Pinyin: Gua Lou Pi  Chinese: 瓜蒌皮
Pharmaceutical: Pericarpium Trichosanthis
English: Snakegourd Fruit Peel

Tastes: Sweet, cold
Meridians Entered: Lung and Stomach

Actions & Indications:

1. Clears the Lungs and transforms Hot Phlegm
   Phlegm-Heat in the chest Dry cough with difficult-to-expectorate sputum and dry throat due to Wind-Heat
2. Regulates Qi and expands chest
   Qi accumulation in the chest Chest BiEarly stages of breast abscess

Standard Dosage: 9-12g in decoction.
Cautions: It is contraindicated in case of damp phlegm due to spleen deficiency. It is contraindicated for combining with Wu Tou.

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: Sha Ren  Chinese: 砂仁
Pharmaceutical: Fructus villosi
Taxonomy: Amomum villosum syn. Wurfbainia villosa
English: Villous Cardamom

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

Actions & Indications:

1. Promotes the movement of Qi, aromatically transforms Dampness, strengthens the Spleen and stops vomiting
   Spleen/Stomach Qi Stagnation or Dampness Distressing the Spleen/ Stomach with distention and pain, in the epigastrium and abdomen, anorexia, vomiting and diarrhoea
2. Warms the Middle and stops diarrhoea
   Diarrhoea from Spleen Cold
3. Calms the fetus and prevents miscarriage
   Restless fetus or morning sickness
4. Prevents Stagnation from tonic herbs
   Middle Jiao Stagnation due to herbal tonification

Standard Dosage: 3-6g in decoction, added near end.

Pinyin: Yu Li Ren  Chinese: 郁李仁
Pharmaceutical: Semen Pruni
Taxonomy: Prunus humilis seu japonica seu pedunculata seu elata
English: Bush Cherry Pit

Tastes: Bitter, pungent, mild
Meridians Entered: Large Intestine, Spleen and Small Intestine

Actions & Indications:

1. Moistens the Intestines and unblocks the bowels
   Constipation due to Qi Stagnation in the Intestines
2. Promotes urination and reduces oedema
   Edema with difficult urination and constipation Leg Qi

Standard Dosage: 6-12g in decoction.
Cautions: It is a much harsher hern than Ma Zi Ren producing a stronger laxative effect which may be accompanied by pain before passing.

Pinyin: Xie Bai  Chinese: 薤白
Pharmaceutical: Bulbus Allii macrostemi
Taxonomy: Allium macrostemon
English: Chinese Garlic / Long-Stamen Chive

Tastes: Pungent, bitter, warm
Meridians Entered: Lung, Heart, Stomach and Large Intestine

Actions & Indications:

1. Unblocks Yang Qi, disperses turbid Phlegm, alleviates pain, disperses hardenings and disperses Cold Phlegm
   Damp-Cold painful obstruction of the chest due to Cold, turbid Phlegm Stagnation preventing the flow of Yang Qi with chest, flank, or upper back pain, dyspnea, cough, wheezing and a stifling sensation in the chest
2. Descends Qi, reduces Stagnation and stops diarrhoea
   Damp Stagnation in the Large Intestine associated with dysenteric disorders
3. Aids fasting
   Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the middle class of herbs which can make the body light, free from hunger and slow ageing but is not advised for protracted taking. 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.
Cautions: Garlic (Allium Sativum / Da Suan) has a known potential to increase antiplatelet activity meaning it can enhance the effects of anticoagulants, NSAIDs and acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin). This may also be true of this species of Allium macrostemon considering its effects.

Pinyin: Tao Ren  Chinese: 桃仁
Pharmaceutical: Semen Persicae
Taxonomy: Prunus persica
English: Peach Seed

Tastes: Bitter, sweet, neutral, lightly toxic
Meridians Entered: Heart, Liver, Lung and Large Intestine

Actions & Indications:

1. Breaks up Blood Stasis and invigorates Blood circulation
   Menstrual disorders, abdominal pain, traumatic injury, flank pain, Lung abscess and Intestinal abscess with fixed abdominal masses associated with Blood Stasis
2. Moistens the Intestines and unblocks the bowels
   Constipation due to dry Intestines
3. Drains abscesses
   Lung and Intestinal abscesses

Standard Dosage: 5-10g in decoction.
Cautions: Prohibited for pregnant women. Use with cautions for loose stool. Not overuse because of its toxicity.

Pinyin: Song Zi Ren  Chinese: 松子仁
Pharmaceutical: Semen Pinus
English: Pine Nut

Tastes: Sweet, warm
Meridians Entered: Liver, Lung and Large Intestine

Actions:
Moisten the lung and lubricate the intestine.

Indications:
Cough due to lung dryness, chronic constipation

Standard Dosage: 10-15g in decoction.
Cautions: It is contraindicated in case of damp phlegm.

Pinyin: Bai Zi Ren  Chinese: 柏子仁
Pharmaceutical: Semen Platycladi
English: Arborvitae Seed / Biota Seed

Tastes: Sweet, neutral
Meridians Entered: Liver and Large Intestine

Actions & Indications:

1. Nourishes the Heart and calms the Spirit
   Heart Blood and Yin Deficiency with palpitations and anxiety
   Night terrors in children (can be used alone)
2. Moistens the Intestines and unblocks the bowels
   Constipation in the elderly, debilitated or postpartum women due to Blood and Yin Deficiency
3. Astringes Yin Deficiency sweat
   Night sweats due to Yin Deficiency

Standard Dosage: 10-20g in decoction.
Cautions: It should be used with cautions for patients with loose stool or profuse phlegm.