Ch 14.2 Nourish the heart and calm the spirit

Question 1

Suan Zao Ren ***
“Sour date seed”
(Sour jujube seed)

Answer 1

Sweet, sour, neutral
GB, HT, LV, SP
Nourishes the HT yin, augments LV blood, and quiets the spirit (primary herb for insomnia); Prevents abnormal SWEATING
CAUTION w/severe diarrhea or heat from excess

Question 2

Bai Zi Ren ***

Chinese pine nut, arborvitae seed

Answer 2

sweet, neutral
HT, KD, LI
Nourishes the heart and calms the spirit; Moisetens the INTESTINES and unblock the bowels; Also used for night sweats d/t yin xu; NOT w/loose stools or phlegm disorders

Question 3

Yuan Zhi ***
“Profound will”
(Chinese Senega, thin leaf milkwort)

Answer 3

Bitter, acrid, slightly warm
HT, LU
Calms the spirit and quiets the HT; Expels phlegm, clears the orifices, and stops coughs (heavy, bundled head); Reduces abscesses and dissipates swellings
CAUTION - warm and drying 
NOT w/yin xu + heat, or peptic ulcers

Question 4

He Huan Pi ***
“Collective happiness skin”
(Silktree bark, albizzia)

Answer 4

Sweet, neutral (6-15g)
HT, LV
Calms spirit, relieves constraint (insomnia, depression, irritability, anxiety); Harmonizes/invigorates blood, stops pain, reconnects sinews and bones; Dissipates swellings, reduces abscesses
CAUTION during pregnancy (moving)

Question 5

Ye Jiao Teng ***
“nocturnal exchange vine”
(fleeceflower caulis)

Answer 5

Sweet, neutral (15-30g)
HT, LV
Nourishes the HT and blood, calms the spirit; Nourishes the blood and unblocks the channels; Alleviates itching, expels wind (and other skin disorders)

Question 6

Ling Zhi **

Red reishi mushrooms

Answer 6

Sweet, neutral
HT, LV, LU
Calms the spirit, augments the HT Qi, and tonifies the HT blood; Tonifies the LU Qi, transforms phlegm, and stops coughs and wheezing; Tonifies the Qi, nourishes the blood
CAUTION w/excess conditions