Pinyin: Cang Zhu  Chinese: 蒼朮
Pharmaceutical: Rhizoma Atractylodes
Taxonomy: Atractylodes lancea seu chinensis seu japonica
English: Black Atractylodes / Gray Atractylodes / Sword-like Atractylodes root

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

Actions & Indications:

1. Strongly dries Dampness and tonifies the Spleen
   Dampness Obstructing the Middle Jiao and blocking transformative and transportive functions of the Spleen with anorexia, diarrhoea, epigastric distention and pressure, fatigue, nausea and vomiting and a thick, greasy tongue coat
2. Induces sweating and expels Wind-Dampness
   Wind-Cold Dampness and Wind-Dampness with chills and fever, headache, body aches and nasal congestion
   Painful extremities due to Wind-Damp Bi
3. Clears Dampness from the Lower Jiao
   Damp-Heat Pouring Downward with Leg Qi, some forms of atrophy disorders, vaginal discharge, swollen, sore joints
4. Improves vision
   Night blindness and diminished vision with a rough sensation in the eyes
5. Repels Ghosts
   "Strange diseases 奇病" that involve seeing ghosts
6. Aids fasting
   Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the superior class of herbs which can, with protracted taking, make the body light, prolong life and make one free from hunger. 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: 5-10g in decoction.

Pinyin: Jing Jie  Chinese: 荆芥
Pharmaceutical: Herba Schizonepetae
English: Japanese Catnip

Tastes: Pungent, slightly warm
Meridians Entered: Lung and Liver

Actions & Indications:

1. Releases the Exterior and expels Wind
   Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat Carbuncles or boils (Chuang Yung) when they first erupt - especially with chills and fever
2. Vents rashes and relieves itching
   Initial-stage measles and pruritic skin eruptions
3. Stops bleeding
   Hemorrhage (auxiliary)
4. Dispels Wind and relieves muscle spasms
   Postpartum spasms, trismus, muscle cramps and spasms due to Wind

Standard Dosage: 5-10g in decoction.

Pinyin: Bai Dou Kou  Chinese: 白豆蔻
Pharmaceutical: Fructus Amomi rotundus
Taxonomy: Amomum krervanh seu compactus
English: Round Cardamom / White Cardamom / Java Cardamom

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

Actions & Indications:

1. Promotes the movement of Qi, aromatically transforms Dampness and strengthens the Stomach
   Dampness Obstructing the Middle Jiao and Damp-Warmth (a stifling sensation in the chest, fullness in the epigastrium, anorexia and a very greasy tongue coat)
2. Warms the Middle Jiao, descends Qi and stops vomiting
   Vomiting due to Spleen and Stomach, Deficiency Cold, Spleen and Stomach Cold, Cold Dampness and Food Stagnation

Standard Dosage: 3-6g in decoction.

Pinyin: Dang Shen  Chinese: 党參
Pharmaceutical: Radix Codonopsis
Taxonomy: Codonopsis pilosula
English: Pilose Asiabell Root / Bonnet Bellflower Root / Poor Man's Ginseng / Bastard Ginseng

Tastes: Sweet, neutral
Meridians Entered: Lung and Spleen

Actions & Indications:

1. Tonifies the Middle Jiao and augments Qi
   Any chronic illness due to Spleen Qi Deficiency with anorexia, fatigue, tired limbs, diarrhoea and vomiting
2. Tonifies the Lungs
   Lung Qi Deficiency with chronic coughing and shortness of breath
   Copious sputum due to Spleen Qi Deficiency
3. Restores the constitution and assists herbs that release the exterior or drain downward when there is significant Qi Deficiency
   Supports the normal while other herbs expel pathogenic influences
4. Nourishes the Blood and promotes the generation of Body Fluids
   Deficiency of Qi, Blood and Body Fluids especially due to chronic illness

Standard Dosage: 10-30g in decoction.

Pinyin: Yin Yang Huo / Xian Ling Pi  Chinese: 淫羊藿 / 仙靈脾
Pharmaceutical: Herba Epimedii
Taxonomy: Epimedium brevicornum, sagittatum, pubescens seu koreanum
English: Horny Goat Weed / Barrenwort / Bishop's Hat / Fairy's Wings

Tastes: Sweet, pungent, warm
Meridians Entered: Kidney and Liver

Actions & Indications:

1. Tonifies the Kidneys, strengthens Yang and increases the libido
   Kidney Yang Deficiency with impotence, infertility, urinary frequency, forgetfulness, withdrawal and painful, Cold lower back and knees
2. Dispels Wind-Cold-Dampness and warms and unblocks the flow of Yang Qi (strengthens the sinews and bones)
   Wind-Cold-Damp Bi with spasms, or cramps in the hands and feet, joint pain and numbness in the extremities Contractures, numbness or hemiplegia following Wind-Stroke

Standard Dosage: 5-15g in decoction.

Pinyin: Zi Su Geng  Chinese: 紫苏梗
Pharmaceutical: Caulis Perillae
English: Perilla Stem

Tastes: Sweet, pungent, slightly warm
Meridians Entered: Spleen, Stomach and Lung

Actions & Indications:

1. Promotes the flow of Qi, harmonizes the Middle Jiao, expands the chest and benefits the diaphragm
   Qi Stagnation in the chest and abdomen with focal distention or a stifling sensation that may lead to hypochondriac distention and pain Hiccup
2. Calms the fetus (anti-abortion), and stops nausea and vomiting
   Morning sickness Restless fetus

Standard Dosage: 5-10g in decoction.