Medicated diet Tonify the Qi 1. Ren shen ginseng root Properties: sweet, slightly bitter, slightly warm Channels entered: LU, SP a. Strongly tonifies the basal qi, Tonifies the lung and spleen qi. a. Benefits the heart qi and calms the spirit. a. contraindicated in cases of yin deficiency with heat signs, heat excess, or in the absence of significant qi deficiency b. contraindicated for hypertensive patients with ascendant liver yang, and in cases of very high blood pressure. c. It should not be take with radish or tea. 2. Huang qi astragalus Properties: sweet, slightly warm Channels entered: LU, SP a. tonifies the spleen, augment the qi, and raise the yang. b. Augments the protective qi and stabilizes the exterior. a. it should not be used in cases of exterior excess, qi stagnation, damp obstruction, food stagnation, yin deficiency with heat signs, or skin lesions either in their early stages or where there is heat toxin. 3. Shan yao Chinese yam Properties: sweet, neutral Channels entered: KI, LU, SP a. tonifies and augments the spleen and stomach. b. Tonifies the lung qi and augments the lung yin. c. Tonifies the kidneys and also stabilizes and binds. Contraindicated in cases of excess, especially when there is fullness due to dampness, stagnation, or accumulation.
Tonify the blood 4. Long yan rou longan Properties: sweet, warm Channels entered: HT, SP tonifies and augments the heart and spleen, nourishes the blood, and calms the spirit. Contraindicated in cases of phlegm fire or dampness in the middle burner. 5. Gou qi zi Chinese wolfberry fruit Properties: sweet, neutral Channels entered: LIV, LU, KI a. tonifies the liver and kidneys, nourishes yin and blood. b. Benefits the essence and brightens the eyes. Contraindicated in cases with externally contracted excess heat patterns, and cases of spleen deficiency with dampness and loose stools. 6. Sang shen mulberry fluit-spike Channels entered: HT, LI, KI tonifies the liver and kidneys, nourishes the blood and enriches the yin. contraindicated in cases of diarrhea due to spleen deficiency. 7. Dang gui Chinese angelica root Properties: sweet, acrid, bitter, warm Channels entered: HT, LIV, SP a. tonifies the blood and regulates the menses. b. invigorates and harmonizes the blood. a. use with caution in cases of diarrhea or abdominal distention due to damp obstruction. b. Contraindicated for yin deficiency with heat signs. 8. He shou wu fleeceflower root Properties: bitter, sweet, astringent, slightly warm Channels entered: LIV, KI
a. tonifies the liver and kidneys, nourishes the blood, augments the essence, secures the essence and stops leakage. a. contraindicated in cases of spleen deficiency, phlegm, or in cases of diarrhea. b. According to some traditional sources, this herb should not be taken with onion, chives, or garlic. Tonify the Yang 9. Lu rong deer antler Properties: sweet, salty, warm Channels entered: KI, LIV a. tonifies the kidneys and fortifies the yang. b. Augments essence and blood. c. Strengthens the sinews and bones. d. Regulates the penetrating and conception vessels. a. when taking this substance it is important to start with a low dose and slowly increase it. If too much is taken at the beginning the yang can rise and leading to movement of inner wind with dizziness and red eyes; or it can injure the yin leading to fire from deficiency and even hemorrhage. b. Contraindicated in patients with heat from yin deficiency, heat in the blood level, phlegm-heat in the lungs, blazing stomach fire, or warm-febrile diseases. 10. Dong chong xia cao cordyceps (fungus and the carcass of the insect from which it grows), Chinese caterpillar fungus Properties: sweet, warm Channels entered: LU, KI a. Tonifies the kidney and the lung, transforms phlegm, and stops bleeding. Note: Because it tonifies both the yin and yang and is a very safe substance, it can be taken over a long period of time. Tonify the Yin 11. Xi yang shen American ginseng Properties: sweet, slightly bitter, cold Channels entered: HT, KI, LU a. benefits the qi, generates fluids, and nourishes the yin. a. Nurtures the lung yin and clears fire from the lungs. Contraindicated in cases of damp cold of the stomach.
12. Bai he lily bulb Channels entered: HT, LU a. Moistens the lungs, clear heat and stops cough. a. Clears the heart and calms the spirit. Contraindicated in cases of cough due to wind-cold or phlegm, or in those with diarrhea due to spleen or stomach deficiency. 13. Mai men dong ophiopogon tuber Properties: sweet, slightly bitter, slightly cold Channels entered: HT, LU, ST a. Nourishes the lung yin and stop cough. b. Augments the stomach yin and generates fluids. a. Clears the heart and eliminates irritability. Contraindicated in cases with diarrhea due to cold from deficiency, and in cases of congested fluids. Clear and relieve summerheat 14. Bian dou hyacinth bean Properties: sweet, neutral Channels entered: SP, ST a. Strengthens the spleen and stops diarrhea. a. Clears summerheat. Stabilize and bind 15. Lian zi lotus seed Properties: sweet, astringent, neutral Channels entered: HT, KI, SP a. tonifies the spleen and stops diarrhea. b. Tonifies the kidneys and stabilizes the essence. c. Nourishes the heart and calms the spirit. Contraindicated in cases with abdominal distention or constipation.
16. Qian shi euryale seeds Properties: sweet, astringent, neutral Channels entered: KI, SP a. strengthens the spleen and stops diarrhea. b. Stabilizes the kidneys and retains the essence. c. Drains dampness for vaginal discharge. 17. Wu wei zi schisandra fruit Properties: sour, warm Channels entered: HT, KI, LU a. Contains the leakage of lung qi and stops coughing. b. Inhibits sweating and generates fluids. a. Tonifies the kidneys, binds up essence, and stops diarrhea. b. Quiets the spirit and calms the heart. c. Recently used for allergic skin disorders and to improve liver function in patients with hepatitis. contraindicated when an exterior condition is not cleared, when there is heat from excess in the interior, or in the early stages of coughs or rashes. Stop bleeding 18. Ou jie node of the lotus rhizome Properties: sweet, astringent, neutral Channels entered: LU, ST, LIV d. Stops bleeding for coughing blood and vomiting blood. a. Tonifies spleen, improve appetite, nourish heart blood Drain dampness 19. Yi yi ren seeds of Job s tears Properties: sweet, bland, slightly cold Channels entered: SP, LU, KI a. Promotes urination and leaches out dampness. a. Strengthens the spleen and stops diarrhea. b. Clears damp heat. c. Expels wind dampness Bi. Use with caution during pregnancy.
Clear heat and remove toxicity 20. Jin yin hua honeysuckle flower Channels entered: LI, LU, ST b. Clears heat and relieves fire toxicity. c. Expels externally-contracted wind heat. Also for externally-contracted summerheat. d. Clears damp heat from the lower burner and treats dysentery. a. Contraindicated in cases of diarrhea due to spleen and stomach cold from deficiency. b. Contraindicated for sores due to qi deficiency (those with clear exudate) and yin ulcers. Release the exterior and clear heat 21. Ju hua chrysanthemum flower Properties: sweet, bitter, slightly cold Channels entered: liver, lung a. disperses wind and clears heat. a. Clears the liver and the eyes. b. Calms the liver yang and extinguishes wind. Use with caution in patients with qi deficiency who have poor appetites and diarrhea. Downward draining 22. Fan xie ye senna leaf Properties: sweet, bitter, cold Channels entered: LI Drains downward and treats constipation. a. contraindicated during pregnancy, menstruation, and in nursing mothers. b. Contraindicated for weak patients and those suffering from chronic constipation. c. Dosage is 1.5-3g steeped alone as a tea. Overdose may result in abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Transform phlegm-heat 23. Pang da hai boat sterculia seed Channels entered: LI, LU a. Clears and disseminates lung qi, benefit the throat. c. Clears the intestines and treats constipation. Relieve Food Stagnation 24. Shan zha hawthorn fruit Properties: sour, sweet, slightly warm Channels entered: LIV, SP, ST b. Reduces and guides out food stagnation. c. Transforms blood stasis. b. Also used recently for hypertension, coronary artery disease, and elevated serum cholesterol. a. Use with caution in cases of spleen or stomach deficiency without food stagnation, and in cases with acid regurgitation. Regulate the Qi 25. Chen pi tangerine peel Properties: acrid, bitter, warm, aromatic Channels entered: LU, SP, ST c. Regulates the qi, improves the transportive function of the spleen, adjusts the middle burner. d. Dries dampness and transforms phlegm. a. contraindicated in cases of dry cough due to yin or qi deficiency. b. Use with caution when the tongue is red, and in cases with hot phlegm or dry heat coughs, or spitting of blood.