Herbs That Dispel Wind Damp

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.

Du Huo

Properties: BITTER, PUNGENT – WARM

Dosage: 3 – 9g.

Angelica Meridian: KIDNEY, BLADDER

Root

-dispel wind-cold-damp , relieve pain, release exterior, lower part of body

-lesser Yin head ache and tooth ache

-itchy skin due to wind – damp.

* Do not use for excess or deficient heat syndromes.

Qin Jiao

Properties: BITTER, PUNGENT – COOL

Dosage: 4.5 – 12g.

Gentiana Meridian: GALLBLADDER, LIVER, STOMACH

Macrophylla Root -dispel wind-cold/hot-Damp, soothes sinews (muscle cramping) in extremities

-clears deficient heat

-paralysis caused by stroke

Wei Ling Xian

Properties: PUNGENT, SALTY – WARM

Dosage: 6 – 12g.   (FISH BONE 15 – 30g.)

Clematis

Meridian: BLADDER

Root

-dispel wind-damp and unblocks channels, relieves pain

-fish bone lodged in throat

Hai Tong Pi

Properties: BITTER, PUNGENT – NEURTRAL

Dosage: 6 – 15g.

Coral Bean

Meridian: LIVER, SPLEEN, KIDNEY

Bark -dispel wind-cold/hot-Damp, unblocks channels

-promote urination , reduce edema

-itchy skin – lesions, scabies

Mu Gua

Properties:  SOUR – WARMDosage: 4.5 – 12g.

Quince Meridian: LIVER, SPLEEN

Fruit -relax sinews and muscles – dispel cold-Bi, calf cramps

-harmonize stomach, reduce food stagnation

Sang Zhi

Properties: BITTER, SWEET – COOL

Dosage: 10 – 30g.

Mulberry

Meridian: LIVER

Twig

-dispel wind-heat -Bi, upper extremities, benefits joints

-damp-heat, reduce edema.

Wu Jia Pi

Properties: PUNGENT, BITTER – WARM

Dosage: 4.5 – 15g.

Acanthopanax Meridian: KIDNEY, LIVER

Root Bark

-dispel wind-cold-damp, kidney deficiency. (motor function delays, elderly)

-transform damp, reduce edema

Xi Xian Cao

Properties: BITTER – COLD

Dosage: 6 – 15g.

Siegesbeckia

Meridian: KIDNEY, LIVER

Plant

-dispel wind-heat-damp, strengthen sinews

-hot Bi, pain in extremities

-calm spirit, pacifies liver, detoxifies