Aromatic herbs

Flavanones are 2,3-dihydroderivatives of flavones which have a saturated C-ring, and are mainly present in their glycosidic forms. In contrast to other flavonoid classes found in a wide range of foods and plants, flavanones are present mainly in citrus fruit and in some aromatic herbs such as ntint. However, reports on the isolation of antinticrobial flavanones from medicinal plants mainly concerned those belonging to the Leguntinoseae family. 

Aromatic herbs that open the orifices, expel wind-heat or wind-cold and promote Qi movement should be used in relatively small doses these include Bing Pian [Bomeol), Su He Xiang [Styrax),... 

This method is used to treat blood stagnation. It is carried out by using pungent, aromatic herbs that enter the Heart, Pericardium, Liver and Gall Bladder meridians. These ingredients can directly stimulate blood circulation. To enhance their effect, they are combined with herbs that activate the Qi. 

Use aromatic herbs which have a unique dispersing and transforming action to penetrate the dampness in the Upper- and Middle-Jiao and eliminate it. 

Five herbs serve as assistants. Dan Shen cools the blood and disperses the blood stagnation, which are the common accompanying pathological changes when there is heat at the Yin level. Dan Zhu Ye and Huang Lian can clear heat and calm the mind. Jin Yin Hua and Lian Qiao can vent the heat to the Qi level as they are aromatic herbs. They clear heat that has been vented from the Ying level in order to eliminate the heat from... 

Aromatic herbs that can penetrate through the dampness and revive the Spleen, and therefore accelerate dampness transformation are selected. 

Xiao Hui Xiang is an aromatic herb. As it can disperse cold and promote Qi movement, it is able to alleviate pain and improve appetite. 

Cao Dou Kou is also an aromatic herb. Unlike Xiao Hui Xiang, which promotes Qi movement, its strong point is to dry dampness and warm the Spleen. As a result, it can treat nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and poor appetite. 

Xiao Hui Xiang is pungent and warm, and enters the Spleen and Stomach meridians. It can warm the Middle-Jiao and expel cold and dampness. It is used to treat abdominal pain, distension, poor appetite, vomiting and diarrhea due to the internal cold. It is an aromatic herb and can disperse cold and promote Qi movement, thereby alleviating pain and improving appetite. 

When damp-heat accumulates in the Upper-Jiao, herbs that are pungent and warm, and can induce mild sweating to disperse and expel dampness should be selected along with aromatic herbs that can transform the dampness. It is also important to select aromatic and cold herbs that enter the Heart and Lung meridians, and can disperse and clear the heat. 

When Damp-heat accumulates in the Upper-Jiao, aromatic herbs that clear and disperse heat should be used. 

When these pungent, aromatic herbs with warm and cold natures are used together, the damp and heat can be separated and eliminated. 

Huo Xiang and Pei Lan can be used as deputies to treat damp-heat in the Middle-Jiao. They are aromatic herbs and can penetrate the dampness and revive the Spleen. They can therefore disperse the heat and dampness, and transform the dampness. They should be used with herbs that clear the heat. 

Yin Chen Hao is an aromatic herb. It can disperse and transform dampness, and clear heat in the Upper- and Middle-Jiao. 

Shi Chang Pu, Bo He and Huo Xiang enhance the ability of Yin Chen Hao. They are all aromatic herbs and especially reduce the sleepy and heavy sensation of the head. 

Chen Pi, Mu Xiang and Sha Ren are all aromatic herbs and warm in nature. They can promote digestion and Qi movement and reduce distension. Chen Pi is particularly selected for treating Qi obstruction in the Stomach Mu Xiang is for stagnation in the intestines and Liver and Sha Ren is for Qi obstruction in the Large Intestine. 

As well as the above-mentioned functions, this herb has other functions that can be used as a reference in selecting herbs in a formula. It is an aromatic herb, and is able to penetrate damp-heat, clear damp-heat and promote bile secretion. It can be used as deputy in a formula when there is damp-heat in the Upper- and Middle-Jiao, the symptoms of which are fullness in the chest and epigastric region, jaundice and reduced appetite, such as in malaria and hepatitis. In addition, Yu Jin can spread the Liver-Qi, clear the Liver-heat and eliminate irritability. It can be selected to treat headache and a tight sensation in the chest caused by Qi and blood stagnation and damp-heat obstruction. 

These herbs particularly promote Qi movement in the chest. They are aromatic herbs and have a strong and quick action to stimulate the Qi movement in the chest to promote blood circulation. They can broaden the chest and relieve pain and a stifling sensation in the chest. 

Mu Xiang is an aromatic herb. It can effectively move the Qi. It particularly relieves pain due to its strong action of moving the Qi. Since it also enters the Spleen and Large Intestine meridians, it is more suitable for treating pain in the hypochondriac region and abdomen. 

Yu Jin enters the Liver meridian primarily and the Heart meridian secondly. It is not only bitter and cold, but also pungent. Its function focuses on the Liver rather than the Heart. Its functions of promoting blood circulation and removing congealed blood are also stronger than those of Dan Shen. Moreover, Yu Jin can spread the Liver-Qi and clear Liver-heat. As an aromatic herb, it can also clear damp-heat and remove damp-heat obstruction in the Upper- and Middle-Jiao. It is an appropriate choice in a formula if there are symptoms of irritability, headache, a tight sensation in the chest, agitation, and a bitter and sticky taste in the mouth. 

These warm and aromatic herbs can penetrate turbidity, transform dampness and regulate Qi movement. They are used in the formula to treat the cold type of locked-up syndrome. 

These aromatic herbs can particularly move the Qi and enhance the chief substances in the formula to open the orifices. 

Bai Zhi is an aromatic herb and Fang Feng is pungent in nature. These two herbs enter the Spleen meridian. Since they can eliminate dampness and transform pus, they are often used to clean up the purulent open wound and promote the healing process. 

Cang Zhu is pungent, bitter and warm, and enters the Spleen and Stomach meridians. It is a strong aromatic herb and can reach the skin, subcutaneous region and muscles. Since it can effectively dry dampness and open up meridians, it can be used as chief in the formula to treat Yin-type Yong Yang disorder. 

Bai Zhi is pungent and hot, and enters the Spleen meridian. This aromatic herb can spread its Qi quickly and can penetrate turbidity, transform dampness and discharge pus and fluid. It is often used as assistant in the formula when the Yin-type ulcer discharges thin and turbid pus and fluid, and healing is not able to take place. 

Schimpf, W. and Lundberg-Schimpf, T. 2005. Our Farm. Elying-Two Medicinal and Aromatic Herbs, Kelowna, . Accessed 7/5/05. 

Benefits A bitter aromatic herb with a fig/date-like flavour that is claimed to be a nerve stimulant and was used to treat nervous exhaustion and anxiety of a sexual nature. It is claimed to be a mild irritant of the genito-urinary tract. 

Benefits A bitter aromatic herb traditionally used for its gentle sedative, calming properties. It is also used to calm the digestive system. It is a mild herb that has been used for children s complaints. Folklore German chamomile is used in toiletry and cosmetic preparations as a hair conditioner and lightener (Bown, 2003 British Herbal Medicine Association, 1983 Graenwald et al, 2002 Hutchens, 1973 Shealy, 1998 Tierra, 1998). 

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