Feng Mi (蜂蜜) is honey, recorded as Mel. It is sweet in flavour and neutral in temperature, entering the Lung, Spleen and Large Intestine channels.

Pinyin

feng mi

Chinese

蜂蜜

Latin Name

Mel

English Name

honey

Actions and indications

Moistens the Intestines

Dry stools and constipation from insufficient Fluids; it lubricates rather than purges

Moistens the Lungs and stops cough

Dry, unproductive cough, including long-standing cough from Lung deficiency

Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach and relieves pain

Spleen and Stomach deficiency, to lift the appetite, ease pain and restore energy
Added to herbal formulas to protect the Spleen and Stomach

Resolves toxicity

Heat toxin in the skin and surface layers, including applied topically
Swallowed poisons

Binds and prepares medicines

Binds powdered herbs together and is said to slow their release once taken, so doses need repeating less often

Combinations

bai shao + gan cao + gui zhi + gan jiang

Abdominal pain.

zhi chuan wu

Cold causing hernial pain, with cold hands and feet

sheng di huang + lu jiao jiao + sheng jiang

Deficient Blood and fluids; weakness and thirst after childbirth

jiang zhi

Chronic coughing.

zi su zi + jiang zhi + sheng di huang + xing ren

Chronic coughing.

ren shen + sheng di huang + fu ling

Long-standing cough bringing up Blood-streaked sputum

dang gui + hei zhi ma

Constipation with Blood Deficiency.

xuan shen + zhi mu + sheng di huang

Constipation with Yin Deficiency.

suo yang + rou cong rong

Constipation with Yang Deficiency.

jue ming zi + gua lou + da huang

Constipation with Interior Heat.

zhi ke + xing ren + chen xiang

Constipation with Qi Stagnation.

da qing ye

Oral ulcers.

Age

Raw

Granule

Tincture

Concentrate

Frequency

Any

15-30 g

—

Cautions

paediatric Never give honey in any form to babies under 12 months, because of the risk of infant botulism; this covers raw and pasteurised honey, honey in cooked food or on a soother, and herbal preparations that contain it

contraindication Chronic diarrhea

caution Diarrhea or loose stools, which honey's lubricating action loosens further

contraindication Damp or internal Phlegm, since sweet, moistening substances generate Damp

contraindication Abdominal fullness and bloating

caution Allergy: hives and digestive reactions have been linked to honey in children; take care with bee-product or pollen allergy

caution Diabetes: honey is a sugar and raises blood glucose

caution As a sticky, fermentable sugar it carries the usual risks to teeth

feng mi

About feng mi

Names

Classification