Herb ID Flashcards
(142 cards)

Qing Pi
Citri Reticulatae Viride Pericarpium
Regulate QI
LV, GB, ST
Acrid, Bitter, Warm
3-9g
Spreads the liver qi and breaks up stagnant qi
- constrained liver qi patterns: distention/pain in chest, breast or hypochondriac region; bulging disorder pain
Dissipates clumps and reduces stagnation
- for food stagnation which manifests as: epigastrum pain, distention, or stifling sensation
- postpartum mastitis
*Has potential to break qi if used in high enough dose
*Compare to Chai Hu

Da Fu Pi
Arecae Pericarpium
Regulate Qi
LI, SI, ST, SP
Acrid, Slightly Warm
4.5-9g
Drives qi downward and eases the middle
- dampness or other processes obstructing the middle - leading to qi stagnation with sx: epigastric/abdominal distention, focal distention, and stifling sensation; belching with acid regurgitation
- useful when sx are accompanied by incomplete/irregular bowel movements
Promotes urination and reduces edema
- Abdominal distention accompanied by edema (yang edema: rapid onset, upper body, acute, more of an excess condition)
*Herb does not address pathological factors; it strictly helps the directional flow of qi.
*Good for menstrual bloating

Chen Pi
Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium
Regulate Qi
LU, SP, ST
Acrid, Aromatic, Bitter, Warm
3-9g
Regulates the qi, adjusts the middle, and relieves the diaphragm
- spleen and stomach stagnant qi patterns: epigastric and abdominal distention, fullness, bloating, belching, nausea, and vomiting
Dries dampness and transforms phlegm
- phlegm-damp coughs with stifling sensation in chest/diaphragm, and copious, viscous sputum
- Damp turbidity obstructing the middle: stifling sensation in chest, abdominal distention, loss of appetite, fatigue, loose stools, and a thick, greasy tongue coating
Helps prevent stagnation
- Used with tonifying herbs to prevent their cloying nature from causing stagnation

Zhi Shi
Aurantii Fructus Immaturus
Regulate Qi
LI, SP, ST
Acrid, Bitter, Slightly Cold
3-9g
Breaks up stagnant qi and reduces accumulation
- epigastric/abdominal pain, distention, or indigestion with focal distention or gas
Transforms phlegm and expels focal distention
- Focal distention and fullness in the chest and epigastrum due to turbid phlegm obstructing and plugging the qi dynamic
* Has ability to break qi depending on the dosage used
*Helps constipation caused by yang ming heat
*Low ability to transform phlegm

Zhi Ke
Aurantii Fructus
Regualte Qi
LI, SP, ST
Acrid, Bitter, Slightly Cold
3-9g
Promotes the flow of qi
- cough, distention, or constipation
*Riper, more mild version of Zhi Shi

Xiang Fu
Cyperi Rhizoma
Regulate Qi
LV, GB, SJ
Acrid, Slightly Bitter, Slightly Sweet, Neutral
6-12g
Spreads and regulates liver qi
- constrained liver qi patterns: hypochondriac pain and epigastric distention; disharmony between liver and spleen
Regulates menstruation and alleviates [menstrual] pain
- facilitates the flow of liver qi in gynecological disorders: dysmenorrhea or irregular menstruation

Mu Xiang
Aucklandiae Radix
Regulates Qi
LI, GB, ST, SP, SJ
Acrid, Bitter, Warm
3-9g
Promotes the movement of qi and stops pain
- spleen or stomach stagnant qi: lack of appetite, feeling of food sitting in the stomach, epigastric/abdominal pain/distention, nausea, and vomiting
- stagnant liver/gallbladder qi: flank pain and distention soreness
Adjusts and regulates stagnant qi in the intestines
- diarrhea and dysenteric disorders, or abdominal pain and tenesmus
Strengthens the spleen and prevents stagnation
- used with tonifying herbs to ameliorate their side effects; especially useful when the T&T functions of the spleen are weak
*One of the best herbs for treating stagnant qi in the intestines
*Great for IBS
*Can add to formula as preventative measure if you suspect patient may show dampness as a result of the formula

Wu Yao
Linderae Radix
Regulates QI
UB, KD, LU, SP
Acrid, Warm
3-9g
Promotes the movement of qi and alleviates pain
- stifling sensation in the chest, flank pain, epigastric and abdominal pain and distention due to constraint from cold and qi stagnation
Warms the kidneys
- urinary frequency or incontinence due to insufficiency of kidney yang and cold from deficiency of the bladder

Chen Xiang
Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum
Regulates Qi
KD, SP, ST
Acrid, Aromatic, Bitter, Warm
1-1.5g
Promotes the movement of qi and alleviates pain
- stagnant qi patterns: distention, pain, or feeling of pressure in the epigastric or abdominal region
- esp. useful for problems due to cold from deficiency or blood stasis
_Directs rebellious qi downward and regulates the middl_e
- rebellious qi wheezing of either the excessive or deficient type, or vomiting, belching, or hiccough due to cold from deficiency of the stomach or spleen
Aids the kidneys in grasping the qi
- asthma and wheezing due to kidney deficiency

Tan Xiang
Santali Albi Lignum
Regulates Qi
LU, SP, ST
Acrid, Aromatic, Warm
2-5g
Promotes the movement of qi and alleviates pain
- for pain associated with stagnant qi in the chest and abdomen
Recently used in the treatment of coronary artery disease

Chuan Lian Zi
Toosendan Fructus
Regulates Qi
UB, LV, SI, ST
Bitter, Cold, Slightly Toxic
4.5-9g
Dredges liver qi, releases constrain, stops pain, and conducts heat out from below
- liver constraint, pain in the chest and ribs, distention and pain from liver/stomach disharmony, and bulging disorders
- Can be used for heat or cold conditions depending on combined herbs
Kills parasites and stops pain
- roundworms and tapeworms
- not partocularly effective at expelling parasites, but is able to alleviate pain and is therefore used for abdominal pain associated with accumulation of parasites
- can be used topically in powder form for dermatosis of the scalp

Ju Hong
Citri Reticulatae Exocarpium Rubrum
Regulates Qi
LU, ST
Acrid, Bitter, Warm
3-9g
Transforms phlegm
For food stagnation
- promotes the movement of qi downward
*More drying and aromatic than Chen Pi, but less effective in harmonizing the middle and regulating the SP & ST.
*Primarily used for vomiting and belching, and for treating phlegm-damp coughs.

San Qi
Notoginseng Radix
Stops Bleeding
LV, ST
Slightly Bitter, Sweet, Warm
3-9g (decoctions) / 1-1.5g (pills and powders)
Stops bleeding and transforms blood stasis
- For internal and external bleeding: vomiting blood, nosebleed, and blood in the urine or stool
Reduces swelling and alleviates pain
- Herb of choice fr traumatic injuries, used for swelling and pain due to falls, fractures, contusions, and sprains
- Effective in invigorating blood, it is used for chest and abdominal pain, as well as joint pain that has ben caused by blood stasis. Therefore also useful for sores and abscesses.

Da Ji
Cirsi Japonici Herba seu Radix
Stops Bleeding
LV, HT, SP
Sweet, Cool
9-15g
Cools the blood and stops bleeding
- For chaotic movement of hot blood with sx: nosebleed, vomiting blood, blood in urine or stool, or uterine bleeding.
- Especially effective in alleviating vomiting or coughing of blood
Reduces swelling and generates flesh at sores
- Used topically for carbuncles, sores, and swellings
Benefits the gallbladder and reduces jaundice
- For jaundice, especially that due to damp-heat
Treats hypertension
- Recently used to treat hypertension, especially when accompanied by signs of liver heat

Pu Huang
Typhae Pollen
Stops Bleeding
LV, HT, SP
Acrid, Sweet, Neutral
3-9g
Stops bleeding
- For external bleeding associated with traumatic injury, and various forms of internal bleeding such as uterine bleeding, vomiting blood, nosebleed, coughing of blood, blood in the urine, blood in the stool, or subcutaneous bleeding.
- *Great for GYN bleeding disorders
Invigorates the blood and dispels blood stasis
- For chest pain, postpartum abdominal pain, and menstrual pain due to blood stasis
Promotes urination and stops bleeding
- For hot painful urinary dribbling
- *Lin syndrome

Di Yu
Sanguisorbae Radix
Stops Bleeding
LV, LI, ST
Bitter, Sour, Slightly Cold
9-15g
Cools the blood and stops bleeding
- Especially for bleeding in the lower burner due to damp-heat with sx: blood in the stool, bleeding hemorrhoids, bloody dysenteric disorders, and excessive uterine bleeding
- Also used for vomiting blood and nosebleed
Clears heat and generates flesh
- Applied topically for sores, ulcers, and injuries from burns. It reduces oozing by holding in the fluids, and promotes the generation of new flesh.
- Often used for burns.
*Compared to Bai Ji, this herb is directed more towards the lower jiao
*Often used with Huai Mi for lower jiao damp-heat

Huai Mi
Sophorae Flos Immaturus
Stops Bleeding
LV, LI
Bitter, Cool
4.5-9g
Cools the blood and stops bleeding
- For damp-heat patterns of the large intestine when bleeding is present. Especially important for bleeding hemorrhoids and bloody dysenteric disorders.
- Also used for coughing of blood, nosebleed, or uterine bleeding
Cools the liver
- For red eyes, headache, and dizziness due to liver heat.
- Can be taken as a daily beverage for this purpose
*Often used with Di Yu for lower jiao damp-heat

Ce Bai Ye
Platycladi Cacumen
Stops Bleeding
LU, LV, LI
Astringent, Bitter, Slightly Cold
6-15g
Cools the blood and stops bleeding
- Used for various bleeding disorders: vomiting blood, bleeding gums, coughing of blood, blood in the stool or urine, blood dysenteric disorders, and uterine bleeding.
- Effective in treating patterns of hot blood, but may also be used with warming herbs for bleeding associated with cold patterns.
Stops Cough and expels phlegm
- For lung heat patterns with cough accumulation of phlegm.
- Especially important in cases of viscous, difficult-to-expectorate sputum streaked with blood.

Bai Mao Gen
Imperatae Rhizoma
Stops Bleeding
LU, ST, UB
Sweet, Cold
9-30g
Cools the blood and stops bleeding
- For chaotic movement of hot blood: nosebleed, vomiting blood, coughing of blood, and blood in the urine
Clears heat and promotes urination
- For hot painful urinary dribbling and other heat patterns with edema and urinary difficulty
Clears heat from the stomach and lungs
- For nausea and thirst due to stomach heat, or wheezing due to lung heat

Xian He Cao
Agrimoniae Herba
Stops Bleeding
LU, LV, SP
Astringent, Bitter, Neutral
6-12g
Restrains leakage of blood and stops bleeding
- Used for various types of bleeding: vomiting blood, coughing blood, nosebleed, bleeding gums, blood in the urine, or uterine bleeding.
- Depending on its particular combination with other herbs, it can be used for bleeding due to heat, cold, excess, or deficiency.
Alleviates diarrhea and dysenteric disorders
- For chronic problems, as this her has a restraining nature
Kills parasites
- For trichomonas vaginitis and tapeworm as well as malarial disorders.
- Used topically for trichomonas vaginitis.

Bai Ji
Bletillae Rhizoma
Stops Bleeding
LU, LV, ST
Bitter, Sweet, Cool
3-15g (unusual circumstances; up to 30g) / 1.5-3g (powder taken orally)
Restrains leakage of blood and stops bleeding
- Mainly for bleeding from the lungs and stomach: vomiting blood, coughing of blood, and nosebleed.
- Also for bleeding associated with traumatic injury, usually applied locally.
Reduces swelling and generates flesh
- Applied topically for sores, ulcers, and chapped skin.
- Can be used whether or not the sore has ulcerated, as it reduces the swelling of sores and helps accelerate the healing of ulcers.
- Especially useful for chronic, nonhealing ulcers.
*Compared to Di Yu, this herb is directed more towards the upper jiao

Ai Ye
Artemisiae Argyi Folium
Stops Bleeding
SP, LV, KD
Acrid, Bitter, Warm
3-9g
Warms the womb and stops bleeding
- For prolonged menstrual bleeding and uterine bleeding due to cold from deficiency.
- Used for restless fetus, lower abdominal pain, and vaginal bleeding, as in threatened miscarriage.
- Also for infertility due to a cold womb.
- *All for bleeding due to cold
- *often used by fertility practitioners
Disperses cold and alleviates pain
- For cold abdominal pain, especially menstrual pain
Eliminates dampness and stops itching
- Decocted and applied as an external wash for a variety of skin problems marked by dampness and itching.

Chuan Xiong
Chuanxiong Rhizoma
Invigorate Blood
LV, GB, PC
Acrid, Warm
3-9g in powder form / 1-1.5g per dose
Invigorates the blood and promotes the movement of qi
Expels wind and alleviates pain
Stops pain, especially for headaches

Yan Hu Suo
Corydalis Rhizoma
Invigorate the blood
ST, HT, LV
Acrid, Bitter, Warm
3-9g
Invigorates blood, promotes the movement of qi, and alleviates pain





















































































































