A Study Guide to Phlegm-Resolving Herbs

[Guest guest]

http://www.itmonline.org/arts/phlegm.htm

 

This is a good, basic article for the people on the list studying to

be herbalists.

 

In the Materia Medica, herbs that relieve Phlegm are divided into

those that relieve Hot Phlegm and those that relieve Cold Phlegm.

(Some can be used for either depending on what other herbs they are

combined with.) BUT, Phlegm can team up with any Pernicious Evil -

Heat, Cold, Damp, Dryness, Wind, or Fire. There can be different

types of Phlegm, but Hot Phlegm and Cold Phlegm are the two main

classifications. Treatment and the formulas chosen will vary

according to what kind of Phlegm it is. In general, Herbs That Cool

and ransform Phlegm-Heat are used for Hot Phlegm and Dry Phlegm. In

general Warm Herbs That ransform Phlegm-Cold are used for Cold Phlegm

and Damp Phlegm. (Though you do run into cases of Cold Dry Phlegm and

Hot Damp Phlegm.)

 

The herb Usnea is one of the herbs that treats Hot Phlegm. I couldn't

find it in Bensky and Gamble's Materia Medica. Pinellia (Rhizoma

(Rhizome of) Pinelliae Ternatae) is classified as a Warm Herb That

Transforms Phlegm-Cold. Raw Pinellia (ban xia) is toxic and is only

used externally. Fa ban xia is pinellia which has been deep-fried

with ginger, vinegar, or alumen. Jiang ban xia is pinellia treated

with ginger juice. Pinellia's thermal energy is warm, and it's taste

is acrid. It's contraindicated " in all cases of bleeding, cough due

to yin deficiency, or depleted fluids. Use with caution in all cases

with heat. According to some traditional sources, this herb is

incompatible with Radix Aconiti (wu tou). (Bensky and Gamble, Chinese

Herbal Medicine Materia Medica, p. 190.)

 

Victoria