Dang Gui
| 5g | |
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Pinyin: Dang Gui
Chinese: 當歸
Pharmaceutical: Radix Angelicae sinensis
Taxonomy: Angelica sinensis
English: Chinese Angelica Root / Tang-Kuei / Dong Quai Root
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Tastes: Sweet, Pungent, Warm
Meridians Entered: Heart and Liver
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Actions & Indications:
- Tonifies the Blood and regulates the menses
Blood Deficiency, especially when affecting the Heart and Liver with pale, ashen complexion, lusterless nails, tinnitus, blurred vision and palpitations
Blood Deficiency associated irregular menstruation, amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea
- Invigorates and harmonizes the Blood and disperses Cold (stops pain due to Blood Stasis)
Blood Stasis causing abdominal pain and carbuncles and pain due to Blood Stasis from traumatic injury, especially when accompanied by Deficiency Cold
Postpartum menstruation
Pregnancy (use with caution)
Blood Deficiency with chronic Wind-Damp-Bi
- Moistens the Intestines and unblocks the bowels
Dry Intestines due to Blood Deficiency
- Reduces swelling, expels pus, generates flesh and alleviates pain
Sores and abscess (Chuang Yung), internally and topically
- Stops coughing and treats dyspnea
Used adjunctively for coughing
- Tonifies the Blood while suppressing Parasites
Gu Sydnrome (Fruehauf, 1998)
Chronic inflammatory disease (Fruehauf, 2015)
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Standard Dosage: 6-12g in decoction.
Cautions: It is contraindicated in cases of Damp-Heat stagnating in the Middle, Lung Heat with Phlegm Fire, and Yin deficiency with effulgent Yang because it is warm and sweet in properties. In addition, it should be used with caution in cases of loose stool because it can moisten intestines to smooth stool.
Many sources recommend using caution, avoiding or only taking under guidance of a TCM physician during pregnancy as it can cause uterine contractions. However, there are no studies supporting this and the only scientific literature seems to suggest that Z-Ligustilide has anti-spasmodic activities that alleviate dysmenorrhoea by inhibiting uterine contractions (Du et al., 2006; Dietz et al., 2016).
Caution is also advised in breast cancer patients due to its oestrogen stimulating activity. This based upon Lau et al (2005) who found it may stimulate breast cancer growth in vitro, however Yue et al, (2019) demonstrated that it is not that stimulatory in breast cancer both in vitro and in vivo through a series of tests, although they suggested it should still be used with caution in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Conversely, a large population study in Taiwan by Wu et al (2014) found it reduced the subsequent risk of endometrial cancer in breast cancer survivors taking tamoxifen, especially in those of reproductive age. |
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Jing Jie Sui
| 2.5g | |
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Pinyin: Jing Jie
Chinese: 荆芥
Pharmaceutical: Herba Schizonepetae
English: Japanese Catnip
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Tastes: Pungent, slightly warm
Meridians Entered: Lung and Liver
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Actions & Indications:
- Releases the Exterior and expels Wind
Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat Carbuncles or boils (Chuang Yung) when they first erupt - especially with chills and fever
- Vents rashes and relieves itching
Initial-stage measles and pruritic skin eruptions
- Stops bleeding
Hemorrhage (auxiliary)
- Dispels Wind and relieves muscle spasms
Postpartum spasms, trismus, muscle cramps and spasms due to Wind
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Standard Dosage: 5-10g in decoction.
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Huang Qi
| 2.5g | | (honey fried)
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Pinyin: Huang Qi
Chinese: 黄芪
Pharmaceutical: Radix Astragali
Taxonomy: Astragalus membranaceus
English: Astragalus Root / Mongolian Milkvetch Root
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Tastes: Sweet, warm
Meridians Entered: Lung and Spleen
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Actions & Indications:
- Tonifies Qi and Blood
Postpartum fever due to Qi and Blood Deficiency
Recovery from severe Blood loss
- Strengthens the Spleen and raises the Yang Qi of the Spleen and Stomach
Spleen Qi Deficiency with anorexia, fatigue and diarrhoea
Central Qi Sinking (prolapse)
Lung and Spleen Qi Deficiency
Qi Failing to contain Blood
Qi and Blood Deficiency
Fever from Qi Deficiency
- Tonifies Wei Qi, stabilizes the Exterior and tonifies the Lungs (aids circulation of moisture downward from the face)
Wei Qi Deficiency with spontaneous sweating
Lung Qi Deficiency with frequent colds or shortness of breath
Excessive sweating associated with Qi, Yang or Yin Deficiency
Dampness in the head
- Promotes urination and reduces oedema
Spleen Deficiency oedema or superficial oedema with reduced urination (It can be used as a stand-alone herb for this)
- Promotes the discharge of pus, generates flesh and expels toxins
Chronic ulcerations and sores that either have trouble forming pus or have formed pus but are not draining well
- Generates Body Fluids
Wasting and thirsting disorder (Xiao Ke)
Bi Syndrome with numbness of the limbs and paralysis
- Relieves numbness and pain
Numbness and pain due to Deficiency of Qi and Blood
- Tonifies the Qi while suppressing Parasites
Gu Sydnrome (Fruehauf, 1998)
Chronic inflammatory disease (Fruehauf, 2015)
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Standard Dosage: 10-15g in decoction. Large dosages of up to 30g can be used for severe debilitation, Blood deficiency or unhealing sores (e.g. Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang).
Cautions: It is contraindicated in cases of exterior excess with excessive pathogen, internal obstruction, yin deficiency with yang hyperactivity, early stage of sores and ulcers of excessive pathogen and no deficiency of heathy qi, because it can tonify qi, raise yang and strengthen superficial.Caution with patients on immunosuppressents due to its immune modulating effects. |
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Tu Si Zi
| 5g | | (wine fried)
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Pinyin: Tu Si Zi
Chinese: 菟丝子
Pharmaceutical: Semen Cuscutae
English: Chinese Dodder Seeds
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Tastes: Sweet, astringing, slightly warm
Meridians Entered: Kidney, Spleen and Liver
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Actions & Indications:
- Strengthens Yang, nourishes Yin, astringes Jing and urine and benefits the marrow
Kidney Yang Deficiency with impotence, nocturnal emissions, premature ejaculation, tinnitus, urinary frequency, sore painful back and vaginal discharge
- Tonifies the Kidneys and Liver and improves vision
Deficient Liver and Kidney Yin, Yang and Jing with dizziness, tinnitus, blurred vision or spots before the eyes
- Benefits the Kidneys and Spleen and stops (astringes) diarrhoea
Diarrhoea, loose stools and anorexia from Spleen and Kidney Deficiency
- Calms the fetus
Habitual or threatened miscarriage
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Standard Dosage: 10-15g in decoction.
Cautions: It is contraindicated in cases of yin deficiency with effulgent fire and difficult urination because of its warm property and tonifying and astringing actions. |
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Hou Po
| 2g | |
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Pinyin: Hou Po
Chinese: 厚朴
Pharmaceutical: Cortex Magnoliae
Taxonomy: Magnolia officinalis
English: Magnolia Bark
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Tastes: Bitter, pungent, warm
Meridians Entered: Spleen, Stomach, Lung and Large Intestine
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Actions & Indications:
- Promotes the movement of Qi in the Middle Jiao and resolves Stagnation
Abdominal, epigastric, and/or chest fullness, bloating, loss of appetite, poor digestion, constipation
Plum Pit Qi, a feeling of a lump in throat, usually considered psychosomatic today (globus hystericus). Hou Po has modern indications as neuroprotective and also features in formulas like Da/Xiao Cheng Qi Tang which deal with neuropsychiatric symptoms like delirium.
- Promotes the movement of Qi downward, dries Dampness and transforms Phlegm
Dampness or Phlegm Obstructing the Middle Jiao with distention, fullness, nausea and diarrhoea
- Descends Rebellious Qi, reduces Phlegm and calms wheezing
Cough and wheezing due to Phlegm congesting the Lungs
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Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.
Cautions: It should be used with cautions for the syndrome of qi deficiency and fluid consumption, and in pregnant women. Due to some of the anticoagulant effects of its constituents it should be used with caution in conjunction with blood thinners. |
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Qiang Huo
| 1.5g | |
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Pinyin: Qiang Huo
Chinese: 羌活
Pharmaceutical: Rhizoma seu Radix Notopterygii
Taxonomy: Notopterygium incisium, N. forbesii
English: Notopterygium Root and Rhizome
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Tastes: Pungent, bitter, warm
Meridians Entered: Bladder and Kidney
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Actions & Indications:
- Releases the Exterior and disperses Cold
Wind-Cold with chills, fever, headache, body aches and pains
Usually used when accompanied by Dampness with joint pain, a general feeling of heaviness, sleepiness or occipital pain
- Expels Wind-Cold-Dampness, unblocks painful obstruction and alleviates pain
Wind-Cold-Damp Bi especially in the upper limbs and back
- Guides Qi to the Taiyang and Du channels
Directs the other herbs to the Taiyang and Du channels
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Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.
Cautions: It should be used with cautions for blood deficiency because of its strong pungent, fragrant, warm and dry property. It is not appropriate for weakness of spleen and stomach because large dose of this herb induces vomiting. |
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Bai Shao
| 4g | |
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Pinyin: Bai Shao
Chinese: 白芍
Pharmaceutical: Radix Paeoniae Alba
Taxonomy: Paeonia lactiflora
English: White Peony Root
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Tastes: Bitter, sour, sweet, slightly cold
Meridians Entered: Spleen and Liver
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Actions & Indications:
- Nourishes the Blood and regulates menstruation
Liver Blood Deficiency with menstrual dysfunction, vaginal discharge and uterine bleeding accompanied by a pale face, a lusterless complexion and dull, lusterless nails
Anemia
Breast distention and premenstrual syndrome
- Astringes Yin and adjusts the Ying and Wei
Yin Deficiency sweating Sweating due to Yin Collapse
Disharmony between the Liver and Spleen
Disharmony between the Ying and Wei with non-productive sweating
- Calms Liver Yang and Liver Wind and alleviates pain
Liver Qi Stagnation with Liver Yang Rising
Liver Wind with Yin and Blood Deficiency
Bi syndrome due to Blood Deficiency with pain and spasms
- Softens the Liver and relieves pain
Diarrhoea, borborygmus and abdominal pain
Dysenteric disorders with tenesmus
- Tonifies the Blood while suppressing Parasites
Gu Sydnrome (Fruehauf, 1998)
Chronic inflammatory disease (Fruehauf, 2015)
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Standard Dosage: 10-30g in decoction.
Cautions: Caution with anticoagulants as it may slow clotting time. May also slow the absorption of phenytoin. |
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Gan Cao
| 1.5g | |
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Pinyin: Gan Cao
Chinese: 甘草
Pharmaceutical: Radix Glycyrrhizae
Taxonomy: Glycyrrhiza uralensis seu glabra seu inflata
English: Liquorice Root
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Tastes: Sweet, slightly cold
Meridians Entered: Heart, Lung and Spleen (and all 12 meridians)
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Actions & Indications:
- Tonifies the Spleen and augments Qi
Spleen Qi Deficiency with shortness of breath, lassitude and loose stools
Qi and Blood Deficiency with an irregular pulse and/or palpitations
Heart Qi Deficiency or Heart Yang Deficiency
- Moistens the Lungs, resolves Phlegm and stops coughing
Lung Heat or Cold
Productive or non-productive coughing
- Moderates spasms and alleviates pain
Painful muscle spasms of the abdomen and legs
- Clears Heat and relieves Fire toxicity
Raw for Toxic Heat with sore throat or carbuncles and sores (Chuang Yung)
- Antidote for many toxic substances (internal and topical)
Poisoning
- Moderates and harmonizes the harsh properties of other herbs and guides the herbs to all twelve channels
Often added in small doses to harmonise formulas
- Tonifies the Qi while suppressing Parasites
Gu Sydnrome (Fruehauf, 1998)
Chronic inflammatory disease (Fruehauf, 2015)
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Standard Dosage: Typically 1.5-9g in decoction. Large doses can be up 30g.
Cautions: It is contraindicated for combining with Hai Zao, Da Ji, Gan Sui and Yuan Hua because of "eighteen antagonisms". It is also contraindicated in cases of dampness obstruction in middle energizer and edema because it can help dampness obstruct qi, and it is prohibited from long-term usage in large dosage (more than 20g/day) and should be avoided or used with extreme caution in patients with high blood pressure because it may raise aldosterone levels in the blood causing retention of sodium. |
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Chuan Xiong
| 5g | |
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Pinyin: Chuan Xiong
Chinese: 川芎
Pharmaceutical: Rhizoma Ligusticum
Taxonomy: Ligusticum chuanxiong syn. striatum syn. wallichii
English: Sichuan Lovage root / Cnidium root
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Tastes: Pungent, warm
Meridians Entered: Liver and Pericardium
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Actions & Indications:
- Invigorates the Blood and promotes the movement of Qi
Blood Stasis, especially in gynecology with dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, difficult labor or retained lochia
Qi and Blood Stagnation with pain and soreness in the chest, flanks and hypochondria
- Expels Wind and alleviates pain
Externally contracted Wind with headache, dizziness or painful obstruction (Bi Syndrome) - especially useful for headaches due to Wind-Heat, Wind-Cold or Blood Deficiency (depending on the combination)
Wind skin disorders
- Relieves the symptoms of Gu Syndrome while suppressing parasites (Fruehauf, 1998)
Chronic inflammatory disease (Fruehauf, 2015)
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Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.
Cautions: It is contraindicated for headache due to Liver Yang rising or Yin deficiency with effulgent Fire because of its warm and dry properties.
Use with caution during pregnancy or in those who bruise or bleed easily.
May have synergistic effects in those taking anticoagulant drugs. |
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Ai Ye
| 1.5g | |
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Pinyin: Ai Ye
Chinese: 艾叶
Pharmaceutical: Folium Artemisiae argyi
Taxonomy: Artemisia argyi (may also refer to vulgaris and indica species)
English: Mugwort Leaf
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Tastes: Pungent, bitter, warm, slightly toxic
Meridians Entered: Liver, Spleen and Kidney
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Actions & Indications:
- Warms the channels, warms the womb, stops bleeding and calms the fetus
Excess and/or prolonged menstrual bleeding due to Deficiency Cold
Restless fetus, lower abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding (threatened miscarriage)
Infertility due to Cold womb
- Disperses Cold and alleviates pain
Cold abdominal pain
Cold menstrual pain
- Eliminates Dampness and stops itching
Decocted and applied externally as a wash for skin problems marked by Dampness and itching
- Resolves Phlegm and stops cough and asthma
As an extracted oil for wheezing, and coughing with profuse sputum
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Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.
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Chuan Bei Mu
| 5g | | (add near end)
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Pinyin: Chuan Bei Mu
Chinese: 川贝母
Pharmaceutical: Bulbus Fritillariae cirrhosae
Taxonomy: Fritillaria cirrhosa
English: Yellow Himalayan Fritillary Bulb
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Tastes: Bitter, sweet, lightly cold
Meridians Entered: Lung and Heart
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Actions & Indications:
- Clears Heat, transforms Phlegm, stops coughing and nourishes and moistens the Lungs
Chronic cough especially due to Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire Rising with chronic cough, slight sputum, difficult to expectorate, blood streaked sputum
Cough with Qi Stagnation with reduced appetite and a stifling sensation in the chest and abdomen
- Clears Heat and dissipates nodules
Phlegm-Fire nodules (Chuang Yung sores, swellings, scrofula, Lung or breast abscesses)
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Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.
Cautions: Contraindicated to Wu Tou. |
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Sheng Jiang
| 3sl | | |
Pinyin: Sheng Jiang
Chinese: 生姜
Pharmaceutical: Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens
Taxonomy: Zingiber officinale
English: Fresh Ginger
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Tastes: Pungent, warm
Meridians Entered: Lung, Spleen and Stomach
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Actions & Indications:
- Releases the Exterior, induces perspiration and disperses Cold
Wind-Cold
- Warms the Middle and stops vomiting
Cold in the Stomach especially with vomiting
- Warms the Lungs and stops coughing
Cough due to Wind-Cold Cough due to Lung Deficiency with Phlegm
- Reduces the toxicity of other herbs and seafood
Herb toxicity or seafood poisoning
- Adjusts the Ying and Wei - normalizes the flow of Qi at the center
Taiyang Zhong Feng - Wind-Cold with Deficiency
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Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.
Cautions: It should be used with caution for yin deficiency with internal heat and heat exuberance because it helps promote fire and injure yin. |
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