COIX LACHRYMA JOBI
Yi Yi Ren seeds of job’s tears
This is one of the Chinese herbs that transform Dampness, but it is more active on the Lower Burner than the Middle Burner.
HOW TO USE
Like Fu Ling, Yi Yi Ren clears Dampness by promoting urination, but its Spleen-strengthening function is not as strong, and it works more on the Lower Burner (Kidneys) than on the Middle Burner (Spleen and Stomach). Use with Spleen-tonifying herbs to get rid of water retention; it may be used for Lung or Intestinal abscesses to help get rid of pus.
PROPERTIES Sweet, Bland, slightly Cold
CHANNELS Spleen, Lung, Kidney
FUNCTIONS AND USES
Promotes urination and leeches out Dampness: for edema or water retention in the legs.
Clears Wind Dampness: this means Painful Obstruction syndrome, such as arthritic conditions.
Clears Heat and expels pus: use when sores have become full of pus; pushes pus out.
Strengthens Spleen and stops diarrhea: use when the Spleen is deficient, causing Damp diarrhea.
Clears Damp Heat: for any digestive problems with a greasy yellow tongue coating.
CAUTION
Use with caution during pregnancy.
CORNUS OFFICINALIS
Shan Zhu Yu CORNELIAN CHERRY FRUIT, DOGWOOD FRUIT
Shan Zhu Yu stabilizes and binds. It is sour and astringent, and helps keep in bodily substances which may leak, such as urine.
HOW TO USE
Shan Zhu Yu is used for leakage of fluids due to weak Jing-essence, with symptoms such as excessive urination, incontinence, spermatorrhea, and premature ejaculation. In shock, it helps Liver and Kidney Deficiency, with such symptoms as lightheadedness, dizziness, sore and weak low back and knees, or impotence. It is useful for excessive uterine bleeding when the cause is Deficiency. It is one of the six herbs in the basic yin-tonifying prescription Liu Wei di Huang Wan (Six Flavor prescription), so if carefully combined it may tonify yin or yang.
PROPERTIES Sour, slightly Warm
CHANNELS Kidney, Liver
FUNCTIONS AND USES
Firms the Kidneys and retains the Jing-essence.
Absorbs sweating and supports collapse: use for devastated yang and qi, as in shock.
Tonifies and builds the Liver and Kidneys.
Stabilizes the menses and stops bleeding.
COPTIS CHINENSIS
Huang Lian COPTIS RHISZOME, GOLDEN THREAD
This herb clears Heat: this includes febrile conditions and illnesses with Heat signs. It is one of the “Three Yellows,” which are often used together for severe infections.
HOW TO USE
Huang Lian deals with Damp Heat in the Middle Burner (digestive organs), and also the Heart and Pericardium. This latter leads to symptoms such as very high fever with delirium and disorientation. It can also be used to treat painful, red eyes and sore throat. It is very good with the infectious diseases still prevalent in the developing world. It is used for violent diarrhea and acid regurgitation from Stomach Heat. A decoction may be placed on sore, red eyes, boils, anal fissures, conjunctivitis, and used locally it is good for treating trichomoniasis, a protozoan infection of the vagina.
PROPERTIES Bitter, Cold
CHANNELS Heart, Liver, Stomach, Large Intestine
FUNCTIONS AND USES
Clears Heat and detoxifies Fire Poison.
Clears Heat and drains Dampness, especially in the Stomach and Intestines—dysentery, vomiting.
Clears Heart Fire: symptoms such as irritability and insomnia.
Stops Hot bleeding.
Drains Stomach Fire: digestive dysfunction.
CAUTION
Do not use for deficient yin patterns, where the fluid may be deficient anyway—Huang Lian would dry out more. Like all the clearing heat herbs it is Cold in energy, so it is contraindicated in any diseases cause by Cold.
CRATAEGUS PINNATIFIDA
Shan Zha HAWTHORN FRUIT, CRATAEGUS
This herb relieves digestive problems resulting from overindulgence in greasy foods, and helps to promote efficient digestion by increasing gastrointestinal secretions and enzymatic functions.
HOW TO USE
Shan Zha is used for abdominal distention, belching, pain, and reduced appetite. It is also used for children who fail to thrive. It is especially useful if the symptoms are accompanied by diarrhea or chronic dysentery. It is particularly indicated for postnatal abdominal pain and menstrual pain when the cause is congealed Blood, and hernias with testicular pain and swelling. Recently it has also been used for hypertension (high blood pressure), coronary artery disease, and high cholesterol.
PROPERTIES Sour, Sweet, slightly Warm
CHANNELS Liver, Spleen, Stomach
FUNCTIONS AND USES
Reduces and guides out food stagnation: for obstruction due to meat or greasy foods.
Transforms Blood stasis and dissipates knottedness: enters the Blood level and is used for treating Blood stagnation disorders.
Stops diarrhea: when the herb is slightly charred, it has an astringent effect.
CAUTION
Use with caution in cases of Spleen and Stomach Deficiency without food stagnation, and in diseases with acid regurgitation.
CUSCUTA CHINENSIS
Tu Su Zi CHINESE DODDER SEEDS
This herb tonifies the yang, and as they are the basis of all the body’s yang, it mainly affects the Kidneys. In TCM, the Kidneys house the body’s reserves, and the Kidney yang is also responsible for sexual and endocrine disorders.
HOW TO USE
Tu Su Zi helps the Jing-essence so is good for impotence, nocturnal emissions, and premature ejaculation, as well as such Kidney Yang Deficient symptoms, such as sore lower back and knees, frequent urination, incontinence, and vaginal discharge. It is used for such Liver and Kidney Deficient symptoms as tinnitus (ringing in the ears), dizziness, blurred vision, or spots in front of the eyes. It stops leaking, so it is good for diarrhea or loose stools from Deficiency, and it also helps prevent threatened or habitual miscarriage.
PROPERTIES Acrid, Sweet, Neutral