Herbs That Drain Dampness
TCM Materia Medica
Herbs That Drain Dampness - Herbal Functional Grouping (23 herbs)
Herbs That Drain Dampness General Introduction
- There are two main types of dampness:
- Accumulation of fluids in the body - edema, congested fluids (respiratory and digestive system).
- These herbs are good for edema below the waist in the lower extremities.
- Acute edema should be combined with herbs that release the exterior.
- Chronic edema should be combined with herbs that tonify qi and yang of spleen and kidneys.
- Dampness complicated with heat - combine with clearing damp-heat herbs.
- Heat signs of fever, burning sensation, yellow discharges with stagnation symptoms of distention and fullness.
- Lin syndrome (painful urination), Shi Wen (warm febrile disease), damp sores and jaundice all fit under this category.
- The main method of treatment is to increase the production of urine.
- Use with caution in cases of yin deficiency and/or depleted fluids.
Herbs That Drain Dampness Section Summary / Study Notes
- Fu Ling and Zhu Ling - promote urination.
- Fu Ling - strengthens the spleen, calms the heart.
- Zhu Ling - not tonifying, slightly cold, used exclusively to promote urination and expel dampness.
- Fu Ling and Yi Yi Ren - similar but Yi Yi Ren has a much weaker tonifying function.
- Yi Yi Ren also clears heat and treats wind-dampness.
- Mu Tong and Tong Cao - promote urination and clear heat.
- Ze Xie, Che Qian Zi, Hua Shi - promotes urination and clears damp-heat.
- Ze Xie - clears kidney fire.
- Che Qian Zi - Clears liver and lung heat.
- Hua Shi - clears summer heat.
- Guang Fang Ji and Han Fang Ji - similar.
- Guang Fang Ji - traditionally used for wind-damp.
- Han Fang Ji - edema.
- Qu Mai, Bian Xie, Shi Wei, Jin Qian Cao, Dong Kui Zi, Yu Mi Xu - for damp heat induced lin.
- Qu Mai - when heat is predominant.
- Bian Xu - heat and dampness are equally severe.
- Bei Xie - dampness is predominent.
- Jin Qian Cao and Yu Mi Xu - stone lin.
- Jin Qian Cao and Yin Chen Hao - both effective for clearing damp-heat from the liver and gallbladder - jaundice.
- Dong Kui Zi - when constipation is present.
B
- Ban Bian Lian (Lobelia)
- Bei Xie (Dioscorea Root)
- Bian Xu (Knotweed, Polygonoum)
C
- Che Qian Zi (Plantago Seeds)
- Chi Xiao Dou (Aduki Bean)
D
- Deng Xin Cao (Rush Pith)
- Di Fu Zi (Broom Cyprus Fruit)
- Dong Gua Ren (Winter Melon Seed)
- Dong Kui Zi (Musk Mallow Seeds)
F
- Fu Ling (Poria, China Root)
G
- Guang Fang Zi (Aristolochia Root, Stephania)
H
- Han Fang Zi (Stephania Root)
- Hua Shi (Talcum Powder)
J
- Jin Qian Cao (Lysimachia, Whole Plant)
M
- Mu Tong (Akebia Caulis)
Q
- Qu Mai (Dianthus)
S
- Shi Wei (Pyrrosia Leaves)
T
- Tong Cao (Rice Paper Pith)
Y
- Yin Chen Hao (Yin Chen Hao Shoots and Leaves)
- Yi Yi Ren (Seeds of Job's Tears)
- Yu Mi Xu (Cornsilk)
Z
- Ze Xie (Water Plantain Root)
- Zhu Ling (Polyporus Sclerotium)
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