芳香化湿药


Aromatic herbs in this category will treat damp pathogenic influences that show symptoms of distention in the abdomen with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.　The patient may also have a sour taste in the mouth with no thirst, no appetite and possible constipation.　Generally herbs in this category will be warm, aromatic and dry.　They must be used with caution due to their dry nature, they will easily exhaust Qi and injure the yin.



Cang Zhu Properties: PUNGENT, BITTER – WARM, AROMATIC
苍术 　　　　　Dosage: 4.5 - 9g.
Atractylodes Rhizome Meridian: SPLEEN, STOMACH
-strongly drying damp, strengthen the spleen and harmonize middle jiao
-expel wind-damp-cold (bi-syndrome with damp heat)
-clears damp heat from lower jiao (leucorrhea, eczema)
-induces sweating, release exterior wind-cold with damp
-improve vision (night blindness, blurred eyes)

Cang Zhu: strongly dry damp
Bai Zhu 白术: tonify spleen-stomach Qi and dry damp (tonics)


Hou Po Properties: BITTER, PUNGENT – WARM, AROMATIC
厚朴 　　　　　Dosage: 3 – 9g.
Magnolia Bark Meridian: LARGE INTESTINE, LUNG, SPLEEN, STOMACH
- Activate the Qi, dry dampness, resolve stagnation
　　spleen damp with Qi stagnation
　　Middle jiao accumulation conditions with distension (good for fullness)
-warms and transforms cold phlegm and directs rebellious lung Qi down to relieve wheezing




Huo Xiang Properties: PUNGENT - WARM
藿香 　　　　　 Dosage: 4.5 – 9g.
Patchouli Stem & Leaf Meridian: LUNG, SPLEEN, STOMACH
-aromatically transform turbid dampness
-harmonizes middle jiao, stop vomiting
-release exterior (wind-damp-cold)- dampness summer-heat attack
*cook seeds in last 5 minutes of decoction

Pei Lan Properties: PUNGENT – NEUTRAL
佩兰 Dosage: 4.5 – 9g.
Orchid Stalk / Leaf Meridian: SPLEEN, STOMACH
-aromatically transforms dampness and harmonize middle jiao – halitosis (smelled mouth)
　　always combined with Huo Xiang
-release external summer heat

Bai Dou Kou Properties: PUNGENT – WARM, AROMATIC
白豆蔻 　　　　　Dosage: 3 – 6g.
White Cardamon Seed Meridian: LUNG, SPLEEN, STOMACH
-aromatically transforms dampness, activate Qi
l middle jiao turbid damp stagnation/spleen-stomach qi stagnation
epigastric/abdomeninal distention, lack of appetite
-warm the middle jiao and stop vomitting
l stomach cold, turbid damp and qi stagnation　with nausea and vomitting
*cook crushed seeds in last 5 minutes of decoction


Cao Dou Kou Properties: PUNGENT – WARM, AROMATIC
草豆蔻 　　　　　Dosage: 1.5 – 6g.
Cardamon Seed 　　　 Meridian: SPLEEN, STOMACH
-dries dampness, activate qi (distension)
-warms middle jiao, stop vomiting/diarrhea
very strong warming and drying function


Sha Ren Properties: PUNGENT – WARM, AROMATIC
砂仁 　　　　　Dosage: 1.5 – 6g.
Cardamon Seed 　　　 Meridian: SPLEEN, STOMACH
-transform damp, promote movement of Qi
-strengthen spleen, stop diarrhea
-harmonize stomach, stop vomit
-calm fetus, morning sickness




Cao Guo Properties: PUNGENT　- WARM
草果 　　　　　Dosage: 1.5 – 6g.
Tsaoko Fruit Meridian SPLEEN, STOMACH
-dry damp, and dispel cold
l (damp cold obstruction spleen – abdominal pain and distention, vomiting, diarrhea)
*-treat malarial disorder
l fever, chills with damp cold and turbid dampness