Pinyin: Xiang Fu  Chinese: 香附
Pharmaceutical: Rhizoma Cyperi
English: Nut-Grass Rhizome

Tastes: Pungent, slightly bitter and sweet, bland
Meridians Entered: Liver and Triple Energizer

Actions & Indications:

1. Spreads and regulates Liver Qi
   Liver Qi Stagnation with hypochondriac pain and epigastric distention
   Disharmony between the Liver and Spleen
2. Regulates menstruation and alleviates pain
   Gynecological disorders due to Liver Qi Stagnation with dysmenorrhea or irregular menstruation

Standard Dosage: 6-10g in decoction.

Pinyin: Xuan Fu Hua  Chinese: 旋覆花
Pharmaceutical: Flos Inulae
Taxonomy: Inula helenium, racemosa, japonica seu britannica
English: Elecampane Flower

Tastes: Bitter, pungent, lightly warm
Meridians Entered: Lung and Stomach

Actions & Indications:

1. Expels Phlegm and removes pathogenic water (Resolves Phlegm Stagnation in the Lungs)
   Phlegm Accumulation in the Lungs with Qi Rebellion
   Accumulation of Phlegm and thin mucus
   Best for Cold disorders but in combination with the appropriate herbs can be used for Hot disorders
2. Descends Qi and stops vomiting (Calms rebellious Stomach Qi)
   Vomiting, hiccup and belching

Standard Dosage: 3-10g wrapped in decoction.
Cautions: This herb has villi that stimulates throat and causes bucking and vomiting. So it should be decocted with wrapping.

Pinyin: Zi Su Zi  Chinese: 紫蘇子
Pharmaceutical: Fructus Perillae
English: Perilla Seed

Tastes: Pungent, warm
Meridians Entered: Lung and Large Intestine

Actions & Indications:

1. Stops coughing, calms wheezing, descends Qi and dissolves Phlegm
   Coughing and wheezing with copious Phlegm due to Phlegm accumulation
   Especially useful when exhalation is more labored than inhalation with a stifling sensation in the chest
2. Moistens the Intestines and unblocks the stool
   Constipation due to dry Intestines

Standard Dosage: 5-10g in decoction.
Cautions: It should be used with cautions for cough and dyspnea due to yin deficiency or loose stool due to spleen deficiency.

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: Fu Ling  Chinese: 茯苓
Pharmaceutical: Poria
Taxonomy: Poria cocos syn. Wolfiporia extensa
English: China-Root / Hoelen / Tuckahoe / Indian Bread

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

Actions & Indications:

1. Strengthens the Spleen and harmonizes the Middle Jiao
   Spleen Deficiency Dampness with anorexia, diarrhoea and epigastric distention
2. Strengthens the Spleen
   Phlegm Dampness due to Spleen Deficiency with thin mucus in which Phlegm moves upward manifesting as palpitations, headache, dizziness and a thick, greasy tongue coat
3. Promotes urination and leaches out Dampness
   Urinary difficulty, diarrhoea or oedema due to Stagnation of Fluids or Dampness
4. Quiets the Heart, calms the Spirit and soothes the nerves
   Palpitations, insomnia or forgetfulness due to either Spleen and Heart Insufficiency or Internal Obstruction of Turbid Phlegm
5. Aids fasting
   Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the superior class of herbs which can, with protracted taking, quiet the Hun, nourish the Shen, 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: 9-15g in decoction.
Cautions: It is contraindicated for spermatorrhea due to deficiency-cold.

Pinyin: Yi Yi Ren  Chinese: 薏苡仁
Pharmaceutical: Semen Coicis
Taxonomy: Coix lacryma-jobi
English: Job's Tears / Chinese Pearl Barley

Tastes: Sweet, Bland, Slightly Cold
Meridians Entered: Spleen, Stomach and Lung

Actions & Indications:

1. Strengthens the Spleen and resolves Dampness
   Dampness Stagnation or Spleen Deficiency Dampness with diarrhoea, leg Qi, painful urinary dribbling
   Damp-Warmth (treats root and manifestations)
2. Expels Wind-Dampness and relieves pain
   Wind-Damp Bi (increases joint mobility and decreases spasms in chronic cases) for stiffness of the muscles, severe arthralgia and joint immobility
3. Clears Heat and expels pus
   Soft, pustulated carbuncles, Lung and Intestinal abscess
4. Clears Damp-Heat
   Any Damp-Heat condition at any level with a greasy, white tongue coat and digestive problems
5. 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 boost the Qi. 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). At ~70% carbohydrates (Zhu, 2017), this would represent one important source of of this nutrient class which could be had in the amounts that could be foraged, as opposed to farmed, to maintain this kind of diet long term. Its root is also suggested to expel the Three Worms.

Standard Dosage: 9-30g 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.