Actcm Intmed3 Seta Formu Ingred

Front 1

bitter, sour, mildly cold
LV SP
TonBld
B.754 C.930 Clin.123

Back 1

bái sháo 白芍

(1) Nourishes Blood & regulates menses
(2) Calms and curbs Liver Yang & alleviates pain
(3) Preserves Yin & adjusts Ying and Wei levels
! def cold diarrhea, weak Yang, def cold

bái(white) sháo(Paeoniae)
Paeoniae Radix alba
white peony root

Front 2

bitter, sweet, warm
SP ST
TonQi
B.726 C.856 Clin.116

Back 2

bái zhú 白朮

(1) Tonifies Spleen & augments Qi
(2) Dries Dampness & promotes water metabolism
(3) Stabilizes Exterior & stops sweating
(4) Calms Fetus
! Yin def heat, injured fluids

bái(white) zhú(atractylodis, Asteracea family incl cang zhu, e zhu)
Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma
white atractylodes rhizome

Front 3

spicy, warm, toxic
LU SP ST
TraPhlg-ColdPhlegm
B.413 C.682 Clin.72

Back 3

bàn xià 半夏
(zhì bàn xià)
(1) Dries Dampness, transforms Phlegm, & descends Qi (very drying herb, for Cold-Phlegm)
(2) Harmonizes Stomach & stops vomiting (great herb for vomiting, Heat or Cold; severe morning sickness)
(3) Dissipates nodules & reduces distension (abnormal growth in fatty tissue)
(4) Raw is most toxic; ginger processed less toxic
! bleeding, Yin def cough, dehydration, Wu Tou, heat
CTX during pregnancy
bàn(half) xià(summer) [ie herb's harvest time]
Pinelliae Rhizoma preparatum
pinellia rhizome

Front 4

bitter, spicy, very warm
KD SP
TonYang
B.786 C.909 Clin.128

Back 4

bǔ gǔ zhī 補骨脂

(1) Tonifies Kidneys & fortifies Yang
(2) Tonifies and warms Spleen Yang & stops diarrhea
(3) Topically as tincture for vitiligo
! Yin def heat, constipation; *ST def cold

bǔ(tonify) gǔ(bone) zhī(resin, fat)
Psoraleae Fructus
psoralea fruit

Front 5

bitter, spicy, cool
GB LV PC SJ
RelExt-SpicyCool
B.73 C.84 Clin.12

Back 5

chái hú 柴胡

(1) Resolves Shaoyang disorders and reduces fever (half interior/half exterior, Malaria)
(2) Spreads Liver Qi and relieves constraint (physical or mental symptoms)
(3) Raises and lifts Yang Qi, specifically Clear Qi of Stomach and Gall Bladder (prolapsed organs)
(4) In top 15 most prescribed herbs; only herb able to drive pathogens out of shaoyang; parasympathomimetic
! Yin def cough, LV fire rising, small dose if N/V

chái(firewood) hú(barbarians)
Bupleuri Radix
hare’s ear root

Front 6

bitter, spicy, warm, aromatic
LU SP ST
RegQi
B.510 C.479 Clin.84

Back 6

chén pí 陳皮

(1) Regulates Qi & transforms Phlegm
(2) Dries Dampness & Strengthens Spleen
(3) Treats excess, great for nausea, vomiting especially due to Stomach Cold, can also be used with Stomach Heat vomiting with huáng lián; moves and disperses Qi; is often used to counter heaviness of meat
! Yin/Qi def dry cough, heat s/s
Caution: Overuse can deplete Qi especially in background of Qi Deficiency
chén(arrange, display) pí(bark, skin) [ie sections/arrangements within fruit]
Citri reteculatae Pericarpium
aged tangerine peel

Front 7

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

Back 7

chuān xiōng 川芎

(1) Moves Blood & transforms Stasis (hypochondriac pain, Bi pain, tumors, masses, menstrual disorders); major herb for moving Blood; recently used for heart conditions as a blood thinner
(2) Expels Wind & alleviates pain (moving pain); major herb for menstrual issues/headaches
! Yin def heat, LV Yang rising HA, Qi def, excessive menstrual bleeding, OD=vomiting, dizziness
CTX during pregnancy and Liver Yang Rising
chuān(Sichuan territory) xiōng(lovage root, Chuanxiong)
Chuanxiong Rhizome
Sichuan lovage root

Front 8

bitter, cold
HT LV LI ST
DoDr-Purg
B.235 C.269 Clin.42

Back 8

dà huáng 大黃

(1) Drains Heat & purges accumulations (4 Bigs)
(2) Drains Fire (eyes, tongue, throat, mouth sores)
(3) Clears Heat, transforms Dampness, & promotes urination (damp heat edema, jaundice, purge lower jiao)
(4) Drains Heat from Blood (blood in stools, vomiting blood, nosebleeds; removes excess Damp-Heat, fire toxins)
(5) Invigorates Blood & dispels Blood Stasis (amenorrhea, traumatic injury, dysmenorrhea, abdominal masses)
(6) Clears Heat & reduces Fire Toxicity (internally or topically, burns, heat from skin)
(7) Lowers blood pressure; problematic constipation
! ext disorders, Qi/Bl def, SP/ST def cold, nursing; pregnancy, menstruation, post partum
CTX during pregnancy & while breast feeding (purgative)
dà(big) huáng(yellow)
Rhei Radix et Rhizoma
rhubarb root and rhizome

Front 9

sweet, warm
SP ST
TonQi, Clinic-Refrig
B.730 C.872 Clin.R

Back 9

dà zǎo 大棗
(hóng zǎo)
(1) Tonifies Spleen & augments Qi
(2) Nourishes Blood & calms Spirit
(3) Moderates and harmonizes harsh properties of other herbs
! exc damp, food stag, parasites, damp phlegm w/bloating

dà(big) zǎo(Jujubae)
Jujubae Fructus
jujube

Front 10

spicy, sweet, warm
LV SP HT
TonBld
B.750 C.918 Clin.121

Back 10

dāng guī 當歸

(1) Tonifies Blood & regulates menses
(2) Invigorates and harmonizes Blood & disperses Cold
(3) Moistens Intestines & unblocks bowels
(4) Reduces swelling, expels pus, generates flesh, & alleviates pain
(5) Treats coughs
! Yin def heat; *diarrhea, abdominal distention d/t damp obstruction

dāng(state of, should or ought to be) guī(return)
Angelicae sinensis Radix
Chinese angelica root

Front 11

sweet, bland, neutral
HT SP KD LU
DrDamp-Diur
B.267 C.383 Clin.44

Back 11

fú líng 茯苓

(1) Promotes urination & leaches out Dampness (mild diuretic: dysuria, diarrhea, edema, bloating)
(2) Strengthens Spleen & harmonizes Middle Jiao
(3) Strengthens Spleen & transforms Phlegm
(4) Quiets Heart & calms Spirit (poor memory, insomnia, palpitations)
(5) Primary herb for Dampness in Spleen; gently presses water out of body
! copious urine d/t def cold, large dose, long term

fú(poria) líng(tuber, fungus)
Polyporaceae (fungus)
poria

Front 12

sweet, bland, neutral
HT SP LU
DrDamp-Diur
B.270 C.384 Clin.46

Back 12

fú shén 茯神

(1) Innermost part of fungus around and including root; used primarily for its spirit calming effect which is stronger for this than fú líng

fú(poria) shén(spirit)
Polyporaceae (fungus)
poria center

Front 13

spicy, hot
HT LU SP ST
WarInt-ExpCold
B.681 C.450 Clin.119

Back 13

gān jiāng 乾薑

(1) Warms Middle & expels Cold ( esp. Sp/St; really wakes up appetite)
(2) Rescues devastated Yang & expels Interior Cold (not as strong as zhì fù zǐ)
(3) Warms Lungs & transforms thin mucus (frequent coughing/wheezing, thin lung phlegm, weakness of vitality of Lungs)
(4) Warms channels & stops bleeding (esp. Cold in Lower Jiao: extended periods, uterine bleeding)
(5) Warms and restores
! Yin def heat, reckless hot Bl, pregnancy
Caution during pregnancy
gān(dried) jiāng(ginger, Zingiberis)
Zingiberis Rhizoma
dried ginger rhizome

Front 14

sweet, cool
ST
not at ACTCM, Misc, 0
B.X C.874

Back 14

gēng mǐ 梗米

(1) Benefit the Stomach and protect the fluids

gēng() mǐ()
Semen Oryzae Sativae
Nonglutinous rice soup

Front 15

spicy, sweet, warm
HT LU UB
RelExt-SpicyWarm
B.8 C.40 Clin.1

Back 15

guì zhī 桂枝

(1) Releases Exterior and assists Yang
(2) warms and unblocks channels and collaterals
(3) warms Yang and transforms thin mucus
(4) assists Heart Yang and unblocks Yang Qi of chest
(5) adjusts Ying Qi and Wei Qi (helps to release muscle layer)
(6) warms middle and directs turbid Yin downward
(7) half dispersing/half tonifying
! warm febrile, Yin def heat, heat in Bl w/vomiting, pregnancy, exc menstruation

guì(cinnamomi) zhī(twig)
Cinnamomi Ramulus
Cinnamon twig

Front 16

bitter, spicy, warm
SP ST LU LI
Arom-TrDamp
B.470 C.365 Clin.78

Back 16

hòu pò 厚朴

(1) Promotes movement of Qi in Middle Jiao (is best for dispelling distension, food stagnation, abdominal distension; helps restore downward movement of Stomach)
(2) Promotes movement of Qi downward, dries Dampness, & transforms Phlegm (resolves Dampness/Phlegm in digestive tract)
(3) Directs Qi downward, reduces Phlegm, & calms wheezing (eases and helps conduct Lung Qi downward)
! Pregnancy
Caution: pregnancy
hòu(thick for flat things) pò(magnolia, "uncarved block")
Magnoliae officinalis Cortex
Chinese Magnolia Bark

Front 17

sweet, sl warm
LU SP
TonQi
B.722 C.847 Clin.114

Back 17

huáng qí 黃耆

(1) Tonifies Qi and Blood
(2) Tonifies Spleen & raises Yang
(3) Augments Wei Qi & stabilizes Exterior
(4) Promotes urination & reduces edema
(5) Promotes discharge of pus & generates flesh
! ext exc, Qi stag, damp obstruction, food stag, Yin def heat, skin lesions

huáng(yellow) qí(man 60 or 70 years of age)
Astragali Radix
astragalus root

Front 18

bitter, spicy, warm, (aromatic)
LU ST
RegQi, Not in Clinic
B.513 C.480

Back 18

jú hóng 橘紅

(1) Dries Dampness & transforms Phlegm (often used for phlegm, asthma, cough)
(2) Regulates Stomach Qi (often used for nausea, vomiting)
(3) More drying and aromatic then chén pí, less effective in harmonizing Middle and regulating Stomach/Spleen

jú(tangerine) hóng(red)
Citri reteculatae Exocarpium rubrum
red tangerine peel

Front 19

sweet, warm
HT SP
TonBld, Clinic-Refrig
B.764 C.937 Clin.R

Back 19

lóng yǎn ròu 龍眼肉

(1) Tonifies and augments Heart and Spleen, nourishes Blood, & calms Spirit

lóng(dragon) yǎn(eye) ròu(flesh)
Longan Arillus
longan fruit

Front 20

spicy, sl bitter, warm
LU UB
RelExt-SpicyWarm
B.3 C.36 Clin.1

Back 20

má huáng 麻黄

(1) Induces sweating and releases Exterior
(2) disseminates and facilitates Lung Qi, calms wheezing and stops coughing (asthma), directs downward
(3) promotes urination and reduces edema (superficial/floating)
(4) warms and disperses Cold pathogens
! long-term use, def sweating or wheezing, HBP
CTX high blood pressure, sweating conditions, currently illegal to use
má(hemp) huáng(yellow)
Ephedrae Herba
Ephedra stem

Front 21

bitter, spicy, salty, very cold
ST LI
DoDr-Purg
B.240 C.274 Clin.41

Back 21

máng xiāo 芒硝

(1) Purgative, Purges accumulation & guides out Stagnation (Excess Heat in Stomach, Large Intestines)
(2) Clears Heat & drains Fire (bronchitis, pneumonia, Excess Heat in Stomach: mouth sores, vomiting)
(3) Clears Heat & reduces swelling
(4) Brings fluids into intestines; opens and clears stagnation
CTX during pregnancy & while breast feeding; Special: add to prepared decoction
máng(sodium sulfate) xiāo(saltpeter)
Natrii Sulfas Na2SO4•10 H2O
Sodium Sulfate

Front 22

bitter, spicy, warm
GB LI SP ST
RegQi
B.529 C.493 Clin.86

Back 22

mù xiāng 木香

(1) Moves Qi & stops pain
(2) Very good herb for treating pain - chest, hypochondrium, abdomen
(3) Abdominal pain + diarrhea, dysenteric disorders; consolidates intestines for diarrhea, dysenteric disorders
(4) Often is used with tonifying herbs to help prevent stagnation
! Yin def, dehydration
Special: raw form is a stronger Qi mover; dry fried form is less moving
mù(tree, wood) xiāng(fragrance)
Aucklandiae/Saussurea Radix
aucklandia/saussurea/costus root

Front 23

sweet, sl bitter, sl warm
LU SP
TonQi
B.710 C.835 Clin.113

Back 23

rén shēn 人參

(1) Powerfully tonifies Primal Qi
(2) Strengthens Spleen & tonifies Stomach
(3) Tonifies Lungs & augments Qi
(4) Generates fluids & stops thirst
(5) Benefits Heart Qi & calms Spirit
! Yin def heat, esc heat, absence of Qi def, LV yang rising hypertension

rén(human) shēn(root)
Ginseng Radix
ginseng root

Front 24

spicy, warm
SP ST LI
StaBi-Astring
B.870 C.999 Clin.139

Back 24

ròu dòu kòu 肉豆蔻

(1) Binds up Intestines & stops diarrhea
(2) Warms Middle Jiao, moves Qi, & alleviates pain

ròu(fleshy) dòu(bean, pea) kòu(cardamon; aromatic cardamon-like fruits)
Myristicae Semen
nutmeg seeds

Front 25

bitter, sour, mildly cold
LV SP
TonBld, 0
B.754 C.930

Back 25

sháo yào 芍藥
(bái sháo, chì sháo)
(1) Nourishes Blood & regulates menses
(2) Calms and curbs Liver Yang & alleviates pain
(3) Preserves Yin & adjusts Ying and Wei levels

sháo(Paeoniae) yào(medicine, herb)
Paeoniae Radix alba
white peony root

Front 26

spicy, sl warm
LU SP ST
RelExt-SpicyWarm
B.30 C.45 Clin.R

Back 26

shēng jiāng 生薑

(1) Releases Exterior and disperses Cold (fresh ginger moves, dried ginger stays)
(2) warms middle jiao and alleviates vomiting (due to Cold, promotes downward movement)
(3) warms Lungs and stop cough (dries and promotes downward movement)
(4) resolves toxicity (esp. from overdose of herbs)
! LU heat, ST heat w/vomiting
Special: add last to decoction, do not overcook esp. for releasing function
shēng(fresh, uncooked) jiāng(ginger, zingiberis)
Zingiberis Rhizoma recens
fresh ginger rhizome

Front 27

sweet, spicy, very cold
LU ST
ClHt-DrFire
B.89 C.108 Clin.13

Back 27

shí gāo 石膏

(1) Clears Heat and drains Fire
(2) Clears Heat from Excess from Lungs
(3) Clears Blazing Stomach Fire
(4) For eczema, burns, and ulcerated sores (use as paste as well as internal)
(5) 4 Bigs: Fever, Thirst, Sweating, Pulse; Heat in Qi Level (4 Levels)/Yangming (6 Levels)
! Weak ST, minute pulse, Yang def cold, Yin def heat
Caution Prolonged use can lead to deficiency condition!
shí(stone) gāo(paste)
Gypsum fibrosum
crystalline gypsum (sulfate mineral)

Front 28

sweet, sour, neutral
HT SP LV GB
CaSpir-Nour
B.928 C.762 Clin.146

Back 28

suān zǎo rén 酸棗仁

(1) Nourish Heart Yin, augments Liver Blood, & quiets Spirit
(2) Prevents abnormal sweating
! severe diarrhea, exc heat

suān(sour) zǎo(date) rén(seed)
Ziziphi spinosae Semen
sour jujube seed

Front 29

sour, astring, warm
LV LU SP LI
StaBi-Astring
B.864 C.988 Clin.141

Back 29

wū méi 烏梅

(1) Inhibits leakage of Lung Qi & stops coughs
(2) Generates fluids & alleviates thirst
(3) Expels roundworms & alleviates pain
(4) Binds up Intestines & stops diarrhea
(5) Stops bleeding
(6) Topically to treat corns and warts
! exc int heat, stag, ext condition

wū(black, crow) méi(plumb) ["darkened plumb"]
Mume Fructus
mume fruit

Front 30

sweet, sour, warm
KD HT LU
StaBi-Astring
B.860 C.985 Clin.145

Back 30

wǔ wèi zǐ 五味子

(1) Contains leakage of Lung Qi & stops coughs
(2) Tonifies Kidneys, binds up Jing, & stops diarrhea
(3) Inhibits sweating & generates fluids
(4) Quiets Spirit while calming and containing Heart Qi
! exc int heat, early cough/rash, ext condition

wǔ(five) wèi(flavor, taste) zǐ(seeds)
Schisandrae Fructus
schisandra fruit

Front 31

bitter, spicy, hot, sl toxic
LV SP ST
WarInt-ExpCold
B.687 C.452 Clin.119

Back 31

wú zhū yú 吳茱萸

(1) Warms Middle, disperses Cold, promotes movement of Qi, & alleviates pain (Cold Stagnation/pain, hernia pain, genital pain, cold dysmenorrhea)
(2) Warms Spleen, stops diarrhea, & expels Cold-Dampness
(3) Redirects Rebellious Qi downward & stops vomiting (caused by Cold only)
(4) Basically is a Liver governing herb
(5) Leads Fire Downward (sores of mouth and tongue)(Smells like cannabis flowers)
! long term, Yin def heat symptoms, OD=dry throat

wú zhū yú(Evodiae)
Evodiae Fructus
evodia fruit

Front 32

spicy, sl bitter, sl sweet, neutral
LV SJ
RegQi
B.527 C.495 Clin.86

Back 32

xiāng fù 香附

(1) Smooth Liver & regulate Qi
(2) Moves Blood & regulates menstruation
(3) Female health - moves Qi and Blood, very important herb
(4) Raw form is more moving, for upper body and surface of body; fried then treated with salty water targets Blood more, guides to blood; process with vinegar for masses and Blood Stasis; processed with ginger juice for moving Qi; dry fried/charred for bleeding
! Def qi w/o stagn, Def yin, Heat in blood
Caution with Qi or Blood Deficiency
xiāng(aromatic) fù(appendage)
Cyperi Rhizoma
nut-grass rhizome

Front 33

bitter, sl warm, sl toxic
LU LI
TraPhlg-CoughWhz
B.437 C.723 Clin.77

Back 33

xìng rén 杏仁

(1) Stops coughing and wheezing (very commonly used, for all types of coughing/wheezing; is #1 herb for coughing/wheezing)
(2) Moistens Intestines & unblocks bowels
(3) There are two varieties: nán – sweet, less or non-toxic and bèi – bitter and more toxic
Caution: Overdose causes nausea/vomiting, if severe overdose: abdominal pain, tiredness, dilated pupils, coma
xìng(apricot) rén(seed)
Armeniacae Semen
apricot seed

Front 34

sweet, sl warm
LU SP ST
TonQi, Not in Clinic
B.742 C.877

Back 34

yí táng 飴糖

(1) Tonifies Spleen & augments Qi
(2) Tonifies Middle Jiao & alleviates pain
(3) Moistens Lungs & stops cough

yí(clear sugar, syrup) táng(sugar, candy)
Maltosum
malt sugar

Front 35

bitter, spicy, sl warm
HT LU
CaSpir-Nour
B.932 C.766 Clin.147

Back 35

yuǎn zhì 遠志

(1) Calms Spirit & quiets Heart
(2) Expels Phlegm, clears orifices, & stops coughs
(3) Reduces abscesses & dissipates swelling
! Yin def heat, ulcers, gastritis
CTX Yin Deficiency with Heat signs, peptic ulcers, or gastritis
yuǎn(profound; great ambition) zhì(will)
Polygalae Radix
polygala root

Front 36

sweet, neutral (sheng), sweet, warm (zhi)
HT SP ST LU
TonQi
B.734 C.871 Clin.117

Back 36

zhì gān cǎo 炙甘草

(1) Tonifies Spleen & augments Qi
(2) Moistens Lungs & stops coughs
(3) Moderates spasms & alleviates pain
(4) Clears Heat & resolves Fire Toxicity
(5) Moderates and harmonizes characteristics of other herbs

zhì(prepared) gān(sweet) cǎo(herb)
Glycyrrhizae Radix
licorice root honey fried (prepared)

Front 37

bitter, spicy, sl cold
SP ST LI
RegQi
B.519 C.486 Clin.85

Back 37

zhǐ ké 枳殼
(zhǐ qiào)
(1) Moves Qi & releases distention; more moderate, less aggressive; for abdominal fullness, epigastric distention/fullness, poor digestion
! pregnancy, ST def cold
Use with caution during pregnancy
zhǐ(orange) ké(shell, casing)
Aurantii Fructus
bitter orange

Front 38

bitter, spicy, sl cold
SP ST LI
RegQi
B.516 C.483 Clin.85

Back 38

zhǐ shí 枳實

(1) Transforms Phlegm AND moves Qi
(2) Moves Qi & releases distention (strong herb for moving Qi - good for tough cases; focuses on digestive system; is special since is Cool yet moves Qi)
(3) Transforms Phlegm & unblocks Bí (is an important herb for treating Phlegm)
(4) Expel stagnation & open bowels
(5) Often used in prolapse conditions
! pregnancy, weak Qi, ST def cold
Caution during pregnancy
zhǐ(orange) shí(solid)
Aurantii Fructus immaturus
unripe bitter orange