Herbs That Regulate The Qi

Herbs That Regulate The Qi:

Used with Qi disorders involving deficiency and stagnation.
These herbs are primarily used for stagnation involving the spleen and stomach, constrained liver qi, and stagnant lung qi.

Section Herbal Summary:

Choose the appropriate herbs based on type of obstruction, nature, location:

Mu Gua, Chen Pi, Zhi Shi - stagnant qi of the spleen and stomach.
Xiang Fu, Zhi Ke, Wu Yao - liver qi stagnation with symptoms of stagnant qi.
Cheng Xiang, Tan Xiang - stagnant lung qi.
For stagnant Qi that is hot in nature - Chuan Lian Zi, Zhi Shi.
For stagnant Qi that is cold in nature - Chen Xiang, Wu Yao.
Stagnation in the chest and upper back - Xie Bai, Zhi Shi.
Flank Pain - Chuan Lian Zi, Zhi Ke, Qing Pi, Yan Hu Suo.
Upper abdominal pain - Xiang Fu, Mu Xiang.
Para-umbilical pain - Wu Yao, Mu Xiang.
Lower abdominal pain - Chen Xiang, Chuan Lian Zi.

Chen Pi vs. Qing Pi

Chen Pi - more harmonious, enters qi level of the spleen and lung, vertical (coughing/vomiting).
Qing Pi - scatters and unblocks, harsh, used to break up qi stagnation, horizontal (pain).

Mu Xiang vs. Xiang Fu - both for abdominal pain.

Mu Xiang - promotes movement of clumped qi in stomach and intestines - distention and fullness of epigastrium and abdomen along with diarrhea.
Xiang Fu - disperses/spreads stagnant qi in the liver and stomach, best used for problems secondary to emotional constraint, epigastric and hypochondriac distention and pain, menstrual problems.

Wu Yao - warmer and more restricted to cold problems - for pain anywhere in the truck from the genitals to the chest.
Selection Based on Accompanying Symptoms:

Stagnant Qi in the Chest and Abdomen:

w/diarrhea - Mu Xiang
borborygmus - Wu Yao

Menstrual Issues:

Scanty bleeding - Xiang Fu
Excessive bleeding - Mei Hui Hua

Concurrent irritability and other symptoms of constrained liver - Xiang Fu
Excessive phlegm - Chen Pi, Ju Hong
Stifling sensation in the chest w/belching - Chen Pi and Zhi Ke

Chinese Herb	Functions and Usage
Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel)	Regulates Qi, improves transportive function of the spleen, relieves diaphragm - epigastric/abdominal distention, fullness, bloating, belching, nausea, vomiting (promotes movement of qi in general; specifically directing it downward - good for different types of nausea/vomiting). Important herb for drying dampness and the transformation of phlegm - coughs with stifling sensation in the chest/diaphragm, and copious viscous sputum (qi-level herb). Prevents stagnation - prevents cloying of tonifying herbs. Ju Hong is the red part of the tangerine peel - it is more drying and aromatic.
Chen Xiang (Aloeswood)	Promotes the movement of Qi, alleviates pain - distention and pain in abdominal region due to cold from deficiency or blood stasis. Directs rebellious Qi downward - excess/deficiency wheezing, vomiting, belching, hiccups due to cold from deficiency of the middle jiao. Helps the kidneys grasp Qi - asthma and wheezing.
Chuan Lian Zi (Sichuan Pagoda Tree Fruit)	Promotes the movement of Qi and stops pain - flank, rib, abdominal pain due to liver qi stagnation or liver-stomach disharmony; hernial disorders, good w/heat signs. Clears heat, dries dampness, regulates qi, alleviates pain due to damp-heat stagnant qi - same symptoms as above. Kills parasites and stops pain - roundworms and tape worms (primarily for pain). Compare with Xia Ku Cao, Long Dan Cao, Zhi Zi for clearing liver heat function.
Da Fu Pi (Areca Peel, Betel Husk)	Promotes the downward movement of Qi, reduces stagnation - food stagnation and qi obstruction w/epigastric and abdominal distention, belching, acid regurgitation, constipation. Expels damp, promotes urination - edema, dampness in the stomach and intestines.
Fo Shou (Finger Citron Fruit)	Regulates and soothes liver Qi - rib pain and distention, belching. Harmonizes the stomach and strengthens the spleen - epigastric pain and distention, lack of appetite, belching, vomiting. Dries dampness and transforms phlegm - chronic cough with phlegm and chest pain (weak, not well suited for acute conditions).
Li Zhi He (Leechee Nut)	Regulates the Qi and stops pain - abdominal and epigastric pain due to liver qi stagnation, PMS pain, post-partum pain due to qi and blood stagnation. Disperses cold and stagnation - hernia and testicular pain due to cold in the liver channel.
Mei Gui Hua (Young Flower of Chinese Rose)	Promotes the movement of Qi and relieves constraint - liver-stomach disharmony with pain and distention in the flanks and epigastrium, belching, poor appetite. Promotes the movement of Qi, harmonizes the Blood, disperses stasis - irregular menses, breast tenderness (PMS), menstrual pain; stasis from trauma.
Mu Xiang (Costus Root)	Promotes the movement of Qi, alleviates pain - stagnant qi of the stomach and/or spleen causing lack of appetite, abdominal pain, distention, nausea; liver or gallbladder qi stagnation causing flank pain, distention. Regulates stagnated Qi in the intestines - diarrhea, abdominal pain (common herb to treat tenesmus). Strengthens the spleen and prevents stagnation, used with tonifying herbs to reduce side effects.
Qing Pi (Green Tangerine Peel)	Spreads liver Qi and breaks up stagnation - liver Qi stagnation symptoms such as distention and pain in the chest, breast, and/or hypochondriac regions; hernial pain. Reduces food stagnation - pain in the epigastrium. Dries dampness and transforms phlegm - malarial disorders w/phlegm, dampness, and breast abscesses. Raises blood pressure.
Shi Di (Persimmon Calyx)	Directs stomach Qi downward - stops hiccups and belching.
Tan Xiang (Sandalwood)	Promotes Qi movement, alleviates pain - chest and abdomen pain.
Wu Yao (Lindera Root)	Promotes the movement of Qi, alleviates pain by warming and dispersing - flank, chest, epigastric, abdominal pain, hernia, menstrual pains due to cold constraint and qi stagnation. Warms the kidneys - frequent urination or incontinence due to kidney yang deficiency and cold from deficiency of the bladder.
Xiang Fu (Nut Grass Rhizome)	Spreads and regulates the Qi, soothes the liver - hypochondriac pain, epigastric distention, disharmony between the liver and the spleen. Regulates menses, alleviates pain (by resolving liver qi stagnation) - dysmenorrhea, irregular menses.
Xie Bai (Chive Bulb)	Unblocks the yang Qi and disperses cold phlegm - damp-cold bi of the chest due to cold turbid phlegm preventing the flow of yang qi - chest, flank, or upper back pain, dyspnea, coughing, wheezing, stifling sensation in the chest. Promotes the movement of Qi and Blood, alleviates pain - epigastric fullness, distention, abdominal pain, chest pain due to blood obstructing the heart channel. Directs Qi downward, reduces stagnation - damp stagnation in the large intestine (dysenteric disorders).
Zhi Ke (Ripe Fruit of Zhi Shi)	Milder actions - move qi and reduce distention (good for weak patients).
Zhi Shi (Immature Bitter Orange)	Breaks up Qi stagnation, reduces accumulations, transforms phlegm - epigastric or abdominal pain and distention or indigestion w/focal distention or gas. Directs qi downward and unblocks bowels - frequently used for abdominal pain and constipation by accumulation and stagnant Qi. Transforms phlegm and expels focal. Used with Qi tonifying herbs for the prolapse of organs. Raises blood pressure.