Herbs That Release The Exterior Wind Cold

Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig) - Chinese Herbal Medicine

Chinese Name:Gui Zhi English Name: Cinnamon Twig

Clinical Usage and Indications

Releases muscle layer and adjusts ying and wei qi levels Useful in wind-cold-damp bi syndromes to warm channels and disperse cold Resolves blood stagnation particularly from cold - dysmenorrhea Unblocks yang qi in the chest - shortness of breath, chest pain, palpitations Resolve edema and accumulation of cold phlegm

Functional Groups (Click for Summary/Study Notes)

Herbs That Release The Exterior Wind Cold

Dosage and Preparation Notes

Dosage: 3-9g for exterior conditions Dosage: 9-15g for bi syndromes

Channels/Meridians Influenced

Heart Lung Urinary Bladder

Associated Temperature and Taste

Acrid Sweet (Gan) Warm (Wen)

Cautions and Contraindications

Avoid in wind-heat and/or empty heat conditions Avoid in heat in the blood, particularly w/vomiting

Staff Clinician Notes

There are no additional notes for this herb.

Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger Rhizome) - Chinese Herbal Medicine

Chinese Name: Sheng Jiang English Name: Fresh Ginger Rhizome

Clinical Usage and Indications

Release the exterior, wind-cold, regulate ying and wei qi Warms the middle jiao - stomach cold/vomiting Alleviates coughing, warms lung Reduces toxicity of other herbs

Functional Groups (Click for Summary/Study Notes)

Herbs That Release The Exterior Wind Cold

Dosage and Preparation Notes

Dosage: 3-9g

Channels/Meridians Influenced

Lung Spleen Stomach

Associated Temperature and Taste

Acrid Warm (Wen)

Cautions and Contraindications

Avoid w/heat in LU or ST Use cautiously in patients with hypertension

Staff Clinician Notes

There are no additional notes for this herb.

Herbal Formulas Which Include This Herb

Below you will find Traditional Chinese Medicine herbal formulas which contain this particular herb (in alphabetical order). You may click on the name of the formula for more details or click on any of the products from our store to read usage information or purchase a particular formula.

Ban Xia Hou Po Wan

Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Wan

Formula Functions Used for heat that is lodged in the chest affecting all yang stages, also for phlegm in the liver/gall bladder. Generally used for a range of psychological conditions, aiding with drug withdrawal and related issues. Symptoms include chest oppression, anxiety, irratiblity, palpitations, excessive/delirious speech, heavy sensation of body, constipation, urinary issues. The Pulse will be wiry and rapid and the Tongue will be red with a slippery tongue coating.

Er Chen He San Zi Yang Qin Wan Fang Ji Huang Qi Wan Ge Gen Tang Wan Wen Jing Tang Wan

Fang Feng (Ledebouriella Root) - Chinese Herbal Medicine

Chinese Name: Fang Feng English Name: Ledebouriella root, siler

Clinical Usage and Indications

Releases exterior, expel wind-cold (headache, chills, body ache) Bi-Syndromes, Wind-Damp, alleviates pain, relieves spasms (not very strong, only as a supporting herb) Trembling hands and/or feet Spleen/Liver intestinal issues - painful diarrhea, bright blood in stool

Migraines

Functional Groups (Click for Summary/Study Notes)

Herbs That Release The Exterior Wind Cold

Dosage and Preparation Notes

Dosage: 3-9g

Channels/Meridians Influenced

Liver Spleen Urinary Bladder

Associated Temperature and Taste

Sweet (Gan) Warm (Wen)

Cautions and Contraindications

Avoid in Yin Deficiency - Empty Heat Avoid in spasms from Blood Deficiency

Staff Clinician Notes

There are no additional notes for this herb.

Herbal Formulas Which Include This Herb

Below you will find Traditional Chinese Medicine herbal formulas which contain this particular herb (in alphabetical order). You may click on the name of the formula for more details or click on any of the products from our store to read usage information or purchase a particular formula.

Bi Yan Wan Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao Wan Du Huo Ji Sheng Wan Fang Feng Tong Sheng Wan Jin Gu Die Da Wan Pian Tou Tong Wan Tong Xie Yao Fang Wan Xi Guan Jie Xiao Tong Wan Xiao Feng Wan
Formula Functions Itchy and red skin lesions, possibly with weeping, comprising such conditions as psoriasis, eczema, acne, dermatitis, etc. The Pulse will generally be forceful, floating and rapid and the Tongue will have a yellow or white tongue coating.

Yu Ping Feng Wan

Formula Functions Frequent colds, flus, chronic bronchitis - general low immunity to common infections. Aversions to drafts, spontaneous sweating. The Tongue will be pale with a white coat and the Pulse will be floating, deficient and soft.

Cang Er Zi (Cocklebur Fruit, Xanthium) - Chinese Herbal Medicine

Chinese Name: Cang Er Zi English Name: Cocklebur Fruit, Xanthium

Clinical Usage and Indications

Expels wind and damp - bi syndromes, skin disorders with itching. Nasal passage obstruction - thick nasal discharge, sinus headache; often combined with Xin Yi Hua and Bai Zhi.

Functional Groups (Click for Summary/Study Notes)

Herbs That Dispel Wind Dampness

Dosage and Preparation Notes

Dosage: 3-9g

Channels/Meridians Influenced

Lung

Associated Temperature and Taste

Bitter (Ku) Sweet (Gan) Warm (Wen)

Cautions and Contraindications

There are currently no contraindications listed.

Staff Clinician Notes

There are no additional notes for this herb.

Herbal Formulas Which Include This Herb

Below you will find Traditional Chinese Medicine herbal formulas which contain this particular herb (in alphabetical order). You may click on the name of the formula for more details or click on any of the products from our store to read usage information or purchase a particular formula.

Bi Yan Wan Te Xiao Bi Min Gan Wan

Herbs That Release The Exterior Wind Heat Bo He (Field Mint, Mentha) - Chinese Herbal Medicine
Chinese Name: Bo He English Name: Field Mint, Mentha

Clinical Usage and Indications

Expels wind heat particularly from the head region - fever, headaches, red eyes, cough, sore throat. Vents rashes - accelerates the activity of rashes towards the surface to quicken healing. Resolves LV Qi Stagnation - emotional issues, PMS, menstrual issues, pressure in chest or sides of body.

Functional Groups (Click for Summary/Study Notes)

Herbs That Release The Exterior Wind Heat

Dosage and Preparation Notes

Dosage: 1.5-6g (added near the last 5 minutes of the preparation)

Channels/Meridians Influenced

Liver Lung

Associated Temperature and Taste

Acrid Aromatic Cool

Cautions and Contraindications

May contribute to insufficient lactation in nursing mothers Avoid excessive sweating/use in weak patients or those who sweat easily May injure yin, use caution in yin deficiency patients

Staff Clinician Notes

Ju Hua, Sang Ye, Chai Hu - Bo He is the coldest. Quick remedy for liver qi stagnation with wind-heat signs: 3g Bo He, 6g green tea, 3g Chen Pi, boil for 1-2 minutes. Classically also used for aching bones from febrile disease.

Ge Gen (Kudzu Root, Pueraria) - Chinese Herbal Medicine

Chinese Name: Ge Gen English Name: Kudzu Root, Pueraria

Clinical Usage and Indications

Releases muscles, clears heat - exterior disease in subcutaneous region and muscles (governed by spleen and stomach) - fever, headache, stiffness in the back and the neck. Nourishes fluids, alleviates thirst - stomach heat, externally-contracted heat. Vents measles - accelerates rash at early stages. Alleviates diarrhea - diarrhea or dysenterial disorders due to heat; may be used for spleen deficiency diarrhea if combined with other herbs. Alleviates symptoms of hypertension - headaches, dizziness, tinnitus.

Functional Groups (Click for Summary/Study Notes)

Herbs That Release The Exterior Wind Heat

Dosage and Preparation Notes

Dosage: 6-12g

Channels/Meridians Influenced

Spleen Stomach

Associated Temperature and Taste

Acrid Cool Sweet (Gan)

Cautions and Contraindications

There are currently no contraindications listed.

Staff Clinician Notes

Compare with Sheng Ma, Chai Hu - all disperse and lift yang qi. Research has shown antipyretic and antispasmodic effects on the intestine.

Sheng Ma (Black Cohosh Rhizome, Bugbane Rhizome) - Chinese Herbal Medicine

Chinese Name: Sheng Ma English Name: Black Cohosh Rhizome, Bugbane Rhizome

Clinical Usage and Indications

Releases the exterior, vents muscles - accelerates the early stages of skin rashes, headache from wind-heat (forehead stomach channel). Clears heat, relieves toxicity - toxins in the upper or superficial areas, swelling, painful, sore gums, lips, and/or throat. Raises yang, lifts spleen qi sinking (strong than Ge Gen) - for middle qi deficiency leading to shortness of breath, fatigue, prolapse of stomach, uterus, or rectum. Serves to guide other herbs upwards.

Functional Groups (Click for Summary/Study Notes)

Herbs That Release The Exterior Wind Heat

Dosage and Preparation Notes

Dosage: 1.5-9g Use honey-roasted version for collapsed conditions.

Channels/Meridians Influenced

Large Intestine Lung Spleen Stomach

Associated Temperature and Taste

Acrid Cool Sweet (Gan)

Cautions and Contraindications

Avoid in cases of yin-deficient heat, upper-excesses and lower deficiencies. Avoid with fully erupted measles. Avoid in patients with breathing difficulties.

Staff Clinician Notes

Compare with Ge Gen and Chai Hu. May be combined with Dang Gui, Rou Cong Rong, Niui Xi for unblocking the stool parched by deficiency (Sheng Ma relieving the pressure in the intestines).

Chai Hu (Thorowax Root, Bupleurum) - Chinese Herbal Medicine

Chinese Name:Chai Hu English Name: Thorowax Root, Bupleurum

Clinical Usage and Indications

Clears shao yang disorders and reduces fever - alternating chills and fever, bitter taste in the mouth, irritability, vomiting, stifling sensation in the chest.


pain.

Relieves liver qi stagnation (often used with Bai Shao) - vertigo, menstrual disorders, chest and flank pain, the most common herb to treat stress, irritability, depression, etc.; also for liver and spleen disharmony - bloating, nausea, indigestion, flank

Raises yang qi in spleen and stomach deficiency patterns (often used with Sheng Ma) - prolapsed organ, diarrhea, hemorrhoids.

Functional Groups (Click for Summary/Study Notes)

Herbs That Release The Exterior Wind Heat

Dosage and Preparation Notes

Dosage: 3-12g

Channels/Meridians Influenced

Gall Bladder Liver Pericardium Triple Heater

Associated Temperature and Taste

Acrid Bitter (Ku) Cool

Cautions and Contraindications

Due to its rising and dispersing nature avoid in yin deficiency or liver yang rising. May cause nausea or vomiting - use a smaller dose if necessary.

Staff Clinician Notes

Compare with Ge Gen and Sheng Ma. Research indicates antibiotic, antiviral, and tranquilizing effects.