“Inherent Properties” in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which is the foundation for understanding how herbs work.
The TCM Herb “Profile”
In Western pharmacology, drugs are analyzed by their chemical constituents and their physiological effects. In TCM, herbs are classified by their inherent properties—their innate “energy” and characteristics—and how they interact with the body’s state of balance (Yin-Yang) and the flow of Qi.
This system, known as Pharmacodynamics (中药学, Zhōngyào Xué), uses four primary parameters to create a “profile” for every substance :
1. The Four Natures (四气, Sì Qì)
2. The Five Flavors (五味, Wǔ Wèi)
3. Meridian Affinity (归经, Guī Jīng)
4. Direction of Action (升降浮沉, Shēng Jiàng Fú Chén)
1. The Four Natures (四气, Sì Qì) – The “Temperature”
The Four Natures describe the thermal effect an herb has on the body. They are: Hot, Warm, Cool, and Cold. There is also a fifth, neutral category.
Cold (寒, Hán) & Cool (凉, Liáng) :
· Action : Clear Heat, purge Fire, and detoxify.
· TCM Use : Treats “Heat” or “Excess” patterns. Symptoms include fever, thirst, redness (flushed face, red eyes), inflammation, constipation, and a rapid pulse.
· Example : Coptis (黄连, Huánglián) is Cold and used for severe infections or fiery conditions.
· (Cool is a milder degree of Cold).
Hot (热, Rè) & Warm (温, Wēn) :
· Action : Warm the interior, dispel Cold, and tonify Yang.
· TCM Use : Treats “Cold” or “Deficiency” patterns. Symptoms include chills, cold limbs, pale complexion, clear watery discharges, and a slow pulse.
· Example : Ginger (生姜, Shēngjiāng) is Warm and is used to warm the middle, dispel cold, and stop nausea.
· (Warm is a milder degree of Hot).
Neutral (平, Píng) :
· Action : Herbs that do not significantly alter the body’s temperature. They often have other tonifying or harmonizing effects.
· Example : Poria Mushroom (茯苓, Fúlíng) is Neutral and is used to drain dampness without harming the body’s fluids.
The Core Principle : “Treat Heat with Cold, and treat Cold with Heat.” A patient with a hot condition (e.g., a fever) receives cold-natured herbs. A patient with a cold condition (e.g., poor circulation) receives warm-natured herbs.
2. The Five Flavors (五味, Wǔ Wèi) – The “Functional Direction”
The Five Flavors are not just about taste ; they describe the herb’s expected therapeutic action in the body.
Flavour (味) : Sour (酸, Suān)
Primary Action : Astringes and Consolidates
TCM Use & Examples : Prevents the abnormal leakage of fluids or energy. Used for sweating, diarrhea, spermatorrhea, frequent urination. Example: Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus).
Flavour (味) : Bitter (苦, Kǔ)
Primary Action : Drains and Dries
TCM Use & Examples : 1. Drains Heat (e.g., Huang Lian). 2. Dries Dampness (e.g., Huang Qin). 3. Purges downward (e.g., Da Huang).
Flavour (味) : Sweet (甘, Gān)
Primary Action : Tonifies, Harmonizes, & Moistens
TCM Use & Examples : 1. Tonifies deficiency (e.g., Ginseng, Astragalus). 2. Harmonizes the action of other herbs in a formula. 3. Moistens dryness (e.g., Licorice).
Flavour (味) : Acrid (Pungent) (辛, Xīn)
Primary Action : Disperses and Moves
TCM Use & Examples : 1. Induces sweating to release the Exterior (e.g., Cinnamon Twig). 2. Promotes the flow of Qi (e.g., Citrus Peel). 3. Invigorates Blood circulation (e.g., Chuan Xiong).
Flavour (味) : Salty (咸, Xián)
Primary Action : Softens Hardness and Purges
TCM Use & Examples : 1. Softens hard masses and nodules (e.g., Seaweed). 2. Purges the bowels (e.g., Mirabilitum).
Note : Most herbs have more than one flavour, which explains their multiple functions. For example, Ginseng is Sweet and Slightly Bitter—the Sweet flavour tonifies, while the slight Bitter flavour helps direct the Qi downward.
3. Meridian Affinity (归经, Guī Jīng) – The “Target”
This property indicates which organ meridians or body systems an herb preferentially enters and affects.
· It makes herbal medicine highly targeted. An herb that clears Heat might be effective, but which heat?
· Huang Qin (Scutellaria) clears Lung Heat (cough with yellow phlegm).
· Huang Lian (Coptis) clears Heart Heat (mouth ulcers, irritability).
· Huang Bai (Phellodendron) clears Kidney and Bladder Heat (painful urination).
By knowing the meridian affinity, a TCM practitioner can precisely direct the therapeutic effect to the affected area.
4. Direction of Action (升降浮沉, Shēng Jiàng Fú Chén) – The “Movement”
This describes the directional movement an herb imparts on Qi and pathology.
· Ascending (升, Shēng) & Floating (浮, Fú) :
· Movement: Upward and Outward.
· Action: Raise Yang, induce vomiting, or release the Exterior (e.g., for a common cold).
· Example: Bo He (Peppermint) is ascending and floating; it releases the exterior and clears head/eye issues.
· Descending (降, Jiàng) & Sinking (沉, Chén) :
· Movement: Downward and Inward.
· Action: Direct Qi downward, stop coughing, calm the spirit (Shen), or promote urination/bowel movements.
· Example: Da Huang (Rhubarb Root) is sinking; it purges the bowels.
· Herbs that are neither: Some herbs regulate the middle and have a neutral direction.
Putting It All Together : The Profile of Ginseng
Let’s use the system to understand Ginseng (人参, Rénshēn), as discussed previously:
· Nature: Warm (温) → It treats Cold or Deficiency patterns.
· Flavors: Sweet, Slightly Bitter (甘、微苦)
· Sweet: This is why it is a premier Tonic for Qi.
· Slightly Bitter: This helps direct the Qi downward, preventing stagnation from its cloying nature.
· Meridian Affinity: Lung & Spleen → It directly targets and strengthens the Qi of these two organs, which are responsible for gathering energy from air and food.
· Direction: Likely slightly Ascending (as it raises Yang Qi), but its Bitter flavor moderates this.
This profile tells a TCM practitioner that Ginseng is a warm, strengthening herb that specifically targets the core energy-producing organs, making it ideal for a person with fatigue, weak digestion, and shortness of breath due to Qi Deficiency with some Cold signs.
The system of inherent properties is a sophisticated, holistic framework that allows TCM practitioners to “match” the energy of an herb to the specific pattern of imbalance in a patient. It moves beyond treating symptoms to addressing the root functional disruption within the body’s energetic system.
