Pinyin: Zhang Nao  Chinese: 樟脑
Pharmaceutical: Camphorae
Taxonomy: Cinnamomum camphora
English: Camphor

Tastes: Pungent, hot, slightly toxic
Meridians Entered: Heart and Spleen

Actions & Indications:

1. Expels Wind and Dampness and kills parasites
   Wind-Damp skin lesions
   Scabies, tinea and itching sores
2. Opens the Orifices and expels turbidity
   Delirium and loss of consciousness due to Hot disorders
3. Invigorates the Blood, Disperses Cold and alleviates pain
   Topically for Blood Stagnation due to traumatic injury (injuries from falls, fractures, contusions, sprains pain and swelling)
   Toothache

Standard Dosage: 0.06-0.15g as powder or pills. It should not be decocted.
Cautions: It is contraindicated for qi deficiency and pregnant women. It should be used very carefully for people with skin allergy. It should not be overdose for qi deficiency when taking orally.

Pinyin: Bo He  Chinese: 薄荷
Pharmaceutical: Herba Menthae haplocalycis
Taxonomy: Mentha haplocalyx
English: Field Mint / Wild Mint

Tastes: Pungent, cool
Meridians Entered: Lung and Liver

Actions & Indications:

1. 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
2. Vents rashes
   Early-stage rashes e.g. measles
3. Relieves Stagnation of Liver Qi
   Liver Qi Stagnation with pressure in the chest or flanks, emotional instability and gynecological problems
4. Expels turbid filth
   Exposure to unclean Qi in the Summertime leading to gastric distress with abdominal pain, vomiting. diarrhoea and a thick, yellow, greasy tongue coat
5. Releases the Exterior and Drives Out Snakes
   Chronic inflammatory disease (Fruehauf, 2015)
   One of the chief herbs for treating Gu Syndrome, along with Bai Zhi and Zi Su Ye, classed as "open the exterior with snake killing herbs" (Fruehauf, 1998).

Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.

Pinyin: Bai Qian Ceng  Chinese: 白千层
Pharmaceutical: Folium Melaleucae Leucadendrae
Taxonomy: Melaleuca Leucadendra
English: Cajeput leaf

Tastes: None given
Meridians Entered: None given

Actions & Indications:

1. Dispels Wind and Release the Exterior
   Common cold with fever
   Wind-Damp bone pain
2. Drains Damp and alleviates itching
   Abdominal pain
   Wind papules, eczema

Standard Dosage: None given.

Pinyin: Bo He  Chinese: 薄荷
Pharmaceutical: Herba Menthae haplocalycis
Taxonomy: Mentha haplocalyx
English: Field Mint / Wild Mint

Tastes: Pungent, cool
Meridians Entered: Lung and Liver

Actions & Indications:

1. 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
2. Vents rashes
   Early-stage rashes e.g. measles
3. Relieves Stagnation of Liver Qi
   Liver Qi Stagnation with pressure in the chest or flanks, emotional instability and gynecological problems
4. Expels turbid filth
   Exposure to unclean Qi in the Summertime leading to gastric distress with abdominal pain, vomiting. diarrhoea and a thick, yellow, greasy tongue coat
5. Releases the Exterior and Drives Out Snakes
   Chronic inflammatory disease (Fruehauf, 2015)
   One of the chief herbs for treating Gu Syndrome, along with Bai Zhi and Zi Su Ye, classed as "open the exterior with snake killing herbs" (Fruehauf, 1998).

Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.

Pinyin: Ding Xiang  Chinese: 丁香
Pharmaceutical: Flos Caryophylli
Taxonomy: Caryophyllus aromaticus / Syzygium aromaticum
English: Clove

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

Actions & Indications:

1. Warms the Middle Jiao, relieves pain and descends Qi
   Stomach Cold with vomiting, hiccup, abdominal pain and diarrhoea
   Spleen and Stomach Deficiency Cold with anorexia, vomiting and diarrhoea
   Bad breath (chew whole clove), toothache (apply oil to gum)
2. Warms the Kidneys and assists Yang
   Impotence or clear vaginal discharge from Cold in the Womb (usually accompanied by weak legs) due to Kidney Yang Deficiency
3. Kills Parasites and expels Demons
   Gu Sydnrome (Fruehauf, 1998)
   Chronic inflammatory disease (Fruehauf, 2015)
   Can also be used as an insect repellent.

Standard Dosage: 1-3g in decoction.
Cautions: It is incompatible with Yu Jin (nineteen incompatibilities). It should be used with cautions for heat syndrome and yin deficiency with interior heat.

Pinyin: Rou Gui Ye  Chinese: 肉桂葉
Pharmaceutical: Folium Cinnamomi
Taxonomy: Cinnamoum cassia
English: Cinnamon Leaf

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

Actions & Indications:

1. Warm the Spleen and Stomach and disperse cold
   
2. Abdominal pain with vomiting
   Choking sensation in chest due to Stomach Cold
   Abdominal pain with diarrhoea
3. Relieve Exterior syndromes and induce perspiration
   Exterior Wind-Cold
   Chilblains
   Cough

Standard Dosage: 4.5-9g in decoction, 10-30g if fresh.