xiang fu 香附

Pharmaceutical name英文藥名﹕
Cyperus Rhizome
Other Names別名﹕
que tou xiang, xiang fu mi, lei gong tou.
雀頭香﹐香附子﹐香附米﹐雷公頭。
Common Name英文名﹕
purple nutsedge, purple nutgrass, coco sedge, coco grass, nut sedge, nut grass
Distribution產地﹕
all parts of the warm areas of the world, mainly in shandong, Zhejiang, Hunan, Henan provinces of China. Those produced in Shandong is called dong xiang fu and those produced Zhejiang is called nan xiang fu (south xiang fu), which is deemed to be better quality.
分佈於世界各溫暖地區。 主產於山東﹐浙江﹐湖南﹐河南等地區。產于山東的稱東香附﹐產于浙江的稱南香附。品質較佳。
Properties(characteristics)性味﹕
acrid, mildly bitter, neutral
味辛，甘﹐微苦，性平
Medical functions:
/antibiotic
/anti-inflammation
/anti-pyretic
/lowers blood pressure
/anesthetic
/inhibits contraction of uterus
/the oily part possesses estrogen effect
藥理﹕
/抗菌﹐
/抗炎﹐
/解熱﹐
/降血壓﹐
/鎮痛﹐
/抑制子宮收縮等作用，
/所含的油有微弱的雌激素樣作用。
Channels (meridians) entered歸經﹕
liver, triple burners (san jiao)
肝﹐三焦經。
Actions & Indications主治﹕
Improves mood and rid of depression, regulates menses and rid of pain, for ulcers, weak digestion, irregular menses.
理氣解郁，調經止痛。治胃痛，消化不良，月經不調。
Samples of formulae處方舉例﹕
1. For pain during menses: xiang fu 12 g, yi mu cao 12 g, dan shen 15 g, bai shao 10 g. Make into decoction with water. One prescription a day. Make into 2 servings. Start using 3 ~ 5 days before menses.
2. For flatulence, pain in rib cage area, fever and chill, chronic hepatitis, gall bladder diseases, chronic entertitis, ulcer, or cystic mastitis:    chai hu shu gan tang
1. 治經痛：香附12克﹐益母草12克﹐丹 参15克﹐白芍10克，水煎服，於經前3～5天開始服用。每日1劑，早晚各服1次 。
2. 治慢 性肝炎、膽病、慢性胃炎、潰瘍病、肋間神經痛、胃神經官能症、乳腺小葉增生和囊性增生病﹕柴 胡疏肝湯
Cautions禁忌﹕
Not to use by itself in cases of xue xu (blood deficient)  or qixu (qi deficient). Use care in cases of  yinxu (yin deficient) and/or  xue re (heat in blood) condition.
血虛 氣虛 者不宜單獨使用。 陰虛 血熱 者慎服[1]



[1]中 華人民共和國國家藥典委員會，中華人民共和國藥典ㄧ部 (2005) ，化學工業出版社

xi xin 細辛

Pharmaceutical name:
Herba cum Radice Asari
Other Names:
xi shen 细参，yan dai wo hua 烟袋锅花，wan bing cao 万病草。
Common Name:
Chinese wild ginger, asarum, manchurian wildginger
Distribution:
throughout northeastern China,  and Shananxi, Henan, Shandong, Zhejiang, Fujian
Properties (characteristics)性味﹕
acrid, warm, toxic to kidney
辛，溫, 對腎臟有毒。
Channels (meridians) entered歸經﹕
heart, kidney, lung, liver
心、腎、肺、肝
Actions & Indications主治﹕
promotes sweating and disperse cold, warms lungs rid of phlegm. For deafness, ingrown eye lashes; to clear sinus. Use externally for boils in mouth and tongue.
有發表散寒、袪風止痛、溫肺化飲、耳 聾、治倒 睫、宣通鼻竅的功能。外用治口舌生瘡。
Medical Function:
/anti allergy
/anti histamine
/antipyretic and pain relieving
/local anaesthetic
/anti bacteria
藥理作用﹕
/抗過敏作用 
/抗組織胺作用
/解熱鎮痛作用
/局部麻醉作用
/抗菌作用
Chemical ingredients:
1. methyl eugenol, alpha-pinene,  camphene, abeta-pinene, myrcene, sabinene, limonene, 1, 8-cineole, p-cymene, gamma-terpinene, terpinolene, borneol, estragole, 3, 5-dimethoxytoluene, safrole, methyl eugenol, asarone, myristicin, elemicin, eucarvone, 2-isopropyl-5-methylanisole.
(+-)-car-3-ene-2, 5-dione, 3, 4, 5-trimethoxytoluene, 2, 3, 5 -trimethyoxytoluene[3].
kakual, saishinone.
2. terpinen-4-ol, alpha-terpineol, naphthalene, n-pentadecane, croweacin[1,2], asarylketone, l-ararinin.
3. bornyl acetate, trimethoxyallylbenzene, I. II, III[5].
Other: potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, iron, manganese, copper and zinc.
Dosage:
0.4 to 4 g. Classical texts mentioned usage not to go over one qian (3.75 grams).
三分至一錢。
Samples of formulae:
1. for agina: xi xin, gui zhi, jiu bai, dang gui, dan shen
2. for pain in lower back, knees and abdomen: xi xin, du huo, sang ji sheng, chuan duan, wu yao, dang gui
3. for cough due to cold entering lungs:  use xiao qing lung tang: xi xin, gan jiang, wu wei zi, ban xia, ma huang, xing ren
4. breast hard, swollen, painful; menses not flowing: xi xin, dang gui, chi shao, chuan qiong (chuan xiong), hong hua, bai zhi, gua lo
5. for pain, itchy, running eyes: xi xin, cao jue min, shi jue ming, yang gan (goat liver), mu zei cao, xia ku cao
1. 治胸痺心痛: 細辛、桂枝、薤白、當歸、丹參
2. 治腰、膝、腹部疼痛: 細辛、獨活、桑寄生、川斷、烏藥、當歸
3. 小青龍湯, 治寒飲犯肺的咳喘: 細辛、乾薑、五味子、半夏、麻黃、杏仁
4 治婦人乳結疼脹，經血不行﹕ 細辛、
當歸、赤芍、川芎、紅花、白芷、瓜蔞
5 治目痛，目癢，流淚﹕ 細辛、草決明、石決明、羊肝、木賊草、夏枯草
Modern Research:
to be loaded
Cautions:
not to use in cases of cold sweat due to qi deficient; headache due to yin deficient and yang over active, cough due to yin deficient and heat in lungs.   Not to use with shan zhu yu, huang qi, hua shi, or li lu. Do not use over one qian (3.75 g)
It belongs to the Aristolochia family. This herb is toxic for the kidneys.
本 品 為 馬 兜 鈴 科 植 物 東 北 細 辛 ( Asarum heterotropoides FR. SCHMIDT var. mandshuricum (MAXIM.) KITAG ) 及 同 屬 近 緣 植 物 之 乾 燥 根 及 根 莖 。對腎臟有毒。
氣虛多汗、陰虛陽亢頭痛、陰虛肺熱咳嗽忌服。不宜與山茱臾﹐黃耆﹐滑石 或藜蘆同用。每服不可過一錢。

fu ling(bai) 茯苓(白)

fu ling 茯苓/ fu shen 茯神/ fu ling pi 茯苓皮
Pharmaceutical name英文药名：
Sclerotium Poriae Cocos
Other Names別名：
yun ling 雲苓﹐bai fu ling 白茯苓, fang ling kuai 方苓塊﹐chuan ling 串苓﹐huo shen 获神﹐huo shem mu 获神木﹐chi huo ling 赤获苓﹐huo ling pi 获苓皮﹐zhu fu ling朱茯苓.
Common Name英文普通名：
poria, sclerotium of tuckahoe, china root, hoelen
Distribution分佈：
Hubei, Anhui, Henan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan provinces of  China
湖 北，安 徽，河南， 云南，贵州等省。
Properties (characteristics)性味：
sweet, bland, neutral
甘﹐淡，平
Channels (meridians) entered歸經:
heart, spleen, lung, kidney
歸心﹐肺﹐脾﹐腎經。
Actions and Indications主治：
as diuretics, in urinary difficulty, diarrhea, water retention, pixu with water retention. Urination difficulty due to damp heat.  Pixu with mucus production and headache, dizziness, palpitations, with thick greasy tongue coating. Palpitation, insomnia or forgetfulness, loss of appetite. Inflammation of the uterus and chronic sinusitis.
Note: Balance with other herbs in case yinxu condition.
利水 滲 濕 ﹐ 健 脾 化 痰 ﹐ 寧 心 安 神。濕熱 小 
便 不 利  ﹐ 水 濕 停 滯﹔ 脾 虛﹕ 腹 瀉 ﹐ 食 少 脘 悶 ﹐
痰 飲 咳 嗽 ﹐ 痰 濕 入 絡 ﹐ 肩 背 酸 痛 ﹐ 咳 逆 ﹐ 胸 悶 ﹐
心 悸 ﹐ 失 眠 等 。  子 宮 炎 症 ﹐ 慢 性 副 鼻 竇 炎 。
Medical Function药理：
diuretics, reducing plasma glucose, tranquilizing, inhibits bacteria,  relaxing effect on smooth muscles, improves immune system .
1. 利 尿
2. 降 血 糖 ﹐
3. 鎮 靜
4. 抑 菌
5. 放鬆平滑肌
6. 增 強 免 疫 功 能
Chemical ingredients化学成分：
pachymose 84.2%, albuninoid 0.68%, fiber 2.84%, pachymaran (3),  b-pachyman,  b-pachymanase,
pachymic acid, tumulosic acid,eburioic acid, pinicolic acid,  3 b-hydroxy lanosta-7, 9 (11), poricoic acid A (16 a-hydroxy-3,
4-secolanosta-4 (28), 7, 0 (11),  24-trien-21-oic acid, poricoic acid B (16 a-hydroxy-2, 4-secolanosa-4 (28), 7, 9 (11),
24-tetraen-3, 21-dioic acid) (8),  Fatty acid:caprylic acid, undecanoic acid, lauric acid, dodecenole acid, palmitic acid. Others:
ergosterol, gum, histadine, choline, chitin, protein, fats, glucose, sterols, histamines, lecithin,  lipase, choline, adenine. Other non organic items: SiO2, Mg, P, Fe, Ca, S, Na, K, Mn, Cl.  
Dosage用量﹕
5 to 15 g
常 用 量 5 - 15 克 。
Present Day Applications现代應用：
1. Edema
2. Tumors: Fu ling compound was used on 70 different type of tumors. In some cases only fu ling was used, and in others fu ling was used with chemo therapy, or radiation therapy or surgery. It showed that fu ling can strengthen the body, improve body weight, improve appetite, lessen or prevent side effect of chemo therapy, protect bone marrow, improve liver and kidney functions, improve radiation therapy on nose and throat cancers. (2)
3. Infant diarrhea
4. Improve schizoid condition
5. Improve liver function
6. For baldness after giving birth:
Use 10 g of fu ling. Make into decoction. Twice a day. Externally apply bu gu zhi and han lian cao tincture. All of the eight patients healed in two months. Source: Chinese Dermatology Journal.
1. 水腫。
2. 治療癌腫。減低化療的副作用 。
3. 小兒腹瀉。
4. 改善神經分裂症狀。
5. 增進肝臟功能。
6. 產後 禿頭: 每服１０ｇ. 日用二次，加上 外用補骨脂旱蓮草酊劑 (中華皮膚科雜 誌)
Samples of formulae處方舉例：
/ban xia bai zhu tian ma tang 半夏白朮天麻湯
/Ban Xia Hou Po Tang,
/Bao He Wan,
/Bei Mu Gua Lou San,
/du huo ji sheng tang 獨 活寄生湯
/er chen tang 二陳湯
/gui zhi fu ling wan 桂枝 茯苓丸
/Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San,
/jin gui shen qi wan 金櫃腎氣丸　
/Liu Wei Di Huang Wan,
/Liu jun zi tang 六君子湯　
/ren shen bai du san 人參敗毒散
/Suan Zao Ren Tang,
/Qing fen san (Li Dong Yuan)
/Si Jun Zi Tang,
/Shi Quan Da Bu Tang,
/Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan,
/Wen Dan Tang,
/wu ling san 五苓 散
/Wu Pi San,
/xiao Yao Wan, 逍 遙丸,
/zhen wu tang 真武湯
/Zhu Ling San,
Cautions禁忌：
Not suitable for patients with yinxu (yin deficient) condition. [1]
The characteristics of the herb fu ling is that it is more of a diuretic than a tonic herb. Over usage can weaken the eyes. Not compatible with chronic weakness of the body. [2]
Not to use in cases of shenxu (kidney deficient)  with urinary incontinence, or in cases of clear sperm or spermatorrhea due to yangxu (yang deficient). [3]
Not compatible with rice venegar.
《本 草綱目》：“ 陰虛者 不宜用也。”《本草正》：“茯苓，補少利多，故多服最能損目，久弱極不相宜。”《得配本草》：“氣 虛下陷， 水 涸口干俱禁用。”《本 草經疏》 ：“病人腎 虛， 小水自利或不禁或虛寒 (陽 虛)精 清滑，皆不得服。”《藥性論》：“忌米醋。”


[1]Ben Cao Gang Mu
[2] Jin Yue Quan Shu, Ben Cao Zheng
[3] Ben Cao Jing Shu
Fu ling pi (literally means the skin of fu ling) are those fu ling with dark brown skin. It is effective in ridding of skin edema. Normal dosage: 15~30 g.
Chi fu ling is the light red variety. It is also called chi fu shen or zhu fu shen. and is used in treatment of damp-heat.
Bai fu ling (literally means white fu ling) is those after skin or chi fu ling being removed. Also called fu ling.
Yun ling: because of those produced in Yun Nan are famous, thus usually fu ling is called yun ling, denoting it is produced in Yunnan.
Fu shen is the part around the root. Usually it is used as fu ling but considered as a stronger effect on calming emotion.
茯苓皮： 茯苓皮為茯苓菌核的黑色外皮。性味同茯苓，功專行皮膚水濕。多用於皮膚水腫。常用量：15～30 克。
赤茯苓：內部接近外皮處呈淡紅色者。亦稱朱伏神。用來治 濕熱
白茯苓： 除去外皮及赤茯苓後，內部白色的叫白茯苓，簡稱茯苓。
雲苓：因雲南產的比較著名，故通常把茯苓叫雲茯苓或雲苓。
茯神：苓塊中穿有細松根的叫茯神或抱木茯神。一般認為較有安神 作用。

gan jiang 乾薑（dry ginger）

gan jiang 乾薑（dry ginger）/ sheng jiang 生薑 (fresh ginger) / hei jiang 黑薑 (pao jiang  炮薑 )（black roasted ginger）/ sheng jiang 皮：生薑皮 （fresh ginger skin)
Pharmaceutical name英文药名：
Rhizoma zingiberis officinalis
Distribution分布：
most part of China 中國大多地區。
Properties (characteristics)性味：
acrid, warm .
辛，溫。
Channels (meridians) entered歸經：
lung, spleen, stomach
肺，脾，胃。
Actions & Indications主 治：
Sheng jiang means fresh ginger: Evaporates the exterior and rids of coldness, warms the middle burner (jiao) and alleviates stuffy nose, pain of intestine hernia, vomiting, stops coughing with chronic lung disorders with phlegm, reduces the toxicity of other herbs (like fu zi, ban xia). For sweaty feet, frost bite, sore mouth and tongue, body odor from armpits, itchiness, for preventing sea sickness.
Gan jiang means dry ginger. Gan jiang is mainly used in warming the middle, purge coldness, correct yangxu condition which is to improve circulation, rid of  cold and pain of chest and of abdomen, lower back pain and chronic diarrhea.
Pao jiang (hei jiang) means baked ginger. It is for warming the digestive system, getting rid of heat due to deficiency, for cold pain of chest and abdomen, flatulence, diarrhea. dysentry, stop bleeding, rid of clot blood, vomiting blood, diarrhea with blood, excessive bleeding during premenopausal stage.
Sheng jiang pi means fresh ginger peels: It is acrid, cool, being used in edema, difficulty in urination; taken as decoction.
生薑 主治 ：驅寒溫中﹐通鼻﹐治小腸氙氣﹐嘔吐﹐肺 虛痰多久咳﹐減輕其他藥物毒素(如 附子﹐半夏)﹐腳汗多﹐凍瘡﹐口舌生瘡 ﹐狐臭﹐皮膚發癢﹐防暈船。
乾 薑主治 ：
溫 中 ， 散 寒 ， 回 陽 ，宣 通 脈 。 心 腹 冷 痛 ， 腰 痛 ， 瀉 下 ，
反 胃 乾 嘔 ， 淤 血 ， 肕 血 。
炮 薑 (黑薑)主 治 ：  溫 脾 胃 ， 退 虛 熱 。 心 腹 冷 痛 ， 脹 滿 ，下 痢 ， 霍 亂 ，止血、去 瘀血﹐肕 血 ， 吐 血 ， 血 痢 ， 崩 漏 。
生薑皮主治：為 生薑根莖切下的外表皮。性味辛，涼。功能和脾行水消腫，主要用於水腫，小便不利。煎服。
Medical functions藥理：
1. Protects live cells from damage from CCl4 ,
2. Anti-bacteria (especially Salmonella)
3. Lowers blood lipids
4. Cholagogue (promotes bile secretion)
5. Reduces pain
6. Calming
7. Anti inflammation
8. Anti coagulation of platelets
9. Anti allergy
10.Anti tumors
11.Anti hair growth: external use
12.Prevents sea sickness
13.Effect on E. Coli (see Modern Research item)
The ingredient, gingerol, possesses the effect of :
anti peptic ulcer, promoting flowing of bile, protecting  liver, cardiac stimulation, inhibiting platelet coagulation, preventing dizziness, anti-tumor, inhibiting CNS, improving auto-immune function, antibiotic (especially Salmonella), killing parasites, anti-inflammation, and anti-oxident, anti bacteria  and anti-trichomoniasis
生姜藥理：
保護 細胞避免被四氯化炭所傷，抗菌，尤其是沙門尼拉菌，降低血脂，促進膽汁分泌。止痛，鎮靜，消炎，防止血小板凝聚，防敏感，抗腫瘤，外用可防止毛髮 生長，防止暈浪，對大腸桿菌之作用 （見現代研究條）。
注：姜 辣素（gingerol)能抑制腸內的異常發酵和促積氣排出 。  具有健胃抗胃潰瘍、利膽、保肝、強心、抑制血小板聚集、防暈、抗腫瘤、中樞抑制、增強免疫力、抗菌、殺虫、消炎之作用，還具有很強 的抗氧化能 力，抗陰道毛滴蟲症。
Chemical ingredients化學成份：
2-heptanol/第二庚醇
1,3,3-trimethyltricyclo[2,2,1,0] heptane/1,3,3-三甲基三环[2.2.1.02,6]-庚烷
tricycline/三環烯
α-pinene/α-蒎烯
β-fenchene/β-葑烯
β-pinene/β-蒎烯
5-hepten-2-one-6-mehtyl/6-甲-5-庚烯-2-酮
myrcene/月桂烯
octanal/正辛醛
α-thujene/α-侧柏烯
zingiberol/姜醇
zingiberene/姜烯
α-curcumene/α-姜黃烯
linalool/芳樟醇
cineole/桉油素
phellandrene/水芹烯 
camphene/樟腦萜(莰芬)
citral/柠檬醛
linalol/伽羅木醇
methylheptenone/甲基庚烯酮
nonyl aldehyde/壬醛
gingerol/姜辣醇
gingediol/姜辣二醇
methylgingediol/甲基姜辣二醇
gingediacetate/姜辣二醇双乙酸酯
methylgingediacetate/甲基姜辣二醇双乙酸酯
L-2-Amino-3-ureidopropionic acid (albizziin)/L-脲基丙氨酸
zingerone/姜酮
shogaol/姜烯酚
3,7,11-Trimethyl-2,6,10-dodecatrien-1-ol (farnesol)/3,7,11-三甲基-2,6,10-十二烷三烯-1-醇
hexahydrocurcumin/六氢姜黄素
bisabolene/紅沒藥烯
curcumene/姜黄烯
d-borneol/d-龍腦
borneol/龍腦
isoborneol/異龍腦
terpinen-4-ol/松油烯-4-醇
neal/燈花醛
geranial/牻牛兒醛 (香茅醛)
borneyl acetate/乙酸龍腦酯
citronellyl acetate/相貌醇乙酸酯
α-cubebene/α-荜澄茄油烯
geranyl acetate/牻牛兒醇乙酸
α-copaene/α-蒎烯
β-clemene/β-榄香烯
β-caryophyliene/β-石竹烯
γ-clemene/γ-榄香烯
α-bergamotene/α-佛手柑油烯
trans-β-farnesene/反式β-金合欢烯
1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3, 5-octanediol/1-(4-羥基-3-甲氧基苯基)-3-(4-甲基苯基)3,5-辛二醇
5-diacetoxyoctane/5-二乙酸氧基辛烷
Dosage用量：
Fresh ginger: 3 ~ 8 grams per day in decoction.
Dry ginger:1 ~ 3 grams per day, in powder form.
Fresh ginger skin: 3 ~ 10 grams per day in decoction.
生薑： 每日3～8 克。入湯剤。
乾薑：每日 3 克。作粉剤。
生薑皮：每日：3～10g。入 湯剤。
Samples of formulae處方舉例：
sheng jiang: gui zhi tang, ma huang tang,
hei jiang (pao jiang): sheng hua tang, huang qi gui zhi wu wu tang
gan jiang: li zhong tang
生姜：桂 枝湯, 麻黃湯, 黃耆桂枝五物湯
炮姜： 生化湯　
乾薑：理 中湯
Modern Research現代研究：
Gingerol Decreases after Processing and Storage of Ginger[1]
Effect on E. coli:  an active ingredient of ginger can significantly blocked the binding of enterotoxin to cell-surface receptor G M1, resulting in the inhibition of fluid accumulation in the closed ileal loops of mice.[2]
生薑加工後或存儲過久其薑酮醇量會減低。【1】
生薑的化學 成份之一，薑酮，能防止大腸桿菌分泌的腸毒素粘附於细胞的感受器所 以防止腹瀉。【2】
Cautions禁忌：
do not use in case of yinxu (yin deficient) or in stomach heat with vomiting.
陰虛內 熱及實熱証或胃熱嘔吐者禁服。


[1] http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/119264711/abstract
[2] J Agric Food Chem. 2007 Oct 17;55(21):8390-7. Epub 2007 Sep 20.
Chemical Ingredient bibliography

Formula 12 for Benign Neoplasm of Brain

Formula 12 for Benign Neoplasm of Brain/ Chinese Herbs Therapy


Syndrome:
脈浮弦 floating tight pulse


Composition:
大柴胡湯甲 dachaihu tang A 5g
天麻粉 tian ma powder 2g
肉桂粉 rou gui powder 0.5g
川芎 chuan xiong 1g
丹參 dan shen 1g
厚朴 hou po 2g
香附 xiang fu 1.5g
細辛 xi xin 1.5g
茯苓(白) fu ling(bai) 2g
乾薑 gan jiang 1g

tian ma 天麻

Pharmaceutical name 英文药名：
Rhizoma Gastrodiae Elatae
Latin botanical name 拉丁學名：
Gastrodia elata Bl.,  
Other Names 別名﹕
ming tian ma 明天麻﹐ming chi jian 名赤箭﹐ding feng cao定風草﹐shui yang yi 水洋芋,  chi jian zhi 赤箭芝, du yao zhi独摇芝  ,  ding feng cao 定風     草  ,  li mu 离母  ,  he li cao 合离草  ,  shen cao 神草  ,  gui tu you 鬼督邮, chi jian 赤箭 。
處方名：天麻  ,  明天麻  ,  天麻片  ,  炒天麻  ,  煨天麻  ,  薑天麻等
Common Name 英文名﹕
Gastrodia Tuber
Distribution 分佈﹕
It is mainly produced in Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou provinces.  Other producing regions include Northeast China and North China.
主產於四川﹐ 云南﹐ 貴州等省。東北部與北部亦有出產。
Properties (characteristics) 性味﹕
Sweet in taste and neutral in nature.
味甜﹐性平。
Channels (meridians) entered:
Liver.
肝
Actions & Indications 主治：
1. Calming the internal wind and relieving convulsion and spasm. For suppressing symptoms of liver-wind, no matter if cold type or heat type.
2. Calming the liver and suppressing liver yang ascending 肝陽上亢. For such symptoms as vertigo and headache.
3. Removing obstruction in the channels to relieve pain. For arthralgia due to the wind, cold and dampness, or for numbness and paralysis caused by liver and shenxu (kidney deficient) 腎虛
4. For neurasthenia and insomnia
有息寒 型 或 熱 型 之 肝 風   ,  有 止痙 的功能。
主治:
1. 四肢拘挛  ,  小兒 驚 風 ,
2. 肝 陽 上 亢 之 眩暈  ,  頭 痛  ,
3. 麻木  ,  風濕疼痛 ,
4. 神經衰弱  ,  失眠 。
Medical Function:
1. Effect on the CNS: sedation, anti-seizure, painkilling effect.
2. Effect on heart and blood vessels: protects the heart muscle from lacking circulation, improves blood flow in the coronary artery,
3. Improves blood flow to the brain,
4. mitigate the effect of adrenalin on blood vessel constriction, lower blood pressure.
5. Effect on tolerance of lack of oxygen.
6. Improve the immune system.
7. Other effects: increase the skin temperature; increase the expansion and contraction ability of the smooth muscle of the intestine; improve the secretion of the bile in the gall bladder (vanillyl alcohol); slow down breathing; inhibits 5-HT, PGE2;
8. Vanilline can be absorbed in the small intestine rapidly and shows up in the liver and the brain, especially the cerebrum, and the medication quickly permeates the blood-brain barrier. Vanilline is excreted through the urine within 10-12 hours.
9. Toxicity: Relatively safe.
药理：
1. 鎮痛、 鎮靜、惊厥、
2. 抑 制 腎 上 腺 素 而 降 低 血 管 收 縮 而 降 低血壓
3. 增 進 腦 血 液 循 環
4. 香莢蘭醛  容 易 被 小 腸 吸 收 ﹐ 很 快 到 達 肝 臟 與 腦 部﹐ 特 別 是 在 大 腦
5. 明目
6. 增强記 憶 力
Chemical ingredients 化學成份：
vanilline 香莢蘭醛
vanillic acid 香莢蘭酸
vanillyl alcohol 香莢蘭醇
gastrodin 天麻甙
p-hydroxymethylphenyl-β-D-glucopyranoside 對- 羥甲基苯-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖甙
p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol 對-羥基苯甲醇
β-sitosterol β-谷甾醇
daucosterol 胡蘿蔔甙
citric acid 檸檬酸
citric acid monomethyl ester 檸檬酸獨甲酸酯
palmitic acid 棕榈酸
p-hydroxybenzaldehyde 對-羥基苯甲醛
sucrose 蔗糖
succinic acid 琥珀酸
bis (4-hydroxybenzyl) ether mono-β-D-glucopyranoside 酯酶荧光底物
4-hydroxybenzyl methyl ether, 4-(4'-hydroxybenzyloxy) benzyl methyl ether
bis (4-hydroxybenzyl) ether 雙（4－羥芐基）醚
4-(β-D-glucopyranosyloxy) benzyl alcohol 　
tris [4-(β-D-glucopyranosyloxy) benzyl] citrate 　
parishin 檸檬酸酯
3, 4-dihydroxybenzyl aldehyde  3,4-二羥基二苯 乙醛
4, 4'-dihydroxydiphenyl methane  4，4'-二羥基二苯甲烷
p-hydroxybenzyl ethyl ether 對-羥基苯甲基乙醚
4, 4'-dihydroxydibenzyl ether 4，4'-二羥基二苯 醚
4-ethoxy methyl phenyl-4'-hydroxy benzyl ether 　
iron 鐵
fluorine 氟
manganese 錳
zinc 鋅
iodine 碘
anti-fungus protein 抗真菌蛋白質
vitamin A 維 生 素 甲
Dosage 用量﹕
As a decoction, 3 -10 g daily.
As powder, 1 - 1.5 g each time.
煎劑 ﹕ 3~10 克。
粉劑﹐每次服﹕1~1.5 克
Samples of formulae 處方舉例﹕
Use for paralysis after stroke; also for spastic muscles: tian ma, 3 portions; niu xi , 3 portions; du zhong, 3 portions; dang gui, 2 portions; qiang huo, 2 portions. Grind into fine powder. Mix with cooked honey to make into cubes. Take 5g each time 3x day with warm boiled water.   (Source of formula: Long Xiang Fei)
Traditionally, tian ma is being used with the combination of gou teng, ban xia, chuan xiong, fang feng etc.
症狀﹕肌肉肢體 拘挛;中風癱瘓
處方﹕天麻 3份﹐牛膝 3份﹐杜仲 3份﹐當歸 2份﹐羌活 2份。磨成細末。煉蜜為丸。每次服 5克。每日3次﹐開水送服。處方來源﹕龍翔飛。
tian ma wan 天麻丸
傳統上 ，天麻常與鉤藤、半 夏 、 川 芎、 防風等配伍使用。
Differentiation 鑒 別 ﹕
Tian ma is long and elliptical, shrunk, crooked and slightly flat, 3-15 cm long, 1.5-6 cm wide, and 0.5-2cm thick. At one end of the tuber, there is a reddish-brown withered bud or a remaining stem. At the other end, there is an umbilicate scar. Tian ma ( Gastrodia) tuber is usually peeled. Its surface is yellowish white or yellowish brown with longitudinal wrinkles and some spotted segmental rings. It is hard and semi-transparent. It does not break easily.  Its cross-section is smooth and lustrous. It has a peculiar odor and a sweet, slightly pungent taste.   Fakes are the roots of Mirabilis jalapa L. and Dahlia pinnata Cav., or the tuber of potato, Solanum tuberosum L. They do not have the spotted segmental rings and longitudinal wrinkles on the surface, and the cross-section has no resin-like luster.
天麻偽 品常见者有 大麗 菊Dahlia pinnata cav．(菊科)  ,  紫茉莉 Mirabilis jalapa L.(紫茉莉科)  ,  馬 鈴 薯 Solanum tuberosumL(茄科)  ,  羽裂蟹甲草 Cacalia tangutica Hand．(菊科)  ,  芭蕉芋Canna edulis Ker．(美人蕉科)  ,  芋頭 Colocasia esculenta Sch．(天南星科)  ,  大九股牛Dobinea delavayi Engl. (槭 樹 科)等十餘種 植物的根或塊 茎的仿製 品。
Cautions 禁忌﹕
Should not be used in case of yinxu (yin deficient)
陰虛者忌 用。


The earliest writing that described tian ma is "Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing", a medical material book, written during Qin and Han dynasties of China, about 2,200 years ago. The book classified herbs into 3 categories: top, middle, and lower. Tian ma was listed as top quality herb.
Tian ma was mentioned in the work of Ge Hong in the work entitled "Bao Po Zi." He lived between 283-343 A.D. during the Jin dynasty of China. He was a medical and Dao writer.
Other early classical works also described tian ma and its usage, include:
Tang Ben Cao, completed in 659 A.D.
Tu Jing Ben Cao completed in 1061 A.D.
其記述最早見于《神農本草經 》。
以 下 著 作 亦 有 報 導 天 麻 形 態 與 性 質 。 列為上品
葛 洪 (283 AD - 363 AD)《 抱 朴 子》
《唐本草》亦稱《唐新修本草》，有時簡稱《新修本草》，是唐高宗顯慶四年（公元659年）編修成功的，由唐朝政府頒行，這是國家頒定藥典的創始。
《圖經本草》 公元1061年編成.
This herb belong to controlled material of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora),  under append. II (permit required for import and export trade): 天麻 屬 於 《華約》附錄二品種 管制的藥材種類。  須 按 預先申請的許可証進行貿易 。

chuan xiong 川芎

Pharmaceutical name 英文藥名﹕
Radix Ligustici Chuanxiong
Latin botanical name 拉丁學名﹕
Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort.; L. wallichii Franch.
Cnidium officinale Makino. (ri ben chuan xiong 日本川芎)
Common Name 英文名﹕
Szehuan lovage root, cnidium
Distribution 分佈﹕
Sichuan 四川, Guizhou 貴州, Yunnan 雲南, Shaanxi 陝西
Properties (characteristics) 性味﹕
acrid, warm
味辛 ，性溫。
Channels (meridians) entered 歸經﹕
liver, gallbladder, pericardium
肝﹐膽﹐ 心包。
Actions & Indications 應用﹕
Promotes qi and circulation. Relieves pain: like headaches, abdominal ache, chest pain, muscle pain, boils, difficulty in menses, amenorrhea. Rids of blood stasis.
行血氣﹐去淤 血﹐卻風痛﹔如﹕頭痛，腹痛，脅痛，塞痺筋攣，癰疽瘡瘍，婦女經閉，月經不調。
Medical Function:
1. dilates coronary arteries, improves blood flow to heart muscles, lower oxygen consumption of heart muscles.
2. improves blood flow to the the brain and limbs, lower resistant of the peripheral blood vessels.
3. resists radiation.
4. antibiotic effect
5. anti-coagulation of platelets.
6. helps resist effect of lack of vitamin E
7. inhibits the activity of tyrosinase, thus helps to eliminate age spots (brown spots) and spreckles.
藥理:
1. 有擴張冠狀動脈 ﹐ 增加冠狀動脈血流量及，心肌血流量﹐ 降低心肌耗氧量的作用
2. 有增加腦及肢體血流量 ﹐ 降低外周血壓阻力的作用
3. 抗輻射
4. 抗菌
5. 抑制血小板聚集
6. 有抗维生素E缺乏的作用。
7. 抑制酪氨酸酶活性，而有治療黑斑 ﹐雀斑﹐與老年斑之效果。
Chemical ingredients 化學成份﹕
cnidiumlactone, chuanxingol, 4-hyroxy-3-butylidene-phthalide, 4, 5-dihydro-3-butylidene-phthalide, 3-butyl-phthalide, 7-hydroxy-3-butylidenephthalide, 3-butyl-4, 5-dihydrophthalide, (Z)-4, 5-dihydro-6, 7-trans-dihydroxy-3-butylidene-phthalide, (Z) -4, 5-dihydro-6, 7-cis-dihydroxy-3-butylidene-phthalide, senkyunolide K, senkyunolide L, senkyunolide M, (Z) -6, 7-epoxy-ligustilide; 3, 6, 7-trihydroxy-4, 5, 6, 7-tetrahydro-3-butyl-phthalide; neocnidilide; 3-n-butyl-3-hydroxyl-4, 5, 6, 7-tetrahydro-6, 7-dihydroxyphthalide.
2. (Z, Z') -diligustilide;(Z) -6.8', 7.3'-diligustilide; Wallichilide; (Z')-3, 8-dihydro-6. 6', 7. 3' a-diligustilide.
3. chuanxingzine, tetramethyl-pyrazine, L-isoleucine-L-valine anhydride, adenine, L-valine-L-valine anhydride, trimethylamine, choline, perlolyrine.
4. ferulic acid, sedanonic acid, folic acid, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, protocatechuic acid, palmitic acid, linolenic acid, chrysophanol.
5. methyl phenylacetate, sedanoic acid lactone, methyl pentadecanoate, ethyl  p entadecanoate, ethyl palmitate, ethyl heptadecanoate, ethyl isohepta- decanoate, ethyl octadecanoate, ethyl isoctadecanoate, methyl palmitate, methyl linolenate.
6. vanillin; (bis-5, 5'-formylfurperye ether; 5-hydroxymethyl-6-endo-3'-methoxy-4'-hydroxyphenyl-8-0xa-abicyclo (3, 2, 1)-oct-3-en-2-one; spathulenol; β-sitosterol;vitamin A.
Dosage 用量:
3 ~10 g. 
3～10克。
Samples of formulae 常用處方﹕
shi quan da bu tang  十全大補湯,
ren shen bai du san  人參敗毒散,
du huo ji sheng tang  獨活寄生湯,
si wu tang  四物湯,
yue ju wan  越鞠丸
xue fu zhu yu tang  血府逐淤湯,
wen jing tang  溫經湯,
suan zao ren tang  酸棗仁湯
Modern  Applications:
coronary diseases, angina
現代 用於冠心病﹐ 心絞痛﹐及缺血性胸血管病。
Cautions 禁忌:
do not use in cases of yinxu (yin deficient) with high fire, headache or hypermenorrhea caused by liver yang overactive.
陰虛 火旺﹐ 肝陽上亢所引起的頭痛及月經過多者忌服。

gui zhi 桂枝 (rou gui 肉桂)

Pharmaceutical name 英文药名：
Ramulus Cinnamomi Cassiae
Latin botanical name 拉丁學名：
Cinnamomum cassia Blume/ Cinnamomum Ioureiru Nees
Common Name 英文名：
cinnamon twig (gui zhi), cinamon bark (rou gui)
Distribution 分佈：
Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, Fujian provinces of China, southeast Asia,
south Asia, and India.
廣東，廣西，云南，福建，東南亞，南亞，印度等地。
Properties (characteristics) 性味：
gui zhi: acrid, sweet, warm.
rou gui: acrid, sweet, very warm.
桂枝: 辛 ， 甘 ，  熱 ．
肉 桂: 辛 ， 甘 ， 大 熱 ．
Channels (meridians) entered 歸經：
heart, lung, bladder
心﹐肺﹐膀胱。
Actions & Indications 主治：
1. tonic for stomach, rid of wind, to promote sweating, for headache, anemia,
2. cold limbs, to promote urination.
3. to promote lung qi, in chill and fever, cold phlegm, diarrhea, muscle spasm, 
4. headache, back pain, sweating, to stop easily being annoyed, strengthening
5. muscles and bones, promote circulation.
6. use in impotence due to shenyangxu (kidney yang deficient).
1. 補胃，驅風止痛，發汗。用於頭痛，貧血，肢體冷，利尿。
2. 補肺氣，感冒風寒表証，症見惡寒發熱、頭痛、 身疼、背痛，出汗，烦腦，容易發脾氣等。增進血液循環，增强筋骨。
3. 用於腎陽虛所致之陽萎。
Medical Function 藥理:
* the ingredient cinnamaldehyde posseses antipyretic effect; promote sweating, diluting blood vessel of the skin. (if decoction is used when warm)
* anti-spasm, relieves pain; inhibits CNS
* inhibit the induced ulcers of laboratory rats; promotes bile secretion.
* antibiotic effect
* lowers blood sugar. (methylhydroxy chalcone polymer )
* promote urination (if decoction is used when cooled.)
* 解熱作用 :  桂 皮 醛 ( cinnamaldehyde ) 發汗,解熱，擴張皮膚血管，促進 汗腺分泌（如溫服）。
* 鎮痙，鎮痛作用 : 有 抑 制 中 樞 神 經 作 用 。
* 對於消化系統之影響 : 對 於 大 白 鼠 拘 束 水 浸 胃 引 發 潰 瘍 有
* 抑制作用，促 進 膽 汁 分 泌 。
* 抗菌作用 : 對 病 原 性 絲 狀 菌 有 抑 制 作 用 。
* 降血糖作用 (甲羥基查耳酮多聚體 MHCP)
* 利尿作用。
Chemical Ingredients 化學成份: 
桂皮醛（cinnamic aldehyde）(樹皮﹐bark:55 ~ 75%)
肉桂醇醋酸酯（cinnamyl acetate）
丁香酚  (eugenol) (樹皮﹐bark:5~20%; 葉﹐leaves70-90%),
乙醛 (aldehyde)
蒎烯  (pinene)
香豆素 (coumarin)
肉桂醇 （cinnamyl alcohol)
桂皮酸 (cinnamic acid)
苯麗酸乙酸,
桂二萜醇（cinnzeylanol),
乙酰桂二萜醇（cinnzeylanine).
香豆素（coumarins）
黃樟油素 safrol (葉﹐leaves<1%)
甲羥基查耳酮多聚體 (能增強脂肪細胞對胰島素的反應性) methylhydroxy chalcone polymer (MHCP),
(water-soluble polyphenol compound can increase glucose metabolism of fat cells.)
Dosage:
gui zhi:3-10 g per day for boiling.
ruo gui: 1-5 g used as powder form or added to the decoction when they are ready for use.
桂枝：每日量3～10克。
肉桂： 1～5 克作粉剤，或煎好後之湯加入。
Commonly Used formulae 常用配方:
gui zhi fu ling wan 桂枝茯苓丸
gui zhi tang 桂枝湯
huang qi gui zhi wu wu tang 黃耆桂枝五物湯
dang gui shao yao san 當歸芍藥散
ma huang tang 麻黃湯
chai hu gui zhi tang 柴胡桂枝湯
chai hu gui zhi gan jiang tang 柴胡桂枝乾薑湯
dang gui si ni tang 當歸四逆湯
huang qi jian zhong tang 黃耆建中湯
gui zhi fu ling wan 桂枝茯苓丸
gui zhi shao yao zhi mu tang 桂枝芍藥知母湯
shi quan da bu tang 十全大補湯　
Modern Research:
to be loaded
Cautions 禁忌：
not to use in case of liver yang ascending, warm-febrile diseases, yinxu with heat,
heat in blood with vomiting. Use caution during pregnancy or excessive bleeding
during menses. Over dosage  may be toxic to the kidney and may cause bleeding
in the urinary tract.
Over cooking may lessen the effectiveness because of the evaporating oil which is 
part of the effective ingredients.
Cinnamaldehyde (cinnamic aldehyde), a main ingredient of cassia oil, is the toxic ingredient.
因本品有效成份為其揮發油，故不耐久煎。久煎可减低藥效。
肝 陽上亢﹐瘟病﹐陰虛有熱﹐血熱嘔吐者忌用。懷孕或月經過多者小心應有。過量使用可能會對腎臟有毒﹔引起血尿。有毒成份為桂皮醛。
Note:
Gui zhi is from the young branches of cinnamon trees.
Rou gui is the thick bark of the trees. 
Usually rou gui is used in tonic while gui zhi is used for expelling wind and dampness but they can be used interchangeably.
桂枝: 樟科植物肉桂的嫩枝
肉桂: 樟科植物肉桂的皮
一般桂枝用於驅風。肉桂用於補剤。但可互相代替。