Herbs - Study Cards

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Zhu Ling

Zhu Ling
Pin Yin
Zhū Líng
Chinese
猪苓
English
Polyporus
Category
Drain Dampness
Organs
Bladder • Kidney
Taste
Sweet • Bland
Temperature
Neutral
Actions
Drain dampness • Promote urination • Clear damp heat
Indications
Dampness • Edema • Scanty urination • Dysuria • Damp heat Lin
Dosage
5g to 10g
CC
Not for long term use • Yin deficiency

Zhi Gan Cao

Zhi Gan Cao
Pin Yin
Zhì Gān Cǎo
Chinese
炙甘草
English
Honey Fried Licorice
Category
Tonify Qi
Organs
Heart • Pericardium • Kidney • Bladder • Small Intestine • Stomach • Spleen • Lung • Large Intestine • San Jiao • Liver • Gall Bladder
Taste
Sweet
Temperature
Warm
Actions
Increase the effectiveness of Gan Cao, particularly with: Tonify middle • Tonify Heart and Spleen Qi • Harmonize other herbs
Indications
Coughing • Wheezing • Leg spasms • Abdominal spasms • Irregular pulse • Sores • Abscess • Shortness of breath • Loose stool • Irregular pulse • Qi and blood deficiency • Lassitude • Dry cough • Toxicity from herb, food, or drug
Dosage
2g to 12g

Yi Yi Ren

Yi Yi Ren
Pin Yin
Yì Yǐ Rén
Chinese
薏苡仁
English
Coix Seeds
Category
Drain Dampness
Organs
Lung • Kidney • Spleen • Stomach
Taste
Sweet • Bland
Temperature
Slightly Cold
Indications

Tong Cao

Tong Cao
Pin Yin
Tōng Cǎo
Chinese
通草
English
Rice Paper Herb
Category
Drain Dampness
Sub Cat
Clear UIT
Organs
Lung • Stomach
Taste
Sweet • Bland
Temperature
Cool
Actions
Dry dampness • Promote urination • Increase lactation
Indications
UTI • Dysuria • Damp heat • Edema
CC
Pregnancy

Shi Wei

Shi Wei
Pin Yin
Shí Wéi
Chinese
石韦
English
Pyrrosia Leaf
Category
Drain Dampness
Sub Cat
Relieve UTI
Organs
Bladder • Lungs
Taste
Bitter • Sweet
Temperature
Cool
Actions
Promote urination • Relieve UTI • Reduce edema • Relieve cough • Dispel phlegm • Stop bleeding
Indications

Sheng Jiang Pi

Sheng Jiang Pi
Pin Yin
Shēng Jiāng Pí
Chinese
生姜皮
English
Raw Ginger Peel
Category
Drain Dampness
Sub Cat
Promote Urination Reduce Edema
Organs
Spleen • Stomach • Bladder
Taste
Acrid
Temperature
Cool
Actions
Promote urination • Reduce edema • Harmonize Middle Jiao
Indications
Edema • Urinary dysfunction • Lower Jiao dampness
Dosage
4g to 10g

Qu Mai

Qu Mai
Pin Yin
Qú Mài
Chinese
瞿麦
English
Dianthus
Category
Drain Dampness
Sub Cat
Relieve UTI
Organs
Heart • Small Intestine • Bladder
Taste
Bitter
Temperature
Cold
Actions
Drain damp heat • Invigorate blood • Promote urination • Lin Zheng • Regulate menses • Breaks up blood stasis • Unblock constipation
Indications
Constipation • Amenorrhea • Blood stasis • Heart fire pouring to Small Intestine • Lin Zheng
Dosage
5g - 15g
CC
Pregnancy

Mu Tong

Mu Tong
Pin Yin
Mù Tōng
Chinese
木通
English
Akebia
Category
Drain Dampness
Sub Cat
Relieve UTI
Organs
Bladder • Small Intestine • Heart
Taste
Bitter
Temperature
Slightly Cold
Actions
Relieve UTI • Promote urination • Drain Heart heat • Promote lactation
Indications
Hematuria • Lin Zheng • Poor lactation • Heart fire • UTI
Dosage
3g to 9g

Lu Hui

Lu Hui
Pin Yin
Lú Huì
Chinese
芦荟
English
Aloe Juice Concentrate
Category
Downward Draining
Sub Cat
Purgative
Organs
Large Intestine • Stomach • Liver
Taste
Bitter
Temperature
Cold
Actions
Clear heat • Drain fire • Push out accumulations • Cool Liver • Kill parasites • Tonify stomach
Indications
Heat constipation • Irritability • Liver fire • Insomnia • Heart fire • Liver channel heat • Tinea
Dosage
10g to 15g whole leaf decoction
CC
Lactation • Pregnancy • Children • Diarrhea • Menses • Uterine bleeding

Lian Xu

Lian Xu
Pin Yin
Lián Xū
Chinese
莲须
English
Lotus Flower Stamen
Category
Stabilize and Bind
Organs
Heart • Kidney • Liver
Taste
Astringent • Sweet
Temperature
Neutral
Actions
Clear heart heat • Stabilize essence • Stop bleeding
Indications
Heart Yin Deficiency • Spermatorrhea • Kidney deficiency • Leukorrhea • Enuresis • Epistaxis • Uterine bleeding

Jing Mi

Jing Mi
Pin Yin
Jīngmǐ
Chinese
粳米
English
Japonica Rice
Category
Tonify Yang
Organs
Spleen • Stomach
Taste
Sweet
Temperature
Warm
Actions
Tonify Qi • Tonify Yang • Generate fluids
Indications
Qi deficiency • Fluid deficiency • Spontaneous sweating
Dosage
9g to 15g

Huo Ma Ren

Huo Ma Ren
Pin Yin
Huǒ Má Rén
Chinese
火麻仁
English
Cannabis Seeds
Category
Downward Draining
Sub Cat
Moisten laxatives
Organs
Large Intestine • Spleen • Stomach
Taste
Sweet
Temperature
Neutral
Indications

Hua Shi

Hua Shi
Pin Yin
Huáshí
Chinese
滑石
English
Talcum
Category
Drain Dampness
Organs
Bladder • Stomach
Taste
Sweet • Bland
Temperature
Cold
Actions
Clear heat • Drain dampness • Clear summer heat
Indications
Dampness • Summer heat • UTI • Eczema
Dosage
10g - 15g; external and internal applications

He Tao Ren

He Tao Ren
Pin Yin
Hú Táo Rén
Chinese
胡桃仁
English
Walnuts
Category
Tonify Yang
Organs
Kidney • Lung • Large Intestine
Taste
Sweet
Temperature
Warm
Actions
Moisten intestines • Unblock constipation • Tonify Kidneys
Indications
Knee and back pain • Kidney yang deficiency • Frequent urination • Kidney not grasping Lung Qi • Constipation • Kidney Jing Deficiency
Dosage
9g to 30g
CC
Yin deficiency heat • Loose stool • Phlegm fire

Hu Jiao

Hu Jiao
Pin Yin
Hú Jiāo
Chinese
胡椒
English
Black Pepper
Category
Warm Interior Expel Cold
Organs
Stomach • Large Intestine
Taste
Acrid
Temperature
Hot
Actions
Warms middle jiao • Relieve pain • Dispel cold
Indications
Dosage
1.5g - 4.5g crushed
CC
Yin deficiency heat • Pregnancy • Hemmorhoids • Bleeding

Gua Lou Ren

Gua Lou Ren
Pin Yin
Guā Lóu Rén
Chinese
栝楼仁
English
Snake Gourd Seed
Category
Transform Phlegm Stop Cough
Organs
Stomach • Large Intestine • Lung
Taste
Sweet
Temperature
Cold
Actions
Promote urination • Clear heat • Moisten intestines • Unblock constipation
Indications
Dry constipation • Edema • Breast abscess • Phlegm heat cough • Chest phlegm accumulation • Stubborn phlegm
Dosage
2g - 18g

Gua Lou Pi

Gua Lou Pi
Pin Yin
Guā Lóu Pí
Chinese
栝楼皮
English
Gua Lou Pi
Category
Transform Phlegm Stop Cough
Organs
Stomach • Large Intestine • Lung
Taste
Sweet
Temperature
Cold
Actions
Regulate Qi • Moisten lungs • Transform hot phlegm • Expands the chest
Indications
Dosage
6g - 30g
CC
Phlegm cold and dampness • Stomach/Spleen deficiency cold

Fu Shen

Fu Shen
Pin Yin
Fú Shén
Chinese
茯神
English
Poria with Pine Root
Category
Calm Shen
Organs
Heart • Spleen
Taste
Sweet • Bland
Temperature
Neutral
Key Things
Insomnia, palpitations, or forgetfulness
Actions
Calms Shen • Quiet heart • Treat irritability • Promote urination
Indications
Disturbed shen • Dysuria • Insomnia • Irritable bowel syndrome • Spleen Qi deficiency • Dampness • Edema •
CC
None noted

Dong Kui Zi

Dong Kui Zi
Pin Yin
Dōng Kuí Zi
Chinese
冬葵子
English
Malva Seeds
Category
Drain Dampness
Organs
Large Intestine • Small Intestine • Bladder
Taste
Sweet
Temperature
Cold
Actions
Promote urination • Moisten intestine • Promote lactation • Regulate water • Unblock constipation • Relieve UTI
Indications
Dry constipation • Stone Lin • Bloody Lin • Insufficient lactation • Breast abscess • Dampness • Urinary tract infection • Edema
Dosage
3g - 14g
CC
Pregnancy • Spleen and stomach deficiency cold

Dong Gua Zi

Dong Gua Zi
Pin Yin
Dōng Guā Zǐ
Chinese
冬瓜子
English
Winter Melon Seeds
Category
Drain Dampness
Organs
Lung • Small Intestine • Large Intestine • Stomach
Taste
Sweet
Temperature
Cold
Actions
Dry dampness • Transform phlegm • Clear heat • Discharge pus
Indications
Intestine Heat • Lung heat • Intestinal abscess • Thick and yellow sputum • Damp heat leukorrhea Summer damp heat • Edema • Bronchitis

Di Fu Zi

Di Fu Zi
Pin Yin
Dì Fū Zi
Chinese
地肤子
English
Kochia Fruit
Category
Drain Dampness
Organs
Kidney • Bladder
Taste
Sweet • Bitter
Temperature
Cold
Indications
Dosage
3g - 15g

Deng Xin Cao

Deng Xin Cao
Pin Yin
Dēng Xīn Cǎo
Chinese
灯心草
English
Rush Pith
Category
Drain Dampness
Organs
Lungs • Heart • Small Intestine
Taste
Sweet • Bland
Temperature
Slightly Cold
Actions
Clear heart heat • Calm spirit • Drain dampness • Promote urination • Clear Lung heat • Stop bleeding • Cools blood
Indications
Dosage
1.5g - 4.5g
CC
Incontinence • Spleen/Stomach deficiency cold

Chun Pi

Chun Pi
Pin Yin
Chūn Pí
Chinese
椿皮
English
Ailanthus Bark
Category
Stabilize and Bind
Organs
Stomach • Large Intestine
Taste
Bitter • Astringent
Temperature
Cold
Actions
Clear heat • Dry dampness • Stop bleeding • Kill parasites • Bind intestines
Indications
Damp heat • Roundworms • Damp heat leukorrhea • Damp heat diarrhea • Damp heat dysentery
Dosage
3g - 9g
CC
Spleen and Stomach deficiency cold • Kidney yin deficiency

Cao Wu

Cao Wu
Pin Yin
Cǎo Wū (Zhì)
Chinese
草乌 (制)
English
Prepared Wild Aconite
Category
Warm Interior Expel Cold
Organs
Heart • Liver • Spleen
Taste
Pungent • Bitter
Temperature
Hot
Key Things
Mostly used topically for pain
Actions
Dispel cold • Alleviate pain • Dry dampness
Indications
Dosage
1.5g - 3g
CC
Pregnancy • Incompatible with Bei Mu, Ban Xia, Gua Lou Shi, Bai Lian, Bai Ji

Bian Xu

Bian Xu
Pin Yin
Biǎn Xù
Chinese
扁蓄
English
Polygonum
Category
Drain Dampness
Organs
Bladder
Taste
Bitter
Temperature
Slightly Cold
Actions
Relieve UTI • Promote urination • Drain damp heat • Kill parasites
Indications
Tapeworm • Pinworm • Hookworm • UTI • Damp heat jaundice • Lin syndrome
Dosage
8g - 16g

Bi Xie

Bi Xie
Pin Yin
Bì Xiè
Chinese
萆薢
English
Fish Poison Yam
Category
Drain Dampness
Organs
Bladder • Liver • Stomach
Taste
Bitter
Temperature
Slightly Cold
Actions
Expel lower jiao dampness • Separate clear from turbid • Expel wind dampness • Clears skin damp heat • Relax sinews • Unblock Luo meridians
Indications
CC
Lack of dampness • Kidney Yin deficiency back pain • Blazing fire yin deficiency

Bi Ba

Bi Ba
Pin Yin
Bì Bá
Chinese
荜茇
English
Long Pepper Fruit
Category
Warm Interior Expel Cold
Organs
Large Intestine • Stomach
Taste
Pungent
Temperature
Hot
Actions
Warm middle jiao • Dispel stomach cold • Dispel Intestine cold • Alleviate pain • Descends Qi
Dosage
1.5g - 5g

Ze Xie

Ze Xie
Pin Yin
Zé Xiè
Chinese
泽泻
English
Alisma
Category
Drain Dampness
Organs
Kidney • Bladder
Taste
Sweet • Bland
Temperature
Cold
Actions
Drain Kidney fire, Drain dampness, Promote urination
Indications
Lower jiao damp heat, Excessive dampness, Phlegm, Kidney yin deficiency, Tinnitus, Dizziness, PUD, Leukorrhea, Edema, Urinary dysfunction
Dosage
5g-10g
CC
Spermatorrhea, Vaginal secretion, Kidney yang deficiency, Kidney dysfunction, Damp cold

Zhang Nao

Zhang Nao
Pin Yin
Zhāng Nǎo
Chinese
樟脑
English
Camphor
Category
Topical Application
Organs
Heart • Spleen
Taste
Acrid • Aromatic • Toxic
Temperature
Hot
Actions
Kills parasites, Relieves pain, Relieves itching, Drain dampness, Open orifices

Chan Su

Chan Su
Pin Yin
Chán Sū
Chinese
蟾酥
English
Bufo Toad Venom
Category
Topical Application
Organs
Kidney • Stomach • Heart
Taste
Sweet • Pungent
Temperature
Warm