Actcm Herbs 3-5 Regbl-Invig

Front 1

salty, cold
LV ST
RegBl-Invig, ObsEndang, Not in Clinic
B.1066 C.655

Back 1

chuān shān jiǎ 穿山甲

(1) Disperses stasis, unblocks menstruation, promotes lactation [Amenorrhea*, dysmenorrhea, Bi syndrome, insufficient lactation, d/t blood stasis; Opens milk ducts, does not produce milk]
(2) Reduces swelling & discharges pus [Abscesses*, boils, toxic swellings, esp suppurative lesions ie bacterial pus, dissolves unformed pus ]
(3) Expels wind-damp from channels [Painful bi*, stiffness or spasms of limbs, pain that prevents bending or stretching]
(N) is often used in powder or pill form

CTX: Pregnancy, open sores, carbuncles

chuān(penetrate) shān(mountain) jiǎ(scales) [the animal borrows deeply into the ground]
Manitis Squama
pangolin scales

Hint 1

(1) Amenorrhea
(2) Abscesses
(3) Painful bi

Front 2

spicy, warm
LV GB PC
RegBl-Invig
B.599 C.614 Dr.104

Back 2

chuān xiōng 川芎

(1) Invigorates blood & moves qi [Dysmenorrhea*, hypochondriac pain, chest or flanks pain, bi, tumors, masses, amenorrhea, difficult labor, retained lochia, d/t blood stasis; Blood thinner ]
(2) Expels wind & alleviates pain [Pain that moves*, HA, dizziness, bi, skin problems d/t wind; Major herb for HA]

CTX: Yin defic fire, LV yang rising, red dry tongue & mouth; Caution: Pregnancy, easy bleeding, profuse menses

chuān(Sichuan territory) xiōng(lovage root, Chuanxiong)
Chuanxiong Rhizome
Sichuan lovage root

Hint 2

(1) Dysmenorrhea
(2) Pain that moves

Front 3

bitter, sl cold
LV HT PC
RegBl-Invig
B.602 C.636 Dr.103

Back 3

dān shēn 丹參

(1) Invigorates blood & dispels stasis [Chest pain-HT/PC*, menstrual pain-LV, low abdom pain, chest or hypochondrial pain; Any part of body]
(2) Clears heat, nourishes blood, & calms spirit [Insomnia*, restlessness, irritability, palpitations, d/t HT blood defic, or d/t HT & KD yin defic, or d/t heat in nutri or blood levels; Heat in HT – mental issues, skin issues]
(3) Cools blood & reduces abscesses [Helper: Breast abscess*, sores]

CTX: lí lú, pregnancy

dān(cinnabar) shēn(root)
Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix
salvia root

Hint 3

(1) Chest pain-HT/PC
(2) Insomnia
(3) Helper: Breast abscess

Front 4

bitter, spicy, warm
LV SP
RegBl-Invig
B.630 C.666 Dr.102

Back 4

é zhú 莪朮

(1) Breaks up stasis, promotes movement of qi, & alleviates pain [Tumors*, abdom or gastric masses, abdom pain, dysmnorrhea, amenorrhea]
(2) Moves qi, dissolves accumulation, & stops pain [Chest & abdom pain*, distention, fullness, constriction, d/t foot stagn]
(N) Strong mover of blood [*Good for tumors, very strong]

CTX: Excessive menstruation, pregnancy

é(Curcumae) zhú(Asteracea family incl bai zhu, cang zhu, & chrysanth)
Curcumae Rhizoma
curcuma rhizome

Hint 4

(1) Tumors
(2) Chest & abdom pain

Front 5

spicy, warm
LV HT
RegBl-Invig
B.627 C.640 Dr.105

Back 5

hóng huā 紅花
(zang hóng huā)
(1) Invigorates blood, dispels stasis, & unblocks menstruation [Amenorrhea*, abdom masses, abdom pain, trauma, dark purplish skin, no-pus sores, dysmenorrhea, heavy clotting]
(N) Dosage [*Small doses tonify blood, large doses move blood; Is often paired with táo rén]

CTX: Pregnancy, bleeding, hemorrhage, peptic ulcers

hóng(red) huā(flower)
Carthami Flos
safflower (saffron)

Hint 5

(1) Amenorrhea

Front 6

bitter, sweet, warm
HT LV SP
RegBl-Invig
B.604 C.663 Dr.104

Back 6

jī xuè téng 雞血藤

(1) Moves & tonifies blood, & regulates menses [Dysmenorrhea*, amenorrhea, irregular menses, abdom pain; Also nourishes & generates blood]
(2) Invigorates channels & relaxes sinews [Paralysis d/t wind-stroke* or d/t blood stasis, weak extremities in elderly, low back pain, knee pain, joint bi d/t WD, numbness, vertigo]
(N) Lowers blood pressure & increases red blood cell count [*Anemia; Is an adulterant for hóng téng (more nourishing)]

CTX: Profuse menses

jī(chicken) xuè(blood) téng(vine)
Spatholobi Caulis
spatholobus root and vine

Hint 6

(1) Dysmenorrhea
(2) Paralysis d/t wind-stroke

Front 7

bitter, spicy, warm
LV SP ST
RegBl-Invig
B.612 C.623 Dr.108

Back 7

jiāng huáng 薑黃

(1) Invigorates blood & unblocks menstruation [Amenorrhea*, dysmenorrhea, abdom pain, chest pain, d/t blood stasis from defic-type cold; Very effective]
(2) Moves qi & alleviates pain [Epigastric pain*, abdom pain, d/t stagnant qi]
(2) Expels wind-damp, moves blood, & unblocks bi [Shoulder bi* d/t WD; Esp upper body ]
(N) Inhibits LV viruses such as hepatitis [*Lowers blood cholesterol; Externally for treating sores]

CTX: Pregnancy

jiāng(ginger) huáng(yellow)
Curcumae longea Rhizoma
turmeric rhizome

Hint 7

(1) Amenorrhea
(2) Epigastric pain
(2) Shoulder bi

Front 8

bitter, neutral
LV HT SP
RegBl-Invig
B.636 C.628 Dr.106

Back 8

mò yào 沒藥

(1) Invigorates blood & stops pain [Pain from trauma*, fixed abdom masses, chest pain, amenorrhea, swellings, sores, carbuncles]
(2) Promotes healing [Topical: Chronic nonhealing sores]
(N) Originally from mid-east [*Often paired with rǔ xiāng]

CTX: Absence of stasis, pregnancy; Caution: Long term, weak ST d/t taste causing n/v

mò(confiscated [ie from bleeding bark]) yào(medicine)
Myrrha
myrrh

Hint 8

(1) Pain from trauma
(2) Topical: Chronic nonhealing sores

Front 9

bitter, sour, neutral
LV KD
RegBl-Invig
B.638 C.650 Dr.108

Back 9

niú xī 牛膝
(huái niú xī)
(1) Moves blood & transforms stasis [Amenorrhea*, dysmenorrhea, retained lochia, post-traumatic pain, injuries; Better for lower body ]
(2) Tonifies LV & KD & strengthens sinews & bones [Low back pain & soreness*, knee pain & soreness, d/t defic]
(3) Induces downward movement of blood heat [Nosebleed*, vomiting blood, dizziness, blurred vision, bleeding gums, toothaches, d/t hot blood in UJ or d/t yin defic fire rising]
(4) Clears damp-heat in LJ [Helper for vaginal discharge*, painful KD stones w/ bloody urine & low back pain, low back bi, knee pain]
(N) More tonifying [*Very strong at causing downward movement; Smoother & lighter in color ]

CTX: Excessive menstruation, pregnancy

huái懷(to cherish, mind heart bosom) niú牛(ox) xī膝(knee)
Achyranthis bidentatae Radix
aconite root

Hint 9

(1) Amenorrhea
(2) Low back pain & soreness
(3) Nosebleed
(4) Helper for vaginal discharge

Front 10

bitter, spicy, warm
LV HT SP
RegBl-Invig
B.634 C.626 Dr.106

Back 10

rǔ xiāng 乳香

(1) Invigorates blood, moves qi, stops pain [Traumatic injury pain*, chest epigastric abdom pain, swellings, sores, pain]
(2) Relaxes sinews, invigorates channels, stops pain [WD bi in joints*, spasms, rigidity]
(3) Reduces swelling & generates flesh [Traumatic injury*, wounds, sores, carbuncles, red swollen painful gums mouth throat; Topical ointment or powder]
(N) Originally from mid-east [*Is often paired with mò yào]

CTX: Absence of stasis, pregnancy; Caution: Long term, weak ST d/t taste causing n/v

rǔ(milk) xiāng(fragrance)
Olibanum
frankincense

Hint 10

(1) Traumatic injury pain
(2) WD bi in joints
(3) Traumatic injury

Front 11

bitter, spicy, neutral
LV SP
RegBl-Invig
B.632 C.664 Dr.102

Back 11

sān léng 三棱

(1) Forcefull breaks up blood stasis, moves qi, stops pain [Abdom masses*, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, postpartum abdom pain]
(2) Moves qi & dissolves accumulation [Severe abdom pain*, distension, d/t food stagn or stagn qi; Often paired with é zhú]
(N) For more advanced blood stasis [*Kidney stones]

CTX: Excessive menstruation, pregnancy; Caution: very strong, very hard on body

sān(three) léng(edges)
Sparganii Rhizoma
burr weed rhizome

Hint 11

(1) Abdom masses
(2) Severe abdom pain

Front 12

salty, bitter, neutral, sl toxic
LV UB
RegBl-Invig, Not in Clinic
B.656 C.668

Back 12

shuǐ zhì 水蛭

(1) Breaks up & drives out blood stasis & reduces fixed masses [Fixed abdom masses*, reproductive tumors & masses, amenorrhea, traumatic injury, bone fractures, mania; Disperses stasis, unblocks meridians & reduces masses]
(N) Very strong blood mover [*Can use live ones for headaches]

CTX: Pregnancy

shuǐ(water, river) zhì(leech)
Hirudo seu Whitmania
leech

Hint 12

(1) Fixed abdom masses

Front 13

spicy, sweet, salty, neutral
LV HT SP
RegBl-Invig
B.650 C.659 Dr.100

Back 13

sū mù 蘇木

(1) Invigorates blood, reduces swelling, & stops pain [Swelling d/t falls fractures contusions or sprains*, amenorrhea, postpartum abdominal pain]
(2) Stops bleeding [Excessive postpartum bleeding* w/ dizziness, vertigo, short breath]
(N) Expels stasis, unblocks meridians, & promotes healing [*Injuries & trauma, open up menstruation, post partum]

CTX: Menorrhagia heavy menstruation, pregnancy

sū(Sumatra island) mù(tree, wood)
Sappan Lignum
sappan wood

Hint 13

(1) Swelling d/t falls fractures contusions or sprains
(2) Excessive postpartum bleeding

Front 14

bitter, sweet, neutral
LV HT LU LI
RegBl-Invig
B.624 C.643 Dr.R

Back 14

táo rén 桃仁

(1) Breaks up blood stasis [Tumors* ie fixed abdom mass, abdom pain, menstrual, flank pain, traumatic injury, bruises, abscess; Older patients, gentle; Blood level, more lower body]
(2) Moistens intestines & unblocks bowels [Constipation*; Mild effect at best ]

CTX: Blood defic, pregnancy, profuse menses

táo(peach, Persicae) rén(seed)
Persicae Semen
peach kernal

Hint 14

(1) Tumors
(2) Constipation

Front 15

salty, cold, toxic
LV HT SP
RegBl-Invig, Not in Clinic
B.657 C.671

Back 15

tǔ biē chóng 土鱉蟲
(dìe biē chóng, dì biē chóng)
(1) Breaks up & drives out blood stasis [Abdominal masses*, tumors, amenorrhea, numb & swollen tongue d/t blood stasis; Add enlarged spleen ]
(2) Knits together sinews & joins bones [Fractures*, lacerations, contusions, powder for acute lumbar strain; For tendon, ligament, & bones issues ]
(N) Profuse menses; softens hardness [*One of strongest herbs in group]

CTX: Pregnancy

tǔ(earth) biē(turtle) chóng(insect) ["earth soft-shelled turtle bug"]
Eupolyphaga seu Opisthoplatia
ground beetle

Hint 15

(1) Abdominal masses
(2) Fractures

Front 16

bitter, neutral
LV ST
RegBl-Invig
B.642 C.656 Dr.109

Back 16

wáng bù liú xíng 王不留行

(1) Moves blood & invigorates channels [Amenorrhea*, difficult labor; Very moving ]
(2) Reduces swellings [Painful swellings* esp breast or testicular]
(+) Promotes lactation [Insufficient lactation; Opens ducts, increases flow, does not generate]
(N) Promotes uterine contractions [*Inhibits LU cancer; Used as ear seeds; Promotes urination-weak effect]

CTX: Pregnancy

wáng(king) bù(cannot) liú(stay) xíng(movement [ie due to movement, circulation])
Vaccariae Semen
vaccaria seeds

Hint 16

(1) Amenorrhea
(2) Painful swellings
(+) Insufficient lactation; Opens ducts, increases flow, does not generate

Front 17

bitter, sweet, warm
LV SP
RegBl-Invig
B.651 C.632 Dr.111

Back 17

wǔ líng zhī 五靈脂

(1) Disperses blood stasis & stops pain [Amenorrhea*, dysmenorrhea, postpartum abdominal pain, epigastric pain; Good for any pain d/t blood stasis ]
(2) Transforms stasis & stops bleeding [Uterine bleeding*, retained lochia]
(3) Childhood nutritional impairment [Focal distention]
(N) Special [*Best placed in small bag for decocting]
(N) Very commonly used herb

CTX: rén shēn, blood defic, pregnancy

wǔ(five) líng(souls, spirits) zhī(fat)
Trogopterori Faeces
flying squirrel feces

Hint 17

(1) Amenorrhea
(2) Uterine bleeding
(3) Focal distention

Front 18

bitter, spicy, warm
LV HT ST
RegBl-Invig
B.606 C.618 Dr.106

Back 18

yán hú suǒ 延胡索

(1) Invigorates blood, moves qi, & alleviates pain [Dysmenorrhea*, epigastric pain, pain in chest abdomen or limbs, pain anywhere d/t blood stasis; Calms therefore good for insomnia; Very commonly used]



CTX: Pregancy unless exceptional circumstances; Caution: Heat, qi defic

yán(extended) hú(barbarians) suǒ(large rope)
Corydalis Rhizoma
corydalis rhizome

Hint 18

(1) Dysmenorrhea

Front 19

bitter, spicy, sl cold
LV HT UB
RegBl-Invig
B.614 C.645 Dr.107

Back 19

yì mǔ cǎo 益母草

(1) Invigorates blood, dispels stasis, & regulates menses [Irreg menstr*, PMS abdom pain, heavy menstr w/ clots, infertility, postpartum abd pain w/ retained lochia, fixed abdom masses, pain d/t traumatic injury; Very commonly used ]
(2) Promotes urination & reduces edema [Acute systemic edema*, esp w/ blood in urine; Regulates qi ]
(3) Clears heat & resolves toxic rashes [Abscesses*, sores, swellings, itchy rashes; Int or ext applic; Lowers blood pressure]

CTX: Yin defic, blood defic, pregnancy; causes uterine contractions

yì(benefit) mǔ(mother) cǎo(herb)
Leonuri Herba
Chinese motherwort

Hint 19

(1) Irreg menstr
(2) Acute systemic edema
(3) Abscesses

Front 20

bitter, spicy, cold
LV HT LU
RegBl-Invig
B.609 C.621 Dr.103

Back 20

yù jīn 鬱金

(1) Invigorates blood & stops pain [Traumatic injury*, chest abdom flank menstrual pain d/t LV qi constraint, amenorrhea, sores, abdom masses; Good at moving blood but only ok for pain]
(2) Clears heat & cools blood [Nosebleed* esp assoc w/ menstruation, vomit blood, blood in urine, d/t heat in blood level]
(3) Clears HT & opens orifices [Anxiety*, agitation, seizures, mental derangement, d/t hot phlegm obstr HT orifices; Effective for clearing HT, less effective to open orifices]
(4) Benefits GB & reduces jaundice [Jaundice*, GB ds, obsessed unclear thinking, restless, sleepless, shen issues w/ greasy tongue]
(+) Smooth LV & release constraint [Depression*, breast tenderness, PMS, d/t LV qi stagn; Good as gold for depression - see name of herb]
(N) Lowers blood cholesterol

Caution: Pregnancy

yù(constrained, tangled, tied up) jīn(gold)
Curcumae Radix
curcuma tuber

Hint 20

(1) Traumatic injury
(2) Nosebleed
(3) Anxiety
(4) Jaundice
(+) Depression

Front 21

bitter, spicy, sl warm, aromatic
LV SP
RegBl-Invig
B.617 C.647 Dr.112

Back 21

zé lán 澤蘭

(1) Invigorates blood & dispels stasis [Menstrual pain*, pospartum abdom pain, pain d/t traumatic injuries, abscess or swelling, low back & knee pain - effective ]
(2) Promotes urination [Edema: Facial edema*, systemic , menstrual related, postpartum, painful urinary dribbling w/ edema; Good for water retention due to blood stasis ]
(N) Very moving aromatic herb

Caution: Blood defic, absence of blood stasis

zé(marsh) lán(orchid)
Lycopi Herba
bugleweed

Hint 21

(1) Menstrual pain
(2) Edema: Facial edema

Front 22

bitter, spicy, neutral
LV KD
RegBl-Invig
B.647 C.634 Dr.108

Back 22

zì rán tóng 自然銅

(1) Dispels blood stasis & promotes healing of bones & sinews [Fractures*, pain & swellings d/t external injury, tendon ligament muscle damage]
(N) Prepared powders or pills are best

No noted CTX

zì(from, self) rán(right, correct) tóng(copper) ["natural copper"]
Pyritum
pyrite

Hint 22

(1) Fractures