Herb ID/Pre-Midterm Flashcards by L von Miller

Ku Shen

Sophoriae Flavascentis Radix

Clear Heat, Dry Damp

Bitter, Cold

ST, LI, HT, SI, LV, UB

Disperses wind

Kills parasites

Stops itching

Promotes urination

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Gui Zhi

Cinnamomi Ramulus

Warm Acrid, Release the Exterior

Sweet, Acrid, Warm

HT, LU, UB

*Disperses wind in tai-yang stage

Warms and unblocks channels and collaterals

Warms the yang, transforms thin mucus

Assists heart yang and unblocks yang qi of chest

Warms the middle and directs turbid yin downward

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Sang Ye

Mori Folium

Cool Acrid, Release the Exterior

Sweet, Bitter, Cold

LU, LV

Moistening

Calms the liver and clears the eyes

Stops bleeding

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Bai Zhi

Angelicae Dahuricae Radix

Warm Acrid, Release the Exterior

Acrid, Warm

LU, ST, SP

*Treats yang ming headache

Exppels wind, eliminates dampness, unblocks nasal passages, alleviates pain

Reduces swelling and expels pus

Alleviates discharge

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Sheng Di Huang

Rehmanniae Radix

Clear Heat, Cool Blood

Bitter, Sweet, Cold

HT, LV, KD

*Nourishes the yin

*Generates fluids

*Very cloying

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Ma Huang

Ephedrae Herba

Warm Acrid, Release the Exterior

Warm, Acrid, Slightly Bitter

LU, UB

2-9g

*Disperses wind cold in tai yang stage

*One of the most moving herbs in the category (along with Jing Jie)

Induces sweating

Calms wheezing, stops coughing

Promotes urination and reduces edema

Useful for wind-damp painful obstruction

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Sheng Jiang

Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens

Warm, Acrid, Release the Exterior

Acrid, Slightly Warm

LU, SP, ST

Warms the middle burner and alleviates vomiting

Warms the lungs and stops cough

Relieves toxicity

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Mu Zei

Equiseti Hiemalis Herba

Cool, Acrid, Release the Exterior

Sweet, Bitter, Neutral

LU, LV, GB

Clears the eyes and reduces superficial visual obstructoin

Stops bleeding

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Shi Gao

Gypsum Fibrosum

Clear Heat, Drain Fire

Sweet, Acrid, Very Cold

LU, ST

*Good for heat on wei/qi level; releases heat by venting outward

Clears excess heat from the lungs

Clears blazing stomach fire

Treats eczema, burns and ulcerated sores

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Jing Jie

Schizonepetae Herba

Warm, Acrd, Release the Exterior

Acrid, Slightly Warm, *Aromatic

LU, LV

*Able to strongly dispel wind cold OR wind heat

Vents rashes and alleviates itching

Charred form stops bleeding *(because treats intestinal wind)

*Comparable to Fang Feng, yet releases wind at a more superficial level

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Long Dan Cao

Gentianae Radix

Clear Heat, Dry Damp

Bitter, Cold

LV, GB, ST

Drains damp-heat from the liver and gallbladder channels

Drains and pacifies excessive liver fire

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Xiang Ru

Moslae Herba

Warm, Acrid, Release the Exterior

Acrid, Aromatic, Slightly Warm

LU, ST

*Summertime Ma Huang

Induces sweating and releases the exterior

Promotes urination and reduces swelling

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Niu Bang Zi

Arctii Fructus

Cool Acrid, Release the Exterior

Acrid, Bitter, Cold

LU, ST

Disperses wind-heat and benefits the throat

Resolves toxicity and vents rashes

Moistens the intestines

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Huang Lian

Coptidis Rhizoma

Clear Heat, Dry Damp

Bitter, Cold

ST, LI, HT, LV

1.5-9g

*treats middle burner

Stops bleeding

Clears heat topically

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Tian Hua Fen

Trichosanthis Radix

Clear Heat, Drain Fire

Bitter, Slighty Sweet, Cold

LU, ST

Reduces swelling

Generates fluids

Moistens and clears heat from stomach and lung

Resolves toxicity and expels pus

*Slight moving ability; may be used for breast lumps

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Fang Feng

Saposhnikoviae Radix

Warm, Acrid, Release the Exterior

Acrid, Sweet, Slightly Warm

UB, LV, SP

*Used for all wind disorders

*Most moist herb in category; least drying; NOT lubricating

*Goes well with Jing Jie (expels wind deeper in the body compared to Jing Jie)

Relieves spasms

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Qin Pi

Fraxini Cortex

Clear Heat, Dry Damp

Bitter, Cold, Astringent

LV, GB, ST, LI

Drains liver fire and benefits the eyes

Disperses wind-dampness

Calms wheezing and stops cough

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Xi Xin

Asari Herba

Warm, Acrid, Release the Exterior

Acrid, Warm *Slightly Toxic

HT, LU, KD

1-3g

*Contraindicated on those with heart problems

Disperses cold and releases the exterior

Dispels wind, and relieves pain

Warms the lungs and transforms thin mucus

Unblocks and facilitates the orifices

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Bai Wei

Cynanchi Radix

Clear Heat from Deficiency

Bitter, Salty, Cold

LU, ST, KD

Promotes urination

Resolves toxicity and treats sores

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Ju Hua

Chrysanthemi Flos

Cool, Acrid, Release the Exterior

Sweet, Bitter, Slightly Cold

LU, LV

4.5-15g

*Mild

*Similar to Sang Ye

Calms the liver and clears the eyes *(nourishes the eye but does not eliminate superficial visual obstruction like Mu Zei)

Extinguishes wind

Resolves toxicity

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Huang Qin

Scutellariae Radix

Clear Heat, Dry Damp

Bitter, Cold

ST, LI, LU, GB

*Upper jiao

Stops bleeding

Calms the fetus

Sedates ascendant liver yang

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Fu Ping

Spirodelae Herba

Cool, Acrid, Release the Exterior

Acrid, Cold

LU, UB

*Strongest herb in this category

Induces sweating and releases the exterior

Vents rashes and stops itching

Promotes urination and reduces swelling

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Xin Yi Hua

Magnoliae Flos

Warm, Acrid, Release the Exterior

Acrid, Warm

LU, ST

*Used almost exclusively for wind-cold and unblocking nasal passages

decoct in a bag

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Xuan Shen

Scrophulariae Radix

Clear Heat, Cool Blood

KD, LU, ST

Bitter, Salty, Sweet, Cold

Nourishes the yin

Dissipates Nodules

*Cloying, though not as much as Sheng Di Huang

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**Zi Su Ye** **Perillae Folium** **Warm, Acrid, Release the Exterior** **Acrid, Aromatic, Warm** **LU, SP** Promotes the movement of qi and expands the chest Can calm a restless fetus Resolves seafood poisoning \*Harmonizes the middle

**Lian Zi Xin** **Nelumbinis Plumula** **Clear Heat, Drain Fire** **Bitter, Cold** **HT, PC** **1.5-3g** Drains heart fire Stops bleeding and binds the essence \*Best herb for circulatory or emotionally-induced fever \*Does not reach heart directly, addresses via the PC

**Chai Hu** **Bupleuri Radix** **Cool, Acrid, Release the Exterior** **Bitter, Acrid, Cool** **LV, GB, PC, SJ** Treats alternating chills and fever (shao yang) Releases heat in the muscle layer Raises the clear qi Spreads liver qi and relieves constraint

**Jue Ming Zi** **Cassiae Semen** **Clear Heat, Drain Fire** **Bitter, Sweet, Salty, Slightly Cold** **LI, KD, LV** Clears liver and the eyes Calms the liver and anchors errant yang Moistens the intestines and unblocks the bowels Recently used to prevent arherosclerosis as it lowers both blood pressure and serum cholesterol

**Xi Gua** **Citrulli Fructus** **Clear Heat, Drain Fire** **Sweet, Cold** **HT, ST, UB** Clears summertime heat Generates fluids Promotes urination \*Natural Bai Hu Tang-White Tiger Decoction

**Dan Zhu Ye** **Lophateri Herba** **Clear Heat, Drain Fire** **Sweet, Bland, Cold** **HT, SI, ST** Eliminates irritability \*via HT channel, through SI channel & out in urine Promotes urination

Zhi Mu Anemarrhenae Rhizoma Clear Heat, Drain Fire Bitter, Sweet, Cold LU, ST, KD Enriches yin and moistens dryness Generates fluids Ameliorates the dryness of tonifying or warming substances \*good pair with Huang Bai for tonifying yin

**Man Jing Zi** **Viticis Fructus** **Cool, Acrid, Release the Exterior** **Bitter, Acrid, Cold** **UB, LV, ST** Clears and benefits the head and eyes Treats bi syndrome

**Cong Bai** **Allii Fistulosi Bulbus** **Warm, Acrid, Release the Exterior** **Acrid, Warm** **LU, ST** \*Strong effects but not long lasting \*Good for digestion/perspiration and initial-stage colds Induces sweating Unblocks the yang Resolves toxicity and disperses clumps

**Lu Gen** **Phragmitis Rhizoma** **Clear Heat, Drain Fire** **Sweet, Cold** **LU, ST** Generates fluids Promotes urination Encourages rashes to come to the surface \*Light and lifting herb

**Di Gu Pi** **Lycii Cortex** **Clear Heat from Deficiency** **Sweet, Bland, Cold** **KD, LV, LU** Eliminates heat from both excess and deficiency in the blood Used for steaming bone disorder Clears and drains lung heat

**Huang Bai** **Phellodendri Cortex** **Clear Heat, Dry Damp** **Bitter, Cold** **KD, UB** \*Lower burner Drains kidney fire Treats steaming bone disorder Drains fire and resolves toxicity

**Zi Cao** **Arnebiae Lithospermi Radix** **Clear Heat, Cool Blood** **Sweet, Cold** **HT, LV** Resolves fire toxicity while venting rashes Clears damp-heat from the skin

**Yin Chai Hu** **Stellariae Radix** **Clear Heat from Deficiency** **Sweet, Slightly Cold** **LV, ST** Causes heat from deficiency to recede Clears heat and reduces childhood nutritional impairment

**Mou Dan Pi** **Moutan Cortex** **Clear Heat, Cool the Blood** **Acrid, Bitter, Slightly Cold** **HT, LV, KD** \*Best herb for venting; very moving and invigorating \*Used for steaming bone disorder Clears heat from deficiency (although not in this category) Dispels blood stasis Clears ascending liver fire Drains pus, and reduces swelling

**Qing Hao** **Artemisiae Annuae Herba** **Clear Heat from Deficiency** **Bitter, Cold** **KD, LV, GB** Do not cook for long Clears summerheat Useful for steaming bone disorder Stops bleeding (due to heat) Checks malarial disorder - for alternating fever and chills (shao yang) \*Clears all types of yin level heat without injuring qi, blood or yin

**Xi Jiao** **Cornu Rhinoceri** **Clear Heat, Cool Blood** **Salty, Bitter, Cold** **HT, LV, ST** **.5-1.5g** \*One of the best herbs for clearing blood-level heat Stops bleeding Eliminates toxins and clears blotches on the skin Calms the shen and extinguishes liver wind

**Shui Niu Jiao** **Bubali Cornu** **Clear Heat, Cool Blood** **Salty, Cold** **HT, LV, ST** **30-120g** \*Similar to Xi Jiao, however not nearly as strong Arrests tremors

**Xia Ku Cao** **Prunellae Spica** **Clear Heat, Drain Fire** **Bitter, Acrid, Cold** **LV, GB** Clears liver yang and brightens the eyes Clears and dissipates nodules Recently used for hypertension \*(only if hypertension is causing liver yang rising)

**Chan Tui** **Cicadae Periostracum** **Cool, Acrid, Release the Exterior** **Sweet, Salty, Slightly Cold** **LU, LV** Vents rashes Clears the eyes and removes superficial visual obstruction Stops spasms and extinguishes wind \*Used for loss of voice because insect is so loud \*Used to release the exterior because it is the physical outer molting of the insect

**Ge Gen** **Puerariae Radix** **Cool, Acrid, Release the Exterior** **Sweet, Acrid, Cool** **SP, ST** Raises the clear yang qi Releases the muscle layer Generates fluids Vents and discharges measles Raises the yang and stops diarrhea Treats symptoms of hypertension \*(only because it can be found in a formula which treats some sx of hypertension) \*Disperses heat in the yang ming channel

**Zhi Zi** **Gardeniae Fructus** **Clear Heat, Drain Fire** **Bitter, Cold** **HT, LU, ST, LV, SJ** \*One of the best and most frequently herb to clear heat because it goes to so many organs, and addresses all 3 jaios because it enters SJ Eliminates irritability Resolves dampness Resolves toxicity Reduces swelling and moves blood stasis due to trauma \*Used as an herbal anti-biotic because can address inflammation conditions associated with heat

**Bo He** **Menthae Haplocalycis Herba** **Cool, Acrid, Release the Exterior** **Acrid, Aromatic, Coolong** **LU, LV** Clears and benefits the head, eyes and throat (upper burner heat) Vents rashes Allows constrained liver qi to flow freely Expels turbid filth

**Gao Ben** **Ligustici Rhizoma** **Warm, Acrid, Release the Exterior** **Acrid, Warm** **UB, DU** \*Very yang herb \*Treats back pain Dispels wind, overcomes dampness, and alleviates pain (ie: wind-cold damp painful obstruction)

**Cang Er Zi** **Xanthii Fructus** **Warm, Acrid, Release the Exterior** **Bitter, Sweet, Toxic, Warm** **LU** \*Toxicity stimulates and encourages body to drive out toxin Disperses wind and dampness, and opens the nasal passages

**Qiang Huo** **Notopterygii Rhizoma seu Radix** **Warm, Acrid, Release the Exterior** **Acrid, Bitter, Aromatic, Warm** **KD, UB** Treats pain in the occipital region Unblocks painful obstruction and alleviates pain Guides qi to the greater yang channle and governing vessel \*Compared to Du Huo, this herb treats upper jiao conditions

**Dan Dou Chi** **Sojae Semen Preparatum** **Cool, Acrid, Release the Exterior** **Sweet, Slightly Bitter, Cold or Warm** **LU, ST** Eliminates irritability \*Great to use when one is overcoming a cold but can still slightly feel it lingering in their body

**Sheng Ma** **Cimicifugae Rhizoma** **Cool, Acrid, Release the Exterior** **Cool, Acrid, Slightly Cold** **ST, LI, LU, SP** Raises yang qi \*Best herb for venting rashes, esp. measles \*very lifting herb

**She Gan** **Belamcandae Rhizoma** **Clear Heat, Relieve Toxicity** **Bitter, Cold** **LU** Improves the condition of the throat Transforms phlegm and clears the lungs

**Shan Dou Gen** **Sophoriae Tonkinensis Radix** **Clear Heat, Relieve Toxicity** **Bitter, Cold** **LU, LI** \*Very fibrous \*Great for upper respiratory infections Improves the condition of the throat

**Bai Tou Weng** **Pulsatillae Radix** **Clear Heat, Relieve Toxicity** **Bitter, Cold** **ST, LI** Primarily used for dysenteric disorders Cools the blood

**Ma Chi Xian** **Portulacae Herba** **Clear Heat, Relieve Toxicity** **Sour, Slippery, Cold** **LV, LI** Used as an antidote for the pain and swelling of wasp stings and snakebites Cools the blood For damp-heat or fire toxin dysenteric disorders Stops uterine bleeding Unblocks painful dribbling

**Pu Gong Ying** **Taraxaci Herba** **Clear Heat, Relieve Toxicity** **Bitter, Sweet, Cold** **LV, ST** Clears the liver and clears the eyes Unblocks painful urinary dribbling \*Good pair with Sang Ye \*Good herbal anti-biotic

**Tu Fu Ling** **Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma** **Clear Heat, Relieve Toxicity** **Sweet, Bland, Neutral** **LV, ST** Eases the joints \*Bland property assists in leeching out dampness

**Bai Xian Pi** **Dictamni Cortex** **Clear Heat, Relieve Toxicity** **Bitter, Cold** **SP, ST** Clears Damp-heat Stops Itching Expels wind

**Lu Dou** **Phaseoli Radiati Semen** **Clear Heat, Relieve Toxicity** **Sweet, Cold** **HT, ST** Clears summerheat Antidote for poisoning from Zhi Fu Zhi or fava beans

**Zi Hua Di Ding** **Violae Herba** **Clear Heat, Relieve Toxicity** **Bitter, Acrid, Cold** **HT, LV** Can be used topically-esp for sores on the head and back

**He Ye** **Nelumbinis Folium** **Clear Heat, Relieve Toxicity** **Bitter, Slightly Sweet, Neutral** **HT, LV, SP** Treats summerheat patters Raises and clears the yang of the spleen Stops bleeding (even better when charred)

**Da Qing Ye** **Isatidis Folium** **Clear Heat, Relieve Toxicity** **Bitter, Salty, Very Cold** **HT, LU, ST** Cools the blood Dissipates maculae \*(b.c. of salty property) \*Mostly in qi level but has ability to reach the blood level \*Rare for botanical plant to be very cold

**Ban Lan Gen** **Isatidis Radix** **Clear Heat, Relieve Toxicity** **Bitter, Cold** **HT, LU, ST** Cools the blood Benefits the throat \*Stops bleeding caused by heat in the blood

**Qing Dai** **Indigo Naturalis** **Clear Heat, Relieve Toxicity** **Salty, Cold** **LU, LV, ST** \*Has ability to penetrate into deeper levels such as blood level (compared with other herbs in this category) Cools the blood Extinguishes wind Treats summerheat affecting the liver Clears liver fire Drains lung heat

**Lian Qiao** **Forsythiae Fructus** **Clear Heat, Relieve Toxicity** **Bitter, Slightly Acrid, Slightly Cold** **HT, LU, GB** Cools and vents heat, particularly in the heart and upper burner \*Great to pair with Jin Yin Hua

**Jin Yin Hua** **Lonicerae Flos** **Clear Heat, Relieve Toxicity** **Sweet, Cold** **LU, LI, ST** \*One of the best herbs in this category to address inflammation and infection on the surface Stops bleeding (both charred and uncharred form) Cools the blood Vents and disperses externally contracted wind-heat Clears damp-heat from the lower burner treats dysenteric bleeding disorders

**Bai Jiang Cao** **Patriniae Herba** **Clear Heat, Relieve Toxicity** **Acrid, Bitter, Slightly Cold** **LI, LV, ST** Invigorates the blood Dispels blood stasis and stops pain

**Bai Hua She She Cao** **Hedyotis Diffusae Herba** **Clear Heat, Relieve Toxicity** **Bitter, Sweet, Cold** **LI, ST, LV, SI** Promotes urination For hot painful urinary dribbling and damp-heat jaundice

**Chuan Xin Lian** **Andrographitis Herba** **Clear Heat, Relieve Toxicity** **Bitter, Cold** **LI, ST, LU, SI** For damp-heat dysenteric disorder For hot, painful urinary dribbling

Herb ID/Pre-Midterm Flashcards

(70 cards)