Tonic herbs HBR class 6. Tonic herbs Tend to be sweet, different characteristics depending on type...

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Tonic herbs HBR class 6

Transcript of Tonic herbs HBR class 6. Tonic herbs Tend to be sweet, different characteristics depending on type...

Tonic herbsHBR class 6

Tonic herbs

•Tend to be sweet, different characteristics depending on type of deficiency present:

Qi tonics

•Generally sweet and slightly warm, enter the SP and LU.

• Ren shen - Ginseng / Rx Ginseng

• sl warm, sweet, sl bitter / Sp, Lu

• A&I: Strongly tonifies source qi: collapse of qi, shock, blood loss. (Shen Fu Tang)

• Tonifies Sp & Lu qi: lo appetite, diarrhea, fatigue, SOB, wheezing. (Si Jun Zi Tang)

• Generates fluids, relieves thirst: diabetes or post-febrile. (Sheng Mai San)

• Calms mind.

• C&C: Contraindicated: heat signs, absence of qi def, Lr yang w/HTN.

• Do not use w/ Wu ling zhi, Li lu; tea, turnips reduce effectiveness.

• OD: HA, insomnia, palpitations, elevated BP. Antidote: mung bean soup.

• 1-9 g collapse: up to 30 g

• cook separate

• Dang shen - Codonopsis root / Rx Codonopsis pilosulae

• neutral, sweet / Sp, Lu

• A&I: Weaker/safer sub for Renshen, used in xs cases to tonify Zheng qi

• Tonifies Sp & Lu qi.

• Generates fluids, relieves thirst.

• Incompatible w/Lilu.

• 9-30 g

• Tai zi shen - Pseudostellaria / Rx Pseudostellariae

• neutral, sweet, sl bitter / Sp, Lu

• A&I: Tonifies Sp & Lu qi: lo appetite, fatigue, spontaneous sweat.

• Generates fluids, relieves thirst.

• Summerheat fever in children.

• Incompatible w/Lilu.

• 10-30 g

• Huang qi - Astragalus root / Rx Astragali Membranaceus

• sl warm, sweet / Sp, Lu

• A&I: Tonifies qi, raises yang: fatigue, diarrhea, prolapse, bleeding. (Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang)

• Stabilizes exterior: spontaneous sweat, weak Wei qi. (Yu Ping Feng San)

• Wei & bi. (Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang, Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang)

• Tonifies qi & blood post-partum. (Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang)

• Drains pus, promotes healing of chronic sores.

• Reduces edema (Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang)

• C&C: Contraindicated: yin def yang xs, qi stagnation, damp accumulation, food stagnation, ext xs, early stage sores.

• Honey-fry: tonify qi, raise yang. Raw: sores, edema.

• 10-15 g; hi dose 30-60 g

• Shan yao - Dioscorea / Rz Dioscoreae

• neutral, sweet / Sp, Lu, K

• A&I: Tonifies Sp: chronic diarrhea, fatigue, spontaneous sweat. (Shen Ling Bai Zhu San)

• Tonifies Lu: cough, wheezing.

• Benefits Kd, binds essence: wasting thirst, spermatorrhea, freq urination, vaginal discharge. (Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, Zuo Gui Yin)

• C&C: Contraindicated: xs patterns, qi stagnation, damp accumulation, food stagnation.

• Dry-fry: tonify Sp. Raw: tonify yin.

• 9-30 g; wasting-thirst: up to 250g

• Bai zhu - White atractylodes / Rz Atractylodis macrocephalae

• warm, sweet, bitter / Sp, St

• A&I: Tonifies Sp: diarrhea, fatigue. (Si Jun Zi Tang)

• Dries dampness: edema, damp bi. (Wu Ling San, Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang)

• Stabilizes exterior, stops sweat. (Yu Ping Feng San)

• Calms fetus.

• C&C: Contraindicated: yin def heat, damage to fluids.

• Raw: dry damp. Dry-fried: tonify qi. Char: stop diarrhea.

• 4.5-9 g

• Da zao - Jujube / Fr Jujubae

• neutral, sweet / Sp, St

• A&I: Tonifies qi: fatigue, SOB

• Nourishes blood, calms mind (Gan Mai Da Zao Tang)

• Harmonizes other herbs

• C&C: Contraindicated: xs damp, food stagnation, phlegm, worms, ab fullness

• 3-12 pieces; 10-30 g

• Gan cao - Licorice root / Rx Glycyrrhizae

• neutral or warm, sweet / all 12 channels, esp Ht, Lu, Sp, St

• A&I: Tonifies qi: fatigue, SOB, palpitations d/t qi & bl def (Zhi Gan Cao Tang)

• Moistens Lu: coughing, wheezing

• Fire toxin: sore throat, sores

• Spasms & pain: ab or legs (Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang)

• Harmonizes other herbs (many formulas)

• Antidotes toxic substances

• C&C: Contraindicated: xs dampness, nausea, vomiting. Long-term use can cause hi BP, edema, hypothyroid. Incompatible w/ Gan sui, Da ji, Yuan hua, Hai zao; antagonizes Yuanzhi.

• Honey-fry: tonify qi, stop spasm.

• Raw: relieve toxicity.

• 3-6 g

• Huang jing - Polygonatum / Rz Polygonati

• neutral, sweet / K,Sp, Lu

• A&I: Tonifies Sp/St qi/yin: fatigue, wasting-thirst, dry stools

• Lu qi/yin def: dry cough

• Tonifies essence: chronic illness

• C&C: Contraindicated: Sp def w/ damp, poor digestion.

• Mild, can be taken long-term.

• 6-18 g

• Yi tang - Maltose

• sl warm, sweet / Lu, Sp, St

• A&I: Tonifies Sp: SOB, lo appetite

• Lu qi def: weak voice, dry cough

• Ab pain d/t def cold (Xiao Jian Zhong Tang)

• C&C: Contraindicated: xs dampness, nausea, vomiting, phlegm-heat, food stagnation.

• 30-60 g dissolve into decoction

Blood tonics

•Tend to be either warm or neutral and sweet; enter LR stores Blood

• Shu di huang - Prepared rehmannia / Rx Rehmanniae praeparata

• sl warm, sweet / Lr, K, H

• A&I: Tonifies blood: pale complexion, dizziness, insomnia, palpitations, irreg menses, bleeding. (Si Wu Tang)

• Nourishes yin: 5-heart heat, steaming bone, night sweats. (Liu Wei Di Huang Wan)

• Tonifies essence: weak low back & legs, tinnitus, gray hair. (You Gui Wan, Zuo Gui Yin)

• C&C: Caution: Sp/St def, stagnant qi, phlegm.

• Mild side fx: diarrhea, ab pain, dizziness, low energy, palpitations. Usually disappear w/continued administration.

• 9-30 g

• He shou wu - Fleeceflower root / Rx Polygoni multiflori

• sl warm, bitter, sweet, astringent / Lr, K

• A&I: Tonifies Lr, Kd, essence: gray hair, dizziness, weak vision, etc. (Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan)

• Secures essence: vaginal discharge, spermatorrhea.

• Skin problems d/t fire toxin or bl def.

• Constipation d/t bl def.

• C&C: Contraindicated: Sp def, diarrhea, phlegm. Do not take w/onion, chives, garlic. Do not decoct in steel container

• 9-30 g

• Dang gui - Chinese angelica root / Rx Angelicae sinensis

• warm, acrid, bitter, sweet / Lr, H, Sp

• A&I: Tonifies blood, regulates menses: all bl def sx, esp GYN. (Si Wu Tang)

• Bl stasis pain, esp w/def cold or bl def. (Wen Jing Tang)

• Dry stools d/t bl def.

• Reduces swelling, generates flesh: sores, abcesses.

• C&C: Caution: diarrhea d/t damp. Contraindicated: yin def heat.

• Head - Dang gui Tou: best to tonify.

• Tail - Dang gui Wei: best to move.

• Body - Dang gui Shen: more tonifying than moving.

• 3-15 g

• Bai shao - White peony root / Rx Paeoniae alba

• cool,bitter, sour / Lr, Sp

• A&I: Tonifies blood, regulates menses: important for GYN, vaginal discharge, bleeding. (Si Wu Tang)

• Soothes Lr: ab pain, spasm. (Dang Gui Shao Yao San)

• Preserves Yin, harmonizes Ying & Wei: sweating, essence leakage. (Gui Zhi Tang)

• Caution: diarrhea d/t def cold.

• Antagonizes Shi hu, Mang xiao, Bie jia, Xiao ji, Li lu.

• 6-15 g up to 30 g

• E jiao - Donkey hide gelatin / Colla Corii Asini

• neutral, sweet / Lu, Lr, K

• A&I: Blood def: dizziness, palpitations. (Zhi Gan Cao Tang)

• Stops bleeding: any type, esp cough, stool, uterine. (Jiao Ai Tang)

• Lu/Kd yin def: dry cough, post-febrile. (Bu Fei E Jiao Tang)

• C&C: Contraindicated: ext patterns. Caution: Sp/St def. Counteracts Da huang.

• 3-15 g dissolve into decoction

• Gou qi zi - Lycium fruit / Fr Lycii

• neutral, sweet / Lu, Lr, K

• A&I: Nourishes Lr & Kd yin/bl: weak or blurry vision, sore low back & legs, impotence, dizziness. (Qi Ju Di Huang Wan, Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan)

• Lu yin def cough.

• C&C: Contraindicated: ext xs heat patterns, Sp def w/loose stools.

• 6-18 g

• Sang shen - Mulberry / Fr Mori

• cold, sweet / H, Lr, K

• A&I: Tonifies blood/yin: gray hair, dizziness, tinnitus, insomnia, dry constipation, wasting & thirsting.

• C&C: Contraindicated: Sp def diarrhea.

• 6-15 g

• Long yan rou - Longan aril / Arillus longan

• warm, sweet / Sp, H

• A&I: Tonifies Ht & Sp bl, calms spirit: insomnia, palpitations, memory lapse. Commonly used for xs thinking or overwork. (Gui Pi Tang)

• C&C: Contraindicated: middle jiao damp, phlegm-fire.

• 6-15 g often eaten alone

Yang tonics

• Warm, sweet, some acrid; almost always combined with Qi and/or Yin tonics.

• 3 subtypes:

• 1. enters KD & SP: diarrhea, fatigue, incontinence.

• 2. enters KD & LR: sinew & bone weakness / injury, fertility, libido

• 3. enters KD & LU: KD not grasping Qi

• Lu rong - Deer antler velvet / Cornu Cervi Pantotrichum

• warm, sweet, salty / Lr, Kd

• A&I: Nourishes essence-blood, Kd yang: exhaustion, impotence, infertility, dim vision & hearing, child developmental disorders.

• Uterine bleeding, vaginal discharge d/t def cold.

• Strengthens sinews & bones.

• Chronic non-healing sores.

• C&C: OD: dizziness or red eyes; start w/low dose. Tends to injure yin, possibly may cause hemorrhage.

• Contraindicated: def yin w/ hyperactive yang, blood heat, St fire, phlegm-heat in Lu, febrile diseases.

• 1-3 g powder

• Lu jiao - Mature deer antler: warm, salty

• Sim to Lu rong but weaker for Kd. Mainly for pain d/t bl stasis, deep low back pain, toxic swellings. Can use topically, powder or decoction. 5-10 g

• Lu jiao jiao - Deer antler glue: sl warm, sweet, salty

• Sim to Lu rong but weaker. Mainly for bleeding; also combined w/ Gui ban jiao to tonify yin & yang. (Zuo Gui Wan, You Gui Wan)

• 6-12 g Dissolve into decoction or yellow wine.

• Lu jiao shuang - Antler w/o glue: sl warm, sweet - Weakest tonic, stronger retaining effect, mainly for bleeding or Sp/St cold w/vomiting.

• Ge jie - Gecko

• neutral, salty / Lu, Kd

• A&I: Lu/Kd not grasping qi, wheezing, cough w/blood. Wasting thirst (Ren Shen Ge Jie San)

• Kd yang def: freq urination, impotence, diarrhea, etc.

• C&C: Contraindicated: cough & asthma d/t xs int heat or ext wind-cold.

• powder: 3-7g; decoction: 9-15g; Tail is most effective part.

• Dong chong xia cao - Cordyceps / Cordyceps sinensis

• warm, sweet / Lu, Kd

• A&I: Tonifies yin & yang, esp Lu disease: cough, wheezing, phlegm, sweat, enduring def after disease.

• Kd yang def: impotence, seminal emission, low back & knee pain.

• C&C: Caution: exterior patterns. May be taken safely for prolonged period of time.

• 4.5-9 g

• Rou cong rong - Cistanche / Herba cistanches

• warm, sweet, salty / Kd, LI

• A&I: Tonifies Kd yang: impotence, freq urination, cold low back pain. (Tu Si Zi Wan)

• Moistens intestines. (Ji Chuan Jian)

• Spotting, infertility d/t Kd yang def. (Zan Yu Dan)

• C&C: Contraindicated: Sp/St def w/loose stool, xs ministerial fire.

• Raw: constipation. Wine-fry: impotence, infertility, back pain.

• 9-21 g

• Suo yang - Cynomorium / Herba Cynomorii

• warm, sweet / Kd, LI, Lr

• A&I: Sim to Rou cong rong, often substituted.

• Treats dry constipation, low back pain, impotence, freq urine.

• C&C: Contraindicated: yin def w/heat, Sp def w/diarrhea, constipation d/t xs heat.

• 4.5-15 g

• Yin yang huo - Epimedium / Herba Epimedii

• warm, acrid, sweet / Lr, Kd

• A&I: Tonifies Kd yang: impotence, spermatorrhea, dribbling urine, memory lapse, weak back/legs, hemiplegia, numb extremities. (Er Xian Tang)

• Wind-damp bi; Lr yang rising

• substitute for Fu zi or Rou gui

• C&C: Contraindicated: def yin w/xs ministerial fire. Do not take for long period of time. Can damage yin, causing dizziness, dry mouth, thirst, nosebleed.

• 6-15 g

• Ba ji tian - Morinda root / Rx Morindae officinalis

• warm, acrid, sweet / Lr, Kd

• A&I: Tonifies Kd yang: infertility male/female, impotence, irregular menses, cold low ab pain. (Er Xian Tang)

• Wind-damp bi

• substitute for Fu zi or Rou gui

• C&C: Contraindicated: def yin, damp-heat, obstructed urine.

• 6-15 g

• Hu lu ba - Fenugreek seed / Semen Trigonellae Foeni-graeci

• warm, bitter / Lr, Kd

• A&I: Warms Kd, disp damp: cold shan, low ab pain, damp-cold leg qi.

• C&C: Contraindicated: pregnancy, damp heat, yin def.

• 3-9 g

• Hu tao ren - Walnut seed / Semen Juglandis

• warm, sweet / Kd, Lu, LI

• A&I: Tonifies Lu & Kd: coughing, wheezing, stone dysuria, freq urine, weak lumbar/legs.

• Moistens intestines.

• C&C: Contraindicated: def yin w/heat, cough d/t phlegm-heat, diarrhea.

• 9-15 g

• Bu gu zhi - Psoralea fruit / Fr Psoraleae

• v. warm, bitter, acrid / Kd, Sp

• A&I: Tonifies Kd yang: impotence, premature ejaculation, back pain, incontinence, enuresis

• Sp/Kd def diarrhea (Si Shen Wan)

• Lu/Kd def: qi not grasping.

• Topical for alopecia.

• C&C: Contraindicated: yin deficiency fire, constipation.

• 3-9 g

• Yi zhi ren - Alpinia, Black cardamom / Fr Alpiniae oxyphyllae

• warm, acrid / Kd, Sp

• A&I: Warms Kd, retains essence: incontinence, dribbling urine, spermatorrhea. (Suo Quan Wan)

• Warms Sp, stops diarrhea

• C&C: Contraindicated: seminal emission, frequent urination, uterine bleeding d/t heat.

• 3-9 g

• Xian mao - Curculigo rhizome / Rz curculiginis

• hot, acrid, toxic / Kd, Lr

• A&I: Warms Kd yang: impotence, infertility d/t cold, spotting. (Er Xian Tang)

• Cold pain in heart, abdomen; Cold-damp bi.

• C&C: Contraindicated: def yin w/heat. Long-term use not recommended. Toxicity causes tongue swelling. Antidote w/Da huang, Huang qin, Huang lian.

• 3-9 g

• Du zhong - Eucommia bark / Cx Eucommiae

• warm, sweet, sl acrid / Lr, Kd

• A&I: Tonifies Lr & Kd & strengthens bones & tendons. (Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang, You Gui Wan)

• Calms the fetus to prevent miscarriage

• The fried herb is more effective than the raw herb.

• C&C: Yin deficiency fire. Latex allergy.

• 10-15 g

• Gou ji - Chain fern rhizome / Rz Cibotii

• warm, bitter, sweet / Lr, Kd

• A&I: Tonifies Kd, Lr, sinew & bone: stiffness/weakness of spine, legs.

• Wind-damp bi.

• Incontinence, vaginal discharge.

• C&C: Contraindicated: dysuria, yin def

• 4.5-9 g

• Xu duan - Dipsacus / Rx Dipsaci

• sl warm, bitter, acrid / Lr, Kd

• A&I: Tonifies Kd, Lr, sinew & bone: back pain, joints stiff, weak legs.

• Stops uterine bleeding, calms fetus. (Shou Tai Wan)

• Moves blood, stops pain, generates flesh: topically and/or internally for trauma, sores.

• Vinegar-fry: pain; roast w/salt: enter Kd; char: bleeding.

• 6-21 g

• Gu sui bu - Drynaria / Rz Drynariae

• warm, bitter / Lr, Kd

• A&I: Tonifies Kd: weak lumbar, dim hearing, toothache, bleeding gums.

• Helps mend sinews & bones: injuries, fractures.

• Topical for hair loss.

• C&C: Caution: yin def, absence of blood stasis.

• 6-18 g

• Tu si zi - Cuscuta seed / Sm Cuscutae

• neutral, acrid, sweet / Lr, Kd

• A&I: Tonifies Kd yang and yin, secures essence: impotence, premature ejaculation, tinnitus. (Tu Si Zi Wan, You Gui Wan)

• Nourishes Lr, improves vision. (Zhu Jing Wan)

• Sp/Kd yang def diarrhea.

• Calms fetus. (Shou Tai Wan)

• C&C: Contraindicated: yin def fire, constipation, dark scanty urine.

• Bensky: "Though neutral, leans toward tonifying yang."

• 9-15 g

• Sha yuan ji li - Astragalus seed/ Semen Astragali

• warm, sweet / Lr, Kd

• A&I: Tonifies Lr & Kd: freq urination, premature ejaculation, vaginal discharge, aching low back. (Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan)

• Brightens eyes: cloudy vision.

• C&C: Contraindicated: xs ministerial fire

• 6-15 g

• Zi he che - Placenta / Placenta Hominis

• warm, sweet, salty / Kd, Lr, Lu

• A&I: Tonifies Kd, Lr, essence: infertility, dizziness, tinnitus.

• Supplements qi & blood: pallor, emaciation, insufficient lactation.

• Wheezing d/t Lu & Kd def.

• C&C: Caution: yin def heat

• 1.5-4.5 g

• Jiu zi - Leek seeds / Sm Allii tuberosi

• warm, sweet, acrid / Kd, Lr

• A&I: Warms Kd, secures Essence: impotence, incontinence, spermatorrhea, etc. (Zan Yu Dan )

• Vomiting d/t St cold.

• C&C: Contraindicated: yin def

• 3-9g

Yin tonics

• Tend to be cool or cold; sweet and/or bitter tastes.

• 2 subtypes:

• 1. enters LU & ST; post-febrile Yin damage; cough, nausea.

• 2. enters LR & KD; deeper Yin damage; flushing, night sweats, 5-heart, etc.

• Sha shen - Glehnia root / Rx Glehniae

• sl cold, sweet, bland / Lu, St

• A&I: Moistens Lu, stops dry cough d/t yin def. (Sha Shen Mai Men Dong Tang)

• Nourishes St, generates fluids: thirst, dry mouth.

• Dry itchy skin esp in cold, dry weather.

• Antagonizes Fang ji, Li lu.

• C&C: Contraindicated: cough d/t wind-cold, def cold.

• Nan sha shen - Adenophora: cool, sweet, sl bitter, better for stopping cough, not moistening.

• 9-15 g

• Xi yang shen - American ginseng / Rx Panacis quinquefolii

• Cold, sweet, sl bitter / Ht, K, Lu

• A&I: Nourishes qi & yin: chronic fever, irritability.

• Lu yin def w/blazing fire: wheezing, coughing blood.

• C&C: Contraindicated: damp-cold

• 2.4-9 g often cooked separate

• Tian men dong - Asparagus root / Rx Asparagi

• very cold, bitter, sweet / Kd, Lu

• A&I: Lu/Kd yin def w/heat in upper jiao: dry mouth, thick sputum, bloody sputum, wasting-thirst. (Da Zao Wan)

• Dry constipation.

• C&C: Contraindicated: cough d/t wind-cold, def cold diarrhea.

• 6-15 g

• Mai men dong - Ophiopogon root / Rx Ophiopogonis

• sl cold, sl bitter, sweet / Ht, Lu, St

• A&I: Moistens Lu, stops cough: dry mouth, thick sputum, bloody sputum d/t damaged yin. (Sheng Mai San, Sha Shen Mai Men Dong Tang)

• Supplements St yin, generates fluids: dry mouth & tongue. (Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang, Yu Nu Jian)

• Clears Ht: irritability d/t Ht yin def. (Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan)

• Moistens intestines.

• C&C: Contraindicated: fluid congestion, def cold diarrhea. Antagonizes Kuan dong hua, Ku shen, Bai mu er.

• Wine-fry to reduce cold properties in tonic formulas.

• 6-15 g

• Shi hu - Dendrobium / Herba Dendrobii

• Cold, sweet, sl salty, bland / Kd, St

• A&I: Nourishes St yin, generates fluids: thirst, dry mouth, stomach pain, dry heaves.

• Brightens eyes.

• Strengthens lumbar.

• C&C: Contraindicated: fluid congestion, xs heat, def w/o heat sx, dampness patterns. Retains exterior pathogens so cannot be used in early stage febrile disease.

• 6-15 g

• Yu zhu - Solomonseal rhizome / Rz Polygonati odorati

• sl cold, sweet / Lu, St

• A&I: Lu/St yin def: dry cough, irritability, wasting-thirst, steaming bone.

• Extinguishes wind, moistens sinews: spasm, dizziness.

• Yin def w/ext wind-heat. (Jia Jian Wei Rui Tang)

• C&C: Contraindicated: phlegm in St, cold in middle jiao.

• 9-15 g Raw: clear heat; Steam until black: qi & yin def

• Bai he - Lily bulb / Bulbus Lilii

• sl cold, sl bitter, sweet / Lu, Ht

• A&I: Moistens Lu, stop cough d/t Lu heat or dryness. (Bai He Gu Jin Tang)

• Clears Ht, calms mind: insomnia, low fever, restlessness post febrile, or palpitations d/t def qi & yin.

• C&C: Contraindicated: cough d/t wind-cold or phlegm, def cold diarrhea.

• 9-30 g

• Sang ji sheng - Loranthus, Mulberry mistletoe / Rm Taxilli

• neutral, bitter / Lr, Kd

• A&I: Wind-damp bi. Tonifies Lr & Kd, strengthens sinews & bones. (Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang)

• Calm the fetus. (Shou Tai Wan)

• Nourishes blood: dry skin.

• Hypertension.

• 9-30 g

• Han lian cao - Eclipta / Herba Ecliptae

• cold, sweet, sour / Lr, Kd

• A&I: Nourishes Lr & Kd yin: graying hair, dizziness, blurred vision. (Er Zhi Wan)

• Cools blood, stops bleeding: vomiting, nosebleed, hematuria, bloody stool, uterine bleeding.

• C&C: Contraindicated: diarrhea d/t def cold

• 10-15 g

• Nu zhen zi - Ligustrum fruit / Fr Ligustri lucidi

• cool, sweet, bitter / Lr, Kd

• A&I: Nourishes Lr & Kd yin: graying hair, dizziness, blurred vision. (Er Zhi Wan)

• Clears def heat, brightens eyes.

• C&C: Contraindicated: diarrhea d/t def cold

• 10-15 g

• Hei zhi ma - Black sesame seed / Sm Sesami

• neutral, sweet / Lr, Kd

• A&I: Nourishes essence & blood: blurred vision, tinnitus, dizziness, numbness.

• Moistens intestines.

• C&C: Contraindicated: diarrhea. Most effective when fried.

• 10-30 g

• Gui ban - Tortoise plastron / Plastrum Testudinis

• cold, sweet, salty / Lr, Kd, Ht

• A&I: Nourishes yin, anchors yang: Lr yang, int wind w/tremors of hands & feet. (Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang)

• Tonifies Kd, strengthens bones: weak lumbar, fragile bones, retarded bone growth in children.

• Cools blood: uterine bleeding. (Gu Jing Wan)

• Nourishes Ht blood: anxiety, insomnia

• C&C: Contraindicated: pregnancy, yang def diarrhea, damp-cold in St.

• Antagonizes Ren shen, Sha shen.

• 10-30 g Crush and decoct 30 min before other herbs.

• Bie jia - Turtle shell / Carapax Trionycis

• sl cold, salty / Lr, Sp

• A&I: Nourishes yin, anchors yang: Lr yang, int wind, tremors, spasms, convulsions. (Da Ding Feng Zhu)

• Steaming bone (Qing Gu San, Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang)

• Moves blood, promotes menstruation, disperses nodules.

• C&C: Contraindicated: pregnancy, yang def diarrhea, damp-cold in St.

• Raw: yin def yang xs. Vinegar-fry: nodules.

• 10-30 g Decoct 30 min before other herbs.