A. Clear the Exterior



Diaphoretics, Sudorifics

These herbs clear the surface of the body by promoting function of the skin and promoting perspiration, either sensible (ie. the perspiration is seen and felt), but often work by what was called ‘insensible transpiration’, meaning the skin function was made more efficient, and more sweat and toxins were expelled via the skin, but without being noticed as sweat.

TCM classifies the acute stages of Infection as either Wind-Heat or Wind-Cold. Wind ‘moves’ the pathogen into the body which is either Cold or Heat. In Winter, cold climates and Cold-natured bodies Wind-Cold attacks whereas in Spring, Summer, Hot climates and Hot-natured bodies usually Wind-Heat is the cause.

The skin is the largest cleansing organ of the body, and proper skin function is very important in a range of conditions where the system is overloaded or overburdened with various toxins, such as fever, infection, inflammation, edema, poor kidney function, various skin conditions and chronic arthritic complaints, as well as tumors, swellings and cancer. These medicines activate the skin function.

They are most useful in conditions which are said to be in the skin and superficial tissues of the body.

They are therefore used in:
1. Fevers, Colds, Influenza, the beginning stages of Infectious diseases. This group is most suitable for acute conditions with chills, fever, headache, muscle stiffness, sweating (or absence of healthy sweating).
2. Pain of the muscles, especially that which is moving in nature.
3. Joint pain, especially of an acute nature.
4. Some herbs of this group have other functions such as treating Coughs, promoting expression of Rashes, promoting Peripheral Circulation, clearing Poisons, and easing Pain.


i. Warm herbs for Exterior Wind-Cold
Symptoms include runny nose with clear mucous, Cough, Headache, body aches, fear of or aversion to Cold, feels the Cold, pale face, superficial (floating) pulse that is a little slow or weak.

                             Ephedra Ma Huang
                             Perilla leaf Zi Su Ye
                             Saposhnikovia Fang Feng
                             Angelica dahurica Bai Zhi
                             Xanthium Cang Er
                             Fresh Ginger Sheng Jiang
                             Asarum Xi Xin

                             Siler montane
                             Betony
                             Angelica root
                             Bayberry
                             Thyme


Cinnamon twig Gui Zhi
Schizonopeta Jing Jie
Notopterygium Qiang Huo
Ligusticum Gao Ben
Magnolia Flos Xin Yi
Spring Onion Cong Bai


Basil
Blessed Thistle
Butterbur
Sage


Others:
Centipeda E Bu Shi Cao, Tamarix chinensis Xi He Liu, Mosla seu Elsholtzia Xiang Ru

ii. Cold herbs for Exterior Wind-Heat
Symptoms include Fever, Chills, Cough, Sore Throat, Headache and body aches, red tongue with thin white or yellow tongue coat, superficial (floating) pulse which is rapid. The face is reddish and there may be restlessness, insomnia etc.

                             Peppermint Bo He
                             Chrysanthemum Ju Hua
                             Bupleurum Chai Hu
                             Duckweed Fu Ping
                             Pueraria Ge Gen

                             Camomile
                             Balm
                             Elder flower
                             Coriander seed
                            

Burdock seed Niu Bang Zi
Mulberry leaf Sang Ye
Cimicifuga Sheng Ma
Vitex Man Jing Zi
Cicada slough Chan Tui

Feverfew
Hyssop
Linden flower
Yarrow

Others:
White Dittany, Scordium
TCM:
Horsetail (Mu Zei), Vernonia Yi Zhi Xiang, Abutilon Mao Zi Dun Tou, Soybean sprouts Da Dou Juan, Prepared Soybean Dan Dou Chi

Chinese Classification
A. Clear the Exterior
B. Clear Heat
C. Clear Damp and Promote Urine
D. Clear Wind and Damp
E. Laxatives, Purgative and Cathartics
F. Emetics
G. Sedate the Heart, Mind and Spirit
H. Nourish the Heart

I. Settle Internal Wind
J. Regulate the Qi
K. Medicines which Move the Blood
L. Medicines which Stop Bleeding
M. Medicines to Warm to Expel Cold
N. Tonics
O. Medicines which Promote Digestion
P. Clear Phlegm
Q. Medicines for Cough and Wheezing
R. Astringents
S. Medicines for Worms & Parasites
T. External Medicines