Pinyin: Ai Ye  Chinese: 艾叶
Pharmaceutical: Folium Artemisiae argyi
Taxonomy: Artemisia argyi (may also refer to vulgaris and indica species)
English: Mugwort Leaf

Tastes: Pungent, bitter, warm, slightly toxic
Meridians Entered: Liver, Spleen and Kidney

Actions & Indications:

1. Warms the channels, warms the womb, stops bleeding and calms the fetus
   Excess and/or prolonged menstrual bleeding due to Deficiency Cold
   Restless fetus, lower abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding (threatened miscarriage)
   Infertility due to Cold womb
2. Disperses Cold and alleviates pain
   Cold abdominal pain
   Cold menstrual pain
3. Eliminates Dampness and stops itching
   Decocted and applied externally as a wash for skin problems marked by Dampness and itching
4. Resolves Phlegm and stops cough and asthma
   As an extracted oil for wheezing, and coughing with profuse sputum
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, sharpen the eyes and ears and prevent forgetfulness. 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: Du Zhong  Chinese: 杜仲
Pharmaceutical: Cortex Eucommiae
Taxonomy: Eucommia ulmoides
English: Hardy Rubber Tree / Chinese Rubber Tree

Tastes: Sweet, warm
Meridians Entered: Kidney and Liver

Actions & Indications:

1. Tonifies the Kidneys and Liver and strengthens the sinews and bones
   Kidney and Liver Deficiency with a weak, sore or painful lower back and knees, fatigue and urinary frequency
   Weakness of sinews and bones
2. Aids the smooth flow of Qi and Blood
   Promotes circulation for weak sinews and bones
3. Calms the fetus
   Deficiency Cold patterns with bleeding during pregnancy
   Prevents miscarriage when the fetus is agitated or restless and when a pregnant woman has significant back pain or presents with a deficient condition
   Threatened abortion
4. Lowers blood pressure
   Dizziness and light-headedness due to Liver Yang Rising
5. Tonifies Kidney Yang
   Reproductive and urinary disorders such as impotence and incontinence
6. 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 slow ageing. 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: Fang Feng  Chinese: 防风
Pharmaceutical: Radix Saposhnikoviae seu Ledebouriellae
English: Siler

Tastes: Pungent, sweet, slightly warm
Meridians Entered: Lung, Liver and Spleen

Actions & Indications:

1. Releases the Exterior and expels External Wind
   Wind-Cold with headache, chills, aversion to Cold, and body aches
2. Expels Wind-Dampness and alleviates pain
   Wind-Damp Bi, especially with Wind predominant
3. Expels Internal Wind and stops spasms
   As an auxiliary for Liver Wind with trembling of hands and feet and tetany
   Intestinal-Wind due to imbalance between Spleen and Liver with recurrent tenesmus and painful diarrhoea with bright blood in the stool
   Migraine headaches
4. Relieves diarrhoea and stops bleeding
   Liver and Spleen Disharmony with recurrent painful diarrhoea, borborygmus and abdominal pain
5. Aids fasting
   Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the middle class of herbs which can, with protracted taking, 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: 5-10g in decoction.
Cautions: It should be used with caution for blood deficiency and internal wind induced by heat because of its warm property.

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.