Sudden onset of severe Fire Toxin due to seasonal epidemic of Wind-Heat and Damp-Phlegm
Strong fever and chills, redness swelling and burning pain of the head and face, inability to open the eyes, dysfunction of the throat, dryness and thirst
Modern usage has expanded the indications to any severe heat of the head and face including sores, boils and abscesses, haemorrhagic conjunctitivitis, tonsilitis, parotiditis and upper respiratory tract infections.
Huang Qin
| 15g | |
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 | Pinyin: Huang Qin
Chinese: 黄芩
Western: Radix Scutellariae |
Tastes: Bitter, cold
Meridians Entered: Lung, Stomach, Gallbladder, Large Intestine and Bladder |
Actions & Indications:
- Clears Heat and dries Dampness
Damp-Heat in the Stomach or Intestines with diarrhea or dysenteric disorder
Damp-Warmth with fever, a stifling sensation in the chest and thirst with no desire to drink
Damp-Heat in the Lower Jiao with painful urinary dysfunction
Damp-Heat jaundice (auxiliary), infectious hepatitis
- Drains Fire and detoxifies
Heat and Fire especially in the Upper Jiao (Lung) with high fever, irritability, thirst, cough and expectoration of thick, yellow sputum
Upper respiratory tract infection
Hot sores and swellings (topical or internal)
- Cools the Blood and stops bleeding
Xue Stage Heat or Blood Heat causing bleeding with epistaxis, hemoptysis, hematemesis and hemafecia
- Clears Heat and calms the fetus
Fetal restlessness due to Heat
- Calms ascending Liver Yang
Liver Yang Rising with headache, irritability, red eyes, flushed face and bitter taste
High Blood pressure
Gallbladder Heat
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Standard Dosage: 5-15g in decoction.
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Huang Lian
| 15g | |
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 | Pinyin: Huang Lian
Chinese: 黄连
Western: Rhizoma Coptidis |
Tastes: Bitter, cold
Meridians Entered: Heart, Stomach, Large Intestine and Liver |
Actions & Indications:
- Clears Heat and drains Dampness
Damp-Heat in the Stomach or Intestines with diarrhea or dysenteric disorder
Stomach Heat with vomiting and/or acid regurgitation
- Drains Fire and resolves Fire toxicity
Heat with Blazing Fire (Toxic Heat) with high fever. irritability, disorientation, delirium, a red tongue and a rapid, full pulse
Heat from Excess with toxicity: painful, red eyes and a sore throat
Boils, carbuncles and abscesses (Chuang Yung)
- Clears Heat and stops bleeding
Blood Heat with epistaxis, hematuria, hemafecia and hemoptysis
- Clears Heat topically
Infected wounds, red and painful eyes, ulcerations of the tongue and mouth (topical)
- Clears Heart Fire (sedative)
Heart Fire Lack of communication between the Heart and Kidneys
- Drains Stomach Fire
Stomach Fire
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Standard Dosage: 2-10g in decoction.
Cautions: It is contraindicated for deficiency-cold syndrome. Because its taste is extremly bitter and dryness, overdosage and long-time taking will impair spleen and stomach, yin and fluids. |
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Ren Shen
| 9g | |
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 | Pinyin: Ren Shen
Chinese: 人参
Western: Ginseng |
Tastes: Sweet, slightly warm
Meridians Entered: Spleen, Lung and Heart |
Actions & Indications:
- Powerfully tonifies Yuan Qi
Extreme collapse of Qi or abandoned conditions that manifest in shallow breathing, shortness of breath, cold limbs, profuse sweating and an almost imperceptible pulse (after blood loss, overly profuse sweating or other problems related to severe fluid loss - it can be used alone in these emergencies)
Collapse of Yang
Collapse of Yin
- Tonifies Spleen and Stomach Qi
Lethargy, anorexia, chest and abdominal distention, chronic diarrhea and, in severe cases, prolapse of the Stomach, uterus or rectum
- Tonifies Lung Qi
Lung Qi Deficiency with wheezing, shortness of breath and labored breathing on exertion
- Generates Body Fluids and stops thirst
Wasting and thirsting disorder (Xiao Ke) and high fevers with profuse sweating which injures Qi and fluids
- Tonifies Heart Qi and calms the Spirit
Heart Qi and Blood Deficiency with palpitations, anxiety, insomnia, forgetfulness and restlessness
- Treats impotence
With Kidney Yang tonics for impotence
- Tonifies Qi in Deficiency patients with Exterior conditions
Exterior disorder with Interior Deficiency
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Standard Dosage: 5-10g in decoction, 10-30g for exhaustion syndrome due to Qi deficiency.
Cautions: Antagonizing to Li Lu; the warm nature of sun-dried raw Ren Shen is weaker than that of Hong Shen. Contraindicated to warfarin as it has an additive effect and may cause bleeding. |
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Niu Bang Zi
| 3g | |
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 | Pinyin: Niu Bang Zi
Chinese: 牛蒡子
Western: Fructus Arctii |
Tastes: Pungent, bitter, cold
Meridians Entered: Lung and Stomach |
Actions & Indications:
- Disperses Wind-Heat and benefits the throat
Wind-Heat with fever, cough and sore throat
- Relieves toxicity and vents rashes
Carbuncles, red swellings, early-stage measles, mumps, erythema, acute febrile maculo-papular rashes Incomplete expression of rashes Pruritic rashes due to Wind-Heat
- Moistens the Intestines
Wind-Heat toxins where there is also Internal Heat causing constipation Constipation associated with other forms of toxicity such as acne
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Standard Dosage: 6-12g in decoction.
Cautions: It is not suitable for deficiency-cold loose stool because of its cold property and the action of lubricating the intestines. |
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Lian Qiao
| 3g | |
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 | Pinyin: Lian Qiao
Chinese: 连翘
Western: Fructus Forsythiae |
Tastes: Bitter, slightly pungent, cold
Meridians Entered: Lung, Heart and Small Intestine |
Actions & Indications:
- Clears Heat (especially in the Upper Jiao) and relieves toxicity
Wind-Heat with high fever, slight chills and sore throat
- Reduces abscesses and dissipates clumps
Toxic Heat sores and swellings (Chuang Yung), scrofula and throat Bi
- Clears Blood Heat
Blood Heat
- Promotes urination
Lin syndrome, dysuria, hematuria
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Standard Dosage: 10-15g in decoction.
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Bo He
| 3g | |
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 | Pinyin: Bo He
Chinese: 薄荷
Western: Herba Menthae |
Tastes: Pungent, cool
Meridians Entered: Lung and Liver |
Actions & Indications:
- Disperses Wind-Heat, cools and clears the head and eyes and benefits the throat
Wind-Heat with fever, cough, headache, red eyes and a sore throat
- Vents rashes
Early-stage rashes e.g. measles
- Relieves Stagnation of Liver Qi
Liver Qi Stagnation with pressure in the chest or flanks, emotional instability and gynecological problems
- Expels turbid filth
Exposure to unclean Qi in the Summertime leading to gastric distress with abdominal pain, vomiting. diarrhea and a thick, yellow, greasy tongue coat
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Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.
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Jiang Can
| 2g | | (dry fried)
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 | Pinyin: Jiang Can
Chinese: 僵蚕
Western: Bombyx Batryticatus |
Tastes: Salty, pungent, neutral
Meridians Entered: Liver and Lung |
Actions & Indications:
- Extinguishes Wind and stops spasms and convulsions
Childhood convulsions and facial paralysis Seizures due to Liver Wind or especially Wind-Phlegm-Heat
- Dispels Wind, disperses Wind-Heat and stops itching and pain
Headache, red eyes, a sore, swollen throat and itching skin lesions such as Wind-Rash from externally contracted Wind-Heat or Liver Wind Loss of voice
- Transforms Phlegm, softens hardness, eliminates toxins and dissipates nodules
Phlegm-Heat scrofula and other Phlegm nodules
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Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.
Cautions: Animal products are prohibited from use in the UK under the Medicines Act 1968 ch. 67 which restricts herbalists to the use of plant products only. It is generally substituted with Tian Ma and Tian Zhu Huang. |
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Xuan Shen
| 6g | |
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 | Pinyin: Xuan Shen
Chinese: 玄參
Western: Radix Scrophulariae |
Tastes: Bitter, sweet, salty, light cold
Meridians Entered: Heart, Stomach, Kidney, Lung |
Actions & Indications:
- Clears Heat and cools the Blood
Xue Stage Heat or Blood Heat with hemorrhage, fever, dry mouth and a purplish tongue
- Nourishes Yin
Yin Deficiency with Heat signs especially as sequelae from Warm Febrile Disease with constipation and irritability Yin Deficiency dry Lungs Heart Yin Deficiency
- Softens hardness and dissipates nodules (Transforms Phlegm-Heat)
Neck lumps due to Phlegm Fire Severe throat pain and swelling
- Drains Fire
Extreme throat pain or red, swollen eyes
- Relieves toxicity
Ying Stage Heat
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Standard Dosage: 10-15g in decoction.
Cautions: It is contraindicated in cases of diarrhea due to spleen deficiency. It is antagonistic to Li Lu. |
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Ma Bo
| 3g | |
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 | Pinyin: Ma Bo
Chinese: 马勃
Western: Lasiosphaera seu Calvatia |
Tastes: Pungent, neutral
Meridians Entered: Lung |
Actions & Indications:
- Clears Lung Heat, relieves Fire toxicity and Improves the throat
Swollen, painful throat and loss of voice due to Fire toxin Cough due to Lung Heat
- Stops bleeding
Bleeding especially in the mouth or lips (topically and internally Bleeding gums due to frostbite
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Standard Dosage: 3-6g in decoction.
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Ban Lan Gen
| 3g | |
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 | Pinyin: Ban Lan Gen
Chinese: 板蓝根
Western: Radix Isatidis |
Tastes: Bitter, cold
Meridians Entered: Lung, Stomach, Heart and Liver |
Actions & Indications:
- Drains Heat, relieves Fire toxicity, cools the Blood and benefits the throat
Warm febrile disease Epidemic disorders Seasonal toxic pathogens such as mumps, and painful, swollen throat conditions Damp-Heat jaundice Gallbladder Heat Blood Heat
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Standard Dosage: 15-30g in decoction.
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Jie Geng
| 6g | |
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 | Pinyin: Jie Geng
Chinese: 桔梗
Western: Radix Platycodi |
Tastes: Bitter, pungent, neutral
Meridians Entered: Lung |
Actions & Indications:
- Opens the Lungs, spreads Lung Qi, expels Phlegm and benefits the throat
Cough due to Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat (with profuse sputum, sore throat, loss of voice)
Loss of voice or sore throat due to external Heat, Phlegm Heat or Yin Deficiency Heat
- Expels pus
Lung or throat abscess (Phlegm and Qi Stagnation) with fevers, chest pain, coughing of yellow sputum with a fishy smell and hemoptysis
- Opens and raises Lung Qi, directing the effects of other herbs to the upper body
Reinforces the actions of the other herbs and focuses the formula on the upper body
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Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.
Cautions: Overdose can cause nausea and vomiting. |
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Gan Cao
| 6g | |
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 | Pinyin: Gan Cao
Chinese: 甘草
Western: Radix Glycyrrhizae |
Tastes: Sweet, slightly cold
Meridians Entered: Heart, Lung and Spleen |
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
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Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.
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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Ju Hong
| 6g | |
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 | Pinyin: Ju Hong
Chinese: 橘红
Western: Exocarpium Citri Rubrum |
Tastes: Pungent, bitter, warm
Meridians Entered: Lung and Spleen |
Actions & Indications:
- Regulates Qi, adjusts the Middle and relieves the diaphragm
Spleen/Stomach Qi Stagnation with epigastric or abdominal distention, fullness, bloating, belching, nausea and vomiting
- Dries Dampness and transforms Phlegm
Phlegm-Damp Obstructs the Lung with coughing, a stifling sensation in the chest and/or diaphragm and copious, viscous sputum
Turbid Damp Obstructs the Middle with a stifling sensation in the chest, abdominal distention, anorexia, fatigue, loose stools and a thick, greasy tongue coat
- Helps prevent Stagnation from tonic herbs
Tonic herbs causing Stagnation
- Descends Qi
Qi Rebellion
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Standard Dosage: 3-9g in decoction.
Cautions: It is contraindicated for yin deficiency with dry cough and qi deficiency. |
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Chai Hu
| 6g | |
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 | Pinyin: Chai Hu
Chinese: 柴胡
Western: Radix Bupleuri |
Tastes: Bitter, pungent, slightly cold
Meridians Entered: Liver and Spleen |
Actions & Indications:
- Resolves Shaoyang disorders and reduces fever (harmonizes the Exterior and Interior)
Shaoyang Stage with alternating chills and fever, a bitter taste,dizziness, tinnitus, flank pain, irritability, vomiting and a stifling sensation in the chest
Deficiency Heat (auxiliary)
Gallbladder Fire
- Spreads Liver Qi and relieves Stagnation
Liver Qi Stagnation with dizziness, vertigo, chest and flank pain, emotional instability and menstrual problems
Disharmony between the Liver and Spleen with epigastric and flank pain, a stifling sensation in the chest, abdominal bloating, nausea and indigestion
Liver/Gallbladder Disharmony
- Raises Yang Qi (specifically the Clear Qi of the Stomach and Gallbladder)
Spleen and Stomach Yang Deficiency, Qi collapse (prolapse) with hemorrhoids, vaginal discharge, bleeding or exhaustion
- Disperses Wind-Heat and resolves Phlegm and congestion
Wind-Heat
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Standard Dosage: Up to 3g to raise sinking Qi, 6-9g to relieve Liver Qi stagnation, 12-24g to release the exterior.
Cautions: Anyone who has syndromes of yin deficiency with yang hyperactivity, stirring of liver wind, yin deficiency with effulgent fire and qi going upward adversely, this herb should be used with cautions. |
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Sheng Ma
| 2g | | |
 | Pinyin: Sheng Ma
Chinese: 升麻
Western: Rhizoma Cimicifugae |
Tastes: Pungent, slightly bitter, slightly cold
Meridians Entered: Lung, Spleen, Stomach and Large Intestine |
Actions & Indications:
- Releases the Exterior and vents measles
Headache due to Wind-Heat Early stages of measles
- Clears Heat and relieves toxicity
Fire toxins in the upper or superficial aspects of the body with sore teeth, swollen or painful gums, ulcerated lips or gums, canker sores, painful and swollen throat, sores or maculae from Warm-Heat pathogen diseases
- Raises Yang and lifts sunken Qi
Central Qi Sinking or Middle Qi Deficiency with shortness of breath, fatigue and prolapse Dai channel spasms Guides other herbs upwards
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Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.
Cautions: The patients whose measles have come out or have yin deficiency and heat excess, or yin deficiency and yang going upward adversely are forbidden to use this herb. |
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Originally ground into powder with half taken as a draft and half taken as pills made with honey and slowly dissolved in the mouth. Today it is generally prepared as a decoction with Ren Shen reduced to 3g or omitted entirely.
These pages are intended to assist clinicians and are not intended for self-diagnosis or treatment for which a qualified professional should be consulted.