Zi Su Geng - 紫蘇梗 - Caulis Perillae

Pharmaceutical Latin:	Caulis Perillae
Common English:	Perilla Stem

Category

Herbs that Regulate Qi

Properties

Taste	Temperature	Entering Meridians	Dosage
Acrid Sweet	Slightly Warm (Warm)	Lung Spleen Stomach	4.5-9g Do not cook long Tincture; 2-4ml

Actions And Indications

Actions	Indications/Syndromes
Promotes the flow of Qi, harmonizes the Middle Jiao, expands the chest and benefits the diaphragm	Qi Stagnation in the chest and abdomen with focal distention or a stifling sensation that may lead to hypochondriac distention and pain Hiccup
Calms the fetus (anti-abortion), and stops nausea and vomiting	Morning sickness Restless fetus

Contraindications, Incompatibilities And Herb/Drug Interactions

Major Combinations

Rz. Cyperi Xiang Fu	Rx. Platycodi Jie Geng	Rx. Angelicae Pubescentis Du Huo Rz. Atractylodis Cang Zhu
Fullness, distention, and discomfort in the epigastrium and abdomen due to Liver attacking the Spleen. Morning sickness.	Cough, wheezing or a stifling sensation in the chest and diaphragm from stagnant Lung Qi. Focal distention of the epigastrium , loss of taste for food, nausea and reflux due to Spleen/Stomach Qi Stagnation. Good for elderly, deficient or pregnant patients.	Leg Qi.
Sm. Arecae Bing Lang
Leg Qi.

Notes

1. For calming the fetus, this is a key herb.
2. It is a good choice for weak and debilitated patients.
3. Its diaphoretic action is milder than that of Fol. Perilla Zi Su Ye.
4. It benefits abdominal distention and fullness.
5. The Qi of Perilla Stalks is intensely aromatic.
6. People with a Cold Spleen and Stomach benefit from it.
7. Zi Su Geng, Fol. Perillae Zi Su Ye and Fr. Perillae Zi Su Zi all regulate Qi, but each targets different symptoms. Zi Su Ye is light and ascending; it harmonizes the Middle, stops nausea and expels External Wind-Cold by dispersing and smoothing Lung Qi, opening and unblocking the muscle layer and exterior, draining Wind and transforming the pathogen. Zi Su Geng unbinds the Qi of the Middle Jiao and relieves obstruction in the chest and diaphragm, thereby opening and draining Internal Qi, relieving clumping, stopping pain, descending Qi, calming wheezing, unbinding the Stomach, awakening the Spleen and treating Leg Qi. Fr. Perillae Zi Su Zi is slippery and easing and travels straight downward, descending Qi, reducing Phlegm, alleviating cough and moistening the Lungs.