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Herbs that
regulate Qi are aromatic, pungent and bitter. They are good for promoting
the flow of Qi, and are indicated in Qi stagnation and Qi perversion. Qi
stagnation may be manifested as stifling distension and pain, while Qi perversion as nausea, vomiting, belching, asthma and cough.
Several
manifestations may appear depending on the organs involved. If the lungs
fail their function of descending, the failure is manifested as discomfort,
stifling sensation in the chest, cough and asthma. If the liver is
stagnated, the manifestations are hypochondriac pain, stifling sensation in the
chest, hernia pain, nodules, distension and pain in the breasts, or irregular
menstruation. If Qi stagnation in the spleen and stomach impair their
normal functions of ascending and descending, the resulting symptoms include
fullness, distension and pain in the epigastric and abdominal regions, belching,
sour regurgitation, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea or constipation.
How
these herbs are combined with other ones is determined by the complex set of
pathological conditions present. For example, if excessive heat and phlegm
accumulate in the lungs with the resulting manifestations of cough and asthma,
these herbs should be used with herbs that clear heat and resolve phlegm.
When
using these herbs, it is important to remember that most are aromatic, pungent
and dry. Prolonged administration can injure yin. They should be
used with caution in patients with Deficient Qi or Deficient Yin.
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