NCCAOM Herb Board - Singles over 250
questionable and answers verified 2025/2026
Open the Orifices
acrid : hot : aromatic
She Xiang
Special: vigorously opens the
(Musk... dried secretions
orifices, revives the spirit,
from male deer sex gland)
opens closed disorders,
dissipates clumps
Open the Orifices
bitter : cool
(cows are slow (cold) and deers
are fast (hot))
Niu Huang
Special: clears heart, awakens
(Cattle gallstone)
spirit, extinguishes wind and
stops tremors
taken with strained decoction
, Extinguish Wind
bitter : cold (Ci Ji Li is also bitter
and acrid + neutral)
Actions: calms LR and subdues
LR yang, clears LR fire;
Dai Zhe Shi
descends rebellious qi; cools
blood, stops bleeding
(Hematite)
Cautions: pregnancy; avoid
long-term use
Also used to stop N/V
High in iron, used to treat
anemia
Extinguish Wind
acrid-bitter : neutral
Actions: Pacifies the LR, anchors
yang; regulates LR qi and
Ci Ji Li
disperses stagnation; dispels
wind-heat and brightens the
(Tribulus fruit)
eyes; dispels wind and stops
itching*
6-15g
Also used to lower BP
, Extinguish Wind
sweet : neutral
Actions: Calms the LR,
Tian Ma
extinguishes wind, controls
spasms and tremors;
(Gastrodia rhizome)
extinguishes wind, stops pain;
disperses painful obstruction
3-9g
Extinguish Wind
salty : cold
Actions: Drains heat, relives
spasm; clears heat and frees
the channels and collaterals;
Di Long
suppresses wheezing;
promotes urination; treats high
(Earthworm)
BP related to LR yang rising
4.5-15g
DUI YAO: Jiang Can for chronic
h/a, seizures, and/or neuralgia
due to wind-phlegm
Extinguish Wind
sweet : slightly cold (Tian Ma is
also sweet, but neutral)
Gou Teng Actions: extinguishes wind and
alleviates spasm; clears LR
(Uncaria branchlet) heat and subdues yang; R/E
(wind-heat)
6-15g
Also used to Lower BP
, Extinguish Wind
salty : cold (like Di Long)
Actions: Drains LR fire and
anchors and sedates LR yang;
improves vision and causes
Shi Jue Ming superficial visual obstruction to
recede; used for gastric acidity;
(Abalone shell) topical for bleeding d/t trauma
15-30g
DUI YAO: Ci Shi for LV yang
rising causing: dizziness, tinnitus,
h/a, HBP
Calm Spirit
salty-acrid : cold
Actions: *subdues the yang and
Ci Shi calms the spirit; benefits hearing
and brightens the eyes; aids KD
(Magnetite) to grasp qi
15-30g
Contra: weak middle jiao
Can treat cataracts and anemia
questionable and answers verified 2025/2026
Open the Orifices
acrid : hot : aromatic
She Xiang
Special: vigorously opens the
(Musk... dried secretions
orifices, revives the spirit,
from male deer sex gland)
opens closed disorders,
dissipates clumps
Open the Orifices
bitter : cool
(cows are slow (cold) and deers
are fast (hot))
Niu Huang
Special: clears heart, awakens
(Cattle gallstone)
spirit, extinguishes wind and
stops tremors
taken with strained decoction
, Extinguish Wind
bitter : cold (Ci Ji Li is also bitter
and acrid + neutral)
Actions: calms LR and subdues
LR yang, clears LR fire;
Dai Zhe Shi
descends rebellious qi; cools
blood, stops bleeding
(Hematite)
Cautions: pregnancy; avoid
long-term use
Also used to stop N/V
High in iron, used to treat
anemia
Extinguish Wind
acrid-bitter : neutral
Actions: Pacifies the LR, anchors
yang; regulates LR qi and
Ci Ji Li
disperses stagnation; dispels
wind-heat and brightens the
(Tribulus fruit)
eyes; dispels wind and stops
itching*
6-15g
Also used to lower BP
, Extinguish Wind
sweet : neutral
Actions: Calms the LR,
Tian Ma
extinguishes wind, controls
spasms and tremors;
(Gastrodia rhizome)
extinguishes wind, stops pain;
disperses painful obstruction
3-9g
Extinguish Wind
salty : cold
Actions: Drains heat, relives
spasm; clears heat and frees
the channels and collaterals;
Di Long
suppresses wheezing;
promotes urination; treats high
(Earthworm)
BP related to LR yang rising
4.5-15g
DUI YAO: Jiang Can for chronic
h/a, seizures, and/or neuralgia
due to wind-phlegm
Extinguish Wind
sweet : slightly cold (Tian Ma is
also sweet, but neutral)
Gou Teng Actions: extinguishes wind and
alleviates spasm; clears LR
(Uncaria branchlet) heat and subdues yang; R/E
(wind-heat)
6-15g
Also used to Lower BP
, Extinguish Wind
salty : cold (like Di Long)
Actions: Drains LR fire and
anchors and sedates LR yang;
improves vision and causes
Shi Jue Ming superficial visual obstruction to
recede; used for gastric acidity;
(Abalone shell) topical for bleeding d/t trauma
15-30g
DUI YAO: Ci Shi for LV yang
rising causing: dizziness, tinnitus,
h/a, HBP
Calm Spirit
salty-acrid : cold
Actions: *subdues the yang and
Ci Shi calms the spirit; benefits hearing
and brightens the eyes; aids KD
(Magnetite) to grasp qi
15-30g
Contra: weak middle jiao
Can treat cataracts and anemia
