Ch 16 Substances that extinguish wind and stop tremors

Question 1

Ling Yang Jiao ***

Antelope horn

Answer 1

Salty, cold (1-3g)
HT, LV
Drains LV heat, calms LV, extinguishes wind and controls spasms and convulsions (#1 LV wind); Anchors yang; Drains heat, resolves fire toxicity, improves the vision; Clears damp heat
NOT w/chronic convulsions from SP xu

Question 2

Gou Teng ***
“hook vine”
(uncaria vine)

Answer 2

Sweet, slightly cold
PC, LV
Extinguishes wind, alleviates spasms; Drains LV heat and pacifies LV yang (#1 for this, also used for hypertension); Releases exterior; for pediatrics
CAUTION in absence of WH or heat from excess. Don’t overcook

Question 3

Tian Ma ***
“heavenly hemp”
(gastrodia rhizome)

Answer 3

Sweet, neutral
LV
Calms the LV (gently nourishes), extinguishes wind, controls spasms and tremors; Extinguishes wind, alleviates pain (great for HA, dizziness, migraine); Disperses painful obstruction

Question 4

Shi Jue Ming ***
“stone decision brightness”
(abalone shell)

Answer 4

Salty, cold (15-30g)
KD, LV
Drains LV fire and anchors/sedates LV yang (also insomnia); Improves vision, clears superficial visual obstructions; Recently for increased gastric acidity, hypertension, topically for traumatic bleeding
CAUTION w/xu cold of SP/ST w/loose stools or decreased appetite

Question 5

Di Long ***
“Earth Dragon”
(earth worm)

Answer 5

Salty, cold
BL, LV, LU, SP
Drains heat, settles convulsions, extinguishes wind, and stops spasms (schizophrenia, hemiplegia, etc); Clears heat, unblocks and promotes movement in channels and collaterals (mostly hot Bi); Clears heat, calms wheezing; Clears heat and promotes urination; Also recently for hypertension associated w/LYR patterns
NOT w/weak SP/ST. CAUTION w/out heat form excess

Question 6

Dai Zhe Shi ***
“Red stone from Dai county”
(hemetite, iron ore)

Answer 6

Bitter, cold
HT, LV, PC
Sedates and anchors LV yang, clears LV fire (heavy for vomiting, belching, hiccough, wheezing); Strongly directs rebellious Qi downward; Cools the blood, stops bleeding
CAUTION w/pregnancy, do not take long term

Question 7

Ci Ji Li **(*)
“Spiky plant”
(Caltrop fruit, puncture-vine fruit)

Answer 7

Acrid, bitter, neutral
LV
Calms LV, anchors yang; Dredges LV qi to smooth flow while dispersing constraint and clumping; Dispels WH and brightens eyes; Dispels wind, stops itching
CAUTION w/pregnancy

Question 8

Bai Jiang Can **

Body of sick silkworm

Answer 8

Acrid, salty, neutral
LV, LU
Extinguishes wind, stops spasms and convulsions (seizures, facial paralysis, childhood convulsions); Dispels wind, disperses WH, stops itching and pain; Transforms phlegm, softens hardness, dissipates nodules (for cancer)

Question 9

Quan Xie **
“Complete scorpion”
(scorpion)

Answer 9

Salty, acrid, neutral, toxic (2-4.5g)
LV
Strongly extinguishes LV wind, stops tremors and convulsions (from wind, phlegm); Tracks down wind, unblocks collaterals, stops pain (from even small hiding places); Attacks and resolves fire toxicity, dissipates nodules (for cancer)
CAUTION w/ dosage, toxic. NOT w/pregnancy, or wind from blood xu

Question 10

Wu Gong **

centipede, scolopendra

Answer 10

Acrid, warm, toxic (1-3g)
LV
Extinguishes wind, stops spasms and convulsions (acute or chronic childhood convulsions); Attacks toxin, dissipates nodules; Unblocks collaterals and stops pain (for cancer, ulcers, carbuncles)
TOXIC, caution w/dosage. NOT w/pregnancy