Pinyin: Niu Huang  Chinese: 牛黄
Pharmaceutical: Calculus Bovis
English: Ox Gallstone / Bezoar

Tastes: Bitter, cool
Meridians Entered: Liver and Heart

Actions & Indications:

1. Clears the Heart, opens the Orifices aromatically, awakens the Spirit and vaporizes Phlegm
   Delirium or coma due to Hot Phlegm Obstructing the Pericardium or Warm-Heat pathogen Wind-Stroke, convulsions or seizures
2. Clears the Liver, relieves Fire toxicity, extinguishes Wind and stops tremors
   Extreme Heat Generates Liver Wind with high fever, spasms, tremors or convulsions
3. Drains Heat and resolves Fire toxicity
   Carbuncles, boils and a wide variety of Hot swellings (Chuang Yung) (can be used as a stand-alone herb)
4. Aids fasting
   Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the superior class of animal parts which can, with protracted taking, lengthen the lifespan. 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: 0.15-0.35g as powder or pills.
Cautions: It should be used with cautions for pregnant women.

Animal products are prohibited from use in the UK under the Medicines Act 1968 ch. 67 which restricts herbalists to the use of plant products only. It is generally substituted with Huang Lian, Gou Teng and Tian Zhu Huang.

Pinyin: Tian Zhu Huang  Chinese: 天竺黄
Pharmaceutical: Concretio Silicea Bambusae
English: Bamboo Sugar / Tabasheer

Tastes: Sweet, cold
Meridians Entered: Heart and Liver

Actions & Indications:

1. Clears and transforms Phlegm-Heat
   Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs with difficult-to-expectorate sputum
2. Clears Heat, cools the Heart and settles convulsions and tremors
   Spasms and convulsions due to Phlegm-Heat
   Wind-Stroke with Phlegm obstruction and gurgling sounds in the throat
   Childhood convulsions and spasms associated with Phlegm-Heat

Standard Dosage: 3-6g in decoction.

Pinyin: Chuan Bei Mu  Chinese: 川贝母
Pharmaceutical: Bulbus Fritillariae cirrhosae
Taxonomy: Fritillaria cirrhosa
English: Yellow Himalayan Fritillary Bulb

Tastes: Bitter, sweet, lightly cold
Meridians Entered: Lung and Heart

Actions & Indications:

1. Clears Heat, transforms Phlegm, stops coughing and nourishes and moistens the Lungs
   Chronic cough especially due to Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire Rising with chronic cough, slight sputum, difficult to expectorate, blood streaked sputum
   Cough with Qi Stagnation with reduced appetite and a stifling sensation in the chest and abdomen
2. Clears Heat and dissipates nodules
   Phlegm-Fire nodules (Chuang Yung sores, swellings, scrofula, Lung or breast abscesses)

Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.
Cautions: Contraindicated to Wu Tou.

Pinyin: Dan Nan Xing  Chinese: 胆南星
Pharmaceutical: Arisaema Cum Bile
Taxonomy: Arisaema consanguineum
English: Bile prepared Jack-in-the-Pulpit Rhizome

Tastes: Bitter, cold
Meridians Entered: Heart, Liver and Lung

Actions & Indications:

1. Clears Heat, dissolves Phlegm, calms Wind and stops convulsions
   Muscle spasms and cramps, infantile convulsions, seizures, facial paralysis, tetanus and stroke

Standard Dosage: 3-6g in decoction.
Cautions: This herb is prohibited from use in the UK due to its being processed in cow bile making it partially an animal product. The unprepared from (Tian Nan Xing) can be used with its Phlegm-Heat resolving actions being enhanced by adding Zhu Ru, or it can be substituted with Tian Zhu Huang.

Pinyin: She Xiang  Chinese: 麝香
Pharmaceutical: Moschus
English: Musk

Tastes: Pungent, warm
Meridians Entered: Heart, Liver and Spleen

Actions & Indications:

1. Strongly opens the Orifices and Luo vessels, revives the Spirit and unblocks closed disorders
   Ying Stage Heat Attacks the Pericardium due to a Warm pathogen disease with convulsions, delirium, stupor and fainting
   Closed disorders (Yang Obstruction, Yin Obstruction, Phlegm Obstruction) Tetanic collapse Seizures
2. Invigorates the Blood, dissipates masses, reduces swellings, detoxifies, opens the channels and alleviates pain
   Severe problems due to Blood Stasis including fixed palpable masses, toxic sores and carbuncles
   Obstructions of the channels and collaterals due to traumatic injury or painful obstruction
   Coronary artery disease
3. Hastens delivery and facilitates the passage of stillborns (induces abortion)
   Labour
   Dead fetus or placenta fail to descend
4. Aids fasting
   Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the superior class of animal parts which can, with protracted taking, eliminate evils, and stop dreams (梦) and waking from nightmares (寤魇寐). 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).
5. Removes the Three Worms
   Said in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing 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: 0.03-1g as pills or powder. Should not be decocted.
Cautions: Animal products are prohibited from use in the UK under the Medicines Act 1968 ch. 67 which restricts herbalists to the use of plant products only. It is generally substituted with Shi Chang Pu and Ru Xiang.

Pinyin: Gou Teng  Chinese: 钩藤
Pharmaceutical: Ramulus Uncariae cum Uncis
Taxonomy: Uncaria rhynchophylla seu macrophylla seu sinensis
English: Cat's Claw Vine / Gambir / Uncaria Vine

Tastes: Sweet, slightly cold
Meridians Entered: Liver and Pericardium

Actions & Indications:

1. Extinguishes Wind and alleviates spasms
   Liver Heat Transforming into Wind with tremors, seizures and eclampsia
2. Drains Liver Heat and pacifies Liver Yang
   Liver Fire and Liver Yang Rising with headache, irritability, red eyes and dizziness
   Recently used for hypertension
3. Releases the Exterior
   Exterior Wind-Heat with fever, headache and red eyes

Standard Dosage: 3-12g in decoction as standard dose but can be up to 30g. Do not decoct for more than 10 minutes.

Pinyin: Tian Ma  Chinese: 天麻
Pharmaceutical: Rhizoma Gastrodiae
Taxonomy: Gastrodia elata
English: Gastrodia Rhizome

Tastes: Sweet, neutral
Meridians Entered: Liver

Actions & Indications:

1. Extinguishes Wind, calms the Liver and stops spasms and tremors
   Liver Wind due to either Heat or Cold with headache, dizziness, childhood convulsions, epilepsy, tonic-clonic spasms, opisthotonos, tetany and Wind-stroke
2. Extinguishes Wind, subdues Rising Liver Yang and alleviates pain
   Wind-Phlegm patterns with headaches, dizziness and migraines Wind-stroke with hemiplegia, dizziness and numbness in the extremities Can be used for both Excess and Deficiency conditions
3. Disperses Wind-Damp Bi
   Pain and numbness of the lower back and extremities due to Wind-Damp Bi

Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.
Cautions: This plant is endangered and any supplies should be accompanied by CITES certification.

Pinyin: Bai Jiang Can  Chinese: 白僵蠶
Pharmaceutical: Bombyx Batryticatus
English: Silkworm

Tastes: Salty, pungent, neutral
Meridians Entered: Liver and Lung

Actions & Indications:

1. Extinguishes Wind and stops spasms and convulsions
   Childhood convulsions and facial paralysis Seizures due to Liver Wind or especially Wind-Phlegm-Heat
2. Dispels Wind, disperses Wind-Heat and stops itching and pain
   Headache, red eyes, a sore, swollen throat and itching skin lesions such as Wind-Rash from externally contracted Wind-Heat or Liver Wind Loss of voice
3. Transforms Phlegm, softens hardness, eliminates toxins and dissipates nodules
   Phlegm-Heat scrofula and other Phlegm nodules
4. Removes the Three Worms
   Said in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing 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: Animal products are prohibited from use in the UK under the Medicines Act 1968 ch. 67 which restricts herbalists to the use of plant products only. It is generally substituted with Tian Ma and Tian Zhu Huang.

Pinyin: Zhu Sha  Chinese: 朱砂
Pharmaceutical: Cinnabaris
Taxonomy: HgS
English: Cinnabar / Vermilion / Mercury (II) Sulfide / 丹 Dan / 朱雀 Zhu Que (Red Raven)

Tastes: Sweet, cold, toxic
Meridians Entered: Heart

Actions & Indications:

1. Sedates the Heart and calms the Spirit
   Restlessness, palpitations, anxiety, insomnia and convulsions associated with a disturbed Spirit
   Heart Fire (with appropriate herbs)
   Phlegm Fire Disturbs the Heart (with appropriate herbs)
   Heart Blood Deficiency (with appropriate herbs)
2. Expels Phlegm and sedates jitteriness and convulsions while stopping tremors
   Seizures, childhood convulsions and other problems due to Phlegm-Heat Blocking the Pericardium and Heart
   Wind-Phlegm dizziness
   Lung Heat
3. Clears Heat, relieves toxicity and prevents putrefaction
   Topically for carbuncles, mouth sores, sore throat and snakebite
4. Aids fasting
   Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the superior class of minerals which can, with protracted taking, enable one to communicate with the spirit light (Shenming) and prevent senility. 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) and spiritual practice.

Standard Dosage: No dosage is permissible due to mercury toxicity. 0.1-0.5g in powder or pills is traditional.
Cautions: Prohibited from use today due to its mercury content, it is generally omitted or substituted with Hu Po. Historically it was sometimes confused with Xue Jie, so this could also make a potential substitute in the right circumstances.

Zhao, Li & Wang (2022) claim that grinding and washing was a traditional method of removing the toxicity but any amount of mercury toxicity is unacceptable today.

Traditional contraindications include overdose and taking for a long period of time, or calcinification.

Pinyin: Da Huang  Chinese: 大黄
Pharmaceutical: Radix et Rhizoma Rhei
Taxonomy: Rheum palmatum
English: Chinese Rhubarb Root

Tastes: Bitter, cold
Meridians Entered: Large Intestine, Spleen, Stomach, Liver and Heart

Actions & Indications:

1. Drains Heat and purges accumulations
   Intestinal Heat Excess, with high fever, profuse sweating, thirst, constipation, abdominal distention and pain, delirium, a yellow tongue coat and a full pulse
   Yang-Ming Fu Stage
   Qi Level Heat in the Intestines
2. Drains Fire
   Fire from Excess with intense fever, sore throat, and painful eyes and constipation
   Fire toxin sores due to Xue Level Heat, especially with constipation
3. Clears Heat, transforms Dampness and promotes urination
   Damp-Heat with oedema, jaundice, painful urinary dysfunction and acute, hot dysenteric disorders
4. Drains Heat from the Blood
   Bloody stool either from hemorrhoids or Heat in the Intestines
   Chaotic movement of hot Blood with hemoptysis or epistaxis with constipation
   It can be powdered and administered orally for bleeding in the upper digestive tract
5. Invigorates the Blood and dispels Blood Stasis
   Blood Stasis with amenorrhea, fixed abdominal masses or fixed pain
   Blood Stasis due to traumatic injury
   Intestinal abscess
6. Clears Heat and reduces Fire toxicity
   Topically or internally for burns or skin lesions (Chuang Yung) due to Heat
7. Clears Heat and eliminates Phlegm
   Chronic Accumulation of Phlegm-Heat with cough, dyspnea, mania, disorientation and other symptoms of Phlegm Misting the Heart

Standard Dosage: 10-15g in decoction. Excessive decoction will reduce the purgative action. Therefore it should be added at end to achieve this purpose and over-decocted to eliminate this action.
Cautions: It should be used with caution in case of spleen and stomach deficiency for its bitter and cold property which is easily to damage stomach qi. It is contraindicated to women during pregnancy, menstruation or lactation for it has actions of activating blood and resolving stasis, and can make the purged substances follow lactating out.

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
   Relieves the symptoms of Gu Sydnrome while suppressing parasites (Fruehauf, 1998)
   Chronic inflammatory disease (Fruehauf, 2015)
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).

Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.

Pinyin: Ban Xia  Chinese: 半夏
Pharmaceutical: Rhizoma Pinelliae
Taxonomy: Pinellia ternata
English: Pinellia Rhizome

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

Actions & Indications:

1. Dries Dampness and transforms Phlegm
   Cold-Phlegm in the Lungs (cough with copious sputum)
   Especially effective for Damp-Phlegm of the Spleen (Cold-Damp Stagnation)
2. Descends Rebellious Qi and stops vomiting (harmonizes the Stomach)
   Vomiting due to Phlegm-Damp in the Stomach (Tan Yin), Cold thin mucus, Stomach Deficiency, Stomach Heat or pregnancy
3. Dissipates nodules and reduces Stagnation (clumps)
   Phlegm in the chest (nodules, pressure, distention, pain)
   Phlegm nodules in the neck (goiter, scrofula)
   Focal distension in the chest and epigastrium
   Obstruction caused by Phlegm anywhere in the body
4. Treats sores, skin ulcerations and carbuncles and reduces swelling (external)
   Topically as a powder for sores, skin ulcerations and carbuncles

Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.
Cautions: Contraindicated to Wu Tou. Use with cautions during gestation.

Must be processed before use as raw Ban Xia is toxic. Ingesting the raw form can cause severe irritation of the mouth, pharynx, and gastrointestinal tracts, and has toxic effects on the nervous system. Symptoms of toxicity include a dry mouth, numbness of the tongue, gastric discomfort, burning sensations and swelling of the mouth, tongue, throat and salivation. In serious cases ingesting Ban Xia can result in hoarseness, spasms, dyspnoea and asphyxia.

Processing can be done with ginger and alum (Jiang Ban Xia) to make a warming herb best suited for Cold-Damp and thin Phlegm conditions, or with liquorice (Fa Ban Xia) to make a more neutral herb that is less drying and can be used for Damp-Heat conditions too.

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: Tan Xiang  Chinese: 檀香
Pharmaceutical: Lignum Santali Albi
English: Sandalwood

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

Actions & Indications:

1. Promotes movement of Qi, harmonizes the Middle Jiao and alleviates pain
   Pain associated with Qi Stagnation in the chest and abdomen
2. Dispels Cold and improves digestion
   Stomach Cold
3. Removes Blood Stagnation
   Blood Stagnation
4. Treats coronary artery disease
   Coronary artery disease

Standard Dosage: 1-3g as powder. Should be added to decoctions at end.
Cautions: Used with cautions for the case of yin deficiency and effulgent fire or hemorrhage due to excess heat.

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: Chen Xiang  Chinese: 沉香
Pharmaceutical: Lignum Aquilariae Resinatum
Taxonomy: Aquilaria agallocha seu sinensis seu malaccensis
English: Agarwood / Aloeswood / Eaglewood

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

Actions & Indications:

1. Promotes movement of Qi and alleviates pain
   Qi Stagnation, with distention, pain or a feeling of pressure in the epigastric or abdominal region Especially useful for Deficiency Cold or Blood Stagnation
2. Descends Qi, regulates the Middle, dispels Cold, warms the Spleen and Stomach and stops vomiting
   Rebellious Qi wheezing from either Excess or Deficiency Vomiting, belching or hiccup due to Spleen and Stomach Deficiency Cold
3. Warms the Kidneys and aids the Kidneys in grasping Qi
   Asthma and wheezing due to Kidneys Unable to Grasp Qi

Standard Dosage: 1-3g in decoction.

Pinyin: Gan Cao  Chinese: 甘草
Pharmaceutical: Radix Glycyrrhizae
Taxonomy: Glycyrrhiza uralensis seu glabra seu inflata
English: Liquorice Root

Tastes: Sweet, slightly cold
Meridians Entered: Heart, Lung and Spleen (and all 12 meridians)

Actions & Indications:

1. Tonifies the Spleen and augments Qi
   Spleen Qi Deficiency with shortness of breath, lassitude and loose stools
   Qi and Blood Deficiency with an irregular pulse and/or palpitations
   Heart Qi Deficiency or Heart Yang Deficiency
2. Moistens the Lungs, resolves Phlegm and stops coughing
   Lung Heat or Cold
   Productive or non-productive coughing
3. Moderates spasms and alleviates pain
   Painful muscle spasms of the abdomen and legs
4. Clears Heat and relieves Fire Toxicity
   Raw for Toxic Heat with sore throat or carbuncles and sores (Chuang Yung)
5. Antidote for many toxic substances (internal and topical)
   Poisoning
   Bites (after washing the wound, chew Gan Cao and apply a thick layer on the bite wound, changing whenever it dries out; Bao Xiang-Ao, 1846, New Compilation of Proven Formulas)
6. Moderates and harmonizes the harsh properties of other herbs and guides the herbs to all twelve channels
   Often added in small doses to harmonise formulas
7. Tonifies the Qi while suppressing Parasites
   Gu Sydnrome (Fruehauf, 1998)
   Chronic inflammatory disease (Fruehauf, 2015)
8. 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 and prolong life. 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: Typically 1.5-9g in decoction. Large doses can be up 30g.
Cautions: It is contraindicated for combining with Hai Zao, Da Ji, Gan Sui and Yuan Hua because of "eighteen antagonisms". It is also contraindicated in cases of dampness obstruction in middle energizer and edema because it can help dampness obstruct qi, and it is prohibited from long-term usage in large dosage (more than 20g/day) and should be avoided or used with extreme caution in patients with high blood pressure because it may raise aldosterone levels in the blood causing retention of sodium.

The NHS recommends avoiding during pregnancy.