Fēng Mì (蜂蜜), known in English as Honey (Mel), is a neutral, sweet Chinese herb from the Tonify qi category. It enters the Lung, Spleen and Large Intestine channels. Its main action: tonifies the middle and eases spasmodic pain.
| Pinyin | Fēng Mì (Feng Mi) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 蜂蜜 |
| English | Honey |
| Botanical name | Mel |
| Category | Tonify qi |
| Nature | Neutral |
| Flavour | Sweet |
| Channels | Lung, Spleen, Large Intestine |
| Dosage | 15–30g (dissolved in the strained decoction) |
| Cautions | Damp or Phlegm accumulation, fullness in the middle, loose stools |
Actions
- Tonifies the middle and eases spasmodic pain
- Moistens the Lung and stops cough
- Moistens the Intestines and unblocks the bowels
- Moderates the toxicity of other herbs such as Wū Tóu
Indications
- Abdominal pain from deficiency of the middle
- Dry cough from Lung dryness
- Constipation from dryness
- Added to reduce the toxicity of aconite
How to remember Fēng Mì
Tonify qi herbs are mostly sweet, and most enter the Spleen, Lung and Stomach channels.
- You can work these out
- Sweet, Spleen channel: like most Tonify qi herbs
- Lung channel: from its action “Moistens the Lung and stops cough”
- Large Intestine channel: from its action “Moistens the Intestines and unblocks the bowels”
- Learn by heart
- Neutral: Tonify qi herbs vary in nature
Formulas containing Fēng Mì
Other Tonify qi herbs
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Fēng Mì?
Fēng Mì is neutral and sweet.
Which channels does Fēng Mì enter?
Fēng Mì enters the Lung, Spleen and Large Intestine channels.
What are the actions of Fēng Mì?
Tonifies the middle and eases spasmodic pain; Moistens the Lung and stops cough; Moistens the Intestines and unblocks the bowels; Moderates the toxicity of other herbs such as Wū Tóu.
What is Fēng Mì used for?
Abdominal pain from deficiency of the middle; dry cough from Lung dryness; constipation from dryness; added to reduce the toxicity of aconite.
Which formulas contain Fēng Mì?
Wū Tóu Tāng.
Practise Fēng Mì and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.