Traditional Chinese Medicine Materia Medica
Warm, Acrid Herbs That Release the Exterior
Ma Huang 麻黄
Category: Warm, Acrid Herbs that Release the Exterior
Pinyin: Ma Huang
Pharmaceutical Name: Ephedrae Herba
Channels: Lung, Bladder
Flavor/Taste: Acrid, Slightly Bitter
Temperature: Warm
Direction: Upward and outward; promotes sweating and opens the exterior
Dosage: 2–9g
Primary Uses: Wind-Cold exterior excess, absence of sweating, cough, wheezing, edema.
Primary Functions: Induces sweating, releases the exterior, facilitates Lung Qi, calms wheezing, promotes urination.
Cautions/Contraindications: Use caution with hypertension, palpitations, insomnia, spontaneous sweating, deficiency sweating, pregnancy, or stimulant sensitivity.
Gui Zhi 桂枝
Category: Warm, Acrid Herbs that Release the Exterior
Pinyin: Gui Zhi
Pharmaceutical Name: Cinnamomi Ramulus
Channels: Heart, Lung, Bladder
Flavor/Taste: Acrid, Sweet
Temperature: Warm
Direction: Outward, upward, and warming through the channels
Dosage: 3–9g
Primary Uses: Wind-Cold exterior patterns, cold pain, joint pain, palpitations from Yang deficiency.
Primary Functions: Releases the exterior, warms and unblocks channels, assists Yang Qi, warms the middle.
Cautions/Contraindications: Use caution with warm disease, Yin deficiency heat, bleeding disorders, pregnancy, or excessive sweating.
Zi Su Ye 紫苏叶
Category: Warm, Acrid Herbs that Release the Exterior
Pinyin: Zi Su Ye
Pharmaceutical Name: Perillae Folium
Channels: Lung, Spleen
Flavor/Taste: Acrid, Aromatic
Temperature: Warm
Direction: Outward and upward; moves Qi
Dosage: 5–9g
Primary Uses: Wind-Cold with cough, chest oppression, nausea, seafood reaction, pregnancy nausea.
Primary Functions: Releases exterior, disperses cold, moves Qi, expands chest, calms fetus, resolves seafood toxicity.
Cautions/Contraindications: Use caution with warm exterior disorders or Qi deficiency with excessive sweating.
Sheng Jiang 生姜
Category: Warm, Acrid Herbs that Release the Exterior
Pinyin: Sheng Jiang
Pharmaceutical Name: Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens
Channels: Lung, Spleen, Stomach
Flavor/Taste: Acrid
Temperature: Slightly Warm
Direction: Outward, upward, and warming inward
Dosage: 3–9g
Primary Uses: Wind-Cold, nausea, vomiting, cough with cold phlegm, digestive cold.
Primary Functions: Releases exterior, warms middle, stops vomiting, warms Lung, reduces toxicity of other herbs.
Cautions/Contraindications: Use caution with Yin deficiency heat, internal heat, or bleeding from heat.
Jing Jie 荆芥
Category: Warm, Acrid Herbs that Release the Exterior
Pinyin: Jing Jie
Pharmaceutical Name: Schizonepetae Herba
Channels: Lung, Liver
Flavor/Taste: Acrid
Temperature: Slightly Warm
Direction: Upward and outward
Dosage: 4.5–9g
Primary Uses: Wind-Cold, Wind-Heat, rashes, itching, bleeding when charred.
Primary Functions: Releases exterior, expels Wind, vents rashes, relieves itching, stops bleeding when charred.
Cautions/Contraindications: Use caution with exterior deficiency with spontaneous sweating.
Fang Feng 防风
Category: Warm, Acrid Herbs that Release the Exterior
Pinyin: Fang Feng
Pharmaceutical Name: Saposhnikoviae Radix
Channels: Bladder, Liver, Spleen
Flavor/Taste: Acrid, Sweet
Temperature: Slightly Warm
Direction: Outward; dispersing
Dosage: 4.5–9g
Primary Uses: Wind-Cold, headaches, body aches, Wind-Damp pain, spasms.
Primary Functions: Releases exterior, expels Wind, alleviates pain, relieves spasms, dries Dampness.
Cautions/Contraindications: Use caution with Blood deficiency spasms or Yin deficiency heat.
Qiang Huo 羌活
Category: Warm, Acrid Herbs that Release the Exterior
Pinyin: Qiang Huo
Pharmaceutical Name: Notopterygii Rhizoma seu Radix
Channels: Bladder, Kidney
Flavor/Taste: Acrid, Bitter, Aromatic
Temperature: Warm
Direction: Upward and outward; guides to Tai Yang
Dosage: 3–9g
Primary Uses: Wind-Cold-Damp, occipital headache, neck stiffness, upper back pain.
Primary Functions: Releases exterior, dispels Wind-Cold-Damp, alleviates pain, guides to Tai Yang channel.
Cautions/Contraindications: Use caution with Yin deficiency, Blood deficiency, or headaches from Liver Yang rising.
Bai Zhi 白芷
Category: Warm, Acrid Herbs that Release the Exterior
Pinyin: Bai Zhi
Pharmaceutical Name: Angelicae Dahuricae Radix
Channels: Lung, Stomach, Spleen
Flavor/Taste: Acrid
Temperature: Warm
Direction: Upward and outward; opens nasal passages
Dosage: 3–9g
Primary Uses: Frontal headache, sinus congestion, nasal obstruction, skin sores, Damp discharge.
Primary Functions: Expels Wind-Cold, opens nose, alleviates pain, reduces swelling, expels pus, dries Dampness.
Cautions/Contraindications: Use caution with Yin deficiency heat or Blood deficiency.
Cool, Acrid Herbs That Release the Exterior
Bo He 薄荷
Category: Cool, Acrid Herbs that Release the Exterior
Pinyin: Bo He
Pharmaceutical Name: Menthae Haplocalycis Herba
Channels: Lung, Liver
Flavor/Taste: Acrid, Aromatic
Temperature: Cool
Direction: Upward and outward; dispersing
Dosage: 3–6g, add near end of decoction
Primary Uses: Wind-Heat, sore throat, headache, red eyes, rashes, constrained Liver Qi.
Primary Functions: Disperses Wind-Heat, clears head and eyes, benefits throat, vents rashes, moves Liver Qi.
Cautions/Contraindications: Use caution with Qi deficiency sweating or nursing, as large amounts may affect lactation.
Niu Bang Zi 牛蒡子
Category: Cool, Acrid Herbs that Release the Exterior
Pinyin: Niu Bang Zi
Pharmaceutical Name: Arctii Fructus
Channels: Lung, Stomach
Flavor/Taste: Acrid, Bitter
Temperature: Cold
Direction: Upward, outward, and downward through the intestines
Dosage: 6–12g
Primary Uses: Wind-Heat sore throat, cough, rashes, mumps, constipation with heat.
Primary Functions: Disperses Wind-Heat, benefits throat, vents rashes, resolves toxicity, moistens intestines.
Cautions/Contraindications: Use caution with Qi deficiency loose stools or diarrhea.
Sang Ye 桑叶
Category: Cool, Acrid Herbs that Release the Exterior
Pinyin: Sang Ye
Pharmaceutical Name: Mori Folium
Channels: Lung, Liver
Flavor/Taste: Sweet, Bitter
Temperature: Cold
Direction: Upward and outward; also descends Lung Qi
Dosage: 4.5–9g
Primary Uses: Wind-Heat cough, dry cough, red eyes, Liver heat, mild bleeding from heat.
Primary Functions: Disperses Wind-Heat, clears Lung, moistens dryness, clears Liver, brightens eyes, cools Blood.
Cautions/Contraindications: Use caution with cold from deficiency or absence of heat signs.
Ju Hua 菊花
Category: Cool, Acrid Herbs that Release the Exterior
Pinyin: Ju Hua
Pharmaceutical Name: Chrysanthemi Flos
Channels: Lung, Liver
Flavor/Taste: Sweet, Bitter
Temperature: Slightly Cold
Direction: Upward and outward; clears upward to head and eyes
Dosage: 4.5–9g
Primary Uses: Wind-Heat, red eyes, headache, dizziness, Liver Yang rising, toxic sores.
Primary Functions: Disperses Wind-Heat, clears eyes, calms Liver, pacifies Liver Yang, resolves toxicity.
Cautions/Contraindications: Use caution with Yang deficiency, cold digestion, or loose stools.
Chai Hu 柴胡
Category: Cool, Acrid Herbs that Release the Exterior
Pinyin: Chai Hu
Pharmaceutical Name: Bupleuri Radix
Channels: Liver, Gallbladder, Pericardium, San Jiao
Flavor/Taste: Bitter, Acrid
Temperature: Cool
Direction: Upward, outward, and coursing
Dosage: 3–9g
Primary Uses: Shao Yang disorder, alternating chills and fever, Liver Qi stagnation, prolapse, menstrual constraint.
Primary Functions: Harmonizes Shao Yang, reduces fever, spreads Liver Qi, raises Yang Qi.
Cautions/Contraindications: Use caution with Liver Yang rising, Yin deficiency heat, or true Yin exhaustion.
Ge Gen 葛根
Category: Cool, Acrid Herbs that Release the Exterior
Pinyin: Ge Gen
Pharmaceutical Name: Puerariae Radix
Channels: Spleen, Stomach
Flavor/Taste: Sweet, Acrid
Temperature: Cool
Direction: Upward and outward; raises Yang
Dosage: 9–15g
Primary Uses: Stiff neck, upper back tension, thirst, measles, diarrhea from Spleen deficiency or heat.
Primary Functions: Releases exterior, relaxes muscles, generates fluids, vents rashes, raises Yang, stops diarrhea.
Cautions/Contraindications: Use caution with excessive sweating or Stomach cold without heat signs.
Sheng Ma 升麻
Category: Cool, Acrid Herbs that Release the Exterior
Pinyin: Sheng Ma
Pharmaceutical Name: Cimicifugae Rhizoma
Channels: Lung, Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine
Flavor/Taste: Sweet, Acrid
Temperature: Slightly Cold
Direction: Strongly upward and outward
Dosage: 3–9g
Primary Uses: Measles, sore throat, toxic heat, prolapse, sunken Yang.
Primary Functions: Releases exterior, vents rashes, clears heat, resolves toxicity, raises Yang Qi.
Cautions/Contraindications: Avoid with headache, dizziness, or vomiting due to rising Liver Yang or excess above.
Chan Tui 蝉蜕
Category: Cool, Acrid Herbs that Release the Exterior
Pinyin: Chan Tui
Pharmaceutical Name: Cicadae Periostracum
Channels: Lung, Liver
Flavor/Taste: Sweet, Salty
Temperature: Slightly Cold
Direction: Upward and outward; light and floating
Dosage: 3–6g
Primary Uses: Wind-Heat, sore throat, rashes, itching, eye disorders, spasms.
Primary Functions: Disperses Wind, clears Heat, vents rashes, benefits eyes, stops spasms.
Cautions/Contraindications: Use caution during pregnancy.
Educational Disclaimer: This materia medica is for traditional study and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Chinese herbs should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner.
References: Bensky, Clavey, Stöger & Gamble, Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica; Chen & Chen, Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology; Maciocia, The Foundations of Chinese Medicine.
Herbs that Drain Fire
Dan Zhu Ye
- Pinyin name
- Dan Zhu Ye
- Pharmaceutical name
- Lophatheri Herba
- Channels entered
- Heart, Small Intestine, Stomach
- Flavor or taste
- Sweet, Bland
- Temperature
- Cold
- Direction of the herb
- commonly understood as downward-draining through urination while also clearing upward Heart irritability.
- Dosage
- 6–9 g
- The primary uses of the herb
- Heart Fire with irritability, tongue or mouth sores, and Damp-Heat painful urination.
- Primary functions of the herb
- Clears Heat and eliminates irritability; promotes urination and clears Damp-Heat.
- Cautions or contraindications
- Use with caution in pregnancy and in marked Spleen/Stomach deficiency-cold patterns.
Gu Jing Cao
- Pinyin name
- Gu Jing Cao
- Pharmaceutical name
- Eriocauli Flos
- Channels entered
- Liver, Stomach
- Flavor or taste
- Sweet
- Temperature
- Neutral
- Direction of the herb
- commonly rises lightly to the head and eyes to dispel Wind-Heat.
- Dosage
- 5–10 g
- The primary uses of the herb
- Wind-Heat eye disorders with redness, swelling, photophobia, or superficial visual obstruction.
- Primary functions of the herb
- Disperses Wind-Heat; brightens the eyes; eliminates superficial visual obstruction.
- Cautions or contraindications
- Traditionally avoided in eye disease rooted in Blood deficiency; use cautiously in deficiency-cold presentations.
Jue Ming Zi
- Pinyin name
- Jue Ming Zi
- Pharmaceutical name
- Cassiae Semen
- Channels entered
- Liver, Large Intestine, Kidney
- Flavor or taste
- Bitter, Sweet, Salty
- Temperature
- Slightly Cold
- Direction of the herb
- commonly directs downward to the bowels and descends/anchors ascendant Liver Yang.
- Dosage
- 9–15 g
- The primary uses of the herb
- Red, painful eyes; dizziness or headache from Liver Fire or rising Yang; dry stools or constipation from Heat.
- Primary functions of the herb
- Clears the Liver and eyes; calms the Liver and anchors errant Yang; moistens the intestines and unblocks the bowels.
- Cautions or contraindications
- Use cautiously in loose stools, diarrhea, or Spleen/Stomach deficiency-cold; pregnancy requires practitioner guidance.
Lian Zi Xin
- Pinyin name
- Lian Zi Xin
- Pharmaceutical name
- Nelumbinis Plumula
- Channels entered
- Heart, Pericardium
- Flavor or taste
- Bitter
- Temperature
- Cold
- Direction of the herb
- commonly drains inward and downward from Heart/Pericardium Fire rather than dispersing outward.
- Dosage
- 1.5–3 g
- The primary uses of the herb
- Heart Fire with irritability, insomnia, agitation, and selected bleeding patterns from Heat.
- Primary functions of the herb
- Drains Heart Fire; stops bleeding; binds the Essence.
- Cautions or contraindications
- Because it is bitter and cold, use cautiously in Spleen/Stomach deficiency-cold; generally kept to small doses.
Lu Gen
- Pinyin name
- Lu Gen
- Pharmaceutical name
- Phragmitis Rhizoma
- Channels entered
- Lung, Stomach
- Flavor or taste
- Sweet
- Temperature
- Cold
- Direction of the herb
- commonly both downward-draining through fluids/urination and lightly upward to encourage rashes to surface.
- Dosage
- 15–30 g
- The primary uses of the herb
- Febrile thirst, Lung or Stomach Heat, vomiting, urinary difficulty, and rashes that have not fully surfaced.
- Primary functions of the herb
- Clears Heat and generates fluids; clears Heat and promotes urination; encourages rashes to surface.
- Cautions or contraindications
- Avoid in obvious cold-deficiency patterns and use carefully in urinary difficulty from Kidney Yang deficiency.
Mi Meng Hua
- Pinyin name
- Mi Meng Hua
- Pharmaceutical name
- Buddlejae Flos
- Channels entered
- Liver
- Flavor or taste
- Sweet
- Temperature
- Slightly Cool
- Direction of the herb
- commonly rises to the Liver channel and eyes.
- Dosage
- 3–9 g
- The primary uses of the herb
- Liver Heat eye disorders including redness, tearing, blurred vision, and superficial visual obstruction.
- Primary functions of the herb
- Clears the Liver; brightens the eyes; reduces superficial visual obstruction.
- Cautions or contraindications
- Use with caution in pregnancy or at excessive dosage; some teaching sources note overdose-related toxicity concerns.
Qing Xiang Zi
- Pinyin name
- Qing Xiang Zi
- Pharmaceutical name
- Celosiae Semen
- Channels entered
- Liver
- Flavor or taste
- Sweet
- Temperature
- Slightly Cold
- Direction of the herb
- commonly rises to the eyes while draining Liver Fire downward.
- Dosage
- 3–15 g
- The primary uses of the herb
- Liver Fire or ascendant Liver Yang with red eyes, visual disturbance, and hypertension-type patterns.
- Primary functions of the herb
- Clears Wind-Heat; drains Liver Fire; improves vision.
- Cautions or contraindications
- Use cautiously in Spleen/Stomach deficiency-cold and in patients with dilated pupils or elevated eye pressure.
Shi Gao
- Pinyin name
- Shi Gao
- Pharmaceutical name
- Gypsum Fibrosum
- Channels entered
- Lung, Stomach
- Flavor or taste
- Sweet, Acrid
- Temperature
- Very Cold
- Direction of the herb
- commonly strongly drains downward from Qi-level, Lung, and Stomach Heat.
- Dosage
- 15–60 g, decoct first
- The primary uses of the herb
- High fever with big thirst, Lung Heat cough or wheeze, blazing Stomach Fire, and topical Heat lesions.
- Primary functions of the herb
- Clears Heat and drains Fire; clears excess Lung Heat; clears blazing Stomach Fire; external use for eczema, burns, and ulcerated sores.
- Cautions or contraindications
- Use cautiously in Spleen/Stomach deficiency-cold or in patterns without excess Heat; raw internal use should be decocted first.
Tian Hua Fen
- Pinyin name
- Tian Hua Fen
- Pharmaceutical name
- Trichosanthis Radix
- Channels entered
- Lung, Stomach
- Flavor or taste
- Bitter, Slightly Sweet
- Temperature
- Cold
- Direction of the herb
- commonly drains downward while moistening Lung and Stomach dryness.
- Dosage
- 10–15 g
- The primary uses of the herb
- Heat injuring fluids with thirst, Lung Heat dryness with phlegm, and toxic swellings or pus-forming sores.
- Primary functions of the herb
- Drains Heat and generates fluids; clears and drains Lung Heat, transforms phlegm, moistens Lung dryness; resolves toxicity and expels pus.
- Cautions or contraindications
- Contraindicated during pregnancy; avoid in diarrhea and clear Spleen/Stomach deficiency-cold patterns.
Xi Gua
- Pinyin name
- Xi Gua
- Pharmaceutical name
- Citrulli Fructus
- Channels entered
- Bladder, Heart, Stomach
- Flavor or taste
- Sweet
- Temperature
- Cold
- Direction of the herb
- commonly drains Summer-Heat downward through urination while replenishing fluids.
- Dosage
- Fresh fruit 15–30 g medicinally, or 1–2 cups fresh juice; food-use amounts vary
- The primary uses of the herb
- Summer-Heat, thirst, scanty dark urination, mild jaundice, and Heat-related irritability.
- Primary functions of the herb
- Clears Summer-Heat and generates fluids; promotes urination and helps expel jaundice.
- Cautions or contraindications
- Use cautiously in loose stools, cold in the middle jiao, or obvious Damp-Cold patterns.
Xia Ku Cao
- Pinyin name
- Xia Ku Cao
- Pharmaceutical name
- Prunellae Spica
- Channels entered
- Gallbladder, Liver
- Flavor or taste
- Bitter, Acrid
- Temperature
- Cold
- Direction of the herb
- commonly rises to the Liver/Gallbladder channel and eyes while also dispersing nodules downward and outward.
- Dosage
- 9–15 g
- The primary uses of the herb
- Red, painful eyes from Liver Fire, nodules or swellings, and hypertension-type patterns with rising Yang.
- Primary functions of the herb
- Clears Liver Fire and brightens the eyes; clears Heat and dissipates nodules.
- Cautions or contraindications
- Use carefully in deficiency-cold or weak Spleen/Stomach patterns.
Ye Ming Sha
- Pinyin name
- Ye Ming Sha
- Pharmaceutical name
- Vespertilionis Faeces
- Channels entered
- Liver
- Flavor or taste
- Acrid
- Temperature
- Cold
- Direction of the herb
- commonly rises to the eyes and disperses local Blood stasis.
- Dosage
- 3–10 g in decoction, usually wrapped in cloth
- The primary uses of the herb
- Night blindness, cataract or superficial visual obstruction, and stasis-type eye disorders.
- Primary functions of the herb
- Clears the Liver and brightens the eyes; disperses Blood stasis and reduces accumulations.
- Cautions or contraindications
- Use with caution during pregnancy.
Zhi Mu
- Pinyin name
- Zhi Mu
- Pharmaceutical name
- Anemarrhenae Rhizoma
- Channels entered
- Lung, Stomach, Kidney
- Flavor or taste
- Bitter, Sweet
- Temperature
- Cold
- Direction of the herb
- commonly drains Fire downward while enriching Yin and moistening dryness.
- Dosage
- 6–12 g
- The primary uses of the herb
- Excess Heat, Yin deficiency Heat, thirst, dry cough, and dryness caused by warming or tonifying substances.
- Primary functions of the herb
- Clears Heat and drains Fire; enriches Yin and moistens dryness; generates fluids and clears Heat; ameliorates dryness from tonifying or warming substances.
- Cautions or contraindications
- Avoid or use cautiously in Spleen/Stomach Yang deficiency, diarrhea, or clear cold-deficiency patterns.
Zhi Zi
- Pinyin name
- Zhi Zi
- Pharmaceutical name
- Gardeniae Fructus
- Channels entered
- Heart, Lung, Stomach, Liver, San Jiao
- Flavor or taste
- Bitter
- Temperature
- Cold
- Direction of the herb
- commonly drains Heat downward through the San Jiao and urine, and may also be used topically for swelling/trauma.
- Dosage
- 3–12 g
- The primary uses of the herb
- Irritability from Heat, Damp-Heat jaundice, blood-Heat bleeding, sores or trauma swelling.
- Primary functions of the herb
- Drains Heat and eliminates irritability; clears Heat and resolves Dampness; cools the Blood and resolves toxicity; reduces swelling and moves Blood stasis due to trauma.
- Cautions or contraindications
- Use cautiously in loose stool, poor appetite, Spleen/Stomach deficiency-cold, and pregnancy.
Blood-Relevant Herbs from Your Supplied Lists
| Herb | Blood relation | How it is commonly used |
|---|---|---|
| Zhi Zi 栀子 | Blood-cooling; blood-stanching; mild stasis-moving | Cools Blood Heat, may help bleeding from Heat, and is also used externally for trauma-related swelling/stasis. |
| Lian Zi Xin 莲子心 | Blood-stanching | Stops bleeding in selected Heat patterns while draining Heart Fire. |
| Ye Ming Sha 夜明砂 | Blood-invigorating / stasis-reducing | Disperses Blood stasis and is classically used in eye disorders with obstruction or accumulated stagnation. |
| Sang Ye 桑叶 | Blood-cooling | Cools Blood and is sometimes used when Heat affects the Lungs or causes minor bleeding. |
| Jing Jie Tan 荆芥炭 | Blood-stanching | Charred Jing Jie is a standard study-point herb for stopping bleeding. |
| Ju Hua 菊花 | Indirect Blood-cooling relevance | Most often taught for Liver/eye Heat rather than as a primary Blood herb, but still useful when Heat rises to the head and eyes. |
| Pattern / Use | Herbs | Category | Study Pearl |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Summerheat | Xi Gua | Herbs that Drain Fire | Clears Summerheat, generates fluids, promotes urination. |
| Summerheat Attacking the Heart | Dan Zhu Ye | Herbs that Drain Fire | Relieves irritability and promotes urination. |
| Summerheat with Thirst / Fluid Damage | Lu Gen Zhi Mu Tian Hua Fen |
Herbs that Drain Fire | Generate fluids and stop thirst. |
| Severe Heat / Qi-Level Heat | Shi Gao Zhi Mu |
Herbs that Drain Fire | Shi Gao = very cold, Yangming/Qi-level Heat. Zhi Mu assists and nourishes fluids. |
| Summer-Damp Exterior Pattern | Xiang Ru | Warm Acrid Herbs that Release the Exterior | Often remembered as the “Summer Ma Huang.” Releases exterior and promotes urination. |
TCM Study Table: Restless Fetus Herbs
| Pattern / Use | Herbs | Category | Study Pearl |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Restless Fetus Herb | Zi Su Ye | Warm Acrid Herbs that Release the Exterior | Calms restless fetus, moves Qi, expands the chest, and helps morning sickness. |
| Pregnancy Nausea / Morning Sickness | Zi Su Ye Sheng Jiang |
Warm Acrid Herbs that Release the Exterior | Zi Su Ye calms the fetus. Sheng Jiang warms the middle and stops vomiting. |
TCM Study Table: Pregnancy Contraindications & Cautions
| Safety Category | Herbs | Category | Study Pearl |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contraindicated During Pregnancy | Tian Hua Fen | Herbs that Drain Fire | Major exam herb. Contraindicated during pregnancy. |
| Use Caution During Pregnancy | Ye Ming Sha | Herbs that Drain Fire | Moves Blood stasis and reduces accumulations. |
| Use Caution During Pregnancy | Chan Tui | Cool Acrid Herbs that Release the Exterior | Your card specifically lists caution during pregnancy. |
| Use Caution During Pregnancy | Mu Zei | Cool Acrid Herbs that Release the Exterior | Your card specifically lists caution during pregnancy. |
| Use Caution During Pregnancy | Gui Zhi | Warm Acrid Herbs that Release the Exterior | Your card lists caution during pregnancy. |
TCM Study Table: Headache Herbs
| Headache Pattern | Herbs | Category | Study Pearl |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wind-Cold Headache | Ma Huang Gui Zhi Fang Feng Qiang Huo Gao Ben |
Warm Acrid Herbs that Release the Exterior | Exterior Cold with body aches, chills, stiffness, or occipital pain. |
| Frontal / Sinus Headache | Bai Zhi Cang Er Zi Xin Yi Hua E Bu Shi Cao |
Warm Acrid Herbs that Release the Exterior | Think nasal obstruction, sinus pressure, frontal pain. |
| Occipital Headache / Tai Yang Pain | Qiang Huo Gao Ben |
Warm Acrid Herbs that Release the Exterior | Neck stiffness, upper back pain, occipital headache. |
| Wind-Heat Headache | Bo He Sang Ye Ju Hua Man Jing Zi Niu Bang Zi |
Cool Acrid Herbs that Release the Exterior | Headache with sore throat, red eyes, fever, or Wind-Heat signs. |
| Liver Fire / Liver Yang Headache | Xia Ku Cao Jue Ming Zi Qing Xiang Zi Mi Meng Hua Gu Jing Cao |
Herbs that Drain Fire | Temporal headache, red eyes, dizziness, irritability, hypertension-type signs. |
| Yangming Fire Headache | Shi Gao Zhi Mu Zhi Zi |
Herbs that Drain Fire | Frontal headache, high fever, thirst, toothache, gum swelling. |
| Summerheat Headache | Xi Gua Lu Gen Dan Zhu Ye |
Herbs that Drain Fire | Heat exposure, thirst, restlessness, scanty urination. |