Herbs_CalmShen/OpenOrificese Flashcards
suan zao ren
ziziphi spinosae semen
Temp: neutral
Taste: sweet, sour
Channels: GB, HT, LV, SP
Dosage: 9-15g
1. tonifies yin and blood to calm shen • for insomnia
2. induces astringency
• esp. for Heart qi related sweating
Crush before decocting.
To enhance its ability to tonify yin and blood to calm shen, Suan Zao Ren should be dry-fried (Chao Suan Zao Ren). For insomnia, Suan Zao Ren can be taken as a single herb or swallowed as powder.
bai zi ren
platycladi semen
Temp: neutral Taste: sweet Channels: HT, KI, LI Dosage: 3-9g
- tonifies yin and blood to calm shen • esp. for Heart palpitation
- moistens Large Intestine to relieve constipation
• for constipation due to blood deficiency; for elderly or postpartum women - stops nightsweats due to yin deficiency
yuan zhi
polygalae radix
Temp: slightly warm
Taste: bitter, acrid
Channels: HT, LU
Dosage: 6-15g
1. transforms phlegm to calm shen
• for forgetfulness, cloudy thinking, light-headedness
2. transforms Lung phlegm
• for both phlegm-heat and phlegm-cold
3. used internally or externally to treat skin problems • for swelling, pain, heat toxicity
Yuan Zhi may cause nausea and vomiting or heartburn. It should be taken on a full stomach. Use caution in cases of stomach ulcer.
yuan zhi
polygalae radix
Temp: slightly warm
Taste: bitter, acrid
Channels: HT, LU
Dosage: 6-15g
1. transforms phlegm to calm shen
• for forgetfulness, cloudy thinking, light-headedness
2. transforms Lung phlegm
• for both phlegm-heat and phlegm-cold
3. used internally or externally to treat skin problems • for swelling, pain, heat toxicity
Yuan Zhi may cause nausea and vomiting or heartburn. It should be taken on a full stomach. Use caution in cases of stomach ulcer.
he huan pi
albiziae cortex
Temp: neutral
Taste: sweet
Channels: HT, LV
Dosage: 6-15g
1. tonifies yin and blood to calm shen • esp. for depression
2. invigorates blood
• for injury, trauma, bruises, pain, swelling
• mild
The flower of He Huan Pi is called He Huan Hua. It is better at calming shen, but it does not invigorate blood.
he huan pi
albiziae cortex
Temp: neutral
Taste: sweet
Channels: HT, LV
Dosage: 6-15g
1. tonifies yin and blood to calm shen • esp. for depression
2. invigorates blood
• for injury, trauma, bruises, pain, swelling
• mild
The flower of He Huan Pi is called He Huan Hua. It is better at calming shen, but it does not invigorate blood.
Herbs that Calm Shen
Symptoms
- sleeping problems (insomnia, copious dreaming)
- poor concentration
- heart palpitation
These herbs do not treat more serious shen disturbance, such as delirium and unconsciousness.
Four ways to calm shen:
• Clear Liver heat and subdue Liver Yang
• Tonify Yin and Blood
• Transform (insubstantial) phlegm
• Clear Heart heat
Herbs that Clear Liver Heat
to calm Shen
?
Herbs that tonify Yin and Blood to calm Shen
• suan zao ren
• bai zi ren
• he huan pi
• ye jiao teng
Herbs that transform Phlegm
to calm Shen
• yuan zhi
Herbs that clear Heat
To calm Shen
• ?
ye jiao teng
polygoni multiflori caulis
Temp: neutral Taste: sweet Channels: HT, LV Dosage: 15-30g
- tonifies yin and blood to calm shen • esp. for insomnia
- unblocks, stretches, relaxes and smooths the channels
• for bi syndrome; secondary herb - used externally for itching and rash
Má Huáng
Herba Ephedrae | Ephedra
Acrid, Bitter
Warm
Lung, Bladder
1.5-9 grams
- Promotes sweating to release the exterior
- Descends and facilitates Lung Qi, calms wheezing, and stops coughing
- Promotes urination and reduces edema
- Warms and disperses Cold pathogens