🌿 Chinese Herb Encyclopedia

Sheng Jiang

生姜 Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens

Disperses external cold, warms the stomach and stops vomiting, removes phlegm and relieves cough, removes toxins. Used fresh to treat common cold, cough, and nausea.

🏠 Ginger — Found in your kitchen

Rou Gui

肉桂 Cinnamomi Cortex

Warms the kidneys and strengthens yang, disperses cold and relieves pain, and activates blood circulation. Used for cold limbs and cold pain in the lower back and knees.

🏠 Cinnamon — Found in your kitchen

Da Zao

大枣 Jujubae Fructus

Strengthens the spleen and stomach, nourishes the blood and calms the spirit, harmonizes other medicines. Used for general weakness, anemia, and insomnia.

🏠 Date Palm / Jujube — Found in your kitchen

Bo He

薄荷 Menthae Haplocalycis Herba

Disperse wind-heat, clear the head and eyes, promote eruption of rashes, facilitate the flow of liver qi. Used for headache, sore throat, and common cold.

🏠 Mint — Found in your kitchen

Gan Cao

甘草 Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma

Strengthen the spleen and generate qi, moisten the lungs and stop cough, remove toxins, harmonize other herbs in the formula. Used for stomach ulcers and dry cough.

🏠 Licorice — Found in your kitchen

Ren Shen

人参 Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma

Strongly tonifies original qi, nourishes the spleen and lungs, generates fluids and quenches thirst, calms the spirit and boosts intelligence. The most important tonic herb in Chinese medicine.

🏠 Ginseng — Found in your kitchen

Huang Qi

黄芪 Astragali Radix

Tonifies Qi and raises Yang, stabilizes the exterior and stops sweating, promotes urination and reduces swelling, generates flesh and promotes wound healing. Used for chronic fatigue and weakened immunity.

🏠 Astragalus / Tragacanth — Found in your kitchen

Bai Zhu

白术 Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma

Strengthen the spleen and generate qi, dry dampness and promote diuresis, stabilize the fetus. Used for weak digestion, distention, diarrhea, and fluid retention.

🏠 Atractylodes — Found in your kitchen

Bai Shao

白芍 Paeoniae Radix Alba

Nourishes blood and softens the liver, relieves pain, and calms liver yang. Used for menstrual pain, muscle cramps, and migraine headaches.

🏠 Peony — Found in your kitchen

Dang Gui

当归 Angelicae Sinensis Radix

Nourishes blood and activates circulation, regulates menstruation and relieves pain, moistens the intestines. The most important female herb in Chinese medicine.

🏠 Chinese Angelica — Found in your kitchen

Fu Ling

茯苓 Poria

Promotes diuresis and drains dampness, strengthens the spleen, calms the heart and spirit. Used for edema, urinary retention, and insomnia.

🏠 Poria / Chinese mushroom — Found in your kitchen

Di Huang

地黄 Rehmanniae Radix

Cools the blood and stops bleeding, nourishes Yin and moistens the body. Used for thirst, diabetes, and bleeding due to heat in the blood.

🏠 Rehmannia — Found in your kitchen

Chuan Xiong

川芎 Chuanxiong Rhizoma

Activates Blood and moves Qi, dispels Wind and relieves pain. The most important herb for migraine and menstrual pain.

🏠 Chuanxiong — Found in your kitchen

Jing Jie

荆芥 Schizonepetae Herba

Releases wind-cold through the skin, promotes eruption of rashes, stops bleeding (when charred). Used for common cold with skin itching.

🏠 Perilla — Found in your kitchen

Ci Wu Jia

刺五加 Acanthopanacis Senticosi Radix et Rhizoma

Tonifies qi and strengthens the spleen, nourishes the kidneys and calms the spirit. Used for fatigue and poor appetite from spleen-kidney qi deficiency, and for insomnia, vivid dreams and forgetfulness from heart-spleen deficiency.

Hong Jing Tian

红景天 Rhodiolae Crenulatae Radix et Rhizoma

Tonifies qi and invigorates blood, unblocks the vessels and relieves wheezing. Used for fatigue from qi deficiency with blood stasis and for chronic cough and dyspnea; nowadays mainly to improve altitude tolerance and hypoxia resistance.

Jiao Gu Lan

绞股蓝 Gynostemmae Herba

Tonifies spleen qi, transforms phlegm and stops cough, clears heat and resolves toxicity. Commonly drunk as a tea to help regulate blood sugar and lipids and for general wellness.

Sha Ji

沙棘 Hippophae Fructus

Strengthens the spleen and aids digestion, stops cough and dispels phlegm, invigorates blood and disperses stasis. Its fruit is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants.

San Qi

三七 Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma

Stops bleeding and dissolves masses together (rare): external and internal bleeding with bruises.

🏠 Notoginseng (Bleeding-Stop Ginseng) — Found in your kitchen

Dan Shen

丹参 Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma

Activates blood and calms the heart; the most famous herb for coronary circulation and fatty liver (strong modern evidence).

🏠 Danshen Heart — Found in your kitchen

Hong Hua

红花 Carthami Flos

Activates blood and regulates menstruation, for blood stasis, delayed menstruation, and postpartum bleeding.

🏠 Faded Saffron (Safflower) — Found in your kitchen

Tao Ren

桃仁 Persicae Semen

Invigorates the blood, dissolves masses, and moistens the intestines; for bruises, delayed menstruation, and constipation due to stagnation.

🏠 Peach Kernel — Found in your kitchen

Yi Mu Cao

益母草 Leonuri Herba

Invigorates blood and regulates menstruation, promotes urination and reduces swelling, clears heat and resolves toxicity. A key gynecological herb for irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea and postpartum stasis, and for edema.

Ze Lan

泽兰 Lycopi Herba

Invigorates blood and regulates menstruation, disperses stasis and abscesses, promotes urination and reduces swelling. Used for amenorrhea, postpartum abdominal pain and limb edema.

Niu Xi

牛膝 Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix

Directs blood downward and strengthens the knees; for knee pain, descending menstruation, and high blood pressure.

🏠 Sturdy Knee Root — Found in your kitchen

Ji Xue Teng

鸡血藤 Spatholobi Caulis

Invigorates and nourishes blood, regulates menstruation and relieves pain, relaxes the sinews and unblocks the collaterals. Used for irregular menstruation with blood deficiency and stasis, and for numb, stiff limbs.

E Zhu

莪术 Curcumae Rhizoma

Breaks strong stagnation and dissolves masses, for conglomeration tumors and indurations (as part of a formula).

🏠 Root that Breaks Masses — Found in your kitchen

San Leng

三棱 Sparganii Rhizoma

Breaks blood stasis and dissolves masses, similar to the previous root but stronger in breaking blood.

🏠 Triangular Rhizome Root — Found in your kitchen

Yan Hu Suo

延胡索 Corydalis Rhizoma

The most famous Chinese analgesic herb: it stops all pain (head/abdominal/menstrual/joint) according to the formula.

🏠 Scattered Pain Root — Found in your kitchen

Yu Jin

郁金 Curcumae Radix

Soothes the Liver and calms the mind, cools the Blood; used for depressive stagnant patterns, jaundice, and heat-induced bleeding.

🏠 Golden Yu Jin Root — Found in your kitchen

Jiang Huang

姜黄 Curcumae Longae Rhizoma

Moves blood and dissolves stasis, clears heat; for joint pain and liver fat.

🏠 Golden Turmeric — Found in your kitchen

Ru Xiang

乳香 Olibanum

Activates blood, relieves pain, and softens masses; for bruises, joint pain, and breast nodules.

🏠 Frankincense — Found in your kitchen

Mo Yao

没药 Myrrha

Breaks blood stasis and stops pain, treats wounds (externally), for stagnant blood and menstrual pain.

🏠 Aromatic Myrrh — Found in your kitchen

Qing Pi

青皮 Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride

Breaks up stagnation and relieves pain below the ribs; stronger than Chen Pi in moving Qi.

🏠 Unripe Mandarin Peel — Found in your kitchen

Zhi Ke

枳壳 Aurantii Fructus

Expands the chest and regulates qi more gently than Zhi Shi, for mild distention and transient chest tightness.

🏠 Arabic common name: Dried Chinese Orange — Found in your kitchen

Mu Xiang

木香 Aucklandiae Radix

Regulates qi and relieves intestinal colic, prevents stagnation in sacred formulas.

🏠 Indian Costus — Found in your kitchen

Xiang Fu

香附 Cyperi Rhizoma

Regulates the Liver and relieves menstrual cramps and emotional tension.

🏠 Herb of Happiness — Found in your kitchen

Wu Yao

乌药 Linderae Radix

Warms and moves Qi, for cold abdominal colic and cold nocturnal urination.

🏠 Ground Cinnamon — Found in your kitchen

Chen Xiang

沉香 Aquilariae Resina-fermentum

Descends ascending qi, warms the kidney, and stops vomiting, belching, and cold dyspnea.

🏠 Scented Agarwood — Found in your kitchen

Shan Zha

山楂 Crataegi Fructus

Digests meat and opens the appetite, reduces fats and cholesterol. After greasy meals and when lipids are elevated.

🏠 Chinese Wild Cherry — Found in your kitchen

Shen Qu

神曲 Massa Medicata Fermentata

Promotes digestion and harmonizes the stomach. Especially good for grain and alcohol stagnation; a classic digestive for food accumulation and epigastric fullness.

Mai Ya

麦芽 Hordei Germinatus

Digests starches and opens the appetite; relieves milk stasis in nursing mothers.

🏠 Barley Sprouts — Found in your kitchen

Lai Fu Zi

莱菔子 Raphani Semen

Promotes digestion and relieves distension, directs qi downward and transforms phlegm. Used for food stagnation with qi blockage and for phlegm-congested cough and wheezing.

Ji Nei Jin

鸡内金 Gigeriae Galli Endothelium Corneum

Strengthens the stomach and promotes digestion of all accumulations (grain, dairy, stones), secures essence and urine, and dissolves urinary stones. One of the best digestives in the Chinese pharmacy.

Shi Jun Zi

使君子 Quisqualis Fructus

Gently expels worms, for childhood worm accumulation with indigestion.

🏠 Thamar al-Waddi — Found in your kitchen

Ku Lian Pi

苦楝皮 Meliae Cortex

Kills intestinal parasites (roundworm, pinworm) and treats tinea. Used for intestinal worms and for scalp ringworm and scabies.

Bing Lang

槟榔 Arecae Semen

Expels worms, moves qi and water, for distention and constipation due to stagnation.

🏠 Chinese Tamarind — Found in your kitchen

Nan Gua Zi

南瓜子 Cucurbitae Semen

Expels tapeworms; recently supported for prostate health.

🏠 Pumpkin Seeds — Found in your kitchen

Da Ji

大蓟 Cirsii Japonici Herba

Cools the blood and stops bleeding, disperses stasis, resolves toxicity and abscesses. Used for hematemesis, epistaxis, metrorrhagia and for sores and abscesses.

Xiao Ji

小蓟 Cirsii Herba

Cools the blood and stops bleeding, disperses stasis and resolves toxicity, promotes urination and unblocks painful strangury. Gentler than Da Ji; used for blood-heat bleeding, sores, heat and bloody lin syndrome.

Di Yu

地榆 Sanguisorbae Radix

Cools the blood and stops bleeding, resolves toxicity and promotes wound healing. Especially for lower-jiao blood-heat bleeding (bloody stool, hemorrhoids, metrorrhagia); applied externally for burns and eczema.

Huai Hua

槐花 Sophorae Flos

Cools the blood and stops bleeding, clears liver fire. Used for hemorrhoid and dysenteric bleeding and metrorrhagia, and for red eyes, headache and hypertension from liver fire.

Bai Mao Gen

白茅根 Imperatae Rhizoma

Cools the blood and stops bleeding, clears heat and promotes urination, generates fluids and relieves thirst. Used for blood-heat bleeding, heat lin, edema and febrile thirst.

Zhu Ma Gen

苎麻根 Boehmeriae Radix

Cools the blood and stops bleeding, calms the fetus, clears heat and resolves toxicity. Used for threatened miscarriage with blood-heat, and for heavy menstruation and urticaria.

Qian Cao

茜草 Rubiae Radix et Rhizoma

Stops bleeding while invigorating blood (does not cause stagnation), for heavy menstruation and bruises.

🏠 Natural Red Root — Found in your kitchen

Pu Huang

蒲黄 Typhae Pollen

Stops bleeding and dissolves stagnation; used for heavy menstruation, postpartum hemorrhage, and pain from blood stasis in the abdomen.

🏠 Typha pollen — Found in your kitchen

Wu Ling Zhi

五灵脂 Trogopterori Faeces

Invigorates blood and relieves pain, disperses stasis and stops bleeding. Used for dysmenorrhea, traumatic and chest pain from blood stasis; the fried form stops bleeding. Wrap in cloth for decocting.

Xue Jie

血竭 Draconis Sanguis

Invigorates blood and relieves pain, disperses stasis and stops bleeding, regenerates flesh and closes sores. A key trauma herb for bruises, swelling and bleeding wounds. Not decocted; for blood-stasis cases only.

🏠 血竭 — Found in your kitchen

Pao Jiang

炮姜 Zingiberis Rhizoma Praeparatum

Warms the channels and stops bleeding, warms the middle and relieves pain. Used for cold-type bleeding (pale prolonged menses, bloody stool) and for cold abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Ai Ye

艾叶 Artemisiae Argyi Folium

Warms the menses and stops bleeding, warms the uterus; for cold heavy menstrual bleeding and cold cramps; also used in moxibustion therapy.

🏠 Mugwort Leaf (Golden Wormwood) — Found in your kitchen

Xiao Hui Xiang

小茴香 Foeniculi Fructus

Warms the Kidney and Stomach and regulates Qi, for cold colic, abdominal distension, and mild hernia.

🏠 Sweet Fennel Seed — Found in your kitchen

Ding Xiang

丁香 Caryophylli Flos

Warms the stomach and lowers hiccups, for nausea, belching, and cold stomach.

🏠 Aromatic Clove — Found in your kitchen

Wu Zhu Yu

吴茱萸 Evodiae Fructus

Dispels cold in the Liver and lowers Stomach qi counterflow, for headache above the brow, morning vomiting, and diarrhea at dawn.

🏠 Cold Liver Fruit — Found in your kitchen

Gao Liang Jiang

高良姜 Alpiniae Officinarum Rhizoma

Strongly warms the stomach and stops cold pain; for severe cold abdominal pain and vomiting.

🏠 Chinese Galangal — Found in your kitchen

Hua Jiao

花椒 Zanthoxyli Pericarpium

Warms and disperses cold-dampness, kills parasites (topically for damp rash).

🏠 Narcotic Pepper Seed — Found in your kitchen

Zi Su

紫苏 Perillae Folium

Releases the exterior and disperses cold, moves qi and harmonizes the stomach, relieves seafood poisoning. Used for early wind-cold, middle-jiao qi stagnation, and to calm pregnancy nausea.

Fang Feng

防风 Saposhnikoviae Radix

Expels wind and releases the exterior, overcomes dampness and relieves pain, stops spasms. Used for wind-cold or wind-heat exterior patterns, wind-damp joint pain, painful diarrhea and itchy skin.

Qiang Huo

羌活 Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix

Releases the exterior and disperses cold, expels wind-damp and relieves pain. Especially for upper-body wind-cold-damp; used for cold neck, shoulder and lower-back pain and for wind-cold.

Bai Zhi

白芷 Angelicae Dahuricae Radix

Releases the exterior and disperses cold, expels wind and relieves pain, opens the nasal passages, dries dampness and stops discharge, reduces swelling and expels pus. Used for forehead headache, toothache, nasal congestion, leukorrhea and sores.

Xi Xin

细辛 Asari Radix et Rhizoma

Releases the exterior and disperses cold, expels wind and relieves pain, opens the orifices, warms the lung and transforms cold fluids. Used for wind-cold headache, nasal congestion and cold-fluid cough. Dose no more than 3 g.

Gao Ben

藁本 Ligustici Rhizoma et Radix

Dispels cold and reaches the vertex, for vertex headache due to wind-cold-dampness.

🏠 Head Cold Root — Found in your kitchen

Cang Er Zi

苍耳子 Xanthii Fructus

Opens the nasal passages and dissipates cold-dampness, for chronic rhinitis and sinus congestion.

🏠 Thorny Mallow Fruit — Found in your kitchen

Xin Yi

辛夷 Magnoliae Flos

Disperse wind-cold and unblock the nasal passages; for nasal congestion, runny nose, and headache.

🏠 Hibiscus Flower — Found in your kitchen

Man Jing Zi

蔓荆子 Viticis Fructus

Scatters wind-heat, clears and benefits the head and eyes. Used for wind-heat headache, migraine, heavy head, red painful eyes and damp arthralgia.

Han Shui Shi

寒水石 Calcitum/Gypsum Rubrum

Clears heat and drains fire. Used for intense qi-level heat with thirst and mouth ulcers, and for heart-fire insomnia and agitation.

Hua Shi

滑石 Talcum

Promotes urination and unblocks painful strangury, clears summer-heat, and (externally) absorbs dampness and closes sores. Used for heat and stone lin, summer-heat thirst, and eczema and prickly heat. Wrap for decocting.

Yu Yu Liang

禹余粮 Limonitum

Binds the intestines to stop diarrhea, astringes to stop bleeding and discharge. Used for chronic diarrhea and dysentery, bloody stool and metrorrhagia, and leukorrhea.

Chi Shi Zhi

赤石脂 Halloysitum Rubrum

Stops chronic diarrhea and bleeding, and heals wounds; it is a mineral, not an herb.

🏠 Red Haloysite — Found in your kitchen

Fu Xiao Mai

浮小麦 Tritici Levis Fructus

Stops abnormal sweating, for spontaneous sweating and weak constitution.

🏠 Empty Wheat — Found in your kitchen

Ma Huang Gen

麻黄根 Ephedrae Radix et Rhizoma

Consolidates the exterior and stops sweating. The specific herb for spontaneous daytime sweating and night sweats. The root acts opposite to the ephedra stem: the root astringes while the stem induces sweating.

Wu Wei Zi

五味子 Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus

Stops cough and diarrhea, generates fluids, calms the mind, and astringes; five flavors in one fruit.

🏠 Five-Flavor Red Berry — Found in your kitchen

Wu Mei

乌梅 Mume Fructus

Stops chronic diarrhea and chronic cough, generates fluids, and expels worms; strongly sour.

🏠 Sour Plum (Umeboshi) — Found in your kitchen

Wu Bei Zi

五倍子 Galla Chinensis

Astringes the lung and directs fire downward, binds the intestines, astringes sweat, stops bleeding, absorbs dampness and closes sores. Used for chronic cough and diarrhea, spontaneous and night sweating, seminal emission, and for damp sores and hemorrhoids.

Ying Su Ke

罂粟壳 Papaveris Pericarpium

Astringes the lung to stop cough, binds the intestines, relieves pain. Used for chronic exhausting cough, chronic diarrhea and dysentery, and for pain. A controlled, addictive substance; prohibited in pregnancy and children, prescription only.

Shi Liu Pi

石榴皮 Granati Pericarpium

Binds the intestines to stop diarrhea, stops bleeding, expels parasites. Used for chronic diarrhea and dysentery, bloody stool, and roundworm and pinworm. Pomegranate rind is a common astringent.

🏠 石榴皮 — Found in your kitchen

Rou Dou Kou

肉豆蔻 Myristicae Semen

Warms and stops cold diarrhea and vomiting; aromatic and phlegm-resolving.

🏠 Eastern Nutmeg — Found in your kitchen

Yuan Zhi

远志 Polygalae Radix

Connects the Heart and Kidney and calms the spirit, improves concentration and resolves phlegm, for anxiety with forgetfulness.

🏠 Root of Great Will — Found in your kitchen

Chang Pu

菖蒲 Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma

Opens the orifices and sweeps phlegm, awakens the spirit and sharpens the mind, transforms dampness and opens the stomach. Used for phlegm-misted consciousness, forgetfulness and heavy head, and for damp-blocked middle jiao.

Fu Shen

茯神 Poria cum Pini Radice

Calms the heart and spirit. Used for restlessness with insomnia, excessive dreaming and palpitations; also strengthens the spleen and leaches dampness.

Ling Zhi

灵芝 Ganoderma

Tonifies qi and calms the spirit, stops cough and relieves wheezing, supports the upright and consolidates the root. Used for deficiency insomnia and palpitations and for chronic cough and wheezing; nowadays used as an immune-supporting, anti-fatigue tonic.

🏠 灵芝 — Found in your kitchen

Bai Zi Ren

柏子仁 Platycladi Semen

Nourishes the Heart and calms the spirit, moistens the intestines, for insomnia in the elderly with constipation.

🏠 Chinese Pine Nut — Found in your kitchen

Suan Zao Ren

酸枣仁 Ziziphi Spinosae Semen

Nourishes the Heart and Liver and calms the spirit; used for restless sleep, evening insomnia, and night sweats.

🏠 Chinese Calming Jujube Seed — Found in your kitchen

He Huan Pi

合欢皮 Albiziae Cortex

Calms the spirit and resolves mild depression; for anxiety triggered by emotional events and chest tightness.

🏠 Bark of the Tree of Happiness — Found in your kitchen

Ye Jiao Teng

夜交藤 Polygoni Multiflori Caulis

Nourishes the blood and calms the spirit, expels wind and unblocks the collaterals. Used for blood-deficiency insomnia with vivid dreams and for wind-damp joint pain; the decoction is also used as a wash for itchy skin.

Shi Jue Ming

石决明 Haliotidis Concha

Brightens the eyes and stabilizes; for dry eyes and liver-fire dizziness.

🏠 Clear Sea Shell — Found in your kitchen

Zhen Zhu Mu

珍珠母 Margaritifera Concha

Calms the liver and anchors rising yang, settles fright and calms the spirit, brightens the eyes and removes nebula. Used for dizziness, headache and tinnitus from rising liver yang, and for insomnia, anxiety and red eyes. Decoct first.

Mu Li

牡蛎 Ostreae Concha

Anchors and calms, softens nodules; for anxiety-related insomnia, excessive sweating, and thyroid conditions.

🏠 Chinese Oyster Shell — Found in your kitchen

Zi Bei Chi

紫贝齿 Mauritiae/Cypraeae Concha

Calms the liver and anchors rising yang, settles fright and calms the spirit, brightens the eyes. Cooler in nature than mother-of-pearl; used for liver-yang dizziness, insomnia and dim vision. Decoct first.

Dai Zhe Shi

代赭石 Haematitum

Calms the liver and anchors rising yang, strongly directs rebellious qi downward, cools the blood and stops bleeding. Used for dizziness and headache from rising liver yang, belching, vomiting and hiccup from rebellious stomach qi, and blood-heat bleeding.

Ci Ji Li

刺蒺藜 Tribuli Fructus

Calms and soothes the liver, invigorates blood and expels wind, brightens the eyes. Used for dizziness and costal distension from liver yang or constraint, wind-papule itching, and red teary eyes. Used after stir-frying.

Luo Bu Ma

罗布麻 Apocyni Veneti Folium

Calms the liver and settles the spirit, clears heat and promotes urination. Used for hypertension, headache, dizziness and insomnia from rising liver yang, and for edema.

Ling Yang Jiao

羚羊角 Saigae Tataricae Cornu

Calms the liver and extinguishes wind, clears liver heat and brightens the eyes, clears heat and resolves toxicity. Used for convulsions and high fever with clouded spirit from liver wind, liver-heat red eyes and febrile rashes. Saiga antelope is an endangered, protected species; goat horn and other substitutes are now used.

🏠 羚羊角 — Found in your kitchen

Niu Huang

牛黄 Bovis Calculus

Cools the liver and extinguishes wind, clears the heart and sweeps phlegm, opens the orifices and awakens the spirit, clears heat and resolves toxicity. Used for febrile clouded spirit, wind-stroke with phlegm obstruction and convulsions, and for sore throat and abscesses.

🏠 牛黄 — Found in your kitchen

Gou Teng

钩藤 Uncariae Ramulus Cum Uncis

Clears liver fire and stops convulsions and tremors; used for high blood pressure, dizziness, and infantile convulsions.

🏠 Gambir Vine / Uncaria — Found in your kitchen

Tian Ma

天麻 Gastrodiae Rhizoma

Stops dizziness, tremor, and rigidity; the most famous herb for dizziness, head pressure, and cervical vertigo.

🏠 Wonder Root of the Sky — Found in your kitchen

Di Long

地龙 Pheretima

Clears heat and extinguishes wind, unblocks the collaterals, relieves wheezing, promotes urination. Used for high-fever convulsions, post-stroke hemiplegia and bi syndrome, and for asthma, difficult urination and hypertension.

Quan Xie

全蝎 Scorpio

Extinguishes wind and stops convulsions, unblocks the collaterals and relieves pain, attacks toxins and disperses clumps. Used for convulsions, post-stroke facial deviation and stubborn headache, and for sores and abscesses. Toxic; prohibited in pregnancy.

Wu Gong

蜈蚣 Scolopendra

Extinguishes wind and stops convulsions, unblocks the collaterals and relieves pain, attacks toxins and disperses clumps. Used for spasms, stubborn headache and severe wind-damp bi, and for sores and scrofula. Stronger than scorpion. Toxic; prohibited in pregnancy.

Jiang Can

僵蚕 Bombyx Batryticatus

Extinguishes wind and stops convulsions, expels wind and relieves pain, transforms phlegm and disperses clumps. Used for childhood convulsions, facial deviation, wind-heat headache and sore throat, and for scrofula and phlegm nodules.

She Xiang

麝香 Moschus

Opens the orifices and awakens the spirit, invigorates blood and unblocks menstruation, reduces swelling and relieves pain. Used for blocked-orifice loss of consciousness, and for amenorrhea, abdominal masses and traumatic pain. A precious aromatic orifice-opener. Prohibited in pregnancy.

🏠 麝香 — Found in your kitchen

Bing Pian

冰片 Borneolum Syntheticum

Opens the orifices and awakens the spirit, clears heat and relieves pain. Used for blocked-orifice loss of consciousness, and for sore throat, mouth ulcers, red eyes and sores. Used in pills and powders, not decocted. Use with caution in pregnancy.

Su He Xiang

苏合香 Styrax

Opens the orifices and awakens the spirit, repels foulness and relieves pain. Used for cold-blockage loss of consciousness, and for cold chest and abdominal pain (cold-type angina). Pills and powders only.

🏠 苏合香 — Found in your kitchen

Xi Yang Shen

西洋参 Panacis Quinquefolii Radix

Nourishes yin and generates fluids, clears heat; for fatigue with heat and summer thirst.

🏠 American Ginseng — Found in your kitchen

Yi Yi Ren

薏苡仁 Coicis Semen

Eliminates dampness and strengthens the spleen, alleviates eczema and mild edema. One of the most famous herbs for "dampness."

🏠 Chinese Barley — Found in your kitchen

Zhu Ling

猪苓 Polyporus

Stronger in promoting water metabolism than ordinary Poria; used for edema and difficult urination.

🏠 Ground Pig Mushroom — Found in your kitchen

Ze Xie

泽泻 Alismatis Rhizoma

Promotes urination, removes dampness, and clears heat; used for edema, burning urination, and dizziness due to dampness.

🏠 Wonderful Water Root — Found in your kitchen

Che Qian Zi

车前子 Plantaginis Semen

Clears heat and promotes urination to unblock painful strangury, leaches dampness to stop diarrhea, brightens the eyes, dispels phlegm. Used for heat lin with painful dribbling, edema, summer-damp diarrhea, red eyes and phlegm-heat cough. Wrap for decocting.

🏠 车前子 — Found in your kitchen

Mu Tong

木通 Akebiae Caulis

Promotes urination and unblocks painful strangury, clears heart heat and relieves vexation, unblocks menstruation and promotes lactation. Used for heat lin, heart-fire mouth ulcers, amenorrhea and scanty milk. Only safe varieties (Chuan Mu Tong) may be used; aristolochic-acid Guan Mu Tong is prohibited. Forbidden in pregnancy.

Tong Cao

通草 Tetrapanacis Medulla

Clears heat and promotes urination, frees qi and promotes lactation. Used for damp-heat lin syndrome and postpartum scanty milk; milder than Mu Tong.

Qu Mai

瞿麦 Dianthi Herba

Promotes urination, breaks up stones, and clears heat, for bloody strangury and urinary stones.

🏠 Diuretic Wild Clove — Found in your kitchen

Bian Xu

萹蓄 Polygoni Avicularis Herba

Promotes urination, clears heat, and expels worms; for strangury and small urinary stones.

🏠 Creeping Plum — Found in your kitchen

Di Fu Zi

地肤子 Kochiae Fructus

Clears heat and drains dampness, expels wind and stops itching. Used for difficult, dribbling urination from bladder damp-heat, and for wind-papules, eczema and itchy skin, both taken internally and applied as a wash.

Hai Jin Sha

海金沙 Lygodii Spora

Clears heat and drains dampness, unblocks painful strangury and expels stones. A key herb for sandy and stony lin; used for urinary stones and heat lin with painful dribbling. Wrap for decocting.

Shi Wei

石韦 Pyrrosiae Folium

Promotes urination and unblocks painful strangury, clears the lung and stops cough, cools the blood and stops bleeding. Used for heat, stone and blood lin, lung-heat cough and wheezing, and blood-heat bleeding.

Dong Kui Zi

冬葵子 Malvae Fructus

Clears heat and promotes urination, reduces swelling, promotes lactation, moistens the intestines. Used for difficult urination, dribbling lin and edema, and for scanty milk, breast distension and dry constipation. Use with caution in pregnancy.

🏠 冬葵子 — Found in your kitchen

Huo Xiang

藿香 Agastaches Herba

Relieves summer-heat and dissolves dampness, harmonizes the stomach; for summer nausea and dizziness from summer-heat and dampness.

🏠 Aromatic Pistachio Herb — Found in your kitchen

Pei Lan

佩兰 Eupatorii Herba

Resolves summer-dampness and refreshes the spirit; for bad breath from dampness and summer foggy turbidity.

🏠 Roasted Pistachio Herb — Found in your kitchen

Cang Zhu

苍术 Atractylodis Rhizoma

Strongly dries dampness; for heavy sensation and distention with oppressive fullness and damp-misty dizziness of the head.

🏠 Gray Root — Found in your kitchen

Sha Ren

砂仁 Amomi Fructus

Regulates Qi, dissolves Dampness, and calms pregnancy (as part of a formula); for mild pregnancy bloating and nausea.

🏠 Fragrant Sand Seed — Found in your kitchen

Bai Dou Kou

白豆蔻 Amomi Fructus Rotundus

Transforms dampness and moves qi, warms the middle and stops vomiting, opens the appetite and aids digestion. Used for damp-blocked middle jiao with epigastric fullness, poor appetite and vomiting. Add near the end of cooking to preserve its volatile oils.

🏠 白豆蔻 — Found in your kitchen

Huo Ma Ren

火麻仁 Cannabis Fructus

Moistens the intestines and relieves constipation, suitable for the elderly, postpartum women, and those with dry and weak intestines.

🏠 Hamba seeds — Found in your kitchen

Yu Li Ren

郁李仁 Pruni Semen

Moistens the intestines and promotes bowel movement, and descends qi to promote water metabolism; used for constipation with mild edema.

🏠 Chinese plum seeds — Found in your kitchen

Du Huo

独活 Angelicae Pubescentis Radix

Dispels cold-dampness from the lower part of the body, for damp knee and back pain.

🏠 Wet Cold Root — Found in your kitchen

Wei Ling Xian

威灵仙 Clematidis Radix et Rhizoma

Unblocks and softens, for migratory joint pain, mild paralysis, and bone spurs.

🏠 Spiritual Miracle Herb — Found in your kitchen

Mu Gua

木瓜 Chaenomelis Fructus

Relaxes cramped muscles and resolves dampness, for calf spasms and muscle cramps.

🏠 Chinese Quinoa — Found in your kitchen

Sang Ji Sheng

桑寄生 Taxilli Herba

Expels wind-damp, tonifies the liver and kidneys, strengthens sinews and bones, calms the fetus. Used for wind-damp joint pain, sore lower back and knees, and for threatened miscarriage and hypertension from liver-kidney deficiency.

Wu Jia Pi

五加皮 Acanthopanacis Cortex

Expels wind-damp, tonifies the liver and kidneys, strengthens sinews and bones, promotes urination. Used for wind-damp joint pain, weak and contracted limbs, and for edema.

Fang Ji

防己 Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix

Expels wind-damp and relieves pain, promotes urination and reduces swelling. Used for wind-damp joint pain (especially the damp-heat type) and for edema and difficult urination. Cold in nature and taxing on the stomach; must be distinguished from aristolochic-acid Guang Fang Ji. Use with caution in pregnancy.

Qin Jiao

秦艽 Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix

Dispels wind-dampness without causing dryness, for joint pain with mild heat, and relieves jaundice.

🏠 Gentle Moist Root — Found in your kitchen

Xi Xian Cao

豨莶草 Siegesbeckiae Herba

Expels wind-damp and frees the joints, resolves toxicity. Used for wind-damp joint pain and stiffness, and for wind-papules, damp sores and abscesses; nowadays also for hypertension. Best used after wine-steaming or honey-processing.

Ban Xia

半夏 Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum

Dissolves phlegm, stops vomiting, and reduces swelling; for nausea, damp phlegm, and neck lumps.

🏠 King of Phlegm Removal — Found in your kitchen

Bei Mu

贝母 Fritillariae Bulbus

Clears heat and transforms phlegm, moistens the lung and stops cough, disperses clumps and resolves abscesses. Used for lung-heat dry cough and yin-deficiency consumptive cough, and for breast and lung abscesses and scrofula. Chuan Bei Mu leans toward moistening, Zhe Bei Mu toward clearing heat and dispersing clumps. Incompatible with aconite (Wu Tou).

Gua Lou

瓜蒌 Trichosanthis Fructus

Clears acute phlegm, expands the chest, and moistens the intestines; for yellow phlegm, chest tightness, and constipation.

🏠 Whole Lung Fruit — Found in your kitchen

Jie Geng

桔梗 Platycodonis Radix

Promotes the ascent of phlegm, opens the voice, and guides medicines to the Lung; used for cough, sore throat, and stagnant halitosis.

🏠 Prairie Bellflower — Found in your kitchen

Yu Zhu

玉竹 Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma

Nourishes yin and generates fluids, moistens the lungs and relieves thirst. Suitable for dryness, dry cough, and post-illness cough.

🏠 Chinese Licorice — Found in your kitchen

Bai He

百合 Lilii Bulbus

Nourishes Yin and moistens the Lungs, calms the Heart and improves sleep. For dry cough, anxiety, and insomnia.

🏠 Chinese Lily — Found in your kitchen

Shi Hu

石斛 Dendrobii Caulis

Nourishes Yin and generates fluids, strengthens the Stomach. For dry indigestion and excessive thirst.

🏠 Dendrobium — Found in your kitchen

Lian Zi

莲子 Nelumbinis Semen

Strengthens the spleen and stops chronic diarrhea, calms the spirit and improves sleep. For fatigue and evening anxiety.

🏠 Chinese lotus seeds — Found in your kitchen

Qian Shi

芡实 Euryales Semen

Strengthens the spleen and stops chronic watery diarrhea; stabilizes the kidneys. For nocturia and spleen deficiency.

🏠 Simeen al-Qurm — Found in your kitchen

Gu Ya

谷芽 Setariae Germinatus

Promotes digestion and strengthens the spleen; for indigestion and weak digestion in children and the elderly.

🏠 Millet Sprouts — Found in your kitchen

Chen Pi

陈皮 Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium

Regulates qi and harmonizes the stomach, resolves phlegm. For abdominal distension, nausea, and cough with white phlegm.

🏠 Aged Tangerine Peel — Found in your kitchen

Zhi Shi

枳实 Aurantii Fructus Immaturus

Breaks up stagnation and resolves severe distention; used for food accumulation and constipation.

🏠 Small Orange Fruit — Found in your kitchen

Fo Shou

佛手 Citri Sarcodactylis Fructus

Regulates qi and calms the stomach, resolves phlegm. For abdominal distension with anxiety.

🏠 Buddha's Hand Lemon — Found in your kitchen

Mei Gui Hua

玫瑰花 Rosae Rugosae Flos

Soothes the Liver and relieves mild depression, regulates menstruation and softens the skin.

🏠 Dried Red Rose — Found in your kitchen

Ju Hua

菊花 Chrysanthemi Flos

Clears heat and brightens the eyes; relieves heat-type headache, red eyes, and dry eyes.

🏠 Chinese Chrysanthemum — Found in your kitchen

Jin Yin Hua

金银花 Lonicerae Japonicae Flos

Clears heat and resolves toxicity; for sore throat and heat-induced skin eruptions.

🏠 Double Flower (Al-Amanah) — Found in your kitchen

Lian Qiao

连翘 Forsythiae Fructus

Clears heat and resolves toxin, dissipates inflamed nodules; for throat and inflamed glands.

🏠 Early Golden Ball — Found in your kitchen

Ban Lan Gen

板蓝根 Isatidis Radix

Clears heat and resolves toxins, cools the blood; used for colds, viruses, and tonsillitis.

🏠 Blue Root — Found in your kitchen

Yu Xing Cao

鱼腥草 Houttuyniae Herba

Clears Lung heat and dissolves pus, for pneumonia and yellow phlegm.

🏠 Fish Mint / Houttuynia — Found in your kitchen

Pu Gong Ying

蒲公英 Taraxaci Herba

Clears heat and resolves toxin; used for abscesses, ulcers, and mastitis.

🏠 Wild Chicory — Found in your kitchen

Zi Hua Di Ding

紫花地丁 Violae Herba

Clears heat and resolves toxicity; used for skin sores and heat rashes.

🏠 Wild Violet — Found in your kitchen

Ye Ju Hua

野菊花 Chrysanthemi Indici Flos

Stronger than chrysanthemum in clearing heat and detoxifying, for bloody dysentery and eye irritation.

🏠 Wild Chamomile — Found in your kitchen

Dan Zhu Ye

淡竹叶 Lophatheri Herba

Clears heat and promotes urination; for summer heat thirst, mouth sores, and burning urination.

🏠 Imitation Bamboo Leaf — Found in your kitchen

Lu Gen

芦根 Phragmitis Rhizoma

Generates fluids and relieves thirst; for early-stage fever, dry cough, and mild morning sickness.

🏠 Water Cane — Found in your kitchen

Tian Hua Fen

天花粉 Trichosanthis Radix

Generates fluids and reduces heat; for diabetic thirst and dry cough.

🏠 Root of Wish — Found in your kitchen

Ge Gen

葛根 Puerariae Lobatae Radix

Releases the muscles and reduces mild fever, generates fluids and protects the neck; for stiff neck and elevated blood sugar.

🏠 Kudzu (Japanese Kudzu) — Found in your kitchen

Chai Hu

柴胡 Bupleuri Radix

Resolves liver stagnation and relieves alternating fever, for restlessness and rib pain.

🏠 Northern Gulf Herb — Found in your kitchen

Sheng Ma

升麻 Cimicifugae Rhizoma

Raises the sunken and clears heat and toxins; used for rectal prolapse and mouth ulcers.

🏠 Black Fever Herb — Found in your kitchen

Zhi Mu

知母 Anemarrhenae Rhizoma

Clears heat and nourishes Yin, quenches thirst; for fever, dry cough, and diabetes.

🏠 Root of Knowledge — Found in your kitchen

Zhi Zi

栀子 Gardeniae Fructus

Clears heat and calms irritability; for anxiety-related insomnia, mouth ulcers, and burning scanty urination.

🏠 Gardenia — Found in your kitchen

Xia Ku Cao

夏枯草 Prunellae Spica

Clears liver fire and dissipates stagnation, for mild hypertension, swollen thyroid gland, and red eyes.

🏠 Dried Summer Spike — Found in your kitchen

Jue Ming Zi

决明子 Cassiae Semen

Brightens the eyes and lowers blood pressure, moistens the intestines to relieve constipation; for dry eyes from screens and elevated blood lipids.

🏠 Clear-Eye Seeds — Found in your kitchen

Long Gu

龙骨 Mastodi Ossis Fossilia

Calms the spirit and anchors the mind, stops night sweating, for anxiety, fear, and nocturnal enuresis.

🏠 Fossilized Bones — Found in your kitchen

Shan Yao

山药 Dioscoreae Rhizoma

Nourishes the Spleen, Lung, and Kidney together; for weak children, the elderly, and chronic diarrhea.

🏠 Chinese yam — Found in your kitchen

Dang Shen

党参 Codonopsis Radix

Tonifies the spleen and lungs, milder in nature than ginseng, but at a higher cost for daily use.

🏠 Alternative Folk Root — Found in your kitchen

Tai Zi Shen

太子参 Pseudostellariae Radix

Mild in nature: for children, the elderly, and those weakened after illness; it nourishes without causing heat.

🏠 Crown Prince's Root — Found in your kitchen

Shu Di Huang

熟地黄 Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata

Nourishes yin and generates blood; for pallor, hair loss, and postpartum dizziness.

🏠 Dark Earth Root — Found in your kitchen

Sheng Di Huang

生地黄 Rehmanniae Radix

Cools the blood and nourishes yin, for blood-heat macules and a red tongue with thirst.

🏠 Raw Earth Root — Found in your kitchen

Mai Dong

麦冬 Ophiopogonis Radix

Nourishes yin, moistens the lungs, and generates fluids; for summer dry cough, thirst, and restlessness with insomnia.

🏠 麦冬 — Found in your kitchen

Tian Dong

天冬 Asparagi Radix

Nourishes deep Yin and moistens dryness, used for chronic dry cough and nocturnal thirst.

🏠 Long Spike — Found in your kitchen

Huang Jing

黄精 Polygonati Rhizoma

Nourishes Yin and strengthens the Spleen, for chronic fatigue, premature graying, and dry cough.

🏠 Golden Marshmallow — Found in your kitchen

Gou Qi Zi

枸杞子 Lycii Fructus

Nourishes the liver and kidney, brightens the eyes; for blurred vision, fatigue of the lower back, and dryness.

🏠 Colon herb (Chinese jojoba) — Found in your kitchen

Nü Zhen Zi

女贞子 Ligustri Lucidi Fructus

Nourishes Yin, brightens the eyes; for soreness and weakness of the lower back, premature graying of hair, and blurred vision.

🏠 Night Flower Fruit — Found in your kitchen

Mo Han Lian

墨旱莲 Ecliptae Herba

Nourishes liver and kidney yin and stops bleeding, for hair loss and bleeding gums.

🏠 Ink Herb — Found in your kitchen

Hei Zhi Ma

黑芝麻 Sesami Semen Nigrum

Nourishes Liver and Kidney Yin and moistens the intestines, for hair loss and dry constipation.

🏠 Black Sesame — Found in your kitchen

Rou Cong Rong

肉苁蓉 Cistanches Herba

Nourishes kidney yin and strengthens the lower back, moistens the intestines and unblocks the bowels; for sexual weakness and constipation in the elderly.

🏠 Desert Succulent Herb — Found in your kitchen

Ba Ji Tian

巴戟天 Morindae Officinalis Radix

Tonifies the kidney and strengthens the bones; for weakness of the lower back and knees and cold-type sexual insufficiency.

🏠 Asparagus Root — Found in your kitchen

Du Zhong

杜仲 Eucommiae Cortex

Strengthens the lower back and knees, lowers pregnancy blood pressure (with prescription), for chronic lower back pain.

🏠 Chinese Rubber Tree Bark — Found in your kitchen

Xu Duan

续断 Dipsaci Radix

Strengthens the bones, treats fractures, reconnects what has been severed; for joint pain and sports injuries.

🏠 Root of Connection — Found in your kitchen

Gu Sui Bu

骨碎补 Drynariae Rhizoma

Strengthens bones and tendons, treats fractures; used for fractures, loose teeth, and to stabilize the gums.

🏠 Bone-Breaker Root — Found in your kitchen

Gou Ji

狗脊 Cibotii Rhizoma

Strengthens the lower back and knees and dries dampness; for lower back pain in damp climates.

🏠 Dog's Back Root — Found in your kitchen

Gui Zhi

桂枝 Cinnamomi Ramulus

Releases the exterior and resolves the muscles; for early stages of cold, stiff neck, and poor circulation in the limbs.

🏠 Cinnamon Twig — Found in your kitchen

Dou Kou

豆蔻 Cardamomi Fructus Rotundus

Regulates Qi and dissolves dampness, for morning bloating and mild nausea.

🏠 Chinese Cardamom — Found in your kitchen

Bai Bian Dou

白扁豆 Lablab Semen Album

Strengthens the spleen and dissolves summer dampness, for mild summer diarrhea and weak digestion.

🏠 Chinese White Bean — Found in your kitchen

He Ye

荷叶 Nelumbinis Folium

Resolves dampness and reduces fat; used for mild obesity, hyperlipidemia, and mild summer bleeding.

🏠 Lotus Leaf — Found in your kitchen

Dan Dou Chi

淡豆豉 Sojae Semen Praeparatum

Releases the exterior and promotes sweating, relieves chest oppression and restlessness; for the early stage of a cold with restless sleep.

🏠 Light Fermented Soybean — Found in your kitchen

Da Suan

大蒜 Allii Sativi Bulbus

Kills parasites and resolves toxin, lowers blood lipids, prevents intestinal infectious diseases and food poisoning.

🏠 Garlic — Found in your kitchen

Jiu Cai Zi

韭菜籽 Allii Tuberosi Semen

Tonifies the kidney to stabilize essence and urine, for nocturia and cold-deficiency patterns.

🏠 Chinese Chive Seeds — Found in your kitchen

Da Huang

大黄 Rhei Radix et Rhizoma

Strongly purges the intestines to treat severe constipation, cools the blood, and dispels blood stasis. The strongest purgative in Chinese medicine.

🏠 Medicinal Rhubarb — Found in your kitchen

Mang Xiao

芒硝 Natrii Sulfas

Clears the intestines and softens hardness, for acute constipation and food accumulation with heat.

🏠 Purifying Salt — Found in your kitchen

Dong Gua Pi

冬瓜皮 Benincasae Exocarpium

Promotes water metabolism and relieves mild summer edema.

🏠 Winter squash peel — Found in your kitchen

Dong Gua Zi

冬瓜子 Benincasae Semen

Clears pus and cools the Lung, for purulent phlegm and intestinal abscess.

🏠 Winter Squash Seeds — Found in your kitchen

Yu Mi Xu

玉米须 Maydis Stigma

Gently promotes urination and lowers blood pressure and blood sugar; for mild edema, hypertension, and jaundice.

🏠 Sweet Corn Silk — Found in your kitchen

Hu Lu

葫芦 Lagenariae Fructus

Promotes diuresis and reduces edema; for ascites and water distention.

🏠 Dried Long Gourd — Found in your kitchen

Deng Xin Cao

灯心草 Junci Medulla

Clears heart heat, calms mild insomnia, promotes urination; for mouth sores, burning urination, and occasional insomnia.

🏠 Lamp Wick (Arabic common name: Fatil al-Misbah) — Found in your kitchen

Fu Zi

附子 Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata

The strongest warming herb: restores Kidney and Heart Yang, for severe cold, cold paralysis, and cold shock.

🏠 The First Heat Power — Found in your kitchen

Gan Jiang

干姜 Zingiberis Rhizoma

Warms the Stomach and Lungs, stops cold vomiting and cold damp cough.

🏠 Dried Ginger — Found in your kitchen

Bi Bo

荜茇 Piperis Longi Fructus

Warms the stomach and stops cold pain, cold vomiting, and cold diarrhea.

🏠 Long Pepper — Found in your kitchen

Tan Xiang

檀香 Santali Albi Lignum

Regulates qi and soothes the chest and stomach; for qi stagnation chest pain and nausea.

🏠 White Sandalwood — Found in your kitchen

Chuan Lian Zi

川楝子 Toosendan Fructus

Regulates the liver and stops pain from heat-stagnation abdominal pain and hernia; kills parasites (topical).

🏠 Chinese St. John's Wort Fruit — Found in your kitchen

Shui Zhi

水蛭 Hirudo

The strongest herb for breaking stubborn blood stasis (modern anticoagulant effect documented).

🏠 Medicinal Leech — Found in your kitchen

Bai Ji

白及 Bletillae Rhizoma

Stops bleeding from the lungs and stomach and promotes tissue healing; used for coughing blood and ulcers.

🏠 Adhesive Flesh Root — Found in your kitchen

Xian He Cao

仙鹤草 Agrimoniae Herba

Stops bleeding of all types, expels parasites, and tonifies; for chronic bleeding and fatigue.

🏠 Fragrant Bird's-Neck Grass — Found in your kitchen

Tian Nan Xing

天南星 Arisaematis Rhizoma Praeparatum

Dissolves wind-phlegm and stops paralysis (tremor/convulsion) more strongly than Pinellia.

🏠 Southern Star Root — Found in your kitchen

Bai Jie Zi

白芥子 Sinapis Semen

Dissolves thick phlegm and moves the Lung qi; for stubborn phlegm and joint pain (as a poultice).

🏠 White Mustard Seed — Found in your kitchen

Chuan Bei Mu

川贝母 Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus

Moistens the Lung and dissolves dry chronic phlegm, for chronic dry cough and lung fever.

🏠 Fragrant Onion — Found in your kitchen

Zhe Bei Mu

浙贝母 Fritillariae Thunbergii Bulbus

Clears heat and resolves phlegm, dissipates nodules, for yellow phlegm, neck masses, and scrofula.

🏠 Cold Eastern Onion — Found in your kitchen

Zhu Ru

竹茹 Bambusae Caulis in Taenias

Clears heat and transforms phlegm, stops heat vomiting and morning retching.

🏠 Bamboo Sheath — Found in your kitchen

Ku Xing Ren

苦杏仁 Armeniacae Semen Amarum

Stops cough, calms asthma, and moistens the intestines; for acute cough, asthma, and constipation.

🏠 Chinese apricot kernel — Found in your kitchen

Zi Su Zi

紫苏子 Perillae Fructus

Relieves asthma, dissolves phlegm, and moistens the intestines; for asthma, phlegm, and constipation in the elderly.

🏠 Perilla Seed — Found in your kitchen

Kuan Dong Hua

款冬花 Tussilaginis Farfarae Flos

Moistens the lungs and stops cough of any kind; for chronic cough, asthma, and throat itch.

🏠 Coltsfoot Flower — Found in your kitchen

Pi Pa Ye

枇杷叶 Eriobotryae Folium

Clears acute phlegm and stops heat vomiting; for yellow sputum cough and heat-type nausea.

🏠 Loquat Leaf — Found in your kitchen

Sang Bai Pi

桑白皮 Mori Cortex

Descends lung qi and calms wheezing, promotes water metabolism and reduces edema; used for shortness of breath with wheezing and edema.

🏠 Mulberry Root Bark — Found in your kitchen

Bai Guo

白果 Ginkgo Semen

Stops asthma and stabilizes urination; for mild asthma and nocturia (must be cooked).

🏠 Ginkgo fruit — Found in your kitchen

Pang Da Hai

胖大海 Sterculiae Lychnophorae Semen

Expands in water, moistens the throat and opens the voice; for hoarseness, teachers and singers.

🏠 Malva Nut — Found in your kitchen

Luo Han Guo

罗汉果 Momordicae Grosvenori Fructus

Moistens the lungs, stops cough, and opens the voice; a natural zero-calorie sweetener.

🏠 Monk Fruit — Found in your kitchen

Shi Chang Pu

石菖蒲 Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma

Opens the orifices and dissolves phlegm that clouds the mind; for mental clouding, forgetfulness, and cold dizziness.

🏠 Stone Aromatic Root — Found in your kitchen

He Zi

诃子 Chebulae Fructus

Astringes and stops diarrhea and chronic cough; the foundation of astringent herbs.

🏠 Indian Myrobalan — Found in your kitchen

Shan Zhu Yu

山茱萸 Corni Fructus

Stabilizes and nourishes kidney yin, for night sweats, back fatigue, and insufficient fluids.

🏠 Golden Stabilizing Berry — Found in your kitchen

Fu Pen Zi

覆盆子 Rubi Fructus

Stabilizes urine and semen and brightens the eyes; for nocturia and weakness.

🏠 Chinese Bramble — Found in your kitchen

Sang Piao Xiao

桑螵蛸 Mantidis Ootheca

Stabilizes urine and semen, for nocturnal urination and urinary incontinence in adults.

🏠 Mantis Ootheca — Found in your kitchen

Lian Xu

莲须 Nelumbinis Stamen

Astringes essence and stops excessive vaginal discharge; stops mild bleeding; for insomnia with seminal emission.

🏠 Lotus Flower Threads — Found in your kitchen

Fu Ping

浮萍 Spirodelae Herba

Releases the exterior and disperses wind-heat, promotes eruption and relieves itching, promotes urination and reduces edema; used for the early stage of wind-heat cold with rash and mild edema.

🏠 Duckweed — Found in your kitchen

Mu Zei

木贼 Equiseti Hiemalis Herba

Brightens the eyes, transforms phlegm, and stops mild bleeding; for red eyes and corneal opacity.

🏠 Horsetail — Found in your kitchen

Gu Jing Cao

谷精草 Eriocauli Flos

Brightens the eyes and clears heat, to treat eye inflammation and head fire; often combined with chrysanthemum.

🏠 Eye Bead Flower — Found in your kitchen

Mi Meng Hua

密蒙花 Buddlejae Flos

Clears liver fire, brightens the eyes and removes nebula; for red, swollen and photophobic eyes.

🏠 Budleia Eye Herb Flower — Found in your kitchen

Qing Xiang Zi

青葙子 Celosiae Semen

Clears liver fire and brightens the eyes; used for red eyes, pterygium, and heat-induced eye tremor.

🏠 Eye Mask Seeds — Found in your kitchen

Lu Gan Shi

炉甘石 Calamina

Cools and promotes healing of the eyes and wounds (external use only); a base for eye ointments.

🏠 Washed Temperament Stone — Found in your kitchen

Peng Sha

硼砂 Borax

Transforms phlegm and heals mouth and throat ulcers (topically and as gargle).

🏠 Laxative Borax — Found in your kitchen

Xiong Huang

雄黄 Realgar

Kills insects and worms, promotes wound healing (external use only).

🏠 Orange Stone — Found in your kitchen

Suo Yang

锁阳 Cynomorii Herba

Tonifies the kidney and strengthens yang, fortifies the tendons and bones, and moistens the intestines to unblock the bowels; used for cold-type sexual weakness and dry constipation.

🏠 Lock Herb — Found in your kitchen

Bu Gu Zhi

补骨脂 Psoraleae Fructus

Warms the kidney and astringes; for cold frequent urination, dawn diarrhea, and lower back pain.

🏠 Bone-Setting Seed — Found in your kitchen

Yi Zhi Ren

益智仁 Alpiniae Oxyphyllae Fructus

Warms the spleen and kidney, secures urine and saliva, for nocturnal enuresis and blurred vision.

🏠 Sharpen-the-Mind Seed — Found in your kitchen

Sha Yuan Zi

沙苑子 Astragali Complanati Semen

Nourishes the kidney and clears the eyes; for back fatigue, eye fatigue, and blood pain.

🏠 Sand Garden Seed — Found in your kitchen

Tu Si Zi

菟丝子 Cuscutae Semen

Nourishes both yin and yang, brightens the eyes, and stabilizes pregnancy; for general debility, blurred vision, and recurrent miscarriage.

🏠 Golden Chief Seed — Found in your kitchen

Yin Yang Huo

淫羊藿 Epimedii Folium

Strongly warms and tonifies Kidney Yang, well known for sexual weakness and cold painful joints.

🏠 Dancing Deer Herb — Found in your kitchen

Hu Lu Ba

胡芦巴 Trigonellae Semen

Warms the kidney and resolves cold-dampness; for cold abdominal colic, hernia, and cold edema.

🏠 Chinese Fenugreek Seed — Found in your kitchen

Ge Jie

蛤蚧 Gecko

Nourishes Lung Yin, stops chronic cough, asthma, and sexual weakness.

🏠 Gecko — Found in your kitchen

Dong Chong Xia Cao

冬虫夏草 Cordyceps

Nourishes both the Lung and the Kidney, stops bleeding, and strengthens the body after illness.

🏠 Cordyceps (Chinese caterpillar fungus) — Found in your kitchen

Jin Ying Zi

金樱子 Rosae Laevigatae Fructus

Astringes essence and reduces urination, binds the intestines to stop diarrhea, and stabilizes menstruation and leukorrhea. Used for seminal emission and spermatorrhea, enuresis and frequent urination, chronic diarrhea and dysentery, and uterine bleeding with leukorrhea.

🏠 Golden Dome Fruit — Found in your kitchen

Wu Zei Gu

乌贼骨 Sepiae Endoconcha

Astringes to stop bleeding, stops acidity, and heals ulcers (decoction); external powder for wounds.

🏠 Octopus bone — Found in your kitchen

Chang Shan

常山 Dichroae Radix

Historically used to stop malarial fever (the origin of a modern drug!).

🏠 Changshan Root — Found in your kitchen

Gua Di

瓜蒂 Melicis Pedicellus

Induces vomiting (traditionally) for early food poisoning.

🏠 Root Pumpkin — Found in your kitchen

Dan Fan

胆矾 Chalcanthitum

Induces vomiting (historically); clears the eyes and removes opacities (ancient external use).

🏠 Azurite (Blue Copper Stone) — Found in your kitchen

Liu Huang

硫黄 Sulfur

Kills lice and fungi (externally) and warms yang (only in rare ancient formulas).

🏠 Yellow Sulfur — Found in your kitchen

Ming Fan

明矾 Alumen

Astringent, antifungal, stops sweating/bleeding (external use and gargling).

🏠 White Alum — Found in your kitchen

Ban Mao

斑蝥 Mylabris

Irritates the skin (in ancient times applied externally for certain spots).

🏠 Red Cutter Beetle — Found in your kitchen

Ci Shi

磁石 Magnetitum

Calms and quiets the spirit, improves hearing and brightens the eyes (as per formula).

🏠 Magnetite — Found in your kitchen

Niu Bang Zi

牛蒡子 Arctii Fructus

Diffuses the lung and opens the throat, dissolves phlegm and vents rashes; for common cold, irritated throat, and rashes.

🏠 Chickpea Thorn Seed — Found in your kitchen

Chan Tui

蝉蜕 Cicadae Periostracum

Opens the throat, clears the eyes and stops childhood convulsions; for hoarseness, rash and eye allergy.

🏠 Pomegranate Peel — Found in your kitchen

Sang Ye

桑叶 Mori Folium

Disperses wind-heat, clears the eyes, and stops mild bleeding; for wind-heat common cold and red eyes.

🏠 White Tree Leaf — Found in your kitchen

Dao Ya

稻芽 Oryzae Fructus Germinatus

Promotes digestion and harmonizes the middle, gently strengthens the spleen and stomach; used for mild food stagnation and weak digestion.

🏠 Rice Sprout — Found in your kitchen

Zhu Ling Tang

猪苓汤 Polyporus Decoction

Formula for promoting diuresis and nourishing yin, for edema with thirst and heat.

🏠 Polyporus umbellatus — Found in your kitchen

Ze Qi

泽漆 Euphorbiae Helioscopiae Herba

Strongly promotes water metabolism and resolves phlegm and masses (as a pharmacy prescription).

🏠 Sun Milk — Found in your kitchen

Lou Gu

蝼蛄 Gryllotalpa

Strongly promotes water drainage (historically) for stubborn edema.

🏠 Earth Moth — Found in your kitchen

Shi Gao

石膏 Gypsum Fibrosum

Strongly clears stomach and lung fire; for profuse sweating, severe thirst, and a heavy chest.

🏠 Stroke Fever Gypsum — Found in your kitchen

Ya Zhi Cao

鸭跖草 Commelinae Herba

Clears heat, promotes urination, and resolves toxicity; for sore throat, red eyes, and mild edema.

🏠 Duck-bill herb — Found in your kitchen

Shui Niu Jiao

水牛角 Bubali Cornu

Cools the blood and resolves toxins; a substitute for the protected rhinoceros horn; for high fever and blood-heat skin eruptions.

🏠 Water Buffalo Horn — Found in your kitchen

Xuan Shen

玄参 Scrophulariae Radix

Cools the blood, resolves toxins, nourishes and moistens, for sores, neck masses, and dry cough.

🏠 Deep Black Root — Found in your kitchen

Mu Dan Pi

牡丹皮 Moutan Cortex

Cools the blood and moves it simultaneously, and lowers liver fire; for hot bleeding, blood masses, and high blood pressure.

🏠 Mountain Peony Bark — Found in your kitchen

Chi Shao

赤芍 Paeoniae Radix Rubra

Cools and invigorates blood, stops pain; for blood stasis, red eyes, and chest pain.

🏠 Red Peony — Found in your kitchen

Zi Cao

紫草 Arnebiae Radix

Cools the blood and resolves cutaneous toxins; for blood-heat rashes, burns, and wounds (as an external oil).

🏠 Purple Herb (Arnebia) — Found in your kitchen

Chong Lou

重楼 Paridis Rhizoma

Strongly resolves toxins and stops convulsions; for boils, snake bites, and pediatric convulsions.

🏠 Seven-Story Root — Found in your kitchen

Tu Fu Ling

土茯苓 Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma

Detoxifies and promotes fluid metabolism to drain dampness; historically used for syphilis, as well as skin psoriasis and damp painful joint obstruction.

🏠 Mountain Boxwood — Found in your kitchen

She Gan

射干 Belamcandae Rhizoma

Resolves phlegm in the throat and dissipates throat masses; for inflamed sore throat, hoarseness, and thick yellow phlegm.

🏠 Yellow Fan Root — Found in your kitchen

Shan Dou Gen

山豆根 Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix et Rhizoma

Strongly clears heat and resolves toxicity, benefits the throat and reduces swelling.

🏠 Mountain Bean Root — Found in your kitchen

Qing Dai

青黛 Indigo Naturalis

Clears heat and resolves toxin, resolves phlegm from the Lung, and stops mild bleeding; used for rashes, inflamed uvula, and coughing of blood.

🏠 Blue Nila Powder — Found in your kitchen

Ma Bo

马勃 Lasiosphaera

Dissolves throat phlegm and stops superficial bleeding (powder applied to the wound); for hoarseness and skin bleeding.

🏠 Baf leek — Found in your kitchen

Shou Wu Teng

首乌藤 Polygoni Multiflori Caulis

Nourishes blood, calms the spirit, and resolves stasis; for insomnia, skin itching, and dry, brittle hair.

🏠 Blackhead Vine — Found in your kitchen

Tian Zhu Huang

天竺黄 Bambusae Concretio Silicea

Resolves heart phlegm and stops childhood convulsions; for convulsions, restlessness, and phlegm-related seizures.

🏠 Tianzhu Huang (Tabasheer) — Found in your kitchen

Luo Bu Ma Ye

罗布麻叶 Apocyni Veneti Folium

Lowers blood pressure, calms the mind, and promotes urination; used for high blood pressure, dizziness, and insomnia.

🏠 Desert Flax Leaf — Found in your kitchen

Zhen Zhu

珍珠 Margarita

Calms the spirit and settles fright, brightens the eyes and removes corneal opacity, promotes tissue regeneration and astringes (when ground and used externally); for restlessness and insomnia, mouth ulcers, and blurred vision.

🏠 Medicinal Pearl — Found in your kitchen

Zong Lu Tan

棕榈炭 Trachycarpi Petiolus Carbonisatus

Stops bleeding of every kind (charred); for heavy menstruation and chronic bleeding.

🏠 Flat Palm Charcoal — Found in your kitchen

Xue Yu Tan

血余炭 Crinis Carbonisatus

Stops bleeding and promotes urination; for internal bleeding and weak urination (traditional).

🏠 Human Hair Charcoal — Found in your kitchen

Ce Bai Ye

侧柏叶 Platycladi Cacumen

Cools blood and stops bleeding, resolves toxin and treats skin and hair (externally as a shampoo); for bleeding, itching, and mild alopecia.

🏠 Sharp Cypress Tree — Found in your kitchen

Ji Cai

荠菜 Capsellae Herba

Stops bleeding, promotes urination, and resolves dampness; for hematuria and mild edema; can be eaten as a vegetable.

🏠 Wild Shepherd's Purse — Found in your kitchen

Gan Sui

甘遂 Kansui Radix

Strongly drives out water and purges fluids, expels phlegm and removes retained fluids (used by prescription).

🏠 Sweet Desire Root — Found in your kitchen

Jing Da Ji

京大戟 Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix

Expels water and dissolves masses (as a pharmacy formula).

🏠 Great Root — Found in your kitchen

Yuan Hua

芫花 Daphnes Genkwa Flos

Drains water and expels phlegm (by pharmacy prescription).

🏠 Water of Mercy Flower — Found in your kitchen

Hai Tong Pi

海桐皮 Erythrinae Cortex

Dispels cold and dampness and relaxes muscles and sinews; used for damp painful joint impediment and spasms.

🏠 Sea Tree Bark — Found in your kitchen

Hai Feng Teng

海风藤 Piperis Kadsurae Caulis

Dispels wind and dampness and invigorates blood; for migratory joint pain and bruises.

🏠 Sea Breeze Vine — Found in your kitchen

Qing Feng Teng

青风藤 Sinomenii Caulis

Dispels wind and dampness, promotes urination; for joint pain and edema; studied (sinomenine).

🏠 Green Wind Vine — Found in your kitchen

Chou Wu Tong

臭梧桐 Clerodendri Trichotomi Folium

Lowers blood pressure, dispels wind and removes dampness; used for hypertension, dizziness, and joint pain.

🏠 Stinking Bangia Leaves — Found in your kitchen

Lv E Mei

绿萼梅 Prunelli Mume Flos Viridicalycinus

Soothes the liver and regulates the stomach, opens the voice; for chest tightness, hoarseness, and mild abdominal cramps.

🏠 Green Plum Blossoms — Found in your kitchen

Suo Luo Zi

娑罗子 Aesculi Semen

Soothes the liver, harmonizes the stomach, and relieves spasms; used for abdominal distension and nervous colic.

🏠 Seed of the Happy Tree — Found in your kitchen

Xie Bai

薤白 Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus

Opens the chest and directs qi downward; used for chest impediment with qi stagnation, heart pain from stagnation, and stomach pain.

🏠 Tender Silence Onion — Found in your kitchen

Dao Dou

刀豆 Canavaliae Semen

Descends qi, stops vomiting, and warms the kidney, for cold vomiting and lower back pain.

🏠 Farmer's Sword Seed — Found in your kitchen

Shi Di

柿蒂 Kaki Calyx

Descends qi and stops hiccups and vomiting; the most famous herb for stubborn hiccups.

🏠 Persimmon Calyx — Found in your kitchen

Jiu Xiang Chu

九香虫 Aspongopus

Warms yang and stops abdominal pain; for cold hernia and mild sexual weakness.

🏠 Perfumed Insect — Found in your kitchen

Da Fu Pi

大腹皮 Arecae Pericarpium

Descends qi and promotes water movement, for mild abdominal distention and edema.

🏠 Areca nut fruit peel — Found in your kitchen

Gan Song

甘松 Nardostachyos Radix et Rhizoma

Soothes the liver and harmonizes the stomach, stops colic; for nervous colic and nausea; a well-known aromatic herb.

🏠 Chinese Valerian — Found in your kitchen

Ba Yue Zha

八月札 Akebiae Fructus

Soothes the liver, regulates qi, and dissolves masses; used for chest tightness and mild breast nodules.

🏠 August Split Fruit — Found in your kitchen

Ju Hong

橘红 Citri Exocarpium Rubrum

Dissolves sharp phlegm and directs qi downward; stronger than aged tangerine peel for phlegm; for phlegmy cough and distention.

🏠 Spicy Red Bark — Found in your kitchen

Hua Ju Hong

化橘红 Citri Grandis Exocarpium

Dissolves old phlegm and directs qi downward; for thick, chronic phlegm; "the most famous phlegm-transforming herb of Guangxi."

🏠 Fossilized Ghazi Bark — Found in your kitchen

Yang Jin Hua

洋金花 Daturae Flos

Relieves asthma and severe cough, and stops pain (by prescription).

🏠 Mandrake Flower — Found in your kitchen

Bai Qu Cai

白屈菜 Chelidonii Herba

Stops cough and relieves pain (at targeted dosage), for chronic cough and abdominal pain.

🏠 Baba al-Azmah Herb — Found in your kitchen

Zi Wan

紫菀 Asteris Radix et Rhizoma

Moistens the lung, transforms phlegm, and stops cough; used for chronic cough and blood-streaked phlegm.

🏠 Violet Star Root — Found in your kitchen

Ma Dou Ling

马兜铃 Aristolochiae Fructus

Clears the lung, directs qi downward, and stops asthma (historical).

🏠 Fish Belly Fruit — Found in your kitchen

Qing Ban Xia

清半夏 Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum Cum Alumine

Processed with alum: for obstinate phlegm; milder in emetic action than ginger-processed Pinellia.

🏠 Processed Pinellia — Found in your kitchen

Fa Ban Xia

法半夏 Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum Cum Licorice et Calce

Lime-processed: for damp and dark phlegm; the most balanced.

🏠 Processed Pinellia — Found in your kitchen

Deng Zhan Xin Xin

灯盏细辛 Erigerontis Herba

Invigorates cerebral blood and stops pain, for stroke sequelae and chest pain; studied.

🏠 Virgin's Lamp Herb — Found in your kitchen

Hai Zao

海藻 Sargassum

Dissolves phlegm and softens hardness, promotes water metabolism; for thyroid goiter and edema; rich in iodine.

🏠 Black Seaweed — Found in your kitchen

Kun Bu

昆布 Laminariae Thallus

Dissolves phlegm and softens hardness (due to iodine), for thyroid nodules and edema.

🏠 Sea Dog — Found in your kitchen

Ci Gu

慈姑 Sagittariae Rhizoma

Dissolves masses and detoxifies, for blood clots and sores (external use).

🏠 Water Arrow Onion — Found in your kitchen

Yue Ji Hua

月季花 Rosae Chinensis Flos

Invigorates blood, regulates menstruation, and gently resolves masses; for late menstruation and mild cramps.

🏠 Monthly Rose — Found in your kitchen

Qian Nian Jian

千年健 Homalomenae Rhizoma

Dispels wind and dampness and strengthens bones and joints; used for chronic joint pain in the elderly; its name means 'a thousand years of health.'

Lu Xian Cao

鹿衔草 Pyrolae Herba

Strengthens bones and tendons, stops bleeding, and promotes urination; used for weakness of the lower back, mild uterine bleeding, and edema.

Shi Nan Ye

石楠叶 Photiniae Folium

Dispels cold-dampness and tonifies kidney yang; for joint pain and mild sexual impotence.

Chuan Shan Long

穿山龙 Dioscoreae Nipponicae Rhizoma

Dispels cold and dampness, transforms phlegm, and dilates blood vessels; used for rheumatism and angina pectoris; a basis for modern drugs.

Si Gua Luo

丝瓜络 Luffae Fructus Retinervus

Spreads the liver and directs qi downward, promotes water metabolism; for joint pain, chest tightness, swelling, and blocked lactation.

You Song Jie

油松节 Pini Lignum Nodi

Dispels wind and dampness and stops pain, for chronic rheumatic arthralgia; mildly aromatic.

Ding Gong Teng

丁公藤 Erycibes Caulis

Very strong for dispelling cold-dampness and relieving joint pain (by prescription only); the 'weapon against rheumatism.'

Xue Shang Yi Zhi Hao

雪上一枝蒿 Aconiti Brachypodi Radix

Very strong analgesic for neural and joint pain (mostly external use).

Lu Lu Tong

路路通 Liquidambaris Fructus

Unblocks the entire network, promotes water metabolism, and promotes lactation; used for blocked breast milk, joint pain, and edema; 'opens all pathways.'

Shen Jin Cao

伸筋草 Lycopodii Herba

Dispels cold and dampness, relaxes muscles and tendons, for joint stiffness and muscle spasms; athletes' tea.

Zi Ran Tong

自然铜 Pyritum

Dissolves blood stasis, strengthens fractured bones; the most renowned medicine for fractures; "a mineral that mends bones."

Liu Ji Nu

刘寄奴 Artemisiae Anomalae Herba

Activates blood and stops bleeding, dissolves masses; for traumatic injuries and postpartum uterine bleeding.

Su Mu

苏木 Sappan Lignum

Invigorates blood, dissolves masses, and stops pain; for traumatic injuries, delayed menstruation, and postpartum pain.

Er Cha

儿茶 Catechu

Stops bleeding, dries dampness, and heals mouth ulcers and wounds; used for mouth sores, chronic diarrhea, and wounds; food preservative.

Jiang Xiang

降香 Dalbergiae Odoriferae Lignum

Moves blood and stops bleeding, directs qi downward and stops pain; for bruises, internal bleeding, and chest tightness.

Hua Rui Shi

花蕊石 Ophicalcitum

Stops bleeding and dissolves masses; for stubborn internal bleeding with blood clots.

San Qi Ye

三七叶 Notoginseng Folium

Stops bleeding and dissolves masses (milder than the root), for external bleeding and wounds.

Zi Zhu Ye

紫珠叶 Callicarpae Formosanae Folium

Strongly stops external bleeding (ground powder applied to the wound); for bleeding gums and skin ulcers.

Ji Guan Hua

鸡冠花 Celosiae Cristatae Flos

Stops uterine bleeding, stops vaginal discharge, and stops diarrhea; used for heavy menstruation and white vaginal discharge.

Zhu Li

竹沥 Bambusae Succus

Dissolves hot-phlegm and clears it; the most renowned treatment for phlegm-stroke and seizures with thick phlegm.

Meng Shi

礞石 Micae Lapis Aureus

Dissolves and descends stubborn, old phlegm; for phlegm epilepsy, phlegm mania, and phlegm nodes; 'stone that breaks phlegm'.

Hai Ge Ke

海蛤壳 Meretricis Concha

Dissolves hot phlegm, directs fire downward, and softens hardness to dissipate masses (when ground into powder); used for cough with hot phlegm and thyroid nodules/masses.

Hai Fu Shi

海浮石 Pumex

Clears heat and dissolves phlegm, moves water; for difficult cough with thick phlegm and urinary stones; "floating stone".

Bai Qian

礞石滚痰丸对照—白前 Cynanchi Stauntonii Rhizoma et Radix

Descends phlegm and stops cough regardless of cold or heat; the "impartial divider" for cough.

He Huan Hua

合欢花 Albiziae Flos

Milder than the bark: calms the spirit and resolves stagnation; for mild anxiety, insomnia, and emotional constraint; used as a calming tea.

Hu Po

琥珀 Succinum

Calms the spirit and stops spasms, promotes water metabolism and dissolves masses; for insomnia, tremors, urinary stones, and edema.

Zi Shi Ying

紫石英 Fluoritum

Calms and stops spasms, warms the uterus; for insomnia, anxiety, and cold uterus; "purple quartz."

An Xi Xiang

安息香 Benzoinum

Opens the orifices and moves blood, for loss of consciousness and chest tightness; 'benzoin'.

Ji Shi Teng

鸡矢藤 Paederiae Scandentis Herba

Promotes digestion, resolves phlegm, relieves pain, and heals wounds; used for abdominal bloating, indigestion, cough, and wounds; a versatile herb.

A Wei

阿魏 Ferulae Resina

Promotes digestion and dissolves masses, stops spasms; for abdominal bloating, indigestion, and abdominal masses; has a strong, peculiar aromatic odor.

Guan Zhong

贯众 Dryopteridis Crassirhizomatis Rhizoma

Expels parasites, stops bleeding, and clears toxins (immune-supporting); for parasites, bleeding, and colds.

Tu Bie Chong

土鳖虫 Eupolyphaga Steleophaga

Invigorates blood, heals fractures and resolves masses; for fractures, traumatic injuries, and liver masses; the 'fracture insect'.

Hu Jiao

胡椒 Piperis Fructus

Warms the middle and disperses cold, directs qi downward and resolves phlegm; for cold abdominal pain, vomiting, and cold diarrhea; used as both food and medicine.

Bi Cheng Qie

荜澄茄 Litseae Fructus

Warms the middle and disperses cold, promotes digestion, and promotes urination. For cold-induced abdominal distension, urinary retention, and mild stones.

Hong Dou Kou

红豆蔻 Galangae Fructus

Warms the middle and disperses cold, moves qi and transforms dampness, stops vomiting; for cold-damp abdominal distension and cold vomiting; the flower of red galangal may also be used.

La Jiao

辣椒 Capsici Fructus

Warms and stops pain (externally as a nerve sedative) and disperses, for muscle stiffness and external rheumatic pain.

Mu Ding Xiang

母丁香 Caryophylli Fructus

Lighter and milder than clove: warms and directs qi downward, for mild cold-type abdominal distension and vomiting.

Ba Jiao Hui Xiang

八角茴香 Anisi Stellati Fructus

Warms and descends qi, aids digestion; for bloating and colic; sweet fennel material (tea and culinary).

Zao Xin Tu

灶心土 Terra Flava Usta

Stops vomiting and bleeding, warms the middle; for vomiting during pregnancy and cold stomach bleeding; 'old stove earth'.

Shan Nai

山奈 Kaempferiae Rhizoma

Warms the middle and disperses cold, promotes digestion and relieves pain; for abdominal distention and indigestion; 'camphor herb' is used as a culinary spice.

Fan Xie Ye

番泻叶 Sennae Folium

Strongly lubricates the intestines and relieves constipation; the world's most famous purgative; still used today before colonoscopy.

Bi Ma Zi

蓖麻子 Ricini Semen

Lubricates the intestines (castor oil!) and externally dissolves masses; traditionally used for facial paralysis.

Qian Niu Zi

牵牛子 Pharbitidis Semen

Strongly purges water and disinhibits, relaxes the bowels; for edema and distention, difficult urination and defecation, phlegm-fluid retention, qi counterflow with wheezing and cough, and parasitic accumulation with abdominal pain; 'Trumpet Vine Seed'.

Nuo Dao Gen

糯稻根 Oryzae Glutinosae Radix

Stops sweating and clears deficiency heat, for deficiency sweating after a fever; 'glutinous rice roots'.

He Geng

荷梗 Nelumbinis Petiolus

Descends qi, opens the chest, and promotes water movement; for summer distention and chest tightness.

Lv Dou

绿豆 Vignae Radiatae Semen

Clears heat and resolves toxicity, promotes water metabolism; for summerheat, mild poisoning, and heat rash; 'mung bean soup'.

Xi Gua Cui Yi

西瓜翠衣 Citrulli Exocarpium

Clears heat and relieves summerheat, promotes diuresis, for summerheat heat with thirst and summer edema; "watermelon green rind."

Fan Bai Cao

翻白草 Potentillae Discoloris Herba

Clears heat and resolves toxicity, stops bleeding, and stops excessive thirst (studied); used for heat, bleeding, and mild diabetes.

E Bu Shi Cao

鹅不食草 Centipedae Herba

Disperses the lung, resolves phlegm, and opens the nasal passages; the most famous herb for nasal congestion and chronic sinusitis (nasal drops).

Hu Sui

胡荽 Coriandri Herba

Promotes eruption of measles rash, aids digestion, and stimulates appetite; used to promote the eruption of measles rash and increase appetite.

Cheng Liu

柽柳 Tamaricis Cacumen

Releases the exterior and promotes eruption of measles, promotes urination; for measles not erupting and skin itching (external use).

Sheng Jiang Pi

生姜皮 Zingiberis Rhizomatis Cortex

Promotes water metabolism and resolves superficial edema, for mild skin edema; 'Sheng Jiang Pi' for edema.

Ku Shen

苦参 Sophorae Flavescentis Radix

Clears heat and dries dampness, kills parasites and promotes urination; for eczema, itching, heat sores, and painful urination; the "king of anti-itch."

Bai Xian Pi

白鲜皮 Dictamni Cortex

Clears heat, dries dampness, and resolves skin toxins; for eczema, itching, and damp-heat skin diseases; the 'skin of the skin.'

Ma Chi Xian

马齿苋 Portulacae Herba

Clears heat and resolves toxin, stops bloody diarrhea and stops bleeding; for summer diarrhea, bleeding, and wounds; a 'kitchen herb-medicine.'

Ya Dan Zi

鸦胆子 Bruceae Fructus

Resolves toxins and stops dysenteric diarrhea, resolves warts (topically); for amoebic dysentery and warts.

Di Gu Pi

地骨皮 Lycii Cortex

Clears deficiency heat, stops night sweats, and stops deficiency cough; used for fever with night sweats and deficiency heat in children.

Yin Chai Hu

银柴胡 Stellariae Radix

Clears deficiency heat, stops night sweats and tonifies; used for chronic deficiency fever and pediatric gan fever; 'Silver Bupleurum'.

Hu Huang Lian

胡黄连 Picrorhizae Rhizoma

Clears deficiency heat, dries dampness, resolves masses, and stops childhood nutritional fever; for deficiency fever, greasy oily stools, and chronic diarrhea.

Quan Shen

拳参 Bistortae Rhizoma

Resolves toxins, stops bleeding, and stops spasms; used for dysentery, cough, and febrile convulsions.

Si Ji Qing

四季青 Ilicis Chinensis Folium

Clears heat and resolves toxin, dries dampness and stops bleeding; for burns and scalds (excellent topically), skin ulcers, and bleeding.

Ban Bian Lian

半边莲 Lobeliae Chinensis Herba

Resolves toxins, promotes water metabolism, and disperses masses; used for snake bites (notably topically), edema, and tumors.

Bai Hua She She Cao

白花蛇舌草 Hedyotidis Diffusae Herba

Clears heat and resolves toxin, dissolves masses and reduces swelling, promotes diuresis; used for tumors (modern research), inflammation, and heat sores; the 'herb for tumors.'

He Shou Wu

何首乌 Polygoni Multiflori Radix

Nourishes blood, strengthens essence, and beautifies hair (prepared form); used for premature graying, pallor, and dizziness.

E Jiao

阿胶 Asini Corii Colla

Nourishes blood, stops bleeding, and moistens the lung; for blood deficiency, uterine bleeding, and chronic dry cough; the precious 'king of blood'.

Long Yan Rou

龙眼肉 Longan Arillus

Nourishes blood, calms the heart and strengthens the spleen; for anemia, insomnia, palpitations and mental fatigue; the 'fruit of the heart'.

Sang Shen

桑葚 Mori Fructus

Nourishes blood and moistens the intestines, beautifies the hair; for premature graying, thirst, and constipation in the elderly.

Chu Shi Zi

楮实子 Broussonetiae Fructus

Nourishes the kidney, clears the eyes, and promotes water metabolism; used for dizziness, blurred vision, and mild edema.

He Tao Ren

核桃仁 Juglandis Semen

Tonifies the kidney, warms the lung, and moistens the intestines; for cold cough, constipation, and weakness of the lower back; traditionally the 'marrow of the kidney'.

Bi Xie

萆薢 Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Rhizoma

Separates cold-dampness and promotes urination; for rheumatism of the lower body and white turbid urine.

Chi Xiao Dou

赤小豆 Vignae Semen

Promotes water metabolism and reduces edema, resolves toxicity and stops bleeding; used for edema, wounds, and bleeding; "spring bean".

Zao Jia

皂荚 Gleditsiae Sinensis Fructus

Dissolves closed phlegm and opens the orifices (strong); for phlegm-closure coma and acute orifice obstruction; 'natural soap'.

Xuan Fu Hua

旋覆花 Inulae Flos

Dissolves phlegm, directs qi downward, stops vomiting and belching; for phlegm-related belching and vomiting; the 'flower that directs qi downward'.

Xuan Cao

萱草 Hemerocallis Radix

Calms the spirit, clears fire, and promotes water metabolism; for anxiety, insomnia, and qi-stagnation chest pain; 'forget-sorrow flower.'

Wang Bu Liu Xing

王不留行 Vaccariae Semen

Invigorates blood, promotes lactation, and promotes urination; for blocked lactation, delayed menstruation, and breast masses; 'the king does not stay'.

Ling Xiao Hua

凌霄花 Campsis Flos

Invigorates blood, dissolves masses, and cools blood; for heavy menstruation, masses, and skin itching (external use).

Ji Xing Zi

急性子 Impatientis Semen

Invigorates blood, dissolves masses, and softens hardness; used for abdominal masses and accumulations, blocked lactation, and joint immobility; "impatiens seed".

Gan Qi

干漆 Toxicodendri Resina

Invigorates blood and dissolves strong masses; for stubborn abdominal masses and parasites (as a parasiticide).

Shui Hong Hua Zi

水红花子 Polygoni Orientalis Fructus

Activates blood and dissolves masses, promotes water metabolism, for abdominal masses, edema, and swelling.

Gui Jian Yu

鬼箭羽 Euonymi Ramulus

Invigorates blood, dissolves masses, and resolves toxins; for abdominal masses, late menstruation, and tumors (studied).

Hong Qu

红曲 Monascus

Invigorates blood and dissolves masses, strengthens digestion and lowers lipids (studied - monacolin), for bloating and blood lipids.

Ju He

橘核 Citri Reticulatae Semen

Dissolves masses and stops pain; used for hernias, suppurative masses, and testicular pain.

Li Zhi He

荔枝核 Litchi Semen

Invigorates blood, dissolves masses, and stops pain; used for hernia pain, painful menstruation, and abdominal masses.

Ju Luo

橘络 Citri Reticulatae Retinervus

Unblocks the collaterals, invigorates blood, and dissolves phlegm; for chest tightness, joint pain, and phlegm; “fruit collaterals.”

Shen Qu

山楂核/叶代—神曲 Massa Medicata Fermentata

Promotes digestion and strengthens the spleen; the most well-known digestive fermentative medicine for all types of food (meat/grains/vegetables).

He Shi

鹤虱 Carpesii Fructus

Kills intestinal parasites, for pinworms and roundworms; 'Birds' seeds'.

Fei Zi

榧子 Torreyae Semen

Kills parasites (gentle!), moistens the intestines, and clears the lungs; for parasites, constipation, and cough; a 'delicious medicinal seed'.

Qian Dan

铅丹 Plumbi Rubrum

Kills parasites and stops secretions (externally as a compress and ointment), for ulcers and wounds.

Si Gua Teng

丝瓜藤 Luffae Caulis

Expels wind and unblocks collaterals, stops nasal congestion (external use); for chronic nasal congestion and joint pain.

Si Gua Ye

丝瓜叶 Luffae Folium

Clears toxins and promotes tissue regeneration (external use); for minor wounds, burns, and sores.

Nan Gua Di

南瓜蒂 Cucurbitae Moschatae Calyx

Stops vomiting in pregnancy (traditionally) and relieves pain; for vomiting in pregnancy and ulcers (external use).

Xi Gua Shuang

西瓜霜 Citrulli Praeparatum

Clears heat and heals sores, externally treats mouth ulcers and sore throat (a well-known external powder), for mouth ulcers and pharyngitis.

Shi Shuang

柿霜 Kaki Pseudopulpa

Moistens the lung and stops cough, heals mouth ulcers; for dry cough, thirst, and mouth ulcers in children.

Tian Xing Ren

杏霜/甜杏仁 Armeniacae Amarum Semen

Moistens the lungs and stops cough (milder than the bitter variety); for mild dry cough and thirst.

Yan Mai

燕麦 Avenae Semen

Nourishes and strengthens the spleen and stomach, lowers lipids (beta-glucan studied), for weakness, poor digestion, and elevated blood lipids.

Hei Dou

黑豆 Sojae Semen Nigrum

Tonifies the kidney, promotes water metabolism, and resolves toxins; for edema, back pain, and mild poisoning.

Can Sha

蚕沙 Bombycis Faeces

Dissolves cold and dampness, promotes water movement and transforms phlegm; for rheumatism, edema, and colic; 'the noble dung'.

Lu Jiao Jiao

鹿角胶 Cervi Cornus Colla

Nourishes blood, strengthens yang, and stops bleeding; for anemia, weakness of the lower back, and cold bleeding.

Lu Jiao Shuang

鹿角霜 Cervi Cornus Degelatinatum

Gently warms and tonifies yang and dries dampness; for mild yang deficiency and chronic diarrhea; a milder version of deer horn.

Hai Gou Shen

海狗肾 Callorhini Testis et Penis

Strongly strengthens sexual yang; for impotence and cold uterus.

Huang Gou Shen

黄狗肾 Canis Testis et Penis

Strengthens yang, for sexual debility and coldness of the lower back.

Jiu Cai Zi

韭菜子 Allii Tuberosi Semen

Warms and tonifies kidney yang, stabilizes essence and stops discharge; used for impotence, spermatorrhea, frequent urination, and cold hernia abdominal pain.

Yang Qi Shi

阳起石 Actinolitum

Strengthens sexual yang, for impotence and cold uterus; "yang stone".

Hai Ma

海马 Hippocampus

Warms and reinforces yang, regulates blood and dissipates masses; for sexual weakness, masses, and painful menstruation.

Zi He Che

紫河车 Hominis Placenta

Tonifies essence, nourishes blood and strengthens the lung; for general deficiency, weakened immunity and oliguria.

Xian Mao

仙茅 Curculiginis Rhizoma

Warms and tonifies yang, warms the spleen, and dispels cold from the uterus; for sexual debility, cold abdomen, and incontinence.

He Tao Ge

核桃隔 Juglandis Pericarpium

Disperses, calms, and stops cough, for mild anxiety and cough; 'inner septum'.

Guang Huo Xiang

广藿香 Pogostemonis Herba

Dries dampness, directs qi downward, and stops vomiting; used for summer-damp vomiting, distention, and dampness in the stomach and intestines; the 'king of dampness'.

Hou Po Hua

厚朴花 Magnoliae Officinalis Flos

Dries dampness and gently directs qi downward, for mild distention and chest tightness.

Sha Ren Ke

砂仁壳 Amomi Fructus Pericarpium

Dries dampness and gently downbears qi, for mild distention and vomiting; 'Amomum shell'.

Bai Dou Kou Ke

白豆蔻壳 Amomi Fructus Rotundus Pericarpium

Dries dampness and gently directs qi downward, for mild abdominal distension and vomiting.

Bing Lang Hua

槟榔花 Arecae Inflorescentia

Descends qi and gently dries dampness, for mild distension and vomiting.

Dong Gua Teng

冬瓜藤(特色) Benincasae Caulis

Dries dampness and directs qi downward; used for mild rheumatism and blocked breast milk.

Da Qing Ye

大青叶 Isatidis Folium

Clears heat and resolves toxicity, cools the blood; used for viral fever, jaundice, and throat ulcers; "the large leaf".

Wei Ling Cai

委陵菜 Potentillae Chinensis Herba

Clears toxins, stops bloody diarrhea and stops bleeding; used for dysentery, bleeding, and wounds.

Di Jin Cao

地锦草 Euphorbiae Humifusae Herba

Stops bleeding, resolves toxins, and dries dampness; for bleeding, bloody diarrhea, and wounds; 'small bleeding herb'.

Huai Jiao

槐角 Sophorae Fructus

Stops bleeding, clears fire, and cools blood; for hemorrhoidal bleeding, red eyes, and hypertension (studied).

Feng Fang

蜂房 Vespae Nidus

Kills parasites, resolves toxicity, and strengthens; used for dental abscess, skin itching, and immune-related conditions.

She Tui

蛇蜕 Serpentis Periostracum

Removes toxicity, disperses wind, and clears the eyes; for sores, itching, and blurred vision (mostly external use).

Hei Da Dou

黑大豆 Sojae Semen Nigrum

Detoxifies, promotes diuresis, and clears heat; used for mild poisoning, edema, and pleural effusion (its sprouts are used as medicine).

Ge Hua

葛花 Puerariae Flos

Clears wine toxicity, resolves alcohol, harmonizes the stomach, and quenches thirst; traditionally used as an antidote to alcohol for hangover and thirst.

Zhi Ju Zi

枳椇子 Hoveniae Semen

Relieves alcohol toxicity, promotes urination, and directs qi downward; used for hangover, thirst, and edema; the 'sobering agent.'

Qiao Mai

荞麦 Fagopyri Esculenti Semen

Aids digestion, lowers qi, and clears heat; for abdominal distension, diarrhea, and hypertension (routine-studied).

Gao Liang Mi

高粱米 Sorghi Semen

Strengthens the spleen, dries dampness, and stops diarrhea; for chronic diarrhea and cold distension.

Can Jian

蚕茧 Bombycis Nidus

Stops urination and dries dampness; for frequent urination in children and mild diabetes (traditional use).

Yuan Can E

原蚕蛾 Bombycis Masculus

Strengthens yang and secures essence, for impotence and spermatorrhea; the 'barren moth'.

Wa Leng Zi

瓦楞子 Arcae Concha

Dissolves masses, promotes water metabolism, and neutralizes acidity; for masses and hyperacidity (taken as powder).

Wen Ge

文蛤 Meretricis Concha

Dissolves masses, promotes water circulation, and neutralizes acidity. Used for masses, acidity, and edema (taken as powder).

Jiu Li Xiang

九里香 Murrayae Folium et Cacumen

Promotes qi flow, dries dampness, stops pain, and dissipates masses; used for joint pain, colic, and wounds (external use).

Zhu Ye

竹叶 Bambusae Folium

Clears and cools the Heart, relieves restlessness, and promotes urination; used for Heart fire, mouth sores, and painful difficult urination.

Feng Xiang Zhi

枫香脂 Liquidambaris Resina

Activates blood and dissolves masses, stops bleeding and relieves pain; for trauma, bleeding, and ulcers (external use).

Ku Ding Cha

苦丁茶 Ilicis Latifoliae Folium

Clears fire, lowers lipids and blood pressure (studied); used for high blood pressure, high blood lipids, and red eyes; a 'health tea.'

Dai Dai Hua

代代花 Aurantii Amarae Flos

Soothes the liver, directs qi downward, and transforms phlegm; for chest oppression, distention, and phlegm; «Dai Dai Hua».

Zi Su Ye

紫苏叶 Perillae Folium

Releases the exterior and disperses cold, directs qi downward and transforms phlegm, neutralizes fish and crab toxins; for wind-cold nasal congestion and vomiting from fish or seafood poisoning; "sushi leaf."

Feng Wang Jiang

蜂王浆 Apis Melliferae Lac Regis

Nourishes and strengthens, regulates immunity (studied); for deficiency fatigue, insomnia, and weak digestion; 'royal jelly'.

Jiang Ban Xia

姜半夏 Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum cum Zingibere

Dissolves phlegm and stops vomiting (the strongest antiemetic among processed Pinelliae Rhizoma), for phlegm-type vomiting and morning vomiting.

Shu Da Huang

熟大黄 Rhei Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata

Invigorates blood and gently relaxes the bowels (milder than raw rhubarb); for blood stasis masses and constipation in adults.

Jiu Da Huang

酒大黄 Rhei Radix et Rhizoma cum Vino

Activates Blood and directs it upward (wine-processed), for headache and eye pain due to Blood stasis.

Jiao San Xian

焦三仙(组合) Hordei Fructus Germinatus Praeparatus et Crataegi Fructus Praeparatus et Massa Medicata Fermentata

Digests all types: charred medicated leaven + charred barley sprout + charred hawthorn; the "Digestive Triad."

Jiao Mai Ya

焦麦芽(单) Hordei Fructus Germinatus Praeparatus

Digests food and stops secretions (traditionally used to stop lactation); for food accumulation, bloating, and milk blockage.

Shan Ci Gu

山慈菇 Cremastrae Pseudobulbus

Dissolves masses and resolves toxins, for masses, tumors (colchicine content studied!), and sores.

Ping Bei Mu

平贝母 Fritillariae Ussuriensis Bulbus

Dissolves phlegm and moistens (lighter and cheaper than its counterparts), for mild phlegm and dry cough.

Mu Hu Die

木蝴蝶 Oroxyli Semen

Clears the lungs and opens the voice, soothes the liver; for hoarseness, throat ulcers, and chest tightness; 'the voice butterfly'.

Qing Guo

青果 Canarii Fructus

Clears heat and resolves toxin, generates fluids and opens the voice; for throat sores, hoarseness, and thirst; the 'olive of the throat.'

Bai Jiang Cao

败酱草 Patriniae Herba

Clears heat and resolves toxin, reduces abscess and drains pus, invigorates blood; for appendiceal abscess, sores, and abdominal masses (studied).

Chuan Xin Lian

穿心莲 Andrographis Herba

Clears heat, detoxifies, and dries dampness; for inflammation of the throat, lungs, and intestines (internationally studied!); the 'plant antibiotic'.

Ban Zhi Lian

半枝莲 Scutellariae Barbatae Herba

Clears heat and resolves toxin, dissolves masses and dissipates nodules, promotes water metabolism; used for tumors (investigational), inflammation, and edema; the 'second anti-tumor herb.'

Bai Ying

白英 Solani Lyrati Herba

Resolves toxins, promotes water metabolism, and dissipates masses; traditionally used for tumors, inflammation, and stones; 'white nightshade herb.'

Teng Li Gen

藤梨根 Actinidiae Chinensis Radix

Detoxifies and dissolves masses, promotes water metabolism; traditionally used for digestive tract tumors, stones, and masses.

Tian Kui Zi

天葵子 Semiaquilegiae Radix

Detoxifies and dissolves masses, clears heat; for breast nodules, thyroid goiter, and sores; 'Seed of Heaven'.

Shi Shang Bai

石上柏 Selaginellae Doederleinii Herba

Detoxifies and dissolves masses, dries dampness; used for tumors (studied), inflammation, and wounds; "tumor fern".

Zhong Jie Feng

肿节风 Sarcandrae Glabrae Herba

Detoxifies and dissolves masses, dries dampness and stops pain; for tumors, inflammation and bone masses (studied).

Mu Tou Hui

墓头回 Patriniae Heterophyllae Radix

Detoxifies, stops uterine bleeding, and dissolves masses; for uterine bleeding, vaginal discharge, and masses; the decisive 'women's herb.'

Bai Fu Zi

白附子 Typhonii Gigantei Rhizoma

Transforms phlegm, stops spasms, and disperses wind; used for facial paralysis, convulsions, and headache (when processed).

Bai Qian

白前 Cynanchi Stauntonii Rhizoma et Radix

Descends qi and transforms phlegm, stops coughing; used for cough with profuse phlegm and shortness of breath.

Qian Hu

前胡 Peucedani Radix

Descends phlegm, diffuses and clears, for heat-type cough and shortness of breath.

Huang Yao Zi

黄药子 Dioscoreae Bulbiferae Rhizoma

Dissolves masses and resolves stagnation; for goiter (thyroid nodules) and cough.

Ai Di Cha

矮地茶 Ardisiae Japonicae Herba

Stops cough, promotes diuresis, and dissolves masses; for chronic cough and edema.

Ting Li Zi

葶苈子 Descurainiae Semen

Strongly descends phlegm and moves water, for lung edema, acute asthma, and abdominal edema.

Ma Qian Zi

马钱子 Strychni Semen

Relieves pain, activates collaterals, and reduces swelling; for paralysis, rheumatism, and bruises.

Meng Chong

虻虫 Tabanus

Strongly breaks blood stasis and expels blood stasis, for stubborn blood stasis and masses.

Xie Cao

缬草 Valerianae Rhizoma et Radix

Calms and soothes the spirit, relieves pain; for insomnia, anxiety, and colic (internationally studied).

Sheng Tie Luo

生铁落 Ferri Frusta

Calms the liver and descends fire, used for mania and epilepsy.

Ji Li

蒺藜 Tribuli Fructus

Calms and spreads the liver, stops itching; for dizziness, eye disorders, and itching (studied for athletic fitness).

Chun Pi

椿皮 Ailanthi Cortex

Stops bleeding and discharges and dries dampness; for chronic diarrhea, bleeding, and discharges.

Yin Er

银耳 Tremellae Fuciformis

Nourishes and moistens yin, for dryness with thirst and dry skin.

Yan Wo

燕窝 Collocaliae Nidus

Moistens and nourishes yin and tonifies, for dry lungs, cough, and dry skin.

Gui Jia

龟甲 Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum

Nourishes yin and stabilizes the bones; for yin deficiency with dry mouth, nighttime thirst, and osteoporosis.

Bie Jia

鳖甲 Trionycis Carapax

Nourishes Yin, softens masses, clears deficiency heat; for evening fever and liver masses.

Yu Biao Jiao

鱼鳔胶 Ichthyocolla

Nourishes yin and stops bleeding, for dryness and bleeding (traditional use).

Hei Mu Er

黑木耳 Auriculariae Auriculae

Stops bleeding and invigorates blood (taken as powder/studied); for bleeding and thick blood stasis.

He Cao Ya

鹤草芽 Agrimoniae Gemma

Kills tapeworms (pulverized powder is effective!), for tapeworm disease.

Lei Wan

雷丸 Omphalia

Kills parasites, for all types of worms.

Wu Yi

芜荑 Ulmi Macrocarpae Fructus

Kills parasites and dries dampness; used for worms and diarrhea.

Zhang Nao

樟脑 Camphora

Opens the orifices, dries dampness, and stops itching; for mild fainting, itching, and sores (mostly external use).

Tu Jing Pi

土荆皮 Pseudolaricis Cortex

Kills fungi (strong inhibition), for foot and nail fungus (external use).

Song Hua Fen

松花粉 Pini Pollen

Dries and strengthens; for eczema and wounds (topically) and general weakness.

Song Jie

松节 Pini Lignum Nodi

Relieves joint pain and dries dampness, for rheumatism.

La Mu Ye

辣木叶 Moringae Folium

Nourishes, purifies, and strengthens immunity; for malnutrition, hypertension, and diabetes (studied); 'Tree of Life'.

Ye Zao

椰枣 Phoenicis Dactyliferae Fructus

Nourishes, strengthens, and stops (halts); for fatigue and low blood sugar after fasting; 'bread of the desert.'

Gui Hua

桂花 Osmanthi Fragrantis Flos

Disperses and moves wind, dries dampness; for distention and swelling, cough, and bad breath.

Mo Li Hua

茉莉花 Jasmini Flos

Disperse wind and clear heat, regulate qi and relieve depression; for mild depression and distension.

Liu Lan Xiang

留兰香 Menthae Spicatae Herba

Disperse wind-heat, promote the flow of qi, and eliminate foul odors; for nasal congestion, abdominal distension, and bad breath.

Mi Die Xiang

迷迭香 Rosmarini Herba

Activates and moves qi, strengthens memory (studied), for fatigue and weak memory.

Xun Yi Cao

薰衣草 Lavandulae Flos

Calms the spirit and moves qi; for insomnia, anxiety, and headache (needs pattern differentiation).

Fan Shi Liu Ye

番石榴叶 Psidii Guajavae Folium

Stops diarrhea and clears heat (strong heat-clearing!), for diarrhea, dysentery and diabetes.

Wu Hua Guo

无花果 Fici Caricae Fructus

Moistens, lubricates, and strengthens; for dryness, constipation, and ulcers.

Pu Tao

葡萄 Vitis Viniferae Fructus

Nourishes, promotes urination, and moistens the bowels; for fatigue and thirst.

Song Zi Ren

松子仁 Pini Semen

Moistens and lubricates the intestines, nourishes and tonifies, for dryness constipation and dry cough.

Mi Hou Tao

猕猴桃 Actinidiae Chinensis Fructus

Promotes urination and loosens the bowels, for swelling and thirst; rich in vitamin C!

Ning Meng

柠檬 Citri Limonis Fructus

Promotes urination, generates fluids, and quenches thirst; for summer thirst.

Jin Ju

金橘 Fortunellae Fructus

Moves qi, diffuses and dissolves phlegm; for distention and cough.

Tian Gua Zi

甜瓜子 Cucumis Melo Semen

Clears heat and transforms phlegm, expels pus and reduces abscesses.

Hua Sheng Yi

花生衣 Arachidis Testa

Stops bleeding (targeted for platelets!), for bleeding and low platelets.

Xiang Ri Kui Zi

向日葵子 Helianthi Semen

Promotes diuresis and dredges water, used for hypertension (investigational) and edema.

Can Yong

蚕蛹 Bombycis Pupa

Nourishes and strengthens; for general weakness and malnutrition.

Sang Zhi

桑枝 Mori Ramulus

Relieves joint pain and dries dampness; for rheumatism and shoulder pain (studied).

Bai Wei

白薇 Cynanchi Atrati Radix et Rhizoma

Clears heat and cools blood, promotes urination, used for yin deficiency fever, thirst, and postpartum bleeding.

Qian Li Guang

千里光 Senecionis Scandentis Herba

Clears the eyes and resolves toxins; for red eyes and inflammation (external wash).

Mu Zei Cao

木贼草 Equiseti Hiemalis Herba

Clears the eyes and stops bleeding; for red eyes and bleeding.

Xiang Yuan

香橼 Citri Fructus

Moves qi, relieves distention, and transforms phlegm; for distention and cough.

Ya Ma Zi

亚麻籽 Lini Semen

Moistens and lubricates the intestines (plant-based omega-3, studied!), for constipation and dryness.

Cao Guo

草果 Tsaoko Fructus

Dries dampness and moves qi, for abdominal distension and stomach dampness — a kitchen spice!

Ye Ming Sha

夜明砂 Vespertilionis Faeces

Clears the eyes and resolves masses; for night blindness and blurred vision (traditional use).