Meridians opening

Bai Zhi is warm and pungent with a rich aromatic smell it possesses strong ascending properties. As it can expel wind-cold, transform phlegm and pus and dry dampness, it can therefore reduce swelling and open the obstruction of the nose. Because it enters not only the Lung meridian, but also the Stomach meridian, it is often applied to treat pain in the... 

As Xi Xin enters the Lung meridian and has an aromatic smell, it is often used for transforming cold and thin phlegm from the Lung, opening the nasal orifices and improving the sense of smell. 

Zhi Ke is bitter and slightly cold, and enters the Spleen and Stomach meridians. It can regulate the Spleen-Qi and Stomach-Qi in a gentle and slow way. It moves horizontally in the Upper- and Middle-Jiao, opens the chest and reduces distension. In an exterior syndrome it is used to treat Qi stagnation in the chest, stomach and hypochondria, which causes distension in the upper abdomen, a stifling sensation in the chest, reduced appetite, irritability and depression. 

Qian Niu Zi is bitter, cold and poisonous, and enters the Lung, Kidney and Large Intestine meridians. It can purge accumulation from the intestines and treat constipation, as well as drive out water accumulation and treat edema. It can eliminate phlegm and open up the San Jiao meridian. Although less poisonous than Da Ji, Yuan Hua and Gan Sui, it is still a very harsh herb. 

Zhu Li and Lian Zi Xin are very cold and enter the Heart meridian. They can be used if the Heart-shen is disturbed by heat or heat-toxin. They can clear the heat, open up the orifices and revive the spirit. Zhu Li can eliminate phlegm-heat, open the Heart meridian, and treat loss of consciousness, delirium and restlessness. 

Xing Ren is pungent, bitter and warm, and enters the Lung and Large Intestine meridians. Its pungent and warm nature can disperse the Lung-Qi and the bitterness can descend the Qi. It can disperse the dampness in the Upper-Jiao and open up the Upper-Jiao. 

First, herbs that are very pungent and hot, enter the Heart, Spleen and Kidney meridians, can disperse cold, warm the interior, relieve cramp, open up the meridians and promote Qi movement are selected. 

When the internal cold accumulates in the body, whatever the cause is, cold may contract the meridians, collaterals and muscles. The Qi gets obstructed and pain appears in the affected area. Herbs that promote the Qi movement and are warm in nature are used in these conditions to assist the herbs that warm the interior, expel cold, open up the meridians and therefore alleviate pain. Since they enter different meridians and regions, they may be selected to treat Qi obstruction in the related area. 

These two herbs are pungent, bitter and warm, and enter the Heart meridian. They are able to eliminate the invisible phlegm, open the chest and calm the mind. They can be applied in the formula if phlegm is generated by deficiency of the Spleen-Qi and Heart-Qi, and the phlegm covers the mind and leads to insomnia, palpitations and restlessness. 

Mu Gua is sour and warm, and enters the Liver and Spleen meridians. It has no function to tonify the blood, but is able to nourish the tendons, expel dampness and open the meridians. It is selected in formulas to relieve spasm and stiffness of the limbs due to Yin and Liver-blood deficiency. 

Assistant Spread the Yang, stimulate the Qi movement in the chest, eliminate phlegm so as to open the Heart meridian and strengthen the Middle-Jiao... 

Gui Zhi is sweet, pungent and warm, and enters the Heart meridian. Since the twigs enter the meridians according to the concepts of traditional Chinese medicine, this herb is able to stimulate the Yang and the Qi of the Heart. Together with herbs that tonify the blood, it can accelerate the speed of the bloodgenerating process. It is mainly used as assistant in the formula to tonify the blood so as to warm the blood, promote blood circulation and open up the obstruction. It is particularly selected in the syndrome where there is numbness and tingling of the limbs, cold and pain of the extremities. 

Assistant Open the meridians and collaterals, relax the tendons, reduce the Liver-heat, descend the Liver-Yang and spread the Liver-Qi... 

Ji Xue Teng is bitter, sweet and warm, and enters the Liver and Kidney meridians. It can tonify the blood, promote blood circulation and open the collaterals. It is often selected in the formula to treat numbness of the limbs, and stiff and uneasy sensations of the muscles and tendons. 

Chuan Xiong is pungent and warm, and enters the Liver, Gall Bladder and Pericardium meridians. It has an intense dispersing action, can stimulate the blood and Qi, open up the obstruction and stop pain. It can be used as deputy to stimulate the Heart-Yang and relieve chest pain due to cold and blood obstruction. 

Deputy Eliminate damp-heat by promoting urination dry dampness and drain damp-heat regulate the Qi stimulate and revive the function of the Spleen, open the orifice and meridians... 

The remaining herbs are assistants. Zhi Zi drains damp-heat from San Jiao Yi Yi Ren transforms damp-heat from the Middle-Jiao. Together with Chi Xiao Dou, Yi Yi Ren eliminates the damp-heat in the meridians, muscles and joints. Ban Xia and Can Sha can open the obstruction of the Qi and eliminate dampness. 

These herbs are able to transform wind-phlegm and open up the meridians and collaterals. 

These herbs are used to dissipate nodules. Ju Luo is sweet, bitter and neutral, and enters the Liver and Lung meridians. According to the concept that the pith of fruit enters the collaterals of the human body, Ju Luo is able to regulate the Qi, open up the collaterals and remove phlegm there. It can be used with other herbs such as Si Gua Luo and Ju Ye to regulate the Liver-Qi in order to treat distending pain in the breasts and hypochondria, such as in premenstrual syndrome and mastopathy. 

These substances particularly open up the meridians and collaterals, and treat numbness of the limbs caused by Liver-wind. Jiang Can and Chuan Tui are also used for itchy skin disorders caused by Liver-wind and Liver-heat. 

Tan Xiang is pungent, aromatic and warm, and enters the Spleen, Stomach and Lung meridians. It has a strong function of scattering cold and opening Qi obstruction, thus relieving pain. It is particularly suitable to be selected for severe pain in the chest and stomach. It is often used with Sha Ren [Amomi xanthioidis fructus) to enhance its function. 

Ru Xiang is warm and pungent, and enters the Heart and Liver meridians Mo Yao is neutral and enters the Liver meridian. Ru Xiang and Mo Yao are a pair of herbs that are often used together. They can strongly disperse and descend congealed blood, open up the meridians and collaterals, and are very effective in relieving pain. 

They all have a strong moving ability, are able to open up the meridians and treat stiffness and pain of the limbs. As their high speed and strength can also expel cold, wind and dampness, they are often used for treating Bi syndrome caused by wind, cold and dampness. 

Zku Li is the coldest of these three herbs. It enters the Heart, Lung and Stomach meridians. It has a lubricating nature, can strongly eliminate phlegm-heat from the Heart, open the Heart orifice and unblock the meridians and collaterals so as to treat mental confusion, numbness and tingling of the limbs. 

Tian Ma is sweet and neutral, and enters the Liver meridian. It has a moderate and moist nature. It is the first-line choice to extinguish Liver-wind because it not only pacifies the Liver and extinguishes wind, and treats the manifestations (dizziness, headache, dry and tired eyes), but also treats the cause (deficiency of Liver-Yin and blood). It can remove wind-phlegm and open the collaterals, and is used to treat dizziness with nausea and vomiting. If it is combined with herbs that promote the Qi movement and blood circulation, it can treat stiffness, pain, numbness and tingling of limbs, such as in the sequelae of cerebrovascular accident. 

In traditional Chinese medicine, some worms are considered as being able to get into the small collaterals because they have the habit of drilling holes or passing through cracks. Worms that enter the Liver meridian can open the meridians and collaterals, and can therefore extinguish wind, relieve spasms and tremor, open the meridians and stop pain. 

Ye Jiao Teng and Fu Shen have functions that are similar to those of Zhen Zhu Mu and Long Chi, but are gentler. They are often used in a less severe condition of internal wind to calm the mind and improve sleep. In addition, they can open the meridians and relax the tendons, and are particularly useful in treating spasms and twitching of extremities. 

Assistant Calm the mind, relax tendons, open meridians and collaterals... 

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