The ENERGETICS OF

WESTERN HERBS
Treatment Strategies
Integrating Western and Oriental
Herbal Medicine

PETER HOLMES

Revised Third Edition

Vol. 1

Snow Lotus Press

Boulder

Important Notice
The information contained in this book is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat or
prescribe, and does not purport to replace the services of a duly trained physician or practitioner. The
information presented herein is correct and accurate to the authors knowledge up to the time of printing. As
herbal medicine (like everything else) is in constant development, however, it is possible that new information
may cause future modifications to become neccessary.
The only Chinese medical terms that have been retained in their original form is the word Qi, pronouced
chee and meaning breath(s) or vital force(s), and the terms Yin and Yang.
Acknowledgement is made for permission to reprint the following:
From Henri Leclerc, Prcis de phytothrapie, 1983 Masson; reprinted by permission of Masson et Cie.,
Paris, France.
From Virgil Vogel, American Indian Medicine, 1970 Virgil Vogel; reprinted by permission of the
University of Oklahoma Press, Norman.
From Georg Harig, Bestimmung der Intensitt im Medizinischen System Galens, 1974 Georg Harig;
reprinted by permission of the author, Berlin, Germany.
From Merlin Stone, Ancient Mirrors of Womanhood, 1979 Merlin Stone; reprinted by permission of
Beacon Press, Boston.
Herb illustrations by Hazel Thornley
Cover art by Ken Bernstein
Cover calligraphy by Li Ming-lee
Cover design by Peter Holmes
Woodcut illustrations from Leonhardt Fuchs Kreuterbuch
FOURTH REVISED EDITION
Copyright 1989, 1993, 1997, 2000, 2004 Peter Holmes
Plant illustrations 1989, 1997, 2000, 2004 Hazel Thornley
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage or retrieval system,
without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.
ISBN 1-890029-06-8
Library of Congress Number 89-080816
10 9 8 7 6 5
Published by Snow Lotus Press, Inc.
P.O. Box 1824
Boulder, Colorado, U.S.A.
303/443-9289
snowlotus.org
Manufactured in the United States of America

Contents

The Materia Medica 12

Acknowledgments 21
Foreword: Rediscovering our Traditional Greek Medicine Roots, by Stephen Fulder, Ph.D 23
Foreword: An Historical Overview, by Ted Kaptchuk, O.M.D. 24
Foreword: The Value of Integration, by Randall Barolet, O.M.D. 25

PART ONE

Integrating Western and Oriental Herbal Medicine Traditions

1

Prologue 29
Herbal Medicine East and West: Medical Philosophy 39
Western and Oriental Thought: Complementary Paradigms
Oriental and Greek Medical Concepts

Herbal Medicine East and West: Medical Theories 49

The Two Paradigms: Phenomenology and Analysis
The Two Polarities
Essential Traditional Chinese and Greek Medical Terms

The Meaning of Integration 61

The Need for Integrating both Paradigms
The Two Keys to Integration
Working with both Paradigms within a New Context
Integration and Localization

The Materia Medica Reclassified 71

Present and Past Classifications of the Materia Medica
Reclassifying the Materia Medica
The Twenty-Four Herb Classes

The Integral Presentation 79

The Herbs Definition and Nomenclature
The Herbs Nature
The Herbs Functions and Indications
The Herbs Preparations

Sources and Antecedents 97

The Wise Woman Tradition
The Greek Medicine Tradition
Primary Historical Sources

Guidelines to Herb Administration 111

Herb Selection
Duration
Preparation

Dosage
Herb Combining
8

Preparation Forms and Uses 121

Preparations for Internal Use
Preparations for External Use
Endnotes 138

PART TWO

The Materia Medica

Guidelines to Using the Materia Medica 145
Herbs for Eliminating 147
Class 1
Class 2
Class 3
Class 4
Class 5
Class 6

Herbs to Promote Sweating, Dispel Wind-Cold/Heat and Reduce Fever 151

Diaphoretics
Herbs to Promote Urination, Drain Water and Relieve Edema 183
Diuretics
Herbs to Promote Bowel Movement, Resolve Accumulation and Relieve Constipation 199
Laxatives
Herbs to Promote Expectoration, Resolve Phlegm and Relieve Coughing 217
Expectorants
Herbs to Promote Menstruation and Relieve Amenorrhea 247
Emmenagogues
Herbs to Cause Vomiting 263
Emetics

Herbs for Restoring 267

Class 7
Class 8
Class 9
Class 10

Herbs to Tonify the Qi, Replenish Deficiency and Generate Strength 270
Restoratives
Herbs to Tonify the Yang, Dispel Cold and Generate Warmth 335
Stimulants
Herbs to Nourish the Blood, Replenish Deficiency and Generate Growth 409
Nutritives
Herbs to Nourish the Yin, Moisten Dryness and Generate Moisture 447
Demulcents
VOLUME II

Herbs for Draining 497

Class 11
Class 12

Herbs to Activate the Qi, Release Constraint and Relieve Pain 499
Relaxants
Herbs to Clear Heat and Reduce Fever and Infection 601
Refrigerants, anti-infectives

Herbs for Altering and Regulating 665

Class 13

10

Herbs to Promote Detoxification and Resolve Toxicosis 667

Detoxicants

Class 14
Class 15
Class 16

Vitalize the Blood, Reduce Blood Congestion and Moderate Menstruation 739
Decongestants
Resolve Mucous Damp, Reduce Mucus Congestion and Stop Discharge 769
Mucostatics
Regulate Endocrine and Autonomic Nervous Functions 801
Hormonal and CNS regulators

Herbs for Symptom Treatment 809

Class 17
Class 18
Class 19
Class 20
Class 21
Class 22
Class 23
Class 24
Class 25

Herbs to Enhance Pregnancy and Childbirth 811

Pregnancy enhancers
Herbs to Astringe and Stop Discharge and Bleeding 817
Astringents, hemostatics
Herbs to Calm the Mind and Relieve Anxiety 837
Nervous sedatives
Herbs to Stimulate the Mind and Relieve Depression 851
Nervous stimulants
Herbs to Clear Internal Wind and Stop Spasms 855
Spasmolytics
Herbs to Relieve Pain 857
Analgesics
Herbs to Promote Tissue Repair, and Relieve Pain and Swelling 861
Vulneraries
Herbs to Reduce Infection 863
Anti-infectives
Herbs to Clear Parasites 869
Antiparasitics

Selected Bibliography 873

Glossary of Terms 883
Appendixes
Appendix A The Four Element System of Traditional Greek Medicine 889
Appendix B Synthesis of the Alchemical/Shamanistic Greek and Chinese Element Systems 891
Appendix C The Four Element Medicine Wheel 893
Appendix D The Eight Krases (Temperaments) and the Eight Biotypes 894
Appendix E The Three Constitutions 895
Appendix F Pharmaceutical Name Cross Index 896
Appendix G Botanical Name Cross Index 899
Appendix H Common Name Cross Index 909
Repertory 919
Index 947

11

THE ENERGETICS OF WESTERN HERBS

The Materia Medica

Herbs for Eliminating
Class 1

Promote Sweating, Dispel Wind-Cold/Heat and Reduce Fever 151

Diaphoretics
Promote Sweating and Dispel Wind-Cold 155
Pungent, warm stimulant diaphoretics (arterial stimulants)
Peppermint leaf (and essential oil)
Ginger root (and essential oil)
Butterbur root
Wild ginger root
Hazelwort root
Osh root
Promote Sweating and Dispel Wind-Heat 167
Pungent, cool relaxant diaphoretics (peripheral vasodilators)
Catnip leaf
Calamint leaf
Fieldmint herb (and essential oil)
Spearmint leaf (and essential oil)
Elder flower
Linden flower
Boneset herb
Vervain herb
Blue vervain herb or root

Class 2

Promote Urination, Drain Water and Relieve Edema 185

Draining diuretics
Lovage root
Goldenrod herb
Couch grass root
Squills bulb
Broom tops
Dandelion leaf
European elder bark

Class 3

Promote Bowel Movement, Resolve Accumulation and Relieve Constipation 204

Stimulant laxatives (purgatives)
Cascara sagrada bark
Buckthorn bark
Rhurbarb root
Senna leaf
Aloe resin
Tamarind pulp

12

THE MATERIA MEDICA

Class 4

Promote Expectoration, Resolve Phlegm-Damp and Relieve Coughing 217

Expectorants
Promote Expectoration and Resolve Phlegm-Cold 219
Pungent, warm stimulnt expectorants
Thyme herb (and essential oil)
Hyssop herb (and essential oil)
Ground ivy herb
Basil herb (and essential oil)
Seneca snakeroot
Winter savory herb (and essential oil)
Scotch pine needle (and essential oil)
Bloodroot
Yerba santa leaf
Inmortal root
Promote Expectoration and Resolve Phlegm-Heat 236
Pungent, cool sedative expectorants
Eucalyptus leaf (and essential oil)
Pleurisy root
White horehound herb
Coltsfoot herb
Scabious root and herb

Class 5

Promote Menstruation and Relieve Amenorrhea 247

Emmenagogues
Blue cohosh root
Pennyroyal herb
Rue herb
Birthwort root

Class 6

Cause Vomiting 263

Emetics

Herbs for Restoring

Class 7

Tonify the Qi, Replenish Deficiency and Generate Strength 267

Restoratives
Tonify Heart Qi, Vitalize Heart Blood, Restore Coronary Circulation 276
and Relieve Precordial Oppression
Neurocardiac and coronary restoratives
Hawthorn berry
Ginkgo leaf
Arnica flower
Lily of the valley herb
Cereus stem and flower
Tonify Digestive Qi, Promote Absorption and Relieve Fatigue 290
Sweet digestive restoratives (anastative nutritives)
American ginseng root
Elecampane root
Licorice root
Parsley root

13

THE ENERGETICS OF WESTERN HERBS

Tonify Urinary Qi, Harmonize Urination and Relieve Incontinence 301
Urinary restoratives (antienuretics, antileucorrheals, diuretics)
Fennel seed (and essential oil)
Buchu leaf
Poplar bark
Gravel root
Sea holly root
Button snakeroot
Tonify Reproductive Qi, Regulate Menstruation and Treat Infertility 311
Uterine restoratives (fertility restoratives)
Chastetree berry
Helonias root
Mugwort herb
California mugwort herb
White deadnettle herb and root
Geranium herb (and essential oil)
Rose flower (and essential oil)
Jasmine flower
Tonify Reproductive Qi, Fortify the Yang and Relieve Impotence 329
Reproductive restoratives (aphrodisiacs)
Saw palmetto berry
Damiana leaf
Class 8

Tonify the Yang, Dispel Cold and Generate Warmth 335

Stimulants
Stimulate the Heart and Circulation, Dispel Cold and Relieve Debility 340
Pungent, warm arterial and cardiac stimulants (cardiovascular stimulants)
Rosemary leaf (and essential oil)
Cinnamon bark (and essential oil)
Camphor resin (and essential oil)
Bayberry bark
Stimulate Circulation, Dispel Wind-Damp-Cold
and Relieve Joint and Muscle Pain 351
Pungent, warm muscular stimulants (diaphoretic antirheumatics/antiarthritics)
Juniper berry (and essential oil)
Prickly ash bark
Sassafras root bark
Guaiacum wood
Virginia snakeroot
Jamaica sarsaparilla root
Bittersweet stalk
Cowslip root
Meadowsweet herb
Stimulate Digestion, Warm the Middle, Resolve Mucous-Damp
and Relieve Abdominal Fullness 369
Pungent, warm digestive stimulants (carminatives)
Calamus root
Angelica root (and essential oil)

14

From Gart der Gesundeit, Antwerp, 1533

1
Herbal Medicine East and West:
Medical Philosophies
The Yellow Emperor asked:
Why is it that people these days cannot always recover
from their illnesses by drinking cereal broths and wine
delicacies?
Qi Bo replied:
Today, people can only recover from their illnesses
through the internal treatment with herbs, and the external treatment of sharp stone needles and moxibustion.
Huang Di Nei Jing (The Yellow Emperors Classic of
Internal Medicine), chapter 14, 5th century B.C.

everal themes
recur time and
again in Western and Oriental herbal medicine
today, running deeply through these healing arts as
they are currently practiced. These themes concern
the very assumptions on which the practice of
herbal medicine rests. They affect its very rationale
and basic ways of proceeding in the areas of
pharmacology, diagnostics and therapeutics.
Today, when we are witnessing a major rebirth of
natural healing methods, they are very much at the
forefront of current developments. In this chapter
we want to probe issues that have deep historical
and philosophical roots, issues whose ramifications
unconsciously affect anyone involved in Western
or Oriental medicine. We will begin to suggest
answers to such questions as What makes Western
and Chinese herbal therapies so fundamentally
different from each other? Why is herbal medicine
in the West a forgotten art, whereas in the East it
has continued as a flourishing tradition?
We may begin to answer these questions by
noticing their common pull. Evidently, underlying
these is a fundamental curiosity about the
relationship of different parts to a larger whole.
The question, How do different systems of herbal

medicine relate? is perhaps one of the most basic

enquiries today.
If we are to obtain concrete answers to these
questions, however, the general historical and
philosophical terrain in which they lie needs to be
explored. Specifically, we need to take a closer
look at the significant points of similarity and
difference between two of the major systems of
herbal medicine, the Western and the Oriental. In
so doing, we can lay the foundation for a new
holistic context that encompasses both systems.
This context would not only clarify their
interconnections, but also provide greater insight
into each. Establishing this larger context would
allow us to explore ways of integrating the most
refined and useful aspects of each system. Our aim
after all, is to further a more whole, authentic and
efficacious system of herbal medicine.
There are essential points of contact among
Oriental, Greek-Galenic and modern herbal
medicine. First, Chinese and traditional Greek
systems share as a common basis the
phenomenological, or observational, method. This
is a very strong similarity, as we will see shortly.
Second, Greek medicine and modern herbal
medicine have the same exploratory, analytical
bias. However, the common ground of Oriental

39

THE ENERGETICS OF WESTERN HERBS

and Greek herbal systems in comparison to modern
herbalism is much stronger than the common
ground of the Greek and modern systems
compared to the Oriental.
The Materia Medica in this text presents the
common ground of the phenomenological
approach, as expressed by both Greek and Oriental
medicine. Phenomenological thinking is simply
based on observing phenomena closely, rather than
on speculating through general theories. For this
reason, it is also called observational thinking. This
approach places more emphasis on the sensible
qualities that herbs possess, such as taste, warmth,
texture, color, etc.; the human biotypes, i.e.,
psychosomatic character types that they serve; and
the syndromes of disharmony that are their
indications.
The phenomenological method is less
concerned with quantifiable aspects, such as the
biochemical constituents of plants, the treatment of
disease mechanisms with these, and symptom
removal. If a text on herbal therapy is to be holistic
in more than just name, and use expressions such
as patterns of disharmony in a way more
meaningful than a trendy clich, then it should live
up to its purported aim by a holism of content and
methodnot merely by a holism of idealistic
intent. Phenomenology, as best exemplified by the
Greek and Chinese botanical systems, as well as by
the Western wise woman tradition, is the very root
of this Materia Medica. Moreover, the analytical
approach rooted in Greek medicine (and most
clearly represented by modern herbalism) is also
integrated into the present Materia Medica. Under
the heading Nature, for example, are listed not
only the herbs traditional qualities of taste,
warmth and moisture, but also its quantifiable
chemical constituents. The section on each herbs
functions and indications, for example, lists not
only the traditional Chinese and Greek syndromes,
but also the Western disorders for which each
botanical has proven useful.
Clearly, we need to examine these points of
contact between the two systems a bit more
closely. This will allow us to truly appreciate their
relative similarities and differences.

40

Western and Oriental Thought:

Complementary Paradigms
Cultural Paradigms
What is it that fundamentally determines any
systems medical theory, in its conceptual or
linguistic aspect? Historically, it is a cultures
philosophy, as an expression of its ontology.
Cultural philosophy informs the paradigms, or
basic organization of concepts, on which medical
theories rest. Moreover, medical language itself
reflects the philosophical heritage of any given
culture. Examining this language historically
allows us to pinpoint, more or less specifically, the
differences of approach to health, sickness and
healing between Asia and the West.
Before embarking on an exploration of the
similarities in philosophy and medical thought
between East and West, we may usefully begin by
defining their differences.
Generally speaking, whereas Western thinking is
more based on logic, linear causality and isolation,
Oriental thinking is based on patterns, relations
and synthesis (or holism). Western thought is
analytical, positivist and reductionist; Oriental
thinking manifests dialectic and phenomenological
qualities.
Western thought is based on empirical
observation, which leads to the creation of a
theory. Truth undergoes a life cycle of knowledge
characterized by a long, slow phase of
development, followed by a sudden, short,
revolutionary changewhich in turn makes way
for the germ of a new theory. 1 Truth is a
transcendent established paradigm or set of beliefs
behind a theory. By dominating all knowledge, this
truth tends to create a rigid, structured monopoly,
in which other truths are incompatible and
therefore necessarily inadmissible. Historically this
has been true of secular truths, such as natural
scientific theories, as well as of religious truths.
Truth in the West has the character of the
masculine principle, authoritarian and exclusive, as
reflected in societies dominated by the patriarchal
archetype.
Oriental thought, on the other hand, remains
more connected to eidetic, precognitive
experience. Observing in a different mode,
Oriental thinking sees universal models or

HERBAL MEDICINE EAST AND WEST: MEDICAL PHILOSOPHIES

emblems of laws in its observations.2 Truth is an
immanent pool of knowledge that allows for
continuous dialogue, ongoing cyclic changes and
innumerable variationswithout altering the
contextual structure of the universal models of
knowledge itself. 3 This may be seen in the
religions, arts and natural sciences throughout
Chinas history. Truth in the Orient is very much
like the feminine principle, all-embracing without
being dominating, hidden yet everywhere
immanent. Examples may be seen in societies past
and present that have a matrifocal bias. The
Western wise woman tradition itself has retained
the essence of this kind of thinking.
Examples of these differences in Western and
Oriental thinking immediately spring to mind. In
the West, both ARISTOTLEs concept of the four
elements, namely, water, earth, air, and fire, and
Galens theory of the four fluids were very slow in
developing. These two theories only gradually
evolved and changed to accommodate new facts
over a period of one and a half milleniums. During
this entire time, the two theories held absolute
sway over thinking in medicine and the natural
sciences. However, the first theory came to a rapid
end in the sixteenth century among the heady
fumes of the Iatrochemists laboratories when they
primitively discovered chemical elements. The
second theory came crashing down in the cynically
simple experiments of French biochemist
F RANCOIS M AGENDIE in the first decade of the
1800s. Both theories have since been replaced by
the theories of the atomic elements and cellular
pathology, and more recently by other theories
such as electrical biomedicine. The point is that,
although autocratic while they exist, the theories
all have predictable, limited life cycleslike those
of biological phenomena. Like biological
phenomena, they evolve and fall.
The situation is quite different with the
Oriental type of thinking. Here patterns of thought
such as Yin/Yang, the five elements and the six
divisions of Yin/Yang have endured from
prehistoric times without any development or
radical fall. They are still as important in the East
as they have always been. Not being theories in the
Western sense, but universal models of knowledge
and templatal repositories of information, they
have been interpreted, utilized and modified in
countless ways. They have been applied to every
conceivable human enterprise, including

geomancy, medicine, art and historical

interpretation, to cooking, warfare and fortunetelling. The validity, let alone the existence, of
these giant models themselves has never been
questioned. This would be as meaningless as
questioning the existence of sunlight, or of life
itself. Yin/Yang simply is, and can be experienced
in life itselfthat is all there is to it. Hence there
has been a stability and endurance to these
emblems, in spite of the countless variations and
presentations in which we find them. Their
constancy and endurance very much resemble the
permanence of the cosmos itself, with its ever
present (although ever changing) sun, moon and
stars.
In the West, truth is becoming. In the East,
truth is given.

The Paradigms Informing Western

and Oriental Medicine
Turning now to the healing arts specifically, we see
the Western paradigm exemplified by the
dominance of one medical theory above
allwhether based on fluids, vital force, tissue
tone, cells, atoms or whatever. In early Greek
medicine, for example, each medical school
(Dogmatic, Pneumatic, Hippokratic, etc.) had its
dominant theory to the exclusion of all other
theories. The brilliant eclectic synthesis of these
divergent Greek theories constructed by GALEN
itself became the paramount theoretical paradigm
in the hands of practitioners up to the seventeenth
century.
The Oriental way, in contrast, is characterized
by the simultaneous coexistence of several medical
models. Here, both the eight principles (ba gang)
and the five elements (wu xing) may be used as
working models of pathology, depending on which
best fits the need of any given case. Another
example is the concurrent use of two diagnostic
models. First, the six stages of disease according to
the six channels (liu jing), as set out in the Shang
Han Lun (Treatise on Cold Diseases). And second,
the four stages theory according to the four levels
(si fen), as presented in the Wen Bing Lun (Treatise
on Warm Diseases).
It is clear that a cultures basic thinking
processes, the paradigms that it develops and the
medical theories that follow, are inextricably
linked. The theories that Oriental medicine and

41

7
Guidelines to Herb Administration
If those of these times would but be, by a joynt
Concurrence, as industrious to search into the secrets of
the Nature of Herbs, as some of the former, and make
tryall of them as they did, they should no doubt find the
force of Simples many times no lesse effectuall, than that
of Compounds, to which this present age is too too much
addicted.
William Cole, Adam in Eden, 1657

e need to consider a variety of factors

when using botanical remedies: the herb
chosen, how long and how often it is taken, how it
is prepared, what dosage is used, and what climate
prevails. All these factors influence the therapeutic
outcome. All are part of the overall therapeutic
context. Our aim is to find the right combination of
factors for each particular condition being treated.
The following guidelines are just thatindications, not hard and fast rules. In any event,
experience is the best teacher in administering
herbs.
To use these guidelines well it is important to
decide which of the above-mentioned factors is the
most important. For theoretical and practical
reasons it is often impossible to take all of them
into account. Elements such as the weather and
season usually have low priority and in practice
cause only slight if any modification of the
preparation being prescribed.
In acute conditions, for example, dosage and
timing of administration is probably the most
crucial. In chronic conditions, however, using the
right preparation form may be the foremost
consideration. As another example, the various
types of hot conditions all require different
prescribing approaches. Full heat usually requires
large doses of a water preparation, empty heat
smaller doses of either water or tincture preparation, damp-heat and blood-heat may need
repeated smaller doses.

The following variables are presented to help

determine the type of herbal medication to be
given. They are presented in order of importance.

Herb Selection
The selection of an appropriate remedy, or
combination of remedies, is the core of herb usage,
regardless of the case under treatment. All other
considerations follow from and depend on which
herb is chosen.
We should stress that all the following factors
governing herb selection only become effective
when considered in light of a differential diagnosis
of the problem in question. Such a diagnosis
includes an assessment of the nature, location,
origin, etiology and progression of a disorder. This
holds true no matter whether a more analytical
Western style diagnosis is done (based on tissue
conditions, for example), or whether a more
observational Chinese, Greek or Ayurvedic method
is used. The principle of differentiating among
various conditions giving rise to symptoms is the
critical element of both types of diagnosis.
When the various parameters of a condition
are assessed, whether according to the eight
principles in Chinese medicine or according to the
restore/relax, stimulate/sedate principles of vitalistic Western herb medicine, herb selection is
directly affected. The choice of a remedy affects
all aspects of prescribing, including the dosage.

111

THE ENERGETICS OF WESTERN HERBS

The main factors to consider when choosing an
herb are the following:
1) The treatment principle, i.e., whether treating
the constitutional individual ground preventively
the condition of disharmony remedially
the specific symptoms remedially
If treatment is geared toward treating individual biotypes on a constitutional level, then mild
(non-toxic) botanicals represent the ideal first
choice. Medium-strength herbs may be used, but
only in small quantities as part of an overall herbal
formula.
If specific symptoms are being addressed,
remedies from any category are suitable. The same
is true when treating syndromes or conditions.
2) The treatment method, i.e., whether the herb is
to
eliminate
restore
drain
alter and regulate
treat symptoms
Within each of these categories, a specific
method must be chosen. For example, for the
Restoring method, should the herb
Tonify the Qi and replenish deficiency (Class 7)
Tonify the Yang and dispel cold (Class 8)
Nourish the blood and replenish deficiency
(Class 9)
Nourish the Yin and moisten dryness (Class 10)
If a Restoring method such as tonifying the
Yang is chosen, then stimulants (Class 8) should be
selected. Botanicals in this Materia Medica are
organized according to the treatment methods used
to facilitate this very selection. A full listing of
possible herbs in each class may be found in the
summa-rizing lists at the end of the Materia
Medica (Volume 2).
3) The type of conditions being treated, i.e.,
whether
chronic or acute
global or local
internal or external
deficient or excessive
cold or hot
as well as whether any injuries are present,
such as
infection
toxicosis

112

congestion (of blood, fluids, mucus)

fever
internal wind
spirit disharmony
Chronic conditions require mild remedies that
can safely be taken over months at a time if necessary, whereas acute conditions may need stronger
herbs.
Some remedies have more general and
systemic effects, whereas others have more
specific and local uses.
Most herbs treat internal conditions when
taken internally. In addition, some can treat external conditions such as wind-cold and wind-heat,
wind/damp/cold obstruction, etc. (Classes 1 and 8).
Deficiency conditions require Restoring
treatment methods using restorative, stimulant,
nutritive, or demulcent remedies (Classes 7-10).
Excess conditions need either Draining treatment
methods using relaxant or refrigerant remedies
(Classes 11 and 12) or Eliminating treatment
methods using diaphoretics, diuretics, laxatives,
expectorants, emmenagogues or emetics (Classes
1-6).
Cold conditions need stimulants that dispel
cold and generate warmth (Class 8), while hot
conditions should be treated with refrigerants that
clear heat and reduce fever (Class 12).
Disorders presenting specific injuries such as
congestion or infection, and those causing acute
symptoms, require appropriate herbs mainly from
the Symptom Treatment section. For example, in
conditions with infection, anti-infectives that
stimulate immunity and reduce infection (Class 23)
should be chosen. In conditions with excess spirit
problems, or internal wind, nervous sedatives
(Class 19) should be selected. In conditions with
toxicosis, detoxicants that promote detoxification
and resolve toxicosis (Class 13) should be chosen.
4) The individual ground being treated, especially
the condition of the vital force (righteous Qi)
For example, if the vital force is weak, all
Eliminating remedies (Classes 1-6) should either
be avoided, or combined with Restoring herbs
(Classes 7-11). The heat-clearing method (Class
13) should also be used cautiously here. Conversely, Restoring methods should be used most often,
when possible.
Every individual biotype has herbs that
represent restoratives for that person, whether for

Class 1 Diaphoretics
Herbs to Promote Sweating, Dispel Wind-Cold/Heat
and Reduce Fever
Known as diaphoretics, remedies in this class
promote perspiration in order to reduce fever and
remove pathogens. The treatment strategy of
promoting sweating is used to resolve external or
surface conditions: these involve the skin as the
most external body tissue, and remain in their
initial phase of development. External conditions
are acute infectious conditions that are usually
triggered by viral invasion or flare-up, sometimes
followed by bacterial proliferation. In H ANS
SELYEs model of stress and illness (1976), they
belong to the initial or alarm stage of general
adaptation within the bodys nonspecific response
to stressors. As such, they represent an acute
healing crisis in the individuals striving for homeostasis. Because exterior conditions can present in
a few basic ways, depending on the bodys response to pathogens, energetic medicine empirically
defines these as external wind-cold or wind-heat
syndromes.

The Nature and Dynamics of External

Wind-Cold/Heat
According to records, LAZARUS RIVIERE in sixteenth-century France seems to have been the first
Western physician to develop the use of sweating
as an eliminant method in its own right. He adopted this treatment strategy when the other eliminant
methods were inappropriate or ineffective. Before
RIVIERE, Greek medicine practitioners tended to
rely almost exclusively on the four qualities theory
(hot/cold, dry/moist) for diagnosis and treatment
the diaphoretic method is relatively unimportant in
the canonical Hippokratic texts. RIVIERE, however,
had access to then exotic botanicals the Greeks did
not possessstrong diaphoretics like Guaiacum
wood (lignum Guaiaci) and Sassafras root bark
(cortex radicis Sassafrae). As he records in his
Institutiones Medicae, he successfully applied
these for clearing up various stubborn chronic
disorders. In supplementing classic four-qualities
treatment with diaphoretic treatment, R IVIERE

brought widespread recognition to the latter as a

treatment strategy in its own right.
When environing pathogenic influences,
simply called wind, cold and heat in Chinese and
Greek medicine, begin to disrupt the functional
integrity of the human organism, a conflict between the persons vital force (known as righteous
Qi, zheng qi) and the pathogen is set up. The
immune system engages, and the conflict then
causes symptoms such as chills, sneezing, headache and a floating pulse. This is the symptom
pattern that characterizes an external (surface)
condition. It is typically seen at the onset of a cold,
flu, sore throat or other type of acute upper respiratory infection.
The outcome of this initial struggle can
assume different forms, depending on the exact
interplay of three basic factors. First, there is the
persons own ground (terrain), i.e., her predisposition to infection in general. This is directly
related to factors such as constitution, mental and
emotional state, and level of toxicicosis. Second,
there are more immediate factors, such as the
virulence of the environing pathogen. The balance
of predisposing and triggering causes will determine the third factor, the vigor of the individuals
own defense response. This vital response consists
of both the internal activity of the defense and
immune system, and of the more manifest signs of
fever and sweating.
If defenses are weak, then regardless of the
virulence of the offensive pathogen, the result will
be no fever or inflammation. This is a wind-cold
condition. If this condition continues over some
time, as it often does, it is liable to progress to the
exhaustion stage of adaptation. In Chinese medical
terms, the condition will progress from the tai
yang to the tai yin stage of disease.
If, on the other hand, the defense response is
good, and again regardless of the virulence of the
pathogen, there will be a dynamic warmth
response with fever or inflammation: a wind-heat
condition.

151

THE ENERGETICS OF WESTERN HERBS

In both cases it is the organisms own immediate
defense response that determines the manifestation
of the condition, not the nature of the pathogen
itself. The pathogen is merely the trigger in this
dynamic situation. The type of defense response
exhibited has been very generally correlated to the
two essential iris types, the blue iris (e.g., Lymphatic, Hydrogenoid) and the brown iris (e.g., Hematogenic, Biliary)the first tending more to windheat onsets, the latter more to wind-cold onsets
(BROY 1992).
In either case, the persons defenses may either
overcome or succumb to the pathogens. If the
defense functions win out over the pathogens, the
conflict is effectively resolved. If pathogens
endure, however, the condition then enters the
resistance phase of adaptation and becomes chronic
by nature, going into the yang ming and/or any of
the three Yin stages of disease. If the conflict ends
in a stalemate, subacute conditions ensue, usually
in the shao yang stage.

The Treatment of External Wind-Cold

and Wind-Heat
The overall treatment strategy for resolving external conditions hinges on supporting the organisms
own active defenses. As these defenses consist,
first, of the warmth response called fever and
sweating, the need is for botanicals that will encourage these functions: the diaphoretics (sudorifics)
in this class. It is known that a high temperature
actually assists in reducing or stopping microbial
proliferation, while the act of sweating itself not
only keeps the temperature under control, but also
speeds up the removal and elimination of toxic
debris that results from the conflict. Promoting
sweating can thereby shorten the duration of the
defense response, and in the case of timely
treatment, lenify or even prevent the condition
entirely. It is in this sense that we should understand the Chinese term for this treatment method,
biao jie fa, exterior-releasing method. Moreover,
because the defense response may be a weak one
(in wind-cold) or a strong one (in wind-heat), the
treatment priority will be somewhat different in
each condition.

The Herbs that Promote Sweating

The energetic tendency of diaphoretic remedies is

152

active, light, dispersing and penetrating by nature,

much like a centripetal water fountain. By pushing
fluids towards the exterior and causing sweating,
they effectively release the exterior and resolve the
conflict. Diaphoretics invariably possess a pungent
(spicy) taste and a dry nature. The majority contain
volatile (essential) oils that account both for these
effective qualities and their variously disinfectant,
anti-infective, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory
actions. Diaphoretics are divided into warming,
stimulant and cooling, relaxant kinds.
The hot water infusion is the finest medium for
bringing out the surface-releasing action of diaphoretic herbs, This was recognized by early American
Physiomedicalists W ILLIAM C OOK (1869) and
T HOMAS LYLE (1897). Hot infusions should be
sipped while still hot in order to promote a warm
perspiration. Note that in some constitutions this
may be an insensible sweating rather than a noticeable one.
Promote Sweating and Dispel Wind-Cold
Pungent-warm stimulant diaphoretics
Remedies in this category are used for the onset of
viral infectious external conditions such as the
common cold, flu, rhinitis, sinusitis and pharyngytis, as well as non-infectious, allergic catarrh.
They are characterized by the syndromes external
wind-cold and head damp-cold. Typical symptoms include chilliness, little or no sweating, no
fever, sneezing, aches and pains (especially in the
muscles), sneezing, nasal or sinus congestion, clear
nasal discharge, frontal headache, a stiff neck and a
floating, tight pulse. If any inflammation with pain
is present (as in sinusitis, laryngitis or pharyngitis),
it tends to be mild.
The treatment intention here is first, to support
the bodys defenses by stimulating an adequate
expression of fever and sweating. For this, pungent-warm arterial stimulant diaphoretics, such as
Cinnamon bark, fresh Ginger root, Peppermint
herb, Prickly ash bark and Cayenne pepper are
indicated. The equivalent Oriental herbs would
include Cassia Gui Zhi (Cassia cinnamon twig),
Ledebouriella Fang Feng (Wind-protector root) and
Angelica Bai Zhi (White angelica root). Many of
these herbs are also found among the arterial
stimulants (Class 8) that stimulate circulation and
dispel cold. Most stimulant diaphoretics possess
excellent anti-infective (including immunostimu-

HERBS TO PROMOTE SWEATING

lant and antiviral) actions as part of their total
effect.
Second, particular symptoms may be relieved,
especially in the case of head damp-cold presenting sinus pain, nasal congestion and discharge.
Nasal decongestants such as Wild ginger root,
Peppermint herb and Magnolia bud (Magnolia Xin
Yi Hua) should be selected, as well as anticatarrhals (mucosal restoratives), including Goldenrod
herb, Eyebright herb and Elder flower.
Promote Sweating and Dispel Wind-Heat
Pungent-cool relaxant diaphoretics
Botanicals of this type are indicated when external
wind-heat conditions arise from bacterial upper
respiratory infections such as pharyngitis, laryngitis, tonsillitis, acute sinusitis, rhinitis, conjunctivitis and blepharitis. These conditions are typified
by fever, few or no chills, signs of acute inflammation such as painful, swollen, red throat and
eyes, nasal congestion and pain with yellow-green
discharges, and a floating, rapid pulse.
The treatment priority here is to carefully
control and resolve the warmth response. Fever
should be steered to a resolution before the temperature becomes excessive (never above 105F or
45C). This is done by causing free perspiration, in
this case to assist cooling the exterior as well as to
eliminate toxins. The remedies of choice in windheat conditions are pungent-cool peripheral
vasodilatory diaphoretics that allow sweating to
occur by relaxing the peripheral vessels. Known as
relaxant diaphoretics for short, they count Boneset
herb, Linden flower, Catnip herb, Eucalyptus leaf,
Camomile flower and Elder flower. In the Oriental
pharmacy, herbs like Schizonepeta Jing Jie (Japanese catnip herb), Mentha Bo He (Asian fieldmint
herb) and Chrysanthemum Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum flower) fulfill the same functions. Should the
temperature remain too high in spite of this, bittercold antipyretics like Boneset herb, Gentian root,
Bogbean herb and Anemarrhena Zhi Mu (Knowmother root) are indicated to drain excessive heat
(partly through liver stimulation) and to restore the
persons strength.
Vasodilatory diaphoretics are also indicated
for hot conditions affecting the thorassic area (the
upper warmer). These are mainly acute bacterial
infectious bronchial conditions, as seen in lung
heat and lung phlegm-heat syndromes. Moreover,

these botanicals represent the treatment of choice

in all eruptive conditions such as measles, mumps,
chickenpox and scarlet fever. Here also, promoting
sweating increases toxin elimination and fever
resolution, with special emphasis on promoting the
eruption of rashesthe visible end-result of a
successful healing crisis on the exterior or skin
level.

Other Uses for Herbs that Promote

Sweating
It is interesting to note that the doctor credited with
introducing the sweating treatment strategy to
traditional Greek medicine, L AZARUS R IVIERE ,
initially used it mainly for resolving difficult
chronic conditions rather than for acute respiratory
infections. Likewise, over in New England, SAMUEL T HOMSON in the 1790 s developed the use of
steam baths and the simultaneous intake of Cayenne pepper for treating a broad range of chronic
conditions. Again, his treatment strategy was to
cause sweatingtaking his cue from Native American sweat lodge ceremonies rather than from
Greek medical texts. THOMSON initiated an impulse
in the modern era of herbal medicine that lasted
well into the twentieth century (see also the introduction to Class 8).
In the first half of the nineteenth century,
driven by the proselytist Thomsonian practitioners,
sweating became popularized by the Popular
Health Movement in the U.S. as the all-purpose,
preventive treatment method par excellence. In
Germany there soon followed the popular practices
of V INZENZ P RIESSNITZ , K ARL S CHROTH and
SEBASTIAN KNEIPP, followed in turn later into the
twentieth century by the Nature Cure and Hygenic
school of naturopaths, which included H ENRY
LINDLAHR, HERBERT M. SHELTON and HEREWARD
CARRINGTON.
Hydrotherapy, or water treatments, have also
been extensively used in the West for obtaining the
benefits of sweating. JOHN FLOYERs hydrotherapy
practices in the English West Country during the
early 1700s come to mind. Although little known
today, JOHN FLOYER was a pioneer, among other
things, in developing the use of bathing in hot
spring mineral baths in order to generate warmth
and promote sweating (see also Chapter 2, the
Endnotes to Chapters 1 and 2, and the introduction
to Class 8). Given the lack of bathing of any type

153

THE ENERGETICS OF WESTERN HERBS

in those days, it isnt surprising that his mineral
bath treatments were both effective and fashionable with the upper classes for several decades! In
short, there are many traditional and modern
methods for promoting sweating for health maintenance. Many cultures use sweat cabins or types of
hot baths, using either dry heat or damp heat,
including Native American sweat-lodges, Finnish
dry heat saunas and Turkish hot steam baths.
In clinical practice, promoting sweating is
normally used to manage the onset of acute external infectious conditions. When applied to internal
and chronic conditions, however, sweating effectively promotes detoxification by stimulating
catabolism and toxin elimination. PARACELSUS
aptly named sweat an excretion of the blood,
while CHRISTOPH HUFELAND described the skin as
the organisms most general and powerful organ
of secretion and cleansing. In order to perform its
functions as an eliminatory organ, as well as a
nervous-sensory one, the entire skin surface needs
to breathe freely and be free of toxic encumberance. Like the lung to which it is closely
connected, the skin rhythmically both receives and
eliminates. When skin breathing is impaired, surface stagnation results, which thereby obstructs an
important elimination pathway. Sweating is thus
also an effective treatment for conditions that
involve surface skin stagnation. The three main
types are: toxicosis with surface stagnation,
water congestion with superficial edema, and Qi
constraint with nervous tension.
Because diaphoresis helps the removal of
toxins that cause surface stagnation, conditions
involving the skin, muscles and joints respond
well to this treatment strategy. This is true of eruptive fevers, for instance, and the syndromes wind
obstruction with its acute wandering pains, and

154

damp obstruction with its static chronic pains (as

found in sciatica, fibromyalgia, lumbago, intercostal neuralgia, etc.). Any condition presenting
rough, dry skin with an inability to sweat is also
improved by the diaphoretic method. Noninfectious, nonallergic dry eczema typically results
from reduced skin breathing: It causes skin itching,
eruptions and, finally, inflammation and infection.
Dry skin is often found in chronic rheumatic and
arthritic conditions, as well as generally in Yang
Ming Earth, Shao Yang and Yang Ming Metal
biotypes. All these conditions indicate the use of
detoxicant stimulant diaphoretics such as Meadowsweet herb, Heartsease herb, Sassafras bark, Sarsaparilla root and Cowslip root. These remedies can
also be combined with Class 13 detoxicants.
Conditions of water congestion with upper
body edema, especially with metabolic toxicosis
present, will also respond well to this treatment
method. So to some extent will conditions of general plethora presenting adiposity, cellulite, overweight, venous and portal congestion, hypertension and so on.
When relaxant diaphoretics are used to promote sweating, a general relaxing effect is also
achieved. By lowering both nerve and general
tissue tone, peripheral vasodilators can address
conditions of Qi constraint. This relaxant effect is
ideal in tense, excess Yang-type people prone to
restlessness, irritability and spasms (autonomic and
peripheral). Relaxant diaphoretics are describe in
the wind-heat section above.
Caution: Remedies in this class should not be
used in conditions of copious sweating, fluids
depletion, blood loss, venereal infections, colitis
and bleeding ulcers, or in chronic deficiency
conditions such as cancer, TB and diabetes.

THE ENERGETICS OF WESTERN HERBS

NOTES
Like all other vasorelaxant diaphoretics in this
section, Spearmint leaf addresses a wind-heat
onset of respiratory infections. Moreover, this
particular mint is a true antipyretic remedy. Like
Eucalyptus leaf and Boneset herb, it can lower the
temperature under most circumstances during a
fever. This is in contrast to Peppermint leaf which,
being essentially hot and stimulating, reduces fever
purely by causing sweating and accelerating all
processes involved in resolving an infection.
Spearmint in addition is a gentle sedative to the
central nerves, and so is appropriate for fevers
with irritability, unrest or insomnia. An acupuncture point selection such as LI 5, TH 5, Lu 6 and
10, Bl 11 and 12, and Liv 3 would do Spearmint
justice.
Spearmint leaf is a remedy for both upper and
lower respiratory infections presenting heat,
mucous and sputum. The main actions it brings to
bear are anti-inflammatory, mucolytic and mucostatic. Lung phlegm-heat with heavy expectora-

tion is here a classic syndrome indication.

Spearmint leaf also has a good tropism for the
urinary tract. Here the herb is known to both
decrease frequent dribbling urination and relieve
supressed urination with its refrigerant, relaxant
diuretic actions. Many forms of cystitisin the
literal sense of a bladder inflammationare likely
to benefit, including interstitial cystitis.
Much like Peppermint leaf and Fieldmint herb,
Spearmint leaf is an excellent choleretic and
cholagogue that treats gallbladder Qi stagnation
presenting nausea, distension and flatulence. Like
Fieldmint and the Chinese remedy Citrus Chen Pi,
it addresses Liver Qi stasis with accumulation,
not spasm. For colicky spasms, we need to go to
Peppermint, Catnip or Citrus Qing Pi. For accumulation and spasm, we must resort to Saussurea Yun
Mu Xiang.
Spearmint leaf is an invaluable support with
stronger remedies, perfect for mild cases, and very
useful with infants and children.

Elder Flower

Botanical source: Sambucus nigra L.,

S. canadensis L. (Caprifoliaceae)
Pharmaceutical name: Flos Sambuci
Ancient names: Amantilla, Atrapasse (Lat)
Other names: a) Black/European elder, Boretree, Scot
tree, Pipe tree, Bottry, Devils wood, Winlin
berries (Eng)
European/Common/Parsley elder (Am)
Sureau noir, Seu, Sognon, Hautbois (Fr)
Schwarzer Holunder, Holler, Holder, Flieder,
Alhorn, Keilken, Kisseke, Schwitztee (Ge)
b) American/Common/Sweet elder (Am)
Part used: the flower; also the berry

NATURE
Therapeutic category: mild remedy with minimal chronic toxicity
Constituents (S. nigra): flavonoids (incl. rutin, quercetin, kaempferol), essential oil (incl. terpenes),
cyanogenic glycoside (sambunigrin), alkaloid (sambucine), triterpenes (incl. [hydroxy]ursolic acid,

172

CLASS 1: PROMOTE SWEATING AND DISPEL WIND-HEAT

oleanolic acid, amyrin, sterols), fixed oil (incl. linoleic/linolenic/palmitic acids), phenolic acids (incl.
chlorogenic acid), tannins, mucilage, saccharides, potassium nitrate, resin
Effective qualities: somewhat pungent, sweet and bitter, cool, dry
stimulating, dispersing, decongesting, softening, dissolving
Tropism: lungs, skin, kidneys, bladder
Warmth, Fluid bodies
Lung, Spleen, Bladder meridians
decreases kapha, increases vata
Ground: Phlegmatic krases

ACTIONS
1

AND I NDICATIONS

PROMOTES SWEATING, DISPELS WIND-HEAT, REDUCES FEVER AND PROMOTES ERUPTIONS;

RESOLVES MUCUS-DAMP AND STOPS DISCHARGE

external wind-heat with heat toxin: fever, chills, dry skin, sore throat, anxiety, irritability
COLD and FLU ONSET with FEVER

lung wind-heat with head damp-heat: cough, wheezing, purulent nasal discharge, sinus congestion,
sore throat, chills, low fever
SINUSITIS, RHINITIS, tonsilitis, laryngitis, rhinitis
ERUPTIVE FEVERS (incl. measles, chickenpox)
LOW-GRADE TIDAL FEVERS (shao yin stage) with empty heat and thirst
RHEUMATIC FEVER

PROMOTES EXPECTORATION, RESOLVES PHLEGM-DAMP AND RELIEVES WHEEZING;

RESTORES THE LUNGS

lung phlegm-damp/heat: full cough with copious expectoration of white/yellow purulent sputum
BRONCHITIS (acute or chronic), bronchial asthma
LUNG TB

PROMOTES URINATION, DRAINS WATER AND RELIEVES EDEMA;

PROMOTES DETOXIFICATION, SOFTENS DEPOSITS AND BENEFITS THE SKIN

water congestion: local or general swelling/edema, fatigue, full flabby tissues

EDEMA (incl. from febrile and eruptive diseases)
kidney Qi stagnation: headache, dry skin with rashes, abdominal distension
DEPOSITORY DIATHESIS: arteriosclerosis, urinary sand or stones
ECZEMA, PUSTULAR, SUPPURATIVE (chronic), infantile eczema, erysipelas, chronic ulcers with serous
secretions and soft borders, rheumatic and syphilitic conditions, chilblains, lymphadenitis
4

CLEARS TOXIC-HEAT AND REDUCES INFLAMMATION; SOFTENS BOILS AND DRAWS PUS
bladder and kidney damp-heat: frequent, urgent, painful urination, thirst
URINARY INFECTIONS

fire toxin: purulent sores, boils, furuncles, abscesses, ulcers (esp. in face, mouth, throat, lungs)
MOUTH, THROAT and SKIN INFLAMMATIONS, mouth ulcers, meningitis, stomatitis
EYE INFLAMMATIONS, sore tired eyes
5

PROMOTES LACTATION
INSUFFICIENT LACTATION

173

THE ENERGETICS OF WESTERN HERBS

PREPARATION
Use: In most European countries herbalists, as well as country folk, made (and still make) a distinction
between the flowers, berries, bark and leaf of the Elder tree. While to some extent they share similar
properties, for best results keep to the following guidelines:
Use the flower to:
promote sweating and all other actions under function 1
promote expectoration, etc., function 2
promote diuresis and treat other urinary conditions of function 3
clear toxic heat and inflammation, function 4
Use the berry to:
relieve acute or chronic neuralgias, constipation, deficient lung conditions and food poisoning
Use the inner bark and root to:
relieve water congestion, nephritis, obstinate constipation, rheumatism and gout
Use the leaf to:
relieve skin damp-heat (use an ointment), skin cancer, and for support in diabetes
Elder flower infusion is sipped hot for respiratory infections, while the tincture is used for most other
applications. Eye washes, swabs, compresses and ointments are excellent for topical conditions. Other
traditional preparations of Elder flower and/or berry include the wine, vinegar, oil, syrup, honey, puree
(known as false Theriac in the past and made from the berry), water and smoke.
Dosage: Infusion: 6-14 g
Tincture: 2-4 ml
Caution: None

NOTES
Few plant remedies have received more veneration
in mythology, nor been put to greater practical use
in the West for medicine and magic than the Elder
tree. Its genus name derives from a Greek musical
instrument made of its wood, the sambuke. As seen
above, every single part of the elder tree was used
at one time for specific therapeutic ends. Of these,
the flower is the most versatile.
With its pungent-bitter-sweet taste, Elder
flowers energy is first stimulating, dispersing and
then downward draining. The first phase of its
energetic movement causes a stimulation of
secretions, including sweat, saliva and mucus,
followed by a phase of drying out and elimination
of fluids and toxins. Along the way, this versatile
remedy is able to tackle numerous conditions.
Central to Elder flowers application for
respiratory conditions is the treatment of external
wind-heat: acute upper and lower respiratory
infections with fever. This remedy is choice when
these present with toxic heat (fire toxin), i.e.,
swollen local infections, often purulent, such as
pharyngitis, tonsilitis or conjunctivitis. Through
vasodilatory diaphoretic stimulation, Elder flower
releases conditions on the exterior, resolves fever
and, with its added diuretic action, resolves toxic

174

heat through resolvent detoxification. The effect is

similar to Lonicera Jin Yin Hua and Forsythia Lian
Qiao in Chinese medicine, but without their
powerful anti-infective action. Note the similarity
of chemical constituents between these three
remedies, especially as regards their content in
various acids and flavonoids.
Elder flower also contains the important flavonoids rutin and quercetin, noted for their antiinflammatory and antiallergic actions. It is not
surprising, therefore, to find the remedy traditionally indicated for allergic and inflammatory
conditions of the upper respiratory tract, such as
rhinitis, sinusitis, laryngitis and asthma (which
entails an important inflammatory component).
In addressing the syndromes lung wind-heat,
lung-phlegm heat and lung phlegm-damp, Elder
flower shows a versatile tropism for the respiratory
tract.Its additional expectorant effect serves both
acute and chronic forms of bronchitis with copious
sputum production. Like Yarrow herb, Plantain
leaf and Goldenrod herb, Elder flower is also a
good mucostatic that restores the mucosa to
moderate secretions in the sinuses and bronchi.
Elder flowers drying quality is therapeutically
important in resolving various damp conditions.

CLASS 1: PROMOTE SWEATING AND DISPEL WIND-HEAT

These include mucous-damp with the nasal
congestion just mentioned, phlegm-damp with
catarrhal bronchial congestion, wind-damp in the
skin and water-damp (water congestion) with
edema. Elder flowers draining diuretic action also
serves acute forms of urinary infections and water
retention in eruptive fevers such as measles.
Elder flower also enjoys a rich legacy of use as
a dermatological alterative. Eclectic physicians

chose this herb specifically for wet, suppurative

forms of ulcers and eczema. The herbs depurant,
detoxicant effect is indicated for eczema with
pustules that burst and form hard crusts. The TCM
syndrome here again would be wind-damp in the
skin. A dissolvent action is also evident in the
remedys traditional European use for reducing
and/or preventing hard deposit formations, such
as urinary stones.

Linden Flower

Botanical source: Tilia cordata Miller, T. platiphyllos

Scopoli, T. americana L. (Tiliaceae)
Pharmaceutical name: Flos Tiliae
Other names: Lime tree, Teil tree (Eng)
Basswood, Bast tree, American linden,
Spoonwood, Wycopy (Am)
Tilleul, Tilleul petites feuilles, Th dEurope
(Fr)
Linde, Steinlinde (Ge)
Duan Shu Hua (Mand)
Part used: the flower

NATURE
Therapeutic category: mild remedy with minimal chronic toxicity
Constituents (T. cordata): essential oil c. 0.1% (inc. farnesol), saponins, flavonoids (incl. quercitin,
hesperidin, astragalin, tiliroside), protocatechic (condensed) tannins, phenolic acids, mucilage, linarin,
oxydase, sterols, iodine, tartrates, malates, phytosterols, resinic acids, manganese, vitamin C
Effective qualities: somewhat pungent, sweet and astringent, cool, dry
stimulating, dispersing, relaxing, calming, dissolving, diluting
Tropism: lungs, heart, kidneys blood, central nervous system
Air, Warmth bodies
Lung, Liver meridians
decreases pitta and kapha, increases vata
Ground: Choleric krases
Tough/Shao Yang and Industrious/Tai Yang biotypes
Hematogenic/Sulphuric/Brown Iris constitutions

175

CLASS 7: TONIFY REPRODUCTIVE QI AND FORTIFY THE YANG

Tonify Reproductive Qi, Fortify the Yang and Relieve Impotence

Reproductive restoratives (aphrodisiacs)

Saw Palmetto
Berry

Botanicals source: Serenoa serrulata L. (syn. Sabal

serrulata L.) (Palmaceae)
Pharmaceutical name: Fructus Serenoae
Other names: Dwarf palm, Sabal berry (Am)
Zwergpalme (Ge)
Part used: the fruit

NATURE
Therapeutic category: mild remedy with minimal chronic toxicity
Constituents: essential oil 1%, sterols (incl. -sitosterol), polysaccharides (arabinose, galactose, uronic
acid), alkaloid, fixed oil (incl. fatty acids 25% [incl. caproic, lauric, palmitic acid, neutral lipids 75%]),
resins, tannins
Effective qualities: somewhat sweet, oily, astringent and pungent, warm, moist
restoring, stimulating
Tropism: reproductive and urinary organs, nerves, thyroid
Air, Fluid bodies
Kidney, Bladder, Liver, Spleen, chong, ren meridians
Ground: Melancholic krasis
Sensitive/Tai Yin Metal and Burdened/Shao Yin biotypes
Lymphatic/Carbonic/Blue Iris constitution

FUNCTIONS
1

AND I NDICATIONS

TONIFIES REPRODUCTIVE QI, FORTIFIES THE YANG AND RELIEVES IMPOTENCE;

STRENGTHENS AND NOURISHES THE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS, AND INCREASES HORMONES;
PROMOTES CONCEPTION, LACTATION AND ORGAN DEVELOPMENT

genitourinary cold (Kidney Yang deficiency): loss of sexual desire, painful dribbling urination,
clear discharges, tenderness or throbbing pain in lower abdomen or perineum
IMPOTENCE, FRIGIDITY, INFERTILITY
URINARY INCONTINENCE, ENURESIS, DYSURIA
PITUITARY DEFICIENCY with TESTOSTERONE / PROGESTERONE / THYROXINE / PROLACTIN
DEFICIENCY
BREAST / OVARY / TESTICLE HYPOTROPHY
INSUFFICIENT LACTATION

uterus cold: scanty, delayed, irregular menstruation, painful ovulation, fatigue

AMENORRHEA, LONG or IRREGULAR CYCLES, PMS, menopausal syndrome

329

THE ENERGETICS OF WESTERN HERBS

2

REDUCES SWELLING AND INFLAMMATION, STRENGTHENS THE BLADDER AND PROSTATE,

AND RELIEVES IRRITATION
PROSTATE / OVARY / UTERUS HYPERTROPHY or CONGESTION with dull throbbing pain (esp. from

testosterone/progesterone deficiency); benign prostate hyperplasia

OVARIAN CYSTS
BLADDER and PROSTATE IRRITATION, urinary incontinence
SALPINGITIS, ovaritis, orchitis, urethritis, pyelitis, laryngitis
MALE PATTERN BALDNESS

TONIFIES DIGESTIVE QI, PROMOTES ABSORPTION AND TREATS UNDERWEIGHT

stomach and intestines (Spleen) Qi deficiency: fatigue, underweight, appetite loss
MALABSORPTION, WEIGHT LOSS, anorexia, amenorrhea
MUSCULAR HYPOTROPHY

NOURISHES LUNG YIN, MOISTENS DRYNESS, PROMOTES EXPECTORATION AND RELIEVES

COUGHING; STIMULATES IMMUNITY, REDUCES INFECTION AND BENEFITS THE THROAT

lung dryness/Yin deficiency: irritating or dry cough, dry throat and mouth
lung phlegm-dryness: dry cough with scanty viscous sputum,wheezing
IRRITABLE DRY COUGH in all conditions
LUNG TB, BRONCHITIS, whooping cough, asthma (all mostly chronic)
lung wind-heat: sore swollen throat, coughing, aches and pains, fatigue
LARYNGITIS, COLD and FLU ONSET
VOICE LOSS, throat pain

PREPARATION
Use: Saw palmetto berry is prepared by decoction or tincture. The hard kernel, which is about as heavy
as the remaining drupe, should ideally be removed first, as it is inert. Suppositories can be prepared for
all prostate conditions, given twice a day and ideally after every bowel movement. The syrup is ideal for
treating dry, irritated conditions of the upper and lower respiratory mucosa (function 4).
Dosage: Decoction: 4-8 g
Tincture: 1-3 ml
Caution: Use cautiously in conditions with intestines (Spleen) damp: Saw palmetto berry has an oily,
moist quality that may cause indigestion and loose stool.

NOTES
The dark red berries of the small dwarf palm, or
saw palmetto, of the American South have long
been valued for their tonic properties. Well over
two centuries ago, African Americans observed
that livestock feeding on them became sleeker,
heavier and stronger. They soon made the same
experience themselves and, as a bonus, noticed a
gratifying increase in their sexual drive and
fertility. Sooner or later the word got out to the
whites (as it always did), and by the 1870s Eclectic
medics like GOSS, HALE and JOHN LLOYD began
documenting the pleasing clinical results achieved
with the alcoholic extracts of Saw palmetto berry.
They extolled the remedys ability to increase

330

nutrient assimilation, promote weight gain and,

above all, to generally tonify and relax the nerves,
respiratory mucosa and reproductive system.
Following rashes of research, Saw palmetto
currently enjoys scientific approbium for its ability
to treat benign prostate hyperplasia (hypertrophy). Unfortunately, the academic overfocus on
the tree of one documented action has lead us to
overlook the whole forest of its clinical applications. Currently the remedy emerges as an endocrine restorative for deficiency conditions of the
reproductive, urinary, muscular and intestinal
organs. Circumstantially it seems that Saw palmetto may operate at least partly by enhancing

CLASS 7: TONIFY REPRODUCTIVE QI AND FORTIFY THE YANG

pituitary functions (a pituitary-gonadal stimulant),
including this glands hormonal influence on the
gonads (via testosterone and progesterone), the
thyroid (via thyroxine) and the breasts (via prolactin). In this connection we note the berrys content
of the androgenic/testosteronic steroid sitosterol.
Today the pharmacokinetics of sitosterol are
known to involve the inhibiting action of dihydrotestosterone on the prostate. A thyroid-toning
effect also seems evident, at least as regards
sexual development and behavior (MOWREY 1987).
Considering this larger hormonal picture of
Saw palmettos pharmacology, the remedys traditional key symptomatology now becomes more
understandable. It includes fatigue, appetite loss,
underweight, amenorrhea, urinary incontinence, impotence, frigidity, infertility and ovarian,
testicular and mammary hypotrophy or hypertrophy.
From the energetic perspective, Saw palmetto
berrys dominant sweet-oily, moist, warming
qualities restore and nourish weakness and cold in
the urogenital and digestive tract. The remedy is
a particularly effective nutritive tonic, or trophorestorative, to the reproductive organs. The syndromes addressed are genitourinary cold (Kidney
Yang deficiency) and stomach and intestines
(Spleen) Qi deficiency. In both syndromes Saw
palmetto tackles the whole gamut of symptoms,
with a special emphasis on relief of fatigue,
normalization of ovulation, menstruation and
sperm production; enhancement of sexual strength,
increase of sexual organ size, if small or hypotrophied; and increase of nutrient absorption,
muscle bulk and weight gain. In treating a woman
with irregular, variable and scanty menstruation
arising from Kidney Qi deficiency, for instance,
Saw palmetto acts in the same way as would acupuncture points Kd 5, Li 5, CV 3, Kd 13 and Bl 23.
Declining levels of testosterone have shown to
contribute to weakening pelvic muscles. Saw
palmettos testosteronic action can also strengthen
bladder tone and relieve urinary leakage and
irritation, making it an important urinary restorative. The Eclectic medical instructor B LOYER
pointedly reported that ... it is said to be the
friend of the old manthe most positive remedy
we possess for the relief of some of the difficulties
that beset the declining years of about four-fifths
of our old men.

As a respiratory restorative and expectorant

with sweet-pungent, moist qualities, Saw palmetto
berry has a particular soothing and moistening, yet
clearing effect in dry, irritated and inflammatory
condi-tions of the bronchi and throat. It will treat
lung dryness/Yin deficiency with or without
sputum present, thereby relieving irritable cough,
regardless of the disease present. Because of its
immunostimulant and anti-inflammatory actions,
the remedy is useful in laryngitis and other sore
throat conditions.
We should remember that the majority of
Eclectic practitioners regarded Saw palmetto
essentially as a regulator of reproductive organ
size, not merely as a trophic reducer in congested,
swollen or hypertrophic, inflammatory conditions
(function 2). This includes FINLEY ELLINGWOOD,
writing in 1919. Eclectic physicians administered
Saw palmetto in both hypertrophic and hypotrophic conditions of the sexual organs. Despite
this, it is ironic to see that then, as now, there
existed rampant skepticism about the clinical
experience of previous generations of herbal
medicine practitioners. In light of current knowledge it is truly disappointing to read the following
passage by FYFE (1905):
It has been employed with some success in
atrophy of the prostate gland, but in view of its
enlarging influence upon other glands of the
sexual system, it does not seem probable that it
can exert the great reducing action upon the
prostate claimed for it by some authors ... we
cannot explain why Saw palmetto should
increase the size of the mammae, the testes, the
reproductive organs generally, and specifically
reduce the size of the prostate, and we do not
believe that it does.

This erroneous conclusionso typical of the

modern erarepresents a sobering reminder that
clinical experience is valuable in its own right, as
a fact of clinical scienceone that ultimately does
not depend for its correctness, clinical or political,
on the successive vagaries of theoretical speculation, academic research or pharmacological fashions. It also is a humbling reminder that plants
yes, even todaycan work in mysterious ways,
and achieve results simply beyond the ken of the
logical mind.

331

CLASS 7: TONIFY REPRODUCTIVE QI AND REGULATE MENSTRUATION

Tonify Reproductive Qi, Regulate Menstruation and Treat Infertility

Uterine restoratives (fertility restoratives)

Chastetree Berry

Botanical source: Vitex agnus castus L.,

V. trifolia L. (Verbenaceae)
Pharmaceutical name: Fructus Viticis agni-casti
Ancient names: Agnos, Lygnon (Gr)
Agnus castus, Salix amerina (Lat)
Other names: a) Chasteberry, Chaste lamb,
Abrahams balm
b) Three-leaf chaste tree (Eng)
Gattilier, Agneaux chaste (Fr)
Keuschbaum, Keuschlamm, Schaffmllen,
Kloster/Mnchspfeffer (Gr)
Part used: the fruit

NATURE
Therapeutic category: mild remedy with minimal chronic toxicity
Constituents: essential oil 1.64% (incl. sabinene, 1.8 cineole, alpha-pinene), glycosides (vitexinin and
vitexin)
Effective qualities: bitter, pungent, somewhat astringent, neutral with cooling and warming potential, dry
restoring, relaxing, calming, stimulating
Tropism: urogenital organs, intestines, liver, uterus, pituitary, sinews
Air, Fluid bodies
Liver, Kidney, Spleen, Lung, chong, ren meridians
Ground: All krases, biotypes and constitutions

FUNCTIONS
1

AND I NDICATIONS

TONIFIES REPRODUCTIVE QI; HARMONIZES REPRODUCTION, MENOPAUSE AND SEXUALITY;

INCREASES PROGESTERONE AND INHIBITS PROLACTIN; STOPS DISCHARGE

reproductive (Kidney) Qi deficiency: sexual disinterest, amenorrhea, long or irregular cycles

HYPERPROLACTINEMIA with GONADAL DEFICIENCY, incl.:
INFERTILITY, AMENORRHEA, PMS
PROGESTERONE DEFICIENCY with PITUITARY-GONADAL DEFICIENCY, incl.:
PMS with weepiness, withdrawal, thirst, swollen or lumpy breasts, sexual disinterest, irregular cycles
SEXUAL DISINTEREST, vaginal dryness, frgidity, impotence
MENOPAUSAL SYNDROME
SEXUAL OVERSTIMULATION (satyriasis, nymphomania), PREMATURE EJACULATION

lower warmer damp: vaginal or seminal discharges

LEUCORRHEA, SPERMATORRHEA, EXCESSIVE LACTATION

311

THE ENERGETICS OF WESTERN HERBS

2

ACTIVATES UTERUS QI AND REGULATES MENSTRUATION

uterus Qi constraint: painful, irregular periods, irritability, cramps during or before flow
SPASMODIC DYSMENORRHEA

STIMULATES CIRCULATION, DISPELS WIND-DAMP-COLD, RELIEVES JOINT AND MUSCLE PAIN;

PROMOTES EXPECTORATION AND RESOLVES PHLEGM

wind-damp-cold obstruction: painful joints and muscles, chills, headache

ARTHRITIS, FIBROMYALGIA
MUSCLES TENSION

lung phlegm-damp: coughing, expectoration of copious sputum, chest soreness and pains
BRONCHITIS (chronic), bronchial asthma
4

STIMULATES DIGESTION, RESOLVES MUCOUS-DAMP AND RELIEVES PAIN;

REDUCES LIVER CONGESTION, DRAINS WATER AND PROMOTES URINATION

intestines mucous-damp (Spleen damp): indigestion, flatulence, epigastric or abdominal pains,

irregular bowel movement, loose stool
GASTROENTERITIS, digestive colic
liver Qi stagnation: nausea, right flank pain, indigestion, headache
LIVER CONGESTION with DYSPEPSIA

liver water congestion: general or local water retention

EDEMA

PREPARATION
Use: Chastetree berry is taken in long infusion and tincture form. The latter is needed for the full range
of functions above. The remedy is useful in liniments and compresses for muscles spasms and pain.
Mouthwashes and gargles are helpful for mouth and throat sores.
Dosage: Long infusion: 4-10 g
Tincture: 1-3 ml
To treat reproductive conditions by hormonal regulation: take 1-2 ml of the tincture daily before breakfast
Caution: Chastetree berry is contraindicated during pregnancy as it is a uterine stimulant and during
lactation because of its dopaminergic effect.

NOTES
The small, grey, peppercorn-like grey fruit of this
plant from the Mediterranean shores is again
seeing the limelight it enjoyed in the Middle Ages
but in an entirely modern vein. In the past,
Chastetree berry was given names like Monks
pepper and Cloister pepper because of its
dampening effect on sexual desire. Throughout the
Middle Ages, the spicy-warm, peppery berry was a
standard table spice in the many hundreds of
monasteries throughout the Holy Roman Empire,
where celibate clergy seriously had to come to
terms with their sexual drives.
Chastetree berrys reputation for controlling
sexuality goes far beyond the confines of medieval
Christianity, however. One of the plants traditional
East Mediterranean names was agnos, meaning

312

infertile, which is related to the adjective hagnos,

or chaste. In ancient Athens, chastetree leaves
through cultural symbolism were associated with
certain priestesses of the goddess Demeter who
took the vow of celibacy. As proof of their chastity,
or perhaps as an aid to maintaining that condition,
the priestesses freely strewed chastetree leaves
about their bedrooms.
The late Roman writers SERAPIO and CONSTANTINE THE AFRICAN named this plant agnus castus,
later translated as chaste lamb. Although this name
sounds like the docile image of a medieval
clergymans deeper fantasy (which type of peppercorns had he been using?), it actually is not. The
name agnus castus actually resulted from a translation mistake that PLINIUS (PLINY) made somewhere

CLASS 7: TONIFY REPRODUCTIVE QI AND REGULATE MENSTRUATION

in his monumental Historia Naturalis. P LINIUS
mistakenly called the plant agnus, thinking that its
Greek name agnos meant lamb. Hence SERAPIOs
strange yet haunting miscegenation, chaste lamb.
The experience of later Greek medical doctors,
however, led to more differentiated conclusions on
Chastetree berrys effect on sexual desire. The
general concensus was that in Choleric krases (Fire
types) and hot conditions the remedy will appease
sexual overstimulation. This is in accord with
Chastetrees considerably bitter nature which has
the potential for clearing heat. In Melancholic
krases (Earth types) and cold conditions, it was
believed, the remedy would promote sexual and
menstrual functions (e.g., J. SCHROEDER 1611, J.
T RILLER 1764). This too is substantiated by the
berrys pungent taste that potentially generates
warmth and promotes menstruation through stimulation. In other words, Chastetree was seen as a
regulator of sexuality, depending on the condition
and constitution of the person taking it. In Chinese
medical terms, we would say that the remedy
harmonizes the chong and ren extra meridians in
their capacity of regulating menstrual and reproductive events. Hence its use for both deficiencies
displaying premature ejaculation, for example, and
reproductive (Kidney) Qi deficiency presenting
sexual disinterest and amenorrhea.
It is clearly true that Chasteberry is a fundamental harmonizer of sexual functioning and
expression on every level.
This concept is not a hare-brained Renaissance
speculation for two reasons. First, it is sound from
the vitalistic pharmacology point of view where
Chastetree berry can be seen as having the potential for both cooling and warming. Second, it is
reinforced by modern pharmacology which asserts
that the remedy potentially possesses both progesteronic and estrogenic actionsalthough primarily
progesteronic. This effect is thought to result from
pituitary gland stimulation that would increase or
decrease progesterone or estrol levels, as needed,
throughout a womans cycle. Interestingly, very
recent research also indicates that Chastetrees
reproductive restorative and normalizing effect is
also due to a dopaminergic action that corrects
hyperprolactinemia-induced hypogonadism by
reduction of prolactin release (B HNERT 1997).

Chastetrees ability to regulate sexuality is thereby

reflected holographically in its ability to regulate
womans hormones.
Today the role of progesterone in the system
and its implications for female health is becoming
clearer. Unlike the more one-sided anabolic
properties of estrogen, the nature of progesterone,
although essentially catabolic, is inherently more
regulating in action throughout the system (JOHN
L EE 1991). Now in clinical practice, Chastetree
berry has shown predominantly progesteronic
effects rather than estrogenic ones. This means that
the remedy may also achieve its hormonal
balancing action through progesterone stimulation.
Whats certain from actual practice is that women
coming in with premenstrual, menstrual and
menopausal disorders caused by progesterone and
gondal deficiency are those that benefit the most.
Typically they present symptoms of loss of selfesteem, withdrawal tendencies, painful, swollen or
lumpy beasts, and fatigue. Moreover, this implies
the use of Chasteberry for other progesterone
deficiency-related conditions such as reproductive
tumors (e.g., fibroids), fibrocystic breasts and
cancer (LEE 1991).
We can further deepen our understanding of
this remedy in light of the two Vitex species used in
Chinese medicine, Mu Jing (Five-leaf chastetree
berry) and Man Jing Zi (Seashore chastetree berry).
All three species have in common the bitter-pungent taste, the essential oil and flavonoid content,
and antirheumatic and analgesic actions applied to
rheumatic, fibromyalgic, arthrititic and gastrointestinal pain. However, the Western Chastetree combines some actions of both others, namely, expectorant, digestive stimulant, diuretic, spasmolytic
and muscle relaxant actions. Its use for myalgic
and neuralgic conditions is particularly noteworthy
the result of arterial stimulation and nervous
sedation in concert (as in Blue cohosh root).
Painful wind-damp obstruction is the specific
syndrome here addressed. Chastetrees liver
stimulant action was well-documented in Greek
medicine up to the time of MATTIOLI, and included
use for liver congestion and liver edema. As a
balancer of opposites, Chastetree here again displays both relaxant and stimulant actions.

313

Repertory

Important: Before using the Repertory for the

first time, please read this short introduction to
better understand:
The concept of differential diagnosis as it relates
to the layout of the Materia Medica
The available options among herbal preparations
(also see Chapter 8)
The considerations attached to the use of
medium-strength and strong category remedies
(see also page 78)
The general context of herbal treatment among
other treatment modalities
This Repertory is intended only as a quick reference list. Its use should be complemented by
referring to the Materia Medica in this text, which
comprehensively classifies remedy indications by
both Western disease and symptoms, and Chinese
syndromes. For best long-term therapeutic results
it is usually neccessary to treat the systemic condition as well as provide immediate symptom relief.
This is why it is considered important in traditional
Oriental and Greek medicine to address the
underlying syndrome of a manifested condition.
Different syndromes can give rise to the same
symptom. This Repertory presents the possible
choices of remedies for a manifested condition, or
symptom, only. Once you become familiar with the
underlying syndromes, you can also look them up
directly by using the General Index.
For best results, you may want to choose the
particular remedy that also treats the underlying
syndrome causing a cough, for example. However,
you may not know the associated syndrome until
you start exploring possible remedy options. The
Repertory lists the most important remedies for a
specific symptom. The design of this book will
help you explore the different syndromes that can
contribute to a single symptom. For instance, the
cough may be related to the syndromes lung
phlegm-cold, lung phlegm-heat or lung Qi constraint. By paying attention to the type of cough and

any other symptoms you may notice, you can use

the remedy descriptions within the text to help you
differentiate one among the possible syndromes
that are causing the cough. This is what a differential diagnosis is all about.
All remedies listed in the repertory should
primarily be taken internally through oral preparations such as a decoction, an infusion or a tincture.
However, the same remedies may, and in many
disorders often should, also be used in the form of
topical applications such as a swab, compress,
gargle, vaginal sponge, etc. Remember, topical
treatment applications often prove more effective
when given in conjunction with an internal
preparation. For best results in treating a particular
condition, you must choose the most appropriate
preparation(s). For example, in the case of a cough
from bronchitis, you can apply a topical
application of a compress, plaster or essential oil
liniment in addition to internal use. When treating
a tissue injury, for instance, internal use of
vulnerary, analgesic, sedative, etc. remedies is
usually necessary in addition to topical application
of a swab, compress and the like.
Included in the Repertory are herbal remedies
that belong to the medium-strength and strong
therapeutic category. Those in the strong category
are marked by an asterisk. Please read the section
on page 78 to familiarize yourself with this important concept. Medium-strength and strong remedies entail certain considerations in their use,
notably concerning their dosage, pharmacological
and therapeutic cautions, and contraindications.
This is another major reason to initially consult
each remedy in the Materia Medica before using it.
In particular, remedies in the strong category are
fairly toxic, and in their crude, unprepared state are
difficult to use by anyone untrained. In any case,
they are more difficult to find in the crude herb
trade. For all these reasons, they are better used in
homeopathic preparation form in low potencies up
to 12x. For example, Belladonna* in the Repertory

919

THE ENERGETICS OF WESTERN HERBS

means that this remedy belongs to the strong category and is best used in homeopathic form such as
Belladonna 3x, 6x or 12x.
Another consideration when working with this
Repertory is that many conditions listed here
require therapeutic measures other than herbal
treatment alone. The fact that herbal remedies are
suggested for these problems, and especially for
many complex, difficult conditions, should not
lead us to assume that herbal remedies alone
should or even can be used in treatment. This
repertory of herbal and essential oil remedies
simply represents possibilities for use in certain
disorders. It is emphatically not a therapeutic
guide and in no way replaces professional
diagnosis and treatment, herbal or otherwise. As
one of many forms of natural healing, herbal
medicine usually works best when combined with
other modalities that work in conjunction with the
individuals vital force (Qi), such as nutrition,

aromatherapy, acupuncture, massage, craniosacral

osteopathy, hydrotherapy, meditation, Qi Gong and
other forms of energy work.
A few format details:
Chinese herbal remedies are given by their compound clinical name, e.g., Ligusticum Chuan
Xiong. The first word is the botanical genus, and
the other words are the Chinese name. We have
avoided use of the English names of Chinese herbs
because they are so little known in the West. For
in-depth information on any Chinese remedy,
consult the authors source-book, Jade Remedies:
A Chinese Herbal Reference for the West.
Remedies in italics may, and often for best results
should, be used in essential oil form.
Mineral remedies are given in square brackets as
follows: [Talcum Hua Shi].
Animal remedies are given in curly brackets as
follows: {Propolis}.

Abdominal distension, acute (same remedies as Indigestion)

chronic: Barberry, Chaparral, Coptis Huang Lian, Dandelion, Goldenseal, Horsechestnut, Ladys mantle
Lemon, Madder, Marigold, Ocotillo, Red root, Rose, Sanicle, Stoneroot, Wood sorrel, Yellow dock
cramp/pain (see Intestinal colic)
Abscess (same remedies as Boil)
Acidosis (see Metabolic acidosis)
Acne (see also Food allergy, Hormonal disorders, Liver congestion, Toxicosis, microbial): Birch, Bittersweet,
Black currant seed (oil), Borage seed oil, Burdock, Chaparral, Dandelion, Echinacea, Evening primrose oil,
Figwort, Jamaica sarsaparilla, Goldenrod, Marigold, Microalgae, Nettle, Scabious, Soapwort, Walnut,
Watercress, Yellow dock
(topically): Bergamot, Cedarwood, Geranium, Horseradish, Juniper, Laurel, Lemon, Grapevine, Patchouli,
Tea tree, Witch hazel
ADD, ADHD (see Attention deficit [hyperactivity] disorder)
Adenitis (see Lymphadenitis)
Adhesion (see Scar tissue)
Adrenal cortex disorders (see Astma, Debility, Edema, Hypoglycemia, Immune deficiency, PMS, Urinary,
etc.)
deficiency (see adrenocortical stimulants, p. 802)
Aging, premature: Artichoke, Asparagus, Astragalus Huang Qi, Barley grass, Coconut oil, Cornsilk, Flower
pollen, Garlic, Ginseng (all types), Microalgae, Oat, Polygonum He Shou Wu, Red clover, Reishi, Schisandra Wu Wei Zi, Rosemary, Sage, Wheatgrass
Agitation (same remedies as Nervous tension)
AIDS (see Autoimmune disorder, Diarrhea, Fatigue, Immune deficiency, Infection, viral, Weight loss, and other
symptoms)
Albuminuria (see also Urination): Blue cohosh, Broom, Canada fleabane, Cherry stalk, Cornsilk, Couchgrass,
Dioscorea Bi Xie, Echinacea, Fringe tree, Goldenrod, Helonias, Horsetail, Juniper, Knotgrass, Madder,
Mistletoe, Motherwort, Mousear, Pipsissewa, Poke root, Sea holly, Silver birch
Alcoholism (see also Cerebral unsufficiency, Free radical burden, Liver congestion): Bladderwrack, Garlic,
Kelp, Microalgae, Nettle, Oat, Watercress, Wheatgrass
Alkalosis (see Metabolic alkalosis)
Allergy (immediate/type I; see also Adrenal cortex deficiency, Food allergies, Intestinal dysbiosis, Liver

920

REPERTORY
congestion, Nervous tension, Neuroendocrine deficiency, Toxicosis [all types]): Asarum Xi Xin, Black
currant oil, Borage seed oil, Burdock, Camomile (all types), Cocklebur, Coleus, Echinacea, Elder flower,
Ephedra Ma Huang, Evening primrose oil, Eyebright, Flower pollen, Garlic, German/Moroccan blue
camomile, Goldenrod, Gumweed, Heartsease, Licorice, Ligustrum Nu Zhen Zi, Lungwort lichen, Melissa,
Mullein, Nettle, Plantain, Schisandra Wu Wei Zi, Scutellaria Huang Qin, Rose, Tarragon, Witch hazel,
Xanthium Cang Er Zi, Yerba santa
Alopecia (see Hair loss)
Alzheimers disease (see Cerebral insufficiency, Mineral depletion, Senility, premature, Toxicosis, heavy metal)
Amenorrhea (see Menstruation, absent)
Amnesia (see Memory loss)
Anaphylaxis (see Allergy)
Anemia (see also Appetite loss, Cerebral insufficiency, Malabsorption syndrome): Alfalfa, Angelica Dang Gui,
Artichoke, Asparagus, Beet, Bladderwrack, Burdock, Chickweed, Chicory, Codonopsis Dang Shen,
Comfrey, Dandelion, Dong quai, Flower pollen, Horsetail, Iceland moss, Irish moss, Jamaica sarsaparilla,
Kelp, Lemon, Microalgae, Nettle, Oat, Parsley, {Placenta}, Red clover, Suma, Walnut, Watercress,
Wheatgrass, Yellow dock
Angina laryngea (see Laryngitis)
Angina pectoris (same remedies as Coronary disease)
Angioedema (see Allergy, Skin)
Ankylosing spondylitis (see Autoimmune disorder, Inflammation, symptoms)
Anorexia (same remedies as Appetite loss; see also Nausea, Weight loss))
Anosmia: Basil
Anuria (see Urinary obstruction)
Anxiety state (see also Food allergy): Arnica, Bergamot, Biota Bai Zi Ren, Black cohosh, Black horehound,
Bugleweed, California poppy, Camomile (all types), Cereus, Clary sage, Cowslip flower, Damiana,
Gumweed, Hops, Jamaica dogwood, Kava, Lavender, Linden, Mandarin, Marjoram, Melissa, Mistletoe,
Neroli, Pasque flower, Passionflower, Skullcap, Scrophularia Xuan Shen, Valerian, White horehound,
White pond lily, Ylang ylang, Zizyphus Suan Zao Ren
Aphonia (see Voice loss)
Aphtha (see Ulcer, Thrush)
Apoplexy (see Stroke)
Appetite loss: Agrimony, Alder buckthorn, Artichoke, Barberry, Bergamot, Birthroot, Blessed thistle, Blue
vervain, Bogbean, Boneset, Bugleweed, Calamus, Calumba, Cascara sagrada, Chaparral, Chicory, Condurango, Culvers root, Damiana, Dandelion, Elecampane, Fringe tree, Fumitory, Gentian, Helonias, Hops,
Inmortal, Lobelia, Motherwort, Oregon grape, Pipsissewa, Pleurisy root, Poplar, Sage, Scabious, Selfheal,
Speedwell, Stoneroot, Tansy, Thyme, Tormentil, Vervain, White horehound, Willow, Wormwood, Yarrow,
Yerba mansa, Yerba santa
Arrhythmia, cardiac (see also Food allergy): Aconitum Fu zi, Adonis, Arnica, Black horehound, Bugleweed,
Camphor, Cereus, Foxglove, Hedge bindweed, Lily of the valley, Marjoram, Melissa, Valerian, White
horehound, Yellow jessamine*
Arterial occlusive disorder (see Circulation, insufficient arterial/capillary, associated condition, symptoms)
Arteriosclerosis (see also Free radical burden): Arnica, Artichoke, Asparagus, Black currant oil, Blessed
thistle, Borage seed oil, Celandine, Celery, Cornsilk, Couchgrass, Dandelion, Elder, Evening primrose oil,
Flaxseed oil, Fumitory, Garlic, Ginkgo leaf, Hawthorn, Heartsease, Horsetail, Juniper, Kelp, Ladys
mantle, Lecithin, Lemon, Lily of the valley, Linden, Microalgae, Mistletoe, Nettle, Passionflower, Rosemary, Rue, Sage, Shepherds purse, Silver birch, Walnut, Watercress, Wood sorrel
Arthritis, acute rheumatoid (see also Autoimmune disorder, Food allergy, Infection bacterial): Camomile (all
types), Camphor, Celery, Citronella, Clematis Wei Ling Xian, Gentiana Qin Qian Cao, Guaiacum, Lemon,
Meadowsweet, Silver birch, Stephania Han Fang Ji, Tripterygium Lei GongTeng, White bryony, Wild yam,
Willow
chronic rheumatoid (see also Autoimmune disorder, Connective tissue degeneration, Food allergy, Infection,
viral, Toxicosis, metabolic): Acanthopanax Wu Jia Pi, Alfalfa, Apple cider vinegar, Artichoke, Asparagus,
Birch, Bittersweet, Bladderwrack, Blue cohosh, Blue flag, Blue violet, Borage seed oil, Burdock, Celery,

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This classic book, now extensively revised and updated, provides a creative revisioning of western herbalism. Clear, concise and comprehensive, it elegantly defines an integrated energetic model with specific
indications for the therapeutic use of western herbs. An exceptional and immensely useful text.
Chanchal Cabrera, M.N.I.M.H., A.H.G., President, Gaia Garden Herbal Apothecary, Vancouver
The Energetics of Western Herbs is an excellent resource for the practitioner. Peter Holmes unique and
masterful blending of Western physiological and Eastern diagnostic principles adds depth and clarity to
the art of herbal formulation. This revised edition incorporates the most recent research in plant medicine.
This brilliant two-volume set is a must for any herbalist.
Linda Costarella, N.D., co-author of Herbs for Womens Health
This is a text that deserves respect. As an account, even encyclopaedia, of traditional uses, these
monographs and their introductions are probably the most complete and integrated anywhere ... This is an
impressive opus: I believe Holmes succeeds very well on his own terms, and many practitioners will be
grateful to him for illuminating their therapeutic deliberations.
Simon Mills, M.N.I.M.H., author of Out of the Earth: The Essential Book of Herbal Medicine
In this important volume, Peter Holmes has accepted [a] challenge, gone to the libraries and shown that
there is a rich herbal tradition in the west that was discarded by the enthusiasm and ideology of the
scientific revolution. Peter Holmes has creatively engaged the best of the buried western herbal tradition
in a dialogue with the rich tradition of the east. The Energetics of Western Herbs is an important discussion that can only enhance the creativity, depth, intelligence and clinical skills of all herbalists both in the
east and in the west.
Ted Kaptchuk, O.M.D., author of Chinese Medicine: The Web That Has No Weaver
Every user and lover of Western herbs can gain tremendous insight into the nature and energetics of
herbs with careful study of Peter Holmes ground-breaking book, The Energetics of Western Herbs. This
book has become the de facto standard reference work for everyone interested in the integration of
Western and Chinese herbal medicine. This is absolutely where the excitement is today!
Christopher Hobbs, L.Ac., A.G.H., author of Handbook for Herbal Healing
The largest and most important study of materia medica in the Western world. It should be on every
herbalists bookshelf.
Brenda Cooke, M.N.I.M.H., Editor, Greenfiles
Here is perhaps the first attempt in a millenium or more to classify Western herbs in terms of their
energetics. Holmes views Western herbs through the eyes of a practitioner of Chinese medicine. The
Energetics of Western Herbs is borne of the authors lifetime pursuit of thinking of Western herbs in
oriental terms. It is an impressive, massive undertaking ... This is an impact herb book, one that will be
talked about reverently and irreverently for a long time.
Steven Foster, author of Herbal Emissaries: Bringing Chinese Herbs to the West

It is the original work that is sorely needed in the Western herbal tradition, and perhaps we didnt know
how much we missed it until it arrived ... I hope it becomes a landmark, an historical breakthrough, on the
way to an authentic modern herbal medical system. Peter Holmes work is not merely one of refined
scholarship. It is also full of insight and practical application.
Stephen Fulder, PhD., author of The Tao of Medicine
The Energetics of Western Herbs goes back to the roots of both Eastern and Western traditions of herbal
medicine and integrates them into a new and original work. This is an attempt to provide continuity
between the ancient systems and present-dy practices, and classifies Western herbs according to a system
that applies equally to all traditions. It is far and away the best study of Western herbal medicine, indeed
the only one of its kind. It is a creative and original work which has gone right back to fundamentals, and
could provide the key to the future understanding and application of herbal medicine.
Brenda Cooke, Council Member, National Institute of Medical Herbalists, England
There is no question in my mind that this book will become the classic reference work on Western
energetics by which other herbal scholars and practitioners will measure their research.
Jake Fratkin, O.M.D., author of Chinese Herbal Patent Formulas
Peter Holmes has given us an audacious new work that is global in perspective. In this text he opens a
new frontier for our exploration by revitalizing the traditions of the western worlds herbal healing art. By
means of his research we are introduced to the saga of the largely forgotten progenitors of the herbal
traditions in Europe and the Near East. Through the practical eye of his clinical experience as an eclectic
herbalist emerges the possibility for a unified theory of herbal healing. As you move with Peter through
this text, you will not only be offered a new integrated methodology for using herbs, but you will also
have the enjoyment of joining in his quest to recover the past, be delighted by the stories he has to tell,
and be enlightened by the insightful commentaries he has carefully crafted for us.
Randall Barolet, O.M.D., co-author of Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas and Strategies
As a practitioner of Chinese medicine I find this text to be the most exciting and useful reference in my
library. It not only allows me the option of choosing environmentally related herbs for my patients but
assists me in maintaining the status and integrity of the medicine Ive come to know.
Douglas Vickerd, licensed acupuncturist, Victoria, B.C.
Many a satisfying winter evening awaits the herbalist who owns a copy of The Energetics of Western
Herbs by Peter Holmes. These volumes throb with the pulse of life, sing with the laughter of Artemis (to
whom they are dedicated), and twinkle with the truth of the wise woman way. By looking holographically, Peter has seen into the inner forms of illness and plant medicines, and shows us clearlyand
with much lovethe patterns of connection. Packed with information which is easily accessed, The
Energetics of Western Herbslike Artemis herselfwill be a lifelong friend to the student and
practitioner of herbal medicine.
Susun Weed, author of Healing Wise