Chapter One. The theory and concepts of Chinese herbal medicine
 |
1. What are the four flavors of Chinese herbs? What are their applications in clinical practice?
In clinical practice, hot or warm herbs are used to warm the body and to treat Cold syndromes. For example, Gan Jiang ( Zingiberis rhizoma) is able to warm the Middle Jiao and treat abdominal cramp and diarrhea; Dang Gui ( Angelicae sinensis radix) can warm the Blood and alleviate pain due to Cold in the Blood. A cold or cool herb is used to clear Heat and to treat Heat syndromes. For instance, Shi Gao ( Gypsum) can clear Heat in the Lung and Stomach and therefore it can reduce fever, wheezing and thirst; Sheng Di Huang ( Rehmanniae radix) can reduce Heart-Fire in order to treat restlessness and insomnia. A neutral herb can be used when the syndrome is not characterized by Heat or Cold. For instance, Fu Ling ( Poria) can promote urination and reduce edema. A neutral herb can also be used in either a Cold or Heat syndrome in combination with other hot or cold herbs. For instance, Fu Ling ( Poria) can be used with Fu Zi ( Aconiti radix lateralis preparata)* to warm the Kidney-Yang and reduce edema; it can also be used with Xiao Ji ( Cirsii herba) to treat painful urinary dysfunction due to Heat in the Bladder. These are the basic applications of the four flavors.
The four flavors are amongst the primary properties of herbs but, in fact, the number is not confined to four. Like many other theories in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the four flavors primarily indicate the temperature quality of the herbs. The theory also suggests that these temperatures can be subdivided into different degrees, but does not indicate the details of these degrees. The terms ‘very hot’, ‘hot’, ‘warm’ and ‘slightly warm’ are sometimes used. In practice, differences in temperature between herbs are usually found out from the explanations of the function, from applications given in books and from personal experience.
Moreover, hot herbs can be divided into thin-hot and thick-hot. A thin-hot herb possesses a lighter hot nature, which leads to a quicker action; it is often used to expel exterior pathogenic Cold—examples are Ma Huang ( Ephedrae herba)*, Gui Zhi ( Cinnamomi cassiae ramulus) and Xin Yi ( Magnoliae flos). A thick-hot herb possesses a strong hot nature that leads to a strong and steady action; it is used to warm the Interior and treat interior Cold syndrome—examples include Fu Zi ( Aconiti radix lateralis preparata)*, Rou Gui ( Cinnamomi cassiae cortex) and Gan Jiang ( Zingiberis rhizoma). Cold herbs can likewise be divided into thin-cold and thick-cold. A thin-cold herb can gently but quickly disperse and clear Heat in the Upper Jiao or in the superficial level of the body—examples are Bo He ( Menthae herba), Chai Hu ( Bupleuri radix), Sang Ye ( Mori folium) and Ju Hua ( Chrysanthemi flos). A thick-cold herb can strongly clear Heat and reduce Fire—examples include Huang Lian ( Coptidis rhizoma), Huang Qin ( Scutellariae radix), Huang Bai ( Phellodendri cortex) and Long Dan Cao ( Gentianae radix).
2. What are the five tastes of herbs? What are their clinical applications?
The five tastes of herbs are pungent, sour, bitter, salty and sweet. Each herb has at least one taste and most have two or three. Some herbs have no specific taste, and so are considered bland herbs. There are also herbs which have a special aromatic smell; these are called aromatic herbs. Another exception is that there are also some herbs or substances which give an astringent sensation in the mouth, so these are called astringent substances.
Originally, the tastes of herbs were defined directly from the perception in the mouth and stomach. People found that Gan Jiang ( Zingiberis rhizoma) is pungent, Gan Cao ( Glycyrrhizae radix is sweet, Huang Lian ( Coptidis rhizoma) is bitter, Wu Mei ( Mume fructus) is sour, Zhi Mu ( Anemarrhenae rhizoma) is salty, Fu Ling ( Poria) is bland and Long Gu ( Mastodi fossilium ossis) is astringent. In early medical practice, it was also found that a specific taste caused a specific reaction in the body; as medical experience increased, the study of the tastes of herbs changed. As a result, some tastes are ascribed to herbs not according to their perception in the mouth, but to their action in the body. Therefore, the five tastes of herbs no longer simply describe the taste properties of herbs but have also become a part of the theory of herbal medicine and are used to analyze and study herbs.
According to experience from medical practice, each taste possesses specific properties, which can bring about specific actions in the body. The basic actions from the tastes are as follows.
Pungency
A pungent herb has moving and dispersing characteristics, which are able to disperse Wind, Cold, Heat and Dampness and therefore treat corresponding disorders. For instance, Ma Huang ( Ephedrae herba)* can disperse the Lung-Qi, Shi Gao ( Gypsum) is able to disperse Heat from the Lung and the Stomach, Fu Zi ( Aconiti radix lateralis preparata)* can expel Cold from the Kidney, Fang Feng ( Saposhnikoviae radix) is able to expel Wind from the superficial region of the body and Chai Hu ( Bupleuri radix) can lift the Qi from the Liver and Gall Bladder.
Since pungent herbs can move quickly and expel pathogenic factors, they can also promote Qi movement, Blood circulation and water metabolism, open the meridians and reduce stagnation. For instance, Mu Xiang ( Aucklandiae radix)**, Chen Pi ( Citri reticulatae pericarpium), Sha Ren ( Amomi xanthioidis fructus) and Hou Po ( Magnoliae cortex) can promote Qi movement; Chuan Xiong ( Chuanxiong rhizoma), Dang Gui ( Angelicae sinensis radix), Chi Shao Yao ( Paeoniae radix rubra) and Yan Hu Suo ( Corydalidis rhizoma) are able to invigorate the Blood; Di Fu Zi ( Kochiae fructus) and Qin Jiao ( Gentianae macrophyllae radix) can eliminate Dampness; Jiang Can ( Bombyx batrycatus) and Quan Xie ( Scorpio)* can open the meridians.
The moving and dispersing ability of the pungent taste can also break up and eliminate pathological products. Many herbs that are able to break up congealed Blood, reduce food stagnation and dissolve Phlegm are also pungent, such as Mo Yao ( Myrrhae), E Zhu ( Curcumae rhizoma), Lai Fu Zi ( Raphani semen), Bing Lang ( Arecae semen), Ban Xia ( Pinelliae rhizoma) and Xing Ren ( Armeniacae semen).
Sweetness
A sweet herb possesses tonifying qualities. It can tonify and nourish the body, and especially its substantial aspect. Most of the herbs that tonify the Qi, Blood, Yin and Yang are sweet. For example, Ren Shen ( Ginseng radix) and Huang Qi ( Astragali radix) can tonify the Qi; Shu Di Huang ( Rehmanniae radix praeparata) and Da Zao ( Jujubae fructus) can tonify the Blood; Mai Men Dong ( Ophiopogonis radix) can nourish the Yin; Ba Ji Tian ( Morindae radix) and Rou Gui ( Cinnamomi cassiae cortex) can tonify the Yang.
A sweet herb also possesses moderate quality. It can relieve acute stomach ache, abdominal pain or cramping pain of muscles, because sweetness can nourish the Yin of tendons and therefore relaxes the muscles; Zhi Gan Cao ( Glycyrrhizae radix preparata) is a good example in such situations.
The moderate quality gives the sweet taste an ability to reduce stress, harmonize emotions and bring a relief from deep anger, fear or sorrow. Zhi Gan Cao ( Glycyrrhizae radix preparata), Xiang Fu ( Cyperi rhizoma), Bai He ( Lilii bulbus) and Sheng Di Huang ( Rehmanniae radix) are often used for this purpose.
Moreover, sweetness can also reduce the speed of a progressive pathological change, stabilize the condition and give time to restore the body resistance and to recover the function of the internal organs; therefore it can be used in critical situations. For instance, Ren Shen ( Ginseng radix) and Huang Qi ( Astragali radix) can restore the Qi; Zhi Gan Cao ( Glycyrrhizae radix preparata) and Fu Zi ( Aconiti radix lateralis preparata)* used together can rescue the Yang; Zhi Gan Cao ( Glycyrrhizae radix preparata) and Bai Shao Yao ( Paeoniae radix lactiflora) are used together to nourish the Yin.
The moderating nature of the sweet taste can also reduce the side-effects of harsh herbs and moderate the speed of other herbs, turning a harsh and quick action into a steady and constant action. For example, Zhi Gan Cao ( Glycyrrhizae radix preparata) can moderate the cathartic action of Da Huang ( Rhei rhizoma) and Mang Xiao ( Natrii sulfas) to treat constipation; it can moderate the quick action of Fu Zi ( Aconiti radix lateralis preparata)* and Gan Jiang ( Zingiberis rhizoma) to strengthen the Yang.
In addition, a sweet herb is often used to harmonize the herbs whose functions are on different directions and levels in one formula; for example, Zhi Gan Cao ( Glycyrrhizae radix preparata) is used in more than ninety percent of formulas as a harmonizing herb.
Sourness
A sour herb is astringent. It can stabilize the Qi, Blood, Essence and Body Fluids and prevent their leakage in pathological situations. Because it can stabilize the essential substances of the body, it is also considered to have a nourishing function in the body. For example, Wu Wei Zi ( Schisandrae fructus), Shan Zhu Yu ( Corni fructus) and Bai Shao Yao ( Paeoniae radix lactiflora) can stabilize the Body Fluids and treat spontaneous sweating and night sweating; Wu Wei Zi ( Schisandrae fructus) and Wu Bei Zi ( Chinensis galla) are able to stabilize the Lung-Qi to treat severe cough and shortness of breath; Suan Zao Ren ( Ziziphi spinosae semen) can stabilize the Heart-Qi, nourish the Blood and treat palpitations, restlessness and insomnia; Bai Shao Yao ( Paeoniae radix lactiflora) is able to nourish and stabilize the Liver-Yin to treat irritability; Shan Zhu Yu ( Corni fructus) can stabilize the essence of the Kidney and treat poor memory, inability to concentrate and spermatorrhea; Wu Mei ( Mume fructus) can nourish the Stomach-Yin and improve the appetite; Jin Ying Zi ( Rosae laevigatae fructus) and Wu Bei Zi ( Chinensis galla) are able to bind up the intestines and stop diarrhea as well as treat rectal prolapse.
Sour herbs are also considered to have a function of relieving toxicity and reducing swelling. For instance, Wu Mei ( Mume fructus) and vinegar are used to inhibit some parasites, fungi, bacteria and viruses.
Bitterness
A bitter herb possesses drying, reducing and downward-moving capabilities. It can dry Dampness and dissolve Phlegm. For instance, Bai Zhu ( Atractylodis macrocephalae rhizoma) can dry Dampness in the Middle Jiao and strengthen the function of the Spleen; Cang Zhu ( Atractylodis rhizoma) can dry Dampness and relieve heavy sensations in the head and the limbs; Ban Xia ( Pinelliae rhizoma) and Xing Ren (Armeniacae semen) can direct the Lung-Qi to descend, dissolve Phlegm and relieve cough.
Bitterness is very often used to reduce Heat from the internal organs. For instance, Huang Lian ( Coptidis rhizoma) can clear Stomach-Fire and treat Excessive hunger, heartburn and toothache; Zhu Ye ( Bambusae folium) can clear Heat from the Heart and lead it out of the body through the urine; Long Dan Cao ( Gentianae radix) can clear Heat, reduce Fire and dry Dampness from the Liver organ and meridian, and is effective in treating tinnitus, acute eczema and infections of the eyes and ears; Huang Bai ( Phellodendri cortex) can clear Heat from the Kidney and Bladder and therefore treats spermatorrhea and painful urinary dysfunction due to Damp-Heat in the Lower Jiao.
A bitter herb has a downward-moving tendency in its action, and therefore it can be used to direct the Qi and Blood downward in a specific region or in the whole body. For example, Xing Ren ( Armeniacae semen) can direct the Lung-Qi downward; Ban Xia ( Pinelliae rhizoma) can direct the Stomach-Qi downward; Bing Lang ( Arecae semen), Hou Po ( Magnoliae cortex) and Da Huang ( Rhei rhizoma) can direct the Qi in the intestines downward; Chuan Niu Xi ( Cyathulae radix) can direct the Blood downward; San Leng ( Sparganii rhizoma) and E Zhu ( Curcumae rhizoma) can direct congealed Blood downward.
Saltiness
A salty substance possesses softening and reducing qualities. As it can soften hardness, it is often used to treat chronic inflammations as well as masses, such as goiter, scrofula, hepatocirrhosis and tumors. For instance, Xuan Shen ( Scrophulariae radix) is often used for chronic pharyngitis; Mang Xiao ( Natrii sulfas) is used to soften the feces and promote bowel movement; Zhe Bei Mu ( Fritillariae thunbergii bulbus) and Hai Fu Shi ( Pumex) are able to dissolve sticky sputum; Mu Li ( Ostrea concha), Hai Zao ( Sargassum) and Kun Bu ( Eckloniae thallus) are used in treating goiter and scrofula. All of these can be used in formulas to treat tumors.
A salty substance also has a downward-moving tendency in action and it can direct the Qi, Blood and Body Fluids downwards. For instance, Xue Jie ( Daemonoropsis resina) and Su Mu ( Sappan lignum) can disperse and reduce congealed Blood; Xuan Shen ( Scrophulariae radix) can reduce Fire from the Heart and Kidney.
Blandness
A bland substance has the function of promoting urination and leaching out Dampness. For instance, Fu Ling ( Poria), Yi Yi Ren ( Coicis semen), Tong Cao ( Tetrapanacis medulla) and Hua Shi ( Talcum) can treat urinary retention and painful urinary dysfunction; they can also treat edema.
Aromatic herbs
An aromatic herb has similar functions to those of a pungent herb. It possesses moving and dispersing properties. Furthermore, an aromatic herb has a lighter but more remarkable smell, which brings about the function of penetrating the turbidity of Dampness, reviving the Spleen and transforming Dampness. It is especially used in conditions where Dampness accumulates in the Middle Jiao and the Spleen fails to transform and transport Dampness, the Spleen-Qi is not able to ascend and the Stomach-Qi is not able to descend. This pathological change leads to symptoms such as poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and a sticky sensation in the mouth. Huo Xiang ( Agastachis herba), Pei Lan ( Eupatorii herba), Cang Zhu ( Atractylodis rhizoma) and Sha Ren ( Amomi xanthioidis fructus) are the most commonly used aromatic herbs and are used to treat these disorders.
There are other aromatic herbs which can transform the turbidity of Dampness and harmonize the Qi and Blood in certain organs and areas besides the Spleen. For example, Yu Jin ( Curcumae radix), Qing Hao ( Artemisiae annuae herba) and Yin Chen Hao ( Artemisiae scopariae herba) can transform the Dampness from the Liver and Gall Bladder and treat distension in the hypochondriac region, nausea and irritability; Shi Chang Pu ( Acori graminei rhizoma), Su He Xiang ( Styrax) and Bing Pian ( Borneol) can transform Dampness, revive the Heart and open the orifices to treat Closed syndrome; Bo He ( Menthae herba) and Ju Hua ( Chrysanthemi flos) can clear Wind-Heat from the head to treat headache and a heavy and distending sensation of the head and eyes.
Moreover, since aromatic herbs are light and have a moving ability, they are often used to unblock Qi and Blood obstructions and relieve pain. For instance, Su He Xiang ( Styrax), Tan Xiang ( Santali albi lignum) and Sha Ren ( Amomi xanthioidis fructus) can treat severe pain in the chest and are used for angina pectoris; Mu Xiang ( Aucklandiae radix)** and Sha Ren ( Amomi xanthioidis fructus) can treat abdominal pain; Yu Jin ( Curcumae radix), Chuan Xiong ( Chuanxiong rhizoma) and Wu Yao ( Linderae radix) can treat lower abdominal pain due to disorders in the Liver meridian; Qiang Huo ( Notopterygii rhizoma), Chuan Xiong ( Chuanxiong rhizoma) and Bai Zhi ( Angelicae dahuricae radix) can relieve headache; Ru Xiang ( Olibanum) and Mo Yao ( Myrrhae) can treat pain due to Blood stagnation.
Since aromatic herbs can penetrate into the deeper regions of the body to regulate the Qi and Blood, they are also often used topically in herbal plasters, lotions or creams to treat muscular pain. The commonly used aromatic herbs are Chuan Xiong ( Chuanxiong rhizoma), Ru Xiang ( Olibanum), Rou Gui ( Cinnamomi cassiae cortex), Qiang Huo ( Notopterygii rhizoma) and Bo He ( Menthae herba). In addition, aromatic herbs are also often used topically to promote the healing process of wounds, especially the Yin-type ulcers, because the herbs can reach the deep regions of the wound, transform turbidity of Dampness and regulate the Qi and Blood. The commonly used herbs are Ding Xiang ( Caryophylli flos), Ru Xiang ( Olibanum), Chen Xiang ( Aquilariae lignum), Bai Zhi ( Angelicae dahuricae radix) and Bing Pian ( Borneol).
Astringency
An astringent herb or substance has the same characteristics as a sour substance, but no sour taste. It can stabilize the essential substances of the body and prevent the leakage of them in pathological conditions. For instance, Long Gu ( Mastodi fossilium ossis) can stabilize the Heart-Qi and calm the Liver-Yang to treat palpitations, restlessness and insomnia; Mu Li ( Ostrea concha) can stabilize the Body Fluids and treat night sweating; Shi Liu Pi ( Granati pericarpium) and Zao Xin Tu ( Terra flava usta) can bind up the intestines and treat diarrhea; Sang Piao Xiao ( Mantidis oötheca) and Shan Yao ( Dioscoreae rhizoma) can stabilize the Essence, treat spermatorrhea and enuresis.
3. Which characteristics exist in the combinations of the temperature and taste of herbs?
It often happens that there is more than one taste in one herb; combined with its temperature, they bring about the specific functions of the herb. If more tastes and temperature of herbs are combined, the range of applications is extended. The specific combination of temperature and tastes may lead to the following functions.
Pungent-hot herbs can strongly disperse Cold and Dampness, warm the Yang and activate the Qi
Heat can warm Cold and possesses the ability to move; pungency has a moving and dispersing ability, and it may accelerate the action of hot herbs. Therefore a hot-pungent herb can strongly expel Cold and Dampness, warm the Yang and activate the Qi. For instance, Ma Huang ( Ephedrae herba)* can activate the Lung-Qi, and strengthen the dispersing and descending function of the Lung; Fu Zi ( Aconiti radix lateralis preparata)* can warm the Kidney-Yang and Gan Jiang ( Zingiberis rhizoma) can warm the Spleen-Yang and both of them can expel Cold. As Cold may freeze water, a pungent-hot herb can also dissolve Damp-Cold.
Sweet-warm herbs can tonify the essential substances and their function in the body
Sweetness has a tonifying, moderating and harmonizing quality; warmth is the source and essential condition for growth, not only in nature but also in the human body. Therefore a sweet-warm herb can tonify the essential substances of the body as well as strengthening the functions of the internal organs. For instance, Huang Qi ( Astragali radix) and Ren Shen ( Ginseng radix) can tonify the Qi; Shu Di Huang ( Rehmanniae radix praeparata) and Gou Qi Zi ( Lycii fructus) can tonify the Essence and Blood.
Pungent-sweet-warm herbs can generate the Yang and strengthen the functions of the internal organs
Sweetness has a tonifying ability; warmth offers a condition of growth for the essential substances; pungency is able to spread and carry out the action from sweetness and warmth. Therefore, from a sweet-pungent-warm herb the Yang of the body and the functions of the internal organs can be generated. For instance, Dang Gui ( Angelicae sinensis radix) can warm the body, tonify the Blood and promote the Blood circulation; Rou Gui ( Cinnamomi cassiae cortex) and Ba Ji Tian ( Morindae radix) can generate the Kidney-Yang.
Pungent-bitter herbs can disperse and descend the Qi and Blood
Since pungency moves outwards and upwards and bitterness moves downwards, a pungent-bitter herb can move the Qi in two directions simultaneously to activate the Qi movement and Blood circulation as well as water metabolism. For instance, Xing Ren ( Armeniacae semen) can regulate the Lung-Qi to relieve coughing; Ban Xia ( Pinelliae rhizoma) can regulate the Stomach-Qi and treat nausea and poor appetite; Lian Qiao ( Forsythiae fructus) can regulate the Qi in the chest and relieve irritability; Xiang Fu (Cyperi rhizoma) can circulate the Liver-Qi and treat Liver-Qi stagnation; Chi Shao Yao ( Paeoniae radix rubra), Mu Dan Pi ( Moutan cortex) and Yan Hu Suo ( Corydalidis rhizoma) can promote Blood circulation and treat Blood stagnation.
Pungent-bitter-warm herbs can dry Dampness
Bitterness has drying properties, and pungency and warmth can disperse Dampness. Pungent-bitter-warm herbs rather than pungent-hot herbs are often used to dry Dampness, because Dampness is a Yin, sticky pathogenic factor that results in a lingering pathological process and it cannot be removed quickly. The action of pungent-bitter-warm herbs is more steady and constant and is more suitable for this situation than a quickly moving pungent-hot herb. For example, Qiang Huo ( Notopterygii rhizoma) and Cang Zhu ( Atractylodis rhizoma) can expel Wind-Damp-Cold pathogenic factors; Hou Po ( Magnoliae cortex) and Chen Pi ( Citri reticulatae pericarpium) can dry Dampness in the Middle Jiao and transform Phlegm in the Lung as well as promote Qi movement.
Sweet-cold herbs can generate Yin
Since sweetness can tonify the substantial aspect of the body, and Cold can clear Heat and protect the Yin, a sweet-cold herb is able to nourish the Yin of the body and is commonly used for different kinds of Yin deficiency syndromes. For instance, Mai Men Dong ( Ophiopogonis radix) can generate the Heart-Yin and Stomach-Yin; Lu Gen ( Phragmitis rhizoma) and Bai He ( Lilii bulbus) can nourish the Lung-Yin; Yu Zhu ( Polygonati odorati rhizoma) can nourish the Stomach-Yin; Bai Shao Yao ( Paeoniae radix lactiflora) can nourish the Liver-Yin; Sang Shen ( Mori fructus) can nourish the Kidney-Yin.
Sweet-bitter-cold herbs can clear Heat and generate Yin and Body Fluids
Since sweetness has a tonifying ability, and bitterness and Cold can clear Heat and direct it to descend, sweet-bitter-cold herbs can reduce Fire and nourish the Yin. They are used for syndromes of Yin deficiency with Excessive-Heat and when the Heat has consumed the Yin of the body. For instance, Sheng Di Huang ( Rehmanniae radix) can reduce Heat from the Heart, Liver and Kidney and nourish the Yin of the three organs; Tian Men Dong ( Asparagi radix) can reduce Fire from the Lung and Kidney and nourish the Yin there; Sang Ye ( Mori folium) can clear Lung-Heat and moisten the Dryness there; Ju Hua ( Chrysanthemi flos) can clear Liver-Heat, nourish the Yin and brighten the eyes.
Sour-cold herbs can generate and stabilize the Yin
Sourness can hold and stabilize the essential substances of the body and Cold can clear Heat and protect the Yin. A sour-cold substance can thus generate and stabilize the Yin of the body. For instance, Bai Shao Yao ( Paeoniae radix lactiflora) and Han Lian Cao ( Ecliptae herba) are able to clear Heat and nourish and stabilize the Liver-Yin; Tian Hua Fen ( Trichosanthis radix), also called Gua Lou Gen, can clear Heat and nourish the Lung-Yin and Stomach-Yin.
Bitter-cold herbs can clear Heat, reduce Fire and eliminate Damp-Heat
Bitterness and Cold both have a clearing ability and both move downwards; Cold can clear Heat and bitterness enhances this action. Therefore a bitter-cold combination is widely found in herbs that clear Excessive-Heat, reduce Fire, relieve Heat toxicity and drain downward. Since bitterness can dry Dampness and Cold can reduce Heat, a bitter-cold herb can also clear and dry Damp-Heat. Bitter-cold herbs are especially used in situations where strong Excessive-Fire flares up and must be reduced strongly and quickly in order to stop the development of the disease. For instance, Huang Lian ( Coptidis rhizoma), Huang Qin ( Scutellariae radix) and Huang Bai ( Phellodendri cortex) can clear Heat and dry Dampness in the Upper Jiao, Middle Jiao and Lower Jiao respectively; Long Dan Cao ( Gentianae radix) can reduce Liver-Fire and eliminate Damp-Heat from the Liver meridian; Da Huang ( Rhei rhizoma) can reduce Heat and promote bowel movement; Zhi Zi ( Gardeniae fructus) can drain Damp-Heat and promote urination. Bitter-cold herbs are usually not used for a long period of time as they can injure the Yin and Qi, especially that of the Stomach. They strongly suppress Fire downwards, but this action works against the up-flaring nature of Fire and therefore may cause constraint of Fire and lead to the development of a chronic hidden Fire syndrome.
Pungent-cold herbs can disperse and reduce constraint of Fire
Since pungency has a moving and dispersing ability, and Cold can clear Heat, a pungent-cold herb can disperse and clear Heat which is caused by accumulation of Qi, Blood, Dampness or food. Following the nature of Fire, which always flares upwards and outwards, pungency disperses Heat, separates the strength of Heat and Cold, clears Heat and reduces Fire. Pungent-cold herbs can clear Heat completely. For instance, Shi Gao ( Gypsum) can disperse and reduce the Heat from the Lung and Stomach; Ci Shi ( Magnetitum) can disperse Heat from the Heart and direct it to descend; Xia Ku Cao ( Prunellae spica) can disperse and clear Liver-Fire; Lian Qiao ( Forsythiae fructus) can disperse and clear Heat in the chest; Bo He ( Menthae herba) and Man Jing Zi ( Viticis fructus) can clear Heat in the head; Yu Xing Cao ( Houttuyniae herba cum radice) and Bai Jiang Cao ( Patriniae herba) can treat abscesses and relieve Heat toxicity; Mu Dan Pi ( Moutan cortex) and Chi Shao Yao ( Paeoniae radix rubra) can disperse and remove congealed Blood and promote Blood circulation.
Pungent-bitter-cold herbs can clear Heat in a moving state
Pungent-bitter-cold herbs have the strong points of both pungent-cold and bitter-cold herbs, which were analyzed earlier. They are very effective and strong in dispersing and clearing Heat and directing it to descend without the possibility of forming hidden Heat, the side-effect of bitter-cold herbs. For instance, Qian Hu ( Peucedani radix) can clear Lung-Heat; Man Jing Zi ( Viticus fructus) can expel Wind-Heat in the Upper Jiao; Niu Bang Zi ( Arctii fructus) and Ye Ju Hua ( Chrysanthemi indici flos) can reduce swelling and relieve toxicity; Yu Jin ( Curcumae radix) and Yi Mu Cao ( Leonuri herba) can clear Heat in the Blood and promote Blood circulation.
Salty-cold substances can clear heat and soften and eliminate hardness
Since Cold clears Heat and moves downward, and saltiness can soften hardness, salty-cold substances are often used to loosen Phlegm, soften stools and treat tumors. For instance, Hai Ge Ke ( Meretricis/Cyclinae concha) and Hai Fu Shi ( Pumex) can be used for Phlegm-Heat syndromes when the Phlegm is very thick and sticky; Mang Xiao ( Natrii sulfas) is used to soften the stools and treat constipation; Hai Zao ( Sargassum), Xuan Shen ( Scrophulariae radix) and Mu Li ( Ostrea concha) can soften hardness and treat tumors.
4. What are the applications of the concept that herbs enter meridians?
All herbs enter meridians; some enter one, some enter two or three, some even enter all the meridians. According to the meridian-entering concept, each herb works on its specific meridian as well as the organ which it enters. For instance, Ma Huang ( Ephedrae herba)* enters the Lung and Bladder meridians, activates the dispersing function of the Lung-Qi and excites the movement of the Yang-Qi in the Bladder meridian, and therefore expels Wind-Cold in the superficial region of the body; Rou Gui ( Cinnamomi cassiae cortex) enters the Kidney meridian and warms and tonifies the Kidney-Yang; Fu Zi ( Aconiti radix lateralis preparata)* is so hot and pungent that it is able to enter all the meridians and expels Cold there; Zhi Gan Cao ( Glycyrrhizae radix preparata) is sweet and moderate and also enters all the meridians and harmonizes their functions.
In most cases, each herb enters one main meridian and enters other meridians secondarily. For instance, Huang Qi ( Astragali radix) mainly enters the Spleen meridian and enters the Lung meridian secondarily; Shu Di Huang ( Rehmanniae radix praeparata) mainly enters the Kidney meridian and enters the Liver meridian secondarily; Dang Gui ( Angelicae sinensis radix) mainly enters the Liver meridian and enters the Spleen meridian secondarily.
Although most of the herbs enter two or three meridians, their functions focus on only one meridian, through which the other functions are carried out in the secondary meridians. For instance, Huang Qi ( Astragali radix
Buy Membership for Complementary Medicine Category to continue reading. Learn more here
