PROPERTIES Sweet, Neutral (raw), Warm (toasted)
CHANNELS All 12 channels
FUNCTIONS AND USES
Tonifies the Spleen and benefits the qi.
Moistens the Lungs and stops coughing: because it is neutral, it can be used to treat either Heat or Cold in the Lungs.
Clears Heat and detoxifies Fire Poison: use Gan Cao for sores or sore throats with pus.
CAUTION
Contraindicated for cases of excess Dampness, nausea, or vomiting. May cause high blood pressure or edema if taken for an extended period of time.
LEDEBOURIELLA SESLOIDES
Fang Feng
Fang Feng 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.
HOW TO USE
Fang Feng means in English “guard against wind,” so it is used particularly in ailments where Wind is predominant, according to TCM. This means it causes sweating (Acrid quality) in colds and flu. It is also useful in arthritis, where the pain moves about from joint to joint (Wind type of arthritis). It treats numbness and trembling caused by Wind and Phlegm blocking the channels.
PROPERTIES Acrid, Sweet, slightly Warm
CHANNELS Bladder, Liver, Spleen
FUNCTIONS AND USES
Releases the Exterior and expels Wind: use for headaches, chills, and body aches from externally contracted Wind Cold.
Expels Wind Dampness and alleviates pain: use for Exterior Wind Damp Painful Obstruction (rheumatic ailments).
Expels Wind: Fang Feng alleviates trembling of the hands and feet.
CAUTION
Contraindicated in cases of Deficient Blood with spasms—it does not tonify the blood and produces sweating, so one would have to add tonifying blood herbs to stop it depleting the Blood further. Contraindicated for cases of Deficient Yin with heat signs. Yin is the fluid in the body and it keeps the body cool, so Deficient Yin can produce a “false heat” such as in menopausal sweats. As Fang Feng produces more sweat it would deplete the yin fluid even further—it needs to be carefully contraindicated.
LINGUSTICUM CHUANXIONG
Chuan Xiong SZECHUAN LOVAGE ROOT, CNIDIUM
This herb invigorates (or “regulates”) the Blood, treating disorders associated with Blood stasis. In TCM, these problems include pain and internal masses or growths.
HOW TO USE
Chuan Xiong is an important herb for gynecology, as many gynecological problems are caused by Stagnant Blood circulation—problems such as dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps), amenorrhea (lack of menstruation), difficult labor, or retained placenta. It is also used for chest, flank, and epigastric (above the navel) pain caused by Stagnant Qi and Blood. It is a leading herb for externally caught Wind disorders (viruses), with symptoms such as headaches, migraines, and dizziness. It is useful for arthritis and a variety of skin problems caused by Wind, including itching. It is an essential herb used in combinations for treating all types of headaches.
PROPERTIES Acrid, Warm
CHANNELS Liver, Gall Bladder, Pericardium
FUNCTIONS AND USES
Invigorates the Blood and promotes the circulation of qi: use for any Blood stasis patterns, especially in gynecology.
Expels Wind and alleviates pain: it goes to the top and exterior parts of the body.
CAUTION
Contraindicated in yin deficiency with Heat signs (it is warming), headaches due to rising Liver yang, Qi Deficiency (it does not tonify), or excessive menstrual bleeding (it moves blood further).
LONICERA JAPONICA
Jin Yin Hua HONEYSUCKLE, "GOLD SILVER FLOWER"
Jin Yin Hua is one of a group of herbs that clears Heat: this includes febrile conditions and any illnesses with Heat signs, such as fever, inflammation, red eyes, aversion to heat, and hot skin eruptions.
HOW TO USE
Jin Yin Hua has a strong effect against many pathogenic bacteria. It is especially useful against salmonella (food poisoning), and is effective against many streptococcus or staphylococcus infections. It is good for painful, hot swellings, particularly of the breast (mastitis), throat (viral or bacterial tonsillitis), or eyes (conjunctivitis). It is also used in “summer-heat diseases,” where the hot weather produces fevers, sweating, and thirst. It is used for bad dysentery and bacterial urinary tract infections.
PROPERTIES Sweet, Cold
CHANNELS Large Intestine, Lung, Stomach
FUNCTIONS AND USES
Clears Heat and relieves toxicity: use Jin Yin Hua for hot, painful sores.
Expels External Wind Heat: use for the early stages of febrile illnesses.
Clears Damp Heat from Lower Burner: use for dysentery or cystitis.
CAUTION
Contraindicated in cases of diarrhea due to Spleen and Stomach Deficiency—it is for strong infections and does not tonify weakness. Contraindicated in sores which do not have infected pus, but clear liquid inside.
LYCIUM BARBARUM
Gou Qi Zi CHINESE WOLFBERRY, MATRIMONY VINE FRUIT
This herb treats patterns of Blood Deficiency, and in TCM the two organs most affected by this disorder are the Heart and Liver, which direct and store the Blood, respectively.
HOW TO USE
Gou Qi Zi is used for such Liver and Kidney Deficient symptoms as sore back and weak knees, impotence, leaking of sperm, and diabetes, particularly in the elderly, when the yin is in decline. It is used for Liver and Kidney Deficiency which leads to Blood and essence failing to nourish the eyes, so is good for failing or blurred vision, dizziness, dry, or sore eyes. As it enriches the yin of the Lungs, it is good for consumptive coughs.
PROPERTIES Sweet, Neutral
CHANNELS Liver, Lung, Kidney
FUNCTIONS AND USES
Nourishes and tonifies the Liver and Kidneys: because this herb is neither Hot nor Cold, it is commonly used in treating Liver and Kidney Deficiency with patterns of Yin and Blood Deficiency.
Benefits