Clear Heat and Purge Fire

Question 1

Shi Gao

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Answer 1

-cools lung + stomach fire
-vents exterior, releases muscle layer
-yangming qi/jing syndrome (4 bigs)
-applied topically for eczema, burns, ulcerated sores

(gypsum)

very cold ~ sweet, acrid ~ LU, ST

Question 2

Zhi Mu

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Answer 2

-clears fire and nourishes yin of the lungs, stomach, kidneys
-moistens dryness
-use for heat sx
-generates fluids
-use w drying/warming herbs to ameliorate dryness

cold ~ bitter, sweet ~ LU, ST, KD

Question 3

Zhi Zi

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Answer 3

-resolves constrained heat (heat that is not going away, it’s established)
-enters all 3 burners which makes it especially helpful
-directs damp-heat downward and out thru urine
-irritability
-cools the blood and breaks up toxicity / toxic accumulations
-can apply topically

(gardenia fruit)

cold ~ bitter ~ HT, LU, ST, LV, TB

Question 4

Dan Zhu Ye

Answer 4

-leaches out dampness; facilitates urination
-clears heart fire
-after warm disease a person may have lurking heat / chronic inflammation that won’t go away which shows up as persistent irritability

cold ~ sweet, bland ~ HT, SI, ST

Question 5

Xia Ku Cao

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Answer 5

-cools liver fire that manifests in facial/head area, especially eyes
-helps dissipate nodules due to liver fire/heat
-hypertension bc of liver excess

(selfheal spike / prunella)

cold ~ bitter, acrid ~ LV

Question 6

Lian Zi Xin

Answer 6

-clears heat from heart + pericardium
-drains heart fire (heat harassing the heart, affecting sleep, emotions)
-stops bleeding and binds the essence (ie vomiting blood, spermathorrhea)
-not the best for deficiency
-works well in summertime

(lotus plumule)

cold ~ bitter ~ HT, PC

Question 7

Lu Gen

Answer 7

-cools lung + stomach
-generates fluids w/o being cloying
-alleviates nausea
-clears heat via urination

(reed rhizome)

cold ~ sweet ~ LU, ST

Question 8

Tian Hua Fen

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Answer 8

-mostly used to clear heat w/o damaging body b/c it generates fluids
-transforms phlegm, moistens lung dryness, for phlegm heat type of cough
-reduces swelling
-invigorates blood
-resolves toxicity
-can be applied topically, for hot toxic sores ie breast abscess
-used for abortion

cold ~ bitter, slightly sweet ~ LU, ST

Question 9

Jue Ming Zi

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Answer 9

-clears liver excess and cools eyes
-anchors errant liver yang
-nourishes liver + kidney yin
-can reduce hypertension, help w cardiovascular disease
-can be laxative, moistens intestines

(cassia seeds)

sl cold ~ bitter, sweet, salty ~ LV, LI, KD