Pinyin: Sha Yuan Zi  Chinese: 沙苑子
Pharmaceutical: Semen Astragali complanati
Taxonomy: Astragalus complanatus
English: Flattened Milkvetch Seed

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

Actions & Indications:

1. Tonifies Kidney Yang and astringes Jing
   Kidney Yang Deficiency with lower back pain, tinnitus, impotence, premature ejaculation, urinary frequency or incontinence and vaginal discharge
2. Nourishes Liver Blood and improves vision
   Diminished visual acuity or blurred vision from Liver Blood Deficiency
3. Aids fasting
   Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the middle class of herbs which can, with protracted taking, promote the growth of muscles and flesh, brighten the eyes and make the body light. 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: 10-15g in decoction.

Pinyin: Qian Shi  Chinese: 芡实
Pharmaceutical: Semen Euryales
Taxonomy: Euryalis ferocis
English: Fox Nut / Gorgon Nut / Makhana

Tastes: Sweet, astringent, neutral
Meridians Entered: Spleen, and Kidney

Actions & Indications:

1. Strengthens the Spleen and stops diarrhoea
   Chronic diarrhoea due to Spleen Deficiency (especially useful for children) Chronic diarrhoea due to Internal Accumulation of Damp (weak transportation)
2. Stabilizes the Kidneys and astringes Jing
   Kidney Qi Deficiency with nocturnal emission, premature ejaculation, spermatorrhea and urinary incontinence or frequency
3. Expels Dampness and stops discharge
   Vaginal discharge due to either Deficiency or Damp-Heat
4. 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 free from hunger, and slow ageing to make one an immortal. 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: 10-15g in decoction.

Pinyin: Lian Xu  Chinese: 蓮須
Pharmaceutical: Stamen Nelumbinis
English: Lotus Stem

Tastes: Sweet, astringent, neutral
Meridians Entered: Heart and Kidney

Actions & Indications:

1. Stabilizes the Kidneys, astringes Jing and clears Heart Heat
   Wet dreams spermatorrhea, premature ejaculation enuresis and vaginal discharge due to Deficient Kidneys
   Heart Yin Deficiency
2. Stops bleeding
   Epistaxis, hematemesis and profuse uterine bleeding

Standard Dosage: 3-9g in decoction.
Cautions: It is contraindicated for difficult urination and using with Di Huang, shallot, Da Suan.

Pinyin: Long Gu  Chinese: 龙骨
Pharmaceutical: Ossa Draconis
English: Fossilised Bones

Tastes: Sweet, astringent, neutral
Meridians Entered: Liver, Heart and Kidney

Actions & Indications:

1. Settles anxiety and calms the Spirit
   Agitated Heart and Spirit with emotional distress, restlessness, insomnia, palpitations with anxiety, seizures, or withdrawal mania
2. Calms the Liver and anchors and preserves Floating Yang
   Irritability, restlessness, dizziness, vertigo, blurred vision and a bad temper due to Liver Yin Deficiency with Liver Yang Rising
3. Prevents leakage of fluids
   Loss of fluids due to Deficiency with spermatorrhea, night sweats, spontaneous sweating, nocturnal emissions, vaginal discharge and uterine bleeding
4. Topically generates muscles and astringes ulcers
   Chronic non-healing sores and ulcerations
5. Treats Ghost Possession
   Said in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing to treat Heart and Abdomen Ghost Possession, Spiritual Matters (精物 Jing Wu) and Old Ghosts (老鬼). This refers to difficult to treat disorders thought to be of supernatural origin.
6. Aids fasting
   Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the superior class of animal parts which can, with protracted taking, make the body light, enable one to communicate with the Spirit Light (Shen Ming 神明), and 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: 15-30g in decoction.
Cautions: The high mineral content of this medication may prevent the oral absorption of the fluoroquinolone class of antibiotics.

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 Bai Shao and Wu Wei Zi.

If viewed from a western perspective as a source of calcium which may cause sleep disturbances, then supplementation or inclusion of high calcium/magnesium content herbs (e.g. Kun Bu) could be considered, especially if other signs such as oesteoporosis or muscle cramps are present and risk of side effects from calcium/magnesium supplements are low (stones, calcified arteries, GI issues). However, this assumes a mechanism which does not match many of the traditional patterns for which it is prescribed.

Pinyin: Mu Li  Chinese: 牡蛎
Pharmaceutical: Concha Ostreae
English: Oyster Shell

Tastes: Salty, astringent, slightly cold
Meridians Entered: Liver and Kidney

Actions & Indications:

1. Heavily settles and calms the Spirit
   Agitated Heart and Spirit with palpitations with anxiety, restlessness and insomnia
2. Calms the Liver, benefits Yin and anchors Floating Yang
   Liver Yin Deficiency with Liver Yang Rising or Yin Deficiency with internal Heat with restlessness, irritability, palpitations and spontaneous sweating
3. Prevents leakage of fluids
   Continuous sweat after febrile disease or in patients with steaming bone disorder
   Loss of fluids due to Deficiency with night sweats, spontaneous sweating, nocturnal emissions, spermatorrhea or vaginal discharge and uterine bleeding
4. Softens hardness and dissipates nodules
   Various kinds of lumps particularly neck lumps such as goiter or scrofula
5. Absorbs acidity and alleviates pain (calcined)
   Excessive Stomach pain with a sour taste in the mouth
6. Aids fasting
   Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the superior class of animal parts which can, with protracted taking, fortify the bones and joints (骨节 Gu Jie), kill evil ghosts (邪鬼 Xie Gui), 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: 15-30g in decoction.
Cautions: The high mineral content of this medication may prevent the oral absorption of the fluoroquinolone class of antibiotics.

Caution should also be taken due to the possibility of heavy metal absorption from the oysters' environment. If decocting it is advisable to leave the dregs at the bottom as heavy metal particles will naturally sink. It is still probably advisable to avoid for long term use unless the source is known to be clean.

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 Xuan Shen, Bai Shao and Wu Wei Zi or Tian Ma.

If viewed from a western perspective as a source of calcium which may cause sleep disturbances, then supplementation or inclusion of high calcium/magnesium content herbs (e.g. Kun Bu which is also salty and softens nodulation) could be considered, especially if other signs such as oesteoporosis or muscle cramps are present and the risk of side effects from calcium/magnesium supplements are low (stones, calcified arteries, GI issues). However, this assumes a mechanism which does not match many of the traditional patterns for which it is prescribed.

Pinyin: Lian Zi  Chinese: 莲子
Pharmaceutical: Semen Nelumbinis
English: Lotus Seed

Tastes: Sweet, astringent, neutral
Meridians Entered: Spleen, Kidney and Heart

Actions & Indications:

1. Tonifies the Spleen and astringes diarrhoea
   Spleen Deficiency with chronic diarrhoea and loss of appetite
2. Tonifies the Kidneys and astringes Jing
   Premature ejaculation and spermatorrhea due to unstable Deficient Kidneys
   Excessive uterine bleeding and vaginal discharge
3. Nourishes the Heart and calms the Spirit
   Palpitations with anxiety and irritability associated with Deficiency and insomnia
   Especially useful for Lack of Communication Between the Heart and Kidneys (Heart and Kidney Yin Deficiency)
4. 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, slow ageing, make one free from hunger, 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: 10-15g in decoction.