An Informational Medicine Analysis
of the Principles of Chinese Herbal Formulation
Part Two
An Attempted IM Analysis of Individual Herbs

E. F. Block
August 2010

Individual Herbal

This section will use the CHM categories and convert them to a Western herbal medicine outlook. Many of the herbs utilized by CHM are from regions of the world that contribute to the Western herbal stock as well. This task is not an easy one since there are some 400 herbs listed by Oriental Medicine studies but there are less than 100 listed for Western medical herbs. There are thousands of plants with medicinal properties granted, but just some are used for the treatment of illness. This section will attempt to look at the North American herbs and see how they might fit into the CHM scheme of things.

  1. Agrimony, Agrimonia gryposepala and A. striata, listed as an astringent that affects primarily the urinary tract. It is used for chronic cystitis/urethritis/nephritis with cloudy/odiferous urine, lithiasis (kidney stones), elderly incontinence, menorrhagia and postpartum bleeding. It seems that his plant enters the Bladder and Kidney channels and may be included in the section on "Herbs that Stabilize and Bind".
  2. American Ginseng, Panax quinquefolia, listed as an adaptogen that promotes stamina and stabilizes the nervous system. In CHM it is among the herbs that "Strengthen the Yin" and enters the Heart, Kidney and Lung channels.
  3. Arnica, Arnica Montana and A. cordifolia, listed as a treatment for new traumatic injury and as a cardiovascular stimulant. It is clear that it belongs in the "Herbs that Regulate the Blood" and enters the Heart channel.
  4. Bayberry, Myrica carolinensis, M. pusilla and M. mexicana, listed as an astringent that stimulates tissue tightening and tissue healing. This would place it in the "Herbs that Stabilize and Bind" and most likely in the Spleen and Stomach channels due to GI tract affects.
  5. Bilberry, Vaccinium myrtillus, listed as astringent for the GI tract and the urinary tract. Placed in the "Herbs that Stabilize and Bind" and in the Stomach, Spleen, Kidney and Bladder channels.
  6. Black Cohosh, Actaea (Cimicifuga) racemosa, listed for the relief of mild to moderate pain due to cold type arthritis, migraine and muscle wasting because of mild cardiovascular stimulation with vasodilatory properties. Placed in the "Herbs that Regulate the Blood" and enters the Heart and Liver channels.
  7. Black Walnut, Juglans nigra, listed as soothing to the GI tract and as a laxative. Placed the "Downward Draining Herbs" section and enters the Lung, Stomach and Large Intestine channels.
  8. Blue Cohosh, Caulophyllum thalictroides, listed as vasodilatory to the pelvic area and specifically the female reproductive tract. Placed in the "Herbs that Regulate the Blood" section and enters the Liver Channel.
  9. Cascara Sagrada, Rhamnus purshiana, listed as a laxative. Placed in the "Downward Draining Herbs" section and enters the Large Intestine and Liver channels.
  10. Corn Silk, Zea mays, listed in the "Herbs that Drain Dampness" in CHM and enters the Bladder, Gallbladder and Liver channels. Specific for urinary tract infections and kidney stones.
  11. Cranberry, Vaccinium macrocarpon, listed as a curb for urinary tract infections. Placed in the "Herbs that Drain Dampness" section and enters the Bladder channel.
  12. Creosote Bush, Larrea tridentate, a versatile plant useful in cases of rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, psoriasis/eczema and cuts/abrasions. Placed in the "Clear Heat and Relieve Toxicity" section and enters the Lung and Spleen channels.
  13. Echinacea, Echinacae angustifolia, E. pallida and E. purpure, listed for respiratory tract infections, throat infections, skin infections and septicemia. Placed in the "Clears Heat and Relieve Toxicity" section and enters the lung, and Spleen channels.
  14. Goldenseal, Hydrastis canadensis, listed for chronic sinus & throat problems, chronic stomach problems, chronic GI ulceration, GI tract hemorrhage, hemorrhoids and leucorrhea/vaginitis. Placed in the "Herbs that Regulate the Blood" and enters the Stomach, Spleen, Large intestine and Liver channels.
  15. Grindelia, Grindelia squarrosa, listed for sub-acute bronchial conditions with a non-productive, dry cough and chronic asthma. Placed in the "Herbs that Relieve Coughing and Wheezing" and enters the Lung and Bladder channels.
  16. Hops, Humulus lupulus, listed as a sedative. Placed in the "Herbs that Nourish the Heart and Calm the Mind" and enters the Kidney, Liver, Stomach and Heart channels.
  17. Horsetail, Equisetum arvense, E. laevigatum, E. hiemale, listed for painful urination, fluid retention, kidney stones, GI ulceration, hemostatic, wounds and for strengthening all connective tissues. Placed by CHM in the "Cool, Acrid Herbs that Release the Exterior" section and enters the Liver and Lung channels. However it is the opinion of the author that it should also be included in the Bladder and Spleen channels.
  18. Juniper, Juniperus virginiana, listed to alleviate low-grade, long-standing, sub-acute or chronic urinary tract irritability & discomfort, nephritis, dyspepsia and eczema/psoriasis. This herb has no CHM counterpart. Placed in the "Herbs that Drain Dampness" section and enters the Lung, Kidney and Bladder channels.
  19. Ligusticum, Ligusticum porteri, listed as loosening and breaking up hot phlegm in the respiratory tract. Placed in the "Herbs that Cool and Transform Phlegm-Heat" section and enters the Lung channel.
  20. Lobelia, Lobelia inflata, listed for asthma, labored breathing, bronchitis, pleurisy, cramps (uterine, muscular, urinary, intestinal), seizures and sport's injuries. Placed in the "Herbs that Relieve Coughing and Wheezing" and enters the Lung and Heart channel.
  21. Oregongrape, Mahonia repens, listed for bacterial/fungal infections, strep throat, food poisoning/Giardiasis/Amebiasis, hepatitis, food stagnation and fever. Placed in the "Herbs that Clear Heat and Relieve Toxicity" section and enters the Stomach, Spleen and Liver channels.
  22. Pleurisy Root, Asclepius tuberosa, listed for dry cough, dry asthma, pleurisy, fever with dry skin. Placed in the "Herbs that Cool and Transform Phlegm-Heat" section and enters the Lung and Heart channels.
  23. Red Raspberry, Rubus idaeus, listed as a uterine tonic, for vaginitis/cervicitis, menorrhagia, cystitis/urethritis. Placed in the "Herbs that Clear Heat and Relieve Toxicity" section and enters the Liver and Bladder channels.
  24. Red Root, Ceanothus americanus, listed as a stabilizer of the lymphatic system and used for tonsillitis, splenitis and mastitis. Placed in the "Herbs that Cool the Blood" and enters the Spleen and Liver channels.
  25. Saw Palmetto, Serenoa repens, listed for prostatitis, testicular irritation, uterine laxity, ovarian irritation and reproductive weakness. Placed in the "Herbs that Strengthen the Yang" and enters the Kidney and Spleen channels.
  26. Slippery Elm, Ulmus rubra, listed for sore throat, cough, intestinal and skin inflammation. Placed in the "Herbs that Relieve Coughing and Wheezing" section and enters the Lung, Large Intestine and Spleen channels.
  27. Squaw Vine, Mitchella repens, listed for threatened miscarriage, uterine/cervical irritation, UTI and prostatitis. Placed in the "Herbs that Strengthen the Yang" and enters the Kidney and Bladder Channels.
  28. Stoneroot, Collinsonia canadensis, listed for hemorrhoids, pharyngitis/laryngitis, cardiac weakness, cystitis/urethritis and slowed portal & reproductive area circulation. Placed in the "Herbs that Clear Heat and Relieve Toxicity" and enters the liver, Heart and Bladder channels.
  29. Thuja, Thuja occidentalis, Listed for chronic urinary tract infections, bed wetting, prostate irritation, traveler's diarrhea, external fungal infections, bedsores, abscesses, pharyngitis/laryngitis/strep throat, valley fever and to stimulate the menses. Placed in the "Herbs that Drain Dampness" section and enters the Lungs, Liver, Bladder and Kidney channels.
  30. Uva-Ursi, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Listed for lower urinary tract infection, vaginitis w/o Candida involvement. Placed in the "Herbs that Stabilize and Bind" section and enters the Bladder channel.
  31. Chokecherry, Prunus virginiana, listed for dry cough, bronchitis, heart palpitations and gastritis. Placed in the "Clear Heat and Relieve Toxicity" section and enters the Lung, Heart and Stomach channels.
  32. Wild Indigo, Baptisia tinctoria, listed for immune suppression, sepsis, pharyngitis with glandular swelling, tonsillitis, abscesses, sinusitis and dysentery/diarrhea with microbial involvement. Placed in the "Clear Heat and Relieve Toxicity" section and enters the Spleen, Lung and Large Intestine channels.
  33. Wild Yam, Dioscorea villosa, listed for intestinal spasms, Spastic stage of IBS, nausea, stomach cramps, gallbladder & bile duct spasm, kidney/bladder/ureter colic, menstrual and ovarian cramps and threatened miscarriage. Placed in the "Herbs that Dispel Wind-Dampness" section and enters the Stomach, Large Intestine, Bladder and Liver channels.
  34. Witch Hazel, Hamamelis virginiana, listed for sore throat (gargle), bleeding/sore gums (mouthwash), sinusitis (wash) and externally for hemorrhoids, vaginitis, cuts & scraps. Placed in the "Herbs that Clear Heat and Relieve Toxicity" section and enters the Lung channel.
  35. Yarrow, Achillea millefolium, listed for wounds and bleeding disorders, GI inflammation/ulceration, fever with dry skin. Placed in the "Herbs that Stabilize and Bind" section and enters the Spleen, Liver and Large Intestine channels.
  36. Yellow Dock, Rumex crispus, listed for skin rashes, acne and fat digestion. Placed in the "Herbs that Clear Heat and Relieve Toxicity" section and enters the Lung, Spleen and Small Intestine channels.
  37. Yerba Santa, Eriodictyon californicum and E. augustifolium, listed for bronchitis with copious sputum, asthma, sinusitis/rhinitis with copious mucus and cystitis/urethritis with mucus in the urine. Placed in the "Herbs that Cool and Transform Phlegm-Heat" section and enters the Lung and Bladder channels.
  38. Yucca, Yucca schidigera, Listed for rheumatoid arthritis, elevated LDL/Triglycerides and chronic pain with constipation. Placed in the "" section and enters the Large Intestine and Liver channels.

Reference - Kane, C. W., 2009, Herbal Medicine: Trends & Traditions, Lincoln Town Press