Herb Categories Flashcards
WARE
Warm Acrid Herbs That Release the Exterior
CARE
Cool Arid Herbs that Release the Exterior
What are the actions and cautions of WARE herbs?
Promote sweating to release pathogens from the superficial level. Caution with Yin or Qi deficiency, patients already sweating and DO NOT use long term
WARE herbs - taste/temp/channels
acrid/warm/LU
What are the actions and cautions of CARE herbs?
Dispel wind-heat to release the exterior AND use caution in patients with deficiency, sweating, or with long term use
CARE herbs - taste/temp/channels
acrid/cool/LU , LV
What are the actions and cautions of herbs that drain fire?
Clear heat and drain fire. These herbs treat Qi level or Yangming level heat, characterized by the Four Bigs (fever, pulse, sweat, thirst)
These herbs are cold and bitter; they may damage the Spleen
Herbs That Drain Fire - taste/temp/channels
Bitter or Sweet/cold/LU,ST,HT, LV
What are the actions and cautions of herbs that cool blood?
Clear heat from the Ying and Xue levels. Because heat at the blood level can damage yin, some of these herbs are sweet and nourish fluids.
These herbs are cold and bitter; they may damage the Spleen.
Herbs That Cool Blood - taste/temp/channels
Bitter/Sweet,/Salty, Cold, LV, HT
What are the actions and cautions of herbs that clear heat and dry dampness?
Clear heat and dry dampness (dysentery, urination problems, jaundice, skin problems)
These herbs are cold and bitter; they may damage the Spleen
Herbs That Clear Heat and Dry Dampness - taste/temp/channels
Bitter/cold/???
What are the actions and cautions of herbs that clear heat and resolve toxicity?
Clear heat toxicity (skin infections with pus, dysentery, viral infections)
These herbs are cold and bitter; they may damage the Spleen
Herbs That Clear Heat and Resolve Toxicity - taste/temp/channels
bitter/cold/???
What are the actions and cautions of herbs that clear heat from deficiency?
Clear heat due to Liver and Kidney yin deficiency
These herbs are cool in temperature; use caution with weak middle-jiao
Herbs That Clear Heat from Deficiency - taste/temp/channels
Sweet and Bitter/Cold/LV, KI
What are the 3 types of Downward Draining herbs?
Purgatives, Moist Laxative, Harsh Expellents
Downward Draining - Purgatives?
These herbs strongly induce diarrhea and should not be used with seniors, children, or people with a weak constitution. They are typically bitter and cold, and they treat constipation due to heat.
Bitter/cold/LI
Downward Draining - Moist Laxatives?
These herbs tend to be oily seeds. Unlike Purgatives, Moist Laxatives gently relieve constipation and may take some time to work.
Sweet/Neutral/LI
What are the actions and cautions of herbs that drain dampness?
Promote urination (edema, lin syndrome, jaundice)
Use caution with yin deficiency and depleted fluids
Downward Draining - Harsh Expellents?
These herbs are very strong and usually toxic. They should only be used in small doses, and only if the patient is strong enough to take them.
Toxic/Cold or Hot/LI,KI,LU
Herbs That Drain Dampness - taste/temp/channels
Bland or Bitter/Neutral or cold/KI,UB,SP
What are the actions and cautions of herbs that dispel wind dampness?
Bi Syndrome — often translated as “painful obstruction disorder” or “impediment syndrome” — is a pain condition similar to arthritis caused by an external invasion of wind, cold, and dampness.
Most of these herbs are warm, acrid and aromatic. They can easily cause dryness.
Herbs That Dispel Wind Dampness - taste/temp/channels
Acrid or bitter or sweet/ warm / LV, KI
