CHANNELS Large Intestine, Spleen, Stomach
FUNCTIONS AND USES
Nourishes and moistens the Intestines: as it does not have a harsh effect, it is most suitable for constipation in the weak and elderly.
Nourishes the yin: it mildly tonifies the yin and can be used in cases of Yin Deficiency with constipation. The yin is often depleted during a long illness like ME (or post-viral syndrome); also commonly in the elderly.
Clears Heat and promotes healing of sores: use as an auxiliary herb for sores and ulcerations, taken orally or applied topically (locally).
CAUTION
Long-term use may possibly result in vaginal discharge. Overdose may lead to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS
Hong Hua SAFFLOWER FLOWER
This herb invigorates (or “regulates”) the Blood, treating problems associated with Blood stasis. In TCM, these problems include pain and internal masses or growths.
HOW TO USE
Hong Hua is used for any Blood stasis patterns. These may include such gynecological problems as amenorrhea, post-partum dizziness, or fibroids. It may also include other tumors if they are caused by congealed blood, and many skin diseases, such as Kaposi’s sarcoma, and scarlet fever. As it helps stuck Blood pain it is good for wounds or painful sores. It helps to bring out a measles’ rash fully and is useful for pain in the limbs. It also helps joint pain in arthritis.
PROPERTIES Acrid, Warm
CHANNELS Heart, Liver
FUNCTIONS AND USES
Invigorates the Blood and unblocks menstruation: it expels congealed Blood in the meridians and is not just for menstrual problems.
Dispels Blood stasis and alleviates pain: it enters the Blood level of the channels (as opposed to qi or organ level).
CAUTION
As with many blood-moving herbs, do not take this during pregnancy.
CINNAMOMUM CASIA
Gui Zhi CINNAMON TWIGS
Gui Zhi belongs to a group of Warm, Acrid herbs that release exterior conditions; that is, superficial illnesses caused by viruses, with symptoms in the skin or muscle layers. These mainly cause sweating, or stop sweating where necessary.
HOW TO USE
Gui Zhi is used mainly for colds and flu, and commonly in combination with Bai Shao, when there is too much sweating in a cold condition and the patient is becoming weak. It is often added to prescriptions for rheumatic complaints in the joints and limbs, especially the shoulders, caused by Cold Obstruction causing pain, where it sends warmth through the channels. Use for edema, where it sends warm yang energy through the meridians to move and transform the settled fluid. It is often used with licorice (Gan Cao) for palpitations and shortness of breath due to Deficient Heart yang. It can be used for menstrual cramps or irregular menstruation caused by Cold.
PROPERTIES Sweet, Warm
CHANNELS Lung, Bladder
FUNCTIONS AND USES
Adjusts the body’s sweating in externally caused Cold conditions.
Warms the meridians and disperses Cold: use for rheumatic ailments; also for gynecological problems caused by Cold obstructing the Blood.
Moves the yang and transforms qi: use for water retention (edema) from Cold, where poor circulation of yang qi has failed to move the fluids in the body.
CAUTION
Contraindicated in warm diseases, either from fever, deficient yin with heat signs, or heat in the blood with vomiting.
CITRUS RETICULATA
Chen Pi TANGERINE PEEL
This herb 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
Chen Pi is a very important herb as it “awakens the Spleen.” It is for stagnant qi patterns with symptoms like epigastric (above the navel) or abdominal bloating, fullness, belching, nausea, and vomiting. It is very good for a lot of sticky sputum and other Phlegm Damp symptoms, such as loss of appetite, fatigue, loose stools, and a thick, greasy tongue coating. It is therefore used for disorders affecting both the Spleen and the Lungs. It is particularly important for putting into tonifying prescriptions to make them more digestible.
PROPERTIES Acrid, Bitter, Warm, Fragrant
CHANNELS Spleen, Stomach, Lung
FUNCTIONS AND USES
Regulates the qi and strengthens the transportation function of the Spleen: it promotes the movement of qi in general, while directing it down.
Dries Dampness and transforms Phlegm: use for. a stuffy feeling in the chest and diaphragm.
Helps prevent stagnation.
CAUTION
Contraindicated in dry cough due to Yin or Qi Deficiency, as it is drying (fragrant) and warm. Use with caution with a red tongue or yellow phlegm (symptoms of heat).
CONDONOPSIS PILOSULA
Dang Shen CODONOPSIS ROOT
This herb is similar to Ren Shen: it treats Qi Deficiency, affecting primarily the Lungs and Spleen (the main digestive organ in TCM). It is less expensive than Ren Shen.
HOW TO USE
Dang Shen does basically the same work as Ren Shen, but is not as strong. In prescriptions it is used in place of ginseng to tonify the qi of the Spleen and Lungs, while ginseng is preferred for more serious situations, such as a patient who is barely conscious.
It is used for lack of appetite, fatigue, tired limbs, diarrhea, vomiting, and prolapse—all symptoms of Spleen Qi Deficiency. It is also used for Lung Deficiency with chronic cough, shortness of breath, or copious sputum due to Spleen Deficiency. As it tonifies fluids, it is used in diabetes and the aftermath of febrile illnesses. It is the main herb in the seminal qi tonic prescription Si Jun Zi Wan (“Four Gentlemen”). Like all the qi tonics, it is sweet and cloying, and must therefore be combined with qi-moving herbs.
Tonifies the Lungs.
PROPERTIES Sweet, Neutral
CHANNELS Lung, Spleen
FUNCTIONS AND USES
Tonifies the Middle area, benefits the qi, and strengthens the Stomach and Spleen: use for all Deficient Qi patterns.
Strengthens the qi and nourishes fluids.
CAUTION
Long-term