HERBS OF THE ACU-POLARITY OFFICE PATRICK Dev HOLIMAN, D.O.M. Edited by Nancy Harris Copyright 2007  WESTERN / AYURVEDIC/ORIENTAL MEDICINAL HERBOLOGY Table of Contents I Herbal Pharmacology – page 1 Some Herbal Categories - 2 Herbal Preparation – 3 Food Properties and Taste – 4 Tissue Development – 5 Basic Ayurvedic Herbal Theory – 7 II Some Common Western & Ayurvedic Herbs – page 10 Tissue (Dhatu) Building Herbs – 26 Herbs for Organs & Body Systems – 26 Herbs According to Dosha – 27 Gem and Precious Metal Elixirs – 28 Miscellaneous – 29 III Oriental Herbal Energetics – page 30 Basic Oriental Herbal Theories - 31 Eight Principles – 31 Five Phases – 31 Three Humors – 31 Six Stages – 32 Four Stages – 33 Six External Pathogens – 34 Internal Seven Emotional Influences – 35 Organ Related Functional Imbalances – 35 IV Classification of the Herbal Medicinals in the Acu- Polarity Office – page 39 (1) Exterior - Resolving Medicinals – 38 Diaphoretics (Warm and Cool) - 38 Diaphoretics, Warming - 38 Diaphoretics, Cooling - 46 (2) Heat-Clearing Medicinals – 53 Heat-Clearing Herbs – 53 (3) Heat-Clearing, Dampness Drying Medicinals – 58 (4) Heat-Clearing, Blood Cooling Medicinals – 61 (5) Summer Heat Clearing Medicinals – 74 (6) Deficient Heat Clearing & Receding Medicinals – 75 (7) Herbs That Transform Phlegm & Stop Cough – 76 (8) Herbs That Drain Downwards – 85 (9) Anti-Rheumatics – Wind & Damp Dispelling - 88 (10) Medicinals That Drain Dampness – 93 (11) Interior Warming / Cold Dispelling Medicinals – 101 (12) Aromatic Damp Eliminating - 105 (13) Chi Circulating - 108 (14) Digestant Herbs –114 (15) Blood Regulating – 116 (16) Blood Activating (Emmenagogues) – 125 (17) Tranquilizing (Sedatives) – 125 (18) Liver Calming (Wind Extinguishing, Anti-Spasmodic) – 127 (19) Resuscitating (Consciousness Reviving) – 129 (20) Anti-Parasitic – 129 Tonic Herbs - 130 (21) Chi Tonics – 130 (22) Yang Tonics – 134 (23) Yin Tonics – 139 (24) Blood Tonics – 142 (25) Astringents – 145 V 34 Favorite Kiss the Sky Herbal Formulas – page 148 (1) Tonic Formulas – 149 (2) Diaphoretic Formulas – 152 (3) Blood Formulas – 155 (4) Anti-Rheumatics - 157 (5) Digestive Formulas – 158 (6) Harmonizing Formulas – 158 (7) Fever Cleansing Formulas – 162 (8) Wind Dispelling Formulas – 162 (9) Diuretic Formulas - 163 Appendix I Herb List by Common Name – page 164 Appendix II Pin Yin Alphabetical Order – page 168 Bibliography – page 172 Home Study Materials – page 173 HERBAL PHARMACOLOGY Everything from flowers to feces has been used medicinally. Every substance on the face of the earth has the potential to be used by some type of doctor. As in a good yoga practice, there are traditionally 8,400,000 theoretical yoga postures, but only about 25 to 65 need to be learned to have a good practice. In herbology there are three levels of herbal use. The first level is the use of tonics to enhance a person's general level of energy and life experience. This is done through the use of 'superior' herbs. The second level of use is to enhance the physiological function of the physical body and its organ systems. The third level of use is in the treatment of disease. This is the use of inferior herbs. They are inferior in the sense that they can be toxic and are normally only used for a short period of time. This follows the line of thinking that if a person has waited until a disease has manifested, they have waited too long; so, more drastic measures are needed. If a person treats the life energy or does treatment to improve physiological organ functioning, they are working from a 'superior' advantage. If a doctor works from the level of treating diseases, he is working from inferior disadvantage. Working from this level is extremely difficult to promote real healing no matter what the therapy. In times of acute illness, it may not be appropriate to treat oneself. If I have a kidney infection, hepatitis or dysentery on returning from long travels to foreign lands, it is not a time to practice preventive medicine. At such times the use of strong herbs or drugs may be necessary. If I break my wrist playing basketball or crash my motorcycle, I have to submit my fate to the friends at the local hospital. In acute problems, drastic measures are called for, but it is suggested that we enhance our level of health through awareness, manipulation, exercise and diet to avoid the overuse of drugs or surgery. To repeat an idea, the best thing you can do in nutrition is to have a simple diet with a staple of whole grains surrounded by cooked and raw vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans, herbs and spices, and some dairy products. Some Herbal Categories Alteratives blood purifiers Analgesics relieve pain Antacids neutralize acids Anthelmintics kill or expel parasites Antiasthmatics relieve asthma Antibiotics destroy bacteria Antipyretics reduce fevers Antiseptics prevent growth of bacteria Antitussives stops coughing Aphrodisiacs strengthen sexual potency Astringents seal discharges/lift Carminatives dispel gases Demulcents soothing mucilages Diaphoretics induce sweating Diuretics promote urination Emetics induce vomiting Emmenagogues promote menstruation Emollients soften skin Expectorants expels mucus Febrifuges reduce fevers Galactogogues increase milk Hemostatics stop bleeding Laxatives promote bowel movements Nervines calm and nourish nerves Purgatives strongly promote bowel movement Sedatives calm the nervous system Stimulants increase energy and blood circulation Tonics increase energy and blood, yin and yang Vulnerarys heal wounds Herbal Preparation To prepare an infusion: The general suggested procedure is to bring one quart of water to a boil, cut the flame and add two generous pinches (about 10 grams) of herbs, steep 20 minutes and strain. Take a cup three times a day. Usually made with flowers and soft leaves. To prepare a decoction: The general procedure is to place your herb combination in the cooking pot (don't use aluminum or iron) and add 3 cups of water. Allow to soak for 10-30 minutes. Then bring to a low boil for 30 minutes and strain. The practice in Oriental medicine is that this same pot of herbs can be boiled again. Second time, add 2 1/2 cups of water and bring to a boil. Boil down to 1 cup in about 15 minutes. Following this procedure one would consume 2 cups a day, best in between meals. Usually made from twigs, bark and roots. A brief decoction (10 minutes cooking time) is often called for. In this case the briefly decocted herbs would be added after about 20 minutes. These are herbs a little more delicate than twigs, bark and roots. The herbs to be steeped would be added at the end when the flame is cut. Steeped herbs are usually flowers and soft leaves. Pastes are made by crushing the fresh plant into a soft mass or adding enough water to the dried plant to form a paste. These can be mixed with ghee, honey or oil in proportions of 2 parts mixture to 1 part herbs. Avoid making the ghee and honey equal proportions. If raw sugar is used it is in equal proportions with the herbs and normally with herbs that are more moist. Can be used with plasters and poultices for healing external injuries. Tinctures are best for acute problems; Put 1 to 4 oz. of the herb with 8 to 12 oz. of 50% alcohol solution. Some glycerin can be added to take the bite from this solution. Put up on new moon, drain on full moon (2 weeks). Shake tincture once or twice a day. Take two to three droppers full three times a day. Tablets are for long-term usage. Powder the herbs and mix them with water and honey. Food Properties and Taste Foods and herbal medicines can be viewed according to their individual tastes and properties. There are six tastes in Ayurveda: bitter, pungent (spicy), astringent, sour, salty and sweet. In Chinese medicine there are also six tastes, however sour and astringent are often combined as a single taste while bland is considered to be the sixth. The four properties considered are hot/warm and cool/cold. In Ayurvedic nutrition, the tridosha concept is fundamental to understanding the effect of food tastes on an individual. The three doshas (tri - dosha) are vata, pitta and kapha. Briefly, the relationship between the doshas and the elements is: Vata - composed of ether and air; Pitta - composed of fire and water; Kapha - composed of water and earth. The doshas are elaborated on in the Polarity book. Bitter tastes, according to Dr. Ballentine in his book Diet and Nutrition, slightly decrease kapha, and also slightly decrease pitta. Bitter has its strongest effect increasing vata. Dr. Lad says bitter consists of air plus ether and has a cooling property with a catabolic (breaking down complex into simple) action. Some examples of bitter foods and herbs include dandelion root, coffee and fenugreek seeds. Pungent (spicy) tastes decrease kapha, increase pitta substantially and increase vata slightly. Pungent is made from the elements of fire plus air and is catabolic in action. Examples are onions, ginger, garlic and cayenne. Astringent tastes strongly decrease kapha, slightly decrease pitta and slightly increase vata. Astringent is made of air plus earth. It has a cooling property and is catabolic in action. Examples are unripe bananas, turmeric and alum. Sour tastes strongly increase kapha and pitta and slightly decrease vata. Sour consists of earth plus fire. It has a heating property and an anabolic action. Examples are yogurt, lemons and limes. Salty tastes strongly increase kapha and pitta and slightly decrease vata. Salty consists of water and fire with a heating property. It is anabolic in action. Examples are sea salt and kelp. Sweet tastes strongly increase kapha, strongly decrease pitta and mildly decrease vata. Sweet consists of earth and water. It has a cooling property and an anabolic action. Examples are grains, milk, candies and dates. When the energy of foods and herbs is understood by their tastes, properties and actions, then it is theoretically possible to determine which elements (ether, air, fire, water, earth), and their related energies and physiological functions, will be increased or decreased by consuming a particular food or herb. To understand how this concept is applied, consider a person who has excess kapha (typically someone who is overweight). This person could increase their consumption of pungent and bitter foods and reduce their consumption of sweet tasting food. This would tend to reduce the kapha element and assist the person in losing weight. Consider people who need a little more grounding (space cadets). These people have excess vata. They could feel less scattered by avoiding excessive consumption of bitter food since the bitter taste strongly increases vata. The last concept to consider in what Dr. Ballentine terms taste pharmacology is vipak. Vipak is the final taste effect, the effect after food has undergone digestion. Most of the time this follows a common sense process. Thus, starchy foods have the effect of a sweet taste after digestion. However, every guideline has an exception. This is called "prabhav" - something that happens without any logical explanation. Tissue Development Cells organize to form tissue. According to Ayurveda there are seven basic tissues: plasma, blood, muscle, fat, bone, marrow (the brain is known as the "sea of marrow" and this suggests that marrow is also related to the nervous systems) and reproductive tissue. Plasma tissue contains nutrients from digested food, which nourishes all of the other tissues, organs and body systems. Blood supplies oxygen to the body tissues. Muscle tissue covers the organs, performs the movement of joints and lends strength. Fat tissue lubricates the tissues. Bone tissue supports the body structure. Marrow and nerve tissue carry motor and sensory impulses. Reproductive tissue contains the ingredients of all tissues. Each tissue depends on the energy of the less complex tissue in this chain of life. Each tissue is nourished in a serial manifestation, according to Ayurveda as taught by Dr. Lad in his books Ayurveda the Science of Self-Healing and Textbook of Ayurveda. Each of the seven tissue types are transformed sequentially from plasma to the reproductive tissue. Any weakness in one tissue type affects the formation of subsequent tissue. For example, a weakness in the muscle tissue will affect the fat tissue. Tissue transformation results from three processes that occur simultaneously: irrigation - nutrients are supplied to the tissues through the blood vessels; selectivity - each tissue extracts the nutrients it needs; and direct transformation - as nutritional substances pass through each tissue the food for the subsequent tissue is produced. Each of the seven tissues is subtler than the previous one and takes longer to form. Reproductive tissue takes the longest to produce. It is said that it takes 28 days to form a drop of semen, whereas plasma can be formed in a few hours. In standard anatomy and physiology, cell formation progresses to tissue to formation of the organs. The seven tissues, as taught in Ayurveda, each relate to the structure and function of various organs. Besides the nourishment and production of the tissue itself, each tissue develops a related by-product. And, as with any manufacturing process, there is also production of something similar to a base or waste by-product, which is called a mala. Plasma is rooted in the right chamber of the heart, where all the venous blood returns, and in the large vessels. Plasma passes through the venous and lymphatic systems and opens into the arteriole-venous junction. The by-products of plasma are the outer (epidermis) layer of the skin, breast milk and menstrual fluids. The base by-product (mala) of plasma is mucus. Blood, as defined in Ayurveda, is only the red blood cells, not ‘blood plasma’, which includes white blood cells and blood platelets. Red blood cells only make up 45% of a blood sample. The remaining 55% is ‘blood plasma’. Blood is rooted in the liver and spleen, passes through the arteriole circulatory system and opens into the arteriole/venous junction. The by-products of blood are blood vessels, granulations (which are formed as a part of the healing process in large open wounds) and small tendons. The base by-product is bile. Muscle tissue is rooted in the fascia and tendons, mesodermal cells, and the layers of the skin below the dermis (outer layer of the skin). Muscle tissue opens to the pores of the skin. Muscle tissue by-products are the inner (dermis) layers of the skin and the subcutaneous layer made of fat and connective tissue. The base by-product of blood is earwax, nasal crust, sebaceous secretions and tartar. Fat tissue is rooted in the omentum, which is an apron-like double fold of fatty membrane that hangs down in front of the intestines, and the adrenal glands. Fat tissue opens to the pores of the skin. The by-products of fat tissue are tendons or sinews, ligaments and flat muscles. The base by-product of fat is sweat. Bone tissue is rooted in the pelvic girdle and sacrum. It opens to the nails and head hair. Bone tissue has a by-product of teeth and cartilage. The base by-products are head hair and nails. Marrow and nerve tissue is rooted in the brain, spinal cord, joints and junctions between the tissues. It passes through the central, sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Marrow and nerve tissues open to the synapses and neuromuscular junctions. The by-products of nerve tissue and bone marrow are tears. The base by-product is the crusty secretion in the eyes. Reproductive tissue is rooted in the testicles and nipples on a man, and in the ovaries and areola of the nipples on a woman. Its passage is by way of the ejaculatory duct, prostate, urethra and urinogenital tract on a man and fallopian tubes, uterus, cervical canal and vaginal passage in a woman. It opens to the urethral termination on a man and labia on a woman. Reproductive tissue has a superior by-product of ojas, the subtle essence of properly nourished bodily tissues. It has a base by-product of pubic and axillary hair. The tissues are woven from the five elements. The life energy, prana and the biological effects of vata, pitta, and kapha enlivened them. Bodily tissues are the biological representation of the subtle energy currents in the body. If they are in a healthy condition, the tissues maintain normal physiological functions and promote proper working of the more subtle energetic forms of the doshas - prana related to vata, tejas related to pitta, and ojas related to kapha. Basic Ayurvedic Herbal Theory In Ayurveda the way to restore balance is to first determine the person’s constitution - vata, pitta or kapha. Each constitution is prone to certain imbalances. If a pitta person has a kapha or vata dis-ease, it is theoretically easier to treat than if they had a pitta imbalance. Such is the cases for each constitution or combinations of constitutions. For kapha people with kapha imbalances the pungent taste (which has a drying effect) and reducing therapies with a light diet are commonly used. Kapha accumulates in the body in the form of phlegm or mucus. This is referred to as ‘ama’. Ama is a toxin which imbalances each of the doshas, commonly in the lungs and stomach then spreading to other body parts. Stagnation and blocked circulation of energy and blood are common results of this process as in many dis-eases and pains. Kapha can be eliminated from the body by urination, sweating and expectoration. The most powerful way to reduce kapha is by vamana (emetic) therapy. Ideally when practicing an emetic therapy, a person follows a certain dietary protocol for several days then takes a large amount of water prepared with certain herbs and throws it up. This procedure is best practiced in a clinic where ‘pancha karma’ is practiced. Pancha means five and karma means to do or action. So pancha karma means the five ways to balance vata, pitta and kapha. Kapha also can be reduced and treated by the use of carminative (digestants) and stimulating herbs that increase metabolism, digestive fire and promote circulation. Bitter tonics help to reduce fat and the astringent taste strongly reduces kapha. As bitter, astringent and pungent tastes reduce kapha, so sweet, astringent and bitter reduce pitta (heat). Surface heat conditions such as common colds, flus and skin inflammation are treated with diaphoretic herbs that induce sweating. When the pathogenic heat goes deeper into the blood, inflammation, infection, sores and ulcers develop. These are treated with alterative or heat clearing herbs. These are usually bitter and maybe astringent and cold. When there is bleeding, herbs with homeostatic properties are used. The strongest way to clear pitta is through the use of purgatives. Pitta accumulation is the strongest in the small intestine, the seat of Agni (subtle bodily metabolism). Diuretics can also be used to dispel pitta in the form of acid cleared through the urine. Excess sweating, bleeding and diarrhea are discharges that can represent excess pitta conditions. These conditions would not be treated by purgation, but by using astringent herbs that have the tendency to draw things in. Sweet, sour and salty are the tastes in herbs and foods that reduce vata. Vata tends toward deficiency, which is treated by sweet (like in whole grains) and nutritive therapies. When vata is blocked then removing the obstruction is the ideal. This is best done by the use of enema therapy, as the seat of vata is the colon. This gets at the root of vata imbalances that manifest as colds or flus, skin dryness and joint pains. Stimulant herbs remove blockages. Sweet demulcent and emollient herbs are used to nourish and moisten. All imbalances begin with negative thoughts and emotions that lay at the root blockage and the formation of ama. These block clarity of thought, promoting attachment and illusions. When kapha is imbalanced with ama think of sticky mucus accumulation causing congestion, tongue coat, tightness in the chest, difficult breathing, heaviness, dullness, dull generalized aches, pains and fatigue. When pitta is imbalanced with ama common signs and symptoms would be loss of appetite, bad breath, yellow tongue coating, yellow/green mucus, vomiting, acid reflux, burning sensations and skin rashes. When vata is imbalanced with ama common signs and symptoms would be constipation, bad breath, foul smelling feces, abdominal pain with gas and cramping type pains with low appetite. TISSUE (DHATU) BUILDING HERBS Plasma (rasa): Shilajit, Blood (rakta): Punarnava, leafy greens, spirolina, chlorophyll. Muscle (mamsa): Ashwagandha, shatavari. Fat (medas): Ashwagandha, Shatavari, ghee. Marrow (majja): Ashwagandha, Shatavari, ghee. Bone (asthi): Sesame, shatavari, milk. Semen (shukra): Shatavari, ashwagandha. HERBS FOR ORGANS & BODY SYSTEMS Blood Purification: Yellow dock, burdock. Brain: Brahmi (gota kola), basil, calamus, skullcap, ashwagandha. Breast: Dandelion, fennel, fenugreek, shatavari. Female Reproductive System: Aloe, raspberry, shatavari. Gallbladder: Dandelion. Heart: Hawthorn, lotus seeds, saffron. Kidneys: Shilajit, coriander, cleavers. Large Intestine: Triphala, rhubarb, psyllium. Liver: Aloe, gentian, manjishtha, milk thistle. Lungs: Comfrey, ginger, pippali, haritaki, bibhitaki. Lymphatic: Echinacea, bayberry, yarrow, yellow dock. Male Reproductive System: Ashwagandha, garlic, saw palmetto. Nerves: Brahmi, ashwangandha, basil, chamomile. Ojas: Shatavari, ashwagandha, saffron, ghee. Pancreas: Dandelion, turmeric, pomegranate. Sinews (tendons & ligaments): Turmeric. Small Intestine: Aloe, cumin, gentian. Spleen: Golden seal, neem, turmeric. Stomach: Black pepper, cardamom, cumin, fennel. Thyroid: Kelp, trikatu. HERBS ACCORDING TO DOSHA Vata: avoid bitter, astringent or cold in energy. Combinations of pungent and sweet herbs are best. Angelica, basil, bay leaves, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, comfrey, eucalyptus, fennel, fenugreek, fo-ti, fresh ginger, ginseng, gotu kola, hawthorn berries, licorice, rehmannia, sassafras, saw palmetto, sarsaparilla, Solomon’s seal, thyme. Pitta: avoid pungent herbs with hot properties. Alfalfa, blackberry, burdock, chamomile, chrysanthemum, comfrey, coriander, cumin, dandelion, fennel, gotu kola, hibiscus, jasmine, lemon, lemon balm, lemon grass, licorice, lime, motherwort, nettle, peppermint, raspberry, rose flowers, red clover, sandalwood, skullcap, spearmint, strawberry yellow dock. Kapha: avoid sweet and mucus forming herbs like licorice or rehmannia. Alfalfa, basil, blackberry, black pepper, burdock, cardamom, chamomile, cinnamon, cleavers, cloves, dandelion, eucalyptus, ginger, hawthorn, juniper berries, lemon, Mormon tea, mustard seeds, nettle, orange peel, parsley, peppermint, sage, sassafras, skullcap, spearmint, thyme, yarrow, yellow dock. GEM AND PRECIOUS METAL ELIXIRS Gold Master healer, helps vision, eases depression and lethargy, amplifies thought, opens heart. Increases ability to give and receive love. Silver Cooling properties of the moon energy. Promotes strength and stamina. Helpful for chronic fever, emaciation, menstrual bleeding and excess pitta conditions. Amethyst Stimulates capacity for visions, improves meditation and intuition, eases low self-esteem and sense of unfulfillment. Person feels increased integration with society. Subdues cravings and eases insomnia. Emerald Stabilizes personality, eases hidden fears and paranoia. Strengthens will power, improves memory, balances emotions. Quartz Illumination, improves meditation, intuition, eases emotional extremes. Provides environmental protection, especially from radiation. Amplifies other remedies. Ruby Develops inspiration, leadership abilities, eases disorientation, opens heart, strengthens will. MISCELLANEOUS Alfalfa tablets Nourishes the entire system. Roots go deep into the ground to bring up abundant minerals. Detoxifies the liver, and relieves arthritic pain. Acidophilus Can be taken daily for maintaining friendly bacteria in the colon which promotes good digestion. Helps to counter ill effects of antibiotics. Bee Pollen Has all the amino acids plus vitamin C. Can help counter allergies. Try to use local pollen and start with very small amounts. Boraxo Best hand soap for body workers or anyone else. Can use as a facial scrub. For some people, this will cause a small rash on initial use, but the rash will disappear. Kelp or Sea Vegetation High in trace minerals. Helps women with their cycle and men with falling hair. Benefits thyroid and helps counter ill effects of radiation. Leafy Greens Steamed and raw, but steamed in the Springtime is best. Psyllium Seed Colon cleanser, cleans out compacted fecal matter. Gives bulk to the stool. Lemons and Limes Dr. Stone used lemons and limes to treat nervous indigestion, athlete's foot, pyorrhea, coughs and colds (mixed with honey). Mix lemons with olive oil for treating wrinkles under the eyes. Lemons’ and limes’ main food values are vitamin C and calcium, plus vitamins. Oil Very good for the skin and hair. Olive was the oil of choice used by Pierre Pannetier. All the orifices could be oiled, with benefit, everyday. Just after showering and, while you're still wet, rub several drops of oil over the entire body. Massage a few drops into the hair then towel off. Massage oil into the hair, navel and feet before bed. In Ayurvedic medicine the suggested oils are: sesame or almond oil for vata, sunflower or coconut for pitta and mustard or flaxseed for kapha. Spirolina Highly nutritious. Easily assimilable protein. High in chlorophyll. A complete food in itself. Powder tastes worse but is better than tablets. High in B12. Also, Wheat and Barley grass powders have similar effects. ORIENTAL HERBAL ENERGETICS The one difference between Chinese and Western herbology is the classification according to the energy channels that the herb enters. What is the significance of knowing and classifying an herb by the energy channel it enters? In Chinese herbology each flavor – sweet, bitter, pungent, salty, bland and sour - has an energetic effect. The taste of sweet is tonifying and harmonizing. Ginseng is an example of an herb that is sweet and that enters the lung and spleen channels. This herb will tonify chi because the lungs control chi and the spleen extracts nutritive chi from food. Tang Kuei is an example of a sweet herb that enters the liver channel. It will tonify blood because the liver stores the blood. Cooked Rehmannia is a sweet herb that enters the kidney channel. Its effect will tonify yang because kidneys are the root of yang. Bitter herbs bring things down. Antitussives, like Coltsfoot, are examples of bitter herbs entering the lung channel that help to stop coughing. Pungent is yang and drives things outward. The diaphoretics are examples of pungent herbs that enter the lung channel and therefore drive out acute cold or flu. They drive out the first stages of colds or flu by sweating. Pungent promotes circulation. Cayenne pepper is an example of a pungent herb that enters the heart channel and therefore increases circulation of blood. If the pungent herb entered the spleen or lung channels it would increase circulation of chi. Magnolia bark is one of the chi regulating herbs that has this action. Salty softens hardness. Kelp is an example of a salty herb that can help dissolve masses and swollen lymph nodes. A salty herb entering the stomach or liver channels would soften blood stasis or food accumulation. Mirabilitum is an example of a salty herb entering the large intestine that treats hard constipation. Bland taste acts as a diuretic, promoting urination. Parsley is an example of a bland herb that enters the bladder channel and increases urination. Sour taste in Chinese medicine acts as an astringent to stop abnormal discharge of body substances. Schizandra is an example of a sour herb entering the kidney channel that can help balance problems of nocturnal emission, because kidneys store the essence and are responsible for reproduction. The 'properties' of the herb would also be coordinated with the channel and affected organ system. Hot and warm are yang and would tend to balance a cold or stagnant dis-ease process. Cold and cool are yin and would harmonize acute inflammation, etc. From the 'taste' of the herb (sweet, bitter, pungent, salty, bland or sour), from the 'property’ of the herb (hot, warm, neutral, cool or cold) and the energy channel and organ system the herb enters, the function of the herb can be determined. From this information the clinical use of the herb can be determined. However, the constitution of the person consuming the herb must also be understood before the complete theoretical effect of an herb is known. Basic Oriental Herbal Theories With a basic understanding of chi, blood, yin and yang, the relative strength or intensity of an herb can be understood in terms of deficiencies and excess. You could have chi deficiency, yang excess, yin deficiency, etc. Simply stated deficiencies / vacuities are reinforced by tonification and excesses are reduced by sedation. Eight Principles There are eight principles used to locate the depth of a dis-ease and its strength. These principles range from: 1) yin, cold, deficient and internal (chronic); 2) yang, hot, excess and external. With this in mind, an energetic picture emerges rather than naming of disease as a static and fixed thing. Five Phases In Oriental herbal theory the five phases of wood, fire, earth, metal and water can be considered to contain all phenomena. This is pertinent to acu-point manipulation for energy balancing. Three Humors Diseases can be understood as being involved in one or more of the three humors of chi, blood and bodily fluids. These are very similar to the Ayurvedic concepts of the doshas of vata, pitta and kapha. Chi diseases, as with vata conditions in Ayurveda, comprise the most common disease states, because the chi (prana) is so powerful it can easily cause imbalance. Rising chi (rebellious) conditions include vomiting, vertigo, headaches and hiccups. Stagnant chi can be treated with harmonizing herbs or carminatives and stimulants. Chi dis-eases are also responsible for various mental, emotional and nervous disorders, which make them the most difficult to cure. Blood diseases include circulatory problems, stagnant blood or bleeding. Symptoms commonly include edema, menstrual problems, pelvic pains and purplish discolorations. This would also include lymphatic and cellular metabolism, which can play a role in the occurrence of tumors, cysts and cancers. For this category, blood moving and blood regulating or blood tonics and toxin clearing herbs can be used. Fluid diseases affect general fluid metabolism of the urinary and excretory systems. Fluid imbalances can also cause vomiting, palpitation, headaches, fatigue, expectoration, joint pain and stiffness, asthma, cough and thirst. Other symptoms are edema, arthritis and sweating. Treatment includes the use of herbs that eliminate excess fluid like diuretics, diaphoretics and expectorants. Purgatives can also be used for certain excess conditions. Six Stages An important theoretical development in Oriental herbology is the six stages of disease. (Disease can theoretically begin at any stage). This is from the book called Treatise on the Treatment of Acute Diseases Caused by Cold. The six stages are: 1) Greater yang (tai yang) when an external pathogen first attacks the body’s surface. Signs and symptoms are chills, fevers, stiffness and headache. The meridians affected are the urinary bladder (down the spine) and small intestine (neck and across the shoulders.) Treatment is with diaphoretic sweating herbs. 2) Lesser yang (shao yang). Its common symptoms are chronic imbalances where there is a combination of excess and deficiency, cold and heat, internal and external. The gallbladder and triple warmer are the meridians involved. They are the next layer under the tai yang surface. Harmonizing herbal therapy is used. 3) Sunlight yang (yang ming). It is more common for disease to go from the tai yang to yang ming than to go to stage two. The meridians affected are the stomach and large intestine. Common signs are extreme heat with no chill, abdominal pain and constipation. Purgative therapy is used. 4) As the imbalance moves into the deeper yin phase, this becomes greater yin (tai yin). Common signs are chills and abdominal distention. The meridians involved are the Lung and spleen. Internal warming therapy is used with tonics and warm stimulants. 5) Lesser yin (shao yin) has common signs of weak pulse, anxiety, diarrhea, cold extremities. The meridians affected are the kidney and heart. Internal warming tonics are used. 6) Absolute yin (jue yin). Common signs are thirst, difficult urination and physical collapse. The meridians affected are the pericardium and liver. Internal warming tonics are used. FOUR STAGES Several centuries after the book on the six stages of disease induced by cold, physicians began to think heat could also be a causative factor and the book Treatise on Feverish Diseases was published. This system described four stages: wei, chi, ying and blood. Wei and chi stages correspond to some extent to the three yang stages described on the treatise on cold. The wei stage (wei chi is the protective energy) of disease is a surface ailment where there are signs of heat, rapid pulse, colored mucus and thirst. It is treated with cooling diaphoretic formulas. In the chi stage, the heat pathogen has penetrated deeper. In this stage, fever is firm, tongue coat is thicker and there is a more rapid pulse. The ailment is partly surface and partly interior. Ying is the nutritive phase of the more substantive component of the surface defense, harmonizing with the wei chi. Symptoms of pathogenic heat affecting the ying includes dizziness, headaches, nausea and pain. When pathogenic heat reaches the blood, it is firmly in the system. Common symptoms are spontaneous bleeding, skin diseases, inflammations of the throat and mucus membranes and nervous disorders. Syndromes can be differentiated according to the fundamental properties of chi, blood, yang, yin and essence (jing). The chi can become deficient resulting in reduced functioning of bodily systems. It can become stagnant reflected in a wiry pulse or it can move in the wrong direction. Blood can be deficient, showing pale tongue and thready pulse. It can congeal producing fixed stabbing pain, hard masses, tumors and cysts. It can become hot, producing excessive movement that causes bleeding. The yang can become deficient which is similar to deficient chi with the addition of cold. In an excess yang condition there are general signs of heat. Deficient yin is when all bodily fluids are insufficient. It manifests dryness and heat. Excess yin manifests as general damp, a sign of too much fluid in the body. Deficiency of essence produces inappropriate maturation, reproductive dysfunctions, brittle bones and premature aging. Six External Pathogens Wind, cold, fire, damp, dry and summer heat are the six external pernicious influences. Wind is like environmental wind and can cause neurological disorders or, as the air principle, can carry air born pathogens. Cold causes things to congest. Heat causes a lot of activity in the body. Fire rises up and out. Damp like rain is wet, heavy and stagnating. It can manifest as phlegm (similar to ama in Ayurveda). Phlegm can collect and obstruct the lungs producing cough and asthma. In the meridians, it can produce hemiplegia, numbness of limbs, paralysis, and subcutaneous layers of soft, movable ‘phlegm nodules’. Internal Seven Emotional Influences The internal pernicious influences are the negative emotions of: fear, affecting the kidneys; excessive thinking and worry, affecting the stomach/spleen; excitement and pleasure, affecting the heart; anger/depression and frustration, affecting the liver; and sadness and grief, affecting the lungs. Any of these emotions can cause imbalance if they are very intense or persist over a long period of time. Organ Related Functional Imbalances Imbalances can be differentiated by the complexities of related organ functions. Yin organs include the heart that stores shen, houses the mind, consciousness and memory. It controls the blood, vessels and circulation. Some basic signs of the heart disorders are palpitations, mental activity, shen disturbances, circulation, dream disturbed sleep and insomnia. Patterns of disharmony are: Deficient heart chi, yang, blood and/or yin; congealed heart blood; cold mucus confusing the heart openings (possible symptoms of empty gazing); hot mucus confusing the heart openings (symptoms of irrational behavior with possible violence); hyperactivity of the fire of the heart. The lungs rule skin, body hair and chi. Common basic signs of lung disorders are cough, shortness of breath, mucus problems and hemoptysis (coughing blood). Patterns of disharmony include: cold in the lungs; heat in the lungs; wind in the lungs (these can combine as wind/cold or wind/heat); damp phlegm in the lungs; deficient lung chi; deficient lung yin. The kidneys rule reproduction, growth and development and bodily fluids, bones and teeth. They store essence. Common basic signs of disorder are: ringing in the ears, poor hearing, premature aging, reproductive problems, low back and knee pain, bone and urinary problems. Patterns of disharmony: deficient kidney chi, yang, yin and/or essence. The kidneys only suffer from deficiencies, not any excesses. The spleen rules muscles, flesh and the four limbs, governs blood by keeping it in place, keeps internal organs in place, helps create blood and has to do with the sense of taste. Some basic signs of disorder are digestion, muscles/flesh, diarrhea, anorexia, prolapse, and/or blood out of pathways. Patterns of disharmony: deficient spleen chi or yang; spleen damp; damp heat in the spleen; spleen unable to govern blood. The liver rules tendons, nails, menstrual flow and the smooth flow of chi. It regulates the volume and circulation of the blood and stores blood. It harmonizes emotions. Common basic signs of disorder are stagnation of chi and blood, vision, pain in flanks, numbness, dizziness, heavy menses, nails, tendons, painful breast or genitals and emotional anger, depression, irritation or frustration. Patterns of disharmony: Deficient liver blood or yin; liver fire rising; stagnant liver chi; liver invading the spleen; liver wind; cold in the liver channel. The yang organs are more superficial. They transform and drain substances but do not store them (with the exception of the gallbladder). This means they transform (for nutritional absorption) and dispose of food and drink. The yang organs include the small intestine that separates the pure from the impure. Common signs of small intestine disorders are digestion and absorption problems and blood in the urine. Pattern of disharmony is heat being transferred from the heart to the small intestine. The large intestine receives materials from the small intestine, absorbs fluids and excretes feces. Some basic signs of disorder are constipation, intestinal rumbling and diarrhea. Patterns of disharmony: damp heat in the large intestine; stasis in the large intestine; stagnation of blood and heat in the large intestine. The stomach receives and decomposes food and fluids and is, therefore, involved in digestion and absorption. Some common basic signs of disharmony are indigestion, belching, nausea and vomiting. Patterns of disharmony: retention of food in the stomach; retention of fluid in the stomach due to cold. The gallbladder rules decision making, stores and excretes bile into the small intestine and helps the liver to promote smooth flow of chi. Some common basic signs of disharmony are spasms and jaundice. Pattern of disharmony is damp-heat in the gallbladder. The urinary bladder stores and discharges urine. Some common signs of disharmony are urinary dysfunctions. Patterns of disharmony: damp heat in the urinary bladder, disturbance in the function of the urinary bladder. The advantage of an energetic Oriental medical picture is the simplicity to discern disharmony and restore balance. This is artful skill with the most sensitive machine nature has produced - the human mind, body and consciousness. CLASSIFICATION OF THE HERBAL MEDICINALS IN THE ACU-POLARITY OFFICE HERB LIST 1. Acanthopanax - (p.88) 2. Achyranthes - (p.119) 3. Aconite - (p.102) 4. Acorus - (p.12, 129) 5. Actinolitum - (p.135) 6. Agastache - (p.107) 7. Agrimony – (p.117) 8. Ailanthi - (p.145) 9. Akebia - (p.94) 10. Akebia Fruit - (p.108) 11. Albizzia Bark - (p.125) 12. Albizzia Flower - (p.126) 13. Alisma - (p.94) 14. Allium - (p.38) 15. Aloe - (p.10, 85) 16. Alpina Fruit - (p.135) 17. Amla – (p.10) 18. Amomum - (p.96) 19. Andrographis – (p.46) 20. Anemarrhena - (p.53) 21. Anemone - (p.106) 22. Angelica Root - (p.38) 23. Angelica Du Huo - (p.89) 24. Apricot Seed - (p.82) 25. Arctium Seed - (p.46) 26. Ardisia - (p.89) 27. Areca Seed - (p.108, 130) 28. Arillus Longan - (p.142) 29. Artemisia - (p.75) 30. Artemisia Argyi (p.116) 31. Asarum - (p.39) 32. Ashwagandha - (p.11, 136) 33. Asparagus Root - (p.140) 34. Aster Root - (p.82) 35. Astragalus - (p.130) 36. Atractylodes - (p.106) 37. Atractylodes Alba - (p.131) 38. Bamboo - (p.78) 39. Barley Sprouts - (p.114) 40. Belamcanda - (p.68) 41. Benincasa - (p.95) 42. Bibhitaki – (p.11) 43. Bidens - (p.67) 44. Biota Seed – (p.125) 45. Biota Leaf – (p.116) 46. Bitter Orange - (p.109) 47. Bitter Orange, Immature (p.109) 48. Brahmi (p.12) 49. Bupleurum - (p.48) 50. Burdock (p.13) 51. Calamus – (p.12, 129) 52. Cannabis Seed - (p.87) 53. Capillaris - (p.95) 54. Cardamom Cluster - (p.105) 55. Cardamom Fruit - (p.105) 56. Carthamus (p.119) 57. Cascara Sagrada (p.13) 58. Cassia Seed - (p.54) 59. Cattail - (p.117) 60. Celosia (p.53) 61. Chamomile Flowers (p.13) 62. Chaenomeles - (p.90) 63. Chrysanthemum - (p.48) 64. Chyavanprash – (p.14) 65. Cimicifuga - (p.48) 66. Cinnamon Bark - (p.102) 67. Cinnamon Twig - (p.40) 68. Cistanche - (p.134) 69. Citrus Peel - (p.110) 70. Citrus Peel, Unripe - (p.110) 71. Citrus Seed - (p.111) 72. Cleavers – (p.14) 73. Clematis - (p.90) 74. Cloves - (p.103) 75. Cnidium Fruit - (p.136) 76. Codonopsis - (p.132) 77. Coix Seed - (p.896) 78. Coltsfoot - (p.14, 83) 79. Comfrey – (p.15) 80. Coptis - (p.58) 81. Cordyceps - (p.134) 82. Corni - (p.146) 83. Cervi Cornu - (p.134) 84. Corydalis - (p.120) 85. Crataegus - (p.114) 86. Curculigo - (p.134) 87. Curcuma - (p.121) 88. Cuscuta - (p.136) 89. Cyathula - (p.119) 90. Cynanchi - (p.62) 91. Cyperus - (p.111) 92. Dandelion - (p.15, 68) 93. Dang Gui - (p.144) 94. Dang Gui Tails - (p.144) 95. Dendrobie - (p.139) 96. Dianthus - (p.96) 97. Dichroa - (p.75) 98. Dioscorea - (p.132) 99. Dipsacus - (p.137) 100. Dragon Blood - (p.118) 101. Drynaria - (p.135) 102. Earth, Ignited Yellow - (p.116) 103. Echinacea – (p.15) 104. Eclipta - (p.) 105. Elder -(p.16) 106. Elecampane - (p.76) 107. Ephedra - (p.41) 108. Epimedium - (p.135) 109. Equiseti - (p.49) 110. Eucommia - (p.138) 111. Euryale - (p145.) 112. Evodia - (p.103) 113. Eyebright – (p.16) 114. Fennel Seed - (p.104, 138) 115. Fenugreek – (p.17) 116. Forsythia - (p.69) 117. Fo-Ti - (p.143) 118. Frankincense - (p.126) 119. Fraxinus - (p.59) 120. Fritillary, Chuan - (p.79) 121. Fritillary, Zhe - (p.79) 122. Gambir - (p.127) 123. Ganoderma - (p.133) 124. Gardenia - (p.55) 125. Garlic – (p.17) 126. Gastrodia - (p.127) 127. Gentian Root- (p.59) 128. Gentiana Macrophylla - (p.91) 129. Ginkgo Leaf - (p.145) 130. Ginkgo Nut - (p.145) 131. Ginger, Dry - (p. 104) 132. Ginger, Fresh - (p.17, 41) 133. Ginger, Brown - Pao Jiang 134. Ginseng, American - (p.140) 135. Ginseng, Siberian - (p.130) 136. Ginseng, Tienchi - (p.116) 137. Ginseng - (p.118) 138. Glenditsia Spica - (p.53) 139. Golden Seal – (p.18) 140. Gota Kola – (p.198) 141. Green Tea 142. Grifolia - (p.92) 143. Guan Zhong - (p.69) 144. Guggul – (p.18) 145. Gypsum - (p.55) 146. Halloysitum - (p.114) 147. Haritake – (p19) 147. Hawthorn Berries - (p.114) 148. Hematite - (p.126) 149. Honeysuckle - (p.70) 150. Horsetail - (p.49) 151. Hordia - (p.114) 152. Houttuynia - (p.70) 153. Imperata - (p.116) 154. Isatis Leaf - (p.71) 155. Isatis Root - (p.71) 156. Jujube, Black - (p.134) 157. Jujube, Red - (p.134) 158. Juncus - (p.97) 159. Justicia - (p.75) 160. Kochia Fruit- (p.97) 161. Laminaria - (p.78) 162. Leonurus - (p.119) 163. Licorice - (p.134) 164. Ligusticum Wallichii - (p.122) 165. Ligusticum - (p.42) 166. Ligustrum - (p,139) 167. Lily - (p.139) 168. Lindera Root - (p.108) 169. Lithospermum - (p.62) 170. Loadstone (p.125) 171. Lobelia - (p.98, 128) 172. Lonicera - (p.108) 173. Lophatheri - (p.56) 174. Loquat Leaf - (p.83) 175. Loranthus - (p.91) 176. Lotus Leaf - (p.74) 177. Lotus Node - (p.116) 178. Lotus Seed - (p.19, 145) 179. Lycii Berries - (p.141) 180. Lycium Root Bark - (p.63) 181. Lycopi 182. Lysimachia - (p.98) 183. Ma Huang – (p.41) 184. Madder Root - (p.118) 185. Magnolia Bark - (p.112) 186. Magnolia Flowers - (p.43) 187. Massa Fermentata - (p.114) 188. Mastic - (p.121) 189. Melia - (p.108) 190. Milk Thistle – (p.20) 191. Millettia - (p.119) 192. Mint - (p.50) 193. Mirabilitum - (p.86) 194. Morinda - (p.135) 195. Moutan - (p.63) 196. Mulberry Leaf - (p.50) 197. Mulberry Fruit - (p.142) 198. Mulberry Twig - (p.92) 199. Mulberry Rootbark - (p.84) 200. Mullein – (p.20) 201. Mume - (p.145) 202. Mung Bean - (p.74) 203. Mustard Seed - (p.77) 204. Myrrh - (p.122) 205. Neem – (p.21) 206. Notopterygium - (p.43) 207. Oldenlandia - (p.75) 208. Ophiopogon - (p.141) 209. Oryza – (p.114) 210. Patrinia - (p.72) 211. Patchouli - (p.107) 212. Peach Seed - (p.123) 213. Peony, Red - (p.65) 214. Peony, White - (p.142) 215. Peppermint – (p.21) 216. Perilla Leaf - (p.44) 217. Perilla Seed - (p.84) 218. Peucedanum - (p.80) 219. Persica - (p.122) 220. Phaseolus, Aduki Bean - (p.) 221. Phellodendron - (p.60) 222. Phragmatis - (p.56) 223. Picrorhiza - (p.58) 224. Pinellia - (p.77) 225. Plantain - (p.99) 226. Platycodon - (p.80) 227. Pogostemi - (p.107) 228. Polygala - (p.127) 229. Polygonatum Root - (p,130) 230. Polygoni - (p.85) 231. Polygonum - (p.99) 232. Polygonum Multiflorum-(p.143) 233. Polygonum Stem - (p.130) 234. Polyporus - (p.100) 235. Poria Cocos - (p.100) 236. Poria Cocos, Fu Shen – (p.100) 237. Prunella - (p.57) 238. Prunus Seed - (p.87) 239. Psoralea Seed - (p.135) 240. Pseudostellaria (p.130) 241. Pueraria - (p.51) 242. Pulsatillae - (p.72) 243. Radish Seed - (p.115) 244. Raspberry Leaf – (p.21) 245. Rehmannia, Raw - (p.66) 246. Rehmannia, Cooked - (p.144) 247. Reishi - (p.117) 248. Rhubarb - (p.22, 86) 249. Rice - (p.114) 250. Rose Hips - (p.146) 251. Rubia - (p.118) 252. Saffron – (p.22) 253. Salvia - (p.119) 254. Sandalwood - (p.113) 255. Sanguisorba (p.116) 256. Sargassum - (p.81) 257. Sarsaparilla - (p.73) 258. Saussurea - (p.113) 259. Saw Palmetto - (p.139) 260. Schizandra - (p.147) 261. Schizonepeta - (p.44) 262. Scrophularia - (p.66) 263. Scutellaria - (p.60) 264. Scute Barbata - (p.73) 265. Selanginellae 266. Senna - (p.85) 267. Shatavari – (p.23) 268. Shilajit – (p.23) 269. Skullcap – (p.23) 270. Siler - (p.45) 271. Slippery Elm – (p.24) 272. Smilax - (p.73) 273. Solidago 274. Soy Bean - (p.52) 275. Sophora Flos - (p.116) 276. Sophora Root - (p.61) 277. Sophora Seed - (p.58) 278. Sparganium - (p.119) 279. Stellaria - (p.67) 280. Stemona - (p.85) 281. Stephania - (p.92) 282. Talcum - (p.101) 283. Tang Kuei – (p.144) 284. Tienchi Ginseng - (p.118) 285. Tokoro - (p.93) 286. Tribulus - Bai Ji Li 287. Trichosanthis Root - (p.81) 288. Trikatu – (p.24) 289, Triphala – (p.25) 290. Turmeric - (p.25, 123) 291. Vaccaria - (p.116) 292 Valerian – (p.25) 293. Verbvana - (p.75) 294. Violet - (p.73) 295. Vitex Fruit, Viticus - (p.52, 123) 296. Walnuts - (p.139) 297. Watermelon - (p.75) 298. Wheat - (p.145) 299. Wheat (Levis) - (p.145) 300. Xanthium - (p.93) 301. Yarrow – (p.26) 302. Zedoria - (p.124) 303. Zizyphus - (p.125)  This book is for those who would like to know some Fundamentals about Oriental Medicine and the herbs of the Acu-Polarity office and more.