AP AP Herbal Medicine & Botanical Therapy 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which herbal formula is indicated for Kidney Yang deficiency with lower back pain, cold limbs, and frequent pale urination?
- Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
- Zuo Gui Wan
- Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan (Correct answer)
- You Gui Wan
Correct answer: Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan
Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan (Kidney Qi Pill from the Golden Cabinet) warms and tonifies Kidney Yang while also addressing the Kidney's function of regulating water metabolism.
Question 2: Gan Cao (Licorice) is included in many formulas primarily because it performs which function?
- Strongly tonifies Kidney Yin
- Harmonizes the actions of other herbs and moderates toxicity (Correct answer)
- Disperses Cold and warms the interior
- Strongly moves Blood and resolves stasis
Correct answer: Harmonizes the actions of other herbs and moderates toxicity
Gan Cao is frequently used as an envoy (shi) herb because it harmonizes the actions of other formula ingredients and helps moderate the toxicity or harshness of other herbs.
Question 3: A patient with Wind-Cold invasion presents with fever, chills, headache, and no sweating. Which formula is MOST appropriate?
- Gui Zhi Tang
- Ma Huang Tang (Correct answer)
- Yin Qiao San
- Sang Ju Yin
Correct answer: Ma Huang Tang
Ma Huang Tang (Ephedra Decoction) is used for Wind-Cold with excess pattern, characterized by the absence of sweating, tight pulse, and strong chills.
Question 4: Which herb is classified as both a Blood-invigorating herb and is safe to use in pregnancy in appropriate doses?
- San Leng (Sparganium)
- E Zhu (Zedoaria)
- Dan Shen (Salvia) (Correct answer)
- Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum)
Correct answer: Dan Shen (Salvia)
Dan Shen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) invigorates Blood and is relatively gentle, making it one of the safer Blood-moving herbs, though care is still needed in pregnancy.
Question 5: Long Dan Xie Gan Tang is primarily indicated for which pattern?
- Liver and Gallbladder Damp-Heat (Correct answer)
- Heart Fire flaring upward
- Stomach Fire with thirst
- Lung Phlegm-Heat
Correct answer: Liver and Gallbladder Damp-Heat
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang (Gentian Drain the Liver Decoction) drains excess Fire and Damp-Heat from the Liver and Gallbladder channels.
Question 6: Which property describes Huang Lian (Coptis) that makes it particularly useful for Heart Fire and Stomach Fire?
- Bitter, warm; tonifies Yin
- Bitter, cold; drains Fire and dries Dampness (Correct answer)
- Sweet, warm; tonifies Qi
- Pungent, cool; releases the exterior
Correct answer: Bitter, cold; drains Fire and dries Dampness
Huang Lian's bitter, cold nature allows it to strongly drain Fire, especially from the Heart and Stomach, and its bitter quality also dries Dampness and eliminates toxins.
AP AP Herbal Medicine & Botanical Therapy 2
Which herbal formula is indicated for Kidney Yang deficiency with lower back pain, cold limbs, and frequent pale urination?