Shu Di Huang
| 6g | |
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Pinyin: Shu Di Huang
Chinese: 熟地黄
Pharmaceutical: Radix Rehmanniae Preparata
Taxonomy: Rehmannia glutinosa
English: Prepared Chinese Foxglove Root
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Tastes: Sweet, slightly warm
Meridians Entered: Kidney and Liver
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Actions & Indications:
- Nourishes the Blood
Blood Deficiency with facial pallor, dizziness, palpitations, insomnia, irregular menstruation, uterine bleeding and postpartum bleeding
- Nourishes Liver and Kidney Yin
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency with a weak low back and limbs, dizziness, tinnitus, tidal fevers, night sweats and nocturnal emissions
- Strongly enriches Yin and relieves wasting and thirsting disorder
Lower Jiao wasting (it can be used as a stand-alone herb for this)
- Nourishes Jing and Blood and fills the Marrow
Exhausted Jing and Blood problems such as delayed development during childhood, blunted affect, premature aging, diminished mental acuity, graying of hair, impotence and memory loss
- Arrests coughing and wheezing
Kidney Deficient coughing, wheezing and asthma, such as inability of the Kidneys to grasp Qi
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Standard Dosage: 10-30g in decoction.
Cautions: It should be used with cautions for spleen and stomach deficiency, loose stool due to fullness in abdomen and qi stagnation with excessive phlegm because it is greasy and will produce indigestion. |
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Dang Gui
| 6g | |
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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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Bai Shao
| 6g | |
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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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Xiang Fu
| 6g | |
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Pinyin: Xiang Fu
Chinese: 香附
Pharmaceutical: Rhizoma Cyperi
English: Nut-Grass Rhizome
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Tastes: Pungent, slightly bitter and sweet, bland
Meridians Entered: Liver and Triple Energizer
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Actions & Indications:
- Spreads and regulates Liver Qi
Liver Qi Stagnation with hypochondriac pain and epigastric distention
Disharmony between the Liver and Spleen/li>
- Regulates menstruation and alleviates pain
Gynecological disorders due to Liver Qi Stagnation with dysmenorrhea or irregular menstruation
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Standard Dosage: 6-10g in decoction.
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Chuan Xiong
| 3g | |
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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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Hong Hua
| 2.1g | |
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Pinyin: Hong Hua
Chinese: 红花
Pharmaceutical: Flos Carthami
English: Safflower
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Tastes: Pungent, warm
Meridians Entered: Heart and Liver
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Actions & Indications:
- Invigorates the Blood, dispels Blood Stasis, opens the channels, unblocks menstruation and alleviates pain
Blood Stasis, especially in women for gynecological problems such as abdominal pain, amenorrhea, postpartum dizziness, retained lochia and abdominal masses
Trauma, non suppurative sores, carbuncles and dark, purplish erythema
Incomplete expression of rash of measles
Chest Bi due to Blood Stasis
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Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.
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Tao Ren
| 1.8g | |
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Pinyin: Tao Ren
Chinese: 桃仁
Pharmaceutical: Semen Persicae
Taxonomy: Prunus persica
English: Peach Seed
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Tastes: Bitter, sweet, neutral, lightly toxic
Meridians Entered: Heart, Liver, Lung and Large Intestine
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Actions & Indications:
- Breaks up Blood Stasis and invigorates Blood circulation
Menstrual disorders, abdominal pain, traumatic injury, flank pain, Lung abscess and Intestinal abscess with fixed abdominal masses associated with Blood Stasis
- Moistens the Intestines and unblocks the bowels
Constipation due to dry Intestines
- Drains abscesses
Lung and Intestinal abscesses
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Standard Dosage: 5-10g in decoction.
Cautions: Prohibited for pregnant women. Use with cautions for loose stool. Not overuse because of its toxicity. |
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E Zhu
| 1.5g | |
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Pinyin: E Zhu
Chinese: 莪朮
Pharmaceutical: Rhizoma Curcumae zedoariae
Taxonomy: Curcuma zedoaria
English: White Turmeric Root
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Tastes: Pungent, bitter, warm
Meridians Entered: Liver and Spleen
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Actions & Indications:
- Invigorates Blood circulation, dispels Blood Stasis, regulates Qi and alleviates pain
Blood Stasis with abdominal pain, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, abdominal masses and epigastric masses
- Dissolves accumulations and alleviates pain
Food Stagnation with pain, distention, fullness and constriction in the chest and abdomen
Childhood nutritional impairment
Relieves the symptoms of Gu Sydnrome while suppressing parasites (Fruehauf, 1998)
Chronic inflammatory disease (Fruehauf, 2015)
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Standard Dosage: 3-15g in decoction.
Cautions: This herb is drastic in property with the disadvantage of consuming qi and impairing blood. Do not overtake long. Prohibited for pregnant women and during menstrual periods.
Due to its ability to increase bile secretion, caution should be used in cases of gallstones and avoided in biliary tract obstruction. |
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Mu Tong
| 1.5g | |
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Pinyin: Mu Tong
Chinese: 木通
Pharmaceutical: Caulis Akebiae seu Caulis Clematis
Taxonomy: Akebia trifoliata, A. quinata, A. trifoliata var. australis seu Clematis armandii
English: Akebia or Clematis Stem
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Tastes: Bitter, cool
Meridians Entered: Heart, Small Intestine and Bladder
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Actions & Indications:
- Promotes urination and unblocks painful urinary dysfunction
Damp-Heat Painful Urinary Dysfunction (Lin Syndrome) with dribbling, painful and rough urination
Oedema and ascites
- Drains Heart Heat through the Small Intestine
Small Intestine Shi Heat with irritability accompanied by mouth or tongue sores and scanty urination
- Promotes lactation and unblocks Blood vessels
Lactation Insufficiency
Amenorrhea and pain and stiffness of the joints (Heat Bi)
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Standard Dosage: 3-6g in decoction.
Cautions: It is contraindicated for qi deficiency, spermatorrhea and pregnant women.
This herb is prohibited from use in the UK under the banned and restricted herbal ingredients list issued by the MHRA because it can also refer to Aristolochia manshuriensis (Guan Mu Tong) which contains toxic aristolochic acid. In some European countries with statutory testing of imports the species can be identified but the UK has chosen to ban all species to avoid regulation. It is generally substituted with Qu Mai or Tong Cao. |
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Zhi Gan Cao
| 1.2g | |
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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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Rou Gui
| 1.2g | | |
Pinyin: Rou Gui
Chinese: 肉桂
Pharmaceutical: Cortex Cinnamomi
Taxonomy: Cinnamomum cassia
English: Cinnamon Bark
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Tastes: Pungent, sweet, hot
Meridians Entered: Kidney, Spleen, Heart and Liver
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Actions & Indications:
- Warms the Kidneys, Spleen and Heart and strengthens Yang and Ming Men Fire
Kidney Yang Deficiency and Deficiency of Ming-Men Fire with aversion to Cold, cold limbs, weak back, impotence and urinary frequency
Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiency with abdominal pain and Cold, reduced appetite and diarrhoea
Kidney Unable to Grasp Qi
Heart Yang Deficiency, particularly with chest Bi
- Disperses deep Cold, warms the channels, unblocks the channels and vessels and alleviates pain
Deep Cold causing Qi Stagnation or Blood Stasis with Cold in the Blood causing amenorrhea or dysmenorrhea, Cold-Damp Bi, Yin-type boils (chronic sores that are usually concave and ooze a clear fluid) and sores or abscesses that do not heal
It enters the Blood aspect and, in small amounts, enhances the Blood moving action of other substances
- Leads the Fire back to its source
Upward Floating of Deficient Yang (False Heat, True Cold or Heat Above and Cold Below) with flushed face, wheezing, severe sweating (the sweat pours out like oil), weak and cold lower extremities and a deficient and rootless pulse
Any condition with Heat in the Upper body (dry mouth, sore throat, or teeth which is worse at night) and Cold in the Lower body (Lower back pain, cold lower extremities, diarrhoea and weakness in the proximal portion of the pulse)
- Assists in the generation of Qi and Blood
Chronic Qi and Blood Deficiency (auxiliary)
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Standard Dosage: 1-5g in decoction. It should be decocted later.
Cautions: It is contraindicated for syndrome of yin deficiency with fire effulgent, haemorrhage due to blood heat and pregnant women. It is incompatible with Chi Shi Zhi (nineteen incompatibilities). |
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