The source is from the leaf of Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt. var. acuta (Thunb.) Kudo., family Labia-tae. The producing areas are in all parts of China. The medicinal material is collected in summer and autumn, dried in shade and the crude form is used for medication.

Medicinal Properties Pungent in flavor, warm in nature, and attributive to the lung and spleen meridians.

Actions Relieve superficial pathogenic factors to dissipate cold, and promote the circulation of qi and regulate the function of the stomach.

Application

1. It is used for superficial syndrome of wind and cold type with anhidrosis and cough. It is often combined with Xingren ( Semen Pruni Armeniacae), such as Xingren San (Powder); it can circulate qi as well, so it can be used for wind-cold syndrome due to exogenous attack, with sensation of fullness and oppression in the chest and epigastric region due to qi stagnation. It is often combined with Xiangfu (Rhizoma Cyperi), such as Xiang Su San (Powder) to expel exterior wind and cold and interior qi- stagnation.

2. It is used for the stagnation of spleen-qi and stomach-qi with fullness in the chest and vomiting. It is often combined with Jupi (Pericarpium Citri Tangerinae ), Banxia ( Rhizoma Pinelliae ) , Huoxiang ( Herba Agastachis), etc., such as Huoxiang Zhengqi San (Powder); for excessive heat syndrome, combined with Huanglian (Rhizoma Coptidis); for morning sickness, vomiting and no appetite or feeling of oppression in the thorax during pregnancy, combined with Jupi ( Pericarpium Citri Tangerinae), Sharen (Fructus Amomi), etc..

In addition, it can also relieve fish and crab poisoning. It can be used in single or combined with Shengjiang ( Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens), Jupi (Pericarpium Citri Tangerinae), and Huoxiang (Herba Agastachis ), etc. to treat poisoning with vomiting and diarrhea after intake of fish and crab.

Usage and Dosage 3 -10 g is used in decoction for oral use. But it is not suitable to be decocted for a long time.

Explanation During treatment, either its leaves or its stems are often used in separation. Its stems are pun-gent in flavor and warm in nature, can promote the circulation of qi and regulate the function of the stomach and spleen, therefore, it is often used for stagnation of spleen-qi and stomach-qi, and depression of liver-qi, and not used for superficial syndrome.

Xiangru Herba Elsholtziae

Its source is from the aerial parts of the perennial herbaceous plants, herb of Elsholtzia splendens Nakai ex F. Maekawa, family Labiatae. The medicinal material is mainly produced in Jiangxi, Anhui and Henan provinces. It is collected when the leaves and stems are vigorous and the fruits are ripe in summer or autumn, dried in the sun and cut into pieces for use.

Medicinal Properties Pungent in flavor, slightly warm in nature, and attributive to the lung, spleen and stomach meridians.

Actions Induce sweating to relieve exterior syndrome, eliminate dampness and regulate the function of the spleen and stomach, promote diuresis and relieve edema.

Application

1. It is often combined with Houpo ( Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis ) and Biandou ( Semen Dolichoris Album), such as Xiangru Yin (Decoction). It is indicated for the illness due to invasion of exogenous wind and cold as well as invasion of the interior by dampness in summer, which is manifested as aversion to cold and fever, head-ache, anhidrosis, vomiting, and diarrhea, etc..

2. It is used for wind edema with dysuria, and can be used in single or combined with Baizhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae), such as Ru Zhu Wan (Pill).

Usage and Dosage 3 -9 g is used in decoction for oral use.

Notes It is contraindicated in those with perspiration due to superficial deficiency and yang summer-heat syndrome since it is pungent and warm and can induce much sweating.

Jingjie Herba Schizonepetae

Its source is from aerial parts of the herbaceous plant, Schizonepeta tenuifolia Brig., family Labiatae. The medicinal material is mainly produced in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Jiangxi provinces, etc. and collected in summer or autumn, dried in shade and cut into segments, generally, either crude or stir-baked or carbonized one is used for medication.

Medicinal Properties Pungent in flavor, slightly warm in nature, and attributive to the lung and liver meridians.

Actions Expel wind and relieve exterior syndrome, promote eruption and alleviate itching, the carbonized one arresting bleeding.

Application

1. It is used for exterior syndrome due to exogenous attack, either wind-cold or wind-heat syndrome. It is of-ten combined with Fangfeng (Radix Saposhnikoviae ), Qianghuo ( Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii ) , etc., such as Jing Fang Baidu San (Powder) for exterior syndrome due to pathogenic wind-cold, which is manifested as fever and aversion to cold, headache, and anhidrosis, etc. combined with Jinyinhua (Flos Lonicerae ), Lianqiao ( Fructus Forsythiae ), and Bohe ( Herba Menthae ), etc., such as Yin Qiao San (Powder) for exterior syndrome due to pathogenic wind-heat, which is manifested as headache, redness of eyes, thirst, and dry throat.

2. Used for the unsmooth eruption during measles, and urticaria. It is often combined with Chantui (Periostracum Cicadae), Bohe (Herba Menthae ), and others pungent in flavor and cool in nature with the action of promoting eruptions to treat the unsmooth eruption during measles at the early stage; combined with Kushen (Radix Sophorae Flavescentis ), Fangfeng ( Radix Saposhnikoviae), Chishaoyao ( Radix Paeoniae Rubra ), such as Xiaofeng San (Powder) to treat urticaria with itching and eczema with itching and pain.

4. Used for sores at the early stage accompanied with exterior syndrome. For that being a bit on the wind-cold side, it is combined with Qianghuo (Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii ) , Chuanxiong ( Rhizoma Chuanxiong ) ,and Duhuo ( Radix Angeticae Pubescentis ), etc., such as Baidu San (Powder) ; for that being a bit on the wind-heat side, combined with Jinyinhua ( Flos Lonicerae), Chaihu (Radix Bupleuri ) and others, such as Yin Qiao Baidu San (Powder).

Usage and Dosage 3 -9 g is used in decoction for oral use. It is not suitable to be decocted for a long time. The crude form is used for expelling exogenous pathogenic factors to promote eruption during measles and treat sores, and the carbonized form for arresting bleeding.

Notes Contraindicated in patients with headache due to yin-deficiency.