TCM Herbs by Channel Influences

TCM Herbal Database - Materia Medica - Channels Influenced

Within Traditional Chinese Medicine, herbs are divided into many categorizations which help to ensure they are used effectively. Below you will find herbs categorized by the meridians, or channels, that the herbs will influence. When preparing formulas for a given condition you may use herbs that either effect a particular meridian or organ directly or herbs that will help lead the properties of other herbs into a particular channel.

For example, you may want an herbal formula that cools lung heat for a cough. You can use herbs that are directly cooling on the lungs or a combination of herbs that are cooling and have a strong influence on leading that property of the herbs to the lungs.

You may also use herbs to protect a certain channel or organ system from side effects of stronger herbs that you are using to treat a particular condition.

Listed below are the channels influenced along with the number of herbs within each meridian that are contained in our tcm herbal database.

368 TCM Herbs Listed By The Channels They Influence

Below is a table of the Traditional Chinese Medicine herbs categorized by the channels they influence. You may click on a channel to view the names and functions of each individual herb as well as to learn more about the channel influences. You may also view the herbs categorized by properties and functions.

Channel Influenced	Num of Herbs
Gall Bladder	22
Heart	84
Kidney	101
Large Intestine	69
Liver	194
Lung	144
Pericardium	7
Small Intestine	21
Spleen	113
Stomach	134
Triple Heater	5
Urinary Bladder	43

Some Herbs To Peruse...

Ling Yang Jiao Antelope Horn

Extinguishes wind, controls spasms and convulsions - spasms, convulsions, seizures, expecially in children with high fever.
Calms the liver, anchors the yang - for liver yang rising, dizziness, headache, red eyes, photophobia, spasms, convulsions.
Drains heat and fire - delirium, manic behavior, loss of consciousness, heat in the pericardium.

Functional Grouping

Herbs That Extinguish Wind and Stop Tremors

Properties

Channels Influenced

Ling Yang Jiao

Chuan Lian Zi Sichuan Pagoda Tree Fruit

Promotes the movement of Qi and stops pain - flank, rib, abdominal pain due to liver qi stagnation or liver-stomach disharmony; hernial disorders, good w/heat signs.
Clears heat, dries dampness, regulates qi, alleviates pain due to damp-heat stagnant qi - same symptoms as above.
Kills parasites and stops pain - roundworms and tape worms (primarily for pain).
Compare with Xia Ku Cao, Long Dan Cao, Zhi Zi for clearing liver heat function.

Functional Grouping

Herbs That Regulate The Qi

Properties

Channels Influenced

Chuan Lian Zi

Zhu Sha Cinnabar

Sedates the heart, calms the spirit - restlessness, palpitations, anxiety, insomnia, convulsion.
Clears heat, relieves toxicity - carbuncles, sore throat.

Functional Grouping

Herbs That Anchor, Settle and Calm The Spirit

Properties

Channels Influenced

Heart

Zhu Sha

Bai Fu Zi Typhonium Rhizome

Dries dampness, transforms phlegm, expels wind-cold, stops spasms - wind-phlegm affecting the head including wind stroke, facial paralysis, hemiplegia, migraines.
Relieves toxicity, dissipates nodules - snake bite, scrofula.