Herbs That Release Exterior Syndrome 

Exterior-releasing herbs are those that dispel pathogenic factors while in the superficial portion of the body. These herbs have a pungent-spicy taste, cause sweating and release the exterior. They are further divided into warm-pungent and cool-pungent classes. The warm-pungent herbs release wind-cold exterior syndromes, while the cool-pungent herbs release wind-hear exterior syndromes. Some of the herbs have additional functions including treating edema, stopping cough, and asthma, bringing measles to the body surface, promoting the lungs’ dispersing function and strengthening water-metabolism. Some herbs also dispel wind and damp and sop pain. The herbs that release the exterior should be used with caution: over dosage may cause have sweating and consumption of Yang-Qi and body fluids, thus weakening the body, These herbs are also contraindicated in the advanced stage of febrile diseases accompanied by exhaustion of body fluid, chronic boils, and carbuncles, urinary dysfunction and loss of blood.

 a) Warm-Pungent Herbs That Release Exterior Syndrome

The main function of warm-pungent herbs is to dispel wind and cold. They are indicated in wind-cold excess exterior syndrome and are accompanied by chills, fever, absence of sweating, headache, thin and white tongue coating and superficial and tense pulse. In addition, these herbs can be used to treat cough, asthma, edema, and pain caused by invasion of wind-damp. As warm-pungent herbs may cause heavy sweating, proper dosages should be used.

b) Cool-Pungent Herbs That Release Exterior Syndrome  

These herbs are cool and pungent in property.  They are not strong enough to promote sweating.  They are indicated in wind-heat exterior syndrome manifested as high fever, mild chills, thirst, sore throat, scanty or no sweating, thin and yellow tongue coating and superficial and rapid pulse.  Some of these herbs are also effective in promoting the full expression of rashes in measles, and for use on boils and carbuncles on the exterior.