Traditional Chinese Medicine Materia Medica
A study reference for exterior-releasing herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Warm, Acrid Herbs That Release the Exterior
Bai Zhi 白芷
Angelica dahuricae Radix
Properties: Acrid, Warm
Channels: Lung, Stomach, Spleen
Dosage: 3–9g
Actions: Expels Wind-Cold, opens nasal passages, alleviates pain, reduces swelling, expels pus, dries Dampness.
Cang Er Zi 苍耳子
Xanthii Fructus
Properties: Sweet, Bitter, Warm, Toxic
Channels: Lung
Dosage: 3–10g
Actions: Disperses Wind-Dampness, opens nasal passages, expels exterior Wind.
Cong Bai 葱白
Allii fistulosi Bulbus
Properties: Acrid, Warm
Channels: Lung, Stomach
Dosage: 3–9g
Actions: Releases the Exterior, induces sweating, disperses Cold, unblocks Yang, resolves toxicity.
E Bu Shi Cao 鹅不食草
Centipedae Herba
Properties: Acrid, Slightly Warm
Channels: Lung
Dosage: 6–9g
Actions: Opens nasal passages, disperses Wind-Cold, resolves toxicity, reduces swelling.
Fang Feng 防风
Saposhnikoviae Radix
Properties: Acrid, Sweet, Slightly Warm
Channels: Bladder, Liver, Spleen
Dosage: 4.5–9g
Actions: Releases the Exterior, expels Wind, alleviates pain, relieves spasms.
Gao Ben 藁本
Ligustici Rhizoma
Properties: Acrid, Warm
Channels: Bladder, Governing Vessel
Dosage: 3–9g
Actions: Dispels Wind-Cold, overcomes Dampness, alleviates pain.
Gui Zhi 桂枝
Cinnamomi Ramulus
Properties: Acrid, Sweet, Warm
Channels: Heart, Lung, Bladder
Dosage: 3–9g
Actions: Releases the Exterior, warms and unblocks channels, assists Heart Yang, warms Yang, directs turbid Yin downward.
Jing Jie 荆芥
Schizonepetae Herba
Properties: Acrid, Slightly Warm
Channels: Lung, Liver
Dosage: 4.5–9g
Actions: Releases the Exterior, dispels Wind, vents rashes, alleviates itching, stops bleeding when charred.
Ma Huang 麻黄
Ephedrae Herba
Properties: Acrid, Slightly Bitter, Warm
Channels: Lung, Bladder
Dosage: 2–9g
Actions: Induces sweating, releases the Exterior, facilitates Lung Qi, calms wheezing, promotes urination, reduces edema.
Qiang Huo 羌活
Notopterygii Rhizoma seu Radix
Properties: Acrid, Bitter, Aromatic, Warm
Channels: Bladder, Kidney
Dosage: 3–9g
Actions: Releases the Exterior, disperses Cold, alleviates pain, guides Qi to the Bladder and Du channels.
Sheng Jiang 生姜
Zingiberis Rhizoma recens
Properties: Acrid, Slightly Warm
Channels: Lung, Spleen, Stomach
Dosage: 3–9g
Actions: Releases the Exterior, disperses Cold, warms the Middle Burner, alleviates vomiting, warms the Lungs, stops cough, resolves toxicity.
Xi Xin 细辛
Asari Herba
Properties: Acrid, Warm
Channels: Lung, Heart, Kidney
Dosage: 1–3g
Actions: Dispels Cold, releases the Exterior, dispels Wind, relieves pain, warms the Lungs, transforms thin mucus, opens the orifices.
Xiang Ru 香薷
Moslae Herba
Properties: Acrid, Aromatic, Slightly Warm
Channels: Lung, Stomach
Dosage: 3–9g
Actions: Induces sweating, releases the Exterior, promotes urination, reduces swelling.
Xin Yi Hua 辛夷花
Magnoliae Flos
Properties: Acrid, Warm
Channels: Lung, Stomach
Dosage: 3–9g
Actions: Expels Wind-Cold and opens the nasal passages.
Zi Su Ye 紫苏叶
Perillae Folium
Properties: Acrid, Aromatic, Warm
Channels: Lung, Spleen
Dosage: 5–9g
Actions: Releases the Exterior, disperses Cold, moves Qi, expands the chest, calms restless fetus, resolves seafood poisoning.
Sheng Jiang Pi 生姜皮
Zingiberis Rhizomatis Cortex
Properties: Acrid, Cool
Channels: Lung, Spleen, Stomach
Dosage: 3–9g
Actions: Harmonizes the Middle, promotes urination, reduces edema.
Cool, Acrid Herbs That Release the Exterior
Bo He 薄荷
Menthae haplocalycis Herba
Properties: Acrid, Aromatic, Cool
Channels: Lung, Liver
Dosage: 3–6g
Actions: Disperses Wind-Heat, clears the head and eyes, benefits the throat, vents rashes, allows constrained Liver Qi to flow freely.
Chai Hu 柴胡
Bupleuri Radix
Properties: Bitter, Acrid, Cool
Channels: Gallbladder, Liver, Pericardium, San Jiao
Dosage: 3–9g
Actions: Resolves Shao Yang disorders, reduces fever, spreads Liver Qi, raises Yang Qi.
Chan Tui 蝉蜕
Cicadae Periostracum
Properties: Sweet, Salty, Slightly Cold
Channels: Lung, Liver
Dosage: 3–6g
Actions: Disperses Wind, clears Heat, vents rashes, clears the eyes, removes superficial visual obstruction, stops spasms.
Dan Dou Chi 淡豆豉
Sojae Semen praeparatum
Properties: Sweet, Slightly Bitter, Cold or Warm
Channels: Lung, Stomach
Dosage: 6–12g
Actions: Releases the Exterior, eliminates irritability.
Fu Ping 浮萍
Spirodelae Herba
Properties: Acrid, Cold
Channels: Bladder, Lung
Dosage: 3–9g
Actions: Induces sweating, releases the Exterior, vents rashes, stops itching, promotes urination, reduces swelling.
Ge Gen 葛根
Puerariae Radix
Properties: Sweet, Acrid, Cool
Channels: Spleen, Stomach
Dosage: 9–15g
Actions: Releases the Exterior, releases the muscles, relieves Heat, generates fluids, vents measles, raises Yang, stops diarrhea.
Ju Hua 菊花
Chrysanthemi Flos
Properties: Sweet, Bitter, Slightly Cold
Channels: Lung, Liver
Dosage: 4.5–9g
Actions: Disperses Wind, clears Heat, calms the Liver, clears the eyes, extinguishes Wind, resolves toxicity.
Man Jing Zi 蔓荆子
Viticis Fructus
Properties: Bitter, Acrid, Cool
Channels: Bladder, Liver, Stomach
Dosage: 5–9g
Actions: Disperses Wind, clears Heat, benefits the head and eyes, drains Dampness, expels Wind.
Mu Zei 木贼
Equiseti hiemalis Herba
Properties: Sweet, Bitter, Neutral
Channels: Liver, Lung, Gallbladder
Dosage: 3–9g
Actions: Disperses Wind-Heat, clears the eyes, reduces superficial visual obstruction, clears Heat, stops bleeding.
Niu Bang Zi 牛蒡子
Arctii Fructus
Properties: Acrid, Bitter, Cold
Channels: Lung, Stomach
Dosage: 6–12g
Actions: Disperses Wind-Heat, benefits the throat, resolves toxicity, vents rashes, moistens the intestines.
Sang Ye 桑叶
Mori Folium
Properties: Sweet, Bitter, Cold
Channels: Lung, Liver
Dosage: 4.5–9g
Actions: Disperses Wind-Heat, clears the Liver, clears the eyes, moistens Lung dryness, cools the Blood, stops bleeding.
Sheng Ma 升麻
Cimicifugae Rhizoma
Properties: Sweet, Acrid, Slightly Cold
Channels: Large Intestine, Lung, Spleen, Stomach
Dosage: 3–9g
Actions: Discharges Exterior conditions, vents measles, clears Heat, resolves toxicity, raises Yang Qi, lifts the sunken.
Educational Disclaimer: This materia medica is for educational and traditional study purposes only. Chinese herbs should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner, especially during pregnancy, while nursing, with children, with chronic illness, or when taking prescription medication. Dosage varies by constitution, pattern diagnosis, preparation method, and formula context.
References: Dan Bensky, Steven Clavey, Erich Stöger, and Andrew Gamble, Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica; John K. Chen and Tina T. Chen, Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology; traditional TCM materia medica study references.