Yin Tonics

Question 1

Yin Tonic Herbs

Answer 1

1. Sha Shen (Glenhiae/Adenophorae Radix)
2. Xi Yang Shen (Panacis quinquefolli Radix) - more of a qi tonic but also here because cooling
3. Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix)
4. Tian Men Dong (Asparagi Radix)
5. Shi Hu (Dendrobii Herba)
6. Yu Zhu (Polygonati odorati Rhizoma)
7. Bai He (Lilii Bulbus)
8. Mo Han Lian (Ecliptae Herba)
9. Nu Zhen Zi (Ligustri Lucidi Fructus)
10. Hei Zhi Ma (Sesami Semen nigrum)
11. Gui Ban (Testudines Plastrum)
12. Bie Jia (Trionycis Carapax)

Question 2

• LU/ST
• Sweet, Sl. Bitter / Cool
• Moistens LU/stops cough, nourish ST yin/generates fluids
• Bei Sha Shen - enriching Yin, more ST focused, more commonly used
• Nan Sha Shen - clearing phlegm,more LU focused, for more severe Yin xu

Answer 2

Sha Shen (Glenhiae/Adenophorae Radix)

Yin Tonics

Question 3

• LU, HT, KD
• Sweet, Sl. Bitter / Cold
• Cools yin xu fire (KD/LU) - generates fluids post febrile disease, also qi tonic
• Replacement for Ren shen when qi needs tonifying w/o warmth

Answer 3

Xi Yang Shen (Panacis quinquefolli Radix)

Question 4

• HT, LU, ST - UJ/MJ
• Sweet, Sl. Bitter / Sl. Cold
• Nourishes LU/HT/ST/MJ Yin, clears irritability (HT), mildly moistens intestines

Answer 4

Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix)

Question 5

• KD, LU
• Sweet, Bitter / Very Cold
• Nourishes KD/LU yin - dry phlegm, unproductive cough, scanty/blood-streaked sputum, moistens dryness/generates fluids, xiao ke

Answer 5

Tian Men Dong (Asparagi Radix)

Question 6

• KD, ST
• Sweet, Sl. Salty, Bland / Sl. Cold
• Nourishes ST/KD Yin, clears heat, benefits vision/ augments Jing (KD/LV xu), xiao ke

Answer 6

Shi Hu (Dendrobii Herba)

Question 7

• LU, ST
• Sweet / Sl. Cold (not cloying)
• Enriches LU/ST yin - restores fluid, can treat internal and external wind (patients w/ externally contracted wind-heat), steaming bone disorder

Answer 7

Yu Zhu (Polygonati odorati Rhizoma)

Question 8

• LU, HT
• Sweet, Sl. Bitter / Sl. Cold
• #1 for LU heat injuring Yin (nourishes/moistens LU Yin), xiao ke, drain HT heat, calm shen (Lily Bulb Disorder - irritability, insomnia, palpations)

Answer 8

Bai He (Lilii Bulbus)

Yin Tonics

Question 9

• KD, LV
• Sweet, Sour / Cool
• Cools blood, stops bleeding (xue level heat), darkens hair, nourishes KD/LV yin

Answer 9

Mo Han Lian (Ecliptae Herba) / Han Lian Cao

Question 10

• KD, LV
• Sweet, Bitter / Cool
• Tonifies LV/KD yin, clears heat (deficiency), benefits vision and hair + Mo Han Lian (Han Lian Cao) for graying hair/diminishing vision

Answer 10

Nu Zhen Zi (Ligustri Lucidi Fructus)

Question 11

• KD, LV, LI
• Sweet / Neutral
• Nourishes blood/extinguishes wind, moistens intestines, increases lactation, nourishes hair

Answer 11

Hei Zhi Ma (Sesami Semen nigrum)

Question 12

• HT, KD, LV
• Sweet, Salty / Cool
• Subdues LV Yang/anchors Yang, cools/nourishes blood (excessive/uterine bleeding) strengthens bones (fontanelles), non-healing ulcerations/sores
• Crush prior to cooking (30 mins additional)

Answer 12

Gui Ban (Testudines Plastrum - Ventral)

Question 13

• LV, SP
• Salty / Sl. Cold
• Tonifies KD/LV yin, invigorates blood/promotes menstruation, softens nodules/clumping (esp in children), guides herbs to LV, steaming bone disorder
• Crush prior to cooking (30 mins additional)

Answer 13

Bie Jia (Trionycis Carapax - Dorsal)