Yin

2. Clear Deficiency Heat

Question 10

What are the 3 categories of Downward Draining herbs?

Answer 10

1. Purgative
2. Moist Laxative
3. Harsh Expellant

Question 11

What are the 2 types of interior excess patterns?

Answer 11

• interior heat (more common)

- interior cold (occasional)

Question 12

What is the chief symptom of interior excess conditions?

Answer 12

constipation

Question 13

What are the 2 types of interior excess constipation?

Answer 13

• constipation due to accumulation of heat (more common)

- constipation due to accumulation of cold (occasional)

Question 14

How does accumulation of heat lead to constipation?

Answer 14

when febrile disease reaches the interior of the body, heat enters the Stomach & Intestines and depletes fluids, thereby causing constipation

Question 15

How does accumulation of cold lead to constipation?

Answer 15

cold interferes with teh normal expulsion of stool from the body

Question 16

What symptoms can distinguish the 2 types of interior excess constipation?

Answer 16

• fever may accompany constipation due to accumulation of heat
• systemic cold symptoms usu. accompany constipation due to accumulation of cold

Question 17

What herbs are used to treat constipation due to accumulation of heat?

Answer 17

downward-draining herbs that clear the heat and drain the fire

Question 18

What herbs are used to treat constipation due to accumulation of cold?

Answer 18

in addition to purgatives, one should use herbs that warm interior cold

[we’ll learn these herbs after the midterm]

Question 19

What herb is in the “Downward Draining - Purgative” category?

Answer 19

Da Huang - Rhei Radix et Rhizoma (Rhubarb Root)

Question 20

What are some characteristics of Moist Laxative herbs?

Answer 20

• mostly seeds or nuts

- they lubricate the Intestines & facilitate expulsion of stool

Question 21

Moist Laxative herbs are used for what kind of constipation? In what demographic?

Answer 21

• for constipation due to Blood, Yin, or Qi Deficiency (in concert with other appropriate herbs)
• often used for the elderly & debilitated

Question 22

What herb is in the “Downward Draining - Moist Laxative” category?

Answer 22

Huo Ma Ren (Ma Zi Ren) - Cannabis Semen (Hemp Seeds)

Question 23

Harsh Expellant (Cathertic) herbs are used for what kind of constipation? What kind of pattern?

Answer 23

• for constipation due to stagnation of fluids in the thoracic or abdominal cavities, or for poor water metabolism
• for patterns of interior excess, such as water accumulation in the chest (pleurisy) and in the abdomen (ascites)
• note: these patients are usually in the hospital

Question 24

How do Harsh Expellants work?

Answer 24

they drive out excess water (including qi, fluids, and blood!)

Question 25

What are some precautions when prescribing Harsh Expellants?

Answer 25

• because the harsh properties of these herbs can injure the yin and qi, care must be taken when prescribing any of these substances
• they can only be used for a short period of time [Laura Flowers says once or twice maybe)

Question 26

Among Purgative, Moist Laxative, Harsh Expellant herbs, which category is the most severe?

Answer 26

Harsh Expellant

Question 27

What herb is in the “Downward Draining - Harsh Expellant” category?

Answer 27

Gan Sui - Kansui Radix

Question 28

What is the classic formula for protective level warm-febrile disease?

Answer 28

Yin Qiao San (Honeysuckle & Forsythia Decoction)

• 2 Chiefs: Jin Yin Hua & Lian Qiao
• Deputy: Bo He & other Release the Exterior herbs
• Actions: Disperses wind-heat, clears heat, and resolves toxicity

Question 29

What is the classic formula for Yang Ming Organ pattern/syndrome?

Answer 29

Da Cheng Qi Tang (Major Order the Qi Decoction)

• Chief: Da Huang (add at end for purgative effect)
• Action: Vigorously purges heat accumulation

Question 30

What are the 4 types of abdominal disharmony associated with Yang Ming Organ pattern/syndrome?

Answer 30

• focal distension (bloating)
• fullness (dislikes pressure)
• dryness (fluids dried out)
• excess condition