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Oriental Herbology II

HERBS THAT INVIGORATE BLOOD

Lana Farson, M.S., L.Ac.

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CAUSES OF BLOOD STASIS

1. TRAUMA

2. QI STASIS

3. DEFICIENCY

4. BLOOD COLDNESS

5. BLOOD HEAT

6. PHLEGM CONGESTION

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SYMPTOMS OF BLOOD STASIS

PAIN: quality?

MENSES: quality?

TONGUE: quality?

OTHER SYMPTOMS?

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4

CAUTION / CONTRA

HYPERMENORRHEA

PREGNANCY

PATIENTS TAKING BLOOD MOVING MEDICATIONS

PATIENTS TAKING ANALGESICS MEDICATIONS

PATIENTS TAKING ANTIHYPERTENSIVES (herbs that dilate the blood vessels can

potentiate the medications)

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Chu!n Xi"ng Szechuan lovage root Ligusticum chuanxiong Moves blood & qi

Dispels wind, reduces pain Guides to head MR: circulates HT blood

Spicy, warm LV, GB, PC

1. Yin def. with heat 2. During menses 3. Blood def 4. pregnancy

3-6 qian / 9-18 gr

T/T/CH

DOSE

FXN.

O

川芎

6

R# Xi!ng frankincense “fragrant milk” Boswellia carterii

Moves blood & qi, relieves pain Reduces swelling, promotes healing

Bitter, spicy, warm HT, LV, SP

1. Sensitive stomach 2. Pregnancy 3. SP qi def.

1-3 qian / 3-9 gr

T/T/CH

DOSE

FXN.

O

Left: crude Right: processed

乳香

3

7

Mò Yào myrrh Commiphora myrrha

Moves blood, stops pain Reduces swelling, promotes healing

Bitter, neutral HT, SP LV

1. Pregnancy 2. Can irritate stomach

1-3 qian / 3-9 gr

T/T/CH

DOSE

FXN.

O

Top: wrapped in dog fur Bottom: prepared

沒藥

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Yán Hú Su$ corydalis tuber “extended barbarian rope” Corydalis yanhusuo

Moves blood & qi, reduces pain

Spicy, bitter, warm HT, LV, ST, LU

1. Pregnancy 2. Sedative effect

1.5-3 qian / 4.5-9 gr

T/T/CH

DOSE

FXN.

O

延胡索

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Yù J%n tumeric tubor “constrained metal” Curcuma aromatica

Moves blood & qi, breaks up blood stasis Clears HT heat, cools blood Benefits LV & GB function

Spicy, bitter, cool HT, LV, GB, LU

1. Pregnancy 2. Coldness 3. Ding Xiang (cloves)

2-4 qian / 6-12 gr

T/T/CH

DOSE

FXN.

O

鬱金

4

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Ji!ng Huáng turmeric rhizome “ginger yellow” Curcuma longa

Moves blood & qi, promotes menses, reduces pain Expels wind-damp, moves blood, reduces pain

Spicy, bitter, warm LV, SP, ST

1. Blood def. without blood stasis 2. pregnancy

1-3 qian / 3-9 gr

T/T/CH

DOSE

FXN.

O

Left: long type Right: round type

薑黃

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É Zhú curcuma rhizome Curcuma phaeocaulis

Breaks up blood stasis, moves qi, reduces pain Dissolves food stagnation & reduces pain

Spicy, bitter, warm LV, SP

1. Pregnancy 2. Bleeding 3. Qi & blood def.

1-3 qian / 3-9 gr

T/T/CH

DOSE

FXN.

O

L: crude M: crude, sliced R: vinegar treated

莪朮

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S!n Léng burr reed rhizome “three edges” Sparganium stoloniferum

Forcefully breaks up blood stasis Moves qi, dissolves food stagnation, reduces pain

Bitter, spicy, neutral SP, LV

1. Pregnancy 2. Menses 3. deficiency

1-3 qian / 3-9 gr

T/T/CH

DOSE

FXN.

O

三稜

5

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D!n Sh&n salvia root “cinnabar root” Salvia miltiorrhiza

Moves blood; clears blood heat, swelling & pain Tonifies blood, calms mind MR: hepatoprotective MR: cardiovascular effects

Bitter, sl. cold HT, PC, LV

1. Anticoagulant drugs 2. Li Lu

2-5 qian / 6-15 gr

T/T/CH

DOSE

FXN.

O

丹參

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Yì M# C'o Chinese motherwort “benefit mother herb” Leonurus heterophyllus

Moves blood, harmonizes menses Promotes urination, reduces swelling Clears heat, reduces poisoning MR: CAD

Spicy, bitter, sl. cold HT, LV, UB

1. Pregnancy

3-10 qian / 9-30 gr

T/T/CH

DOSE

FXN.

O

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J% Xuè Téng spatholobus root/vine “chicken blood vine” Spatholobus suberectus

Moves blood in channels, relaxes sinews Harmonizes & tonifies blood

Bitter, sweet, warm HT, LV, SP

1. Pregnancy 2. Excessive menses

3-10 qian / 9-30 gr

T/T/CH

DOSE

FXN.

O

雞血藤

6

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J! Xuè Téng & alternates

Left: Ji Xue Teng Spatholobi Caulis (standard herb)

Middle: Hong Teng Sargentodoxae Caulis (adulterant)

Right: Hong Ye Teng Roureae microphyllae Caulis (adulterant)

雞血藤

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Táo Rén peach kernel “peach pit” Prunus persica

Breaks up blood stasis Moistens dryness, lubricates intestines Drains abscesses

Bitter, sweet, sl. toxic, neutral HT, LI, LV, LU

1. Pregnancy 2. slightly toxic

1-3 qian / 3-9 gr

T/T/CH

DOSE

FXN.

O

桃仁

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Táo Rén peach kernel “peach pit” Prunus persica

Symptoms of toxicity

Irritation of mucosa Nausea / vomiting Headache Dizziness Oppression in the chest

Like cyanide poisoning (due to amygdalin content)

To reduce toxicity: peel +/- bran fry

桃仁

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Hóng Hu! safflower “red flower” Carthamus tinctorius

Moves blood, unblocks menses Moves blood, reduces pain MR: CAD

Spicy, warm HT, LV

1. Pregnancy 2. Bleeding 3. two wks. before surgery

1-3 qian / 3-9 gr

T/T/CH

DOSE

FXN.

O

Xi Zang Hong Hua (saffron)

Hong Hua (safflower)

紅花

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Hong Hua (safflower) organic

source: Chinese Medicinal Herbs, Petaluma CA

Flower, in bloom

Hong Hua, tincture

紅花 Hóng Hu! safflower “red flower” Carthamus tinctorius

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Niú X% achyranthes root “ox knee” Achyranthes bidentata

Moves blood Strengthens sinews & joints Clears damp-heat Guides downward

Bitter, sour, sweet, neutral LV, KI

1. Pregnancy 2. Bleeding (other than from bld. stasis)

3. SP def. with diarrhea 4. Bai Qian

2-5 qian / 6-15 gr

T/T/CH

DOSE

FXN.

O

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Niú X! , variations

Left: Niu Xi or Huai Niu Xi (Achyranthis bidentatae) standard herb

Middle: Chuan Niu Xi (Cyathulae Radix) standard herb

Right: Niú X! M" Lán (Strobilanthis nemorosi) adulterant

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W# Líng Zh% flying squirrel feces “five fat spirit” Trogopterus xanthipes

Moves blood, reduces pain Eliminates toxins Transforms stasis, stops bleeding (charred) Treats childhood nutritional impairment

Bitter, sweet, warm LV, SP

1. Ren Shen 2. Pregnancy 3. SP/ST deficiency

1-3 qian / 3-9 gr (wrap)

T/T/CH

DOSE

FXN.

O

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Chu!n Sh!n Ji' pangolin scales “penetrate mountain scales” squama manis

Moves blood, promotes lactation & menses Reduces swelling & pus Expels wind-damp & opens channels

Salty, cool LV, ST

1. Pregnancy 2. menses 3. Ulcerated sores

1-3 qian / 3-9 gr

T/T/CH

DOSE

FXN.

O

9

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Shu( Zhì leech Hirudo nipponica

Breaks up & drives out blood stasis

Salty, bitter, sl. toxic, neutral LV, UB

1. Pregnancy 2. Deficiency 3. Anticoagulant meds.

1-2 qian / 3-6 gr

T/T/CH

DOSE

FXN.

O

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Zé Lán bugleweed “marsh orchid” Lycopus lucidus

Moves blood, promotes menses Promotes urination

Bitter, spicy, aromatic, sl. warm LV, SP

1. pregnancy

3-5 qian / 9-15 gr

T/T/CH

DOSE

FXN.

O

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Wáng Bù Liú Xíng vacarria seeds “king cannot stay, departs” Vaccaria segetalis

Moves blood, circulates channels Reduces swelling, promotes lactation Promotes urination Used topically

Bitter, neutral LV, ST

1. pregnancy

2-3 qian / 6-9 gr

T/T/CH

DOSE

FXN.

O

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Wáng Bù Liú Xíng - variations

Left: Wang Bu Liu Xing (Vaccariae Semen) standard product

Middle: Ch"o Liú Xíng Z# (Vaccariae Semen preparatum) standard product

Right: Bì Lì Gu$ (Fici pumila Fructus) climbing fig fruit adulterant

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S% Gu! Luò loofah vegetable sponge “net of string melon” Luffa cylindrica

Unblocks channels, dispels wind, moves blood Clears heat-toxin, reduces swelling (wine treated or fresh) Expels phlegm

Sweet, neutral LU, ST, LV

1. none

2-5 qian / 6-15 gr

T/T/CH

DOSE

FXN.

O

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Loofah & Deng Xin Cao Soup INGREDIENTS:

one loofah squash one bunch spring onions handful of Deng Xin Cao water Salt & seasonings

Rinse Deng Xin Cao. Wash and section white parts of spring onion. Wash angled loofah, remove most of skin and cut into small pieces. Put all the ingredients into pot. Add 3 bowls of water and bring to the boil . Reduce to low heat and cook until only 1 % bowls of water remains. Add seasoning and serve.