Herbs IV: Midterm Review

Question 1

Ren Shen / Ginseng
Radix Ginseng

Functions:

Answer 1

Strongly tonifies Spleen and Lung Qi to generate blood

Tonifies source Qi for collapse
Generates fluid
Calms Shen

Question 2

Dang Shen / Codonopsis Root
Radix Codonopsis

Functions:

Answer 2

Strongly tonifies Spleen and Lung Qi to generate blood

Less of a Qi tonic effect than Ren Shen

Question 3

Huang Qi / Astragalus
Radix Astragali

Functions:

Answer 3

Strongly tonifies Spleen and Lung Qi to generate blood

Raises Yang
Stabilizes the exterior
Promotes urination
Expels pus

Question 4

Xi Yang Shen / American Ginseng
Radix Panacis Quiquefolii

Functions:

Answer 4

Tonifies both Qi and Yin; for Qi and Yin deficiency

Clears heat
Generates fluids
For Yin deficiency with vigorous fire

Question 5

Tai Zi Shen / Pseudostellaria
Radix Pseudostellariae

Functions:

Answer 5

Tonifies both Qi and Yin; for Qi and Yin deficiency

Mildly tonifies the Spleen and Stomach Qi and generates fluids

Question 6

Shan Yao / Chinese Yam
Rhizoma Dioscoreae

Functions:

Answer 6

Tonifies both Qi and Yin; for Qi and Yin deficiency

Tonifies Spleen Qi and Yin, also augments the Lung and Kidney Yin

Question 7

Bai Zhu / White Atractylodes
Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae

Functions:

Answer 7

Strengthens the Spleen; for Spleen Qi deficiency

Dries dampness
Promotes urination
Stops sweating
Calms the fetus

Question 8

Bai Bian Dou / Hyacinth Bean
Semen Lablab Album

Functions:

Answer 8

Strengthens the Spleen; for Spleen Qi deficiency

Transforms dampness
Expels summer evil
Milder effect (since it’s a food)

Question 9

Gan Cao / Licorice Root
Radix Glycyrrhizae

Functions:

Answer 9

So sweet. Tonifies the Middle Jiao; harmonizes and moderates

Stops cough
Tonifies the heart
Drains fire
Relieves toxicity

Question 10

Da Zao / Jujube
Fructus Jujubae

Functions:

Answer 10

So sweet. Tonifies the Middle Jiao; harmonizes and moderates

Tonifies the Spleen and nourishes the blood

Question 11

Yi Tang / Maltose
Saccharum Granorum

Functions:

Answer 11

So sweet. Tonifies the Middle Jiao; harmonizes and moderates

Specifically stops abdominal pain
Moistens the Lung
Stops cough

Question 12

Dang Gui / Angelica Root
Radix Angelicae Sinensis

Functions:

Answer 12

Tonifies the blood; for blood deficiency

Activates blood
Relieves pain
Regulates menses
Moistens Large Intestine

Question 13

Shu Di Huang / Chinese Foxglove Root Cooked in Wine
Radix Rehmanniae Preparata

Functions:

Answer 13

Tonifies the blood; for blood deficiency. Can also enrich the Yin

Representative herb for nourishing the Liver and Kidney Yin; chief herb for treating Liver and Kidney Yin deficiency

Question 14

He Shou Wu / Fleece Flower Root
Radix Polygoni Multiflori

Functions:

Answer 14

Tonifies the blood; for blood deficiency. Can also enrich the Yin

Tonifies the Liver and Kidney
Moistens the intestines

Question 15

E Jiao / Donkey-hide Gelatin
Asini Corii Colla

Functions:

Answer 15

Tonifies the blood; for blood deficiency. Can also enrich the Yin

Stops bleeding
Nourishes the Yin
Moistens dryness

Question 16

Bai Shao / White Peony Root
Radix Paeoniae Alba

Functions:

Answer 16

Tonifies the blood; for blood deficiency. Can also enrich the Yin

Softens the Liver
Moderates spasms
Enriches the Yin
Calms the Liver

Question 17

Long Yan Rou / Flesh of the Longan Fruit
Arillus Longan

Functions:

Answer 17

Tonifies the blood; for blood deficiency. Can also enrich the Yin

Specially tonifies the Heart and Spleen Qi and blood to calm the spirit

Question 18

Bei Sha Shen / Glehnia
Radix Glehniae

Functions:

Answer 18

Nourishes the Lung and Stomach Yin; generates fluids

Transforms phlegm
Less effective in nourishing the Yin (than Nan Sha Shen)

Question 19

Nan Sha Shen / Adenophora
Radix Adenophorae

Functions:

Answer 19

Nourishes the Lung and Stomach Yin; generates fluids

More effective in nourishing the Yin (then Bei Sha Shen)

Question 20

Mai Men Dong / Ophiopogon Tuber
Radix Ophiopogonis

Functions:

Answer 20

Nourishes the Lung and Stomach Yin; generates fluids

Nourishes Heart Yin
Clears fire

Question 21

Tian Men Don / Asparagus Tuber
Radix Asparagi

Function:

Answer 21

Nourishes the Lung and Stomach Yin; generates fluids

Nourishes Kidney Yin
Not effective for Stomach Yin deficiency, but can be used for constipation due to dryness in the intestines

Question 22

Shi Hu / Dendrobium
Herba Dendrobii

Functions:

Answer 22

Nourishes the Lung and Stomach Yin; generates fluids

Strongly nourishes the Stomach Yin and generates fluids

Question 23

Yu Zhu / Fragrant Solomon’s Seal Rhizome
Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati

Function:

Answer 23

Nourishes the Lung and Stomach Yin; generates fluids

Strengthens the Heart
For Yin deficiency with exterior disorder

Question 24

Huang Jing / Siberian Soloman’s Seal Rhizome
Rhizoma Polygonati

Functions:

Answer 24

Nourishes the Lung and Stomach Yin; generates fluids

Tonifies the Spleen Qi

Question 25

Bai He / Lily Bulb Bulbus Lilli Functions:

Answer 25

Nourishes the Lung and Stomach Yin; generates fluids Clears heat Calms the spirit Stabilizes the Kidney essence, but not effective for Stomach Yin deficiency

Question 26

Shan Zhu Yu / Asiatic Corelian Cherry Fruit Fructus Corni Functions:

Answer 26

Nourishes the Liver and Kidney Yin Chief herb in both Liver-Kidney tonics and astringents

Question 27

Gou Qi Zi / Lycium Fruit Fructus Lycii Functions:

Answer 27

Nourishes the Liver and Kidney Yin Nourishes the Liver and brightens the eyes

Question 28

Nu Zhen Zi / Privet Fruit Fructus Ligustri Lucidi Functions:

Answer 28

Nourishes the Liver and Kidney Yin Tonifies the Liver and Kidney without the thick or greasy properties Stronger for tonifying

Question 29

Han Lian Cao / Eclipta Herba Ecliptae Functions:

Answer 29

Nourishes the Liver and Kidney Yin Tonifies the Liver and Kidney without the thick or greasy properties Cools the blood Stops bleeding

Question 30

Sang Shen / Mulberry Fruit Fructus Mori Functions:

Answer 30

Nourishes the Liver and Kidney Yin Nourishes the blood and moistens the intestines Generates fluids Stops thirst

Question 31

Hei Zhi Ma / Black Sesame Seeds Semen Sesami Nigrum Functions:

Answer 31

Nourishes the Liver and Kidney Yin Nourishes the blood and moistens the intestines Stronger for moistening and lubricating (for use in constipation)

Question 32

Gui Ban / Testudinis Shell Plastrum Testudinis Functions:

Answer 32

Nourishes Liver and Kidney Yin; anchors Yang More effective Yin tonic Strengthens bone Stabilizes menses

Question 33

Bie Jia / Tortoise Shell Carpax Trionycis Functions:

Answer 33

Nourishes Liver and Kidney Yin; anchors Yang More effective in clearing deficiency heat Softens hardness Dissipates masses