Elsholtzia Powder
Chinese Prescription: Xiang Ru San
English Translation: Elsholtzia Powder
Formula Type: Release Exterior Cold
Actions: Releases the exterior, scatters cold, transforms dampness, & harmonizes the middle burner.
Indications: Chills with skin that is warm to the touch, an absence of sweating, a sensation of heaviness in the head, headache, abdomnial pain, vomiting, diarrhea, a stifling sensation in the chest, fatigued extremities, a white, greasy tongue coating, & a floating pulse.
Contraindications: The use of this formula in those with summerheat, other than yin summerheat, will severely injure the fluids & qi, increase heat in the body, & significantly aggravate the condition.
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Xiang Ru / Madder, Aromatic |
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Taste: Acrid • Temperature: Slightly Warm • Category: Exterior Releasing - Warm • Sub Category: Aromatic |
Dosage3-9g |
Actions1. Releases the exterior, expels summerheat, & transforms dampness: for externally contracted patterns of summerheat or dampness with such symptoms as chills & fevers, headaches, absence of sweating, body aches, & diarrhea. This herb simultaneously expels summerheat from the exterior & transforms turbid dampness in the interior.
2. Promotes urination & reduces swelling: for edema & urinary difficulty, epecially when associated with an exterior pattern. |
MeridiansLung, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of exterior deficiency with sweating. May cause vomiting if taken hot; take at a cool temperature or add huang qin or huang lian to reduce this effect. |
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Bai Bian Dou / Hyacinth Bean, Dolichos Bean |
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Taste: Sweet • Temperature: Neutral • Category: Clear Heat • Sub Category: Relieve Summer-heat |
Dosage9-21g |
Actions1. Clears summerheat: for summerheat patterns, especially with pronounced diarrhea or vomiting.
2. Strengthens the Spleen: for chronic diarrhea with loud stomach growling & reduced appetite due to Spleen deficiency. Also for vaginal discharge due to Spleen deficiency. |
MeridiansSpleen, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicateed in cases of intermittent fevers & chills, & in cold disorders. |
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Hou Po / Magnolia Bark |
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Taste: Bitter, Acrid • Temperature: Warm • Category: Qi Regulating / Moving; Transform Damp - Aromatic • Sub Category: |
Dosage3-9g |
Actions1. Regulates qi & reduces stagnation of the middle jiao: Key herb for treatment of qi stagnation of the Spleen & Stomach that is causing epigastric & abdominal fullness & distention, loss of appetite, & poor digestion. Indispensable herb when treating bloating, distention, & other related signs of qi stagnation.
2. Regulates qi circulation & dries dampness. Clinically qi stagnation with accumulation of dampness in the middle jiao is characterized by epigastric & abdominal fullness, nausea, vomiting, decreased intake of food, & a greasy tongue coat.
3. Descends qi, dissolves phlegm, relieves wheezing: treats cough & wheezing when phlegm blacks the normal circulation of qi in the Lung. Best for tightness in the chest, dyspnea, & cough & wheezing accompanied by profuse phlegm. |
MeridiansLarge Intestine, Lung, Spleen, Stomach |
CautionsUse with caution during pregnancy or in cases of qi deficiency. Hou po has a mild anticoagulant effect, & should be used with caution in patients who take anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications. Unprocessed hou po is sometimes irritating to the throat & may cause nausea. Processing it with sheng jiang reduces bitterness & the stimulatory effect, & is less likely to cause nausea & stomach discomfort. |