Herbs For External Applications

Herbs For External Applications:

  • The herbs is this category are mainly used as an external application. They will be applied for cases of bleeding, itching, swelling, inflammation and oozing sores. These herbs can be prepared as powders, ointments, washes, steams or soaks depending on the individuals need for the application. Some of these herbs may be taken internally for specific manifestations if they are combined with other herbal substances. Most of the substances in this category need to be prescribed with caution due to possible side effects due to their toxic properties.

Chinese Herbsort icon Functions and Usage
Ban Mao (Cantharides, Mylabris)
  • Attack toxins, wears away sores - used topically for sores, carbuncles, scrofula.
  • Breaks up blood stasis, disperses clumps - palpable non-moving masses.
Liu Huang (Sulphur)
  • Relieves toxicity, kills parasites, stops itching.
  • Used topically for scabies, ringworm, damp sores, ulcers, carbuncles.
  • Tonify ming men fire, strengthen yang - interior yin cold symptoms.
  • Kidney yang deficiency - cold lower back and knees, impotence.
  • Spleen deficiency cold - asthma, constipation (elderly plus Ban Xia.
Lu Feng Fang (Hornets Nest)
  • Relieve toxicity, expel wind, alleviate pain - toothache (gargle).
  • Topically - skin rash, itching, scabies, ringworm, sores, carbuncles.
  • Expel wind, dry damp - painful obstruction, wind rash.
Lu Gan Shi (Smithsonite)
  • Brightens the eyes - superficial visual obstruction, red-swollen eyes.
  • Drys dampness, generates flesh - chronic draining pus from open sores.
Ma Qian Zi (Nux-Vomica Seeds)
  • Unblock the channels, disperse clumps - reduces swelling and alleviates pain.
  • Abscess, yin-type ulcers, pain due to trauma, wind-damp obstruction.
Mi Tuo Seng (Litharge, Galena)
  • Absorbs fluid, reduces swelling, stops bleeding.
Ming Fam (Alum)
  • Relieves toxicity, kills parasites, dry dampness, alleviate itch.
  • Topical wash for scabies, ringworm, damp or damp heat rash.
  • Swollen painful eyes, throat, and jaundice.
  • Stops bleeding, alleviates diarrhea - chronic blood in the stool/urine, hemorrhoidal bleeding, nosebleed, bleeding gums, any external bleeding.
  • Clears heat, expels phlegm, wind phlegm - irritability, delirium, convulsions, cough with thick sticky sputum.
Qing Fen (Calomel)
  • Relieves toxicity, kills parasites - external wash for scabies and syphilitic chancres.
  • Expels water and unblocks the bowels and bladder.
She Chuang Zi (Cnidium Seeds)
  • Dry dampness, kills parasites, stop itch - topically - weeping, itchy skin lesions, scabies, ringworm.
  • Warms the kidneys, strengthens yang - impotence, infertility, cold womb.
  • Disperses cold, expels wind, dry dampness - leukorrhea, lower back pain.
Xiong Huang (Realgar)
  • Relieves toxicity, kills parasites, stops itching, inflammation, abscess.
  • Topically - scabies, ringworm, dam rashes.
  • Kills parasites - accumulation symptoms with roundworms.
  • Dries dampness, expels phlegm - wheezing, seizures, malarial conditions.