Pinyin: Chen Pi  Chinese: 陈皮
Pharmaceutical: Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae
Taxonomy: Citrus spp.
English: Aged Tangerine Peel

Tastes: Pungent, bitter, warm
Meridians Entered: Spleen and Lung

Actions & Indications:

1. Regulates Qi, adjusts the Middle and relieves the diaphragm
   Spleen/Stomach Qi Stagnation with epigastric or abdominal distention, fullness, bloating, belching, nausea and vomiting
2. 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
3. Helps prevent Stagnation from tonic herbs
   Tonic herbs causing Stagnation
4. Descends Qi
   Qi Rebellion
5. Aids fasting
   Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the superior class of herbs which can, with protracted taking, remove foul breath, precipitate the Qi, and enable one to communicate with spirits. This may suggest it was part of supplementing the diet when engaging in an "avoiding grain" (Bigu 辟穀) fasting regime to cultivate life (Yangsheng 養生).
6. Suppresses Gu Parasites
   Gu Sydnrome (Fruehauf, 1998)
   Chronic inflammatory disease (Fruehauf, 2015)

Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.

Pinyin: Zhi Shi  Chinese: 枳实
Pharmaceutical: Fructus Aurantii Immaturus
Taxonomy: Citrus aurantium
English: Immature Seville Orange / Immature Bitter Orange / Immature Sour Orange

Tastes: Pungent, bitter, slightly cold
Meridians Entered: Spleen, Stomach and Large Intestine

Actions & Indications:

1. Breaks up Stagnant Qi, reduces accumulation, descends Qi, unblocks the bowels and removes Stagnant Food
   Qi Stagnation and accumulation with epigastric or abdominal pain and distention or indigestion with focal distention or gas
   Food Stagnation
2. Transforms Phlegm, reduces distention and resolves hardenings
   Turbid Phlegm Obstructing the Qi with focal distention and fullness in the chest and epigastrium
3. Expels Wind, alleviates itching, breaks up bindings, regenerates flesh and invigorates the Qi
   Listed in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as a medium class wood which "treats great Wind within the skin giving rise to tormenting itching as if [caused by] flax seeds, eliminates cold and heat and heat binding, stops dysentery, promotes the growth of the muscles and flesh, disinhibits the five viscera, boosts the qi, and makes the body light."

Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.
Cautions: It should be used with cautions for pregnant women.

Pinyin: Sha Ren  Chinese: 砂仁
Pharmaceutical: Fructus villosi
Taxonomy: Amomum villosum syn. Wurfbainia villosa
English: Villous Cardamom

Tastes: Pungent, warm
Meridians Entered: Spleen, Stomach and Kidney

Actions & Indications:

1. Promotes the movement of Qi, aromatically transforms Dampness, strengthens the Spleen and stops vomiting
   Spleen/Stomach Qi Stagnation or Dampness Distressing the Spleen/ Stomach with distention and pain, in the epigastrium and abdomen, anorexia, vomiting and diarrhoea
2. Warms the Middle and stops diarrhoea
   Diarrhoea from Spleen Cold
3. Calms the fetus and prevents miscarriage
   Restless fetus or morning sickness
4. Prevents Stagnation from tonic herbs
   Middle Jiao Stagnation due to herbal tonification

Standard Dosage: 3-6g in decoction, added near end.

Pinyin: Shan Zha  Chinese: 山楂
Pharmaceutical: Fructus Crataegi
Taxonomy: Crataegus pinnatifida
English: Hawthorn Fruit

Tastes: Sour, sweet, slightly warm
Meridians Entered: Spleen, Stomach and Liver

Actions & Indications:

1. Reduces and guides out Food Stagnation and transforms accumulations
   Accumulation of meats or greasy foods (proteins and fats) with abdominal distention, pain or diarrhea
2. Transforms Blood Stasis, invigorates Blood circulation, lowers blood pressure and dissipates clumps
   Postpartum abdominal pain and clumps due to Blood Stasis
   Angina and coronary artery disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia
   Hernial disorders (hernia)
3. Stops diarrhea
   Diarrhea in chronic dysentery-like disorders (toasted)

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.

Pinyin: Mai Ya  Chinese: 麦芽
Pharmaceutical: Fructus Hordei Germinatus
English: Malt Barley Sprouts

Tastes: Sweet, bland
Meridians Entered: Spleen, Stomach and Liver

Actions & Indications:

1. 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)
2. Inhibits lactation
   Discontinuation of nursing Painful, distended breasts
3. 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

Standard Dosage: 10-15g in decoction. Can be increased to 30-120g.
Cautions: It is not suitable for woman in breast-feeding period.

Pinyin: Hou Po  Chinese: 厚朴
Pharmaceutical: Cortex Magnoliae
Taxonomy: Magnolia officinalis
English: Magnolia Bark

Tastes: Bitter, pungent, warm
Meridians Entered: Spleen, Stomach, Lung and Large Intestine

Actions & Indications:

1. Promotes the movement of Qi in the Middle Jiao and resolves Stagnation
   Abdominal, epigastric, and/or chest fullness, bloating, loss of appetite, poor digestion, constipation
   Plum Pit Qi, a feeling of a lump in throat, usually considered psychosomatic today (globus hystericus). Hou Po has modern indications as neuroprotective and also features in formulas like Da/Xiao Cheng Qi Tang which deal with neuropsychiatric symptoms like delirium.
2. Promotes the movement of Qi downward, dries Dampness and transforms Phlegm
   Dampness or Phlegm Obstructing the Middle Jiao with distention, fullness, nausea and diarrhoea
3. Descends Rebellious Qi, reduces Phlegm and calms wheezing
   Cough and wheezing due to Phlegm congesting the Lungs
4. Expels Wind, scatters Cold and regulates the Blood
   The Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing places in the middle class of woods and says "It mainly treats Wind-stroke, Cold damage, headache, Cold and Heat, fright qi, blood Bi and dead muscles."
5. Removes the Three Worms
   The Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing also says that it "removes the Three Worms." These may refer to difficult to treat metabolic disorders caused by overindulgence and should be accompanied by fasting, meditation and exercise regimes.

Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.
Cautions: It should be used with cautions for the syndrome of qi deficiency and fluid consumption, and in pregnant women. Due to some of the anticoagulant effects of its constituents it should be used with caution in conjunction with blood thinners.

Pinyin: Ze Xie  Chinese: 澤瀉
Pharmaceutical: Rhizoma Alismatis
Taxonomy: Alisma plantago-aquatica seu orientale
English: Water Plantain Rhizome

Tastes: Sweet, bland, cold
Meridians Entered: Kidney and Bladder

Actions & Indications:

1. 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
2. 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
3. Drains Kidney Fire
   Kidney Yin Deficiency with Fire Rising
4. Aids fasting
   Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the superior class of herbs which can, with protracted taking, sharpen the ears and eyes, make one free from hunger, prolong life, make the body light, render the face brilliant, and enable one to walk over water. This may suggest it was part of supplementing the diet when engaging in an "avoiding grain" (Bigu 辟穀) fasting regime to cultivate life (Yangsheng 養生).

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.