Open

Traditional Medicines of East Asia

Second Edition

By Dr. John Cassone, DAOM, PhD

To purchase a hard copy of this book from the office, contact Kelly@CassoneWellness.com or visit our website Cassone Wellness.

It is also available on Amazon.

Copyright © 2018 Dr. Cassone All rights reserved.

Open Dedication

DEDICATION

To my colleagues at South Baylo University and Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. The use of traditional medicines in patient care requires a commitment to ongoing study, research, and collaboration. It is the original Functional Medicine and the final frontier in holistic internal treatment. The practice of herbal formulation is both a science and an art and it is as vast and colorful as the professionals who are drawn to pursue it.

Open Acknowledgements

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

My greatest accomplishments are built on the greatest support. There’s nothing I do that doesn’t include a tremendous amount of care, support, encouragement, and love from my favorite person, Kelly Cassone.

Open Forward

The first purpose of writing this book was a personal review of these amazing medicines to hone of my professional skill in treating patients. The production of this book allowed me to process seven years of academic study, class notes, shared concepts among colleagues, and highlights from favorite textbooks spanning two different schools of Oriental Medicine and two different programs (Master’s and Doctorate level) combined with fourteen years of clinical private practice (not to mention multiple degrees in health sciences prior to entering the field of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine).

The second purpose of this book is to illustrate to the consumer the beauty and complexity of herbal medicine while breaking the trend of tabloid hype that has resulted in countless injuries, false claims, and massive sales of poor quality products with ineffective ingredients. Unfortunately, too many wonderful herbs have been made unavailable because the FDA was forced to regulate misuse. In t

Open Ai Ye

Ai Ye

Artemisiae argyi Folium

bitter, acrid, warm

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Stop Bleeding

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Menorrhagia
  • Due to cold patterns in the lower jiao
• Metrorrhagia
  • Due to cold patterns in the lower jiao
• Pain
  • In the middle jiao and lower jiao
  • Due to cold patterns
• Itching
  • Due to dampness
• Infertility
  • Especially due to cold patterns
• Threatened miscarriage
  • Due to cold in the lower jiao
• Cough (with phlegm)
  • Especially cold pattern
• Asthma
  • Due to kidney not grasping

This herb is used often in gynecological disorders. It can be used for menstrual bleeding or excessive uterine and vaginal bleeding if the cause is a cold pattern either from excess cold invading the lower jiao or from yang deficiency (the inability of the body to maintain homeostatic thermogenesis).

The bitter nature of this herb is the detoxifyi

Open Ba Dou

Ba Dou

Crotonis Fructus

acrid, hot, toxic

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Drain Downward and Harshly Expel

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Constipation
  • Due to cold patterns in the middle jiao and lower jiao
• Abdominal fullness and distention
  • Due to cold patterns in the middle jiao and lower jiao
• Ascites
  • Due to cold patterns in the middle jiao
• Labored breathing
  • Due to the accumulation of cold phlegm in the upper jiao
• Wheezing
  • Due to the accumulation of cold phlegm
• Fullness in the chest
  • Due to the accumulation of cold phlegm in the upper jiao
• Ulcers
• Abscesses

This herb is a major cathartic. It is toxic and must be used with extreme caution. It is hot and moves cold patterns down and out of the body. Cold accumulation of this nature can display with such symptoms as constipation, distended abdomen, and abdominal pain.

When there is excess water, such as ascites or

Open Ba Ji Tian

Ba Ji Tian

Morindae officinalis Radix

acrid, sweet, slightly warm

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Tonify the Yang

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS: -Impotence -Due to deficiency of yang

• Infertility -Due to deficiency of yang
• Urinary incontinence
  • Due to deficiency of yang
• Premature ejaculation
  • Due to deficiency of yang
• Irregular menses
  • Due to cold deficiency patterns in the lower jiao
• Abdominal pain
  • Due to cold deficiency patterns in the middle jiao and lower jiao
• Low back pain
  • Due to cold deficiency patterns Joint pain
  • Due to cold patterns plus dampness

Kidney yang, in Oriental Medicine, largely refers to hormone production from the adrenal glands and the gonads. It is used for patients with conditions such as infertility (male or female), erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, and irregular menstrual patterns.

Its sweet characteris

Open Bai Bian Dou

Bai Bian Dou

Lablab Semen album

sweet, neutral

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Tonify the Qi

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Diarrhea
  • Due to spleen qi deficiency
• Borborygmus
  • Due to spleen or stomach qi deficiency
• Vaginal discharge
  • Related to poor gastrointestinal health
  • Due to spleen and stomach qi deficiency
• Poor appetite
  • Due to poor digestive function
  • Related to spleen and stomach qi deficiency
• Food poisoning

Bai Bian Dou improves digestion through the support of the spleen and stomach functions. This relates to the exocrine function of the pancreas through enzyme production and hydrochloric acid secretion in the stomach. Balancing the digestive function of the stomach with the digestive function of the duodenum allows for the pyloric sphincter to efficiently transition chyme smoothly from the upper gastrointestinal tract to the lower gastrointestin

Open Bai Bu

Bai Bu

Stemonae Radix

sweet, bitter, slightly warm

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Transform Phlegm and Stop Cough

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Acute cough
  • Due to phlegm
  • Especially cold patterns
• Chronic cough
  • Due to phlegm
  • Especially cold patterns
• Lice
• Bacterial vaginosis
• Pinworm

Bai Bu is sweet, bitter, and slightly warm. It enters the lung system to relieve cough. Its sweet nature allows Bai Bu to treat cough especially when it is due to an underlying deficiency pattern that results in the eventual accumulation of phlegm, which becomes an excess pattern.

Bai Bu has a bitter property which allows it to detoxify and eliminate harmful pathogens and parasites.

Channels: lung

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Antimicrobial
  • Bitter property
• Cough
  • Enters the lung system
  • Due to phlegm
• Wheeze
  • Enters the lung system
  • Sweet nature tonifie

Open Bai Dou Kou

Bai Dou Kou

Amomi Fructus rotundus

acrid, warm, aromatic

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Aromatic Herb that Transforms Damp

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Vomiting
  • Due to dampness in the middle jiao
  • Due to poor spleen and stomach functions
• Epigastric fullness
  • Due to dampness
• Indigestion
  • Due to poor digestive functions
  • Spleen
  • Stomach
• Reduced appetite
  • Dampness in the middle jiao
• Greasy coating on the tongue

Bai Dou Kou is acrid, aromatic, and warm. It enters the stomach, spleen, and lung systems to break up patterns of damp accumulation especially when there is cold. In Traditional East Asian Medicine, the spleen system involves the digestive system including the pancreas. A failure in digestive function results in unwanted accumulation of dampness and eventually phlegm. The pH of the stomach is very acidic which is considered heat. Poor productio

Open Bai Fan

Bai Fan

Alumen

sour, astringent, cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Topical Application

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Parasite infections
  • Scabies
• Rash
  • Especially heat patterns
• Swollen throat
• Especially heat patterns
• Irritated eyes
  • Especially heat patterns
• Jaundice
  • Especially heat patterns
• Sores
  • Especially damp-heat patterns
• Diarrhea
  • Bai Fan is astringent and sour
• Vaginal discharge
  • Bai Fan is astringent and sour
• Convulsions
• Delirium
• Cough
• Bleeding disorders
  • Bleeding gums
  • Bleeding hemorrhoids
  • Epistaxis
  • Hemafecia
  • Traumas

Bai Fan is sour, astringent, and cold. The cold property makes it useful on heat patterns and damp-heat patterns especially topically. It enters the large intestine, lung, liver, and spleen systems to treat disorders of the gastrointestinal tract such as diarrhea or bloody stool and it treats disorders of the lung such as cough

Open Bai Guo

Bai Guo

Ginkgo Semen

bitter, sweet, astringent, neutral, slightly toxic

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Stabilize and Bind

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Cough
  • Due to phlegm
• Wheeze
  • Due to poor brochodilating functions of the hormone system
• Hypoadrenia
• Vaginal discharge
  • Bitter function eliminates pathogens while stabilize and bind function treats deficiency patterns
• Cloudy or discolored urine
  • Bitter function is detoxifying
• Excess urination
  • Stabilize and bind function for deficiency related excess urination and dribbling

Bai Guo enters the lung and kidney. Its effect is primarily seen on the lungs when there is a productive cough or wheeze with phlegm that is originating from a deficiency pattern. The root cause of the deficiency will still need to be treated by other herbs but Bai Guo will help to stabilize the lung and reduce the symptoms.

Its kidney function is related to

Open Bai He

Bai He

Lilii Bulbus

sweet, slightly bitter, slightly cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Tonify Yin

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Dry cough
  • Due to deficiency of lung yin
• Sore throat
  • Related to deficiency heat patterns of the lung system
• Low grade fever
  • Deficiency heat
  • Worse in the afternoon and evening
• Insomnia
  • Due to deficiency heat patterns
• Hot at night
• Possible night sweats
• Irritability
  • Due to heat
  • Due to deficiency
• Palpitations
  • Enters heart system

Bai He is sweet, slightly bitter, and slightly cold. It enters the heart and lung system to treat deficiency heat patterns such as dry cough with heat signs that are typically worse at night.

Bai He treats yin deficiency patterns of the lung system and may be useful for chronic sore throat and heat signs that are worse in the evening including low grade fever.

Bai He can treat palpitations as it enters the hea

Open Bai Hua She She Cao

Bai Hua She She Cao

Hedyotidis Diffusae Herba

bitter, sweet, cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Clears Heat and Resolves Toxicity

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Appendicitis
  • Large intestine abscess
  • Due to pathogenic heat
• Sores
  • Due to pathogenic heat
• Snakebite
• Cancer
• Jaundice
  • Due to heat patterns
• Urinary dribbling
  • Due to heat excess

Bai Hua She She Cao enters the gastrointestinal tract through the large intestine, small intestine, and stomach systems. It also enters the liver system to treat heat patterns. Excess heat patterns may be due to pathogens or transient bacteria in the lower gastrointestinal tract. Bai Hua She She Cao has an antimicrobial effect.

It also can help with acute cold and flu and can be taken for sore throat. It is bitter, sweet, and cold to eliminate heat toxins.

Channels: stomach, large intestine, liv

Open Bai Ji

Bai Ji

Bletillae Rhizoma

bitter, sweet, cool

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Stop Bleeding

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Bleeding disorders
  • Hemoptysis
  • Hematemesis
  • Epistaxis
  • Physical trauma
• Skin disorders
  • Sores
  • Ulcers
  • Chapped skin

Bai Ji is bitter, sweet, and cool. It enters the stomach, lung, and liver systems to stop bleeding. Its bitter quality drains and eliminates warm patterns that cause bleeding while its sweet nature can treat deficiency related bleeding.

Channels: lung, stomach, liver

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Dry skin
• Chaffing of the skin
• Nosebleed
• Esophageal varices
• Bleeding ulcers
• Gastritis
• Burns
• Antimicrobial

Contraindications: do not prescribe Bai Ji to patients with excess conditions as Bai Ji has astringent properties, do not combine Bai Ji with the following herbs: Cao Wu, Chuan Wu, Fu Zi, Hai Pi

Open Bai Jiang Can

Bai Jiang Can

Bombyx Batryticatus

acrid, salty, neutral

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Extinguish Wind and Stop Tremors

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Seizures
  • Including convulsions in children
• Paralysis
  • Of the face
• Headache
• Red eyes
• Throat disorders
  • Sore throat
  • Loss of voice
• Nodulation
  • Including glandular disorders
  • Scrofula
• Skin disorders
  • Rash
  • Itching

Bai Jiang Can enters the lung and liver systems to eliminate wind. Internal wind is related to liver dysregulation and this function is likely achieved through support of liver phase II. It has an ability to move liver blood by its acrid property. This also applies to patterns of wind-phlegm-heat.

The effect on the lungs can be seen both in the treatment of sore or swollen throat and itchy skin and skin rash.

Bai Jiang Can is neutral and can safely be given to children.

*Channels:

Open Bai Jiang Cao

Bai Jiang Cao

Patriniae Herba

acrid, bitter, slightly cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Clears Heat and Resolves Toxicity

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Intestinal abscess
  • Due to excess pathogenic heat
  • Appendicitis
• Pain
  • Abdominal pain
  • Chest pain
  • Postoperative pain
  • Postpartum pain
  • Due to patterns of blood stagnation in the middle jiao

Bai Jiang Cao is bitter which helps it to drain downward and eliminate harmful toxins. This is a detoxification function.

Its acrid quality breaks up patterns of stagnation and its slightly cold quality is antimicrobial. It can also be applied topically.

Bai Jiang Cao enters the liver, stomach, and large intestine systems to treat conditions of the gastrointestinal tract.

Channels: liver, stomach, large intestine

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Appendicitis
  • Heat infection
• Rapid forceful pulse

Open Bai Jie Zi

Bai Jie Zi

Sinapis Semen

acrid, warm

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Transform Cold Phlegm

CLASSICAL MANIFESATIONS:

• Cough
  • Due to cold phlegm
• Chest distention
  • Due to accumulation of phlegm in the upper jiao
• Pain
• Skin disorders
  • Sores
  • Abscesses
• Nodulation
  • Including glandular
• Scrofula

Bai Jie Zi is acrid and warm to break up cold phlegm accumulations. It enters the lung to treat cough when there is excess mucus production.

Phlegm gathers to create nodules which Bai Jie Zi can dissipate especially when the pattern is cold in nature.

Bai Jie Zi does not treat the cause of the cold phlegm accumulation which may include splenic and pulmonary functions with a likely deficiency of yang. Other medicines will need to be prescribed for root cause treatment.

Channels: lung

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Full sensation in the chest
  • Due to ph

Open Bai Mao Gen

Bai Mao Gen

Imperatae Rhizoma

sweet, cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Stop Bleeding

CLASSICAL MANIFESATIONS:

• Bleeding disorders
  • Hematuria
  • Hemoptysis
  • Hematemesis
  • Epistaxis
• Urinary tract disorders
  • Urinary dribbling
  • With pain
  • Edema
  • Urinary difficulty
• Nausea
• Thirst
• Wheezing

Bai Mao Gen is cold and sweet. It enters the lung, stomach, small intestine, and bladder systems. Its cold nature allows it to treat bleeding disorders that arise from heat patterns.

It is especially useful in treating pathologies of the lung system which includes epistaxis for which it is considered the number one herb. Its sweet property nourishes lung yin.

Bai Mao Gen enters the bladder system to treat heat related bleeding presenting with urinary tract disorders. This includes blood in the urine, hot painful urine, dark urine, and difficulty urinating.

*Channels:

Open Bai Qian

Bai Qian

Cynanchi Stauntonii Rhizoma

acrid, sweet, salty, warm

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Transform Cold Phlegm

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Cough
  • Due to cold phlegm
• Wheezing
  • Due to cold phlegm or dysfunction of the lung system

Bai Qian is acrid to break up phlegm, sweet to nourish the lungs, and slightly warm to treat cold phlegm patterns of the lung system.

Channels: lung

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Sore throat
• Asthma
• Wheezing
• Productive cough
  • Due to cold phlegm

Formulas:

• Zhi Sou San

Contraindications: do not prescribe Bai Qian to patients that present with unproductive cough without phlegm

Zoo Image: a Great Dane under an x-ray shows a stop sign in the lungs with gurgle and phlegm coming up

Cassone Wellness

Open Bai Shao

Bai Shao

Paeoniae Radix alba

bitter, sour, mildly cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Tonify Blood

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Irregular menstrual cycle
• Vaginal discharge
• Menorrhagia
• Pale
  • Face
  • Lips
  • Eyelids
  • Nail beds
• Rib side pain
• Abdominal pain
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Spermatorrhea
• Excess sweating

Bai Shao is bitter, sour, and mildly cold. It enters the liver and spleen systems. Although it is not considered sweet, it has a tremendously nourishing effect on the blood especially in relation to liver blood. It is said that Bai Shao softens the liver while Chai Hu soothes the liver.

Bai Shao’s relationship to liver function allows it to treat many gynecological disorders involving menstrual irregularities. 43DR. CASSONE Bai Shao also enters the spleen to harmonize the relationship between the liver and the spleen systems. This pattern may include biliary

Open Bai Tou Weng

Bai Tou Weng

Pulsatillae Radix

bitter, cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Clears Heat and Resolves Toxicity

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract
  • Dysentery
  • Diarrhea
  • Due to heat or damp-heat patterns

Bai Tou Weng is a cold herb so it treats heat pathogens and it is bitter so it eliminates the pathogens by draining them downward and out of the body. When the body goes into patterns of diarrhea or dysentery based on infection, the diarrhea is the body’s mechanism for attempting expulsion of the pathogen.

Stopping the diarrhea in such a case would keep the pathogen inside the body and prolong the sickness. Bai Tou Weng acts by taking the pathogen out of the body (bitter function) which is the same direction that the body is attempting to go with the diarrhea. This is very different than diarrhea caused by a deficiency pattern.

Bai Tou Weng can

Open Bai Wei

Bai Wei

Cynanchi Atrati Radix

bitter, salty, cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Clear Deficiency Heat

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Fever
  • Deficiency heat
  • Worse at night
  • Thin rapid pulse
  • Red tongue
• Urinary disorders
  • Painful urination
  • Bloody urination
• Sore throat
  • Deficiency heat pattern
  • Dry
• Snakebites
• Sores

Bai Wei is bitter, salty, and cold to detoxify, dissolve, and treat heat related patterns caused from deficiency of yin.

It treats fevers from yin deficiency, postpartum fevers, and fevers in children from summertime heat.

Channels: lung, kidney, stomach

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Fever
  • Deficiency heat patterns
• Heat exhaustion
• Heat stroke
• Hematuria
• Dry cough
  • Deficiency of heat
• Abscess
• Urinary tract infection
• Hot flash
• Night sweats
  • Deficiency heat pattern

Formulas:

• Jia Jian Wei Rui Tan

Open Bai Xian Pi

Bai Xian Pi

Dicatamni Cortex

bitter, cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Clear Heat and Relieve Toxicity

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Skin disorders
  • Due to excess heat patterns
• Sores
• Carbuncles
• Rashes
• Pruritus
• Jaundice
• Vaginal discharge
  • Yellowish
  • Foul smelling

Bai Xian Pi enters the spleen and stomach. It is bitter and cold to treat heat patterns especially when related to the skin and the lower jiao.

The health of the gastrointestinal tract is fundamental to vaginal health which allows this herb to treat vaginal discharge when the cause is a damp heat pattern in the lower jiao.

Channels: spleen, stomach

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Infections
  • Bacterial
• Jaundice
• Arthritis
  • Hot bi syndrome
• Leukorrhea
  • Excess heat in the lower jiao
• Eczema
  • Due to heat patterns
• Scabies infection
• Yeast infection
  • Heat pat

Open Bai Zhi

Bai Zhi

Angelicae Dahuricae Radix

acrid, warm

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Release the Exterior for Cold Attack

CLASSICAL MANIFESATIONS:

• Common cold
  • Exterior cold attack
• Headache
• Nasal congestion
• Periorbital pain
• Toothache
• Skin disorders
  • Sores
  • Carbuncles
  • Ulcers
  • Pus filled sores
• Vaginal discharge
  • Due to damp cold patterns

Bai Zhi is acrid and warm. It enters the lung, stomach, and spleen systems. Bai Zhi breaks up cold and cold-damp patterns to disperse and eliminate them. In this way it has an antimicrobial and detoxifying effect.

Bai Zhi can be used in the treatment of common colds but also for sores filled with pus (dampness) and vaginal discharge with the origin is damp-cold.

Channels: lung, stomach, spleen

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Leukorrhea
  • Cold pattern
  • White discharge
• Fish-like smell

Open Bai Zhu

Bai Zhu

Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma

bitter, sweet, warm

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Tonify Qi

CLASSICAL MANIFESATIONS:

• Disorders of the Gastrointestinal tract
  • Diarrhea
  • Reduced appetite
  • Indigestion
• Poor functions of the spleen and stomach
• Fatigue
• Pale complexion
  • Blood deficiency
• Edema
• Reduced urination
• Muscle pain
• Spontaneous sweating
• Threatened miscarriage

Bai Zhu is bitter, sweet, and warm. In enters the spleen and stomach systems to nourish and improve digestive function. It is a very important herb for digestion and health related to assimilation and elimination disorders.

Digestion requires hydrochloric acid in the stomach to liquefy the bolus of food into a substance called chyme. This process must be complete before the pyloric sphincter can open to let the digested food into the duodenum where the pancreas

Open Bai Zi Ren

Bai Zi Ren

Platycladi Semen

sweet, neutral

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Nourish the Heart and Calm the Spirit

CLASSICAL MANIFESATIONS:

• Irritability
  • Due to deficiency heat
• Sleep disorders
• Poor memory
• Heart palpitations
• Anxiety
• Children with sleep disturbance
  • Night terrors
• Constipation
  • Dry
  • Deficiency heat
• Postpartum debilitation
• Night sweats
  • Deficiency of yin

Bai Zi Ren is sweet and neutral. It enters the heart, kidney, and large intestine systems. Its sweet property allows it to nourish the yin and treats heart yin related pathologies such as palpitations, insomnia, forgetfulness, and night terrors in children (can be used alone for this function). Bai Zi Ren very likely supports normal thyroid function with these properties.

In the large intestine system, Bai Zi Ren supports yin related constipation especially in the elderly.

Channels: hea

Open Ban Lan Gen

(Bei) Ban Lan Gen

Isatidis/Baphicacanthis Radix

bitter, cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Clears Heat and Relieves Toxicity

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Sore throat
• Epidemic disorders
• Mumps
• Jaundice

Ban Lan Gen is cold and bitter. It treats epidemic disease that presents with heat patterns or damp-heat patterns. It enters the heart, lung, and stomach systems.

Ban Lan Gen has a strong antibiotic and antiviral effect making it very useful for treating influenza, sore throat, or common cold.

Channels: lung, stomach, heart

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Antimicrobial -Heat pathogens
• Mumps
• Fever
• Upper respiratory infections
• Meningitis
• Conjunctivitis
• Hepatitis
• Warts
• Influenza
• Common cold
• Sore throat
• Jaundice
• Nose bleeds
• Skin disorders
• Tumor suppressant
  • Intracellular signaling

**Formul

Open Bei Sha Shen

Bei Sha Shen

Glehniae Radix

sweet, slightly bitter, slightly cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Tonify Yin

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Cough
  • Deficiency heat
  • Dry cough
• Dry mouth
  • Yin deficiency patterns
• Thirst
  • Yin deficiency patterns
• Irritability
  • Due to heat
  • Deficiency of yin

Bei Sha Shen is sweet, bitter, and slightly cold. It enters the lung and stomach systems to treat yin deficiency related pathologies including dry cough dry parched mouth.

Bei Sha Shen is considered to be a better medicine at nourishing stomach yin than Nan Sha Shen.

When the body’s yin is deficient then yang becomes excess from the imbalance. This creates heat referred to as deficiency heat. It results in irritability. This explains why Bei Sha Shen can treat irritability because it nourishes yin.

Channels: lung, stomach

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Coug

Open Bi Ba

Bi Ba

Piperis longi Fructus

acrid, hot

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Warm the Interior and Expel Cold

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Gastrointestinal disorders
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Belching
  • Abdominal pain
  • Acid reflux
• Due to cold in the middle jiao toothache

Bi Ba is acrid and hot. It enters the stomach and large intestine systems to warm internally and treat cold patterns that are typically excess in nature but may be caused by an underlying pattern of deficiency; especially spleen yang.

Bi Ba can be used in powered form for toothaches.

Channels: stomach, large intestine

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Gastrointestinal tract disorders
  • Diarrhea
  • Borborygmus
  • Acid reflux
• Allergies
• Angina pain
  • Cold obstructing function in the middle and upper jiao
• Antimicrobial

Formulas:

• Su He Xiang Wan

Contraindications: do not

Open Bi Xie

Bi Xie

Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Rhizoma

bitter, neutral

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Drain Dampness

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Discolored urine
• Vaginal discharge
• Pain
  • Muscles
  • Plus stiffness and numbness
  • Joints
  • Low back
• Skin disorders
  • Eczema
  • Sores

Bi Xie enters the stomach, bladder, and liver systems. It is bitter and neutral. Its draining effect on the liver improves circulation systemically and decreases tightness in the tendons and ligaments. Its effect on the bladder clears up infections and helps disorders involving urination.

Channels: stomach, bladder, liver

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Edema
  • Kidney dysfunction
  • Low albumin
  • albuminuria
• Arthritis
• Low back pain
• Knee pain
• Pain in the genital area
  • Liver channel
• Leukorrhea
• Eczema
• Antimicrobial
  • Urinary tract infections

*

Open Bian Xu

Bian Xu

Polygoni Avicularis Herba

bitter, slightly cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Drain Dampness

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Urinary tract disorders
  • Pain
• Parasite infections
• Skin disorders
  • Lesions
  • Tinea

Bian Xu is bitter to drain and slightly cold to remove heat patterns. It only enters the bladder system to drain out heat pathogens and treat related damp-heat patterns.

Channels: bladder

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Dysentery
• Edema
  • Kidney dysfunction
  • Low albumin
  • albuminuria
• Jaundice
• Antiparasitic
• Skin disorders
  • Eczema
• Urinary tract disorders
  • Antimicrobial
  • Tinea

Formulas:

• Ba Zheng San

Contraindications: there are no contraindications documented for Bian Xu

Zoo Image: a pig sitting in a damp-heat cup is urinating while he scratches his body and parasites jump off

[Cas

Open Bie Jia

Bie Jia

Trionycis Carapax

salty, slightly cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Tonify Yin

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Fever
  • Due to deficiency heat
• Night sweats
  • Due to deficiency heat
• Bone pain
  • Heat sensation
  • Extreme deficiency heat
• Pain
  • Chest pain
  • Rib-side pain
• Amenorrhea
• Malaria
• Masses
• Menorrhagia

Bie Jia is slightly cold and salty. It enters the liver and spleen systems to treat yin deficiency patterns. It has the ability to anchor liver yang by nourishing liver yin. Its salty nature allows it to treat nodules and masses.

Channels: liver, spleen

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Hot flash -Hormone dysregulation
• Fever
  • Hormone dysregulation
• Amenorrhea
• Pain
  • Joints

Formulas:

• Da Ding Feng Zhu
• Qing Gu San
• Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang
• Rou Fu Bao Yuan Tang
• San Jia Fu Mai Tang

Contraindications: do not prescr

Open Bing Lang

Bing Lang

Arecae Semen

acrid, bitter, warm

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Expel Parasites

CLASSICAL MANIFESATIONS:

• Parasitic infections
  • Tapeworms
  • Pinworms
  • Fasciolopsis
  • Roundworms
  • Blood flukes
• Gastrointestinal disorders
  • Constipation
  • Abdominal distention
  • Indigestion
• Lower limb edema
• Malarial disorders

Bing Lang is acrid, bitter, and warm. It detoxifies the gastrointestinal tract by entering the stomach and large intestine systems.

Channels: stomach, large intestine

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Diarrhea
• Antimicrobial
• Influenza
• Fungal infections of the skin
• Indigestion
• Poor appetite
• Eczema
• Swelling in the lower limbs
• Constipation

Formulas:

• Fei Er Wan
• Hua Chong Wan
• Lian Mei An Hui Tang
• Mu Xiang Bing Lang Wan
• Mu Xiang Liu Qi Yin
• Qu Tiao Tang
• Shao Yao Tang
• Tian Tai Wu Yao San
• Tong

Open Bing Pian

Bing Pian

Borneolum

acrid, bitter, mildly cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Aromatic Herb that Opens Orifices

CLASSICAL MANIFESATIONS:

• Syncope
  • Possibly convulsions
• Disorders of the eyes
  • Visual floaters
  • Redness in the eyes
  • Photophobia
  • Excess lacrimation
• Headache
• Swelling in the throat
• Diseases of the skin
  • Scabies
• Skin sores
  • Itching
  • Mouth sores
• Nodulation

Bing Pian is mildly cold. It is acrid and bitter to open the orifices and enters the lung, spleen, and heart systems.

Bing Pian can be used topically for skin sores and gargled for sore throat.

Channels: lung, heart, spleen

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Toothache
• Analgesia
• Antimicrobial
  • Sore throat
  • Tonsillitis
• Diseases of the eye
• Canker sores
  • Heat in the heart system
• Disorders of the Skin
  • Sores
  • Bites
  • Traumas
  • Eczema

Formulas:

• An

Open Bo He

Bo He

Menthae Haplocalycis Herba

acrid, aromatic, cool

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Releases the Exterior for Heat Attacks

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Common cold
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
• Disorders of the eyes
  • Redness
• Rash
• Measles
• Chest pressure
• Mood swings
• Menstrual disorders
  • Metrorrhagia
  • Oligomenorrhea
  • Amenorrhea
  • Dysmenorrhea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
  • Thick greasy yellow tongue coat

Bo He is acrid to release the exterior during exterior attacks. It is aromatic and cool to treat heat patterns and enters the lung and liver systems.

The effect on the lungs allows Bo He to treat common cold and cough while the effect on the liver allows it to treat liver qi stagnation patterns that are common with irregular menstruation.

Channels: lung, liver

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Antimicrobial
• An

Open Bu Gu Zhi

Bu Gu Zhi

Psoraleae Fructus

acrid, bitter, very warm

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Tonify Yang

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Male sexual dysfunction
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Premature ejaculation
• Urinary tract disorders
  • Enuresis
  • Excess urinary frequency
• Pain
  • Low back pain
  • Cold extremities
• Wheezing
• Vitiligo
• Gastrointestinal tract disorders
  • Diarrhea
  • Borborygmus
  • Abdominal pain

The acrid aspect combined with the warming function of Bu Gu Zhi scatters and moves the cold in the abdomen, low back, and extremities. This is useful when the pain is caused from a cold pattern especially when the cold is from deficiency of yang (not enough heat).

It enters the spleen system for improvements in digestive function. This herb likely helps with pancreatic secretion of enzymes and with hydrochloric acid production in the stomach. For this reason, it can treat diar

Open Can Sha

Can Sha

Bambycis Faeces

acrid, sweet, warm

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Dispel Wind-Dampness

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Pain
  • Joint pain
  • Muscle pain
• Calf cramps
• Gastrointestinal complaints
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Abdominal pain
  • Borborygmus

Can Sha enters the spleen and stomach with acrid, sweet, and warm qualities to improve the function of the gastrointestinal tract especially in the intestines. It reduces transient bacteria and acts as a detoxifier.

Can Sha also enters the liver system to move the blood and reduce the swelling of the body that result in joint and muscle pain as well as itching of the skin.

Its sweet characteristic is tonifying making it uniquely useful when treating patients with wind-damp patterns originating from a deficiency pattern.

Channels: liver, spleen, stomach

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• An

Open Cang Er Zi

Cang Er Zi

Xanthii Fructus

bitter, sweet, warm, toxic

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Release the Exterior for Cold Attack

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Common cold
  • Nasal congestion
  • Sinus congestion
  • Headache
• Skin disorders
  • Itching

Cang Er Zi is warm, bitter, sweet, and toxic. It enters the lung system and can be used to treat sinus infections and skin disorders caused by damp-cold patterns.

Channels: lung

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Headache
• Sinusitis
• Common cold
• Allergies
• Rash
• Skin disorders

Formulas:

• Cang Er Bi Dou Yan Fang
• Cang Er Zi San
• Long Dan Bi Yuan Fang

Contraindications: Cang Er Zi should not be taken with pork and there is a caution regarding prescribing large amounts

Zoo Image: an itchy porcupine is hit by a giant blue boxing glove in the head while he sneezes a tissue and walks with a cane blue

Open Cang Zhu

Cang Zhu

Atractylodis Rhizoma

acrid, bitter, warm

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Aromatic Herb that Transforms Damp

MANIFESTATIONS:

• Fatigue
• Gastrointestinal disorders
  • Poor appetite
  • Diarrhea
  • Epigastric distention
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Thick greasy tongue coat
• Fever
• Chills
• Nasal congestion
• Pain
  • Muscle weakness
  • Arthritis
  • Body aches
  • Headache
• Vaginal discharge
• Dysfunction of the eyes
  • Declining vision with dryness
  • Night blindness

Cang Zhu is acrid to break up and disperse, bitter to drain and detoxify, and warm to treat cold patterns involving the accumulation of dampness. It enters the spleen and stomach systems.

Cang Zhu can be used for internal dampness affecting the middle jiao but it can also be used for externally contracted patterns of wind cold damp.

Cang Zhu is unique in this category of herbs in that it improves visual

Open Cao Dou Kou

Cao Dou Kou

Apiniae Katsumadai Semen

acrid, warm, aromatic

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Aromatic Herb that Transforms Damp

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Gastrointestinal complaints
  • Abdominal distention
  • Epigastric pain
  • Abdominal distention
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Cao Dou Kou is acrid, aromatic, and warm. It enters the spleen and stomach systems to treat conditions involving dampness. When dampness accumulation, from poor dietary choices and weak digestive functions, it causes irritation to the digestive tract and limits normal function.

Channels: spleen, stomach

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Chest pain
• Chronic obstruction of dampness related to arterial occlusion and eventually circulatory diseases
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

Formulas:

• Hou Po Wen Zhong Tang

Contraindications: do not prescribe Cao Dou Kou

Open Cao Guo

Cao Guo

Tsaoko Fruit

spicy, warm

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Aromatic Herb that Transforms Damp

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Gastrointestinal disorders
  • Abdominal distention
  • Epigastric distention
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Greasy tongue coat
  • Indigestion
  • Nausea
• Fever
• Chills

Cao Guo is acrid and warm. It enters the spleen and stomach systems to treat conditions involving dampness. It treats indigestion especially due to consumption of meat.

Cao Guo is also useful with patients presenting with malarial disorders that involve intermittent fever and chills.

Channels: spleen, stomach

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Pain in the chest
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Acid reflux
• Fever

Formulas:

• Mu Xiang Liu Qi Yin
• Shi Pi Yin

Contraindications: do not prescribe Cao Guo to patients that present with patterns of yin or blood deficiency

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Open Ce Bai Ye

Ce Bai Ye

Platycladi Cacumen

bitter, astringent, slightly cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Stop Bleeding

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Bleeding disorders
  • Hematemesis
  • Bleeding gums
  • Hemoptysis
  • Hematuria
  • Hemafecia
  • Dysentery with blood
  • Blood streaked sputum
• Burns
• Hair loss

Ce Bai Ye is bitter, astringent, and slightly cold. It enters the large intestine, liver, and lung systems.

Its entry into the gastrointestinal tract through the large intestine system combined with its astringent property allows Ce Bai Ye to treat many bleeding disorders of the digestive system.

Ce Bai Ye is considered branch treatment for bleeding disorders and should be combined with other herbs to treat the root diagnosis.

Channels: lung, liver, large intestine

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Loss of hair
• Dysentery with blood
• Bleeding disorders
  • Gu

Open Chai Hu

Chai Hu

Bupleuri Radix

acrid, bitter, cool

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Release the Exterior for Heat Attacks

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Common cold
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Sore throat
• Vomiting
• Irritability
• Bitter taste
• Chest pressure
• Dizziness
• Vertigo
• Rib side pain
• Moodiness
• Menorrhagia
• Metrorrhagia
• Amenorrhea
• Dysmenorrhea
• Hemorrhoids
• Prolapse
• Vaginal discharge
• Bleeding disorders
• Fatigue

Chai Hu is acrid to break up, bitter to drain out, and cool to treat heat patterns. It enters the gallbladder, liver, san jiao, and pericardium systems.

Liver qi stagnation patterns are associated with many symptoms and pathologies. Since Chai Hu is a key herb for improving functions of the liver it can be used for many of these conditions. When liver phase II functions are compromised there will be resulting liver blood stagnation patterns when affect the menstrua

Open Chan Tui

Chan Tui

Cicadae Periostracum

sweet, salty, slightly cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Release the Exterior for Heat Attacks

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Loss of voice
• Sore throat
• Rash
• Eye disorders
  • Red swollen eyes
  • Blurry vision
• Fever
  • Delirium
• Night terrors
• Muscle spasms
  • Tetanus

Chan Tui is sweet, salty, and slightly cold and enters the liver and lung systems. It is especially useful for common cold with sore throat, loss of voice, and fever.

Channels: lung, liver

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Fever
• Tetany
• Bell’s palsy
• Allergies
• Eczema
• Rash
• Laryngitis

Formulas:

• Xiao Feng San

Contraindications: Chan Tui should be prescribed with caution to patients that are pregnant

Zoo Image: a polar bear on its back with rashes and red eyes has a bug on its windy sore throat and tries to say EEECH but

Open Che Qian Zi

Che Qian Zi

Plantaginis Semen

sweet, cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Drain Dampness

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Urinary tract disorders
  • Painful urination
  • Edema
• Diarrhea
• Eye disorders
  • Dry eyes
  • Visual decline
  • Red painful eyes
  • Photosensitivity
• Cough

Che Qian Zi enters the kidney, liver, bladder, and lung systems. It is sweet and cold. As a seed it facilitates peristalsis and regulates the function of the lower gastrointestinal tract.

It enters the liver to nourish liver blood and treat related pathologies of the eye. Its kidney support also improves eye function related to decline with age.

Its primary draining function works on the bladder system but also enters the lung system to drain out phlegm and reduce cough.

Channels: lung, kidney, bladder, liver

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Diarrhea
• Vertigo
• Cataracts
• C

Open Chen Pi

Chen Pi

Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium

acrid, bitter, warm, aromatic

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Regulate Qi

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Digestive tract disorders
  • Abdominal distention
  • Bloating
  • Belching
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Loose stool
  • Reduced appetite
  • Thick greasy tongue coat
• Cough
• Fatigue

Chen Pi is acrid, bitter, aromatic, and warm. It enters the stomach, lung, and spleen systems. Chen Pi is an important herb to treat indigestion and to help relieve discomfort of taking herbs that are cloying.

Channels: lung, stomach, spleen

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Gastrointestinal tract
  • IBS
  • Gastritis
  • Acid reflux
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Lower bowel gas
• Cough
• Low blood pressure
• Joint pain
• Asthma
• Biliary congestion
• Mastitis

Formulas:

• Bai Zhu Shao Yao San
• Bao He Wan

Open Chi Fu Ling

Chi Fu Ling

Poria rubra

sweet, bland

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Drain Dampness

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Urinary difficulty
• Edema
• Diarrhea
• Poor appetite

Chi Fu Ling is a drain dampness herb much like Fu Ling however, it’s especially useful in treating dampness when there is also blood stagnation patterns. It is sweet, bland, and slightly cool. It enters the heart, spleen, and kidney systems to treat urinary difficulty with excess dampness.

Channels: heart, spleen, kidney

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Urinary tract infection
• Urinary difficulty
• Diarrhea
• Dysentery
• Rash

Contraindications: do not prescribe Chi Fu Ling to patients with spermatorrhea, excess urination, or prolapse of urogenital organs

Cassone Wellness

Open Chi Shao

Chi Shao

Paeoniae Radix rubra

sour, bitter, slightly cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Circulate Blood

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Menstrual disorders
  • Dysmenorrhea
  • Amenorrhea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Masses
• Skin disorders
  • Trauma
  • Abscesses
  • Boils
  • Maculae
• Fever
• Purple tongue
• Bleeding disorders

Chi Shao is sour, bitter, and slightly cold. It enters the liver and spleen systems. The slightly cold property combined with its bitterness allow Chi Shao to drain out heat while it moves the blood. This makes it especially useful for blood stagnation patterns, including many gynecological disorders that are due to patterns involving heat.

Channels: liver, spleen

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Irregular menstruation
  • Dysmenorrhea
• Antitumor
• Breast abscess
• Rash
• Red painful eyes
• Appendicitis
• Fever
• Hypertension
  • Vasod

Open Chi Shi Zhi

Chi Shi Zhi

Halloysitum Rubrum

sour, sweet, astringent, warm

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Stabilize and Bind

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract
  • Chronic diarrhea
  • Dysentery
• Blood and mucus
  • Hemafecia
• Menometrorrhagia
• Prolapsed rectum
• Ulcers
• Weeping sores

Chi Shi Zhi binds up the intestines and stops diarrhea when the pathomechanism is a cold deficiency pattern (yang deficiency). There might be mucus in the stool and typically the stool has undigested food from hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid) and poor pancreatic enzyme production (spleen digestive functions). Also used for blood in the stool when caused by spleen not controlling the blood or for excess uterine bleeding from the same pattern.

Chi Shi Zhi be used topically to stop bleeding when there is a trauma and has wound healing qualities.

Channels: spleen, stomach,

Open Chuan Bei Mu

Chuan Bei Mu

Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus

bitter, sweet, slightly cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Transform Hot Phlegm

CLASSICAL MANIFESATIONS:

• Cough
• Chest pressure
  • Due to phlegm accumulation
• Nodulation
  • Scrofula
• Breast abscess
• Lung abscess
• Sores

Chuan Bei Mu is bitter to drain out phlegm, sweet to tonify, and slightly cold to treat heat patterns involving phlegm. It enters the heart and lung systems.

Chuan Bei Mu is very useful in treating any type of cough. This includes productive coughs or cough with blood or from yin deficiency with extreme deficiency heat.

Channels: heart, lung

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Antitumor
• Goiter
• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Chronic cough
• Pneumonia
• Mastitis
• Dysglycemia
• Antihypertensive
• Sore throat
• Antimicrobial
• Antitussive

Formulas:

• Bai He G

Open Chuan Lian Zi

Chuan Lian Zi

Toosendan Fructus

bitter, cold, slightly toxic

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Regulate Qi

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Pain
  • Chest pain
  • Rib side pain
• Abdominal distention
• Hernias
• Parasites
• Dermatosis

Chuan Lian Zi is bitter, slightly toxic, and cold. It enters the small intestine, stomach, liver, and bladder systems.

Chuan Lian Zi has an important effect on the function of the liver. It treats such patterns as bulging disorders, liver overacting on stomach, and flank pain related to liver dysfunction.

Its antiparasitic property is noted in particular for treatment of roundworms and tapeworms.

Channels: bladder, liver, small intestine, stomach

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Parasite infections
• Liver phase II
• Headache
• Abdominal pain
• Biliary congestion
  • Lower intestinal abscess

Formulas:

• Chen Xiang Ji

Open Chuan Niu Xi

Chuan Niu Xi

Cyathula Root

sweet, bitter, neutral

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Circulate Blood

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Menstrual cycle disorders
  • Dysmenorrhea
  • Amenorrhea
• Pain
  • Trauma
  • Low back pain
  • Lower limb spasms
  • Muscle atrophy
• Urinary tract dysfunction
  • Painful urination
  • Dribbling urination

Chuan Niu Xi is sweet bitter and neutral. It enters the liver and kidney systems to circulate blood and move out wind-damp patterns.

The effect of Chuan Niu Xi on muscle atrophy and spasm is primarily on the lower limbs. Its sweet property likely nourishes liver blood, which improves strength and flexibility of tendons and ligaments, and also support sex hormone regulation from the adrenal glands and gonads.

The bitter property has a draining effect on the lower jiao which helps conditions of the bladder such as painful urinary dribbling. It is better than

Open Chuan Xin Lian

Chuan Xin Lian

Andrographitis Herba

bitter, cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Clears Heat and Resolves Toxicity

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Common cold
  • Sore throat
  • Cough
• Urinary tract disorder
• Skin disorders
  • Sores
  • Carbuncles
  • Eczema
• Snakebite
• Dysentery
• Painful urinary dribbling

Chuan Xin Lian enters the stomach, lung, large intestine, small intestine systems. Its bitter quality helps eliminate infections of the gastrointestinal tract while the cold quality eliminates infections of the lung system including sore throat and cough.

Channels: lung, stomach, large intestine, small intestine

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Acute infections
  • Cold and flu
  • Sore throat
  • Tonsillitis
  • Bronchitis
  • Ear infection
• Lung abscess
• Disorders of the kidneys
• Dysbiosis
  • Diarrhea
• Skin disorders
• Dysentery
• Bi

Open Chuan Xiong

Chuan Xiong

Chuanxiong Rhizoma

acrid, warm

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Circulate Blood

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Gynecological disorders
  • Dysmenorrhea
  • Amenorrhea
  • Labor delays
  • Retained lochia
• Pain
  • Sore chest
  • Flank pain
  • Hypochondria pain
  • Headache
• Dizziness
• Skin disorders

Chuan Xiong is acrid and warm to get the blood moving. It enters the liver, gallbladder, and pericardium systems.

As a blood mover, Chuan Xiong is useful in treat gynecological disorders that involve the stagnation of blood.

Chuan Xiong has a particular affinity towards moving blood in the head and is used for all types of headache.

Channels: liver, gallbladder, pericardium

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Migraine
• Angina pain
• Pain in the flanks
• Arthritis
• Difficult labor
• Menstrual disorders
• Antimicrobial
• High blood pressure
• Ve

Open Chun Pi

Chun Pi

Ailanthi Cortex

bitter, astringent, cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Stabilize and Bind

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Pathologies of the lower jiao
  • Chronic diarrhea
  • Dysentery
  • Vaginal discharge
  • Blood in stool
  • Parasitic infection

Chun Pi is bitter, astringent, and cold. It works on heat patterns in the gastrointestinal tract causing diarrhea, dysentery, blood in stool, and yellowish vaginal discharge.

Chun Pi can also be used topically for pruritic dermatosis.

Channels: stomach, large intestine

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES: Diarrhea Dysentery Excess vaginal discharge Antiparasitic Antimicrobial Dysbiosis Hemafecia

Formulas:

• Gu Jing Wan

Contraindications: this is a cold herb and should be used cautiously with patients that have cold patterns especially from deficiency

Zoo Image: a camel is plunging his toilet from too

Open Ci Ji Li

Ci Ji Li

Tribuli Fructus

acrid, bitter, neutral

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Extinguish Wind and Stop Tremors

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Headache
• Dizziness
  • Vertigo
• Chest pain
  • Fullness sensation
  • Flank pain
• Irregular menstruation
• Lactation difficulties
• Eye disorders
  • Redness of the eyes
  • Excess lacrimation
• Irritation of eyes
• Itching

Ci Ji Li breaks up qi and blood. In Traditional East Asian Medicine, “qi” does not refer to energy but rather to patterns of biological activity or potential activity. Breaking up qi refers to getting stagnant areas of poor function back to increased function. Breaking up blood refers to increasing circulation. Ci Ji Li does this by entering the liver and the lung systems. It is acrid to disperse and break up and bitter to drain out stagnations or move the elimination systems of the body.

Herbs of this nature, such as Ci Ji Li, sh

Open Ci Shi

Ci Shi

Magnetitum

acrid, salty, cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Calm the Spirit

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Shen disturbance
  • Heart palpitations
  • Sleep disorders
• Pathologies of internal wind
  • Tremors
  • Dizziness
  • Vertigo
  • Convulsions
• Impairment of vision
• Ear disorders
  • Hearing decline
  • Deafness
  • Tinnitus
• Asthma

Ci Shi is acrid, salty, and cold to treat conditions involving heat patterns. Ci Shi enters the liver system to influence ocular function and the kidney system to influence hormones that decline with age and also related to asthma (kidney grasping function).

Ci Shi can be used for children that are in a state of shock suffering convulsions.

Channels: liver, kidney

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Anemia
• Dizziness
• Vertigo
• Blurring vision
• Irregular heart beat
• Asthma
• Wheeze
• Muscle spasms

Formulas:

• Ci Zhu Wan

Open Da Fu Pi

Da Fu Pi

Arecae Pericarpium

acrid, slightly warm

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Regulate Qi

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Gastrointestinal tract disorders
  • Epigastric and abdominal distention
  • Focal distention
  • Stifling sensation
  • Belching
  • Acid reflux
  • Indigestion
• Edema

Da Fu Pi is acrid and slightly warm. It enters the spleen, stomach, large intestine, and small intestine systems.

Da Fu Pi is sometimes remembered as D = Damp, F = Food, and P = Pee. For abdominal distention Hou Po is the number herb while Da Fu Pi is the second. Lai Fu Zi might be considered the third.

Channels: spleen, stomach, large intestine, small intestine

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Bloating
• Indigestion
• Edema
• Constipation
• Nausea
• Decreased urination

Formulas:

• Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San
• Mu Xiang Liu Qi Yin
• Shi Pi Yin
• Wu Pi San
• Yi Jia Jian

Open Da Huang

Da Huang

Rhei Radix et Rhizome

bitter, cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Purgative that Drains Downward

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Fever
• Excess perspiration
• Thirst
• Gastrointestinal tract disorders
  • Constipation
  • Abdominal distention
  • Abdominal pain
  • Hematemesis
  • Dysentery
  • Hemorrhoids
• Delirium
• Excess pulse
• Yellow tongue coat
• Sore throat
• Burning painful eyes
• Jaundice
• Amenorrhea
• Masses in the abdomen
• Blood stagnation
• Skin disorders
  • Burns
  • Skin lesions
  • Sores
• Painful urination
  • Burning
• Epistaxis

Da Huang is bitter and cold. It is an important heat clearing herb and detoxifies the body. It enters the heart, liver, stomach, and large intestine systems. Its detoxifying effect is so useful that Da Huang is often referred to as “The General.”

Channels: heart, stomach, large intestine, liver

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND

Open Da Ji

Da Ji

Cirsii japonica Herba sive Radix

sweet, cool

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Stop Bleeding

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Bleeding disorders
  • Epistaxis
  • Hematemesis
  • Hematuria
  • Hemafecia
  • Hemoptysis
  • Menometrorrhagia
• Sores
• Carbuncles
• Jaundice
• Hypertension

Da Ji is sweet and cool. It enters the spleen, heart, and liver systems to stop bleeding.

Da Ji’s affinity to the liver allows it to treat gynecological disorders that involve irregular bleeding patterns. It is also sweet to nourish splenic functions for holding blood in the vessels.

Channels: liver, spleen, heart

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Bleeding disorders
  • Vomiting
  • Cough
  • Urine
  • Stool
  • Uterine
  • Nosebleed
• Skin abscesses
• Hypertension

Formulas:

• Shi Hui San

Contraindications: do not prescribe Da Ji to patients that pres

Open Da Qing Ye

Da Qing Ye

Crotonis Fructus

bitter, salty, very cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Clears Heat and Resolves Toxicity

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Skin irritations
  • Maculae
• Epidemic diseases
  • Fever
  • Delirium
  • Irritability
  • Vomiting

Da Qing Ye enters the stomach, lung, and heart systems. It is bitter, salty, and slightly cold. This herb is useful in epidemic disorders that affect the qi level all the way to the blood level.

Channels: lung, stomach, large intestine

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Gastritis
• Fever
• Antimicrobial
• Encephalitis
• Hepatitis
• Measles
• Cold and flu
• Herpes

Contraindications: Da Qing Ye should not be prescribed to patients that have cold in the stomach from spleen yang deficiency

Zoo Image: a beluga whale knight has defeated a toxic T but he had a Qi and Blood shield, he has a bow around his throat, bl

Open Da Zao

Da Zao

Jujubae Fructus

sweet, warm

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Tonify Qi

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Weakness
• Shortness of breath
• Apathy
• Reduced appetite
• Loose stools
• Pale complexion
• Irascible

Da Zao is sweet and warm. It enters the stomach and spleen systems to tonify qi and nourish. It is often used to reduce the harshness of other herbs.

Channels: spleen, stomach

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Blood deficiency
• Mood swings
  • Mania
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
• Fatigue
• Gastrointestinal dysfunction
• Sleep disturbance
• Obesity
  • dysglycemia

Formulas:

• Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang
• Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang
• Bu Huan Jin Zheng Qi San
• Bu Shen Gu Chong Wan
• Chai Ge Jie Ji Tang
• Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang
• Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang
• Da Chai Hu Tang
• Da Qing Long Tang
• Dang Gui Si Ni Tang
• Di Huang Yin Zi
• Di Tan Tang
• Fang

Open Dai Zhe Shi

Dai Zhe Shi

Haematitum

bitter, cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Extinguish Wind and Stop Tremor

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Disorders of internal wind
  • Vertigo
  • Dizziness
• Yang dysfunction
  • Headache
  • Eye pressure
  • Tinnitus
• Indigestion
• Vomiting
• Wheezing
• Hiccough
• Epistaxis
• Hematemesis

Dai Zhe Shi is bitter and cold. It enters the liver, heart, and pericardium to circulate blood. A stagnation of liver qi and blood and cause problems in many other systems but this herb uniquely enters the heart and pericardium systems. The bitter quality plus the heavy nature of this herb help it to sedate and reduce dysfunctional yang patterns.

Dai Zhe Shi can treat patterns of bleeding especially when the pattern is caused from heat as this is a cold herb. It also contains iron which supports blood health.

Channels: liver, heart, pericardium

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL

Open Dan Dou Chi

Dan Dou Chi

Sojae Semen Preparatum

acrid, bitter, sweet, cool

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Release the Exterior for Heat Attack

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Irritability
• Chest pressure
• Insomnia
• Common cold

Dan Dou Chi is slightly bitter, sweet, and can be either cold or warm depending on how it is prepared. It enters the stomach and lung systems to treat exterior attacks and is especially useful for treating patient with an underlying yin deficiency pattern.

Channels: lung, stomach

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Sleep disorders
• Common cold
• Headache
• Diaphoretic

Formulas:

• Cong Bai Qi Wei Yin
• Cong Chi Tang
• Huo Po Xia Ling Tang
• Jia Jian Wei Rui Tang
• Lian Po Yin
• Sang Xing Tang
• Yin Qiao San
• Zhi Zi Chi Tang
• Zhi Zi Dou Chi Tang
• Zhi Zi Gan Cao Chi Tang
• Zhi Zi Sheng Jiang Chi Tang

*Contraindications:

Open Dan Shen

Dan Shen

Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix

bitter, slightly cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Circulate Blood

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Shen disturbance
  • Restlessness
  • Irascibility
  • Palpitations
  • Insomnia
• Sores
• Breast abscess
• Blood deficiency

Dan Shen is bitter and slightly cold. It enters the liver, pericardium, and heart systems. It has a blood nourishing effect while at the same time moves the blood.

Dan Shen is often used in coronary artery disease and is used for many gynecological disorders. Dan Shen can also treat heart and kidney yin deficiency patterns. Its relationship to the heart system allows it to treat disorders related to shen.

Channels: heart, pericardium, liver

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Skin sores
• CAD
• Angina
• Amenorrhea
• Dysmenorrhea
• Infertility
• Headache
• Arthritis
• Stroke
• Hyperte

Open Dan Zhu Ye

Dan Zhu Ye

Lophatheri Herba

sweet, bland, cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Clear Heat and Drain Fire

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Thirst
• Irascibility
• Sores in the mouth
• Swollen painful gums
• Scanty painful urination
• Dark red tongue tip

Dan Zhu Ye is sweet, bland, and cold to treat patterns caused by heat. It enters the heart, stomach, and small intestine systems. Its effect on the heart and stomach channels allows Dan Zhu Ye to treat heat patterns in the mouth such as swollen painful gums and sores. Its heart and small intestine relationship allows it to treat heat in the urinary functions.

Channels: heart, stomach, small intestine

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Urinary tract infection
• Painful gums
• Canker sores
• Dysuria
• Fever
• Antimicrobial

Formulas:

• Dao Chi Qing Xin Tang
• Dao Chi San
• Liang Ge San
• Qing Gong Tang
• Qing Lo

Open Dang Gui

Dang Gui

Angelicae sinensis Radix

acrid, sweet, warm

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Tonify Blood

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Tinnitus
• Irregular menstruation
• Heart palpitations
• Blood deficiency
  • Pale nails
  • Pale face
  • Pale lips
  • Pale eyelids
  • Blurred vision
• Abdominal pain
• Constipation
• Skin disorders
  • Sores
  • Abscesses
  • Carbuncles
  • Trauma
• Cough

Dang Gui both circulates and nourishes the blood. It enters the heart, liver, and spleen systems. It is sweet to nourish, acrid to get the blood moving, and warm to treat cold related patterns and stagnations.

Dang Gui treat blood deficiency patterns and subclinical anemia. It also lubricates the intestines to support regular bowel movements.

Channels: heart, liver, spleen

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Pain
• Arthritis
• Anemia
• Cough
• Asthma
• Antitumor
• Bl

Open Dang Shen

Dang Shen

Codonopsis Radix

sweet, neutral

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Tonify Qi

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Fatigue
• Weakness in the limbs
• Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Prolapse
• Rectum
• Stomach
  • Reduced appetite
• Chronic illness
• Prolapse of uterus
• Pulmonary disorders
  • Chronic cough
  • Shortness of breath

Dang Shen is sweet and neutral. It enters the spleen and lung systems. It is especially important for spleen deficient chronic illness patterns.

Its lung function allows it to treat cough, wheeze, and phlegm.

It can replace formulas with Ren Shen when Ren Shen is too warm or too expensive. Use it at a ratio of 2 to 1.

Channels: lung, spleen

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Hypoadrenia
  • Orthostatic hypotension
  • Norepinephrine
  • Low blood pressure
  • Aldosterone
  • Fatigue
• Pancreatic regul

Open Deng Xin Cao

Deng Xin Cao

Junci Medulla

sweet, bland, slightly cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Drain Dampness

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Urinary tract disorders
  • Urinary dribbling
  • Dark urine
  • Scanty urine
  • Painful urination -Sleep disorders

Deng Xin Cao enters the heart, lung, and small intestine systems. It is sweet, bland, and slightly cold to drain heat and damp patterns that disturb shen in the heart out through the small intestines.

Channels: lung, heart, small intestine

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Insomnia
• Adrenal hypofunction
• Jaundice
• Edema
• Hematuria
• Lactation difficulties

Formulas:

• Ba Zheng San

Contraindications: there are no contraindications documented for Deng Xin Cao

Zoo Image: a pig had smelly hot pee in an outhouse but wants to make a call however the two phone booths are occupied by a heart and kidneys, the

Open Di Fu Zi

Di Fu Zi

Kochiae Fructus

bitter, cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Drain Dampness

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Disorders of the urogenital tract
  • Painful urination
  • Scanty urination
  • Itching
  • Genital
• Skin disorders with itching
• Eczema
• Scabies
• Eye troubles

Di Fu Zi is sweet, bitter, and cold which gives it the ability to treat damp-heat. It enters the bladder and kidney systems to drain damp-heat and can also resolve itching in the genitals when caused by damp-heat.

Channels: bladder, kidney

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Eczema
• Edema
• Conjunctivitis
• Rash
• Urticaria
• Diuretic

Contraindications: there are no contraindications documented for Di Fu Zi

Zoo Image: a pig in a damp-heat mess has graffiti “dribble” and “burn” while scratching its nose, wind heat surrounds its eyes

[Cassone Wellness](https://www.cassonewellness.c

Open Di Gu Pi

Di Gu Pi

Lycii Cortex

sweet, bland, cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Clear Deficiency Heat

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Yin deficiency heat patterns
  • Night sweats
  • Bone pain
  • Chronic low grade fever
  • Irascibility
  • Thirst
• Toothache
• Cough
• Wheeze

Di Gu Pi is sweet, bland, and cold. It enters the lung, kidney, and liver systems to treat heat patterns due to deficiency of yin.

Channels: lung, liver, kidney

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• High blood pressure
• Fever
• Dry cough
• Skin abscess
• Urinary tract infections
• Painful urination

Formulas:

• Qing Gu San
• Qing Re Gu Jing Tang
• Xie Bai San
• Yi Yin Jian

Contraindications: do not prescribe Di Gu Pi to patients that present with loose stool due to poor digestive function

Zoo Image: a woolly mammoth has a big excess pot and a small deficient pot, its kidneys are on fire, its b

Open Di Long

Di Long

Pheretima

salty, cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Extinguish Wind and Stop Tremor

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• High fever
  • Delirium
  • Convulsion
  • Seizure
• Schizophrenia
• Arthritis
• Post stroke immobility and pain
• Wheezing
• Urinary difficulties
  • Painful urination
  • Burning urination
  • Difficulty urinating
• Hypertension

Di Long is an animal product. It is especially important that it comes from a company with high production standards.

Di Long enters the spleen, liver, bladder, and lung systems. It is a cold herbal medicine which allows it to treat heat related spasms, convulsions, and seizures. Its heat reducing nature also helps with lung heat patterns such as cough and wheeze.

In the bladder, Di Long reduces heat for hot painful urination, obstructed urine, or urinary tract infection type of presentations.

Channels: spleen, liver, bladder, lung

COMMON APPLICATION

Open Di Yu

Di Yu

Sanguisorba Radix

bitter, sour, slightly cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Stop Bleeding

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Bleeding disorders
  • Hemafecia
  • Dysentery with blood
  • Bleeding hemorrhoids
  • Menometrorrhagia
  • Epistaxis
  • Hematemesis
• Skin disorders
  • Sores
  • Ulcers
  • Burns

Di Yu is bitter, sour, and slightly cold. It enters the large intestine, liver, and stomach systems. Di Yu is especially useful in treating bleeding disorders due to patterns caused by damp heat.

Di Yu is considered the number one herb for treating bleeding hemorrhoids. Huai Mi also treats bleeding hemorrhoids. Remember: Do you (Di Yu) have hemorrhoids? Why me (Huai Mi)?

Channels: liver, stomach, large intestine

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Large intestine abscess
• Bleeding disorders
  • Stool
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Dysentery
  • Uterine
  • Nosebleed
  • Vomiting

Open Dong Gua Zi

Dong Gua Zi

Benincasae Semen

sweet, cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Drain Dampness

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS: Disorders of the lungs

• Phlegm
• Yellow
• Abscess
  • Intestinal abscess
  • Vaginal discharge

Dong Gui Zi is sweet and cold. It enters the lung, stomach, large intestine, and small intestine systems to drain out damp-heat patterns.

Channels: lung, stomach, large intestine, small intestine

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Edema
• Inhibited lactation
• Dysuria
• Urinary tract infections
• Constipation

Formulas:

• Wei Jing Tang

Contraindications: there are no contraindications for Dong Gua Zi documented

Zoo Image: a trumpet playing pig at a cat with hot phlegm coming from the trumpet has damp-heat vaginal discharge and heat in its intestines

Cassone Wellness

Open Dong Kui Zi

Dong Kui Zi

Malvae Fructus

sweet, cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Drain Dampness

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Painful urination
• Edema
• Constipation
• Inhibited lactation
• Breast abscess

Dong Kui Zi enters the bladder, small intestine, and large intestine systems. It is sweet and cold to drain out patterns of damp-heat especially when involving constipation.

Channels: bladder, small intestine, large intestine

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Constipation
• Breast abscess
• Edema
• Lactation
• Gonorrhea

Formulas:

• Shi Wei San

Contraindications: Dong Kui Zi should be used with caution when prescribing to pregnant patients or patients that have weak digestive function from spleen deficiency

Zoo Image: a mother pig has swollen breasts and cannot lactate, she urinates hot pee and drips formula on her bowel blocks

[Cassone Wellness](http

Open Du Huo

Du Huo

Angelicae Pubescentis Radix

acrid, bitter, warm

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Eliminate Wind-Dampness

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Pain
  • Legs
  • Low back
  • Headache
  • Toothache

Du Huo enters the kidney and bladder systems to warm up cold damp patterns and move them out with it acrid and bitter qualities. It can be used for chronic diseases and it can also be used for acute diseases.

Channels: kidney, bladder

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Analgesia
• Anticoagulant
• Anti-inflammatory
• Pruritus
• Arthritis
• Common cold

Formulas:

• Da Qin Jiao Tang
• Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
• Hai Zao Yu Hu Tang
• Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang
• Ren Shen Bai Du San
• Shi Wei Bai Du San

Contraindications: be careful when prescribing Du Huo to patients that present with yin deficiency or blood deficiency patterns as it is drying

**Zoo Ima

Open Du Zhong

Du Zhong

Eucommiae Cortex

sweet, slightly acrid, warm

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Tonify Yang

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Low back pain
• Frequent urination
• Weakness of tendons and ligaments
• Weak bones
• Bleeding during pregnancy
  • Threatened miscarriage
• Hypertension
• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness

The sweet characteristic of Du Zhong makes it a tonifying herb and it enters the liver and kidney systems. The liver and kidney are two important filtration systems for the body and dysregulation of these two systems will drive up blood pressure. In the past this may have been identified as hepato-hypertension or renal- hypertension or even hepato-renal-hypertension. Today’s medical doctors are rarely concerned with the cause of hypertension. They treat the number not the cause. Du Zhong has an effect on both the liver and kidney that improves the functions of filtration which reduces blood

Open E Jiao

E Jiao

Asini Corii Colla

sweet, neutral

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Tonify Blood

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Blood deficiency
  • Dizziness
  • Pale face
  • Pale lips
  • Pale tongue
• Heart palpitations
• Bleeding
• Cough
  • Dry cough
• Insomnia
• Irascible

E Jiao is sweet and neutral. It enters the lung, kidney, and liver to nourish the blood. It stops bleeding disorders such as blood in stool, coughing blood, and excess uterine bleeding. It enters the lung system to treat cough especially dry cough from yin deficiency patterns.

Channels: lung, kidney, liver

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Hemafecia
• Anxiety
• Alopecia
• Muscle tension
• Heart palpitations
• Constipation
• IBS
• Fever
• Sleep disorders
• Anemia
• Idiopathic thrombocytopenia

Formulas:

• Bu Fei E Jiao Tang
• Bu Shen Gu Chong Wan
• Da Ding Feng Zhu
• Diao Gan Tang
• E Jiao Ji

Open E Zhu

E Zhu

Curcumae Rhizoma

acrid, bitter, warm

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Circulate Blood

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Abdominal pain
• Menstrual disorders
  • Dysmenorrhea
  • Amenorrhea
• Masses
  • Abdominal
  • Epigastric
• Abdominal distention
• Fullness in the chest
• Childhood malnutrition

E Zhu is bitter, acrid, and warm. It enters the liver and spleen systems. Its relationship to spleen function allows it to treat disorders in children that result in malnutrition.

E Zhu is often prescribed with San Leng to move qi and blood. San Leng is a stronger blood moving medicine while E Zhu is better at moving the qi.

Channels: liver, spleen

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Masses in the abdomen
• Enlargement of the liver
• Gastrointestinal tract disorders
• Enlargement of the spleen
  • Antitumor
• Abortion induction
• Antimicrobial

Formulas:

• Mu Xiang Bing L

Open Fan Xie Ye

Fan Xie Ye

Sennae Folium

biter, sweet, cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Purgative that Drains Downward

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Constipation

Fan Xie Ye is sweet, bitter, and cold. It enters the large intestine system to move out patterns of heat that result in constipation. According to the Bensky team it is stronger that Da Huang in its ability to drain downward and is sometimes used together with it.

Channels: large intestine

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Acute constipation
• Abdominal distention
• Edema

Contraindications: Fan Xie Ye should not be prescribed in high amounts to patients that have a weak constitution, it should not be prescribed to patients that are pregnant, are breast feeding, or to patients that have a history of excessive bleeding

Zoo Image: a red constipated snake that ate too much is going down a drain

[Cassone Wellness](ht

Open Fang Feng

Fang Feng

Saposhnikoviae Radix

acrid, sweet, slightly warm

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Release the Exterior for Cold Attack

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Common cold
  • Headache
  • Chills
  • Body aches
• Trembling
• Tetany
• Diarrhea
• Migraine

Fang Feng is acrid, sweet, and slightly warm to treat all conditions involving wind including interior and exterior attacks, skin disorders, and gastrointestinal pathologies especially diarrhea with bright red blood.

Channels: bladder, liver, spleen

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Diarrhea
• Gas
• Bleeding stool
• Tremors
• Headache
• Common cold
• Joint pain
• Rash
• Antimicrobial

Formulas:

• Bai Zhu Shao Yao San
• Chai Hu Qing Gan Tang
• Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San
• Da Qin Jiao Tang
• Dang Gui Nian Tong Tang
• Dang Gui Yin Zi
• Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
• Fang Feng Tong Sheng San
• Gui Zhi Shao Ya

Open Fu Ling Pi

Fu Ling Pi

Poriae Cutis

sweet, bland, neutral

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Drain Dampness

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Urinary difficulty
• Edema
• Loose stool
• Insomnia
• Heart palpitations

Fu Ling Pi enters the heart, spleen, lung, and bladder systems to treat dampness. It is sweet, bland, and neutral.

Fu Ling Pi works especially on the urinary tract system.

Channels: heart, spleen, lung, bladder

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Urinary difficulties
• Prostatic hypertrophy induced urinary inhibition
• Edema

Formulas:

• Wu Pi San
• Yi Jia Jian Zheng Qi San

Contraindications: there are no contraindications documented for Fu Ling Pi

Cassone Wellness

Open Fu Ling

Fu Ling

Poria

sweet, bland, neutral

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Drain Dampness

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Kidney and bladder dysfunction
  • Urinary difficulties
  • Edema
• Digestive tract dysfunction
  • Diarrhea
  • Reduced appetite
  • Epigastric bloat
  • Thick greasy tongue coat
• Dysfunction of the heart system
  • Palpitations
  • Insomnia
• Dizziness
• Headache

Fu Ling enters the lung, heart, spleen, and kidney systems. It is sweet, bland, and neutral. Fu Ling is a major herb to support the waterways of the body and can treat many dampness related pathologies.

Fu Ling’s sweet property is especially useful in treating dysfunctions of the digestive system as it nourishes the spleen. In Oriental Medicine theory, the spleen likely includes the pancreas which has both exocrine and endocrine functions. The exocrine function is the production of enzymes to digest food in the upper portion of the gastrointesti

Open Fu Pen Zi

Fu Pen Zi

Rubi Fructus

sweet, astringent, neutral

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Stabilize and Bind

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Urogenital system disorders
  • Urinary incontinence
  • Urinary frequency
  • Enuresis
  • Premature ejaculation
  • Nocturnal emissions
• Decline in vision
• Pain
  • Low back
  • Knees

Fu Pen Zi enters the liver which explains the ability to improve vision. The eyes are a single artery system and very sensitive to any abnormality in blood flow. The health of the liver supports both blood qualities (liver blood) and blood flow. It is this same function that can improve back pain when back pain is due to liver blood deficiency as liver blood nourishes the tendons and ligaments of the body. Keeping the blood moving (although this herb is not considered a blood invigorator) prevents blood stagnation related back pain.

Fu Pen Zi also supports sex hormone function for patient

Open Fu Ping

Fu Ping

Spirodelae Herba

acrid, cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Release the Exterior for Heat Attack

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Body aches
• Rash
• Measles
• Edema
• Urinary difficulty

Fu Ping is acrid to disperse and cold to treat exterior heat attacks. It enters the lung and bladder systems and is considered a strong diaphoretic. It is also a diuretic to reduce edema.

Channels: lung, bladder

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Edema
• Epilepsy
• Arthritis
• Acne
• Rash
• Hypotension

Contraindications: Fu Ping induces sweating and should not be prescribed to patients that have hyperhidrosis and should only be prescribed to patients with excess heat patterns

Zoo Image: a swollen polar bear with a rash is looking at a sweat hut in a pool of urine

Cassone Wellness

Open Fu Shen

Fu Shen

Poriae Sclerotium Pararadicis

sweet, bland, neutral

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Drain Dampness

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Sleeplessness
• Anxiety
• Heart palpitations
• Decline of memory

Fu Shen is sweet, bland, and neutral. It enters the heart system to calm the shen and can treat patients with sympathetic nervous system dominance.

Fu Shen is in the Drain Dampness category although its effect on the urinary system is considered to be mild.

Channels: heart

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES: Anxiety Poor memory Heart palpitations Sleeplessness Irascibility

Formulas:

• An Shen Ding Zhi Wan
• Dao Chi Qing Xin Tang
• E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang
• Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang
• Long Chi Qing Hun Tang
• Ming Mu Di Huang Wan
• Sang Piao Xiao San
• Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin

Contraindications: there are no contraindications documente

Open Fu Xiao Mai

Fu Xiao Mai

Tritici Fructus Levis

sweet, slightly salty, cool

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Stabilize and Bind

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Hyperhidrosis
  • Spontaneous
  • Night time
• Anxiety

Fu Xiao Mai enters the heart and has a calming effect on the shen. It is used in the formula Gan Mai Da Zao Tang for patients with restless organ disorder (patient presents with high anxiety). This herb also has a stabilizing function for patterns of excess sweating.

Channels: heart

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Anxiety
• Palpitations
• Menopausal symptoms
  • deficiency heat
• Insomnia
• Excess sweating

Formulas:

• Mu Li San
• Gan Mai Da Zao Tang

Contraindications: do not prescribe Fu Xiao Mai to patients that are sweating due to an external attack where the exterior must be released instead of stabilized

Zoo Image: a sweaty camel w

Open Gan Cao

Gan Cao

Glycyrrhizae Radix

sweet, neutral, warm

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Tonify Qi

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Apathy
• Loose stool
• Heart system abnormalities
  • Irregular or intermittent pulse
  • Heart palpitations
• Pulmonary disorders
  • Cough
  • Wheeze
  • Sore throat (lung system)
  • Shortness of breath
• Pain
  • Muscle spasm
• Skin disorders
  • Carbuncles
  • Sores
• Toxicity

Gan Cao is sweet and neutral. It enters the lung, large intestine, stomach, spleen, heart, small intestine, kidney, urinary bladder, san jiao, gallbladder, pericardium, and liver systems. Its tonifying effect is so useful that Gan Cao shows up in many formulas when treating deficiency conditions. Consider it a major adrenal gland tonic.

Channels: lung, large intestine, stomach, spleen, heart, bladder, small intestine, kidney, pericardium, san jiao, liver, gallbladder

COMMON APPLICATIONS AN

Open Gan Jiang

Gan Jiang

Zingiberis Rhizoma

acrid, hot

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Warm the Interior and Expel Cold

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Cold sensation
  • Extremities
• Mucus
• Bleeding
• Gray complexion
• Weak pulse
  • Floating
  • Thin

Gan Jiang is acrid and hot. It enters the spleen, stomach, lung, and heart systems to treat cold patterns. Its stomach and spleen functions allow it to treat cold in the middle jiao coming from both deficiency and excess patterns.

Gan Jiang enters the lung system to treat conditions presenting with cold mucus that is typically thin and watery.

Gan Jiang can also treat hemorrhagic disorders when the cause is a yang deficiency pattern.

Channels: lung, stomach, heart, spleen

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Lung disorders
  • Pneumonia
  • Bronchitis
• Gastrointestinal tract disorders
  • Indigestion
  • Diarrhea
  • Loose stool

Open Gan Sui

Gan Sui

Kansui Radix

toxic, bitter, sweet, cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Harsh Expellant that Drains Downward

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Water retention
  • Edema of the chest
  • Facial edema
• Abdominal distention
• Seizures
• Skin sores

Gan Sui is toxic, bitter, sweet, and cold. It forces the body into diuresis and peristalsis. It is toxic and prescription should be limited to patients presenting with severe conditions such as ascites. This type of patient needs to be under the care of a medical doctor.

Channels: lung, kidney, large intestine

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Ascites
• Edema
• Epilepsy
• Dysuria
  • Urine retention

Formulas:

• Da Xian Xiong Tang
• Shi Zao Tang
• Zhou Che Wan

Contraindications: Gan Sui is toxic and should only be prescribed in severe cases such as patients that have ascites, it should never be used on a patient that i

Open Gao Ben

Gao Ben

Ligustici Rhizoma

acrid, warm

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Release the Exterior for Cold Attack

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Headache
• Nasal congestion
• Abdominal pain
• Gynecological swellings

Gao Ben is acrid and warm. It enters the bladder system and du channel to treat exterior attacks involving cold and patterns involving dampness. Its drying effect on dampness allows it to treat gynecological swellings.

Channels: bladder, du

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Vaginal discharge
• Headache
• Common cold
• Dizziness
• Pain in the joints
• Antimicrobial

Formulas:

• Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang
• Xin Yi San

Contraindications: do not prescribe Gao Ben to patients that present with headaches due to patterns of blood deficiency or deficiency heat

Zoo Image: a porcupine running from a blue bee runs into an archery range and get hit, one ar

Open Gao Liang Jiang

Gao Liang Jiang

Alpiniae Officinarum Rhizoma

acrid, hot

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Warm the Interior and Expel Cold

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Gastrointestinal tract disorders
  • Epigastric pain
  • Abdominal pain
  • Vomiting
  • Hiccough
  • Diarrhea

Gao Liang Jiang is acrid and hot. It enters the stomach and spleen systems to treat cold patterns. It’s primarily used to treat gastrointestinal tract disorders.

Channels: spleen, stomach

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Cold masses in the abdomen
• Stomachache
• Angina pain
• Indigestion
• Hiccough
• Vomiting
• Nausea
  • Antimicrobial

Formulas:

• Liang Fu Wan
• Tian Tai Wu Yao San

Contraindications: do not prescribe Gao Liang Jiang to patients that present with heat due to deficiency patterns

Zoo Image: a massage therapist lion is working on a lion with a c

Open Ge Gen

Ge Gen

Puerariae Radix

acrid, sweet, cool

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Release the Exterior for Heat Attack

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Common cold
  • Stiff neck/upper back
  • Headache
• Irascibility
• Dysglycemia
• Rash
• Intestinal disorders
  • Diarrhea
  • Dysentery
• Dizziness
• Tinnitus
• Paresthesia

Ge Gen enters the spleen and the stomach systems. It is acrid to disperse exterior attacks and cool to treat heat patterns. It is also sweet to generate fluids.

Channels: spleen, stomach

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Hypertension
• Diarrhea
• Dysglycemia
• Torticollis
• Circulation
  • Angina pectoris
• Common cold
• Headache

Formulas:

• Cang Er Bi Dou Yan Fang
• Chai Ge Jie Ji Tang
• Cong Bai Qi Wei Yin
• Dang Gui Nian Tong Tang
• Ge Gen Huang Lian Huang Qin Tang
• Ge Gen Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang
• Ge Gen Jia Ban Xia Tang
• Ge Gen Qin Lian Tan

Open Gou Ji

Gou Ji

Cibotii Rhizoma

bitter, sweet, warm

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Tonify Yang

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Musculoskeletal degeneration
  • Weak bones
  • Weak and brittle tendons and ligaments
  • Low back pain
  • Sore and numb limbs
  • Knee pain
• Urinary incontinence
• Vaginal discharge

This herb is warm, sweet, and bitter. It enters the liver and kidney systems. The liver blood nourishes the tendons and ligaments which helps in patients with low back pain due to deficiency. Gou Ji also supports adrenal and gonadal function which contributes to tendon and ligament strength.

Channels: kidney, liver

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Pain
  • Low back pain
  • Arthritis
• Urogenital system disorders
  • Leukorrhea
  • Urinary incontinence
  • Low libido
  • Erectile dysfunction

Contraindications: do not prescribe Gou Ji to patients that present with urinary hea

Open Gou Qi Zi

Gou Qi Zi

Lycii Fructus

sweet, neutral

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Tonify Blood

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Pain
  • Low back pain
  • Muscle pain in the lower limbs
  • Abdominal pain
• Hypogonadism
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Nocturnal emission
• Dysglycemia
• Blurry vision
• Dizziness
• Cough

Gou Qi Zi is sweet and neutral. It enters the lung, liver, and kidney systems. Its nourishing effect is especially important for eye health.

Channels: lung, liver, kidney

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Eye disorders
  • Excess lacrimation
  • Dryness
  • Irritation
  • Redness
  • Pain
  • Degeneration of vision
• Erectile dysfunction
• Dysglycemia
• Anemia
  • Dizziness
• Liver phase II
  • Hepatoprotective

Formulas:

• Bu Shen Gu Chong Wan
• Da Ying Jian
• Gui Lu Er Xian Jiao
• Jing Qian Fang
• Nuan Gan Jian
• Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan
• Qi Ju Di Huang Wan
• Yi Gua

Open Gou Teng

Gou Teng

Uncariae Ramulus cum Uncis

sweet, slightly cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Extinguish Wind and Stop Tremor

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Tremors
• Eclampsia
• Seizures
• Headache
• Irascibility
• Redness in eyes
• Hypertension
• Fever

Gou Teng should not be cooked more than twenty minutes or you risk losing some of its therapeutic qualities. It is slightly cold and sweet. Gou Teng enters the liver and the pericardium systems and is well known for its blood pressure lowering action when the cause is liver wind with heat.

Channels: pericardium, liver

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Febrile seizure
  • Childhood convulsion
• Rash
• Migraine
• Sedation
• Allergies
• Poor circulation
• Sympathetic nervous system dominance

Formulas:

• E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang
• Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang
• Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin
• Yi Gan San

**

Open Gu Sui Bu

Gu Sui Bu

Drynariae Rhizoma

bitter, warm

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Tonify Warm

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Tinnitus
• Low back pain
• Knee pain
• Tooth pain
• Bleeding gums
• Diarrhea
• Sprains and strains
• Broken bones
• Alopecia

Gu Sui Bu can be used topically for alopecia. It is warm and bitter and enters the liver and kidneys. It supports the hormone function of the adrenal and gonads for strengthening of tendons, ligaments, and bones. For this reason, it can be prescribed to patients that suffer low back pain due to yang deficiency patterns.

As a yang tonic, Gu Sui Bu can treat diarrhea when the cause is a cold deficiency pattern.

Gu Sui Bu also improves blood flow and directs floating yang downward for such disorders as toothache and tinnitus.

Channels: kidney, liver

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Antimicrobial
• Anti-inflammatory
• Topic

Open Gu Ya

Gu Ya

Sativae Fructus Germinatus

sweet, neutral

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Digestive Aid

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Gastrointestinal tract disorders
  • Indigestion
  • Lack of appetite
  • Diarrhea

Gu Ya is sweet and neutral. It enters the spleen and stomach systems to treat disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. It is considered mild in function.

Channels: spleen, stomach

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Mucosal lining
• Indigestion
• Diarrhea
• Stomachache

Contraindications: there are no contraindications documented for Gu Ya

Cassone Wellness

Open Gua Lou Pi

Gua Lou Pi

Trichosanthes Pericarpium

sweet, cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Transforms Hot Phlegm

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Cough
• Breast abscess
• Chest pressure/pain

Gua Lou Pi is sweet and cold. It enters the large intestine, stomach, and lung systems to treat hot phlegm patterns. It can also be used to treat dry cough.

Channels: lung, stomach, large intestine

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Breast abscess
• Antitumor
• Angina pain
• Cough

Contraindications: do not prescribe Guo Lou Pi with Cao Wu, Chuan Wu, Fu Zi, Gan Jiang, or Niu Xi

Zoo Image: a cough train on a P-shaped truss is going up the shirt of a Saint Bernard with a breast abscess

Cassone Wellness

Open Gua Lou Ren

Gua Lou Ren

Trichosanthis Semen

sweet, cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Transforms Hot Phlegm

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Cough
• Chest pain
• Constipation
• Thirst
• Dry mouth
• Irascibility
• Sores
• Breast abscess

Gua Lou Ren is sweet and cold to treat heat patterns. Gua Lou Ren enters the lung, large intestine, and stomach systems to resolve phlegm from a heat pattern. As a seed, Gua Lou Ren is also useful in treating constipation when the pattern originates from heat drying the intestinal fluids resulting in dry hard stool.

Channels: lung, stomach, large intestine

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Constipation
• Dyslipidemia
• Dysglycemia
• Cough with chest pain
• Sore throat
• Antimicrobial
• Breast abscess
• Antitumor
• Jaundice
• CAD

Formulas:

• Bei Mu Gua Lou San
• Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan
• Qing Zao Run Chang Tang

**Contraind

Open Gua Lou

Gua Lou

Trichosanthis Fructus

sweet, cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Transforms Hot Phlegm

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Upper jiao dysfunction
  • Cough
  • Chest pressure
  • Chest pain
• Abscess
  • Lung abscess
  • Breast abscess
  • Intestinal abscess
• Constipation

Gua Luo is cold to treat patterns involving heat. Its primary function is to transform hot phlegm. It enters the lung, stomach, and large intestine systems with a sweet characteristic to eliminate hot phlegm and phlegm related nodulation. Its relationship with the lungs makes it especially useful for cough and can be used alone. It is also kid friendly. Its relationship with the gastrointestinal tract allows it to move the stool as a gentle laxative and to treat intestinal abscesses.

Channels: lung, stomach, large intestine

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Antitumor
• Appendicitis
• Angina

Open Gui Ban

Gui Ban

Testudinis Plastrum

sweet, salty, cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Tonify Yin

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Fever
• Night sweats
• Dizziness
• Tinnitus
• Bone pain
• Tremors
  • Facial spasms
• Weakness in the legs
• Low back pain
• Musculoskeletal underdevelopment
• Vaginal discharge
• Uterine bleeding
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Poor memory
• Sores
• Ulcers

Gui Ban is sweet, salty, and cold. It enters the heart, liver, and kidney systems to nourish yin and reduce heat. Gui Ban improves endocrine function and can be used to treat children that present with poor bone development or babies that present with fontanels that have not yet closed.

Channels: heart, liver, kidney

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Fever
• Developmental disorders
• Tinnitus
• Dizziness
• Orthostatic hypotension
• Malaria
• Leukorrhea
• Ulcers
• Sores

- Muscle spasms

Open Gui Zhi

Gui Zhi

Cinnamomi Ramulus

acrid, sweet, warm

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Release the Exterior for Cold Attack

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Common cold
• Arthritis
• Edema
• Urinary dysfunction
• Dizziness
• Palpitations
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Irregular menses

Gui Zhi is acrid, sweet, and warm. It enters the lung, heart, and bladder systems. Its warm and acrid qualities allow it to break up and move the blood to circulate the vessels.

Channels: lung, heart, bladder

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Angina pain
• Arthritis
• Common cold
• Amenorrhea
• Dysuria
• Heart palpitations
• Cough
• Fever
• Allergy
• Skin disorders

Formulas:

• Chai Hu Gui Zhi Gan Jiang Tang
• Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang
• Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang
• Da Qing Long Tang
• Dang Gui Si Ni Tang
• Fu Ling Gui Zhi Gan Cao Da Zao Tang
• Ge Gen Jia Ban Xia Tang
• Ge Gen

Open Hai Piao Xiao

Hai Piao Xiao

Sephiae Endoconcha

salty, astringent, slightly warm

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Stabilize and Bind

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Hemorrhage
  • Bleeding from trauma
• Urogenital system disorders
  • Nocturnal emissions
  • Premature ejaculation
  • Vaginal discharge
• Digestive tract disorders
• Pain
  • Stomach pain
  • Epigastric pain
  • Acid reflux
  • Gastric ulcers
• Skin ulcers

Hai Piao Xiao is salty, astringent, and slightly warm. According to the Bensky Materia Medica it enters the liver at the blood level. This may explain its great function for stopping bleeding. The liver influences blood flow and blood health. It can even be applied topically to stop bleeding for traumas and to heal sores and ulcers. It enters the kidney to support hormone related leakage including nocturnal emissions and vaginal discharge. This function likely influences the adrenal glan

Open Hai Tong Pi

Hai Tong Pi

Erythrina Cortex

acrid, bitter, neutral

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Eliminate Wind-Dampness

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Pain
  • Low back pain
  • Toothache
  • Knee pain
• Edema
• Skin lesions
• Scabies

Hai Tong Pi is acrid, bitter, and neutral. It enters the liver and kidney systems. Although it is neutral, its greatest effect is on patterns of dampness originating from heat. It treats the lower half of the body especially well and can even be used in cases of damp heat in the lower jiao.

Topically it is used for bug bites, scabies, skin sores and can be gargled when a patient has a toothache.

Channels: liver, kidney

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Antimicrobial
• Diarrhea
• Arthritis
• Rash
• Antifungal

Contraindications: there are no contraindications for Hai Tong Pi documented

Zoo Image: a seagull in a shower holding a

Open Hai Zao

Hai Zao

Sargassum

bitter, salty, cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Transforms Hot Phlegm

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Nodulation
  • Goiter
  • Scrofula
• Bulging disorders
• Edema

Hai Zao is bitter, salty, and cold to resolve and drain out nodules originating from heat patterns. It enters the liver, stomach, lung, and kidney systems.

Hai Zao is especially useful in resolving nodulation of the throat and bulging disorders of the groin area.

Channels: liver, stomach, lung, kidney

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Antimicrobial
• Dyslipidemia
• Hypothyroid
• Anticoagulant
• Hernias
• Swollen testicles
• Edema of the lower limbs
• Enlarged lymph glands
• Enlarged liver
• Antihypertensive
• Obesity

Formulas:

• Hai Zao Yu Hu Tang
• Ju He Wan
• Si Hai Shu Yu Wan

Contraindications: do not prescribe Hai Zao with Gan Cao

Zoo Image: a Saint Bernard with lower bo

Open Han Fang Ji

Han Fang Ji

Radix Stephaniae Tetrandrae

acrid, bitter, cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Drain Dampness

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Water retention
  • Edema
  • Ascites
• Gastrointestinal disorders
  • Borborygmus
  • Abdominal distention
• Arthritis

Han Fang Ji is bitter to drain, acrid to disperse, and cold to treat heat patterns of the bladder, spleen, and kidney systems.

Channels: lung, kidney, bladder

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Abdominal distention
• Pain in the extremities
• Ascites
• Edema
• Gonorrhea
• Eczema
• Dysuria
• Arthritis
• Antitumor
• Dysentery
• Hypertension
• Immune support
• Circulation
• Low back pain

Formulas:

• Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang
• Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang

Contraindications: do not prescribe Han Fang Ji to patients that present with yin deficiency patterns of the spleen and stomach

Open He Huan Pi

He Huan Pi

Albiziae Cortex

sweet, neutral

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Nourish the Heart and Calm the Spirit

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Sleeplessness
• Irascibility
• Forgetfulness
• Trauma
• Abscesses

He Huan Pi is sweet and neutral. It enters the heart and liver systems to calm the shen for emotional upset and support normal sleep. Its sweet property is nourishing to the liver and calming to the shen.

Channels: heart, liver

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Angina pain
• Abscesses internally and externally
• Mood swings
• Premenstrual syndrome
• Poor appetite
• Physical trauma

Contraindications: He Huan Pi should be prescribed cautiously to patients that are pregnant

Zoo Image: a spirit riding a deer with 5 emotions can’t remember the deer’s name as he hits the deer’s leg with a bone, there is a blue bird on the deer’s antler

[Cassone Welln

Open He Ye

He Ye

Nelumbinis Folium

bitter, slightly sweet, neutral

MAIN FUNCTION:

Clears Heat and Resolves Toxicity

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Fever
• Hyperhidrosis
• Scanty urine
• Irascibility
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
  • Blood

He Ye enters the heart, liver, and spleen systems. It’s bitter and neutral. It is also slightly sweet which treat spleen sinking patterns. It can also treat bleeding disorders which may have to do with spleen deficiency and the spleen’s ability to hold the blood in the vessels.

Channels: heart, liver, spleen

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Diarrhea
• Edema
• Bleeding disorders
  • Hemafecia
  • Hematemesis
  • Hematuria
• Indigestion

Formulas:

• Qing Luo Yin
• Shi Hui San
• Zhi Zhu Wan

Contraindications: there are no contraindications documented for He Ye

Zoo Image: a fat beluga whale with a sunken body is eating hot d

Open Hei Zhi Ma

Hei Zhi Ma

Sesami Semen Nigrum

sweet, neutral

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Tonify Yin

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Blurred vision
• Tinnitus
• Dizziness
• Inhibited lactation
• Headaches
• Numbness
• Constipation
  • Dry stool

Hei Zhi Ma is sweet and neutral. It enters the large intestine, liver, and kidney systems. Its yin nourishing effect allows it to treat dry constipation in the large intestines. Its relationship to the liver and kidneys allows it to treat age related decline that affects the eyes and hearing.

Hei Zhi Ma is sometimes prescribed to patients for recovery after they have been ill.

Channels: liver, kidney, large intestine

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Hypoadrenia
• Decline of vision
• Poor memory
• Constipation
• Lactation difficulties
• Dysglycemia

Formulas:

• Qi Bao Mei Ran Da
• Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang
• Xiang Feng Sa

Open Hong Hua

Hong Hua

Carthami Flos

acrid, warm

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Circulate Blood

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Amenorrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Dizziness
• Retained lochia
• Abdominal masses
• Trauma
• Disorders of the skin
  • Sores
  • Carbuncles
  • Erythema
• Chest pain
• Measles

Hong Hua is acrid to get the blood moving and warm to treat cold stagnant blood patterns. It enters the liver and heart systems. Its affinity to the heart allows it to treat chest fullness and angina pain symptoms.

Hong Hua enters the liver to move blood from liver blood stagnation and can treat many gynecological disorders as well as some skin conditions.

Channels: heart, liver

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Masses
• Measles
• Rash
• Carbuncles
• Erythema
• Trauma
• Difficult labor
• Menstrual disorders
• Antitumor
• Skin sores
• Headache
• Angina pain
• Arthritis
• Dyslipidem

Open Hu Jiao

Hu Jiao

Piperis Fructus

acrid, hot

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Warm the Interior and Expel Cold

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain

Hu Jiao is acrid and hot. It enters the stomach and large intestine systems to treat cold patterns of the gastrointestinal tract.

Channels: stomach, large intestine

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Stomachache
• Antitumor
• Diarrhea
• Food poisoning

Contraindications: do not prescribe Hu Jiao to pregnant patients

Zoo Image: a lion is spray painting his stomach and intestines red

Cassone Wellness

Open Hu Lu Ba

Hu Lu Ba

Trigonellae Semen

bitter, warm

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Tonify Yang

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Hernia
• Distention of flank
• Abdominal pain
• Leg pain and swelling

Hu Lu Ba is bitter and warm and goes to the kidney system. This helps with lower leg cold edema patterns and cold pattern hernias.

Channels: kidney

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Hernia
• Abdominal distention
• Poor lactation
• Leukorrhea
• Cold limbs
• Pain in the testicles
• Antiparasitic

Contraindications: do not prescribe Hu Lu Ba to patients that have damp-heat of heat from deficiency of yin

Zoo Image: a grizzly bear looking at a primal qi deity hopes it will warm him up because he has a cold streak on his kidneys and a painful bulge

Cassone Wellness

Open Hua Shi

Hua Shi

Talcum

sweet, bland, cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Drains Dampness

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Urinary tract disorders
  • Painful urination
  • Scanty urination
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Thirst
• Yellow tongue coat
• Irascibility
• Eczema

Hua Shi enters the bladder and the stomach systems. It is sweet, bland, and cold to treat damp-heat patterns of the lower jiao.

Channels: stomach, bladder

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Urinary tract infections
• Abdominal distention
• Fever
• Epistaxis
• Edema
• Diuretic
• Eczema
• Dysuria
• Gastritis
• Diarrhea

Formulas:

• Ba Zheng San
• Dao Chi Qing Xin Tang
• Fang Feng Tong Sheng San
• Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan
• Liu Yi San
• Mie Di Zhi Yang Tang
• San Ren Tang
• Shi Wei San
• Xiao Ji Yin Zi
• Zhu Ling Tang
• Zi Xue Dan

Contraindications: do not prescribe Hua Shi to patients that present with spermatorrhea or

Open Hua Jiao

Hua Jiao

Zanthoxyli Pericarpium

acrid, hot, slightly toxic

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Warm the Interior and Expel Cold

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Gastrointestinal tract disorders
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Parasites

Hua Jiao is acrid, slightly toxic, and hot. It enters the stomach, kidney, and spleen systems to break up and disperse cold patterns. Its antiparasitic function is noted in particular for roundworms.

Channels: kidney, spleen, stomach

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Stomachache
• Distention of abdomen
• Abdominal cramping
• Diarrhea
• Parasite infections
• Antitumor

Formulas:

• Da Jian Zhong Tang
• Li Zhong An Hui Tang
• Lian Mei An Hui Tang
• Wu Mei Wan

Contraindications: do not prescribe Hua Jiao to patients that present with severe deficiency heat patterns

Zoo Image: a lion with a cold midd

Open Huai Mi

Huai Mi

Sophorae Flos immaturus

bitter, cool

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Stop Bleeding

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Bleeding disorders
  • Bleeding hemorrhoids
  • Dysentery with blood
  • Hemoptysis
  • Hemafecia
  • Menometrorrhagia
  • Epistaxis
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Red eyes

Huai Mi is bitter and cool. It enters the liver and large intestine systems. It can be taken daily as a beverage for dizziness, headache, and red eyes.

Di Yu also treats bleeding hemorrhoids. Easy way to remember two hemorrhoid herbs: Do you (Di Yu) have hemorrhoids? Why me (Huai Mi)?

Channels: liver, large intestine

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Red eyes
• Conjunctivitis
• Iritis
• Menorrhagia
• Bleeding hemorrhoids
• Dyslipidemia
• Hypertension

Contraindications: prescribe Huai Mi with caution to patients that present with poor digestive function due to defic

Open Huang Bai

Huang Bai

Phillodendri Cortex

bitter, cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Clear Heat and Dry Dampness

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Dysfunction of the lower jiao
  • Thick yellow vaginal discharge
  • Smelly diarrhea
  • Dysentery
  • Nocturnal emissions
  • Spermatorrhea
• Jaundice
• Leg pain
• Swollen leg, knees, or feet
• Skin lesions
• Sores

Huang Bai bitter to drain and detoxify and cold to treat patterns involving heat. It enters the kidney and bladder systems. Its effect is primarily on the lower jiao treating damp-heat patterns of the intestines. It also treats gynecological issues involving damp-heat.

Huang Bai treats jaundice when its origin is damp-heat.

Channels: kidney, bladder

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Urogenital disorders
  • Vaginitis
  • Yeast infections
  • Urinary tract infections
• Antimicrobial
• Lower limb edema
• Arthritis
• In

Open Huang Jing

Huang Jing

Polygonati Rhizoma

sweet, neutral

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Tonify Qi

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Apathy
• Fatigue
• Poor appetite
• Dry mouth
• Loss of taste
• Dry stools
• Dry red tongue
• Cough
• Low back pain
• Weakness of the lower extremities
• Dysglycemia

Huang Jing is sweet and neutral. It enters the lung, spleen, and kidney systems to tonify and improve function.

Channels: lung, kidney, spleen

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Dysglycemia
  • Diabetes
  • Obesity
• Fatigue
  • Hypoadrenia
• Low blood pressure
• Hypothyroid
• Subclinical anemia
• Cough
• Pneumonia
• Poor appetite
• Hypertension
• Antimicrobial

Formulas:

• Yi Yin Jian

Contraindications: do not prescribe Huang Jing to patients with poor digestive function

Zoo Image: a ferret is taking a bath coughing while an earth man holding a turtle squ

Open Huang Lian

Huang Lian

Coptidis Rhizome

bitter, cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Clear Heat and Dry Dampness

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Gastrointestinal tract disorders
  • Diarrhea
  • Dysentery
  • Vomiting
  • Acid regurgitation
• Heat patterns
  • High fever
  • Irascibility
  • Discombobulation
  • Mental derangement
  • Red tongue
  • Rapid full pulse
  • Red painful eyes
  • Sore throat
• Skin disorders
  • Boils
  • Abscesses
  • Mouth ulcers
• Bleeding disorders

Huang Lian is bitter to drain and detoxify and it is cold to treat patterns involving heat. It enters the liver, heart, stomach, and large intestine systems.

Huang Lian’s effect is most often used to treat heat pathologies of the middle jiao.

Channels: heart, stomach, liver, large intestine

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract
  • IBS
  • Abdominal distention
  • Foul sme

Open Huang Qi

Huang Qi

Astragali Radix

sweet, slightly warm

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Tonify Qi

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Postpartum fever
• Subclinical anemia
• Poor appetite
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Hyperhidrosis
• Low immune function
• Shortness of breath
• Edema
• Chronic ulceration
• Sores with pus

Huang Qi is sweet and slightly warm. It enters the spleen and lung systems. Huang Qi is a very important herb for building immune function. It strengths wei qi mechanisms and tightens the exterior. For this reason, it should be discontinued during acute exterior attacks during which time the exterior needs to be released.

The spleen is the largest lymph gland of the body and a major aspect of the immune system. In Oriental Medical theory many of the spleen’s function relate to the digestive system. Huang Qi is an example of an herb that bridges this gap. It treats the fatigue associated with spleen q

Open Huang Qin

Huang Qin

Scutellaria Radix

bitter, cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Clear Heat and Dry Dampness

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Diarrhea
• Dysentery
• Fever
• Stifling sensation in chest
• Thirst but can’t drink
• Painful urinary dribbling
• Cough
• Irritability
• Thick yellow phlegm
• Hot sores
• Bleeding disorders
• Threatened miscarriage
• Red eyes
• Headache
• Bitter taste
• Flushed face

Huang Qin is bitter to drain and detoxify dampness and it is cold to treat patterns involving heat. It enters the stomach, lung, large intestine, and gallbladder systems. Huang Qin is especially useful in treating damp-heat disorders of the upper jiao.

Channels: lung, gallbladder, stomach, large intestine

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Fever
• Diarrhea
• Dysentery
• Cough
• Urinary tract infections
• Bleeding disorders
• Sleep disorders
• Hypertension
• Red

Open Hu Po

Hu Po

Succinum

sweet, neutral

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Calm the Spirit

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Heart system disorders
  • Anxiety
  • Dream disturbed
  • Insomnia
  • Coronary artery disease
• Poor memory
• Seizures
• Fixed masses
• Painful urination
• Blood in the urine
• Inhibited urination
• Sores
• Carbuncles
• Swollen genitals

Hu Po is sweet and neutral. It enters the bladder, heart, and liver systems to calm the shen.

Channels: heart, liver, bladder

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Angina pain
• Abdominal masses
• CAD
• Blood in the urine
• Mood disorders
• Muscle spasms
• Dysuria
• Urethral pain
• Urinary tract infection

Formulas:

• Dao Chi Qing Xin Tan
• Zhi Bao Dan

Contraindications: do not prescribe Hu Po to patients with deficiency heat patterns

Zoo Image: an elephant is chiseling into a blood rock while watching a spirit rake a tremulo

Open Huo Ma Ren

Huo Ma Ren

Cannabis Semen

sweet, neutral

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Laxative that Drains Downward

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Constipation
• Sores
• Ulcerations

Huo Ma Ren is especially useful with patients that present with yin deficient dry hard stool resulting in constipation. Its primary effect is on the gastrointestinal tract and enters the large intestine, stomach, and spleen systems.

It can also be used topically on sores and ulcerations.

Channels: large intestine, stomach, spleen

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Hypertension
• Mucosal lining; heals
• Laxative

Formulas:

• Da Ding Feng Zhu
• Ma Zi Ren Wan
• Qing Zao Run Chang Tang
• Rou Fu Bao Yuan Tang
• Run Chang Wan
• San Jia Fu Mai Tang
• Si Wu Ma Zi Ren Wan
• Zhi Gan Cao Tang

Contraindications: Huo Ma Ren should not be prescribed to patients in high amounts

Zoo Image: an ol

Open Hou Po

Hou Po

Magnolia Bark

acrid, bitter, warm

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Aromatic Herb that Transforms Dampness

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Food stagnation
• Chest fullness
• Abdominal distention
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Wheezing
• Cough

Hou Po is bitter to detoxify and drain, acrid to break up and disperse, and warm to treat cold patterns. It enters the large intestine, spleen, stomach, and lung systems to treat conditions involving dampness.

Hou Po’s effect on the lungs allows it to treat cough and wheeze with phlegm.

Channels: lung, stomach, large intestine, spleen

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Pulmonary disorders
  • Pneumonia
  • Bronchitis
  • Asthma
  • Wheeze
  • Dyspnea
• Intestinal disorders
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Dysentery

Formulas:

• Ban Xia Hou Po Tang
• Bao Chan Wu You Fang
• Bu Huan Jin Zheng Qi San
• Da Chen

Open Huo Xiang

Huo Xiang

Pogostemonis Herba

acrid, slightly warm

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Aromatic Herb that Transforms Damp

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Digestive tract disorders
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Morning sickness
• Dermatosis

Huo Xiang is acrid to disperse and slightly warm to treat cold patterns of dampness that have accumulation in the digestive tract or on the skin. It enters the lung, stomach, and spleen systems.

Channels: lung, stomach, spleen

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Digestive tract disorders
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Motion sickness
  • Morning sickness
  • Diarrhea
• Skin irritations

Formulas:

• Bu Huan Jin Zheng Qi San
• Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan
• Huo Po Xia Ling Tang
• Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San
• Long Dan Bi Yuan Fang
• Mu Xiang Liu Qi Yin
• Xie Huang San
• Yi Jia Jian Zheng Qi San

Contraindications: Huo Xiang s

Open Ji Nei Jin

Ji Nei Jin

Gigeriae Galli Endothelium Corneum

sweet, neutral

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Relieves Food Stagnation

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Food stagnation
• Malnutrition in children
• Urinary system disorders
  • Bedwetting
  • Frequent urination
  • Night urination
  • Kidney stones
• Biliary stones

Ji Nei Jin is sweet and neutral. It enters the small intestine, stomach, urinary bladder, and spleen systems. Ji Nei Jin treats disorders of the urinary system and the digestive system.

Channels: bladder, spleen, stomach, small intestine

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Biliary congestion
• Diarrhea
• Distention of the abdomen
• Vomiting
• Enlarged liver
• Trauma

Formulas:

• Tu Si Zi Wan

Contraindications: Ji Nei Jin should be prescribed cautiously to patients that present with poor digestive function when there is no food st

Open Ji Xue Teng

Ji Xue Teng

Spatholobi Caulis

bitter, sweet, warm

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Circulate Blood

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Menstrual disorders
  • Subclinical anemia
  • Dysmenorrhea
  • Irregular menstruation
  • Amenorrhea
• Musculoskeletal disorders
  • Numbness in the extremities
  • Knee pain
  • Low back pain
  • Arthritis
  • Weakness of the extremities
  • Paralysis
• Vertigo

Ji Xue Teng is bitter, sweet, and warm. It enters the heart, liver, and spleen systems to drain out cold blood stagnation patterns while at the same time nourishing the blood.

Ji Xue Teng can treat numbness in the extremities because it both nourishes and moves the blood. It is particularly useful for the treatment of wind damp patterns and for treating the elderly who suffer from weakness in the extremities.

Channels: liver, heart, spleen

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Anemia

Open Jie Geng

Jie Geng

Platycodi Radix

acrid, bitter, neutral

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Transform Cold Phlegm

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Lung system disorders
  • Cough
  • Wheeze
  • Sore throat
  • Aphonia
  • Lung abscess
  • Throat abscess

Jie Geng is bitter, acrid, and neutral. It enters the lung system to treat phlegm accumulation in the upper jiao. Jie Geng can be used with other herbs to increase their effects on the upper jiao.

Channels: lung

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Cough
• Wheeze
• Asthma
• Bronchitis
• Pneumonia
• Edema
• Sore throat
• Common cold

Formulas:

• Bai He Gu Jin Tang
• Bei Mu Gua Lou San
• Cang Er Bi Dou Yan Fang
• Chai Ge Jie Ji Tang
• Fang Feng Tong Sheng San
• Huang Long Tang
• Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San
• Jia Jian Wei Rui Tang
• Jie Geng Tang
• Jiu Xian San
• Li Yan Cha
• Long Dan Bi Yuan Fang
• Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin
• Qing Fei Tan

Open Jin Yin Hua

Jin Yin Hua

Lonicerae Flos

sweet, cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Clears Heat and Resolves Toxicity

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Skin sores
• Sore throat
• Intestinal abscess
• Fever
• Headache
• Dysentery
• Painful urination

Jin Yin Hua enters the lung, large intestine, and stomach systems. It is sweet and cold to treat heat patterns. It’s especially useful in treating acute disorders affecting the lungs and for treating skin disorders involving rashes.

Channels: lung, stomach, large intestine

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Hepatoprotective
• Immune support
• Antimicrobial
• Antipyretic
• Dysentery
• Antihypertensive
• Rash
• Fungal infections
• Bladder infections
• Arthritis
• Pneumonia
• Sore throat
• Appendicitis
• Antimicrobial
• Gastric ulcers

Formulas:

• Li Yan Cha
• Qing Luo Yin
• Qing Ying Tang
• Si Miao Yong An Tang
• Wu Wei X

Open Jin Ying Zi

Jin Ying Zi

Rosae Laevigatae Fructus

sour, astringent, neutral

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Stabilize and Bind

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Urinary incontinence
• Spermatorrhea
• Vaginal discharge
• Chronic diarrhea
• Dysentery

Jin Ying Zi is sour, astringent, and neutral. It enters the kidney, bladder, and large intestine systems to stabilize and bind. The adrenal glands produce hormones, such as aldosterone, that regulate blood pressure by keeping water in the body. A drop in aldosterone production, from overall decline in adrenal gland function, will result in excess urination. The bladder has both voluntary and involuntary sphincters that require a healthy state of function to keep urine in the body. Jin Ying Zi supports the bladder function and the adrenal gland function in relation to sex hormone production, aldosterone production, and sphincter control in the bla

Open Jing Jie

Jing Jie

Schizonepetae Herba

acrid, slightly warm

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Releases the Exterior for Cold Attack

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Chills & fever
• Measles
• Skin disorders
  • Rash
  • Carbuncles
  • Boils
• Bleeding disorders
  • Blood in stool
  • Uterine bleed

Jing Jie is acrid and slightly warm. It enters the lung and liver systems. It is especially useful in treating disorders of the skin.

Jing Jie has a function to stop bleeding when it is charred. Even though Jing Jie is slightly warm, it can treat wind-heat or wind-cold.

Channels: lung, liver

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Nosebleed
• Uterine bleeding
• Common cold
• Headache
• Urticarial
• Itching
• Antimicrobial

Formulas:

• Bao Chan Wu You Fang
• Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San
• Dang Gui Yin Zi
• Ding Jing Tang
• Fang Feng Tong Sheng San
• Huai Hua San
• Ping Gan Kai Yu Zh

Open Ju Hong

Ju Hong

Citri reticulatae Exocarpium rubrum

acrid, bitter, warm

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Regulate Qi

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Vomiting
• Belching
• Cough

Ju Hong is acrid, bitter, and warm. It enters the stomach and lung systems. Its bitter and acrid properties improve digestion and break up cough when it’s due to phlegm-dampness. It is more drying than Chen Pi but less beneficial at harmonizing the middle.

Channels: lung, stomach

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Gastritis
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Cough
• Dyspnea
• Bloating
• Distention of the abdomen

Formulas:

• Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang
• Bei Mu Gua Lou San
• Dao Tan Tang
• Di Tan Tang
• Er Chen Tang
• Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin
• Zhi Sou San

Contraindications: there are no contraindications documented for Ju Hong

Zoo Image: a coughing cowboy beaver i

Open Ju Hua

Ju Hua

Chrysanthemi Flos

bitter, sweet, slightly cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Releases the Exterior for Heat Attacks

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Sores
• Eye disorders
  • Blurry vision
  • Dry eyes
  • Red eyes
  • Visual floaters
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Loss of hearing
• Common cold
• Fever

Ju Hua is bitter, sweet, and slightly cold. It enters the liver and lung systems. Its liver function supports phase II with helps circulate blood to the eyes which are a single artery system. This function also helps with allergies and irritability associated with liver qi stagnation.

Channels: lung, liver

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Vertigo
• Lacrimation
• Allergies
• Common cold
• Disorders of the eye
• Antihypertensive
• Headache
• Vasodilation
• Irritability
• Cough

Formulas:

• Li Yan Cha
• Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang
• Long Dan Bi Yuan Fang
• Qi Ju

Open Jue Ming Zi

Jue Ming Zi

Cassiae Semen

bitter, sweet, salty, slightly cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Clear Heat and Drain Fire

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Eye disorders
  • Red, swollen, painful eyes
  • Photosensitivity
  • Night blindness
  • Loss of vision
• Yang disorders
  • Headache
  • Hypertension
  • Dizziness
• Dry stools
• Constipation
• Dyslipidemia

Jue Ming Zi is bitter, sweet, salty, and slightly cold. It enters the large intestine, kidney, and liver systems. Jue Ming Zi has a kidney and liver nourishing effect on yin which allows it to treat disorders of the eyes and patterns related to the rising of yang. Its yin nourishing effect can also be seen in the large intestine system treating dry conditions such as dry stool and resulting constipation.

Channels: liver, kidney, large intestine

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Eye disorders
  • Redness

  - Glaucoma

Open Ku Shen

Ku Shen

Sophorae Flavescentis Radix

bitter, cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Clear Heat and Dry Dampness

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Jaundice
• Dysentery
• Vaginal discharge
• Sores
• Skin lesions
• Itching
• Bleeding
• Genital itch
• Painful urinary dribbling
• Edema
• Parasites

Ku Shen is bitter to drain and detoxify damp pathologies and it is cold to treat heat patterns. It enters the bladder, small intestine, large intestine, stomach, heart, and liver systems.

Channels: heart, bladder, liver, large intestine, small intestine, stomach

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Parasitic infection
• Jaundice
• Blood in stool
• Hemorrhoids
• Eczema
• Skin sores
• Itching
• Bladder infections
• Vaginitis
• Vaginal discharge
• Leukorrhea
• Sleep disturbance
• Antimicrobial
• Hepatitis

Formulas:

• Dang Gui Nian Tong Tang
• Xiao Feng

Open Kuan Dong Hua

Kuan Dong Hua

Farfarae Flos

acrid, warm

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Relieve Cough and Wheeze

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Cough
• Wheeze

Kuan Dong Hua is acrid and warm. It only enters the lung system to treat cough from many different etiologies.

Channels: lung

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Asthma
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Fever

Formulas:

• Ding Chuan Tang
• Jiu Xian San
• She Gan Ma Huang Tang

Contraindications: prescribe Kuan Dong Hua cautiously to patients that present with hemoptysis

Zoo Image: a puffin jumps from a high ladder with balloons of many coughs into a cup of water

Cassone Wellness

Open Kun Bu

Kun Bu

Eckloniae Thallus

salty, cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Transforms Hot Phlegm

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Nodulation
• Fullness in the chest
• Edema

Kun Bu is salty to reduce nodules and cold to treat heat patterns. It enters the liver, kidney, and stomach systems.

Kun Bu has blood moving properties used to treat such disorders as cirrhosis, tuberculosis lymphadenitis, and tumors of the thyroid gland. It also contains iodine which supports thyroid function.

It increases urination which can reduce edema of the lower limbs.

Channels: liver, stomach, kidney

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Hypothyroid
• Goiter
• Enlargement of the lymph system
• Scrofula
• Swollen testicles
• Dyslipidemia
• Asthma
• Hypotensive

Formulas:

• Hai Zao Yu Hu Tang
• Ju He Wan
• Si Hai Shu Yu Wan

Contraindications: there are no contraindications documented fo

Open Lai Fu Zi

Lai Fu Zi

Raphani Semen

acrid, sweet, neutral

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Relieves Food Stagnation

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Food stagnation
• Distention
• Abdominal fullness
• Belching rotten smell
• Acid reflux
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Cough
• Wheeze
• Hypertension

Lai Fu Zi is acrid to break up food stagnation, sweet to nourish, and neutral in temperature. It enters the stomach, lung, and spleen systems.

Channels: lung, stomach, spleen

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Stomachache
• GERD
• High blood pressure
• Bronchitis
• Thyroid dysfunction
• IBS

Formulas:

• Bao He Wan
• San Zi Yang Qin Tang

Contraindications: Lai Fu Zi should not be prescribed to patients that do not have food stagnation and should only be given short term

Zoo Image: a hippo is squeezed into a can vomiting and coughing qi and phlegm, he has a red head and a

Open Lian Qiao

Lian Qiao

Forsythiae Fructus

bitter, slightly acrid, slightly cold

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Clears Heat and Resolves Toxicity

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Cold and flu
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Sore throat
  • Headache
• Skin sores
• Internal abscesses
• Scrofula

Lian Qiao enters the lung, heart, and gallbladder systems. It is bitter to drain, slightly acrid to break up and disperse, and slightly cold to treat heat patterns.

Channels: lung, heart, gallbladder

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Appendicitis
• Headache
• Enlarged lymph glands
• Gonorrhea
• Lung abscess
• Sinus infection
• Boils
• Urinary tract infections
• Antimicrobial
• Hepatitis
• Diuretic
• Ulcers
• Antiemetic

Formulas:

• Bao He Wan
• Chai Hu Qing Gan Tang
• Fang Feng Tong Sheng San
• Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan
• Hai Zao Yu Hu Tang
• Liang Ge San
• Ma Huang Lian Qiao Chi Xiao Dou