Warm, Pungent Herbs that Release the Exterior

Actions:

• Releases the exterior and disperses wind-cold: for wind-cold excess patterns with fever, chills, headache, lack of sweating, and a tight, floating pulse. Opens the pores and induces sweating.
• Stops wheezing and asthma: obstruction of lung qi due to exterior wind-cold or wheezing from an internal condition.
• Reduces edema and promotes urination: especially due to obstruction from external wind-cold pathogen.

Contraindications:

• Long-term or overuse causes heavy sweating and weakens the body. May also raise blood pressure, do not use if patient has insomnia, spontaneous sweating, high blood pressure, or cardiac arrhythmias. Toasting with honey reduces the dispersing nature of this herb.

Dosage:

• 3-9g. Cook first and remove foam from the surface of decoction. Use raw for exterior wind-cold, coat with honey to treat asthma. Use the twigs or stems.