The Official Dragons List Herb Encyclopedia

In an effort to create a common breeding ground for information regarding Chinese herbs and their uses, Id like to present the Herb Encyclopedia. Herb dictionaries and reference materials can be quite pricey and cumbersome, especially if you only use it once in a blue moon. This can serve as a useful source of information that is neither cumbersome or pricey (hey, its free!). Feel free to come here and post up herb, teas, patent recipes, herbal products, and even acupressure/massage methods that youve found useful in your training and/or in your everyday life; ask questions about appropriate herbs for a specific problem, or simply read about the herbs and check the links that myself and others might provide. I will hopefully add a new herb to the dictionary on a weekly basis.

Also, please remember when using this information that there is no substitue for an in-person check by a qualified medical practicioner. This is contributed for informational purposes and is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical problem. Always consult your Doctor (be it Eastern or Western) before partaking in any type of treatment, etc.

Enjoy!

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PlumDragon Herbs: Dit Da Jow and Iron Palm Liniments

"When a handshake passes the elbow, it becomes Judo."

DECOCTING HERBS


There are a variety of ways to take herbs. Many patent recipes, herbal supplements, and whole herbs can be simply swallowed. Many herbs require preparation, usually into a type of tea. While an herb store can advise you on how to prepare herbs that msut be prepared when you fill a prescription, this will serve as a *short* primer on how to decoct and take them orally--Keep in mind that some herbs are meant to be taken externally as well (such as dit da jow).

What you will need:

- A bag of 1 or more loose herbs
- A pot (clay is the traditional type) made of anything but iron or bronze.
- Clean fresh water
- A stove or fire

To start, if you have more than 1 herb, separate the delicate herbs from the more volatile ones and set the volatile ones aside for later.

Take the herbs out and soak them in cool water. Make sure that the herbs are completely covered with water to a depth of about 1 inch in the pot. Traditionally, the clay pot will have about 3 cups of water inside.

Bring the herbs to a boil over a wo huo (war fire, simply, high heat). When the water is boiling, reduce the flame/stove to a low simmer (a civil fire, called wen huo). You will want to keep the herbs at a low simmer for 40-45 minutes. Add water if necessary.

Over this time, the water will be reduced to a tea-like substance, thick dark liquid. Now add any volatile herbs you might have set aside earlier and cook for another few minutes.

Remove heat and allow the tea to sit for a few mintues and begin to cool off. Strain the herbs off the tea and enjoy your warm tasty tea...

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PlumDragon Herbs: Dit Da Jow and Iron Palm Liniments

"When a handshake passes the elbow, it becomes Judo."

LILY-FLOWERED MAGNOLIA (Xin Yi)
(Barbarian Bud)

Use this herb to treat problems with clogged sinuses, stuffy nose, and other symptoms of the nose. ALso used for headache.

Pungent and Warm.

Class: Herbs to induce Perspiration.
Family: Magnoliaceae
Pharmaceutical Name: Flos Magnoliae
Parts Used: Dried Buds
Dosage: 3-10 grams

This herb, named after ancient Barbarian Frontiersmen in China, works directly on the lung and stomach meridians. It acts to expel wind, disperse cold, and open the nasal passages as indicated by thick nasal discharges, headaches, and sinusitis.

Xinyi travels to the face and enters the nose in particular, which is why it is an effective herb for symptoms of the nose. This herb can be combined with huangqin and cangerzi to treat symptoms of the nose associated predominantly with heat.

Websites with information regarding xinyi:
http://www.tcmtreatment.com/herbs/0-xinyi.htm According to this website, dang gui is also used in conjunction with xinyi
http://www.herbalshop.com/tcm/ChineseHerb_M198.html
One of my favorite websites for herb info: http://alternativehealing.org/xin_yi.htm

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PlumDragon Herbs: Dit Da Jow and Iron Palm Liniments

"When a handshake passes the elbow, it becomes Judo."

Comfrey

Common names: Knitbone, Boneset

Botanical name: Symphytum officinale

© Martin Wall

Skip to:

• Botany
• Helpful for
• Traditional use
• Amount to take
• Side effects & interactions
• UK Consideration
• References

Parts used and where grown

The leaf and root of comfrey have been employed medicinally for centuries. Originally from Europe and western Asia, it is now also grown in North America.

Comfrey has been used in connection with the following conditions (refer to the individual health concern for complete information):
Rating Health Concerns Broken bones (topical)
Bruises (topical)
Chronic skin ulcer (topical)
Conjunctivitis/blepharitis (topical eye application)
Cough
Peptic ulcer
Sprains (topical)
Thrombophlebitis (topical)
Wound healing (topical)

Historical or traditional use (may or may not be supported by scientific studies)

Comfrey has a long history of use as a topical agent for treating wounds, skin ulcers, thrombophlebitis, bruises, and sprains and strains.1 2 Comfrey was used by herbalists to promote more rapid repair of broken bones, hence the common names boneset and knitbone. Topically, comfrey was also used to treat minor skin irritations and inflammation. It has also been used as a wash or topical application for eye irritations and for treating conjunctivitis. Internally, it was used to treat gastrointestinal problems, such as stomach ulcers and inflammatory bowel disease, and lung problems.
Active constituents: Mucilage and allantoin are considered the major constituents in comfrey responsible for the herbs soothing and anti-inflammatory actions.3

How much is usually taken?

Fresh, peeled root or dried root, approximately 3.5 ounces (100 grams), is simmered in 1 pint (500 ml) of water for ten to fifteen minutes to prepare comfrey for topical use.4 Cloth or gauze is soaked in this liquid, then applied to the skin for at least 15 minutes. Fresh leaves can be ground up lightly and applied directly to the skin. Alternatively, creams or ointments made from root or leaf can be applied. All topical preparations should be applied several times per day.
Due to variations in pyrrolizidine alkaloid content, root preparations are unsafe for internal use unless they are guaranteed pyrrolizidine-free. Although comfrey root tea has been used traditionally, the danger of its pyrrolizidine alkaloids is significant. Therefore, comfrey root and young leaf preparations should not be taken internally.

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Oh THAT'S how that works!

great idea...

it's a sticky people!!!

Chief108

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“	Question Authority. Question Society. Question Reality. Question Yourself. Question your conclusions, your judgments, your answers. Question this. If you question everything thoroughly enough, the truth will eventually hit you upside the head and you will know. But here’s a warning: It won’t be what you imagined. It won’t be even close.	”

all hail Martyr Fakka

not to pose threat or anything but dont you think it will be a little hard to organize? I mean its a great idea, im really looking forward to it but are you going to organize it or just let it be open forum?

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Now try it with your eyes closed.

I plan for it to be a simple open forum of information, and as peopel read it they can make mental note of the herbs that are important to them and reference back here whenever need be. People can read through it if they like but I beleive its real use will come into play as archival information. Throught the search function, one will have the ability to search for an herb name they already know, or search for a keyword which will pull up any threads/posts with the herbs that are associated with that keyword. So see, the beauty here is the organization is already inherently built into the search function!

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PlumDragon Herbs: Dit Da Jow and Iron Palm Liniments

"When a handshake passes the elbow, it becomes Judo."

LEMON, FRUIT and RIND (Nimbu--sanskrit)


Sour and cool.

Class: Lemons fit into several herbal classes.
Family: Rutaceae
Pharmaceutical Name: Citrus Limonum
Parts Used: Fruit and white portion of rind
Dosage: No specific dose. Squeeze 1/4 lemon or more, and grind the white part of the rind, into a glass of water.

The lemon, being both very common in our daily life and quite abundant in medicinal/health properties, is IMO an inportant entry to make early on. It works in various parts of your body to stimulate the internal organs (in TCM, basicly 6 of the organs that are of larger importance than the "external" organs) and directly on the kidneys. It has astringent properties, exhibits antibiotic effects, and is slightly antiseptic.

Aside from a temporary ability to treat nausea and indigestion, it has been shown to inhibit tumor formation (Watternberg, et. al. 1985).

Furthermore, lemon juice can generally help with kidney stone problems (more common among men as time goes on) by adding citrate the the urine stream. The juice of a single lemon contains about 5 grams of citrate--enough to jsut about double citrate levels in the urine. This citrate will allow your body to excrete less calcium in the urine, which inhibits the growth of stones and allow your body to retain calcium for other purposes (like building bone after hard conditioning). The white portion of the rind also contains limolene, a chemical that will aid in dissolving gallstones.

Lastly, lemon is commonly seen as the most detoxifying of the citrus fruits. it is used commonly in fasting where only fruits and water are allowed and is used to flush out the body whether fasting or not.

More information on Lemons:
http://www.thefruitpages.com/chartlemons.shtml
http://www.evalu8.org/staticpage?pag...ew&siteid=8970
Recipes containing lemon: http://www.pastrywiz.com/archive/category/lemon.htm

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PlumDragon Herbs: Dit Da Jow and Iron Palm Liniments

"When a handshake passes the elbow, it becomes Judo."

DRIED GINGER RHIZOME OR ROOT (Gan Jiang)



Pungent, slightly tonic, and warm.

Class: Reduce cold
Family: Zingiberaceae
Pharmaceutical Name: Rhizoma zingiberis officinalis
Parts Used: Rhizome, or dried root.
Dosage: 1-5 g. or drink in tea

Fresh ginger root, dried, and blackened all have different uses. Unless specifically noted, the variety referred to here will be that of dried ginger root.

Dried ginger root works on 4 meridians: Heart, Liver, Spleen, and Stomach. It is a good herb that is primarily used for the purpose of warming the body, expelling cold. It can warm the channels it works on and stop bleeding. It also has a somewhat anti-inflammitory effect. Seldomly ginger is used in dit da jow recipes but it doesnt receive much attention. Although, ginger does have a strong enough antiinflammatory effect to "reduce muscular comfort and pain in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis" (Srivastava et. al. 1992).

Fresh ginger is a class of herbs to promote digestion and is often times used to help in the digestion process, as evidenced by that big pile of ginger you get with your plate of sushi! It is also used to treat nausea and vomiting for things like motion sickness and dizziness.

Further information and uses for ginger, dried and fresh:
http://tcm.health-info.org/Herbology...properties.htm
http://alternativehealing.org/sheng_jiang.htm
A warming recipe ginger is in:
http://www.acupuncture.com/education...angrenshen.htm
http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/herbcentral/ginger.html

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PlumDragon Herbs: Dit Da Jow and Iron Palm Liniments

"When a handshake passes the elbow, it becomes Judo."

COCOA BEAN (Cha Ku Li)


Bitter and Warm.

Class:
Family: Theorbroma
Pharmaceutical Name:
Parts Used: Bean
Dosage: Dried powder or beans 1 gram or more quantities per day.

Cocoa beans work directly with areas of the brain and contain substances like tryptophan. As such, it can be used as a mild mind stimulant. It also contains mild amounts of caffeine and theobromine which allows it to work on some level in the elevation of ones mood. It also aids in digestion and in increasing bloodflow to the heart. For the coffee drinkers out there, you may consider switching to a low-sugar hot cocoa drink: A cup of hot cocoa contains about half the caffeine content of a cup of coffe, and the effects fo cocoa are released more slowly and last longer.

Of particular interst to martial artists: There was a placebo-controlled crossover study (Chen et. al 1996) performed that studied the effect exercise recovery rates in conjunction with the use of chocolate. The results concolued that when participants consumed a chocolate product as a supplement before exercising, the recovery rate was improved by maintaining high blood chemical levels for as long as 30 minutes proceeding a 1-hour long running session. So dont be shy about eating some chocolate before your kung fu class!

Also of interest is that milk chocolate, also a derivative of cocoa, does not elevate cholesterol levels despite being rich in high saturated-fat content.

There is very little useful TCM-based information about cocoa beans available on the internet.

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PlumDragon Herbs: Dit Da Jow and Iron Palm Liniments

"When a handshake passes the elbow, it becomes Judo."

CIRCUMA TUBER (Yu Jin)
Turmeric



Acrid, mildly bitter, and warm.

Family: Liliaceae
Pharmaceutical Name: Tuber Circumae Longae
Parts Used: Tuber (part of root)
Dosage: 4+ grams

There seems to be mild disagreement about what channels circuma works directly with, so I will check my written references when I get home and edit this post, but for now: Circuma works with the heart, liver and lung meridians and has the ability to invigorate the blood and helps to protect the liver from toxins. This herb has a variety of uses associated with these meridians. Because of its association with the liver meridian, circuma is an ingredient found in some tieh ta wan recipes for its ability to aid in rheumatoid arthritis and can also aid in digestion of alcohol; topically it is an analgesic. For its association with the heart meridian, it can clear heart-fire (often times associated with palpitations, heat, insomnia, etc). It can also help reduce swelling associated with post-surgery inflammation as well as inflammation associated with periodontitis, a gum disease.

One of the more interesting properties of this herb is its anti-tumor properties. This herb can fight cancer by increasing the bodys ability to perform fibrinolysis, a process in which fibrous proteins are broken down in the body. it is these proteins that help protect tumors from the immune system.

Lastly, circuma is sometimes used to help with blood flow during menses and to treat a variety of viruses.

More information on Circuma Tuber on the net:
http://tcm.health-info.org/Herbology...properties.htm
http://www.tcmtreatment.com/herbs/0-yujin.htm
This link claims a contraindiction with cloves: http://www.tcmbasics.com/materiamedi...x_curcumae.htm

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PlumDragon Herbs: Dit Da Jow and Iron Palm Liniments

"When a handshake passes the elbow, it becomes Judo."

Photo by Karen Bergeron Copyright 2001 Other Names: Prunella, All-Heal, Hook-Heal, Self Heal, Slough-Heal, Brunella, Heart of the Earth, Blue Curls, Carpenter-weed, Common Selfheal, Consolida Minor, Lance Selfheal, Sicklewort, Woundwort, Xia Ku Cao
Habitat
Perennial herb found throughout Europe, Asia, Japan and the U. S., (to mention a few) its origin seems to be European though it has been documented in other countries since before any history of travel. Found growing in waste ground, grassland, woodland edges, usually on basic and neutral soils. Cultivation: Heal-All thrives in any damp soil in full sun or in light shade. Plants are apt to become troublesome weeds in turf that is at all damp. Self heal is a good plant for growing in the spring meadow. Sow seed in very early spring in a flat outdoors, or give a short cold and moist conditioning treatment before sowing in a warm place. Growing from 1 to 2 feet high, with creeping, self-rooting, tough, square, reddish stems branching at leaf axis. The leaves are lance shaped, serrated and reddish at tip, about an inch long and 1/2 inch broad, grow on short stalks in opposite pairs down the square stem. The flowers grow from a clublike, somewhat square, whirled cluster, immediately below this club are a pair of stalkless leaves standing out on either side like a collar. Flowers are two lipped and tubular, the top lip is a purple hood, and the bottom lip is often white, it has three lobes with the middle lobe being larger and fringed upwardly. Flowers bloom at different times depending on climate and other conditions. Mostly from June to August. Gather whole plant when flowers bloom, dry for later herb use. Leaves and small flowers are edible.

Photo by Deb Jackson Copyright 2000
Properties
Heal-All is edible and medicinal, can be used in salads, soups, stews, or boiled as a pot herb. Used as an alternative medicine for centuries on just about every continent in the world, and for just about every ailment known to man, Heal-All is something of a panacea, it does seem to have some medicinal uses that are constant. The plants most useful constituents are Betulinic-acid, D-Camphor, Delphinidin, Hyperoside, Manganese, Oleanolic-acid, Rosmarinic-acid, Rutin, Ursolic-acid, and Tannins. The whole plant is medicinal as alterative, antibacterial, antipyretic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, diuretic, febrifuge, hypotensive, stomachic, styptic, tonic, vermifuge and vulnerary. A cold water infusion of the freshly chopped or dried and powdered leaves is a very tasty and refreshing beverage, weak infusion of the plant is an excellent medicinal eye wash for sties and pinkeye. It is taken internally as a medicinal tea in the treatment of fevers, diarrhoea, sore mouth and throat, internal bleeding, and weaknesses of the liver and heart. Clinical analysis shows it to have an antibacterial action, inhibiting the growth of pseudomonas, Bacillus typhi, E. coli, Mycobacterium tuberculi, which supports its use as an alternative medicine internally and externally as an antibiotic and for hard to heal wounds and diseases. It is showing promise in research for cancer, AIDS, diabetes, and many other maladies.
Folklore
Once proclaimed to be a Holy herb and thought to be sent by God to cure all ailments of man or beast, and said to drive away the devil, which lead to the belief that Heal-All was grown in the Witches garden as a disguise. The root was used to make a tea to drink in ceremonies before going hunting by one Native American tribe to sharpened the powers of observation.

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Oh THAT'S how that works!

Different types of Preparation for Herbal Remedies

• Infusion = This is when you add herbs to hot water, much like tea. However do not add boiling water. It is best if the temperature is just below boiling point, so you do not loose the valuable oils in the herb, with the steam. Leave Herb to infuse for ten minutes and then strain. This should be made fresh when needed. Standard dose 1 cup three times a day.
• Syrup = Take your infusion (500ml) and add Honey (500g). Heat and stir until it dissolves. Allow to cool and then pour into a dark glass bottle. Add a cork stopper. (Warning- this produce may ferment and therefore may explode if you use a screw top lid.) Standard dose 5-10ml, three times a day.
• Decoction = Add water into pan with herb (ideally used for berries, root and twigs). Heat and simmer for approx one hour. Make fresh when needed, drink hot or cold. Standard dose = the same as Infusion.
• Tincture = Made by soaking the herb in a 25% mixture of alcohol and water. You will need to seal the jar for two weeks in a cool place(this may need shaking from time to time). Then pour mixture through a wine press. The alcohol will help as a preserve this produce for just under two years. Vodka is ideal for these types of remedy but if the taste is disagreeable try using Rum. Standard dose 5 ml taken three times a day. This should be diluted with fruit juice of water.
• Infused with Oils (the simple way) = Pack a glass jar tightly with the herb and cover completely with oil. Seal and leave on a sunny window sill for two to three weeks. Then pour into jelly bag and squeeze the oil through. This is known as Cold Infusion. There are other ways such as Hot infusion which I have not included for simplicity but other books such as "Complete Medicinal Herbal" By Penelope Ody will give you a more detailed description.
• Compress = A cloth soaked in herbal extract, depending on the use can either be hot or cold. Cold generally used for headaches. Infusion, decoctions and tinctures can be used.
• Poultice = The extract of the plant is applied preferably hot, boil in a little water, squeeze water out. Smooth a little oil on skin to prevent sticking, add herb, then cover with cotton cloth to hold in place.

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Oh THAT'S how that works!

Latin Name: Thymus vulgaris

Extraction: Steam distillation of the leaves and flowering tops

Aroma: Warm, herbaceous and sweet

Properties: Antiseptic, stimulant, expectorant, and digestive

Caution: Use in small doses. Do not use if pregnant or have high blood pressure.


Thyme is a member of the mint family and has been used for many years. Even though there are several varieties of thyme, the common thyme is the one most used in aromatherapy. Distilling the leaves and flowering tops obtain the essential oil. The scent of this essential oil is warm and spicy. Thyme is a popular culinary herb and is probably familiar to those who enjoy cooking.

Thyme essential oil is a great digestive stimulant. It is helpful with people who have a sluggish digestive system. It is an intestinal antiseptic; therefore, it's beneficial with gastric infections. It helps to stimulate appetite especially during convalescence. Another use of this essential oil is as a urinary tract antiseptic. It acts as a diuretic and is useful with infections of the bladder and urinary tract.

A traditional use of thyme essential oil is in treating colds, coughs, sore throats, and all respiratory infections. You can inhale this essential oil or use it as a gargle for this purpose. It's known to be effective against mouth and throat infections. Thyme helps strengthen the body's resistance to invading organisms. Thyme essential oil also helps stimulate circulation. It helps to raise low blood pressure.

It is useful for people who are fatigued, depressed or lethargic. It is known to lift the spirits and promote courage. It helps one focus intellectually too. Just put a few drops on a tissue and inhale the scent. Thyme will help strengthen and revive the body and mind.

For sores and wounds, use thyme essential oil in a compress. It can be used in soap making as a disinfectant. Use in hair rinses as a tonic for the scalp. There are many wonderful uses for this antiseptic essential oil. Just remember to use this essential oil in low doses because it may cause irritation in sensitive people.

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Oh THAT'S how that works!

Pharmaceutical Name:
Radix Glycyrrhizae
Botanical Name:
Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch.
Glycyrrhiza inflata Bat.
Glycyrrhiza glabra L.
Common Name:
Licorice root
Source of Earliest Record:
Shennong Bencao Jing
Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations:
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