MATERIA MEDICA I

Actions and Classification of Herbs

Actions correspond with an herbs thermal
property, tastes and channels
Effect on specific organs has become the
predominant method for understanding
actions of herbs
Today, herbs are classified into categories
according to their actions
Some herbs have actions belonging to more
than one category
Classification by Category
The Bensky Materia Medica classifies
herbs into 19 categories based on each
herbs primary function
Knowing the properties, functions, and
herbal constituents of each category is
an invaluable aid to learning herbal
medicine
List of Categories
1. Release the Exterior
2. Clear Heat
3. Downward-Draining
4. Drain Dampness
5. Dispel Wind-Dampness
6. Transform Phlegm and
Stop Coughing
7. Aromatic to Transform
Dampness
8. Relieve Food Stagnation
9. Regulate Qi
10. Regulate Blood
11. Warm the Interior
and Expel Cold
12. Tonifying
13. Stabilize and Bind
14. Calm the Spirit
15. Aromatic to Open the
Orifices
16. Extinguish Wind and
Stop Tremors
17. Expel Parasites
18. Topical Application
HERBS THAT RELEASE THE
EXTERIOR
Definition: substances that dispel pathogenic factors
from the external and superficial parts of the body

General properties:
Temperature: Warm or cool
Taste: Acrid
Channel: Lung
Direction: Floating (outwards)

Common disorders: common cold, influenza,
respiratory allergies, arthritis

HERBS THAT RELEASE THE
EXTERIOR
SUBCATEGORIES

Warm Acrid Herbs that Release the Exterior warm
and acrid, dispel Wind-Cold and induce sweating
(diaphoresis)

Cool Acrid Herbs that Release the Exterior cool and
acrid, dispel Wind-Heat and reduce swelling and
inflammation


Warm Acrid Herbs that
Release the Exterior
m hung
Acrid, sl. bitter
Warm
Lung, Bladder

Induces sweating
Calms wheezing
Promotes urination
Ephedrae Herba
Cool Acrid Herbs that
Release the Exterior
b h
Acrid
Cool, aromatic
Lung, Liver

Disperses wind-heat
Cools and clears eyes and
head
Soothes the throat
Facilitates flow of Liver qi
Menthae haplocalycis Herba
Case for Exterior Releasing
Herbs
Susan caught a cold 3 days ago. She feels
warm and has a fever of 100.1F but she
also has chills and aversion to wind. Her
throat is sore and dry, she has a headache,
and she is perspiring a little bit. Her tongue
has a thin yellow coating and her pulse is
superficial and rapid.
Which herbal sub-category is appropriate?
What is the exemplar herb?
HERBS THAT CLEAR HEAT
Definition: substances that treat internal heat
disorders

General properties:
Temperature: Cold
Taste: Bitter (sweet if nourishing yin)
Channel: Various
Direction: Descending

Common disorders: febrile diseases, skin conditions
with redness and warmth, purulent infections and
abscesses, epidemic viral infections, dysentery,
urinary difficulty or pain, jaundice
HERBS THAT CLEAR HEAT
SUBCATEGORIES PROPERTIES ACTIONS
Drain Fire Sweet and bitter
LU and ST chs
Strongly clear heat and purge
fire from the qi level, for high
fevers and inflammation
Cool the Blood Bitter and sweet,
or salty
HT and LIV chs
Heat in the nutritive and blood
levels with changes in
consciousness, bleeding,
rashes
Clear Heat and Dry
Dampness
Bitter
LIV, GB, LI chs,
Damp-heat disorders including
jaundice, dysentery, painful
urination, skin conditions
Clear Heat and
Resolve Toxicity
Bitter to clear heat
and eliminate
toxins
Purulent sores and abscesses
and viral infections
Clear Heat from
Deficiency [of Yin]
Sweet
KD and LIV chs
Heat symptoms due to
deficiency of yin or late stage
febrile diseases
HERBS THAT CLEAR
HEAT
Herbs that Drain Fire
sh go
Sweet, acrid
Very cold
Lung, Stomach

Clears heat and
drains fire (high
fever)
Eczema, burns,
ulcerated sores
(topical)
Gypsum Fibrosum
Herbs that Cool the Blood
shng d hung
Sweet, bitter
Cold
Heart, Liver, Kidney

Cools the blood
Clears heat
Nourishes the yin
Rehmanniae Radix
Herbs that Clear Heat and Dry
Dampness
hung qn
Bitter
Cold
Lung, Stomach,
Gallbladder, Large
Intestine

Clears heat
Dries dampness
Quiets the fetus
Scutellariae Radix
Herbs that Clear Heat and
Resolve Toxicity
jn yn hu
Sweet
Cold
Large Intestine,
Lung, Stomach

Disperses heat
Resolves toxicity
Clears damp-heat
from the lower
burner

Lonicerae Flos
Herbs that Clear Heat from
Deficiency
qng ho
Bitter
Cold
Liver, Kidney,
Gallbladder

Clears heat from
deficiency
Clears summer
heat
Treats malaria
Artemisiae annuae Herba
Case #1 for Heat Clearing
Herbs
John is a new patient. You immediately
notice that his complexion and sclera are
yellow. He complains of malaise, poor
appetite, abdominal distention, and dark
yellow urine. His tongue coating is yellow
and greasy. His pulse is rolling and rapid.
Which herbal sub-category is appropriate?
What is the exemplar herb?
Case #2 for Heat Clearing Herbs
Sam has been ill for several days and his
symptoms are getting worse. He is running a
very high fever and sweating. His face is
flushed and he feels restless and irritable. He
asks for cold water. His tongue body is red
and his pulse is rapid and forceful.
Which herbal sub-category is appropriate?
What is the exemplar herb?
According to the interaction of mutual
acceptance (xiang xu), which herb should you
combine with the exemplar herb?