Pinyin: Hai Zao  Chinese: 海藻
Pharmaceutical: Sargassum
Taxonomy: Sargassum fusiforme
English: Hikiji

Tastes: Salty, cold
Meridians Entered: Liver, Stomach and Kidney

Actions & Indications:

1. Reduces Phlegm and softens areas of hardness
   Phlegm nodules in the neck such as: tumors, scrofula and goiter
   Abdominal mass, carbuncle
   Bulging disorders, especially those involving the scrotum and testes
2. Promotes urination and reduces oedema
   Edema due to leg Qi or floating oedema

Standard Dosage: 10-15g in decoction.
Cautions: Contradicated to Gan Cao.

Rose et al (2007) found Japanese Hikiji (Sargassum fusiforme) contained high levels of inorganic arsenic associated with liver cancer which led the UK Food Standards Agency to warn against its consumption. Occasional consumption is unlikely to pose a health risk but it should be avoided for long term use, especially at high doses (above 4.7g per day according to Japanese authorities). Other forms of seaweed did not pose the same risk.

Pinyin: Hong Hua  Chinese: 红花
Pharmaceutical: Flos Carthami
English: Safflower

Tastes: Pungent, warm
Meridians Entered: Heart and Liver

Actions & Indications:

1. 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

Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.

Pinyin: Yi Mu Cao  Chinese: 益母草
Pharmaceutical: Herba Leonuri
Taxonomy: Leonurus japonicus syn. heterophyllus syn. sibiricus
English: Chinese Motherwort

Tastes: Pungent, bitter, lightly cold
Meridians Entered: Liver, Heart and Bladder

Actions & Indications:

1. Invigorates the Blood, dispels Stasis, regulates menstruation and reduces masses
   Gynecological disorders due to Blood Stasis with irregular menstruation, premenstrual abdominal pain and postpartum abdominal pain with retained lochia
   Abdominal masses and infertility due to Blood Stasis due to Blood Deficiency
   Traumatic pain
2. Promotes urination and reduces swelling and oedema
   Acute systemic oedema accompanied by Blood Stasis, especially with hematuria
3. Clears Heat and resolves toxicity internally or topically
   Sores, abscesses and toxic swellings
   Itchy rashes from Damp-Heat in the muscles and surrounding tissues
4. Aids fasting
   Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the superior class of herbs which can, with protracted taking, make the body light. This may suggest it was part of supplementing the diet when engaging in an "avoiding grain" (Bigu 辟穀) fasting regime to cultivate life (Yangsheng 養生).

Standard Dosage: 10-30g in decoction.

Pinyin: Dan Shen  Chinese: 丹參
Pharmaceutical: Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae
Taxonomy: Salvia miltiorrhiza
English: Red Sage Root / Salvia Root / Zi Dan Shen 紫丹參 (Purple Cinnabar Ginseng) / Xue Shen 血參 (Blood Ginseng)

Tastes: Bitter, slightly cold
Meridians Entered: Heart and Liver

Actions & Indications:

1. Invigorates the Blood and regulates menstruation, removes Blood stasis and relieves pain
   Irregular menstruation , amenorrhea , dysmenorrhea
   Abdominal masses, chest and abdominal pain
   Hot Bi Syndrome
2. Cools the Blood and soothes irritability
   Ying Stage Heat with restlessness, irritability, palpitations and insomnia
   Heart and Kidney Yin Deficiency
3. Reduces swellings
   Sores and swellings, early-stage breast abscesses
4. Nourishes the Blood and calms the Spirit
   Palpitations and insomnia due to Ying and Xue Stage Heat or Heart Blood Deficiency
5. Calms the Spirit agitated by Gu Parasites
   Agitation caused by Gu Syndrome / chronic inflammatory disease (Fruehauf, 2015)
   The Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing places it in the middle class of herbs and says it treats "Evil Qi in the Heart and abdomen with continual gurgling of the intestines like water running, cold and heat, and gatherings and accumulations. It breaks up concretions and eliminates conglomerations, relieves vexatious fullness, and boosts the qi."

Standard Dosage: 5-15g in decoction.
Cautions: Use with caution for pregnant women. Contraindicated to Li Lu.