Throat Zap

Also known as honeysuckle, its flower buds are gathered in the beginning of summer, then dried in the shade before being used in herbal remedies. It is used to clear heat and remove toxins and disperse external Wind Heat.

Forsythia is a hardy tree and the fruit of the forsythia is used medicinally. The fruit is steamed, dried in the sun, and the seeds removed from the fruit before used in herbal remedies. It clears heat.

Platycodon is a perennial plant that grows to a height of about three feet. The plant is characterized by its flower buds which, when unopened, resemble small, inflated balloons. The main and secondary roots are used medicinally. It opens lungs and expels phlegm.

It is a short, green plant that grows in well-drained soil, with wavy, heart-shaped leaves. Both the root and leaves are used in herbal remedies; however, the roots contain the most benefit. In traditional Chinese medicine, burdock root is often used in combination with other herbs to treat sore throats, tonsillitis, colds, and even measles by dispersing Wind Heat.

Mint oil contains dozens of chemicals, acids and compounds, including leucine, menthol and aspartic acid. Together, these substances are responsible for many of mint’s healing properties. Studies have shown that mint can inhibit bacteria such as staphylococcus aureus, staphylococcus albus and streptococcus, and viruses such as herpes simplex and vaccinia. Other research shows that it facilitates the flow of mucus in the trachea, and can improve the absorption rates of salicylic acid (the main ingredient in aspirin).

Schizonepeta is a flowering plant that resembles a thistle in appearance. The leaves, stems and flowers are gathered in autumn and winter, dried in the shade and cut into pieces. Schizonepeta contains several chemical compounds, including menthol, menthone, cineole, hesperidin, caffeic acid and schizonodiol. It is associated with the Lung and Liver and expels wind.

Instead of having a rigid, cane-like stem like most bamboos, lophatherum grows as a type of long-leaf grass. The leaves are used in herbal formulas. It helps to clear damp heat in the stomach or heart (manifested as irritability, canker sores and swollen gums).

Phragmites is the name given to species of aquatic grasses. The grasses can reach a height of 5 and 15 feet, with feather-like flowers and thin, stiff, hollow stems. The rhizomes are used in herbal preparations, which are dug up at the end of spring or in the fall and removed of fibrous material. It clears heat from the lungs.

Licorice has been used to flavor foods for centuries. Licorice root is used medicinally. The two most important components of licorice are glycyrrhizin and flavonoids. Glycyrrhizin works as an anti-inflammatory and antiviral and inhibits the breakdown of cortisol. It also augments Qi, moistens lungs, resolves phlegm and stops coughing.

Ginseng is the root of a plant that helps with Lung Qi Deficiency with symptoms such as asthma, wheezing, dyspnea, shortness of breath, and weak and labored breathing.

Isatis root comes from the isatis plant. It is harvested in the autumn, removed from the soil and allowed to dry naturally in the sun. Isatis root is considered a "cooling" herb and drains heat: it cools the blood and treats damp-heat conditions such as jaundice. Isatis root is a renowned antiviral and antibacterial, which helps colds, influenza and sore throats.

Bupleurum is an upright-growing plant. The root is used medicinally. The active ingredients in bupleurum root include saponins and plant sterols, which have been shown to lower fevers and reduce inflammation in animal studies. It relieves stagnation, disperses Wind-Heat, resolves phlegm and congestion.