Pinyin: Huo Xiang  Chinese: 藿香
Pharmaceutical: Herba Pogostemonis seu Agastaches
Taxonomy: Pogostemon cablin seu Agastache rugosa
English: Patchouli / Korean Mint

Tastes: Pungent, slightly warm
Meridians Entered: Spleen, Stomach and Lung

Actions & Indications:

1. Aromatically transforms Dampness, releases the Exterior and dispels Summerheat (transforms turbidity)
   Turbid Dampness Obstructing the Middle Jiao
   Summer Heat-Dampness, Damp-Warmth or Wind-Dampness
2. Harmonizes the Middle Jiao and stops vomiting
   Nausea or vomiting due to Dampness Obstructing the Middle Jiao
   Other types of vomiting, and morning sickness when combined with appropriate herbs
3. Treats dermatosis and fungal infection
   Dermatosis and fungal infections affecting either the hands or feet

Standard Dosage: 5-10g in decoction.

Pinyin: Hou Po  Chinese: 厚朴
Pharmaceutical: Cortex Magnoliae
Taxonomy: Magnolia officinalis
English: Magnolia Bark

Tastes: Bitter, pungent, warm
Meridians Entered: Spleen, Stomach, Lung and Large Intestine

Actions & Indications:

1. 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.
2. Promotes the movement of Qi downward, dries Dampness and transforms Phlegm
   Dampness or Phlegm Obstructing the Middle Jiao with distention, fullness, nausea and diarrhoea
3. Descends Rebellious Qi, reduces Phlegm and calms wheezing
   Cough and wheezing due to Phlegm congesting the Lungs
4. Expels Wind, scatters Cold and regulates the Blood
   The Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing places in the middle class of woods and says "It mainly treats Wind-stroke, Cold damage, headache, Cold and Heat, fright qi, blood Bi and dead muscles."
5. Removes the Three Worms
   The Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing also says that it "removes the Three Worms." These may refer to difficult to treat metabolic disorders caused by overindulgence and should be accompanied by fasting, meditation and exercise regimes.

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.

Pinyin: Chen Pi  Chinese: 陈皮
Pharmaceutical: Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae
Taxonomy: Citrus spp.
English: Aged Tangerine Peel

Tastes: Pungent, bitter, warm
Meridians Entered: Spleen and Lung

Actions & Indications:

1. Regulates Qi, adjusts the Middle and relieves the diaphragm
   Spleen/Stomach Qi Stagnation with epigastric or abdominal distention, fullness, bloating, belching, nausea and vomiting
2. 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
3. Helps prevent Stagnation from tonic herbs
   Tonic herbs causing Stagnation
4. Descends Qi
   Qi Rebellion
5. Aids fasting
   Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the superior class of herbs which can, with protracted taking, remove foul breath, precipitate the Qi, and enable one to communicate with spirits. 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).
6. Suppresses Gu Parasites
   Gu Sydnrome (Fruehauf, 1998)
   Chronic inflammatory disease (Fruehauf, 2015)

Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.

Pinyin: Fu Ling  Chinese: 茯苓
Pharmaceutical: Poria
Taxonomy: Poria cocos syn. Wolfiporia extensa
English: China-Root / Hoelen / Tuckahoe / Indian Bread

Tastes: Sweet, bland, neutral
Meridians Entered: Heart, Spleen, and Kidney

Actions & Indications:

1. Strengthens the Spleen and harmonizes the Middle Jiao
   Spleen Deficiency Dampness with anorexia, diarrhoea and epigastric distention
2. Strengthens the Spleen
   Phlegm Dampness due to Spleen Deficiency with thin mucus in which Phlegm moves upward manifesting as palpitations, headache, dizziness and a thick, greasy tongue coat
3. Promotes urination and leaches out Dampness
   Urinary difficulty, diarrhoea or oedema due to Stagnation of Fluids or Dampness
4. Quiets the Heart, calms the Spirit and soothes the nerves
   Palpitations, insomnia or forgetfulness due to either Spleen and Heart Insufficiency or Internal Obstruction of Turbid Phlegm
5. Aids fasting
   Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the superior class of herbs which can, with protracted taking, quiet the Hun, nourish the Shen, make one free from hunger and prolong life. 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: 9-15g in decoction.
Cautions: It is contraindicated for spermatorrhea due to deficiency-cold.

Pinyin: Cao Guo  Chinese: 草果
Pharmaceutical: Fructus Tsaoko
Taxonomy: Amomum tsao-ko syn. Lanxangia tsaoko
English: Black Cardamom / Greater Cardamom / Tsaoko Fruit

Tastes: Pungent, warm
Meridians Entered: Spleen and Stomach

Actions & Indications:

1. Strongly dries Dampness, warms the Middle Jiao and disperses Cold
   Cold-Dampness Obstructing the Spleen and Stomach with epigastric and abdominal distention, fullness and pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and a greasy tongue coat
2. Alleviates malarial disorders
   Alternating fever and chills due to Cold-Dampness or Turbid-Dampness associated with malarial disorders
3. Dissolves Stagnation and distention
   Indigestion due to meat Stagnation
   Distention and nausea due to Spleen and Stomach Deficiency Cold
4. Removes Phlegm
   Phlegm Obstructing the Middle Jiao

Standard Dosage: 3-6g in decoction.

Pinyin: Shan Zha  Chinese: 山楂
Pharmaceutical: Fructus Crataegi
Taxonomy: Crataegus pinnatifida
English: Hawthorn Fruit

Tastes: Sour, sweet, slightly warm
Meridians Entered: Spleen, Stomach and Liver

Actions & Indications:

1. Reduces and guides out Food Stagnation and transforms accumulations
   Accumulation of meats or greasy foods (proteins and fats) with abdominal distention, pain or diarrhea
2. Transforms Blood Stasis, invigorates Blood circulation, lowers blood pressure and dissipates clumps
   Postpartum abdominal pain and clumps due to Blood Stasis
   Angina and coronary artery disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia
   Hernial disorders (hernia)
3. Stops diarrhea
   Diarrhea in chronic dysentery-like disorders (toasted)

Standard Dosage: 10-15g in decoction, or up to 30g.
Cautions: Use with caution in cases of Spleen and Stomach deficiency with no signs of Food Stagnation, or those with acid regurgitation.

Potential side effects include dizziness, nausea, and digestive symptoms.

Pinyin: Shen Qu  Chinese: 神曲
Pharmaceutical: Massa Fermentata
English: Medicated Leaven

Tastes: Sweet, pungent, warm
Meridians Entered: Spleen and Stomach

Actions & Indications:

1. Reduces Food Stagnation, promotes digestion and harmonizes the Stomach
   Food Stagnation or accumulation due Stomach Cold with epigastric fullness or distention, lack of appetite, borborygmus and diarrhoea
2. Moves Qi
   Qi Stagnation

Standard Dosage: 6-15g in decoction.
Cautions: Contains gluten so not advised in people with gluten sensitivity or coeliac disease. Also contraindicated in cases of acid reflux, deficient Spleen Yin and excessive Stomach Fire. Caution also advised in pregnancy.