Actcm Herbs 3-5H Regbl-Invig Hints

Front 1

(1) Amenorrhea
(2) Abscesses
(3) Painful bi
B.1066 C.655

Back 1

chuān shān jiǎ 穿山甲

(1) Disperses stasis, unblocks menstruation, promotes lactation [Amenorrhea*, dysmenorrhea, Bi syndrome, insufficient lactation, d/t blood stasis; Opens milk ducts, does not produce milk]
(2) Reduces swelling & discharges pus [Abscesses*, boils, toxic swellings, esp suppurative lesions ie bacterial pus, dissolves unformed pus ]
(3) Expels wind-damp from channels [Painful bi*, stiffness or spasms of limbs, pain that prevents bending or stretching]
(N) is often used in powder or pill form

CTX: Pregnancy, open sores, carbuncles

chuān(penetrate) shān(mountain) jiǎ(scales) [the animal borrows deeply into the ground]
Manitis Squama
pangolin scales

Hint 1

salty, cold
LV ST
RegBl-Invig, ObsEndang, Not in Clinic

Front 2

(1) Dysmenorrhea
(2) Pain that moves
B.599 C.614 Dr.104

Back 2

chuān xiōng 川芎

(1) Invigorates blood & moves qi [Dysmenorrhea*, hypochondriac pain, chest or flanks pain, bi, tumors, masses, amenorrhea, difficult labor, retained lochia, d/t blood stasis; Blood thinner ]
(2) Expels wind & alleviates pain [Pain that moves*, HA, dizziness, bi, skin problems d/t wind; Major herb for HA]

CTX: Yin defic fire, LV yang rising, red dry tongue & mouth; Caution: Pregnancy, easy bleeding, profuse menses

chuān(Sichuan territory) xiōng(lovage root, Chuanxiong)
Chuanxiong Rhizome
Sichuan lovage root

Hint 2

spicy, warm
LV GB PC
RegBl-Invig

Front 3

(1) Chest pain-HT/PC
(2) Insomnia
(3) Helper: Breast abscess
B.602 C.636 Dr.103

Back 3

dān shēn 丹參

(1) Invigorates blood & dispels stasis [Chest pain-HT/PC*, menstrual pain-LV, low abdom pain, chest or hypochondrial pain; Any part of body]
(2) Clears heat, nourishes blood, & calms spirit [Insomnia*, restlessness, irritability, palpitations, d/t HT blood defic, or d/t HT & KD yin defic, or d/t heat in nutri or blood levels; Heat in HT – mental issues, skin issues]
(3) Cools blood & reduces abscesses [Helper: Breast abscess*, sores]

CTX: lí lú, pregnancy

dān(cinnabar) shēn(root)
Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix
salvia root

Hint 3

bitter, sl cold
LV HT PC
RegBl-Invig

Front 4

(1) Tumors
(2) Chest & abdom pain
B.630 C.666 Dr.102

Back 4

é zhú 莪朮

(1) Breaks up stasis, promotes movement of qi, & alleviates pain [Tumors*, abdom or gastric masses, abdom pain, dysmnorrhea, amenorrhea]
(2) Moves qi, dissolves accumulation, & stops pain [Chest & abdom pain*, distention, fullness, constriction, d/t foot stagn]
(N) Strong mover of blood [*Good for tumors, very strong]

CTX: Excessive menstruation, pregnancy

é(Curcumae) zhú(Asteracea family incl bai zhu, cang zhu, & chrysanth)
Curcumae Rhizoma
curcuma rhizome

Hint 4

bitter, spicy, warm
LV SP
RegBl-Invig

Front 5

(1) Amenorrhea
B.627 C.640 Dr.105

Back 5

hóng huā 紅花
(zang hóng huā)
(1) Invigorates blood, dispels stasis, & unblocks menstruation [Amenorrhea*, abdom masses, abdom pain, trauma, dark purplish skin, no-pus sores, dysmenorrhea, heavy clotting]
(N) Dosage [*Small doses tonify blood, large doses move blood; Is often paired with táo rén]

CTX: Pregnancy, bleeding, hemorrhage, peptic ulcers

hóng(red) huā(flower)
Carthami Flos
safflower (saffron)

Hint 5

spicy, warm
LV HT
RegBl-Invig

Front 6

(1) Dysmenorrhea
(2) Paralysis d/t wind-stroke
B.604 C.663 Dr.104

Back 6

jī xuè téng 雞血藤

(1) Moves & tonifies blood, & regulates menses [Dysmenorrhea*, amenorrhea, irregular menses, abdom pain; Also nourishes & generates blood]
(2) Invigorates channels & relaxes sinews [Paralysis d/t wind-stroke* or d/t blood stasis, weak extremities in elderly, low back pain, knee pain, joint bi d/t WD, numbness, vertigo]
(N) Lowers blood pressure & increases red blood cell count [*Anemia; Is an adulterant for hóng téng (more nourishing)]

CTX: Profuse menses

jī(chicken) xuè(blood) téng(vine)
Spatholobi Caulis
spatholobus root and vine

Hint 6

bitter, sweet, warm
HT LV SP
RegBl-Invig

Front 7

(1) Amenorrhea
(2) Epigastric pain
(2) Shoulder bi
B.612 C.623 Dr.108

Back 7

jiāng huáng 薑黃

(1) Invigorates blood & unblocks menstruation [Amenorrhea*, dysmenorrhea, abdom pain, chest pain, d/t blood stasis from defic-type cold; Very effective]
(2) Moves qi & alleviates pain [Epigastric pain*, abdom pain, d/t stagnant qi]
(2) Expels wind-damp, moves blood, & unblocks bi [Shoulder bi* d/t WD; Esp upper body ]
(N) Inhibits LV viruses such as hepatitis [*Lowers blood cholesterol; Externally for treating sores]

CTX: Pregnancy

jiāng(ginger) huáng(yellow)
Curcumae longea Rhizoma
turmeric rhizome

Hint 7

bitter, spicy, warm
LV SP ST
RegBl-Invig

Front 8

(1) Pain from trauma
(2) Topical: Chronic nonhealing sores
B.636 C.628 Dr.106

Back 8

mò yào 沒藥

(1) Invigorates blood & stops pain [Pain from trauma*, fixed abdom masses, chest pain, amenorrhea, swellings, sores, carbuncles]
(2) Promotes healing [Topical: Chronic nonhealing sores]
(N) Originally from mid-east [*Often paired with rǔ xiāng]

CTX: Absence of stasis, pregnancy; Caution: Long term, weak ST d/t taste causing n/v

mò(confiscated [ie from bleeding bark]) yào(medicine)
Myrrha
myrrh

Hint 8

bitter, neutral
LV HT SP
RegBl-Invig

Front 9

(1) Amenorrhea
(2) Low back pain & soreness
(3) Nosebleed
(4) Helper for vaginal discharge
B.638 C.650 Dr.108

Back 9

niú xī 牛膝
(huái niú xī)
(1) Moves blood & transforms stasis [Amenorrhea*, dysmenorrhea, retained lochia, post-traumatic pain, injuries; Better for lower body ]
(2) Tonifies LV & KD & strengthens sinews & bones [Low back pain & soreness*, knee pain & soreness, d/t defic]
(3) Induces downward movement of blood heat [Nosebleed*, vomiting blood, dizziness, blurred vision, bleeding gums, toothaches, d/t hot blood in UJ or d/t yin defic fire rising]
(4) Clears damp-heat in LJ [Helper for vaginal discharge*, painful KD stones w/ bloody urine & low back pain, low back bi, knee pain]
(N) More tonifying [*Very strong at causing downward movement; Smoother & lighter in color ]

CTX: Excessive menstruation, pregnancy

huái懷(to cherish, mind heart bosom) niú牛(ox) xī膝(knee)
Achyranthis bidentatae Radix
aconite root

Hint 9

bitter, sour, neutral
LV KD
RegBl-Invig

Front 10

(1) Traumatic injury pain
(2) WD bi in joints
(3) Traumatic injury
B.634 C.626 Dr.106

Back 10

rǔ xiāng 乳香

(1) Invigorates blood, moves qi, stops pain [Traumatic injury pain*, chest epigastric abdom pain, swellings, sores, pain]
(2) Relaxes sinews, invigorates channels, stops pain [WD bi in joints*, spasms, rigidity]
(3) Reduces swelling & generates flesh [Traumatic injury*, wounds, sores, carbuncles, red swollen painful gums mouth throat; Topical ointment or powder]
(N) Originally from mid-east [*Is often paired with mò yào]

CTX: Absence of stasis, pregnancy; Caution: Long term, weak ST d/t taste causing n/v

rǔ(milk) xiāng(fragrance)
Olibanum
frankincense

Hint 10

bitter, spicy, warm
LV HT SP
RegBl-Invig

Front 11

(1) Abdom masses
(2) Severe abdom pain
B.632 C.664 Dr.102

Back 11

sān léng 三棱

(1) Forcefull breaks up blood stasis, moves qi, stops pain [Abdom masses*, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, postpartum abdom pain]
(2) Moves qi & dissolves accumulation [Severe abdom pain*, distension, d/t food stagn or stagn qi; Often paired with é zhú]
(N) For more advanced blood stasis [*Kidney stones]

CTX: Excessive menstruation, pregnancy; Caution: very strong, very hard on body

sān(three) léng(edges)
Sparganii Rhizoma
burr weed rhizome

Hint 11

bitter, spicy, neutral
LV SP
RegBl-Invig

Front 12

(1) Fixed abdom masses
B.656 C.668

Back 12

shuǐ zhì 水蛭

(1) Breaks up & drives out blood stasis & reduces fixed masses [Fixed abdom masses*, reproductive tumors & masses, amenorrhea, traumatic injury, bone fractures, mania; Disperses stasis, unblocks meridians & reduces masses]
(N) Very strong blood mover [*Can use live ones for headaches]

CTX: Pregnancy

shuǐ(water, river) zhì(leech)
Hirudo seu Whitmania
leech

Hint 12

salty, bitter, neutral, sl toxic
LV UB
RegBl-Invig, Not in Clinic

Front 13

(1) Swelling d/t falls fractures contusions or sprains
(2) Excessive postpartum bleeding
B.650 C.659 Dr.100

Back 13

sū mù 蘇木

(1) Invigorates blood, reduces swelling, & stops pain [Swelling d/t falls fractures contusions or sprains*, amenorrhea, postpartum abdominal pain]
(2) Stops bleeding [Excessive postpartum bleeding* w/ dizziness, vertigo, short breath]
(N) Expels stasis, unblocks meridians, & promotes healing [*Injuries & trauma, open up menstruation, post partum]

CTX: Menorrhagia heavy menstruation, pregnancy

sū(Sumatra island) mù(tree, wood)
Sappan Lignum
sappan wood

Hint 13

spicy, sweet, salty, neutral
LV HT SP
RegBl-Invig

Front 14

(1) Tumors
(2) Constipation
B.624 C.643 Dr.R

Back 14

táo rén 桃仁

(1) Breaks up blood stasis [Tumors* ie fixed abdom mass, abdom pain, menstrual, flank pain, traumatic injury, bruises, abscess; Older patients, gentle; Blood level, more lower body]
(2) Moistens intestines & unblocks bowels [Constipation*; Mild effect at best ]

CTX: Blood defic, pregnancy, profuse menses

táo(peach, Persicae) rén(seed)
Persicae Semen
peach kernal

Hint 14

bitter, sweet, neutral
LV HT LU LI
RegBl-Invig

Front 15

(1) Abdominal masses
(2) Fractures
B.657 C.671

Back 15

tǔ biē chóng 土鱉蟲
(dìe biē chóng, dì biē chóng)
(1) Breaks up & drives out blood stasis [Abdominal masses*, tumors, amenorrhea, numb & swollen tongue d/t blood stasis; Add enlarged spleen ]
(2) Knits together sinews & joins bones [Fractures*, lacerations, contusions, powder for acute lumbar strain; For tendon, ligament, & bones issues ]
(N) Profuse menses; softens hardness [*One of strongest herbs in group]

CTX: Pregnancy

tǔ(earth) biē(turtle) chóng(insect) ["earth soft-shelled turtle bug"]
Eupolyphaga seu Opisthoplatia
ground beetle

Hint 15

salty, cold, toxic
LV HT SP
RegBl-Invig, Not in Clinic

Front 16

(1) Amenorrhea
(2) Painful swellings
(+) Insufficient lactation; Opens ducts, increases flow, does not generate
B.642 C.656 Dr.109

Back 16

wáng bù liú xíng 王不留行

(1) Moves blood & invigorates channels [Amenorrhea*, difficult labor; Very moving ]
(2) Reduces swellings [Painful swellings* esp breast or testicular]
(+) Promotes lactation [Insufficient lactation; Opens ducts, increases flow, does not generate]
(N) Promotes uterine contractions [*Inhibits LU cancer; Used as ear seeds; Promotes urination-weak effect]

CTX: Pregnancy

wáng(king) bù(cannot) liú(stay) xíng(movement [ie due to movement, circulation])
Vaccariae Semen
vaccaria seeds

Hint 16

bitter, neutral
LV ST
RegBl-Invig

Front 17

(1) Amenorrhea
(2) Uterine bleeding
(3) Focal distention
B.651 C.632 Dr.111

Back 17

wǔ líng zhī 五靈脂

(1) Disperses blood stasis & stops pain [Amenorrhea*, dysmenorrhea, postpartum abdominal pain, epigastric pain; Good for any pain d/t blood stasis ]
(2) Transforms stasis & stops bleeding [Uterine bleeding*, retained lochia]
(3) Childhood nutritional impairment [Focal distention]
(N) Special [*Best placed in small bag for decocting]
(N) Very commonly used herb

CTX: rén shēn, blood defic, pregnancy

wǔ(five) líng(souls, spirits) zhī(fat)
Trogopterori Faeces
flying squirrel feces

Hint 17

bitter, sweet, warm
LV SP
RegBl-Invig

Front 18

(1) Dysmenorrhea
B.606 C.618 Dr.106

Back 18

yán hú suǒ 延胡索

(1) Invigorates blood, moves qi, & alleviates pain [Dysmenorrhea*, epigastric pain, pain in chest abdomen or limbs, pain anywhere d/t blood stasis; Calms therefore good for insomnia; Very commonly used]



CTX: Pregancy unless exceptional circumstances; Caution: Heat, qi defic

yán(extended) hú(barbarians) suǒ(large rope)
Corydalis Rhizoma
corydalis rhizome

Hint 18

bitter, spicy, warm
LV HT ST
RegBl-Invig

Front 19

(1) Irreg menstr
(2) Acute systemic edema
(3) Abscesses
B.614 C.645 Dr.107

Back 19

yì mǔ cǎo 益母草

(1) Invigorates blood, dispels stasis, & regulates menses [Irreg menstr*, PMS abdom pain, heavy menstr w/ clots, infertility, postpartum abd pain w/ retained lochia, fixed abdom masses, pain d/t traumatic injury; Very commonly used ]
(2) Promotes urination & reduces edema [Acute systemic edema*, esp w/ blood in urine; Regulates qi ]
(3) Clears heat & resolves toxic rashes [Abscesses*, sores, swellings, itchy rashes; Int or ext applic; Lowers blood pressure]

CTX: Yin defic, blood defic, pregnancy; causes uterine contractions

yì(benefit) mǔ(mother) cǎo(herb)
Leonuri Herba
Chinese motherwort

Hint 19

bitter, spicy, sl cold
LV HT UB
RegBl-Invig

Front 20

(1) Traumatic injury
(2) Nosebleed
(3) Anxiety
(4) Jaundice
(+) Depression
B.609 C.621 Dr.103

Back 20

yù jīn 鬱金

(1) Invigorates blood & stops pain [Traumatic injury*, chest abdom flank menstrual pain d/t LV qi constraint, amenorrhea, sores, abdom masses; Good at moving blood but only ok for pain]
(2) Clears heat & cools blood [Nosebleed* esp assoc w/ menstruation, vomit blood, blood in urine, d/t heat in blood level]
(3) Clears HT & opens orifices [Anxiety*, agitation, seizures, mental derangement, d/t hot phlegm obstr HT orifices; Effective for clearing HT, less effective to open orifices]
(4) Benefits GB & reduces jaundice [Jaundice*, GB ds, obsessed unclear thinking, restless, sleepless, shen issues w/ greasy tongue]
(+) Smooth LV & release constraint [Depression*, breast tenderness, PMS, d/t LV qi stagn; Good as gold for depression - see name of herb]
(N) Lowers blood cholesterol

Caution: Pregnancy

yù(constrained, tangled, tied up) jīn(gold)
Curcumae Radix
curcuma tuber

Hint 20

bitter, spicy, cold
LV HT LU
RegBl-Invig

Front 21

(1) Menstrual pain
(2) Edema: Facial edema
B.617 C.647 Dr.112

Back 21

zé lán 澤蘭

(1) Invigorates blood & dispels stasis [Menstrual pain*, pospartum abdom pain, pain d/t traumatic injuries, abscess or swelling, low back & knee pain - effective ]
(2) Promotes urination [Edema: Facial edema*, systemic , menstrual related, postpartum, painful urinary dribbling w/ edema; Good for water retention due to blood stasis ]
(N) Very moving aromatic herb

Caution: Blood defic, absence of blood stasis

zé(marsh) lán(orchid)
Lycopi Herba
bugleweed

Hint 21

bitter, spicy, sl warm, aromatic
LV SP
RegBl-Invig

Front 22

(1) Fractures
B.647 C.634 Dr.108

Back 22

zì rán tóng 自然銅

(1) Dispels blood stasis & promotes healing of bones & sinews [Fractures*, pain & swellings d/t external injury, tendon ligament muscle damage]
(N) Prepared powders or pills are best

No noted CTX

zì(from, self) rán(right, correct) tóng(copper) ["natural copper"]
Pyritum
pyrite

Hint 22

bitter, spicy, neutral
LV KD
RegBl-Invig