Pinyin: Xing Ren  Chinese: 杏仁
Pharmaceutical: Semen armeniacae
Taxonomy: Prunus armeniaca seu mandshurica seu sibirica
English: Bitter Apricot Kernel

Tastes: Bitter, slightly warm, slightly toxic
Meridians Entered: Lung and Large Intestine

Actions & Indications:

1. Stops coughing and calms wheezing
   Coughs due to either Heat or Cold (depending on combination) Wind-Dry coughs (especially useful)
2. Moistens the Intestines and unblocks the bowels
   Constipation

Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.
Cautions: It should not be overused for its slight toxicity. It should be used with cautions for infants and patients with diarrhea.

Pinyin: Huo Ma Ren  Chinese: 火麻仁
Pharmaceutical: Semen Cannabis
Taxonomy: Cannabis sativa
English: Cannabis Seed

Tastes: Sweet, mild
Meridians Entered: Large Intestine, Spleen and Stomach

Actions & Indications:

1. Nourishes, moistens and lubricates the Intestine
   Constipation in the elderly
   Constipation after a warm febrile disease
   Postpartum constipation
   Constipation due to Blood Deficiency
2. Nourishes Yin
   Yin Deficiency with constipation
3. Clears Heat and promotes healing of sores
   Sores and ulcerations (auxiliary - internal and topical)
4. Moistens Dryness and benefits the hair
   Promotes hair growth and treats dry hair

Standard Dosage: 10-15g 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: He Zi  Chinese: 诃子
Pharmaceutical: Fructus Terminaliae Chebulae
Taxonomy: Terminalia Chebula
English: Myrobalan Fruit

Tastes: Bitter, sour, astringent, neutral
Meridians Entered: Lung and Large Intestine

Actions & Indications:

1. Astringes the Intestines and stops diarrhoea
   Chronic diarrhoea and dysenteric disorders (both Heat and Cold patterns)
   Intestinal Wind with hemafecia
2. Contains leakage of Lung Qi, stops coughing, improves the condition of the throat (Descends Lung Qi) and relieves Qi Stagnation in the diaphragm and chest
   Chronic cough, wheezing, and especially loss of voice
   Cough due to Phlegm-Fire Obstructing the Lungs (in combination)
3. Kills Parasites and expels Demons
   Gu Sydnrome (Fruehauf, 1998)
   Chronic inflammatory disease (Fruehauf, 2015)

Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.