List of Traditional Chinese Cooling Herbs

Chinese natural medicine traditionally uses "cooling herbs" to treat diverse diseases. Theoretically, these herbs reduce the amount of heat in the human body and the Chinese believe diseases characterized by inflammation or infection are due to the presence of excessive heat in the body. These herbs should only be taken under the care of a professional doctor or herbalist. Chinese cooling herbs are broken down into three subclasses.

Reduce the Heat of Fire

• Take carrizo in lieu of traditional remedies for pneumonia and bronchitis.

  The Chinese cooling herbs that reduce the heat of fire are taken to treat acute inflammation or infectious diseases. This type of disease is believed to attack as fast as a fire burning down a building. Acute bronchitis (inflammation of bronchial mucous membrane), encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs) are some of the diseases treated with Chinese cooling herbs. In this subclass are: carrizo (lugen), a reed rhizome, a sweet herb recommended at a dosage of 20g per day; and self-heal (XIA KUCAO), a slightly bitter herb also known as "see-me-not-after-summer" and taken at a dose of 30g per day.

Reduce Heat in the Blood

• Chinese pulsatilla is recommended to stop nose bleeds.

  Chinese pulsatilla (BAITOUWENS), also known as "Grandpa's Gray Hair," is one of the Chinese cooling herbs prescribed to stop bleeding from nosebleeds, from the discharge of blood from the mouth and vagina bleeding. Take 10 to 18g of this bitter herb each day. Another herb recommended to reduce heat in the blood is white rose (BAWUEI). White rose is a bitter and salty cooling herb prescribed at 6 to 12g per day.

Reduce Heat and Detoxify

• Japanese honeysuckle can be used to alleviate appendicitis.

  The final subclass of Chinese cooling herbs is recommended to work against the heat of inflammation and infectious disease that are suppurative--meaning they are connected with the discharge of pus. Appendicitis, lymphangitis, mastitis, mumps and skin diseases are examples of maladies herbalists treat with this subclass. Be judicious when considering these herbs as they may cause dehydration and are not easily digested. When taking this category of Chinese cooling herb, take a "yin" tonic--used to treat a bodily deficiency. Asian dandelion (PUGONGYING) which is also known as "Fisherman's Herb" is a bitter and sweet herb. The recommended dosage of Asian dandelion is 7 to 15g per day. Another herb in this subclass is Japanese honeysuckle (JINYINGZI) also known as "Golden-tassel seed". This herb is a sweet and sour remedy taken at a dose rate of 7 to 15g daily.