Name

Function

Taste

Channels

Contraindication

Ren Shen

(Ginseng)

Replenish Qi, prevent collapse, strengthen yang
Tonify Sp & Lu
Body fluids, relieve thirst
Calm Ht, Sooth mind
Good after surgery, D.M 2, Bl & Qi Xu
Memory

Sweet
Slightly warm

SP
LU

Heat s/s
Xs cond.

Xi Yang Shen

(American Ginseng)

Replenish Qi, promote b.fluids
Nourish Yin & clear heat
Chronic fevers

slightly
Sweet
Bitter
Cool

Ht
Lu
Kid

Cold & damp in St
Cook B 4 other herbs

Dang Shen

(Asiabell root)

Replenish Qi
Tonify Qi & M.Jiao
L.o.A, lassitude, chronic illness w weak Sp
S.O.B, tonify Lu, chronic cough
Nourish B.fluids
Dose 3-5x > than Ren shen

Sweet
neutral

SP
LU

Huang Qi

(Astragalus root)

Replenish Qi & Yang to↑
Benefit Qi & stabilize int
Release toxins, healing
H2o Metab & ↓ oedema
Prolapse, wei qi, pus,
Tonify Qi & blood

Sweet
Slightly warm

Sp
LU

Yin Xu & hyper Yang
Qi Stag, Damp, food retention, ext xs cond
Early curbuncles/furuncles

Bai Zhu

(White atractylodes)

Replenish Qi, strengthen Sp
Damp & water metabolism
Stop sweating & calm fetus
Bi syndrome

Bitter
Sweet warm

Sp
st

Thirst with exhaustion of body fluids

Shan Yao

(Chinese Yam)

Strengthen Sp & St
Tonify Lu & Kid
Moistening
D.M. 1

Sweet
neutral

Sp
Lu
Kid

Food retention

Gan Cao

(Licorice root)

Replenish Qi tonify Sp
Moisten lu’s stop cough
Relax spasms, stop pain
Moderate action of herbs
Reduce fire release toxins

Sweet
neutral

Ht
Lu
Sp
St
All channels

XS damp=distention & fullness in chest & abs
Vomiting
Overdosing=oedema