Rou Cong Rong
| 12g | |
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Pinyin: Rou Cong Rong
Chinese: 肉蓯蓉
Pharmaceutical: Herba Cistanches
Taxonomy: Cistanche tubulosa seu deserticola
English: Broomrape Stem, "Ginseng of the deserts"
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Tastes: Sweet, salty, warm
Meridians Entered: Kidney and Large Intestine
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Actions & Indications:
- Tonifies the Kidneys, strengthens Yang, benefits Jing and marrow and warms the Womb
Kidney Yang Deficiency with impotence, spermatorrhea, urinary incontinence, post-urinary dripping and Cold pain in the lower back and knees
Cold from Deficiency of the Womb with infertility, excessive uterine bleeding or vaginal discharge
- Moistens the Intestines and facilitates the passage of stool
Constipation due to dry Intestines from inadequate fluids in elderly or debilitated people or people with Deficient Qi or Blood (with a large dosage, it can be used as a stand-alone herb)
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Standard Dosage: 6-21g in decoction.
Cautions: It is contraindicated in cases of yin deficiency with effulgent fire, stagnation of excess heat, and loose stool because it can tonify yang and smooth stool. |
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Nu Zhen Zi
| 9g | |
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Pinyin: Nu Zhen Zi
Chinese: 女貞子
Pharmaceutical: Fructus Ligustri Lucidi
Taxonomy: Ligustrum Lucidim
English: Glossy Privet Fruit
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Tastes: Sweet, bitter, cool
Meridians Entered: Liver and Kidney
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Actions & Indications:
- Nourishes and tonifies Liver and Kidney Yin
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiencies with dizziness, spots before the eyes, lower back soreness, premature graying of the hair and tinnitus
- Clears Deficiency Heat
Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire Rising
- Improves vision
Diminished visual acuity in those with Liver and Kidney Deficiencies
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Standard Dosage: 10-15g in decoction. Alcohol extracts may be preferable to extract the oleanolic and ursolic acid content.
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Han Lian Cao
| 9g | |
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Pinyin: Mo Han Lian / Han Lian Cao
Chinese: 墨旱莲 / 旱蓮草
Pharmaceutical: Herba Ecliptae
Taxonomy: Eclipta prostrata seu alba
English: False Daisy / Eclipta / Yerba de Tago
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Tastes: Sweet, sour, cold
Meridians Entered: Liver and Kidney
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Actions & Indications:
- Nourishes and tonifies Liver and Kidney Yin
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiencies with dizziness, blurred vision, vertigo, and premature graying of the hair
- Cools the Blood and stops bleeding
Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire Rising and bleeding due to Heat in the Blood with hematemesis, hemoptysis, epistaxis, hemafecia, uterine bleeding and especially hematuria
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Standard Dosage: 10-30g in decoction.
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Bai Zi Ren
| 9g | |
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Pinyin: Bai Zi Ren
Chinese: 柏子仁
Pharmaceutical: Semen Platycladi
English: Arborvitae Seed / Biota Seed
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Tastes: Sweet, neutral
Meridians Entered: Liver and Large Intestine
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Actions & Indications:
- Nourishes the Heart and calms the Spirit
Heart Blood and Yin Deficiency with palpitations and anxiety
Night terrors in children (can be used alone)
- Moistens the Intestines and unblocks the bowels
Constipation in the elderly, debilitated or postpartum women due to Blood and Yin Deficiency
- Astringes Yin Deficiency sweat
Night sweats due to Yin Deficiency
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Standard Dosage: 10-20g in decoction.
Cautions: It should be used with cautions for patients with loose stool or profuse phlegm. |
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Huo Ma Ren
| 12g | |
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Pinyin: Huo Ma Ren
Chinese: 火麻仁
Pharmaceutical: Semen Cannabis
Taxonomy: Cannabis sativa
English: Cannabis Seed
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Tastes: Sweet, mild
Meridians Entered: Large Intestine, Spleen and Stomach
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Actions & Indications:
- Nourishes, moistens and lubricates the Intestine
Constipation in the elderly
Constipation after a warm febrile disease
Postpartum constipation
Constipation due to Blood Deficiency
- Nourishes Yin
Yin Deficiency with constipation
- Clears Heat and promotes healing of sores
Sores and ulcerations (auxiliary - internal and topical)
- Moistens Dryness and benefits the hair
Promotes hair growth and treats dry hair
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Standard Dosage: 10-15g in decoction.
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Jue Ming Zi
| 6g | |
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Pinyin: Jue Ming Zi
Chinese: 决明子
Pharmaceutical: Semen Cassiae
Taxonomy: Senna obtusifolia seu tora
English: Chinse Senna Seeds
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Tastes: Bitter, sweet and slightly cold
Meridians Entered: Liver and Large Intestine
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Actions & Indications:
- Clears the Liver (Heat), clears the vision and benefits the eyes (Expels Wind-Heat)
Red, swollen and painful eyes from Heat or Wind-Heat in the Liver channel
Eye problems such as photosensivity, night blindness and insidious loss of vision without visible physical changes to the eye
- Calms the Liver and anchors Liver Yang
Liver Yang Rising or Liver Fire with headaches and dizziness
Hypertension
- Moistens the Intestines and unblocks the bowels
Chronic constipation with dry or infrequent stools especially if there is Liver Yin Deficiency
- Reduces blood pressure and serum cholesterol
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
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Standard Dosage: 10-15g in decoction.
Cautions: It is contraindicated for deficiency-cold syndrome, especially in case of loose stool due to spleen deficiency. |
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Hei Zhi Ma
| 9g | | |
Pinyin: Hei Zhi Ma
Chinese: 黑芝麻
Pharmaceutical: Semen Sesame Nigrum
Taxonomy: Sesamum indicum
English: Black Sesame Seed
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Tastes: Sweet, neutral
Meridians Entered: Liver, Spleen and Kidney
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Actions & Indications:
- Nourishes and fortifies Liver and Kidney Yin
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiencies with blurred vision, tinnitus and dizziness
Aids in recovery from severe illness Increases the quantity of breast milk
- Nourishes Jing and Blood and extinguishes Wind
Headaches, dizziness and numbness due to Blood Deficiency or Yin Deficiency
Especially for dizziness that worsens with activity
- Moistens and lubricates the Intestines and Lungs
Constipation due to Dry intestines or Blood Deficiency
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Standard Dosage: 9-15g in decoction.
Cautions: It is contraindicated in case of spleen deficiency with loose stool. |
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Reference Notes: (click to display)
Most formulas are found in Scheid, Bensky, Ellis & Barolet (2009): Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies and Chen & Chen (2015) Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications. Others are from translations of primary sources. It is recommended that the original material is cross-referenced for mistakes and additional information.
Substitutions have been taken from Ken Lloyd & Prof. Leung (2004): Mayway UK Substitution List or the above publications and are intended as suggestions to help navigate the tight restrictions in the UK quickly. More applicable substitutions may be appropriate in specific situations.
Individual herb information has initially been sourced from TCM Wiki and American Dragon for basic data and then updated manually with my own notes.
These pages are intended to assist clinicians and are not intended for self-diagnosis or treatment for which a qualified professional should be consulted.