Author: Koong Yik Medical Factory
Source: Product Information Leaflet
Category: Formulas that are Applied Externally
Pattern: Wind-Damp-Phlegm obstruction, acute or chronic Blood Stasis
Key Symptoms: Deep bone bruises, pains of muscles and joints, and backache, arthritis and strains, especially if they feel bruised but there is no visible signs.
Ingredients
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Song Jie You
| 50% | | (Turpentine Oil)
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Pinyin: Song Jie
Chinese: 松节
Pharmaceutical: Lignum Pini Nodi
Taxonomy: Pinus spp.
English: Knotty Pine Wood |
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Tastes: Bitter, pungent, warm
Meridians Entered: Liver and Kidney |
Actions & Indications:
- Dispels Wind, dries Dampness and stops pain
Wind-Damp Bi with joint pain and soreness (primarily when Dampness or Cold predominate) Wind-Cold
BiTraumatic injury
- Strengthens tendons and muscles and opens the channels
Wei Syndrome
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Standard Dosage: 10-15g in decoction.
Cautions: It should be used cautiously in patients with yin deficiency and blood dryness. |
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Dong Qing You
| | | (Wintergreen Oil)
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Pinyin: Mao Dong Qing
Chinese: 毛冬青
Pharmaceutical: Radix Ilicis pubescentis
Taxonomy: Ilex pubescens
English: Wintergreen Root |
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Tastes: Bitter, astringent, cold
Meridians Entered: Heart and Lung |
Actions & Indications:
- Invigorates the Blood and unblocks the channels and collaterals
Heart Blood Stasis with chest pain and stroke with hemiplegia
heart Qi Stagnation
Chest Bi
- Clears Heat, resolves toxicity and stops cough
Lung Heat cough
Wind-Heat cough
Swollen, painful throat
Topically, as a powder for burns
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Standard Dosage: 10-30g in decoction.
Cautions: It is toxic so avoid taking for a long time or overdose. |
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She Xiang Cao You
| | | (Thyme & Thymol Oil)
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Pinyin: She Xiang Cao
Chinese: 麝香草
Pharmaceutical: Herba Thymi
Taxonomy: Thymus Vulgaris
English: Thyme |
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Tastes: Warm-cool, aromatic, acrid slightly bitter
Meridians Entered: Lung, Kidney, Bladder, Heart, Spleen, Large Intestine, Small Intestine |
Actions & Indications:
- Disperses Lung Qi, clears retained pathogens
Recurring respiratory and/or urinary infections
Weakened immune system
- Transform Phlegm and relieve cough and wheezing
Nasopharygeal and/or bronchial phlegm
Cough or whooping cough
- Regulate Spleen Qi
Digestive weakness with flatulent colic
Dyspepsia, chronic gastritis, H. Pylori infection, diarrhoea in children
- Clear Damp-Heat from the Bladder and regulate Bladder Qi
Recurrent urinary infections
Enuresis
- Calm the Shen, alleviate fear
Nightmares, nervous fear in children, mental lethagy
- Regulate the Uterus
Amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea
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Standard Dosage: 3-12g in decoction.
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Xiang Mao You
| | | (Citronella Oil) |
Pinyin: Xiang Mao
Chinese: 香茅
Pharmaceutical: Herba Cymbopogon
English: Lemongrass / Citronella / Fevergrass |
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Tastes: Pungent, warm
Meridians Entered: Lung, Heart, Stomach, Bladder |
Actions & Indications:
- Dispels Wind and frees the Collaterals
Joint pain, headache, irregular menses, postpartum oedema
Fever, colds and flu
Externally for bruises and haematoma caused by impact injuries
External use for ringworm
Brazilian folklore uses this herb to calm the mind, treat muscular spasms, cramp and fatigue
Recently used for hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Warms the Centre, relieves pain and checks diarrhoea
Stomach ache due to cold, digestive tract spasms and vomiting, weak digestion, diarrhoea
Obesity to boost metabolism and burn fat
- Topically as an insect repellent
Citronella (Cymbopogon nardus) is more effective than Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) but may be more irritating to the skin.
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Standard Dosage: 10-15g in decoction.
Cautions: Over usage causes headache and uneasiness in stomach. It may irritate sensitive skin. Do not use on inflamed skin or eczema. |
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Preparation: Commercial blend.
Actions: Expels wind-dampness from muscles, moves Qi, disperses phlegm, opens the orifices, relieves pain, creates warmth
Research Links:
Reference Notes: (click to display)
Most formulas are found in Scheid, Bensky, Ellis & Barolet (2009): Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies and Chen & Chen (2015) Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications. Others are from translations of primary sources. It is recommended that the original material is cross-referenced for mistakes and additional information.
Substitutions have been taken from Ken Lloyd & Prof. Leung (2004): Mayway UK Substitution List or the above publications and are intended as suggestions to help navigate the tight restrictions in the UK quickly. More applicable substitutions may be appropriate in specific situations.
Individual herb information has initially been sourced from TCM Wiki and American Dragon for basic data and then updated manually with my own notes.
These pages are intended to assist clinicians and are not intended for self-diagnosis or treatment for which a qualified professional should be consulted.
