Dr. Dave's explanation of ingredients

Allergies Away:
Function: Clears wind and heat from the head, relieves seasonal allergies.

Guiding formula: Mulberry Leaf and Chrysanthemum Decoction (Sang Ju Yin): Mulberry Leaf (Sang Ye), Chrysanthemum (Ju Hua), Forsythia (Lian Qiao), Platycodon (Jie Geng), Apricot Seed (Xing Ren), Phragmitis (Lu Gen) and Licorice (Gan Cao).

Additions: Xanthium Powder (Cang Er Zi San) dries nasal discharge. This is balanced with Ophiopogon (Mai Men Dong) which nourishs yin. Sanguisorba (Di Yu) cools the blood without being drying. Equisetum (Mu Zei), Prunella (Xia Ku Cao) and Chrysanthemum (Ju Hua) clear Wind/Heat from the eyes. Prunella and Chrysanthemum also clear heat from the Liver channel. Liquidambar (Lu Lu Tong) moves blood in the nose. Platycodon guides the herbs upward and, combined with Licorice (Gan Cao), soothes the throat.

Cough Arrest:
Function: Transforms phlegm, moistens dryness, sends Lung Qi down and stops cough.

Guiding Formula: Stop Cough Powder (Zhi Sou San): Stemona (Bai Bu), Aster Root (Zi Wan), Cynanchum Bai Qian, Tangerine Peel (Ju Hong), Platycodon (Jie Geng) and Loquat Leaf (Pi Pa Ye).

Additions: Polygonati Yu Zhu mildly releases the exterior and nourishes Lung Yin. Ophiopogon (Mai Men Dong), Adenophora (Nan Sha Shen) and Trichosanthis Seed (Gua Lou Ren) all nourish Lung Yin, while Ophiopogon and Adenophora have the additional function of transforming phlegm in the Lungs. Frittilaria Chuan Bei Mu moistens the Lungs, dispels phlegm and clears heat. Lycium Bark (Di Gu Pi) clears deficient heat caused by Lung dryness and Inula Flower (Xuan Fu Hua) sends Lung Qi down.

Guiding Formula: Ziziphus Decoction (Suan Zao Ren Tang): Ziziphus (Suan Zao Ren), Poria Hearts (Fu Shen), Anemarrhena (Zhi Mu) and Licorice (Gan Cao).

Additions: Oyster Shell (Mu Li) and Dragon Bone (Long Gu; this is actually fossilized bone, perhaps from dragons, perhaps not.) settle and weigh down the spirit. Polygonum Stems (Ye Jiao Teng) and Salvia (Dan Shen) circulate blood in the chest and settle the Heart. Biota Seed (Bai Zi Ren) nourishes Heart Blood and calms the spirit. Ophiopogon (Mai Men Dong) nourishes Heart Blood.

Guiding Formula: Jade Windscreen (Yu Ping Feng San): Astragalus (Huang Qi), White Atractylodis (Bai Zhu) and Lebedouriella (Fang Feng).

Additions: Echinacea strengthens the immune system. Lonicera (Jin Yin Hua), and Forsythia (Lian Qiao) ward off Xie (Evil or pathogenic) Qi should it invade the body.

Super Sinus:
Function: Moistens and loosens the sinus cavities, transforms phlegm and circulates blood.

Guiding formulas: Reed Decoction (Wei Jing Tang) and Xanthium Powder (Cang Er Zi San)

Reed Decoction: Phragmitis (Lu Gen), Coix (Yi Yi Ren), Benincansa Seed (Dong Gua Ren) and Peach Seed (Tao Ren).

Traditionally used for Lung abcess, this formula also transforms phlegm, drives out blood stasis and clears heat toxins. This formula is moistening as three of the four ingredients are seeds.

Xanthium Powder: Xanthium (Cang Er Zi), Magnolia Flower (Xin Yi Hua) and Angelica Bai Zhi.

This formula disperses wind, alleviates pain and unblocks the nose. The standard formula for nasal discharge and sinusitis, these herbs help dry nasal discharge. However, their drying nature is countered by the overall composition of the formula.

Additions: Ophiopogon (Mai Men Dong) and Asparagus Root (Tian Men Dong) moisten and nourish yin. Forsythia (Lian Qiao) and Scute (Huang Qin) clear heat and damp in the Qi level. Liquidambar (Lu Lu Tong), which is specific for the nose, helps Peach Seed (Tao Ren) move blood in the sinus cavities.

Guiding Formula: Four Gentlemen (Si Jun Zi Tang) and Jade Windscreen (Yu Ping Feng San):

Four Gentlemen: Pseudostellaria (Tai Zi Shen), White Atractylodis (Bai Zhu), Poria (Fu Ling) and Licorice (Gan Cao).

Jade Windscreen: Astragulus (Huang Qi), White Atractylodis (Bai Zhu) and
Ledebouriella (Fang Feng)

Additions: Pseudostellaria (Tai Zi Shen), as a substitute for Ginseng (Ren Shen), moistens the Lungs and the sinus cavities while still strengthening the Qi. Red Peony (Chi Shao) circulates blood and clears heat from the sinus cavities. Xanthium (Cang Er Zi) unblocks the nose and eliminates phlegm. Ligustrum (Nu Zhen Zi)and Cuscuta (Tu Su Zi) are seeds which boost Kidney Qi, strengthening the foundation for Spleen and Lung Qi.

Throat Zap:
Function: Clears Wind/Heat and relieves sore throat.

Guiding Formula: Yin Qiao San: Lonicera (Jin Yin Hua), Forsythia (Lian Qiao), Platycodon (Jie Geng), Arctium Seed (Niu Bang Zi), Mint (Bo He), Schizonepeta (Jing Jie), Bamboo Leaf (Dan Zhu Ye), Phragmitis (Lu Gen) and Licorice (Gan Cao).

Additions: This Yin Qiao variation adds several anti-viral herbs. Isatis Root (Ban Lan Gen) and Echinacea help to clear heat and, along with Lonicera (Jin Yin Hua) and Forsythia (Lian Qiao), provide a potent anti-viral component. Bupleurum (Chai Hu) relieves the effects of stress, which often plays a role in those getting sick. A pinch of Ginseng (Ren Shen) is added for those who are run down.