Stabilize & Bind /
Calm Spirit
HCR7
Stabilize & Bind
• Astringent herbs
• - includes sour (mostly warm-moistening)
and astringent (mostly cooling-drying)
herbs
• - LU, LI, SP, KD most frequently require
astringing.
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Sour, sl warm / Kd, Lr
A&I: Stabilizes Kidney, retains essence: polyuria,
incontinence, sperm leakage, excessive sweating. (You
Gui Wan)
Tonifies Lr & Kd, essence: dizziness, weak lumbar,
impotence.
Prolonged menstruation d/t def. (Liu Wei Di Huang
Wan)
C&C: Contraindicated: dysuria, damp-heat. Antagonizes
Jie geng, Fang feng, Fang ji.
3-12 g
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Wu wei zi - Schisandra fruit / Fructus Schisandrae
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warm, sour /
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A&I: Astringes Lu qi: chronic cough. (Bu Fei Tang)
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Ht, Kd, Lu
Binds essence: nocturnal emission, vaginal discharge.
(Tu Si Zi Wan)
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Diarrhea d/t Sp/Kd def. (Si Shen Wan)
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Excessive sweating. (Sheng Mai San)
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Calms Ht: irritability, insomnia. (Tian Wang Bu Xin
Dan)
Recent: skin allergies, hepatitis
C&C: Contraindicated: unresolved ext pattern, xs int
heat, early-stage cough or rash.
1.5-9 g. Crush before using.
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Wu mei - Black plum / Fructus Mume
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warm, sour /
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A&I: Astringes Lu qi: chronic cough. (Jiu Xian San)
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Chronic diarrhea.
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Alieviates thirst d/t def heat.
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Expels parasites. (Wu Mei Wan)
LI, Lr, Lu, Sp
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Uterine bleeding, bloody stool esp w/thirst.
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Topical: corns & warts.
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C&C: Contraindicated: int xs heat, ext patterns
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3-9 g.
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Chi shi zi - Kaolin / Halloysitum Rubrum
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warm, sour, sweet, astringent / Sp, St, LI
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Binds intestines, stops diarrhea.
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Stops bleeding: bloody stool, uterine d/t cold in lower
jiao.
Topical: chronic sores.
C&C: Caution: pregnancy. Contraindicated: earlystage dysentery, hot diarrhea, damp-heat.
Antagonizes Da huang, counteracts Yuan hua, Huang
qin.
9-30 g
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He zi - Chebula fruit / Fructus Chebulae
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neutral, sour, bitter, astringent / Lu, LI, St
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A&I: Chronic diarrhea or dysentery.
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Astringe Lu qi: cough, asthma, or chronic cough w/loss of
voice.
C&C: Contraindicated: ext patterns, damp-heat
accumulation.
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Raw: cough, loss of voice. Roasted: diarrhea.
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3-10 g
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Rou dou kou - Nutmeg / Semen Myristicae
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warm, acrid / Sp, St, LI
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A&I: Warms middle jiao, moves qi: abdominal pain,
vomiting, nausea. (Jian Pi Wan)
Stops diarrhea d/t Sp/Kd def. (Si Shen Wan)
C&C: Contraindicated: damp-heat diarrhea or
dysentery.
3-10 g 1.5-3 g pills or powder
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Chun pi - Ailanthus bark / Cortex ailanthi
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cold, bitter, astringent / Lr, St, LI
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A&I: Clears heat, dries dampness: damp-heat
diarrhea, leukorrhea
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Stops bleeding: bloody stool. (Gu Jing Wan)
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Kill parasites
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C&C: Contraindicated: def cold, def yin
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3-9 g
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Lian zi - Lotus seed / Semen Nelumbinis
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neutral, sweet, astringent / K, Sp, Ht
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A&I: Tonifies Sp, stops diarrhea. (Shen Ling Bai Zhu
San)
Tonifies Kd stabilizes essence: seminal emissions,
leukorrhea. (Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan)
Nourishes blood, calms mind: palpitations, anxiety,
insomnia, irritability.
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C&C: Contraindicated: ab distension, constipation
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6-15 g
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Qian shi - Euryale seed / Semen Euryales
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neutral, sweet, astringent / K, Sp
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A&I: Tonifies Sp, stops diarrhea.
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Tonifies Kd stabilizes essence: seminal emissions,
freq urination. (Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan)
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Expels dampness: leukorrhea d/t def or damp-heat.
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9-15 g
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Jin ying zi - Cherokee rose hips / Fr Rosae laevigatae
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neutral, sour, astringent / K, UB, LI
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A&I: Retains essence: spermatorrhea, freq urination,
leukorrhea, prolapse of anus or uterus, uterine
bleeding.
Chronic diarrhea or dysentery.
C&C: Contraindicated: fire or excessive pathogenic
factors. OD, long-term may cause ab pain,
constipation.
4.5-9 g
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Fu xiao mai - Light wheat / Fructus Tritici levis
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cool, sweet, salty / Ht
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A&I: Stops sweating: spontaneous or night sweating. (Mu
Li San)
Nourishes Ht, calms mind: restless organ disorder. (Gan
Mai Da Zao Tang)
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Pediatric enuresis
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9-15 g
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Ma huang gen - Ephedra root / Radix Ephedrae
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neutral, sweet / Lu
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A&I: Stops sweating d/t def: spontaneous or night
sweating. (Mu Li San)
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C&C: Contraindicated: ext patterns
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3-10 g
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Hai piao xiao - Cuttlefish bone / Os Sepiae seu Sepiellae
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sl warm, salty, astringent / Lr, K, St
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A&I: Stops uterine bleeding and leukorrhea. (Gu Chong
Tang)
Retains essence: nocturnal emission, premature
ejaculation.
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Controls acidity, stops St pain.
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Promotes healing of ulcers.
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C&C: Contraindicated: def yin, xs heat.
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4.5-12 g
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Sang piao xiao - Mantis egg case Ootheca Mantidis
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neutral, sweet, salty /
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Lr, K
A&I: Tonifies Kd yang, restrains essence & urination:
seminal emission, nocturnal enuresis (esp in children),
leukorrhea. (Sang Piao Xiao San)
C&C: Contraindicated: yin def fire, UB heat w/frequent
urine.
3-10 g
Calm the Spirit
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This category is further subdivided into herbs that
1) settle and calm the Spirit
primarily cool/cold, salty or sweet minerals and sea
shells; potent sedative effect.
includes toxic heavy metals.
2) nourish HT and calm the Spirit.
primarily neutral and sweet; tonify HT Yin, HT Blood,
and LR Yin.
Settle & Calm Spirit
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Long gu - Dragon's bone / Os draconis
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neutral, sweet, astringent / Ht, Kd, Lr
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A&I: Pacifies Lr, anchors yang: dizziness, vertigo,
blurred vision. (Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang)
Calms Ht: palpitations, insomnia. (Chai Hu Jia Long
Gu Mu Li Tang)
Astringes leukorrhea, seminal emissions, sweating.
(Sang Piao Xiao San)
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Topical: chronic sores.
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Should be cooked before adding other herbs.
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15-30 g
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Mu li - Oyster shell / Concha Ostreae
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cool, salty / Kd, Lr
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A&I: Pacifies Lr, anchors yang: dizziness, vertigo,
blurred vision. (Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang)
Calms Ht: palpitations, insomnia. (Chai Hu Jia Long
Gu Mu Li Tang)
Astringes leukorrhea, seminal emissions, sweating.
(Mu Li San)
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Softens, dissipates nodules. (Xiao Luo Wan)
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Xs stomach acid.
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C&C: Contraindicated: hi fever w/o sweating. OD:
indigestion, constipation.
15-30 g
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Ci shi - Loadstone / Magnetite
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cold, salty, acrid /
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Kd, Lr
A&I: Anchors & calms: restlessness, insomnia,
palpitations, tremors, children's seizures d/t fright. (Ci
Zhu Wan)
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Improves hearing & vision. (Er Long Zuo Ci Wan)
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Kd not grasping qi.
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Caution: weak Sp/St. Antagonizes Mu dan pi.
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Decoct 20-30 min before adding other herbs.
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9-30 g
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Zhu sha - Cinnabar / Cinnabaris
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cool, sweet, toxic / Kd, Lr
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A&I: Sedates Ht: restlessness, palpitations, anxiety,
seizures. (Zhu Sha An Shen Wan, Tian Wang Bu Xin
Dan)
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Topical: toxic swellings, snakebite.
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C&C: Do not use, TOXIC, contains mercury.
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0.3-2.5 g pill or powder
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Zhen zhu - Pearl / Margarita
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cold, salty / Ht, Lr
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A&I: Sedates Ht: tremors, seizures, palpitations,
frightens easily. (An Gong Niu Huang Wan)
Clears Lr, brightens eyes: dim vision, red eyes,
photophobia.
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Topical: chronic sores.
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0.3-0.9 g pills, powders, eyedrops
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Zhen zhu mu - Mother-of-pearl
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cold, sweet, salty / Ht, Lr
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A&I: Pacifies Lr, anchors yang. Clears Lr, brightens
eyes.
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Substitute for Zhen Zhu
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15-30g decoct first.
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Hu po - Amber / Succinum
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neutral, sweet / Ht, Lr, UB
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A&I: Tranquilizes mind: infantile seizures, palpitations,
insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep. (Ding Xian Wan)
Bl stasis menstrual problems.
Promotes urination: freq, painful, bloody urine or
stones.
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C&C: Contraindicated in yin deficiency with heat
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0.9-3 g powder
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Dai zhe shi - Hematite / Hematitum
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cold, bitter / Lr, Ht, Pc
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A&I: Pacifies Lr, anchors yang: dizziness, vertigo,
tinnitus. (Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang)
Strongly downbears qi: vomiting, belching, wheezing.
(Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang)
Vomiting blood, nosebleeds.
C&C: Caution: pregnancy. Some samples contain
arsenic salts.
9-30 g
Nourish Heart &
Calm Spirit
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Suan zao ren - Wild jujube seed / Semen Zizyphi
spinosae
neutral, sweet / Ht, Lr
A&I: Nourishes blood, calms shen: irritability, insomnia,
palpitations, forgetfulness. (Suan Zao Ren Tang, Gui Pi
Tang)
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Stops sweating: spontaneous or night sweating
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C&C: Caution: Severe diarrhea; XS heat
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10-18g
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Bai zi ren - Biota seed / Semen Biotae
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neutral, sweet / Ht, K, LI
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A&I: Nourishes blood, calms shen: insomnia,
palpitations, anxiety. (Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan)
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Night sweats: d/t Yin deficiency
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Moistens intestines
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C&C: Contraindicated: loose stool, phlegm
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10-18g
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Yuan zhi - Polygala root / Radix Polygalae
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sl warm, acrid, bitter / Ht, Lu
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A&I: Calms shen: restlessness, insomnia, palpitations.
(Gui Pi Tang)
Transforms phlegm, clears orifices: cough w/thick
sputum, turbid phlegm misting Heart (Ding Zhi Wan,
Ding Xian Wan)
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C&C: Caution: Gastritis, gastric ulcer.
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3-10g
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He huan pi - Albizzia bark, Mimosa tree bark / Cx
Albizziae
neutral, sweet /
Ht, Lr
A&I: Calms shen: insomnia, memory lapse, irritability d/t
depression.
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Moves blood, reduces swelling: trauma, injury
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Boils
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He huan hua - Albizzia flower: neutral, sweet, moves
Liver qi & blood, calms shen, esp useful for emotional
constraint, epigastric pain.
10-15g
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Ye jiao teng - Fleeceflower vine / Caulis Polygoni multiflori
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neutral, sweet, sl bitter / Ht, Lr
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A&I: Nourishes Heart blood, calms shen: esp dreamdisturbed sleep. (Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin)
Unblocks channels: weakness, soreness, numbness d/t
Blood def.
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Topical: itchy skin
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9-30g
Extinguish Wind &
Stop Tremors
• Herbs for extinguishing Internal Wind
• - treat tremors, paralysis, convulsions,
muscle twitches, and dizziness
• - tend to be neutral to cold, salty and
sweet; enter LR
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Ling yang jiao - Antelope horn / Cornus Saigae
Tataricae
cold, salty / Lr, Ht
A&I: Calms Lr, extinguishes wind: high fever, spasms,
convulsions esps in children. (Ling Jiao Gou Teng
Tang)
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Anchors yang.
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Clears Lr fire, brightens eyes.
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Clears Pc heat: mania, coma.
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Wind-damp-heat bi.
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1.5-3 g decoction; 0.3-0.5 g powder
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Shan yang jiao - Goat horn: salty, cold, sim to Ling
yang jiao but weaker, use 9-15g in decoction.
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Gou teng - Uncaria stem / Ramulus Uncariae cum Uncis
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cool, sweet / Lr, Pc, Ht
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A&I: Extinguishes wind, alleviates spasms: tremors,
spasms, seizures. (Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang)
Clears heat, calms Lr: Lr fire or yang rising, incl HTN.
(Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin)
Ext wind-heat.
6-15 g; Cook less than 10 min. Hooks are most effective
part.
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Tian ma - Gastrodia tuber / Rhizoma Gastrodiae
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neutral, sweet / Lr
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A&I: Extinguishes wind, controls spasms: tremors,
seizures, etc, d/t heat or bl def. (Tian Ma Gou Teng
Yin)
Stops pain: headaches, etc, d/t wind-phlegm, or winddamp bi in low back & extremities. (Ban Xia Bai Zhu
Tian Ma Tang)
3-10 g decoction; 1-1.5 g powder
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Bai ji li - Tribulus fruit / Fructus Tribuli
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neutral, bitter, acrid / Lr
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A&I: Calms Lr, anchors yang.
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Lr qi stagnation: chest/flank pain, insufficient lactation.
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Stops itching. (Dang Gui Yin Zi)
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Brightens eyes
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C&C: Caution: pregnancy, qi & bl def.
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6-10 g
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Shi jue ming - Abalone shell / Concha Haliotidis
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cold, salty / Lr, K
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A&I: Anchors yang: HA, dizziness. (Tian Ma Gou Teng
Yin)
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Clears Lr fire, brightens eyes.
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C&C: Counteracts Xuan fu hua.
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9-30 g Cook 1 hr before adding other herbs.
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Di long - Earthworm / Lumbricus
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cold, salty / Lr, Lu, Sp, UB
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A&I: Clears heat, stops spasms.
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Calms wheezing d/t Lu heat.
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Promotes urination: dysuria, edema, HTN
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Clears channels & luo vessels: hot bi, hemiplegia.
(Xiao Huo Luo Dan, Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang)
5-15 g; 10-20 g if fresh
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Quan xie - Scorpion / Buthus martensi
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neutral, acrid, salty, toxic / Lr
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A&I: Extinguishes wind, stops spasms: acute or
chronic convulsions, tics, tetany. (Qian Zheng San)
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Fire toxin: swellings, sores.
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Stops pain: migraines, bi.
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C&C: Toxic, avoid OD. Contraindicated: pregnancy, bl
def.
2-4.5 g decoction; 0.6-1 g powder
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Wu gong - Centipede / Scolopendra
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warm, acrid, toxic / Lr
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A&I: Extinguishes wind, stops spasms: acute or
chronic convulsions, lockjaw, seizures.
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Fire toxin: boils, snakebites.
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Stops pain: migraines, bi.
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C&C: Toxic, avoid OD. Contraindicated: pregnancy.
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1-3 g decoction; 0.6-1 g powder
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Jiang can - Sick silkworm / Bombyx Batryticatus
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neutral, acrid, salty / Lr, Lu
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A&I: Extinguishes wind, stops spasms: child
convulsions, facial paralysis d/t Lr wind or Windphlegm-heat. (Ding Xian Wan)
Phlegm-heat nodules.
Expels wind, stops pain: HA, red eyes, sore throat,
aphonia d/t Lr or ext wind.
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Stops itching.
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Raw: wind-heat. Fried: all else.
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C&C: Antagonizes Jie geng, Fu ling, Bei xie, Sang
piao xiao.
3-9 g decoction; 1-1.5 g pills or powders
Herbs for opening the
Orifices
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- primarily used for stroke/CNS collapse with coma or
imminent coma.
- must differentiate between Cold-type or Heat-type.
- not for Yang Collapse; aromatic and scattering, can
easily drain the body's Qi.
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She xiang - Deer musk / Moschus
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warm, acrid, aromatic / Ht, Sp, Lr
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A&I: Intensely opens orifices, revives consciousness:
heat entering Pc, tetany, phlegm collapse, seizures.
(An Gong Niu Huang Wan, Su He Xiang Wan)
Moves blood, reduces swelling, relieves pain: toxic
sores, masses, trauma, coronary artery disease. (Qi Li
San)
Hastens delivery, esp in stillborns.
C&C: Contraindicated: pregnancy, yin def heat.
Endangered.
0.06-0.15g pills, powders
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Su he xiang - Styrax Liquidis
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warm, sweet, acrid, aromatic / Ht, Sp
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A&I: Opens orifices, penetrates turbidity: esp cold
disorders, also phlegm, closed, epidemic toxic. (Su He
Xiang Wan)
Cold, fullness, pain in chest.
C&C: Contraindicated: hi fever & coma, spontaneous
sweat & collapse. Caution: pregnancy.
0.3-1 g pill, powder
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Bing pian - Borneol
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Cool, acrid, bitter / Ht, Lu, Sp
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A&I: Opens orifices, revives spirit: fainting,
convulsions. (An Gong Niu Huang Wan)
Topical: throat pain/swelling, skin diseases, eye
diseases, regenerates flesh.
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C&C: Contraindicated: qi & bl def. Caution: pregnancy.
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0.3-0.9 g pill, powder
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Shi chang pu - Acorus / Rz Acori Graminei
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sl warm, acrid, aromatic / Ht, St
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A&I: Opens orifices, vaporizes phlegm, quiets spirit:
deafness, dizziness, dull senses, seizures. (Ding Zhi
Wan, Di Tan Tang)
Harmonizes middle jiao, transforms turbidity: chest
fullness, ab pain d/t Sp/St damp. (Lian Po Yin)
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Wind-damp bi, trauma, sores: internal or topical.
C&C: Caution: yin def heat, excessive sweating,
vomiting blood, spermatorrhea. Antagonizes Ma
huang.
3-9 g decoction, pills, powders
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Niu huang - Bovine Bezoar, Cattle Gallstone /
Calculus Bovis
cool, bitter, sweet / Ht, Lr
A&I: Clears Ht, opens orifices, awakens spirit,
vaporizes phlegm: delirium d/t febrile diseases, hot
phlegm obstructing Pc, wind-stroke, seizures. (An
Gong Niu Huang Wan)
Clears Lr heat, extinguishes wind: spasms, tremors
w/fever.
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Toxic heat swellings.
C&C: Contraindicated: pregnancy, Sp/St def, absence
of xs heat.
Antagonizes Long gu, Sheng di huang, Long dan cao,
Chang shan, Niu xi.
0.15-1g pills, powders