HOW TO USE
Dan Gui is unusual among Blood-tonifying herbs in that it both nourishes and invigorates blood circulation, and is therefore not cloying, as Shu di Huang can be. It is good for Blood-Deficient symptoms such as pale complexion, tinnitus, blurred vision, and palpitations, and is commonly used for all menstrual disorders, such as irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, or dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation). It is essential for pain in general as it moves the Blood—abdominal pain, traumatic injury, and even arthritic pain associated with Blood Deficiency (pain according to TCM may be caused by Stagnant Blood).
PROPERTIES Sweet, Acrid, Bitter, Warm
CHANNELS Heart, Liver, Spleen
FUNCTIONS AND USES
Tonifies the Blood and regulates the menses.
Invigorates the Blood and disperses Cold: an important herb for stopping pain due to Blood stasis.
Moistens the intestines and unblocks the bowels: like all tonifying herbs, Dang Gui is moistening—in this case it is also directed to the intestines.
CAUTION
Use with caution for diarrhea or abdominal swelling due to dampness contraindicated for yin deficiency.
ATRACTYLODES MACROCEPHALA
Bai Zhu
This herb is one of a group that treat Qi Deficiency, as as we replenish our day-to-day energy from air and food, the two main organs involved are Lungs and Spleen.
HOW TO USE
Bai Zhu is a major tonifying qi herb in cases of diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue, lack of appetite, lack of strength in the limbs, and is one of the herbs in the seminal tonifying prescription of the “Four Gentlemen” (Si Jun Zi Wan). It also helps Damp disorders such as edema and reduced urination, and is used in the Jade Screen prescription for spontaneous sweating due to Qi Deficiency. It is used for any type of threatened miscarriage when combined with other appropriate herbs.
PROPERTIES Sweet, Bitter, Warm
CHANNELS Spleen, Stomach
FUNCTIONS AND USES
Tonifies the Spleen and benefits the qi: use Bai Zhu to treat Spleen and Stomach Deficiency.
Strengthens the Spleen and dries Dampness: use for digestive disorders, water retention and even for treating Damp Painful Obstruction (rheumatic ailments).
Firms the exterior and stops sweating.
Strengthens the Spleen and calms the fetus: for restless fetus when due to Spleen Deficiency not holding the fetus in.
CAUTION
Contraindicated in cases of yin deficiency with heat signs of injured fluids.
ASTRAGALUS MEMBRANACEUS
Huang Qi MILK-VETCH ROOT
This herb treats Qi Deficiency, and as we replenish our day-to-day energy from air and food, the two main organs involved are Lungs and Spleen (the main digestive organ in TCM).
HOW TO USE
Huang Qi is for Spleen-Deficient symptoms such as lack of appetite, fatigue, and diarrhea. Its action is also upward and outward, so it helps prolapsed uterus or uterine bleeding, but is also used in prescriptions to help the immune system fight viruses. It is used for frequent colds and helps excessive sweating. It is good for edema and pus-filled sores that have not yet discharged, and is also used in postnatal fever from severe loss of blood.
PROPERTIES Sweet, slightly Warm
CHANNELS Lung, Spleen
FUNCTIONS AND USES
Tonifies the Spleen and benefits the qi: use for all Deficient Spleen patterns.
Raises the yang qi of the Spleen and Stomach: use for prolapse—it makes things go up.
Tonifies the Protective Qi (Wei Qi) and firms the exterior: goes to the outside of the body, and regulates the opening and closing of the pores.
Benefits Water and reduces swelling.
Tonifies the qi and Blood: particularly for severe loss of blood.
CAUTION
Contraindicated for full heat conditions or yin deficiency with fire—it heats too much.
AUKLANDIA LAPPA
Mu Xiang COSTUS ROOT
Mu Xiang regulates and invigorates the qi when it becomes stuck or “stagnant,” optimizing the function of the gastrointestinal tract and helping stop pain.
HOW TO USE
Mu Xiang primarily helps digestive symptoms and pain. It is for Spleen or Stomach Stagnation symptoms such as lack of appetite, epigastric (above the navel), or abdominal pain or swelling, nausea, and vomiting. It is also used for Liver and Gall Bladder Stagnation, symptoms such as pain, swelling, or soreness in the flanks (sides). It is very good for diarrhea, dysentery, and tenesmus (a spasm of the rectum where one feels the need to defecate without being able to) due to Stagnation of qi in the Intestines rather than Deficiency. However, it also helps a Deficient Spleen regain its normal functions of transportation and transformation.
PROPERTIES Acrid, slightly Bitter, Warm
CHANNELS Gall Bladder, Large Intestine, Spleen, Stomach
FUNCTIONS AND USES
Promotes the movement of qi and alleviates pain: use for Spleen, Stomach, Liver, or Gall Bladder Stagnant Qi (pain is always a result of Stagnant Qi or Blood).
Regulates Stagnant Qi in the Intestines.
Strengthens the Spleen and prevents Stagnation: use Huang Qi with tonifying herbs to prevent their cloying side-effects.
CAUTION
Contraindicated in cases of yin deficiency or depleted fluids.
CANNABIS SATIVA
Hou Ma Ren HEMP
Huo Ma Ren comes into the category of Descending Downward: it facilitates the expulsion of the stool in cases of constipation. Huo Ma Ren is ungerminated cannabis seeds, but does not have the effects that smoking cannabis leaves or resin has.
HOW TO USE
Huo Ma Ren is a moist laxative and therefore works gently by lubricating the Intestines. As it is mild in nature it is suitable for debilitated patients, the elderly, and those who are weakened by a febrile (feverish) disease or after childbirth. Also, as it is moistening, it is good for Blood Deficiency and general lack of fluids. One would often add Blood-nourishing herbs, such as Shu di Huang and Dang Gui for constipation due to Blood Deficiency, as in the elderly.
PROPERTIES