Pinyin: Bi Ma You  Chinese: 蓖麻油
Pharmaceutical: Oleum Ricini
Taxonomy: Ricinus communis
English: Castor Oil

Tastes: Sweet, pungent, neutral, toxic
Meridians Entered: Lung and Large Intestine

Actions & Indications:

1. Draws Wind Evils out of the body
   Applied externally as an ointment, or to support Cupping or Gua Sha therapy (Li Shizhen, 1596, in Wilcox, 2025
   Hemiplegia, Bi Syndrome and one sided headache due to Wind-strike
   Early stage Epidemic Diseases, use with Gua Sha to draw Wind in the Luo to the surface, followed by bleeding the rash spots (Liu Kui, 1758 in Wilcox, 2025)
   
2. Draws Qi, Blood and Yang towards it
   Prolapse of the vagina after childbirth (apply to the Dantian Qihai Ren-6, or to Baihui Du-20 along with moxa)
   Retention of placenta (apply to Yongquan Ren-1 and wash off immediately after expulsion to avoid prolapse)
   
3. Moistens the skin and kills parasites
   Scabies, burns
4. Powerfully drains downwards (taken internally)
   Constipation, abdominal distention (caution: is considered very drastic and toxic)

Standard Dosage: Applied externally, 10-20ml internally.
Cautions: It is contraindicated in case of dyspepsia and pregnant women.

Pinyin: Ru Xiang  Chinese: 乳香
Pharmaceutical: Olibanum
Taxonomy: Boswellia serrata
English: Frankincense

Tastes: Pungent, bitter, warm
Meridians Entered: Liver, Heart and Spleen

Actions & Indications:

1. Invigorates the Blood and promotes the movement of Qi
   Pain due to Blood Stasis from traumatic injury
   Early stage toxic sores, carbuncles, swellings and pain
   Blood Stasis with chest, epigastric or abdominal pain
2. Relaxes the sinews, activates the channels and alleviates pain
   Wind-Damp Bi with rigidity and spasms
3. Reduces swelling and generates flesh
   Topically as an ointment or powder to reduce swelling, generate flesh, alleviate pain and promote healing of sores, carbuncles, and traumatic injury
   Pain, redness and swelling of the gums, mouth and throat

Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.
Cautions: This herb is drasticly pungent with strong stimulation to stomach and easily causes nausea and vomiting. So it should not be taken by large dose or for a long time. Use with cautions for patients with weak stomach; prohibited for pregnant women.

Pinyin: Yan  Chinese: 鹽
Pharmaceutical: Sodium Chloride
Taxonomy: NaCl
English: Salt

Tastes: Salty, cold
Meridians Entered: Stomach, Kidney, Small Intestine and Large Intestine

Actions & Indications:

1. Clears Heat, cools the Blood and resolves Toxicity
   Toothache, bleeding gums, sore throat
   Nebula
   Sores and boils, insect bites
   (Internally) Constipation, difficult urination
2. Induces vomiting
   Indigestion, abdominal distention

Standard Dosage: 1 tsp (3g) melted in 300ml hot water to make approx 1% solution and used as a wash for the skin, mouth or eyes. 5% solution drunk on an empty stomach induces vomiting.
Cautions: It is contraindicated in case of oedema. Do not take too much, especially when inducing vomiting as the high sodium intake can lead to hypernatremia causing seizures and death. Inducing vomiting to eject poisoning is not recommended today as research shows no clinical effect and considerable potential harm.