1. Huang Qin (Scutellaria baicalensis) Properties: Bitter, cold. Meridians: Lung, Gallbladder, Spleen, Stomach. Effect Analysis: Huang Qin has the ability to clear heat and dry dampness, as well as to drain fire and detoxify, particularly effective in clearing damp-heat from the upper and middle jiao.
2. Huang Lian (Coptis chinensis) Properties: Bitter, cold. Meridians: Heart, Spleen, Stomach, Liver, Gallbladder, Large Intestine. Effect Analysis: Huang Lian is known for its heat-clearing, damp-drying, and fire-draining detoxification properties.
3. Huang Bai (Phellodendron amurense) Properties: Bitter, cold. Meridians: Kidney, Bladder. Effect Analysis: Huang Bai effectively clears heat and dries dampness, and is particularly good at draining damp-heat from the lower jiao. It is also one of the most commonly used topical medications for eczema. Internally, it can be used for various skin diseases caused by damp-heat and blood stasis in the meridians, presenting symptoms such as redness, swelling, pain, ulceration, and exudation, especially effective for skin diseases of the lower limbs. When used externally, it also has the effect of clearing heat, drying dampness, and promoting healing of ulcerated surfaces. It is often used in combination with Cang Zhu (Atractylodes) in the formula Er Miao San (Two Marvels Powder). This formula is applicable for skin conditions with obvious damp-heat symptoms such as eczema, hand-foot vesicular disease, and seborrheic dermatitis.
4. Long Dan Cao (Gentiana scabra) Properties: Bitter, cold. Meridians: Liver, Gallbladder. Effect Analysis: Long Dan Cao has the ability to clear heat and dry dampness, and to drain liver and gallbladder fire.
5. Ku Shen (Sophora flavescens) Properties: Bitter, cold. Meridians: Heart, Liver, Stomach, Large Intestine, Bladder. Effect Analysis: Ku Shen is known for its heat-clearing, damp-drying, and wind-expelling insecticidal properties, historically used as a primary herb for treating eczema and dermatitis.
6. Xuan Shen (Scrophularia ningpoensis) Properties: Sweet, bitter, cold. Meridians: Lung, Stomach, Kidney. Effect Analysis: Xuan Shen nourishes yin, generates fluids, clears heat, and detoxifies.
7. Bai Xian Pi (Dictamnus dasycarpus) Properties: Bitter, cold. Meridians: Spleen, Stomach. Effect Analysis: Bai Xian Pi has the ability to clear heat and detoxify, as well as to dispel wind and dry dampness.
8. Jin Yin Hua (Lonicera japonica) Properties: Sweet, cold. Meridians: Lung, Stomach, Large Intestine. Effect Analysis: Jin Yin Hua is a key herb for clearing heat and detoxifying, and dispersing wind-heat, particularly effective for treating sores and carbuncles.
9. Qing Dai (Indigo naturalis) Properties: Salty, cold. Meridians: Liver, Lung. Effect Analysis: Qing Dai clears heat and detoxifies, cools the blood, and reduces spots.
10. Tu Fu Ling (Smilax glabra) Properties: Sweet, bland, neutral. Meridians: Liver, Stomach. Effect Analysis: Tu Fu Ling has detoxifying and damp-dispelling properties.
11. Ma Chi Xian (Portulaca oleracea) Properties: Sour, cold. Meridians: Liver, Large Intestine. Effect Analysis: Ma Chi Xian clears heat and detoxifies, cools the blood, stops bleeding, and reduces swelling, showing significant efficacy in treating boils and toxic heat.
12. Di Fu Zi (Kochia scoparia) Properties: Bitter, sweet, cold. Meridians: Kidney, Bladder. Effect Analysis: Di Fu Zi has the ability to promote urination, clear heat, and relieve itching.
