Isatis leaf (Daqingye)-Isatis indigotia

Isatis leaf (Daqingye)

Pharmaceutical Name: Folium Isatidis

Botanical Name: Isatisindigotia Fort.

Common Name: Isatis leaf

Source of Earliest Record: Mingyi Bielu

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The leaves are gathered in summer or autumn and dried in the sun.

Properties & Taste: Bitter and very cold

Meridians: Heart, lung and stomach

Functions: To clear heat and release toxins

Indications & Combinations:

1. Sore throat, erysipelas, boils, carbuncles and furuncles. Isatis leaf (Daqingye) is used with Scrophularia (Xuanshen) and Honeysuckle flower (Jinyinhua).

2. High fever with maculopapule. Isatis leaf (Daqingye) is used with Moutan bark (Mudanpi).

Dosage: 10-15 g

Cautions & Contraindications: This herb is contraindicated in cases with weakness and cold in the spleen and stomach.

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Inula flower (Xuanfuhua)-Inula britannica

Inula flower (Xuanfuhua)

Pharmaceutical Name: Flos Inulae

Botanical Name: 1. Inula britannica L.; 2. Inula japonica Thunb.

Common Name: Inula flower

Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The flower is gathered in summer and autumn, when it is blooming, and is dried in the sun.

Properties & Taste: Bitter, pungent, salty and slightly warm

Meridians: Lung, spleen, stomach and large intestine

Functions: 1. To resolve phlegm and promote water metabolism; 2. To conduct qi downward and stop vomiting

Indications & Combinations:

1. Phlegm fluid blocking the lungs manifested as asthma and cough with profuse sputum. Inula flower (Xuanfuhua) is used with Pinellia tuber (Banxia) and Asarum herb (Xixin).

2. Phlegm fluid blocking the stomach leading to rebellious qi manifested as eructation, vomiting and epigastric full sensation. Inula flower (Xuanfuhua) is used with Red ochre (Daizheshi), in the formula Xuanfu Daizhe Tang.

Dosage: 3-10 g

Cautions & Contraindications: When decocting this herb should be wrapped in cloth.

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Imperata rhizome (Baimaogen)-Imperata cylindrical

Imperata rhizome (Baimaogen)

Pharmaceutical Name: Rhizoma Imperatae

Botanical Name: Imperatacylindrical Beauv. var. major (Nees.) C. E. Hubb.

Common Name: Imperata rhizome, Woody grass

Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The rhizomes are dug in spring or autumn, cleaned, dried in the sun and cut into small pieces.

Properties & Taste: Sweet and cold

Meridians: Lung, stomach and urinary bladder.

Functions: 1. To cool blood and stop bleeding; 2. To clear heat and promote urination

Indications & Combinations:

1. Hemorrhages due to extravasation of blood by heat. Imperata rhizome (Baimaogen) is used with Biota tops (Cebaiye), Small thistle (Xiaoji) and Cattail pollen (Puhuang).

2. Hot urination, edema and damp-heat jaundice. Imperata rhizome (Baimaogen) is used with Plantain seed (Cheqianzi) and Lysimachia (Jinqiancao).

Dosage: 15-30 g (30-60 g, if fresh herb)

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Immature bitter orange (Zhishi)-Citrus aurantium

Immature bitter orange (Zhishi)

Pharmaceutical Name: Fructus Aurantii immaturus

Botanical Name: 1. Citrus aurantium L.; 2. Citrus sinensis Osbeck

Common Name: Immature bitter orange fruit

Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The immature fruit is gathered in July or August. The fruit is halved and dried in the sun, cleaned, soaked in water overnight, cut into slices and dried again.

Properties & Taste: Bitter, pungent and slightly cold.

Meridians: Spleen, stomach and large intestine

Functions: 1. To disperse stagnant qi and relieve food retention; 2. To resolve phlegm and relieve fullness sensation

Indications & Combinations:

1. Retention of food manifested as epigastric and abdominal distension and fullness and belching with foul odor. Immature bitter orange (Zhishi) is used with Hawthorn fruit (Shanzha), Germinated barley (Maiya) and Medicated leaven (Shenqu).

2. Abdominal distension, fullness and constipation. Immature bitter orange (Zhishi) is used with Magnolia bark (Houpo) and Rhubarb (Dahuang).

3. Weakness of the spleen and stomach in transporting and transforming manifested as epigastric and abdominal distension and fullness after meals. Immature bitter orange (Zhishi) is used with White atractylodes (Baizhu) in the formula Zhi Zhu Wan.

4. Damp-heat stagnating in the intestines manifested as dysentery, tenesmus and abdominal pain. Immature bitter orange (Zhishi) is used with Rhubarb (Dahuang), Coptis root (Huanglian) and Scutellaria root (Huangqin) in the formula Zhishi Daozhi Wan.

5. Turbid phlegm blocking circulation of qi in the chest manifested as stifling sensation and pain in the chest, epigastric fullness and nausea. Immature bitter orange (Zhishi) is used Macrostem onion (Xiebai), Cinnamon twigs (Guizhi) and Trichosanthes fruit (Gualou) in the formula Zhishi Xiebai Guizhi Tang.

6. Prolapse of the uterus, rectum and stomach. Immature bitter orange (Zhishi) is used with White atractylodes (Baizhu) and Astragalus root (Huangqi).

Dosage: 3-10 g

Cautions & Contraindications: This herb should be used with caution during pregnancy.

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