Name

Function

Taste

Channels

Contraindication

 Dang Gui

(Chinese Angelica root)

Replenish Bl, invigorate Bl
Stop pain
Moisten intestines

Sweet pungent
warm

Lvr
Ht
sp

Xs damp in Sp/St
Diarrhea, loose stools

He Shou wu

(Fleece Flower)

Nourish Bl, replenish essence
Moisten intestines
Move stools
Release toxins
(pus, scrofula, wind rash)

Bitter
Sweet
Astringent
Slightly warm

Lvr
Kid

Severe phlegm damp
diarrohea

Bai Shao

(White peony root)

Nourish blood & consolidate yin
Pacify lvr & stop pain
Soothe lvr yang
(periods, menopause)

Bitter sour slightly cold

lvr
sp

Cold or Xu yang

 Ejiao

(Donkey gelatin)

Nourish Bl
Stop Bleeding
Replenish Yin & moisten Lu’s

Sweet
neutral

Lu
Lvr
kid

Weak sp & st

 Shu Di Huang

(Prepared rehmannia root)

Major herb in all yin tonifying formulars
Nourish Blood & replenish Yin
(Bl Xu menses prob’s)
Post partum, Xu Kid Yin

Sweet
Slightly warm

Ht
Lvr
Kid

Qi stag & profuse phlegm
Epi pain, ab distention
Poor appetite & diarrohea