The herbs in this category deal with thick fluid which accumulates in the respiratory and digestive tracts as well as the muscles and other body tissues. Generally this is called phlegm. The lungs are the receptacle of phlegm and the spleen is the organ which generates phlegm. Phlegm can cause such disorders as epilepsy, convulsion, scrofula, goiter, chronic skin disorders, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and abdominal distention.
Contents
Ban xia
Properties: PUNGENT – WARM/TOXIC
Dosage: 4.5 – 12g.
Pinellia
Meridian: LUNG, SPLEEN, STOMACH
Rhizome
-dry dampness, transform cold-phlegm, rebellious Qi
-harmonize stomach, stops vomiting
-dissipate nodules, reduce distension
TOXIC – caution with pregnancy
Must Read: Herbs That Warm The Interior And Expel Cold
Nan Xing
Properties: PUNGENT, BITTER – WARM/TOXIC
Dosage: 4.5 – 9g.
Jack In The
Meridian: LUNG, LIVER, SPLEEN
Pulpit Rhizome
-dry dampness, expel phlegm (drying aspect stronger than ban xia)
-disperse wind phlegm in channels, stops spasm
-reduce swelling, alleviate pain, deep rooted sores, yin type abscess.
TOXIC – caution with pregnancy
(ZHI / TIAN) Nan Xing = prepared with fresh ginger
(DAN) Nan Xing = prepared with cow bile (good for Heat phlegm)
Xuan Fu Hua
Properties: PUNGENT, BITTER – WARM
Dosage: 3 – 12g.
Inula Flower
Meridian: LIVER, LUNG, STOMACH, SPLEEN
-redirect lung Qi downward, expel cold-phlegm
-stop vomiting, rebellious Qi
Bai Fu Zi
Properties: PUNGENT, SWEET – WARM/TOXIC
Dosage: 1.5 – 6g.
Typhonium
Meridian: LIVER, SPLEEN, STOMACH
Rhizome
-Dry dampness, transform phlegm, expel wind-cold, stop spasm pain
-Relieve toxicity, dissipates nodules – snake bite
-TOXIC – do not use with pregnancy (1.5-6g)
Bai Jie Zi
Properties: PUNGENT – WARM
Dosage: 3 – 9g.
White Mustard
Meridian: LUNG
Seed
-warms lung Qi, expels cold-phlegm
-dissipates nodules, reduce swelling, alleviate pain, yin type boils
Jie Geng
Properties: BITTER, PUNGENT – NEUTRAL
Dosage: 3 – 9g.
Balloon Flower
Meridian: LUNG
Rhizome
-opens up lung Qi, Expel phlegm (hot or cold), benefits throat
-promote discharge of pus
-guiding herb to lung cool Herbs For Hot Phlegm Cough
Qian Hu
Properties: PUNGENT, BITTER – COOL
Dosage: 4.5 – 9g.
Hogfennel
Meridian: LUNG
Root
-re-directs rebellious lung Qi downward, expels phlegm
-releases wind from the exterior
Bei Mu
-2 types
-Chuan – smaller bulb – from Chuan province (3-10g)
bulb
-Zhe – larger Bulb – from Zhe province (6-15g)
-clears heat, transforms phlegm, stops cough
-clears heat, dissipates nodules due to heat
Gua Lou
Properties: SWEET – COLD
Dosage: 9 – 30g.
Trichosanthes
Meridian: LARGE INTESTINE, LUNG, STOMACH
Fruit
-Pi (peal)
-clears and transforms phlegm heat, dissipates nodules
-Ren \ Zi (seeds) -expels pus and promotes healing of sores (mastitis)
-moistens intestines (constipation due to dry)
Zhu Ru
Properties: SWEET – COOL
Dosage: 4.5 – 9g.
Bamboo Shavings
Meridian: HEART, LUNG, STOMACH
-clear/transform phlegm heat and cough
-clears heat from stomach, stops vomiting
-disturbed heart by phlegm heat (insomnia, restlessness)
Hai Fu Shi
Properties: SALTY – COLD
Dosage: 6 – 15g.
Pumice
Meridian: LUNG
-clear lung heat – expel phlegm, thick sputum, bloody sputum
-soften hardness – dissipate phlegm nodules – scrofula
-promote urination – re lin, stone lin
Hai Ge Ke
Properties: BITTER, SALTY – NEUTRAL
Dosage: 6 – 15g.
Clam Shell
Meridian: KIDNEY, LUNG, STOMACH
-clear heat, direct lung Qi down – transform thick sputum with chest and or rib pain
-soften hardness, dissipate nodules – phlegm fire goiter and scrofula
-epigastric pain, acid reflux – (calcined powdered form)
Hai Zao
Properties: BITTER, SALTY – COLD
Dosage: 4.5 – 15g.
Sargassum Seaweed
Meridian: KIDNEY, LIVER, LUNG, STOMACH
-clear heat, reduce phlegm nodules – goiter, scrofula
-promote urination – reduce edema, leg edema and floating edema
Kun Bu
Properties: SALTY – COLD
Dosage: 4.5 – 15g.
Kelp
Meridian: KIDNEY, LIVER, STOMACH
-reduce phlegm, soften hardness – nodules in neck, fullness in chest due to phlegm
-promote urination, reduce swelling – lower extremity edema
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