Commonly combined with:
• A. Herbs that disperse the Lungs and resolve phlegm when there is attack of the Lungs by an EPI.
• B. Herbs that clear heat and resolve phlegm when there is Lung phlegm-heat.
• C. Herbs that clear damp-heat when there is damp-heat in the middle Jiao.
• D. Herbs that warm the interior when there is spleen cold-dampness.
• E. Herbs that promote digestion when there is food retention.
• F. Herbs that tonify spleen Qi when there is spleen Qi deficiency.
• G. Herbs that nourish liver blood and Yin and promote blood circulation when there is liver Qi stagnation.
• Since these herbs disperse Qi and tend to be aromatic and drying, they are generally used with caution for patients with Yin or Qi deficiency.
• Since the dispersing effect of many of these herbs is dependent on their volatile oils, these herbs are generally decocted for no longer than 15 minutes.
• When using Chen pi, Ju hong, Ju He, Qing pi, Zhi shi, Zhi ke, Fo shou, Xiang yuan, and other citrus herbs, remember to consider the possibility of the patient’s having a citrus sensitivity or allergy.
• The term “adjusts the middle Jiao” refers to an herb’s ability to re-establish the proper ascent and descent of Qi by the spleen and stomach.
• Also consider these Qi moving herbs from other categories, as appropriate: An Xi Xiang [Open Orifices], Bai Jie Zi [Resolve Phlegm], Bai Dou Kou [Aromatic Transform Damp], Bing Lang [Kill Parasites], Bo He [Acrid, Cool], Cao Dou Kou [Aromatic Transform Damp], Du Huo [Expel Wind-Damp], E Zhu [Move Blood], Gua Lou Pi [Resolve Phlegm], Hou Po [Aromatic Transform Damp], Jiang Xiang [Move Blood], Lu Lu Tong [Move Blood], Rou Dou Kou [Astringent], Ru Xiang [Move Blood], San Leng [Move Blood], Sha Ren [Aromatic Transform Damp], Yan Hu Suo [Move Blood], Yu Jin [Move Blood], Zi Su Ye [Acrid, Warm Release Exterior].