祛风湿药

The herbs written in this chapter are predominantly used for wind dampness effecting the muscles, sinews, joints and bones creating painful obstructions within the channels.　When the superficial ‘evils’ enter the meridians causing pain it is called “Bi” syndrome.　There are 4 different types of Bi syndrome which need to be treated differently.　Wind Bi (Xing Bi) is usually a moving pain which can move from joint to joint or area to area.　Cold Bi (Tong Bi) will have severe cold pain which will be in a fixed location that is aggravated by any type of cold and possibly alleviated by heat.　Damp Bi (Zhou Bi) will have a damp nature showing its symptoms of fixed pain with swelling and numbness of the skin and muscles.　Hot Bi (Re Bi) will have burning pain in a fixed area which will be aggravated by cold and possibly accompanied by fever, thirst and a rapid pulse.
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Herbs that Dispel wind-damp and cold 祛风湿散寒药

Du Huo Properties: BITTER, PUNGENT - WARM
独 活 　　　　　　　　　　Dosage: 3 – 9g.
Angelica Root 　　　　Meridian: KIDNEY, BLADDER
-dispel wind-cold-damp, relieve pain (downward, lower part of body with severe cold-damp)
-Shao Yin headache and toothache
-release exterior wind-cold with dampness
* Do not use for excess or deficient heat syndromes.

Wei Ling Xian Properties: PUNGENT, SALTY - WARM 　　　　　　
威灵仙　　　　　　　　　 Dosage: 6 – 12g.　 (FISH BONE 15 – 30g.)
Clematis Root 　　　　Meridian: BLADDER
Good for 12 channels, upper and lower parts pain
-dispel wind-damp and unblocks channels, relieves pain
-fish bone lodged in throat

Mu Gua Properties:　SOUR - WARM
木瓜 　　　　 Dosage: 4.5 – 12g.
Quince Fruit 　　　　 Meridian: LIVER, SPLEEN
-relax sinews and muscles - dispel cold-Bi, calm cramps
-dispel dampness and harmonize stomach
-reduce food stagnation
Can Sha Properties: SWEET, PUNGENT　- WARM
蚕 沙 　　　　　Dosage: 9 – 15g.
Silkworm Feces 　　　　　Meridian: LIVER, SPLEEN, STOMACH
-expel wind damp, relieve pain – wind-damp obstruction, itchy rash
-harmonize stomach, transform turbid dampness – vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, abdominal pain, borborygmus
* wrapped decoction



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Herbs that Dispel wind-damp and clear heat 祛风湿清热药

Qin Jiao Properties: BITTER, PUNGENT - COOL
秦 艽 　　　　　Dosage: 5 – 15g.
Gentiana Macrophylla Root Meridian: GALLBLADDER, LIVER, STOMACH
A moderate herb in dispelling wind herbs, is suitable for every kind of wind-damp Bi obstruction pain. Because of its cool nature, has clearing heat properties, so it is good for Hot Bi.
-dispel wind-cold/hot-Damp, soothes sinews (muscle cramping) in extremities and relieves Bi pain
-clears deficient heat – for steaming bone
-clear damp-heat　　- for jaundice

Fang Ji Properties:BITTER, PUNGENT　- COLD
防己　　　　 Dosage: 3 – 9g.
Stephania Root 　　　　 Meridian BLADDER, SPLEEN, KIDNEY
-promote urination, reduce edema – lower extremity edema, borborgymus, abdominal distention,
lower jiao bladder damp-heat accumulation (Han Fang Ji)
-expel wind-damp heat, alleviate pain – fever, red-swollen-hot painful joints　(Mu Fang Ji)

Sang Zhi Properties: BITTER, SWEET - COOL
桑 枝 Dosage: 10 – 30g.
Mulberry Twig 　　　Meridian: LIVER
Suitable for both heat-Bi and cold-damp-Bi
-dispel wind-heat –Bi (upper extremities), unblock the channels, benefits joints
- promote urination damp-heat, reduce edema.

Xi Xian Cao 　　 Properties: BITTER – COLD
豨莶草 　　　 Dosage: 6 – 15g.
Siegesbeckia Plant 　　　 Meridian: KIDNEY, LIVER
-dispel wind-heat-damp, open the channels and collaterals, and relieve pain
-strengthen sinews　　-hot Bi, pain in extremities
- clear damp-heat and relieve toxicity　- carbuncles and eczema itching
-calm spirit, pacifies liver (hypertension)

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Herbs that Dispel wind-damp and strengthen tendons and bones 祛风湿强筋骨药

Wu Jia Pi Properties: PUNGENT, BITTER - WARM
五加皮　　　　 Dosage: 4.5 – 15g.
Acanthopanax Root Bark Meridian: KIDNEY, LIVER
-dispel wind-cold-damp, relax the tendons and relieve pain
- tonify the liver and kidney, strengthen tendons and bones
-transform damp, promote urination -reduce edema

Sang Ji Sheng Properties: BITTER - NEUTRAL
桑寄生 　　　　 Dosage: 9-30G.
Mulberry Mistletoe Stem　　Meridian: KIDNEY, LIVER
-expel wind-damp – Bi-syndrome due to liver/kidney Yin deficiency
-tonify the liver and kidney, strengthen tendons and bones (liver/kidney Yin deficiency)
-nourish def. blood　(dry scaly skin)
-calm fetus (uterine bleeding during pregnancy, restless fetus)