Herbs that Extinguish Wind 


and Stop Tremors

For symptoms such as:

• Tremor, shaking, spasm, convulsion

• Itchiness, rash

• Numbness, tingling, decreased skin sensation

There are three causes of internal wind:

• Liver blood deficiency

• Liver heat or fire

• Liver yang rising

Herbs in this category do not treat internal wind due to blood deficiency.
Tonifying herbs such as Bai Shao, Mu Gua, Ji Xue Teng, etc., should be used
instead.

Herbs that Extinguish Wind 


and Stop Tremors

• gou teng

• tian ma

• ling yang jiao

• ci ji li (bai ji li)

• shi jue ming

• di long

• bai jiang can

• quan xie / wu gong

• dai she shi

gou teng
uncariae ramulus cum uncis
Temp: slightly cold 

Taste: sweet 

Channels: PC, LV 

Dosage: 6-15g

1. subdues Liver yang to extinguish internal wind

• for tremors, spasm

2. relaxes and stretches channels

3. lowers high blood pressure

4. releases exterior wind-heat

Do not cook longer than 20 minutes.

tian ma
gastrodiae rhizoma
Temp: neutral 

Taste: sweet 

Channels: LV 

Dosage: 3-9g

1. subdues Liver yang to treat internal wind

• for dizziness, headaches, vertigo

2. clears Liver heat

• esp. for dizziness

3. expels wind-cold-damp to treat bi syndrome

ling yang jiao
saigae tataricae cornu
Temp: cold 

Taste: salty 

Channels: HT, LV 

Dosage: 1-3g

1. subdues Liver yang to extinguish internal wind

• much stronger than Gou Teng

2. clears Liver heat to brighten eyes

3. clears heat toxicity

• for unconsciousness due to heat

4. clears wind-damp-heat bi syndrome

Ling Yang Jiao is antelope horn. It is not cooked in the decoction; use a file and add the powder to the strained
decoction.

ci ji li (bai ji li)
tribuli fructus
Temp: neutral 

Taste: acrid, bitter 

Channels: LV 

Dosage: 6-15g

1. subdues Liver yang to extinguish internal wind

• mild

2. moves Liver qi

3. clears wind-heat to brighten eyes

4. stops itching

• treats wind-heat skin rash when combined with other herbs

shi jue ming
holiotidis concha
Temp: cold 

Taste: salty 

Channels: KI, LV 

Dosage: 15-30g

1. subdues Liver yang to extinguish internal wind

• mild

2. clears Liver heat to brighten eyes

• very strong

The herb Jue Ming Zi is named after Shi Jue Ming. They are not related, but they are both very good at clearing
heat to brighten the eyes.

di long
pheretima
Temp: cold 

Taste: salty 

Channels: UB, LV, LU, SP 

Dosage: 4.5-15g

1. subdues Liver yang to extinguish internal wind

2. promotes urination

• for edema or lin syndrome

3. smooths and unblocks channels

• for hot bi syndrome

• combined with other herbs to treat wind-cold-damp bi syndrome

• frequently used post stroke

4. relaxes bronchii

• for heat-pattern asthma and wheezing

5. lowers high blood pressure

Di Long is earthworm. It can also be swallowed as a powder (1.5-3g).

bai jiang can
bombyx batryticatus


Temp: neutral (sl.cold) 

Taste: acrid, salty 

Channels: LV, LU 

Dosage: 3-9g

1. subdues Liver yang to extinguish internal wind

2. transforms phlegm to treat nodules and swellings

• for lumps, scrofula

3. relaxes, stretches, and unblocks the channels

• for bi syndrome

4. expels wind and wind-heat to stop itching

Bai Jiang Can is silkworm. It can also be swallowed as a powder (1-1.5g).

quan xie / wu gong

scorpio / scolopendra
Temp: neutral / warm 

Taste: salty, acrid, toxic 

Channels: LV 

Dosage: 1-3g

1. strongly extinguishes wind

• "tracks down" or "seeks out" wind

2. clears heat toxicity to reduce swelling

• used internally and externally

• for skin infection, carbuncles

3. unblocks the channels

• for by syndrome

Quan Xie and Wu Gong are scorpion and centipede. They are very strong and should only be used as a last resort. Because of
their toxicity, the dosage should be handled carefully.

Best taken swallowed as powder (0.5-1 gram each).

dai zhe shi
haematitum
Temp: cold 

Taste: bitter 

Channels: HT, LV, PC 

Dosage: 9-30g

1. subdues Liver yang to extinguish internal wind

2. suppresses rebellious Stomach qi

• for nausea, vomiting, hiccough

3. cools blood and stops bleeding

• esp. for OB/GYN problems, vomiting blood

Cook first before adding other ingredients.

Do not take long term (over 20 days can cause bleeding gums).