Properties of Chinese Herbal Medicinals

FOUR PROPERTIES - COLD, HOT, WARM AND COOL

Four properties (cold, hot, warm and cool) refer to the nature of medicinals. Cold and cool attribute to yin while warm and hot to yang. Theoretically, if the disease is cold in nature medicinals hot in property are given, and vice versa. For instance, a patient with high fever, extreme thirst flushed face, red eyes, swollen sore throat, and surging pulse should be diagnosed as the yang-heat pattern, and accordingly, such cold-natured medicinals as Shigao (Gypsum), Zhimu (Common Anemarrhena hizome) and Zhizi (cape Jasmine Fruit) should be administered. On the contrary, a patient with cold limbs, pulse can be concluded as the yin-cold pattern, and preferably, Fuzi (Prepared Common Monkshood Daughter Root), Rougui (Cassia Bark), and Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) should be used since they are warm and hot in nature.

FIVE FLAVORS - SOUR, BITTER, SWEET, ACRID AND SALTY

The five flavors refer to the five tastes of chinese medicinals, i.e. sour, bitter, sweet, acrid and salty. A flavor not only describes the taste of a medicinal substance but also the effect it produces. For instance, acrid substances disperse cold and stagnation, move qi and blood, so Shengjiang (Ginger) is used to treat common cold due to wind-cold. Sweet substances acts to tonify, regulate the stomach, moderate herbal properties and relieve convulsion and pain, so Gancao (Liquorice Root) is used for stomach-spleen weakness and reducing toxicity of medicinal substances.

Sour substances act to astringe and arrest discharge, so Wumei (Smoked Plum) is used for persistent coughing due to lung-qi deficiency as well as chronic diarrhea and dysentery.

Bitter substances act to purge fire, clear heat, relax bowels, and eliminate dampness, so Dahuang (Rhubarb) is used to treat constipation due to heat retention and boils due to toxic-heat.

 Salty substances act to purge and relieve constipation, soften hardness and dissipate nodulations, so Haizao (Seaweed) is used for goiter, tumor, scrofula and beriberi.

Portions of this article were adapted from research materials originally published on the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine website.