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The herbs in this category release pathogenic diseases which are found in the superficial level of the body. When Pathogenic factors attack the body they first attack the superficial area and exterior aspects of our bodies. These herbs will expel or release the external pathogenic factors through sweating, when the disease is in the skin sweating will bring it out. If the disease progresses past the skin and deeper into the body it enters the muscles.
The herbs in this category will have a cool and pungent property which will expel wind heat pathogens. Wind heat will show itself in the superficial region as severe fevers with mild chills and a sore throat.
Bo He Properties: PUNGENT, AROMATIC - COOL Dosage: 1.5 – 6g.
Field Mint Meridian: LUNG, LIVER
(Mentha) -expel wind-heat – fever, headache, cough
-clears head and eyes- aids throat, sore throat, red eyes, headache
-clears rashes – early stage to accelerates rash at early stage
-liver Qi stagnation – emotional, gynaecological disorders
Niu Bang Zi Properties: PUNGENT, BITTER - COLD Dosage: 3 – 9g.
Great Burdock Fruit Meridian: LUNG, STOMACH
(Arctium) -expel wind-heat, benefits throat – fever, cough, sore-red-swollen throat
-clear heat, relieve toxicity – red swellings, carbuncles, mumps, rashes
-moisten intestines – constipation due to wind-heat
Ge Gen Properties: SWEET, PUNGENT - COOL Dosage: 6 – 12g.
Kudzu Root Meridian: SPLEEN, STOMACH
(Pueraria) -release muscle, clear heat – fever, headache, stiffness in back and neck
-nourish fluids – alleviate thirst with stomach heat
-vents measles – accelerates rash at early stage
-clear heat, helps spleen deficiency – diarrhea, dysentery
-hypertension – headache, dizziness, tinnitus
Fu Ping Properties: PUNGENT - COLD Dosage: 3 – 6g.
Duckweed Meridian: BLADDER, LUNG
(Spirodela) -expel exterior heat – headache, body ache, diaphoretic
-unblocks muscle level, vents rashes – accelerates rash at early stage
-expel water, reduce swelling – hot superficial edema in upper extremities, urinary difficulty
Sang Ye Properties: SWEET, BITTER - COLD Dosage: 4.5 – 15g.
White Mulberry Leaf Meridian: LIVER, LUNG
-expel wind, clear lung heat – fever, headache, sore throat, cough, dry mouth, thick yellow sputum
-clear liver – red-sore-dry-painful eyes, floaters
-cool blood, stop bleeding – vomiting blood
Ju Hua Properties: SWEET, BITTER - COOL Dosage:4.5 – 15g.
Chrysanthemum Flower Meridian: LIVER, LUNG
-disperse wind, clear heat – headache, fever
-clears liver – red-painful-dry eyes, excessive tearing, floaters
-calms liver – dizziness, headache, deafness, blurred vision
Chan Tui Properties: SWEET, SALTY - COOL Dosage: 3 – 9g.
Cicada Moulting Meridian: LUNG, LIVER
-disperse wind, clear heat – loss of voice, swollen throat
-vents rashes – accelerates early stage of rash
-clears liver – red-painful-swollen eyes, blurry vision
-stops infantile wind – spasm, delirium, night terrors, convulsion
Chai Hu Properties: BITTER, PUNGENT - COOL Dosage: 3 – 12g.
Thorowax Root Meridian: GALLBLADDER, LIVER, PERICARDIUM, SAN JIAO
(Bupleurum) -clears less yang disorders – fever, chills, bitter taste, irritable, vomiting
-liver Qi stagnation – vertigo, menstrual disorder, chest pain, bloating
-spleen and stomach deficiency – prolapsed organ, diarrhea, hemorrhoids
Dan Dou Chi Properties: SWEET, BITTER - COLD or WARM Dosage:6 – 15g.
Prepared Soybean Meridian: LUNG, STOMACH
-release both exterior hot or cold – yin deficient patters
-eliminates vexation, irritability, restlessness, insomnia
Sheng Ma Properties: PUNGENT, SWEET - COOL Dosage: 1.5 – 9g.
Black Cohosh Rhizome Meridian: LARGE INTESTINE, LUNG, SPLEEN, STOMACH
(Bugbane Rhizome) -release exterior, vents measles – accelerates early stages of skin rash
-clear heat, relieve toxicity – toxins in upper or superficial areas, swelling-painful-sore gums/lips/throat
-raise Yang, spleen Qi sinking – short of breath, fatigue, prolapse
-guides other herbs upwards
Man Jing Zi Properties: BITTER, PUNGENT - COOL Dosage: 6 – 12g.
Vitex Fruit Meridian: BLADDER, LIVER, STOMACH
-expel wind, clear heat – headache with eye pain
-wind-heat in liver – excessive tearing, red-painful-swollen eyes, floaters
-drains damp, expel wind – stiff-numb-cramping-heavy limbs
© tcm.health-info.org 2002