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Chinese Herbology (simplified Chinese: 中药学; traditional Chinese: 中藥學; pinyin: zhōngyào xué) or 中药(zhōngyào), is the common name for the subject of Chinese materia medica. It includes the basic theory of Chinese materia medica, "crude medicine," "prepared drug in slices" (simplified Chinese: 饮片; traditional Chinese: 飲片; pinyin: yǐnpiàn) and traditional Chinese patent medicines and simple preparations' source, collection and preparation, performance, efficacy, and clinical applications.
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Chinese materia medica (simplified Chinese: 中药; traditional Chinese: 中藥; pinyin: zhōngyào), is also the medicine based on traditional Chinese medicine theory. it includes Chinese crude medicine, prepared drug in slices of Chinese materia medica, traditional Chinese patent medicines and simple preparations, etc.
Herbology is not the Chinese art of combining medicinal herbs.
Herbology is one of the more important modalities utilized in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Each herbal medicine prescription is a cocktail of many herbs tailored to the individual patient. One batch of herbs is typically decocted twice over the course of one hour. The practitioner usually designs a remedy using one or two main ingredients that target the illness. Then the practitioner adds many other ingredients to adjust the formula to the patient's yin/yang conditions. Sometimes, ingredients are needed to cancel out toxicity or side-effects of the main ingredients. Some herbs require the use of other ingredients as catalyst or else the brew is ineffective. The latter steps require great experience and knowledge, and make the difference between a good Chinese herbal doctor and an amateur. Unlike western medications, the balance and interaction of all the ingredients are considered more important than the effect of individual ingredients. A key to success in TCM is the treatment of each patient as an individual.
Chinese herbology often incorporates ingredients from all parts of plants, such as the leaf, stem, flower, root, and also ingredients from animals and minerals. The use of parts of endangered species (such as seahorses, rhinoceros horns, and tiger bones) has created controversy and resulted in a black market of poachers who hunt restricted animals. Many herbal manufacturers have discontinued the use of any parts from endangered animals.
Another difference between Chinese herbology and other traditional medical systems is its considerable use of marine products.
Chinese herbology can be oral (that is, eaten) or be external, as in the case of medicated, herbal adhesive plasters applied to the skin in order to treat certain diseases (such as Gou pi gao)
Chinese herbs have been used for centuries. The first herbalist in Chinese tradition is Shennong, a mythical personage, who is said to have tasted hundreds of herbs and imparted his knowledge of medicinal and poisonous plants to farmers. The first Chinese manual on pharmacology, the Shennong Bencao Jing (Shennong Emperor's Classic of Materia Medica), lists some 365 medicines of which 252 of them are herbs, and dates back somewhere in the 1st century C.E. Han dynasty. Earlier literature included lists of prescriptions for specific ailments, exemplified by a manuscript "Recipes for 52 Ailments", found in the Mawangdui tomb, sealed in 168 B.C.E.
Succeeding generations augmented on this work, as in the Yaoxing Lun (simplified Chinese: 药性论; traditional Chinese: 藥性論; also spelled Yao Xing Lun; literally "Treatise on the Nature of Medicinal Herbs"), a 7th century Tang Dynasty Chinese treatise on herbal medicine.
Arguably the most important of these was the Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu) compiled during the Ming dynasty by Li Shizhen, which is still used today for consultation and reference.
The history of this literature is presented in Paul U. Unschuld's "Medicine in China: a History of Pharmaceutics"; Univ. of Calif. Press, 1986.
The Shen Nong's Herbal Classic, a 2000-year old medicinal Chinese book considered today as the oldest book on oriental herbal medicine, classifies 365 species of roots, grass, woods, furs, animals and stones into three categories of herbal medicine:
Lingzhi ranked number one of the superior medicines, and was therefore the most exalted medicine in ancient times.[1] The ancient Chinese use of medicinal mushrooms has inspired modern day research into mushrooms like shiitake, Agaricus blazei, Trametes versicolor, and of course lingzhi. Although a 2008 Review, by UC Davis, concluded that there is not enough evidence yet to promote the use of mushrooms or mushroom extracts in the treatment of disease, it stressed the urgency of further research and future clinical trials due to large numbers of promising in vivo and in vitro experiments.[2]
Chinese physicians used several different methods to classify traditional Chinese herbs:
The earlier (Han through Tang eras) Ben Cao (Materia Medicae) began with a three-level categorization:
During the neo-Confucian Song-Jin-Yuan era (10th to 12th Centuries), the theoretical framework from acupuncture theory (which was rooted in Confucian Han theory) was formally applied to herbal categorization (which was earlier more the domain of Daoist natural science). In particular, alignment with the Five Phases (Wu Xing) and the 12 channels (meridian) theory came to be used after this period.
This pertains to the degree of yin and yang, namely cold (extreme yin), cool, warm and hot (extreme yang). The patient's internal balance of yin and yang is taken into account when the herbs are selected. For example, medicinal herbs of "hot", yang nature are used when the person is suffering from internal cold that requires to be purged, or when the patient has a general cold constituency. Sometimes an ingredient is added to offset the extreme effect of one herb.
The five tastes are pungent, sweet, sour, bitter and salty, and each taste has a different set of functions and characteristics. For example, pungent herbs are used to generate sweat and to direct and vitalize qi and the blood. Sweet-tasting herbs often tonify or harmonize bodily systems. Some sweet-tasting herbs also exhibit a bland taste, which helps drain dampness through diuresis. Sour taste most often is astringent or consolidates, while bitter taste dispels heat, purges the bowels and get rid of dampness by drying them out. Salty tastes soften hard masses as well as purge and open the bowels.
The meridians refer to which organs the herb acts upon. For example, menthol is pungent, cool and is linked with the lungs and the liver. Since the lungs is the organ which protects the body from invasion from cold and influenza, menthol can help purge coldness in the lungs and invading heat toxins caused by hot "wind."
Chinese patent medicine (traditional Chinese: 中成藥, Simplified Chinese: 中成药, pinyin: zhōngchéng yào) is a kind of traditional Chinese medicine. They are standardized herbal formulas. Several herbs and other ingredients are dried and ground. They are then mixed into a powder and formed into pills. The binder is traditionally honey. They are characteristically little round black pills.
Chinese patent medicines are easy and convenient. They are not easy to customize on a patient-by-patient basis, however. They are best used when a patient's condition is not severe and the medicine can be taken as a long-term treatment.
These medicines are not "patented" in the traditional sense of the word. No one has exclusive rights to the formula. Instead, "patent" refers to the standardization of the formula. All Chinese patent medicines of the same name will have the same proportions of ingredients.
The use of Chinese herbs is a very popular tradition. “Many of the modern day drugs have been developed from these herbs such as the treatments for asthma and hay fever from Chinese ephedra, hepatitis remedies from schizandra fruits and licorice roots and a number of anticancer agents from trees and shrubs”. “There are several herbal drugs that invigorate the energy, nourish the blood, calm tension and regulate menstruation such as Bupleurum Sedative Pills and Women’s Precious Pills”. There are over three hundred herbs that are commonly being used today that have a history that goes back at least 2,000 years.
“The two most common ways to using herbs are to make a strong tea that should be simmered for about an hour or possibly more, or to make large honey bound pills”.
Most Chinese herbs are usually used to help build and strengthen the body. The most commonly used herbs are Ginseng (人参, 人參, rénshēn), wolfberry (枸杞子), Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis, 当归, 當歸, dāngguī), astragalus (黄耆, 黃耆, huángqí), atractylodes (白术, 白朮, báizhú), bupleurum (柴胡, cháihú), cinnamon (cinnamon twigs (桂枝, guìzhī) and cinnamon bark (肉桂, ròuguì)), coptis (黄莲, 黃蓮, huánglián), ginger (姜, 薑, jiāng), hoelen (茯苓, fúlíng), licorice (甘草, gāncǎo), ephedra sinica (麻黄, 麻黃, máhuáng), peony (white: 白芍, báisháo and reddish: 赤芍, chìsháo), rehmannia (地黄, 地黃, dìhuáng), rhubarb (大黄, 大黃, dàhuáng), and salvia (丹参, 丹參, dānshēn). These are just a few of the herbs.
The use of ginseng (人参) is well over two thousand years old in Chinese medicine. Ginseng is known to help boost energy, reduce stress and increase endurance. Ginseng contains ginsenosides. The amount of ginsenosides in ginseng depends on how the plant was cultivated and the age of the root. Wild ginseng is rare and commands the highest prices on the market, but most ginseng on the market today is a reasonable price. Red Panax ginseng is the most popular form of ginseng and it is usually packaged as a liquid or tea. Ginseng comes in two kinds, red and white. The color of the ginseng depends on how it is processed. “White ginseng is unprocessed and dries naturally. Red ginseng is processed with steam and is believed to be more effective”. Native Americans have used American ginseng for dry coughs, constipation and fevers. “Many women found relief from night sweats and hot flushes from the use of American ginseng”. “The use of ginseng is a safe way to boost energy, vitality and your overall health”.
Mushrooms have long been used as a medicinal food and as a tea in Chinese herbology. Clinical, animal, and cellular research has shown mushrooms may be able to up-regulate aspects of the immune system.[3][4][5][6] Notable mushrooms used in Chinese herbology include Reishi and Shiitake.
Wolfberry (枸杞子) is grown in the Far East and is grown from shrubs with long vines. The shrubs are covered with small trumpet-shaped flowers, which turn into small, bright red berries. The berries are usually fresh and sometimes used when it is dried. “Goji Berry is mostly used to treat kidney, liver, eye, and skin problems, diabetes, tuberculosis, anxiety, and insomnia. It also helps to lower the blood pressure and cholesterol levels. They are known to improve the state of health, strengthen the immune system and increasing the longevity and vitality of the human kind”.
Dang Gui (当归, Angelica sinensis or "female ginseng") is an “aromatic herb that grows in China, Japan and Korea. It is used to regulate the menstrual cycle and to treat menopausal symptoms caused by hormonal changes”. Even though it is good for women, it also helps treat the heart, spleen, liver and kidneys that help both men and women. The effect of the herb in treating menstrual cramps is explained by the compounds that help relax the muscle tissue and relieves pain. Dang Gui also stimulates the central nervous system, which can remedy menstrual weakness and headaches. “The use of this herb is mostly found in tea, herbal preparations, capsules and extracts. It usually comes in tablet, liquid extract and raw root forms. The best use of Dang Gui to provide long term relief from menopausal syndromes is to take it regularly for 8 to 12 weeks at a time”. “Using Dang Gui regularly relieves menstrual cramps, prevents the symptoms of menopause and PMS, corrects hormone imbalance and acts as a general tonic for the female reproductive system”. “There isn’t a certain amount of dosage for Dang Gui but in Chinese medicine Dang Gui is made in a special way- it is boiled or soaked in wine, then the liquid is taken orally while the root is being removed”. “In the United States and Europe, Dang Gui is a very popular flavoring component in food products such as ice cream, candy, gelatins and puddings but in Asia it is most likely used to treat female problems”.
Astragalus (黄耆) is a root used for immune deficiencies and allergies. “The Chinese use the dried sliced or powdered root to boost the immune system, to increase the body resistance to infections, healing allergies and to raise and renew vitality. Astragalus is usually mixed with other herbs to make tea such as ginseng and Codonopsis. Astragalus is known to help prevent diseases but not to cure them”.
“Atractylodes (白术) is considered very important to the treatment of digestive disorders and problems of moisture accumulation. The herb helps move moisture from the digestive tract to the blood that reduces diarrhea, gas and bloating. Atractylodes is rarely if ever used by itself. It is usually included into tonic prescriptions”.
“Bupleurum (柴胡) is useful for the treatment of liver diseases, skin ailments, arthritis, menopausal syndrome, withdrawal from corticosteroid use, nephritis, stress-induced ulcers, and mental disorders. Bupleurum is rich in saponins that reduce inflammation and regulates hormone levels. This specific herb isn’t to be used by itself, but combined with 4 to 12 other ingredients that is made into tea, pills or tablets.”
“Cinnamon (桂枝, 肉桂) or mostly known as gui zhi and rou gui are twigs and bark from large tropical trees that warm the body, invigorate the circulation in the body, goes to all 12 channels (meridians) of the body, and harmonizes the energy of the upper and lower body”. Cinnamon also reduces allergy reactions. The herb is usually cooked together with other herbs to make tea that regulates the circulation of blood.
Coptis chinensis (黄莲) is an underground stem that is one of the bitterest herbs used in Chinese medicine. “It is full of alkaloids that inhibit infections and calm nervous agitation”. Coptis is usually combined with other bitter-tasting herbs such as phellodendron, scutellaria and gardenia. This herb has many uses including the treatment of skin diseases, intestinal infections, hypertensions and insomnia. Since coptis is such a bitter tasting herb, it is often used to make pills or tablets.
Ginger (干姜, 乾薑) is a herb and a spice that can be used for many uses even in Chinese cuisine. In this case, it is used in Chinese medicine. “Ginger is highly spicy and is beneficial to digestion, neutralizing poisons in food, ventilating the lungs, to warm the circulation to the limbs, diarrhea and heart conditions”. “Many herbalists use ginger to treat coughs and the common cold”. It is famous for treating nausea. Ginger is also used in making tea.
The use of licorice(甘草) is to treat hepatitis, sore throat, and muscle spasms. When licorice is baked with honey it can also help in the treatment of hyperthyroidism and heart valve diseases. It is very often added to a Chinese formula to harmonize all of the herbs, as well as slow the speed that the formula is digested.
Ephedra (麻黄) is another type of herb. “Ma-huang is a stem-like herb that stimulates perspiration, opens the breathing passages and invigorates the central nervous system”. “It is said that ma-huang has a metabolic enhancer that can burn more calories for those that are trying to lose weight”. However, this can have dangerous side effects. Ma-huang can be made into a tea or can be used in an extract form but powdered ma-huang is rarely if ever used. Because of the marketed, over the counter use of ephedra as diet or energy pills, it is now no longer legally available to Chinese herbalists. The use of Ma Huang in the formula 'Ma Huang Tang' is a well known formula used for colds (wind-cold).
Peony (白芍, 赤芍) is also known as bai shao(white) and chi shao (red) is a flower where the Chinese use the root of the peony to regulate the blood. “The root of the peony relaxes the blood vessels, reduces platelet sticking, nourishes the blood and promotes circulation to the skin and extremities”. “The roots of both wild and cultivated are used. The wild peonies “red peony” (chi shao) are a fibrous root that is used to stimulate blood circulation. The cultivated peony “white peony” (bai shao) is a dense root that nourishes the blood. Peony is often combined with tang-kuei or licorice”. In TCM, it is known as a liver blood tonic.
“Rehmannia (地黄) is a root where the dark, moist part of the herb is used to nourish the blood and the hormonal system. It is usually used in the treatment problems of aging because the herbs ability to restore the levels of several declining hormones. There are two forms of the herb that are currently used. One is designated sheng dihuang or raw rehmannia is given to reduce inflammation. The other designated shou dihuang or cooked rehmannia is used as a nourishing tonic. Often the two forms are combined together in equal proportions to address inflammatory problems. This herb is mostly used in making decoctions or dried decoctions”. This herb is in a famous formula called Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (6 Ingredient Rhemannia) which treats yin deficiency.
“Rhubarb (大黄) is a large root and was once one of the first herbs that was imported from China. Rhubarb is a reliable laxative and it enhances the appetite when it is taken before meals in very small amounts. It also promotes blood circulation and relieving pain in cases of injury or inflammation and inhibiting intestinal infections. Rhubarb can also reduce autoimmune reactions. The impact of the rhubarb depends on how it is prepared. If the rhubarb is cooked for a long time, the laxative actions are reduced but other actions are retained”.
“Salvia (丹参) are the deep roots of the Chinese sage plant. It is applied in cases where the body tissues have been damaged by disease or injury. Salvia is given for post-stroke syndrome, traumatic injury, chronic inflammation and/or infection, and degenerative diseases. It is best known for its ability to promote circulation in the capillary beds or the microcirculation system. Also, salvia lowers blood pressure, helps reduce cholesterol and enhances functions of the liver. Salvia can be taken alone or consumed with other herbs, teas or pills”.
In Chinese herbology, there are 50 "fundamental" herbs, as given in the reference text[7], although these herbs are not universally recognized as such in other texts. The herbs are:
In addition to the above, many other Chinese herbs are in common use, and these include:
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Chinese herbs do not grow in China only. If you find the right climate and soil type, you can grow many of those herbs overseas. For instance, American Ginseng is grown in Wisconsin State.
The raw herbs available in retail have the following natural features:
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How do people take the raw herbs? Raw herbs are usually taken orally by extracting the essence out of them. The natural way being practiced since ancient time is to boil and brew the herbal package in water to get a dark brown solution called herb tea that never tastes good. One hour of brewing should be good enough. Then you drink one or two cups a day. Honey or sugar may be added to make it taste less bad. The herbal package can be conveniently modified by changing some ingredients to make it work for you. So an herbal package is really tailor-made for you only.
Raw herbs can be dried and grounded into a powder then compressed into a tablet which is better than buying your own tablets or having to buy gel capsules
Raw herbs can be made into capsules at home. All you need is a tailor-made package of raw herbs. Turn it into fine powder with a powerful grinder, and put the powder into empty gel capsules. When you swallow the capsules, your digestive system has to extract the essence out of the raw herb powder. Whereas if you drink the herb tea, the essence extraction is already done after brewing. The herbal solution will readily be absorbed by your body. Furthermore, the herb tea has a history spanning over two thousand years. How many years of history does the tablet or capsule have besides offering convenience?
(A) General Tonics
(1) *** (Tonify Qi) ***
ren shen 人参 radix Ginseng
dang shen 党参 radix Codonopsis
bai zhu 白朮 rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae
gan cao 甘草 radix Glycyrrhizae
shan yao 山药 rhizoma Dioscoreae
da jao 大枣 fructus Jujubae
(2) *** (Tonify Yang) ***
lu rong 鹿茸 cornu Cervi Pantotrichum
rou cong rong 肉蓯蓉 herba Cistanches
yin yang huo 淫羊霍 herba Epimedii
du zhong 杜仲 cortex Eucommiae
xu duan 续断 radix Dipsaci
gou ji 狗 脊 fructus Psoraleae
bu gu zhi 补骨脂 rhizoma Cibotii
dong chong xia cao 冬虫夏草 Cordyceps
yi zhi ren 益智仁 fructus Alpiniae Oxyphyllae
ge jie 蛤蚧 Gecko
(3) *** (Tonify Blood) ***
dang gui 当归 radix Angelicae Sinensis
hu tao rou 胡桃肉 semen Juglandis
shu di huang 熟地黄 radix Rehmanniae Preparata
he shou wu 何首乌 radix Polgoni Multiflori
e jiao 阿胶 Colla Corii Asini
(4) *** (Tonify Yin) ***
nan sha shen 南沙参 radix adenophorae
bei sha shen 北沙参 radix Glehniae
tian men dong 天门冬 radix Asparagi
mai men dong 麦门冬 radix Ophiopogonis
shi hu 石斛 herba Dendrobii
huang jing 黄精 rhizoma Polgonati
yu zhu 玉竹 rhizoma Polgonati Odorati
shan zhu yu 山茱萸 fructus Corni
gou qi zi 枸杞子 fructus Lycii
nu zhen zi 女贞子 fructus Ligustri Lucidi
mo han lian 旱莲草 herba Ecliptae
bie jia 鱉甲 carapax Trionycis
gui ban 龟板 plastrum Testudinis
(B) Stabilise and Bind
wu wei zi 五味子 fructus Schisandrae
wu mei 乌梅 fructus Mume
wu bei zi 五倍子 galla Chinensis
fu xiao mai 浮小麦 fructus Tritici Levis
he zi 訶子 fructus Chebulae
shi liu pi 石榴皮 pericarpium Granati
rou dou kou 肉荳蔻 semen Myristicae
lian zi 莲子 semen Nelumbinis
qian shi 芡实 semen Euryales
sang piao xiao 桑螵蛸 ootheca Mantidis
wu zei gu 乌贼骨 os Sepiae
bin lang 檳榔 semen Arecae
(C) Transform Phlegm and Stop Coughing
zi wan 紫菀 radix Asteris
bai bu 百部 radix Stemonae
kuan dong hua 款冬花 flos Farfarae
sang bai pi 桑白皮 cortex Mori Radicis
ma dou ling 马兜铃 fructus Aristolochiae
ting li zi 葶靂子 semen Lepidii seu Descurainiae
(D) Regulate Blood: Stop Bleeding
san qi (tianqi) 三七 radix Notoginseng
qian cao 茜草 radix Rubiae
(E) Regulate Blood: Invigorate Blood
shui zhi 水蛭 Hirudo
chuan xiong 川芎 rhizoma Chuanxiong
ru xiang 乳香 Olibanum
mo yao 没药 Myrrha
yu jin 鬱金 radix Curcumae
e zhu 莪朮 rhizoma Zedoariae
dan shen 丹参 radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae
(F) Transform Phlegm-cold
ban xia 半夏 rhizoma Pinelliae
tian nan xing 天南星 rhizoma Arisaematis
bai jie zi 白芥子 semen Sinapis Albae
xuan fu hua 旋覆花 flos Inulae
(G) Regulate Qi
fo shou 佛手 fructus Citri Sarcodactylis
mu xiang 木香 radix Aucklandiae
wu yao 乌药 radix Linderae
xiang fu 香附 rhizoma Cyperi
ju pi (chen pi) 陈皮 pericarpium Citri Reticulatae
ju hong 橘红 exocarpium Citri Rubrum
qing pi 青皮 pericarpium Citri Reticulatae Viride
zhi ke 枳壳 fructus Aurantii
zhi shi 枳实 fructus Aurantii Immaturus
chen xiang 沉香 lignum Aquilariae Resinatum
chuan lian zhi 川楝子 fructus Toosendan
yan hu suo 延胡索 rhizoma Corydalis
xie bai 薤白 bulbus Allii Macrostemi
(H) Regulate Digestion
shan zhu yu 山茱萸 fructus Crataegi
mai ya 麦芽 fructus Hordei germinatus
gu ya 穀芽 fructus Oryzae germinatus
lai fu zi 莱菔子 semen Raphani
ji nei jin 鸡内金 endothelium corneum Gigeriae galli
shen qu 神麴 massa Fermentata Medicinalis
(I) Dispel Wind Dampness
du huo 獨活 radix Angelicae Pubescentis
wei ling xian 威靈仙 radix Clematidis
fang ji 防己 radix Stephaniae Tetrandrae
qin jiao 秦艽 radix Gentianae Macrophyllae
mu gua 番木瓜 fructus Chaenomelis
sang ji sheng 桑寄生 ramulus Taxilli
wu jia pi 五加皮 cortex Acanthopanacis
bai hua she 白花蛇 Agkistrodon seu Bungarus
hu gu 虎骨 os Tigris
wu shao she 烏梢蛇 Zaocys
cang zhu 蒼朮 rhizoma Atractylodis
hou po 厚樸 cortex Magnoliae Officinalis
huo xiang 藿香 herba Agastaches
pei lan 佩蘭 herba Eupatorii
sha ren 砂仁 fructus Amomi
bai dou kou 白豆蔻 fructus Amomi Rotundus
cao guo 草果 fructus Tsaoko
(J) Warm, pungent, Release Exterior Wind Cold
su geng 苏梗 caulis Perillae
zi su ye 苏叶 folium Perillae
xiang ru 香薷 herba Elsholtziae
jing jie 荆芥 herba Schizonepetae
fan feng 防风 radix Ledebouriellae
jiang huo 薑活 radix Angelicae Dahuricae
bai zhi 白芷 rhizoma seu radix Notopterygli
cang er zi 苍耳子 fructus Xanthii
xin yi 辛荑花 flos Magnoliae
bo he 薄荷 herba Menthae
niu bang zi 牛蒡子 fructus Arctii
can tui 蝉蜕 periostracum Cicadae
dan dou chi 淡豆豉 semen Sojae preparatum
ju hua 菊花 flos Chrysanthemi
ge gen 葛根 radix Puerariae
chai hu 柴胡 radix Bupleuri
sheng ma 升麻 rhizoma Cimicifugae
ma huang 麻黄 radix Ephedrae
gui zhi 桂枝 ramulus Cinnamomi
(K) Regulate BloodL Stop Bleeding
zhu ma gen 苧麻根 radix Boehmeriae
bai mao gen 白茅根 rhizoma Imperatae
ce bai ye 侧柏叶 cacumen Biotae
huai hua 槐花 flos Sophorae
da ji 大蓟 herba seu Radix Cirsii Japonici
xiao ji 小蓟 herba Cephalanoploris
di yu 地榆 radix Sanguisorbae
xian he cao 仙鹤草 herba Agrimoniae
bai jiang (败酱草) rhizoma Bletillae
qian cao 茜草 radix Rubiae
ai ye 艾叶 folium Artemisiae Argyi
pu huang 蒲黄 pollen Typhae
(L) Drain Dampness
fu ling 茯苓 Poria
zhu ling 豬苓 Polyporus Umbellatus
ze xie 澤瀉 rhizoma Alismatis
yi yi ren 薏苡仁 semen Coicis
che qian zi 车前子 semen Plantaginis
hua shi 滑石 Talcum
mu tong 木通 caulis Akebiae
jin qian cao 金钱草 herba Lysimachiae
tong cao 通草 medulla Tetrapanacis
shi wei 石苇 folium Pyrrosiae
yin chen hao 茵陈蒿 herba Artemisiae Scopariae
bi xie 萆薢 rhizoma Dioscoreae Septemlobae
(M) Drain Fire
shi gao 石膏 gypsum Fibrosum
zhi mu 知母 rhizoma Anemarrhenae
tian hua fen 天花粉 radix Trichosanthis
lu gen 芦根 rhizoma Phragmitis
huang lian 黄莲 rhizoma Coptidis
huang qin 黄芩 radix Scutellariae
huang bai 黄柏 cortex Phellodendri
zhi zi 梔子 fructus Gardeniae
long dan cao 龙胆草 radix Gentianae
xia ku cao 夏枯草 spica Prunellae
ku shen 苦参 radix Sophorae Flavescentis
jue ming zi 决明子 semen Cassiae
(N) Relieve Fire Toxins
jin yin hua 金银花 flos Lonicerae
ren dong teng 忍冬藤 caulis Lonicerae
lian qiao 连翘 fructus Forsythiae
pu gong ying 蒲公英 herba Taraxaci
zi hua di ding 紫花地丁 herba Violae
da qing ye 大青叶 folium Isatidis
qing dai 青黛 indigo Naturalis
ban lan gen 板蓝根 radix Isatidis
chuan xin lian 穿心莲 herba Andrographitis
yu xing cao 鱼腥草 herba Houttuyniae
shan dou gen 山豆根 radix Sophorae Tonkinensis
she gan 射干 rhizoma Belamcandae
ma chi xian 马齿莧 herba Portulacae
bai tou weng 白头翁 radix Pulsatillae
hong teng 红藤 caulis Sargentodoxae
qin pi 秦皮 cortex Fraxini
(O) Cool Blood
shui niu jiao 水牛角 cornu Bubali
sheng di huang 生地黄 radix Rehmanniae
xuan shen 玄参 radix Scrophulariae
xi jiao 西角 cornu Rhinocerotis
bai jiang 败酱草 herba Patriniae
mu dan pi 牡丹皮 cortex Moutan Radicis
chi shao 赤芍 radix Paeoniae Rubra
zi cao 紫草 radix arnebiae seu lithospermi
(P) Cleasr Deficient Heat
qing hao 青蒿 herba Artemisiae Annuae
bai wei 白薇 radix cynanchi Atrati
di gu pi 地骨皮 cortex Lycii Radicis
yin chai hu 銀柴胡 radix Stellariae
(Q) Purge Downwards, Cathartically Drain Downwards
da huang 大黃 radix et rhizoma Rhei
mang xiao 芒硝 natrii Sulfas
fan xie ye 番瀉葉 folium Sennae
da ma ren 大麻仁 fructus Cannabis
gan sui 甘遂 radix Kansui
yu li ren 郁李仁 semen Pruni
da ji 大戟 radix Euphorbiae Pekinensis
yuan hua 芫花 flos Genkwa
qian niu zi 牽牛子 semen Pharbitidis
(R) Warm Interior and Expel Cold
rou gui 肉桂 cortex Cinnamomi
wu zhu yu 吴茱萸 fructus Evodiae
xi xin 细辛 herba Asari
hua jiao 花椒 pericarpium Zanthoxyli
ding xiang 丁香 flos Caryophylli
gao liang jiang 高莨姜 rhizoma Alpiniae Officinarum
xiao hui xiang 小茴香 fructus Foeniculi
fu zi 地肤子 radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata
chuan wu tou 川乌头 radix Aconiti
cao wu tou 草乌头 radix Aconiti Kusnezoffiae
wu tou 乌头 radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata
gan jiang 乾薑 rhizoma Zingiberis
(S) Expel Parasites
shi jun zi 使君子 fructus Quisqualis
da fu pi 大腹皮 pericarpium Arecae
lei wan 雷丸 Omphalia
ku lian pi 苦莲皮 cortex Meliae
nan gua zi 南瓜子 semen Cucurbitae
he cao ya 鹤草牙 gemma Agrimoniae
he shi fructus Carpesii
guan zhong 贯眾（贯仲） rhizoma Dryopteris Crassirhizomae
fei zi 榧子 semen Torreyae
(T) Calm Shen
long gu 龙骨 os Draconis
suan zao ren 酸枣仁 semen Ziziphi Spinosae
yuan zhi 远志 radix Polygalae
bai zi ren 柏子仁 semen Biotae
(U)Extinguish Internal Wind and Stop Tremors
mu li 牡蠣 concha Ostreae
zhen zhu 珍珠 Magarita
zhen zhu mu 珍珠母 concha Margaritifera Usta
dai zhe shi 代赭石 Haematitum
ling yang jiao 铃羊角 cornu Saigae Tataricae
tian ma 天麻 rhizoma Gastrodiae
(V) Open Orifices
she xiang 麝香 Moschus
niu huang 牛黄 calculus Bovis
Bing Pian 冰片 borneolum Syntheticum
su he xiang 苏合香 Storax
shi chang pu 石菖蒲 rhizoma Acori Graminei
(1)The terms used here reflect typical TCM usage (as translated literally from individual Chinese characters), and may not reflect their meanings in TCM, namely, meanings that are normative, figurative or metaphorical when read in context. The meanings of these terms are therefore different from that in common English usage. In particular, they are not to be used for purposes of self-diagnosis, much less for self-medication. For example, "Xia Huo" means "To reduce fire", but "fire" here does not refer to combustion involving oxygen. Even within TCM, there are various meanings of "fire", and it can refer to "real" or "false" fire. The 3 herbs mentioned above cannot be used to reduce "false fire", or fires of yin deficiency in the zhang organs.
(2) An example of the non-literal use of transliterated characters is "long gu" which literally means "dragon bones". This term cannot possible refer to Chinese dragons, since they do not exist. However, one can easily buy "long gu" from any TCM herbal shop. Another term that cannot be taken literally is "di long" which literally means "earth dragon".
(3) Although the above herbs are common in TCM prescriptions, they cannot be purchased if we refer only to their Latin names. One likely reason is that TCM pharmacists rarely, if ever, use the Latin names of the herbs. The Chinese names, or the transliterated names (pinyin) should be used instead. For example, if we ask for "flos Lonicerae" we will almost certainly get a blank look. However, if we ask for "Jin Yin Hua" or 金银花 we will connect immediately, even though the pharmacist may speak any of the large number of Chinese dialects (such as Cantonese, where the herb is known as "Kum Gen Fa", or Golden Silver Flower, in Hong Kong). Wherever possible, use the written form (金银花) to avoid miscommunication and/or mis-pronunciation, since there is no dialect form of the written language.
(4) There are a large number of synonyms of the herb names, in both Chinese, English and Latin. This makes it even more essential to use the written form of the Chinese names to ensure accuracy.
(5) Some herbs are prone to adulteration, substitution, or both. For example, Ling Zhi Cao (Cordyceps) can be substituted with an inactive form of the herb. If an extract is first made with water, the herb will be tasteless when dried and re-used/recycled. On the other hand, the genuine Ling Zhi tastes bitter, but few consumers would know the difference, especially if the herb is mixed in a prescription and boiled together with other herbs. The pharmacists themselves may not be aware, as some may trust their suppliers implicitly, and do not conduct regular testing.
(6) Animal-based "herbs" are prone to substitution or adulteration, including Xiong Dan (bear bile / gall bladder) which looks very much like Niu Dan (bovine bile /gall bladder) when the gall bladder is dried, although Niu Dan is far less bitter in taste. Some are simply unavailable because they are banned in many countries. These include tiger parts, such as Hu Gu (tiger bone) which is substituted by bobcat bone, and Chuan San Jia (scales of the pangolin) which has no animal-based substitute. Niu Huang (bovine gallstone) is unavailable in many Western countries and Singapore because of its potential impact on pregnant women, although Niu Huang Pills with about 2% of Niu Huang are available in many Asian countries.
   | Herbs - Acupuncture.com.au - Education > Herbs |
| | Chinese herb dictionary - Chinese herb dictionary, Complementary and Alternative Healing University 現代中藥辭典 |
| | List of Chinese Herbs - List of Chinese Herbs Sorted By Latin Name |
| | Tai Sophia Institute - Tai Sophia Wellness School, Integrative Medicine, Holistic Medicine, Natural Health, Complementary Medicine Degree |
| | Chinese Herbal Medicine - Acupuncture School | Oriental Herbology |
| | Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine College, Berkeley | Acupuncture School - Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine College, Berkeley: one of the best among top accredited acupuncture schools |
| | Internal and External Application of Chinese Herbal Medicinals - Calm Spirit Healthcare Online |
| | A Range of Chinese Herbs Used in Martial Arts - PlumDragon Dit Da Jow & Herbs |
| | Herbs That Can Be Toxic to the Kidneys - Herbs that can be toxic to the kidneys, Complementary and Alternative Healing University |
| | Alangium chinense - Plants For A Future database report - Alangium chinense - Plants For A Future database report |
| | Anemone chinensis information from NPGS/GRIN - Anemone chinensis information from NPGS/GRIN |
| | Datura stramonium information from NPGS/GRIN - Datura stramonium information from NPGS/GRIN |
| | Dichroa febrifuga - Plants For A Future database report - Dichroa febrifuga - Plants For A Future database report |
| | Euphorbia pekinensis - Plants For A Future database report - Euphorbia pekinensis - Plants For A Future database report |
| | Securinega suffruticosa - Plants For A Future database report - Securinega suffruticosa - Plants For A Future database report |
| | Glycyrrhiza uralensis - Plants For A Future database report - Glycyrrhiza uralensis - Plants For A Future database report |
| | Classic Formulae of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Shen-nong.com / herbal glossary |
| | Alangium chinense in Flora of China @ efloras.org - Alangium chinense in Flora of China @ efloras.org |
| | Anisodus tanguticus in Flora of China @efloras.org - Anisodus tanguticus in Flora of China @ efloras.org |
| | ''Ardisia japonica'' - Ardisia japonica in Flora of China @ efloras.org |
| | Agastache rugosa - Plants For A Future database report - Agastache rugosa - Plants For A Future database report |
| | Astragalus propinquus - - ILDIS LegumeWeb |
| | Agastache rugosa in Flora of China @ efloras.org - Agastache rugosa in Flora of China @ efloras.org |
| | Huang qi, Complementary and Alternative Healing University - huang qi, Complementary and Alternative Healing University |
| | Ligusticum wallichii - Plants For A Future database report - Ligusticum wallichii - Plants For A Future database report |
| | Chinese Herbs - Chinese Herbs and Chinese Herbal Medicine Based On Traditional Chinese Medicine |
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