Herbs That Expel Wind and Dampness

These herbs expel wind and dampness from skin, muscles, channels and collaterals.  They relax tendons, promoting circulation of channels and collaterals, stopping pain and strengthening joints and bones.  Their main indication are wind-damp obstruction pain, migrating pain, spasm of tendons, numbness of muscles, hemiplegia, soreness and pain in the lower back and knees and flaccid lower limbs. 

The selection of herbs for obstruction-type pain is based on the nature and location of the obstruction.  For example, if the exterior is attacked by pathogenic factors, these herbs are used with herbs that expel wind and release exterior syndrome.  If the collaterals are affected by pathogenic factors, these herbs are used with herbs that invigorate circulation of Qi and blood.  In excessive cold and dampness, these herbs are used with herbs that warm the channels.  For a patient with heat due to prolonged accumulation of pathogenic factors, these herbs are taken with herbs that clear heat.

As some herbs in this category  are pungent, warm and dry in taste and properties, they are apt to consume Yin and blood; therefore, care should be taken in their use when a person suffers from deficiency of Yin and blood.