State/School

California License Exam, Pacific College Comps

Pharm Name

Gardeniae Fructus

Common Name

Gardenia Fruit

Category

Clear Heat Drain Fire

Ingredients

Taste

Bitter

Pao Zhi

Dry-fried to guide it to enter the blood and cool pent-up blood-level heat. It also moderates its cold nature, reducing its tendency to cause nausea and vomiting.

Temperature

Cold

Action / Indication

1. Drains heat and eliminates irritability: for heat patterns with fever, irritability, restlessness, stifling sensation in the chest, insomnia, or delirious speech.
   
2. Clears heat and resolves dampness: for painful urinary dribbling due to damp-heat in the lower burner; damp heat and constrained Liver and Gallbladder (middle burner) with jaundice; and damp-heat in the Gallbladder and Triple Burner channels of the face, affecting the nose and eyes, or causing sores in the mouth or facial region.
3.  Cools the blood and resolves toxicity: for heat in the blood with such symptoms as nosebleed, or blood in the vomit, stool, or urine. For this purpose, the herb is partially charred.
   
4. Reduces swelling and moves blood stasis due to trauma: for this purpose, apply topically as a powder mixed with egg white or vinegar. 
   

Treatment Principles

Clears Heat
Drains Fire
Alleviates Irritability
Clears Damp-Heat
Cools the Blood
Stops Bleeding
Reduces Swelling and Pain

Contraindication

Loose stools or poor appetite due to deficiency cold. This herb may cause sedation.

Dosages

3-12g. 20g maximum. Or use topically. May be dry-fried, ginger-fried, or charred.

Meridians

HT, LU, LV, ST, SJ

Tom's Comment

Source

Formula Type