Herbs That Pacifying the Liver and Extinguish Wind
✵TCM herbalism is also known as the pharmaceutics of Traditional Chinese Medicine or Chinese pharmaceutics. It is the branch of health science dealing with the preparation, dispensing, and proper utilization of Chinese herbs. It is primarily composed of Introduction to Chinese Medicinals, Classification of Chinese Herbs, Formulas, and Patent Medicines.
Herbs That Pacifying the Liver and Extinguish Wind.
Introduction: Herbs that pacify the liver and extinguish wind—also termed “liver-pacifying and wind-extinguishing herbs”—are agents that calm the liver, suppress exuberant liver-Yang, extinguish endogenous wind, and control spasms or tremors. These herbs function to: calm the liver and suppress Yang hyperactivity; extinguish endogenous wind and arrest convulsions; and tranquilize the mind (relieving mental and physical restlessness). They are primarily used for syndromes of liver-Yang hyperactivity (e.g., dizziness, vertigo), liver-wind agitation (e.g., tremor, spasm, convulsion), and related disorders. Based on functional emphasis, they are classified into two categories: (1) liver-pacifying and Yang-suppressing herbs; and (2) wind-extinguishing and spasm-controlling herbs.
Liver-pacifying and yang-suppressing herbs are those that pacify the liver, suppress exuberant Yang, extinguish endogenous wind, and control spasms or tremors. These herbs function to pacify the liver and subdue Yang hyperactivity, tranquilize the mind, and suppress hyperactivity; they are predominantly derived from shellfish shells or minerals and are primarily indicated for syndromes of liver-Yang hyperactivity—such as dizziness, vertigo, cephalalgia (headache), tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and syndromes arising from flaming-up liver fire, including flushed face, bitter taste in the mouth, conjunctival congestion and swelling (red, painful eyes), irritability, and restlessness. Representative herbs include Concha Haliotidis (Shí Jué Míng), Concha Ostreae (Mǔ Lì), Haematitum (Dài Zhě Shí), Concha Margaritifera Usta (Zhēn Zhū Mǔ), Concha Mauritiae (Zǐ Bèi Chǐ), and Fructus Tribuli (Jí Lí).
Wind-extinguishing and spasm-controlling herbs are those that extinguish endogenous wind and arrest spasms or tremors. These herbs function to extinguish liver wind, arrest and alleviate spasms and tremors, calm the liver and suppress Yang hyperactivity, clear heat and detoxify, and improve visual acuity. They are primarily indicated for the syndrome of internally stirring liver wind—a pattern caused by liver-Yang hyperactivity, extreme hyperpyrexia, turbid phlegm, blood deficiency, or Yin deficiency—manifesting as limb spasms, tremors, and involuntary shaking. In addition to this primary indication, they are also used for spasms and tremors associated with epilepsy, tetanus, and chronic infantile convulsions due to spleen deficiency. Representative herbs include Scorpio (Quán Xiē), Rhizoma Gastrodiae (Tiān Má), Scolopendra (Wú Gōng), Bombyx Batryticatus (Jiānɡ Cán), and Lumbricus (Dì Lóng).
✵As of January 1, 2024, this category includes a total of [11] commonly used TCM herbs, [3] related plant species, [1] related insect species, [19] related animal species, and [1] related mineral.
✵As of January 1, 2024, this category includes a total of [6] commonly used TCM herbs, [2] related plant species, [11] related animal species, and [1] related mineral. These liver-pacifying and yang-suppressing herbs are introduced individually below.
Concha Haliotidis (Sea-ear Shell)
Brief Introduction: The herb Concha Haliotidis is the shell of Haliotis diversicolor Reeve, Haliotis asinina Linnaeus, or Haliotis laevigata Donovan. It is used (1) to pacify the liver and subdue exuberant Yang for treating liver-Yang rising manifested as headache and vertigo, and (2) to clear liver heat and improve vision for treating glaucoma and cataracts. The herb is commonly known as Concha Haliotidis, Sea-ear Shell, or Shí Jué Míng.
Concha Ostreae (Oyster Shell)
Brief Introduction:Concha Ostreae is the shell of Ostrea gigas Thunberg, Ostrea talienwhanensis Crosse, or Ostrea rivularis Gould, used (1) as a sedative and calming agent for headache, dizziness, palpitations, and insomnia, and (2) to soften and dissipate hard masses, such as in scrofula. It is commonly known as Concha Ostreae, Oyster Shell, or Mǔ Lì.
Haematitum (Hematite)
Brief Introduction:Haematitum is a dark-brown iron ore primarily composed of ferric oxide (Fe2O3). It is used: (1) to calm the liver and subdue hyperactive yang—indicated for headache, vertigo, and tinnitus due to ascending liver yang; (2) to reverse counterflow of qi—relieving belching, nausea, vomiting, and wheezing; and (3) as a blood-cooling hemostatic agent—for hematemesis and epistaxis. The herb is commonly known as Haematitum, hematite, or Zhě Shí.
Concha Margaritifera Usta (Nacre)
Brief Introduction:Concha Margaritifera Usta is the calcined shell of certain pearl-producing bivalves: Hyriopsis cumingii (Lea), Cristaria plicata (Leach) (family Unionidae), or Pteria martensii (Dunker) (family Pteriidae). It is used: (1) as a heavy tranquilizer to calm the mind—indicated for palpitations, insomnia, and mania; and (2) to calm the liver and subdue hyperactive yang—relieving headache and dizziness. The herb is commonly known as Concha Margaritifera Usta, nacre, or Zhēn Zhū Mǔ.
Concha Mauritiae (Purple Cowry Shell)
Brief Introduction:Concha Mauritiae is the dried shell of Mauritia (L.), used as a sedative to treat palpitations and infantile convulsions. It is commonly known as Concha Mauritiae, Purple Cowry Shell, or Zǐ Bèi Chǐ.
Fructus Tribuli (Puncture-vine Caltrop Fruit)
Brief Introduction:Fructus Tribuli is the dried fruit of Tribulus terrestris L. (family Zygophyllaceae). It is used (1) to pacify and soothe the Liver, for treating headache, vertigo, thoracic and hypochondriac pain, and mastitis due to depressed Liver Qi; (2) to improve vision in cases of conjunctivitis and nebula; and (3) to dispel Wind in cases of urticaria and pruritus. The herb is commonly known as Fructus Tribuli, Puncture-Vine Caltrop Fruit, or Jí Lí.
✵As of January 1, 2024, this category includes a total of [5] commonly used TCM herbs, [1] related plant species, [1] related insect species, and [8] related animal species. These wind-extinguishing and spasm-controlling herbs are introduced individually below.
Scorpio (Scorpion)
Brief Introduction:Scorpio is the dried, boiled body of Buthus martensii Karsch. It is used to subdue endogenous Wind for treating various tic disorders, convulsions, tetanus, and sequelae of cerebrovascular accidents. The herb is commonly known as Scorpio, Scorpion, or Quán Xiē.
Rhizoma Gastrodiae (Gastrodia Tuber)
Brief Introduction:Rhizoma Gastrodiae is the dried tuber of Gastrodia elata Blume. It is clinically used: (1) to extinguish internal wind and relieve spasms—indicated for convulsions and hemiplegia following apoplexy; (2) to pacify the liver and subdue hyperactive Yang—alleviating headache, dizziness, and vertigo; and (3) to dispel wind-dampness and relieve bi syndrome (painful obstruction). It is commonly referred to as Rhizoma Gastrodiae, Gastrodia Tuber, or Tiān Má.
Scolopendra (Centipede)
Brief Introduction:Scolopendra is the dried whole body of Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans L. Koch. It is used (1) to extinguish internal wind and arrest spasms—indicated for tic disorders, convulsions, tetanus, and facial paralysis; (2) to unblock the collaterals and alleviate pain—in cases of stubborn arthralgia and intractable migraine; and (3) as a detoxicant—for scrofula and venomous snakebite. It is commonly known as Scolopendra, centipede, or Wú Gōnɡ.
Bombyx Batryticatus (Stiff Silkworm)
Brief Introduction:Bombyx batryticatus is the dried body of the fourth- or fifth-instar larva of Bombyx mori L., which has died and stiffened due to infection by the fungus Beauveria bassiana. It is used (1) to extinguish endogenous wind and relieve convulsions, (2) to resolve phlegm and dissipate nodules—particularly in scrofula—and (3) to dispel exogenous wind in wind-heat patterns, such as sore throat, hoarseness, and urticaria. It is commonly known as Bombyx batryticatus, Stiff Silkworm, or Jiāng Cán.
Lumbricus (Earthworm)
Brief Introduction: The herb Lumbricus is the dried whole body of Pheretima aspergillum (Perrier) or Amynthas corticis (formerly classified as Allolobophora caliginosa (Savigny) trapezoides (Ant. Duges)), used to clear heat, extinguish wind, unblock the collaterals, relieve asthma, and promote diuresis. It is indicated for convulsions due to high fever, rheumatic arthralgia, hemiplegia, bronchial asthma, and urinary retention caused by accumulated heat in the bladder. The herb is commonly known as Lumbricus, Earthworm, Pheretima, or Dì Lóng.
✵TCM herbalism is also known as the pharmaceutics of Traditional Chinese Medicine or Chinese pharmaceutics. It is the branch of health science dealing with the preparation, dispensing, and proper utilization of Chinese herbs. It is primarily composed of Introduction to Chinese Medicinals, Classification of Chinese Herbs, Formulas, and Patent Medicines.
Introduction: Herbs that pacify the liver and extinguish wind—also termed “liver-pacifying and wind-extinguishing herbs”—are agents that calm the liver, suppress exuberant liver-Yang, extinguish endogenous wind, and control spasms or tremors. These herbs function to: calm the liver and suppress Yang hyperactivity; extinguish endogenous wind and arrest convulsions; and tranquilize the mind (relieving mental and physical restlessness). They are primarily used for syndromes of liver-Yang hyperactivity (e.g., dizziness, vertigo), liver-wind agitation (e.g., tremor, spasm, convulsion), and related disorders. Based on functional emphasis, they are classified into two categories: (1) liver-pacifying and Yang-suppressing herbs; and (2) wind-extinguishing and spasm-controlling herbs.
Brief Introduction: The herb Concha Haliotidis is the shell of Haliotis diversicolor Reeve, Haliotis asinina Linnaeus, or Haliotis laevigata Donovan. It is used (1) to pacify the liver and subdue exuberant Yang for treating liver-Yang rising manifested as headache and vertigo, and (2) to clear liver heat and improve vision for treating glaucoma and cataracts. The herb is commonly known as Concha Haliotidis, Sea-ear Shell, or Shí Jué Míng.
Brief Introduction: Concha Ostreae is the shell of Ostrea gigas Thunberg, Ostrea talienwhanensis Crosse, or Ostrea rivularis Gould, used (1) as a sedative and calming agent for headache, dizziness, palpitations, and insomnia, and (2) to soften and dissipate hard masses, such as in scrofula. It is commonly known as Concha Ostreae, Oyster Shell, or Mǔ Lì.
Brief Introduction: Haematitum is a dark-brown iron ore primarily composed of ferric oxide (Fe2O3). It is used: (1) to calm the liver and subdue hyperactive yang—indicated for headache, vertigo, and tinnitus due to ascending liver yang; (2) to reverse counterflow of qi—relieving belching, nausea, vomiting, and wheezing; and (3) as a blood-cooling hemostatic agent—for hematemesis and epistaxis. The herb is commonly known as Haematitum, hematite, or Zhě Shí.
Brief Introduction: Concha Margaritifera Usta is the calcined shell of certain pearl-producing bivalves: Hyriopsis cumingii (Lea), Cristaria plicata (Leach) (family Unionidae), or Pteria martensii (Dunker) (family Pteriidae). It is used: (1) as a heavy tranquilizer to calm the mind—indicated for palpitations, insomnia, and mania; and (2) to calm the liver and subdue hyperactive yang—relieving headache and dizziness. The herb is commonly known as Concha Margaritifera Usta, nacre, or Zhēn Zhū Mǔ.
Brief Introduction: Concha Mauritiae is the dried shell of Mauritia (L.), used as a sedative to treat palpitations and infantile convulsions. It is commonly known as Concha Mauritiae, Purple Cowry Shell, or Zǐ Bèi Chǐ.
Brief Introduction: Fructus Tribuli is the dried fruit of Tribulus terrestris L. (family Zygophyllaceae). It is used (1) to pacify and soothe the Liver, for treating headache, vertigo, thoracic and hypochondriac pain, and mastitis due to depressed Liver Qi; (2) to improve vision in cases of conjunctivitis and nebula; and (3) to dispel Wind in cases of urticaria and pruritus. The herb is commonly known as Fructus Tribuli, Puncture-Vine Caltrop Fruit, or Jí Lí.
Brief Introduction: Scorpio is the dried, boiled body of Buthus martensii Karsch. It is used to subdue endogenous Wind for treating various tic disorders, convulsions, tetanus, and sequelae of cerebrovascular accidents. The herb is commonly known as Scorpio, Scorpion, or Quán Xiē.
Brief Introduction: Rhizoma Gastrodiae is the dried tuber of Gastrodia elata Blume. It is clinically used: (1) to extinguish internal wind and relieve spasms—indicated for convulsions and hemiplegia following apoplexy; (2) to pacify the liver and subdue hyperactive Yang—alleviating headache, dizziness, and vertigo; and (3) to dispel wind-dampness and relieve bi syndrome (painful obstruction). It is commonly referred to as Rhizoma Gastrodiae, Gastrodia Tuber, or Tiān Má.
Brief Introduction: Scolopendra is the dried whole body of Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans L. Koch. It is used (1) to extinguish internal wind and arrest spasms—indicated for tic disorders, convulsions, tetanus, and facial paralysis; (2) to unblock the collaterals and alleviate pain—in cases of stubborn arthralgia and intractable migraine; and (3) as a detoxicant—for scrofula and venomous snakebite. It is commonly known as Scolopendra, centipede, or Wú Gōnɡ.
Brief Introduction: Bombyx batryticatus is the dried body of the fourth- or fifth-instar larva of Bombyx mori L., which has died and stiffened due to infection by the fungus Beauveria bassiana. It is used (1) to extinguish endogenous wind and relieve convulsions, (2) to resolve phlegm and dissipate nodules—particularly in scrofula—and (3) to dispel exogenous wind in wind-heat patterns, such as sore throat, hoarseness, and urticaria. It is commonly known as Bombyx batryticatus, Stiff Silkworm, or Jiāng Cán.
Brief Introduction: The herb Lumbricus is the dried whole body of Pheretima aspergillum (Perrier) or Amynthas corticis (formerly classified as Allolobophora caliginosa (Savigny) trapezoides (Ant. Duges)), used to clear heat, extinguish wind, unblock the collaterals, relieve asthma, and promote diuresis. It is indicated for convulsions due to high fever, rheumatic arthralgia, hemiplegia, bronchial asthma, and urinary retention caused by accumulated heat in the bladder. The herb is commonly known as Lumbricus, Earthworm, Pheretima, or Dì Lóng.