Costazia bone (Haifushi)

Costazia bone (Haifushi)

Pharmaceutical Name: Pumice; Pumex

Zoological Name: Costazia aculeata Canu et Bassler

Common Name: Pumice, Costazia bone

Source of Earliest Record: Rihuazi Bencao

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The dried bone is collected from Costazia Sp.

Properties & Taste: Salty and cold.

Meridian: Lung

Functions: 1. To clear heat in the lungs and resolve phlegm; 2. To soften hardness and release nodules

Indications & Combinations:

1. Phlegm-heat cough manifested as cough with yellow, sticky and thick sputum or sputum difficult to expectorate. Costazia bone (Haifushi) is used with Sea clam shell (Haigeqiao), Trichosanthes fruit (Gualou), Capejasmine (Zhizi) and Natural indigo (Qingdai).

2. Scrofula and goiter caused by phlegm and qi accumulation. Costazia bone (Haifushi) is used with Oyster shell (Muli), Tendrilled fritillary bulb (Chuanbeimu), Scrophularia (Xuanshen) and Laminaria (Kunbu).

Dosage: 6-10 g

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Corydalis tuber (Yanhusuo)

Corydalis tuber (Yanhusuo)

Pharmaceutical Name: Rhizoma corydalis Yanhusuo

Botanical Name: Corydalis turtschaninovii Bess. f. Yanhusuo, Y. H. Chow et C. C. Hsu

Common Name: Corydalis tuber

Source of Earliest Record: Kaibao Bencao

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The rhizomes are dug at the Beginning of Summer (seventh solar term). After the fibrous roots have been removed, the rhizomes are boiled for three minutes, dried in the sunshine and pounded into pieces.

Properties & Taste: Pungent, bitter and warm

Meridians: Heart, liver and spleen

Functions: 1. To invigorate blood and promote qi circulation; 2. To stop pain

Indications & Combinations: Pains due to qi and blood stagnation. Corydalis tuber (Yanhusuo) is used with Sichuan chinaberry (Chuanlianzi), Chinese angelica root (Danggui), Chuanxiong rhizome (Chuanxiong), Frankincense (Ruxiang) and Myrrh (Moyao).

Dosage: 5-10 g

Note: Frying with vinegar enhances this herb's ability to stop pain.

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Coriander (Husui)

Coriander (Husui)

Pharmaceutical Name: Herba Coriandri

Botanical Name: Coriandrom saticum L.

Common Name: Coriander

Source of Earliest Record: Jiayou Bencao

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The entire plant is gathered in August, dried in the sun and cut into pieces.

Properties & Taste: Pungent and warm

Meridians: Lung and stomach

Functions: To promote sweating and bring the rash to the surface.

Indications & Combinations: Early stage of measles due to attack of wind and cold manifested as fever, no sweating and measles without a rash. Coriander (Husui) is used with Spirodela (Fuping) and Cimicifuga rhizome (Shengma). The heated herbal tea is applied to the skin to bring the rash to the surface.

Dosage: 3-6 g.

Cautions & Contraindications: The herb is contraindicated in measles without a rash on the surface due to excessive toxic heat in the interior.

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Cordyceps (Dongchongxiacao)

Cordyceps (Dongchongxiacao)

Pharmaceutical Name: Cordyceps

Botanical Name: Cordyceps sinensis (Berk.) Sacc

Common Name: Cordyceps, Chinese caterpillar fungus

Source of Earliest Record: Bencao Congxin

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The fungus and the carcass of the larvae of various insects are collected in the period of the Summer Solstice (tenth solar term). They are cleaned and dried in the sun or baked.

Properties & Taste: Sweet and warm.

Meridians: Kidney and lung

Functions: 1. To tonify lungs and kidneys; 2. To stop bleeding; 3. To resolve phlegm

Indications & Combinations:

1. Deficient kidneys manifested as impotence, seminal emissions and soreness and pain in the lower back and knees. Cordyceps (Dongchongxiacao) is used with Dogwood fruit (Shanzhuyu), Dioscorea (Shanyao) and Dadder seed (Tusizi). The herb can also be used alone.

2. Chronic cough and asthma or cough with bloody sputum due to lung deficiency. Cordyceps (Dongchongxiacao) is used with Glehnia root (Shashen), Donkey hide gelatin (Ejiao) and Tendrilled fritillary bulb (Chuanbeimu).

3. Spontaneous sweating and aversion to cold due to weakness of the body or illness. Cordyceps (Dongchongxiacao) is cooked with chicken, duck or pork.

Dosage: 5-10 g.

Cautions & Contraindications: This substance should be used cautiously in cases with exterior syndromes.

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Coptis root (Huanglian)

Coptis root (Huanglian)

Pharmaceutical Name: Rhizoma Coptidis

Botanical Name: 1. Coptis chinensis Franch. C.; 2. Coptis diltoidea C. Y. Cheng et Hsiao; 3. Coptis teetoides C. Y. Cheng

Common Name: Coptis root

Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: Five to seven year old roots, or rhizomes, are dug and gathered in autumn and dried for use, or fried with ginger juice.

Properties & Taste: Bitter and cold.

Meridians: Heart, liver, stomach and large intestine

Functions: 1. To clear heat and dry dampness; 2. To reduce fire and dispel toxins

Indications & Combinations:

1. Damp-heat syndromes: a) damp-heat blocking the middle jiao manifested as a full sensation in the epigastric region and vomitingCoptis root (Huanglian) is used with Scutellaria root (Huangqin), Pinellia tuber (Banxia) and Dried ginger (Ganjiang); b) damp-heat accumulated in the intestines manifested as diarrhea or dysenteryCoptis root (Huanglian) is used with Scutellaria root (Huangqin) and Pueraria root (Gegen); if the resulting manifestation is tenesmus, Coptis root (Huanglian) is used with Costus root (Muxiang) in the formula Xiang Lian Wan.

2. Liver fire attacking the stomach manifested as vomiting. Coptis root (Huanglian) is used with Evodia fruit (Wuzhuyu). If it is heat in the stomach which causes vomiting, Coptis root (Huanglian) is used with Bamboo shavings (Zhuru).

3. Febrile diseases manifested as high fever, irritability, loss of consciousness and delirium. Coptis root (Huanglian) is used with Gypsum (Shigao) and Capejasmine (Zhizi).

4. Boils, carbuncles and furuncles. Coptis root (Huanglian) is used with Scutellaria root (Huangqin), Honeysuckle flower (Jinyinhua), Forsythia fruit (Lianqiao) and Capejasmine (Zhizi).

5. Excessive fire in the stomach. If the manifestation is hunger after consuming sufficient food, Coptis root (Huanglian) is used with Fresh rehmannia root (Shengdihuang) and Trichosanthes root (Tianhuafen). If the manifestation is a toothache, Coptis root (Huanglian) is used with Cimicifuga rhizome (Shengma) and Fresh rehmannia root (Shengdihuang).

Dosage: 2-10 g.

Cautions & Contraindications: This herb should be used with caution; large dosages may weaken the stomach.

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Common knotgrass (Bianxu)

Common knotgrass (Bianxu)

Pharmaceutical Name: Herba Polygoni avicularis

Botanical Name: Polygonum aviculare L.

Common Name: Polygonum, Common knotgrass

Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The aerial parts of the plant are gathered in summer and dried in the sun.

Properties & Taste: Bitter and slightly cold.

Meridian: Urinary bladder

Functions: 1. To promote water metabolism and regulate abnormal urination; 2. To expel parasites and stop itching.

Indications & Combinations:

1. Damp-heat in the urinary bladder manifested as scanty urine with blood, painful urination, urgency of micturition and frequent urination. Common knotgrass (Bianxu) is used with Pink (Qumai), Clematis stem (Mutong) and Talc (Huashi) in the formula Bazhen San.

2. Eczema and trichomonas vaginalis. The decoction of Common knotgrass (Bianxu) is used externally for washing.

Dosage: 10-15 g.

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Coltsfoot flower (Kuandonghua)

Coltsfoot flower (Kuandonghua)

Pharmaceutical Name: Flos Farfarae

Botanical Name: Tussilago farfara L.

Common Name: Coltsfoot flower, Tussilago

Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing.

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: After the plant begins to flower before winter, the flower buds are gathered and dried in the shade.

Properties & Taste: Pungent and warm

Meridian: Lung

Functions: 1. To moisten the lungs and resolve phlegm; 2. To stop cough

Indications & Combinations: Cough. Coltsfoot flower (Kuandonghua) is used with Aster root (Ziwan). It is more powerful than Aster root (Ziwan) in stopping cough and resolving phlegm.

Dosage: 5-10 g.

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