Pinyin: Mu Xiang  Chinese: 木香
Pharmaceutical: Radix Aucklandiae
English: Costus Root

Tastes: Pungent, bitter, warm
Meridians Entered: Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine and Gall Bladder

Actions & Indications:

1. Promotes the movement of Qi and alleviates pain
   Spleen/Stomach Qi Stagnation with anorexia, a feeling of food sitting in the Stomach, epigastric or abdominal pain or distention, nausea and vomiting
   Liver or Gallbladder Qi Stagnation with flank pain, distention or soreness
   Relieves the symptoms of Gu Sydnrome while suppressing parasites (Fruehauf, 1998)
   Chronic inflammatory disease (Fruehauf, 2015)
2. Adjusts and regulates stagnant Qi in the Intestines
   Intestinal Qi Stagnation with diarrhoea or dysenteric disorders, abdominal pain and tenesmus
3. Strengthens the Spleen and prevents Stagnation
   Stagnation from tonic herbs, especially when the transportive and transformative functions of the Spleen are weak
4. Dispels Damp-Heat and harmonizes the Liver and Spleen
   Disharmony of the Liver and Spleen with hypochondriac pain and distention, a bitter taste in the mouth, a yellow tongue coat and possibly jaundice
5. Aids fasting
   Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the superior class of herbs which can, with protracted taking, prevent oppressive Ghost Dreams whether sleeping during the day or the night. 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: 3-10g in decoction.

Pinyin: Zhi Ke  Chinese: 枳壳
Pharmaceutical: Fructus Aurantii
Taxonomy: Citrus aurantium
English: Seville Orange / Bitter Orange / Sour Orange

Tastes: Bitter, pungent, sore and slightly cold
Meridians Entered: Spleen and Stomach

Actions & Indications:

1. Promotes the movement of Qi, reduces distention and pressure and resolves hardenings
   Qi Stagnation and accumulation (especially in weak or deficient patients)
2. Removes stagnated food
   Food Stagnation

Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.
Cautions: Used with caution for pregnant women.

Pinyin: Bing Lang  Chinese: 槟榔
Pharmaceutical: Semen Arecae
Taxonomy: Areca catechu
English: Betel Nut

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

Actions & Indications:

1. Kills Parasites and expels Demons
   Kills a wide variety of Intestinal parasites including fasciolopsis, pinworms, roundworms and Blood flukes Best for tapeworms
   Drains downward to expel the bodies of dead parasites
   Gu Sydnrome (Fruehauf, 1998)
   Chronic inflammatory disease (Fruehauf, 2015)
2. Regulates Qi, reduces accumulations, drains downward and unblocks the bowels
   Food Stagnation and Qi Stagnation with abdominal distention, constipation or tenesmus
3. Promotes urination
   Damp leg Qi and oedema due to Excess
4. Treats malarial disorders
   Malarial disorders
5. Relieves nausea
   Nausea

Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.
Cautions: It is contraindicated for loose stool due to spleen insufficiency or qi sinking. Use with caution for pregnant women.

This herb is prohibited from use in the UK under the banned and restricted herbal ingredients list issued by the MHRA and so is generally substituted with Zhi Shi and Yi Li Ren, or Fei Zi and Yu Li Ren for expelling parasites.

Pinyin: Ku Lian Pi  Chinese: 苦楝皮
Pharmaceutical: Cortex Meliae azedarach
English: Chinaberry Bark

Tastes: Bitter, cold, toxic
Meridians Entered: Liver, Spleen and Stomach

Actions & Indications:

1. Kills parasites
   Roundworms, hookworms, pinworms and vaginal trichomonas infections This is strong and effective and can be used by itself
2. Treats tinea topically
   As a wash or a powder made into a thick paste with vinegar for tinea
3. Treats trichomonas
   Externally as a wash or douche for trichomonas vaginitis

Standard Dosage: 4.5-9g in decoction or externally as a wash.
Cautions: Do not take in an excessive dose or long because of its toxicity. Decoct it long on a slow fire because the curative ingredients are difficult in dissolving.

Pinyin: Shi Jun Zi  Chinese: 使君子
Pharmaceutical: Fructus Quisqualis
Taxonomy: Quisqualis indica
English: Rangoon Creeper Fruit

Tastes: Sweet, warm
Meridians Entered: Spleen and Stomach

Actions & Indications:

1. Kills parasites
   Roundworms and pinworms (can be used alone)
2. Strengthens the Spleen, dissolves accumulations and improves digestion
   Childhood nutritional impairment, abdominal distention, poor appetite, or a weak constitution
3. Expels Gu Parasites
   Chronic inflammatory disease (Fruehauf, 2015)

Standard Dosage: 9-12g smashed in decoction, 6-9g chewed. Take 1-1.5 pieces of the seeds per year of age. Daily dosage should not exceed 20 pieces.
Cautions: Large dosage or taking with hot tea can cause hiccup, vertigo, vomiting and diarrhea. Therefore it should not be taken with hot tea.