Herbs that Drain the Heat

Channels: LU, ST

Properties:Sweet, Spicy, Very Cold

Common: Gypsum

Latin: Gypsum Fibrosum

Actions:

• Clears heat in the Qi level: for very high fever, intense thirst, profuse sweating, big and flooding pulse, and a red tongue with a yellow coating.
• Clears heat in the lungs: for cough and wheezing with thick yellow sputum.
• Clears stomach fire: for inflammed and painful gums, toothache, and thirst.
• For burns, abscesses, and eczema: can be taken internally or applied topically for these symptoms.

Contraindications:

• Caution in patients with weak stomachs, weak pulse, yang Deficiency, or yin deficiency heat.

Dosage:

• 9-30g, up to 90g for very high fever. Cook 20-30 minutes before adding other herbs. For use externally, calcined form is best