Aromatic Herbs that Transform Dampness

Introduction

• Discusses herbs dealing with dampness in the middle jiao (MJ).
• Spleen's action of T&T (transformation and transportation) relates to transforming dampness.
• Aromatic property awakens and arouses the spleen for transforming dampness.
• Various categories dealt with dampness:
  • Clear heat and dry dampness: Use bitter flavor to clear damp heat in different locations.
  • Drain dampness: Promote urination, treat water retention, edema, etc.
  • Dispel wind dampness: External dampness in channels and joints causing pain.
  • Aromatic herbs: Specific for dampness in the middle jiao.

Properties and Effectiveness

• Strong fragrant smell (aromatic) to revive spleen's function.
• Should be added during the last 5 minutes of cooking to preserve aroma.
• Treat symptoms like abdominal distension, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, loose stools.

Terminology

• Transform Dampness: Elimination or removal of dampness, not a metamorphosis.
• Drying Dampness: Stronger action than transforming dampness, uses a bitter flavor.
  • Near synonymous with dispelling.

Properties of Aromatic Herbs

• Strong, fragrant smell.
• Fragrance revives spleen for movement and transformation.
• Generally warm in temperature to support spleen (dislikes cold).
• Added during the last 5 minutes of cooking (some exceptions).
• Taste: Acrid (dispersing, moving), Aromatic (reviving), Bitter (drying).
• Entering channels: Spleen and Stomach.
• Main actions: Revive the spleen to transform dampness and move Qi through the MJ.

Cautions and Contraindications

• Overuse can dry out the body too much, caution with Yin deficiency.
• Excessive movement can exhaust Qi, caution with Qi deficiency.
• Some herbs should be added at the end of cooking.

Key Herbs in the Category

1. Cāng Zhú (Átractylodis Rhizoma)

• Strongly dries dampness, strengthens the spleen.
• Use for middle jiao dampness and lower jiao damp heat.
• Can combine with cooler herbs for damp heat.
• Dispels wind dampness from channels/muscles, mild action of sweating.
• Brightens eyes (controversial, often used with liver for efficacy).
• Guiding herb for spleen/stomach.

2. Hòu Pò (Magnolia Officinalis Cortex)

• Magnolia bark, moves Qi, dries dampness.
• Moves middle jiao Qi stagnation or food stagnation downward.
• Transforms phlegm, stops cough due to phlegm obstructing the lung.
• Caution with pregnancy due to downward action.
• Channels: Spleen, Stomach, Lung.

3. Huò Xiāng (Pogostemonis/Agastachis Herba)

• Patchouli, transforms middle jiao dampness, releases exterior.
• Good for nausea, vomiting, summer heat, stomach flu.
• Harmonizes middle jiao, mild action of releasing exterior.
• Channels: Spleen, Stomach, Lung.
• Add last 5 minutes of cooking.

Cardamom-like Herbs

4. Shā Rén (Amomi Fructus)

• Transforms middle jiao dampness, moves Qi, warms middle jiao.
• Calms restless fetus, prevents miscarriage.
• Prevents stagnation in tonifying formulas.
• Add last 5 minutes and crush before decocting.

5. Bái Dòu Kòu (Amomi Fructus Rotundus)

• Similar to Shā Rén, better for nausea and vomiting.
• Crush before decocting.

6. Cǎo Dòu Kòu (Alpiniae Katsumadai Semen)

• Dries dampness, moves Qi, warms middle jiao.
• Stronger than Bái Dòu Kòu, very warm and drying.
• Crush before decocting, add last 5 minutes.

7. Cǎo Guǒ (Tsaoko Fructus)

• Strongly dries dampness, disperses cold.
• Transforms phlegm cold in the lung, checks malaria.
• Food stagnation from overconsumption of meat (meat stagnation).
• Name means 'grass fruit'.
• Very good at warming and drying dampness.
• Crush before decocting.

Formulas Featuring Aromatic Herbs

Píng Wèi Sǎn (Calm the Stomach Powder)

• For dampness in spleen/stomach.
• Symptoms: distension, loss of taste, appetite, loose stools, fatigue, etc.
• Herbs: Cāng Zhú, Hòu Pò, Chén Pí, Gān Cǎo.

Huò Xiāng Zhèng Qì Sǎn (Agastache Powder to Rectify the Qi)

• For external wind-cold with internal dampness.
• Symptoms: fever, chills, headache, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting.
• Herbs: Huò Xiāng, Hòu Pò, among others.

Èr Miāo Sǎn (Two-Marvel Powder)

• For lower jiao damp heat.
• Symptoms: pain in lower extremities, swollen feet, thick yellow vaginal discharge.
• Herbs: Cāng Zhú and Huáng Bǎi.

Review

• Main herbs: Cāng Zhú, Hòu Pò, Huò Xiāng.
• Cardamom herbs: Shā Rén, Bái Dòu Kòu, Cǎo Dòu Kòu, Cǎo Guǒ.
• Actions: Revive spleen, transform dampness, move Qi.
• Warming properties to suit spleen needs.

Additional Resources

• Review courses available for single herbs and formulas.
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