Table 2.
Action and indication of the ten most frequently used herbs for FAPS.
| Chinese name in pinyin | Latin name | Frequency of usage | Action | Indication |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ren Shen | Radix Ginseng | 78 | Replenish the primordial qi; tonify the spleen and lung; promote fluid production and induce tranquilization | (1) Prostration syndrome of primordial qi (2) Lung qi deficiency syndrome (3) Spleen qi deficiency syndrome (4) Thirst due to qi deficiency and consumption of fluid in febrile disease (5) Palpations, fearful throbbing, insomnia, and dream-disturbed sleep |
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| Bai Zhu | Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae | 53 | Invigorate spleen and replenish qi; dry dampness and induce diuresis; stop sweating; prevent abortion | (1) Spleen qi deficiency syndrome (2) Edema, phlegm-fluid retention (3) Spontaneous sweating due to qi deficiency (4) Threatened abortion due to spleen deficiency |
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| Chen Pi | Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae | 43 | Regulate qi and invigorate spleen; dry dampness and resolve phlegm | (1) Qi stagnation of spleen and stomach (2) Retention of dampness and cough with profuse sputum |
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| Bing Lang | Semen Arecae | 41 | Expel worms and remove food stagnation; move qi; induce diuresis | (1) Intestinal parasitic disease (2) Dyspepsia and qi stagnation manifested as dysentery with tenesmus (3) Edema and beriberi with the manifestations of swelling and pain |
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| Chen Xiang | Lignum Aquilariae Resinatum | 29 | Promote qi flow to relieve pain; warm the middle energizer to stop vomiting; warm kidney to improve inspiration | (1) Distending pain in the chest and abdomen (2) Stomach cold causing vomiting (3) Dyspnea of deficiency type |
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| Wu Yao | Radix Linderae | 26 | Promote qi flow to relieve pain; warm kidney to disperse cold | (1) Chest and abdomen pain syndromes (2) Frequent urination and enuresis |
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| Yan Hu Suo | Rhizoma Corydalis | 26 | Activate blood; move qi; relieve pain | Stagnation of qi and blood stasis causing pain |
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| Mu Xiang | Radix Aucklandiae | 23 | Promote qi flow to stop pain; regulate the middle energizer | (1) Spleen and stomach qi stagnation syndromes (2) Large intestine qi stagnation syndrome (3) Liver and gallbladder qi stagnation |
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| Sheng Jiang | Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens | 19 | Dispel cold, release superficies; warm the middle; arrest vomiting; resolve phlegm and stop cough | (1) Exterior contraction of wind-cold (2) Stomach cold and vomiting (3) Lung cold and cough |
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| Gan Cao | Radix Glycyrrhizae | 19 | Tonify spleen and replenish qi; dispel phlegm and arrest cough; relieve spasm and pain; clear heat and relieve toxicity; harmonize all medicinals | (1) Spleen qi deficiency syndrome (2) Heart qi insufficient syndrome (3) Cough and dyspnea (4) Spasm in the abdomen and extremities (5) Heat-toxin with ulcers and sore throat; medical or food poisoning (6) Moderating the properties of medicinals |