Homework Study Guide for Week 3
Please answer as much of this “non-test” as you can without books and notes, and then complete the rest with the resources you have at hand, and bring the completed study guide to class. I will look these over between classes and give you feedback on your answers.
1. What are the 3 herbs that we studied in the exterior releasing category that have the action of lifting and guiding the action of the formula upward? What is the difference between them?
Do you remember the other herb that “lifts” that is a qi tonic? What formula has the main function of “lifting” and is used for situations where qi sinks down or into the interior? (hint: all 3 of these herbs are in this formula)
2. Which of the exterior releasing herbs enters the UB channel and is particularly used for external wind-cold headaches? On which part of the head would this headache probably be felt?
3. Name 5 common symptoms of a wind-cold exterior condition? How do these symptoms differ from the symptom pattern that you would see with a wind-heat condition?
4. Which formula are you going to give someone who comes in to your office with an acute rigid stiff neck that occurred in the morning after sleeping at night with the window open on a cold night? The formula is also used for allergic rhinitis. Please write out the formula ingredients and dosages. What herb in this formula is usually left out of modern versions of the formula, and why?
5. What 2 herbs are often used together as a pair in wind-heat formulas to disperse wind and clear heat, and that also calm the Liver and clear the eyes?
6. What 2 herbs are often used as a pair to transform phlegm and stop cough? One is a seed that stops cough and also moistens the bowels, and the other is a common and very useful herb for opening and disseminating the Lung Qi (circulates the Lung qi).
7. What herb opens and raises the Lung qi? (another herb that is upward in its trajectory).
8. Why is Dan Zhu Ye included in the formula Yin Qiao San?
9. Bo He is field mint. It is a little different from the mint that we used in herbal teas, but not greatly dissimilar. It is used in Chinese herb formulas for both internal and external patterns. What is it’s temperature and actions, and what channels does it enter? In an internal disorder, what kind of symptom pattern would it be appropriate for?
10. Bo He, Chai Hu and Sang Ye all have the similar function in clearing wind heat in the upper burner. What are the differences between them?
11. What formula is used in exterior wind cold when it exacerbates chronic water metabolism problems, leading to symptoms of excessive fluids like copious white sputum, stifling sensation in chest, body heaviness, maybe wheezing?
12. Explain how Gui Zhi and Bai Shao work together as the main herbs in Gui Zhi Tang.
13. What is the difference in use between Gui Zhi Tang and Ren Shen Bai Du San for exterior wind cold problems? What type of person might do better with Ren Shen Bai Du San? What is the symptom pattern that would make you choose Ren Shen Bai Du San?
14. Please explain what it means to regulate the protective and nutritive qi in order to facilitate expulsion of the pathogen. What 2 herbs are commonly employed for this use in exterior wind cold patterns?
15. Many of the exterior releasing herbs are added to the base formula to address specific symptoms of the wind cold or wind heat. What herbs would you think of adding for the following presentations and why:
Headache or pain at the eyebrow area (including sinus blockage here)
Wind cold damp body aches
Wind heat sore throat
Wind heat with red eyes
Thirst and dryness from wind heat damaging the fluids
Early stage wind heat cough
16. When would you use Sang Ju Yin instead of Yin Qiao San, for early wind heat? In other words, how would the symptom pattern be different?
17. What is the function of Lian Qiao in both Sang Ju Yin and Yin Qiao San?
18. Jing Jie is included in many formulas for exterior releasing, both wind heat and wind cold. Why is it useful in both situations? Compare this herb to Zi Su Ye.
19. Exterior releasing wind herbs are drying in general. There is one herb that is considered more moistening, or less drying. It is used in many situations where wind is an issue, both internal wind and external wind. You will also see it come up as a major herb in intestinal wind, to help dispel the tenesmus/spasms and stop diarrhea. What herb is this?
20. What is the difference between using Ma Huang and Gui Zhi in exterior wind cold formulas? Why would you use one or the other?