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
- Vasodilation
- Muscle pain
- Antimicrobial
Formulas:
- Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang
- Chai Hu Qing Gan Tang
- Qi Zhen San
- Qing Wen Bai Du Yin
- Sheng Ma Ge Gen Tang
- Tong Qiao Huo Xue Tang
- Xian Fang Huo Ming Yin
- Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang
- Yan Huo Suo Tang
Contraindications: Chi Shao should be prescribed with caution to patients that present with cold from deficiency of yang patterns
Zoo Image: a road runner goalie carrying a GYN soccer ball stuck in its abdomen has a fever, purple tongue, and is on hot blood