Pinyin: Sang Zhi  Chinese: 桑枝
Pharmaceutical: Ramulus Mori
Taxonomy: Morus alba
English: Mulberry Twig

Tastes: Slightly bitter, mild
Meridians Entered: Liver

Actions & Indications:

1. Dispels Wind-Dampness, unblocks the channels and collaterals, benefits the joints and stops spasms
   Wind-Damp with spasms, especially warm Bi in the upper extremities
   Numbness in the extremities or hemiplegia as sequelae for Wind-Stroke
2. Promotes diuresis and reduces oedema (regulates water metabolism)
   Edema especially when accompanied by joint pain

Standard Dosage: 9-30g in decoction.

Pinyin: Hai Tong Pi  Chinese: 海桐皮
Pharmaceutical: Cortex Erythrinae
English: Coral-Bean Bark

Tastes: Bitter, pungent, mild
Meridians Entered: Liver

Actions & Indications:

1. Dispels Wind-Dampness and unblocks the channels and collaterals
   Wind-Damp Bi, especially for soreness and pain in the lower back and knees or spasms of the extremities
2. Promotes urination and reduces oedema
   Superficial oedema due to Dampness
3. Treats itching skin lesions and kills parasites
   Topically for scabies and other skin lesions
4. Treats toothache due to dental caries
   Used as a gargle

Standard Dosage: 5-15g in decoction.

Pinyin: Xi Xian Cao  Chinese: 豨薟草
Pharmaceutical: Herba Siegesbeckiae
English: Common St.Paulswort Herb

Tastes: Pungent, bitter, cold
Meridians Entered: Liver and Kidney

Actions & Indications:

1. Dispels Wind-Dampness, strengthens the sinews and unblocks the channels and collaterals
   Wind-Damp Bi with joint pain
   Because it is good at unblocking the channels and invigorating the collaterals it is commonly used for spasms, numbness and cramps in the extremities and weak legs, including weakness as a sequela of Wind-stroke with numbness and weakness of the back and legs, facial paralysis and hemiplegia
2. Clears Heat and pacifies the Liver
   Liver Yang Rising with headache, dizziness
   Hypertension (high blood pressure)
3. Clears and transforms Damp-Heat and eliminates toxins
   Damp-Heat sores and itching, Wind-Damp rashes and other forms of itching
4. Calms the Spirit
   Irritability, insomnia, tinnitus, vertigo and forgetfulness

Standard Dosage: 10-12g in decoction.

Pinyin: Hai Feng Teng  Chinese: 海风藤
Pharmaceutical: Caulis Piperis Kadsurae
English: Kadsura Pepper Stem

Tastes: Pungent, bitter, slightly warm
Meridians Entered: Heart and Kidney

Actions & Indications:

1. Dispels Wind-Dampness and unblocks the channels
   Wind-Cold-Damp Bi with stiff joints, lower back pain, sore knees and cramping of muscles and sinews
2. Disperses Cold and stops pain
   Cold Invading Spleen and Stomach
   Trauma pain

Standard Dosage: 6-15g in decoction.

Pinyin: Luo Shi Teng  Chinese: 絡石藤
Pharmaceutical: Caulis Trachelospermi
Taxonomy: Tracelospermus jasminoides
English: Star Jasmine Stem

Tastes: Bitter, slightly cold
Meridians Entered: Heart, Liver and Kidney

Actions & Indications:

1. Dispels Wind-Dampness and unblocks the channels and collaterals
   Wind-Damp Bi and spasms of the sinews (especially Hot Bi)
2. Cools the Blood and reduces swellings
   Red, hot painful abscesses and other toxic sores
   Throat Bi
3. 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, brighten the eyes, render the complexion shiny, prevent forgetfulness 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: 6-12g in decoction.

Pinyin: Ren Dong Teng  Chinese: 忍冬藤
Pharmaceutical: Caulis Lonicerae
Taxonomy: Lonicera japonica
English: Honeysuckle Stem

Tastes: Sweet, cold
Meridians Entered: Heart and Lung

Actions & Indications:

1. Clears Heat and resolves toxicity
   Sores and skin eruptions
2. Dispels Wind-Dampness, soothes the sinews and unblocks the channels
   Wind-Damp-Heat-Bi
3. Cools the Blood
   Adjunctively for hot abdominal pain, early periods Excess bleeding and mastitis
4. Relieves abdominal pain due to inflammation
   Blood Heat dysentery
5. Clears Damp-Heat from the Lower Jiao
   Damp-Heat in the Lower Jiao
6. Expels Wind-Heat
   Wind-Heat
7. Expels Corpse Evils
   Unexplained wasting due to Transmitted Corpse Consumption (傳屍癆) (Wilcox, 2024)

Standard Dosage: 10-30g in decoction.
Cautions: It is contraindicated for frequent diarrhea and deficiency-cold in spleen and stomach.

Pinyin: Ji Xue Teng  Chinese: 鸡血藤
Pharmaceutical: Caulis Spatholobi
English: Millettia Root and Vine

Tastes: Bitter, lightly sweet, warm
Meridians Entered: Liver and Kidney

Actions & Indications:

1. Invigorates and tonifies the Blood
   Blood Deficiency with dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation, or amenorrhea along with abdominal pain
2. Activates the channels and relaxes the sinews
   Numbness of the extremities, lower back pain, knee pain or general soreness of the joints due to Wind-Damp Bi with either Blood Deficiency or Stasis
   Weak extremities in the elderly Paralysis and vertigo due to Blood Stasis or Wind-Stroke

Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.