Ren Shen
| 9g | |
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Pinyin: Ren Shen
Chinese: 人參
Pharmaceutical: Radix Panax ginseng
Taxonomy: Panax ginseng
English: Ginseng Root
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Tastes: Sweet, slightly warm
Meridians Entered: Spleen, Lung and Heart
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Actions & Indications:
- Powerfully tonifies Yuan Qi
Extreme collapse of Qi or abandoned conditions that manifest in shallow breathing, shortness of breath, cold limbs, profuse sweating and an almost imperceptible pulse (after blood loss, overly profuse sweating or other problems related to severe fluid loss - it can be used alone in these emergencies)
Collapse of Yang
Collapse of Yin
- Tonifies Spleen and Stomach Qi
Lethargy, anorexia, chest and abdominal distention, chronic diarrhoea and, in severe cases, prolapse of the Stomach, uterus or rectum
- Tonifies Lung Qi
Lung Qi Deficiency with wheezing, shortness of breath and labored breathing on exertion
- Generates Body Fluids and stops thirst
Wasting and thirsting disorder (Xiao Ke) and high fevers with profuse sweating which injures Qi and fluids
- Tonifies Heart Qi and calms the Spirit
Heart Qi and Blood Deficiency with palpitations, anxiety, insomnia, forgetfulness and restlessness
- Treats impotence
With Kidney Yang tonics for impotence
- Tonifies Qi in Deficiency patients with Exterior conditions
Exterior disorder with Interior Deficiency
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Standard Dosage: 5-10g in decoction, 10-30g for exhaustion syndrome due to Qi deficiency.
Cautions: Antagonizing to Li Lu; the warm nature of sun-dried raw Ren Shen is weaker than that of Hong Shen. |
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Bai Zhu
| 9g | |
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Pinyin: Bai Zhu
Chinese: 白朮
Pharmaceutical: Rhizoma Atractylodes macrocephalae
Taxonomy: Atractylodes macrocephala
English: Largehead Atracylodes Rhizome
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Tastes: Sweet, bitter, warm
Meridians Entered: Spleen and Stomach
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Actions & Indications:
- Tonifies the Spleen and augments Qi
Spleen and Stomach Deficiency with diarrhoea, fatigue, a sallow complexion and lack of appetite
Spleen Yang failure to rise
- Dries Dampness and promotes water metabolism
Spleen Damp or accumulation of fluids affecting the digestion
Edema and reduced urination due to Spleen Deficiency (failure to transform and transport)
Tan Yin, masses, swelling
Auxiliary for Damp painful obstruction
- Stabilizes the Exterior and stops sweating
Qi Deficiency with spontaneous sweating (Wei Qi Deficiency)
With appropriate herbs, other types of sweating
- Calms the fetus
Restless fetus disorder due to Spleen Qi Deficiency
With appropriate herbs, other types of Restless Fetus Disorder
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Standard Dosage: 6-12g in decoction.
Cautions: Use with cautions in cases of yin deficiency with fluid injury by dryness-heat pathogen. |
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Fu Ling
| 4.5g | |
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Pinyin: Fu Ling
Chinese: 茯苓
Pharmaceutical: Poria
Taxonomy: Poria cocos syn. Wolfiporia extensa
English: China-Root / Hoelen / Tuckahoe / Indian Bread
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Tastes: Sweet, bland, neutral
Meridians Entered: Heart, Spleen, and Kidney
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Actions & Indications:
- Strengthens the Spleen and harmonizes the Middle Jiao
Spleen Deficiency Dampness with anorexia, diarrhoea and epigastric distention
- Strengthens the Spleen
Phlegm Dampness due to Spleen Deficiency with thin mucus in which Phlegm moves upward manifesting as palpitations, headache, dizziness and a thick, greasy tongue coat
- Promotes urination and leaches out Dampness
Urinary difficulty, diarrhoea or oedema due to Stagnation of Fluids or Dampness
- Quiets the Heart, calms the Spirit and soothes the nerves
Palpitations, insomnia or forgetfulness due to either Spleen and Heart Insufficiency or Internal Obstruction of Turbid Phlegm
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Standard Dosage: 9-15g in decoction.
Cautions: It is contraindicated for spermatorrhea due to deficiency-cold. |
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Chen Pi
| 6g | |
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Pinyin: Chen Pi
Chinese: 陈皮
Pharmaceutical: Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae
English: Aged Tangerine Peel
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Tastes: Pungent, bitter, warm
Meridians Entered: Spleen and Lung
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Actions & Indications:
- Regulates Qi, adjusts the Middle and relieves the diaphragm
Spleen/Stomach Qi Stagnation with epigastric or abdominal distention, fullness, bloating, belching, nausea and vomiting
Relieves the symptoms of Gu Sydnrome while suppressing parasites (Fruehauf, 1998)
Chronic inflammatory disease (Fruehauf, 2015)
- Dries Dampness and transforms Phlegm
Phlegm-Damp Obstructs the Lung with coughing, a stifling sensation in the chest and/or diaphragm and copious, viscous sputum
Turbid Damp Obstructs the Middle with a stifling sensation in the chest, abdominal distention, anorexia, fatigue, loose stools and a thick, greasy tongue coat
- Helps prevent Stagnation from tonic herbs
Tonic herbs causing Stagnation
- Descends Qi
Qi Rebellion
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Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.
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Shan Zha
| 6g | |
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Pinyin: Shan Zha
Chinese: 山楂
Pharmaceutical: Fructus Crataegi
Taxonomy: Crataegus pinnatifida
English: Hawthorn Fruit
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Tastes: Sour, sweet, slightly warm
Meridians Entered: Spleen, Stomach and Liver
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Actions & Indications:
- Reduces and guides out Food Stagnation and transforms accumulations
Accumulation of meats or greasy foods (proteins and fats) with abdominal distention, pain or diarrhea
- Transforms Blood Stasis, invigorates Blood circulation and dissipates clumps
Postpartum abdominal pain and clumps due to Blood Stasis
Hypertension, elevated serum cholesterol, angina and coronary artery disease
Hernial disorders (hernia)
- Stops diarrhea
Diarrhea in chronic dysentery-like disorders (toasted)
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Standard Dosage: 10-15g in decoction, or up to 30g.
Cautions: Use with caution in cases of Spleen and Stomach deficiency with no signs of Food Stagnation, or those with acid regurgitation.
Potential side effects include dizziness, nausea, and digestive symptoms. |
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Zhi Gan Cao
| 1.5g | |
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Pinyin: Gan Cao
Chinese: 甘草
Pharmaceutical: Radix Glycyrrhizae
Taxonomy: Glycyrrhiza uralensis seu glabra seu inflata
English: Liquorice Root
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Tastes: Sweet, slightly cold
Meridians Entered: Heart, Lung and Spleen (and all 12 meridians)
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Actions & Indications:
- Tonifies the Spleen and augments Qi
Spleen Qi Deficiency with shortness of breath, lassitude and loose stools
Qi and Blood Deficiency with an irregular pulse and/or palpitations
Heart Qi Deficiency or Heart Yang Deficiency
- Moistens the Lungs, resolves Phlegm and stops coughing
Lung Heat or Cold
Productive or non-productive coughing
- Moderates spasms and alleviates pain
Painful muscle spasms of the abdomen and legs
- Clears Heat and relieves Fire toxicity
Raw for Toxic Heat with sore throat or carbuncles and sores (Chuang Yung)
- Antidote for many toxic substances (internal and topical)
Poisoning
- Moderates and harmonizes the harsh properties of other herbs and guides the herbs to all twelve channels
Often added in small doses to harmonise formulas
- Tonifies the Qi while suppressing Parasites
Gu Sydnrome (Fruehauf, 1998)
Chronic inflammatory disease (Fruehauf, 2015)
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Standard Dosage: Typically 1.5-9g in decoction. Large doses can be up 30g.
Cautions: It is contraindicated for combining with Hai Zao, Da Ji, Gan Sui and Yuan Hua because of "eighteen antagonisms". It is also contraindicated in cases of dampness obstruction in middle energizer and edema because it can help dampness obstruct qi, and it is prohibited from long-term usage in large dosage (more than 20g/day) and should be avoided or used with extreme caution in patients with high blood pressure because it may raise aldosterone levels in the blood causing retention of sodium. |
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Shan Yao
| 4.5g | | (dry fried)
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Pinyin: Shan Yao
Chinese: 山药
Pharmaceutical: Rhizoma Dioscoreae
Taxonomy: Dioscorea polystachya syn. batatas
English: Chinese Yam
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Tastes: Sweet, neutral
Meridians Entered: Spleen, Lung and Kidney
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Actions & Indications:
- Tonifies the Spleen, nourishes Stomach Yin and stops diarrhoea
Spleen or Stomach Deficiency with diarrhoea, fatigue, spontaneous sweating and anorexia
- Tonifies Lung Qi and nourishes Lung Yin
Lung Qi and/or Yin Deficiency with chronic cough
- Tonifies Kidney Yin and astringes Jing
Kidney Qi Deficiency with spermatorrhea, urinary frequency and vaginal discharge
Xiao Ke due to Qi and Yin Deficiency
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Standard Dosage: 5-30g in decoction. Very large doses, up to 500g have been used in trials for diabetes management.
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Huang Lian
| 0.9g | | (dry fried)
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Pinyin: Huang Lian
Chinese: 黄连
Pharmaceutical: Rhizoma Coptidis
Taxonomy: Coptidis chinensis
English: Coptis Rhizome / Goldthread Rhizome
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Tastes: Bitter, cold
Meridians Entered: Heart, Stomach, Large Intestine and Liver
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Actions & Indications:
- Clears Heat and drains Dampness
Damp-Heat in the Stomach or Intestines with diarrhoea or dysenteric disorder
Stomach Heat with vomiting and/or acid regurgitation
- Drains Fire and resolves Fire toxicity
Heat with Blazing Fire (Toxic Heat) with high fever. irritability, disorientation, delirium, a red tongue and a rapid, full pulse
Heat from Excess with toxicity: painful, red eyes and a sore throat
Boils, carbuncles and abscesses (Chuang Yung)
- Clears Heat and stops bleeding
Blood Heat with epistaxis, hematuria, hemafecia and hemoptysis
- Clears Heat topically
Infected wounds, red and painful eyes, ulcerations of the tongue and mouth (topical)
- Clears Heart Fire (sedative)
Heart Fire
Lack of communication between the Heart and Kidneys
- Drains Stomach Fire
Stomach Fire
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Standard Dosage: 2-10g in decoction.
Cautions: It is contraindicated for deficiency-cold syndrome. Because its taste is extremly bitter and dryness, overdosage and long-time taking will impair spleen and stomach, yin and fluids. |
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Yi Yi Ren
| 4.5g | | (dry fried)
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Pinyin: Yi Yi Ren
Chinese: 薏苡仁
Pharmaceutical: Semen Coicis
Taxonomy: Coix lacryma-jobi
English: Job's Tears / Chinese Pearl Barley
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Tastes: Sweet, Bland, Slightly Cold
Meridians Entered: Spleen, Stomach and Lung
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Actions & Indications:
- Strengthens the Spleen and resolves Dampness
Dampness Stagnation or Spleen Deficiency Dampness with diarrhoea, leg Qi, painful urinary dribbling
Damp-Warmth (treats root and manifestations)
- Expels Wind-Dampness and relieves pain
Wind-Damp Bi (increases joint mobility and decreases spasms in chronic cases) for stiffness of the muscles, severe arthralgia and joint immobility
- Clears Heat and expels pus
Soft, pustulated carbuncles, Lung and Intestinal abscess
- Clears Damp-Heat
Any Damp-Heat condition at any level with a greasy, white tongue coat and digestive problems
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Standard Dosage: 9-30g in decoction.
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Bai Bian Dou
| 4.5g | | (dry fried)
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Pinyin: Bian Dou
Chinese: 扁豆
Pharmaceutical: Semen Lablab
Taxonomy: Lablab album
English: White Hyacinth Bean
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Tastes: Sweet, slightly bitter
Meridians Entered: Spleen and Stomach
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Actions & Indications:
- Clears Summerheat and resolves Dampness
Summerheat with pronounced or chronic diarrhoea, dysentery, nausea, vomiting and loud borborygmus
- Strengthens the Spleen
Spleen Deficiency
- Expels Gu Parasites
Chronic inflammatory disease (Fruehauf, 2015)
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Standard Dosage: 10-30g in decoction.
Cautions: Raw material is toxic. It should be stir baked for use. |
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Bai Dou Kou
| 1g | |
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Pinyin: Bai Dou Kou
Chinese: 白豆蔻
Pharmaceutical: Fructus Amomi rotundus
Taxonomy: Amomum krervanh seu compactus
English: Round Cardamom / White Cardamom / Java Cardamom
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Tastes: Pungent, warm
Meridians Entered: Spleen, Stomach and Lung
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Actions & Indications:
- Promotes the movement of Qi, aromatically transforms Dampness and strengthens the Stomach
Dampness Obstructing the Middle Jiao and Damp-Warmth (a stifling sensation in the chest, fullness in the epigastrium, anorexia and a very greasy tongue coat)
- Warms the Middle Jiao, descends Qi and stops vomiting
Vomiting due to Spleen and Stomach, Deficiency Cold, Spleen and Stomach Cold, Cold Dampness and Food Stagnation
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Standard Dosage: 3-6g in decoction.
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Huo Xiang Ye
| 1.5g | |
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Pinyin: Huo Xiang
Chinese: 藿香
Pharmaceutical: Herba Pogostemonis seu Agastaches
Taxonomy: Pogostemon cablin seu Agastache rugosa
English: Patchouli / Korean Mint
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Tastes: Pungent, slightly warm
Meridians Entered: Spleen, Stomach and Lung
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Actions & Indications:
- Aromatically transforms Dampness, releases the Exterior and dispels Summerheat (transforms turbidity)
Turbid Dampness Obstructing the Middle Jiao
Summer Heat-Dampness, Damp-Warmth or Wind-Dampness
- Harmonizes the Middle Jiao and stops vomiting
Nausea or vomiting due to Dampness Obstructing the Middle Jiao
Other types of vomiting, and morning sickness when combined with appropriate herbs
- Treats dermatosis and fungal infection
Dermatosis and fungal infections affecting either the hands or feet
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Standard Dosage: 5-10g in decoction.
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Lian Zi
| 4.5g | | (dry fried)
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Pinyin: Lian Zi
Chinese: 莲子
Pharmaceutical: Semen Nelumbinis
English: Lotus Seed
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Tastes: Sweet, astringent, neutral
Meridians Entered: Spleen, Kidney and Heart
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Actions & Indications:
- Tonifies the Spleen and astringes diarrhoea
Spleen Deficiency with chronic diarrhoea and loss of appetite
- Tonifies the Kidneys and astringes Jing
Premature ejaculation and spermatorrhea due to unstable Deficient Kidneys
Excessive uterine bleeding and vaginal discharge
- Nourishes the Heart and calms the Spirit
Palpitations with anxiety and irritability associated with Deficiency and insomnia
Especially useful for Lack of Communication Between the Heart and Kidneys (Heart and Kidney Yin Deficiency)
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Standard Dosage: 10-15g in decoction.
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Ze Xie
| 1g | | (dry fried)
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Pinyin: Ze Xie
Chinese: 澤瀉
Pharmaceutical: Rhizoma Alismatis
Taxonomy: Alisma plantago-aquatica seu orientale
English: Water Plantain Rhizome
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Tastes: Sweet, bland, cold
Meridians Entered: Kidney and Bladder
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Actions & Indications:
- Promotes urination and leaches out Dampness
Stagnation due to Dampness with urinary difficulty, painful urinary dysfunction, diarrhoea and dizziness
Especially useful for Damp-Heat in the Lower Jiao
- Settles Ministerial Fire in the Kidneys by draining Damp-Heat from the lower Jiao
Spermatorrhea due to Damp-Heat in the Lower Jiao disturbing the ministerial Fire of the Kidneys
- Drains Kidney Fire
Kidney Yin Deficiency with Fire Rising
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Standard Dosage: 4.5-15g in decoction. Sometimes up to 30g in extreme cases.
Cautions: Overdose, extended use or combination with diuretic drugs could cause electrolyte imbalance due to diuretic effect. |
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Jie Geng
| 1.5g | |
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Pinyin: Jie Geng
Chinese: 桔梗
Pharmaceutical: Radix Platycodi
English: Balloon Flower Root
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Tastes: Bitter, pungent, neutral
Meridians Entered: Lung
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Actions & Indications:
- Opens the Lungs, spreads Lung Qi, expels Phlegm and benefits the throat
Cough due to Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat (with profuse sputum, sore throat, loss of voice)
Loss of voice or sore throat due to external Heat, Phlegm Heat or Yin Deficiency Heat
- Expels pus
Lung or throat abscess (Phlegm and Qi Stagnation) with fevers, chest pain, coughing of yellow sputum with a fishy smell and hemoptysis
- Opens and raises Lung Qi, directing the effects of other herbs to the upper body
Reinforces the actions of the other herbs and focuses the formula on the upper body
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Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.
Cautions: Overdose can cause nausea and vomiting. |
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Qian Shi
| 4.5g | | (dry fried)
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Pinyin: Qian Shi
Chinese: 芡实
Pharmaceutical: Semen Euryales
English: Fox Nut / Gorgon Nut / Makhana
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Tastes: Sweet, astringent, neutral
Meridians Entered: Spleen, and Kidney
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Actions & Indications:
- Strengthens the Spleen and stops diarrhoea
Chronic diarrhoea due to Spleen Deficiency (especially useful for children) Chronic diarrhoea due to Internal Accumulation of Damp (weak transportation)
- Stabilizes the Kidneys and astringes Jing
Kidney Qi Deficiency with nocturnal emission, premature ejaculation, spermatorrhea and urinary incontinence or frequency
- Expels Dampness and stops discharge
Vaginal discharge due to either Deficiency or Damp-Heat
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Standard Dosage: 10-15g in decoction.
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Mai Ya
| 3g | | (dry fried) |
Pinyin: Mai Ya
Chinese: 麦芽
Pharmaceutical: Fructus Hordei Germinatus
English: Malt Barley Sprouts
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Tastes: Sweet, bland
Meridians Entered: Spleen, Stomach and Liver
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Actions & Indications:
- Reduces Food Stagnation, improves digestion and strengthens the Stomach
Food Stagnation due to undigested starchy foods or grains and all types of fruit Poorly digested milk in infants Food Stagnation due to Spleen Qi Deficiency with weak digestion and anorexia (weak function)
- Inhibits lactation
Discontinuation of nursing Painful, distended breasts
- Facilitates the smooth flow of Liver Qi
As an adjunctive for Liver Qi Stagnation with a stifling sensation or distention in the epigastrium or ribs, belching and anorexia
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Standard Dosage: 10-15g in decoction. Can be increased to 30-120g.
Cautions: It is not suitable for woman in breast-feeding period. |
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