Find an herb by searching alphabetically by pinyin name:
Aggressively Purge Accumulation
- Ba Dou – Croton seed – “Clinging Bean”
- Da Ji – Euphorbia pekinesis or Knoxia valerianoides – Peking spurge root – “Big Lance from the Capital”
- Gan Sui – Euphorbia kansui root – “Sweet Process”
- Notes on This Category – Drastic Purgatives / Cathartics
- Qian Niu Zi – Morning Glory seed – Pharbitis (Ipomoea) – “Cowherd Seeds”
- Shang Lu – Poke root – Phytolacca – “Commerce Continent”
- Yuan Hua – Genkwa flower – Daphne genkwa
Aromatically Transform Dampness
- Bai Dou Kou – Cardamom fruit – Cluster – Amomum cardamomum or A. kravanh (syn: Elettaria cardamomum) “White Cardamom”
- Cang Zhu – Red Atractylodes rhizome (also known as Black Atractylodes)
- Cao Dou Kou – Alpinia katsumadai seed – Katsumada’s Galangal seed – “Grass Cardamom”
- Cao Guo – Tsaoko fruit – Amomum tsaoko – “Grass Fruit”
- Hou Po – Magnolia Bark
- Huo Xiang – Patchouli – Agastache or Pogostemon
- Notes on This Category
- Pei Lan – Eupatorium (Eupatorium fortunei, E. japonicum) – “Ornamental Orchid”
- Sha Ren – Amomum villosum or A. xanthioides – “Sand Seeds”
Astringents
- Chi Shi Zhi – Red Kaolin/Kaolinite Clay – Halloysite Clay – “Crimson Stone Resin”
- Chun Gen Pi – Chun Pi – Ailanthus bark or root bark
- Fu Pen Zi – Unripe Raspberry – Rubus fruit – “Overturned Basin”
- Fu Xiao Mai – Floating Wheat (light grains) – “Floating Little Wheat”
- Hai Piao Xiao – Cuttlefish bone
- He Zi – Chebulic Myrobalan fruit – Terminalia Chebula – Haritaki
- Jin Ying Zi – Rosehip – “Golden Cherry Fruit”
- Lian Zi – Lotus seed
- Ma Huang Gen – Ephedra root – “Hemp Yellow Root”
- Notes on This Category
- Nuo Dao Gen Xu – Glutinous Rice root
- Qian Shi – Euryale seed – Foxnut
- Rou Dou Kou – Nutmeg – Myristica seed – “Fleshy Cardamom”
- Sang Piao Xiao – Praying Mantis Egg Case
- Shan Zhu Yu – Shan Yu Rou – Cornus fruit – Asiatic Cornelian Cherry – Chinese Dogwood fruit
- Shi Liu Pi – Pomegranate rind
- Wu Bei Zi – Gall of Chinese Sumac (caused by the insect Melaphis) – Galla Chinensis
- Wu Mei – Mume fruit – Black Plum – “Dark Plum”
- Wu Wei Zi – Schizandra fruit – “Five Flavor Seed”
- Ying Su Ke – Opium poppy seed capsule – Papaver somniferum
Build Blood
- Bai Shao Yao – White Peony root – Paeonia lactiflora
- Dang Gui – Angelica sinensis root – “State of Return”
- E Jiao – Ass Hide Gelatin
- He Shou Wu – Polygonum multiflorum root – “Mr. He’s Black Hair”
- Long Yan Rou – Longan fruit (Euphoria longan) – “Dragon Eye Flesh”
- Notes on This Category
- Shu Di Huang – Rehmannia root (Wine-cooked) – “Cooked Earth Yellow”
Build Qi
- Bai Zhu – White Atractylodes rhizome
- Bian Dou – Bai Bian Dou – Dolichos – Hyacinth bean – Lablab album – “Flat Bean”
- Ci Wu Jia – Eleutherococcus senticosus root – “Siberian Ginseng”
- Da Zao – Hong Zao – Jujube – Red Chinese Date – “Big Date”
- Dang Shen – Codonopsis root – “Group Root”
- Feng Mi – Honey (light) – Mel
- Gan Cao – Licorice root – “Sweet Herb”
- Huang Qi – Astragalus root – Milk-vetch
- Jiao Gu Lan – Gynostemma pentaphyllum root and aerial parts
- Notes on This Category
- Ren Shen – Ginseng root – Panax ginseng – “Man Root”
- Shan Yao – Dioscorea opposita tuber – Chinese Yam – “Mountain Herb”
- Tai Zi Shen – Pseudostellaria root – “Prince Root” or “Child Root” or “Son of the Emperor Root”
- Yi Tang – Maltose – Grain Malt Extract
Build Yang
- Ba Ji Tian – Morinda root
- Bu Gu Zhi – Psoralea fruit – “Tonify Bone Resin”
- Dong Chong Xia Cao – Cordyceps mushroom (and, traditionally, the carcass of the caterpillar it parasitized) – “Winter Bug Summer Herb”
- Du Zhong – Eucommia bark
- E Guan Shi – Tubular Stalactite tip – “Goose Neck Stone”
- Ge Jie – Gecko
- Gou Ji – Cibotium barometz rhizome – “Dog Spine”
- Gu Sui Bu – Drynaria rhizome – “Mender of Shattered Bones”
- Hu Lu Ba – Fenugreek seed – Trigonella
- Hu Tao Ren – Hu Tao Rou – Walnut (nut) – “Barbarian Peach Pit”
- Jiu Zi – Jiu Cai Zi – Allium seed – Chinese Leek seed
- Lu Jiao – 2-3 Year Old Deer Antler
- Lu Jiao Jiao – Gelatin Made from Mature Deer Antler (Lu Jiao)
- Lu Jiao Shuang – The Dregs Left Over After Boiling Lu Jiao Jiao
- Lu Rong – Velvet Deer Antler
- Notes on This Category
- Rou Cong Rong – Cistanche stem – Broomrape
- Sha Yuan Ji Li – Sha Yuan Zi – Sha Ji Li – Astragalus seed
- Suo Yang – Cynomorium stem – “Lock Yang”
- Tu Si Zi – Cuscuta seed – Chinese Dodder
- Xian Mao – Curculigo rhizome – Golden eye-grass – “Immortal Grass”
- Xu Duan – Dipsacus – Teasel root – “Restore What is Broken”
- Yang Qi Shi – Actinolite – “Stone for Raising the Yang”
- Yi Zhi Ren – Black Cardamom – Alpinia oxyphylla – Bitter-seeded Cardamom – “Benefit Intelligence Nut”
- Yin Yang Huo – Xian Ling Pi – Epimedium – “Horny Goat Weed”
- Zi He Che – Human Placenta – “Purple River Vehicle”
Build Yin
- Bai He – Lily bulb – “Hundred Meetings”
- Bai Mu Er – Wood Ear mushroom – Tremella – “White Wood Ear”
- Bie Jia – Turtle Shell (Salt-water, Soft-shelled, Dorsal Aspect)
- Gou Qi Zi – Lycium fruit – Wolfberry – “Goji Berry” (ugh…)
- Gui Ban – Turtle Shell – Testudinis (Freshwater / Land, Hard Shelled, Mainly Ventral Aspect)
- Han Lian Cao – Mo Han Lian – Eclipta
- Hei Zhi Ma – Black Sesame seed
- Huang Jing – Polygonatum sibiricum rhizome – Siberian Solomon’s Seal – “Yellow Essence”
- Luo Han Guo – Momordica fruit – “Arhat Fruit”
- Mai Men Dong – Mai Dong – Ophiopogon tuber – “Lush Winter Wheat”
- Notes on This Category
- Nu Zhen Zi – Ligustrum seed – Privet fruit – “Female Chastity Seed”
- Sang Ji Sheng – Mistletoe (parasitizing Morus) – Viscum/Taxillus or Loranthus – “Mulberry Parasite”
- Sang Shen – Morus fruit – Mulberry
- Sha Shen – Bei Sha Shen – Glehnia root – “Sand Root”
- Shi Hu – Dendrobium – “Bushel of Stone” (also the substitute, Ephemerantha)
- Tian Men Dong – Asparagus tuber – “Lush Winter Aerial Plant”
- Xi Yang Shen – American Ginseng – Panax quinquefolium – “Western Seas Root”
- Yu Zhu – Polygonatum odoratum or P. officinale rhizome – Solomon’s Seal – “Jade Bamboo”
Calm the Fetus and Prevent Miscarriage
Clear Deficiency Heat
- Bai Wei – Cynanchum root – Swallowwort
- Di Gu Pi – Lycium/Wolfberry root bark
- Hu Huang Lian – Picrorhiza rhizome – “Barbarian Yellow Link”
- Notes on This Category
- Qing Hao – Artemisia annua or A. apiacea – Sweet Annie
- Yin Chai Hu – Stellaria Root* (see alternate species) – “Silver Barbarian Kindling”
Clear Heat and Cool the Blood
- Chi Shao Yao – Red Peony root – Paeonia veitchii (or Paeonia lactiflora)
- Mu Dan Pi – Cortex of Tree Peony root – Moutan – Paeonia suffruticosa
- Notes on This Category
- Sheng Di Huang – Rehmannia root (unprepared) – “Fresh Earth Yellow”
- Shui Niu Jiao – Water Buffalo Horn – Bubalus bubalis
- Xi Jiao – Rhinoceros Horn
- Xuan Shen – Scrophularia root – Ningpo Figwort – “Dark Root”
- Zi Cao – Zi Cao Gen – Lithospermum or Arnebia Root – “Purple Herb”
Clear Heat and Dry Dampness
- Huang Bai – Phellodendron bark – Amur Cork tree – “Yellow Fir”
- Huang Lian – Coptis rhizome – Gold thread – “Yellow Links”
- Huang Qin – Scutellaria baicalensis root – Baical Skullcap root – Scute – (S. amoena or S. viscidula also used)
- Ku Shen – Sophora flavescens root – “Bitter Root”
- Long Dan Cao – Chinese Gentian Root – “Dragon Gallbladder Herb” – Gentiana scabra, G. triflom, G. manshurica, G. regescens
- Notes on this Category
Clear Heat and Reduce Fire
- Dan Zhu Ye – Lophatherum stem and leaves – “Bland Bamboo Leaf” – (Not actually a true bamboo)
- Lian Xin – Lian Zi Xin – Lotus seed heart or plumule
- Lu Gen – Reed rhizome – Phragmites
- Mi Meng Hua – Buddleia flower
- Notes on This Category
- Qing Xiang Zi – Celosia seed
- Shi Gao – Gypsum – “Stone Paste”
- Tian Hua Fen – Trichosanthes root – “Heavenly Flower Powder”
- Xia Ku Cao – Prunella spike – Selfheal – “Summer Withered Herb”
- Ye Ming Sha – Bat Feces
- Zhi Mu – Anemarrhena rhizome – “Know About Mother”
- Zhi Zi – Shan Zhi Zi – Gardenia Fruit – Cape Jasmine Fruit
Clear Heat and Toxicity
- Bai Hua She She Cao – Hedyotis = Oldenlandia – “White-Patterned Snake’s Tongue Herb”
- Bai Jiang Cao – Patrinia or Sonchus or Thlaspi
- Bai Lian – Ampelopsis
- Bai Tou Weng – Pulsatilla root – Chinese Anemone – “White-Headed Old Man”
- Bai Xian Pi – Dictamnus root bark – Chinese dittany – “White Fresh Bark”
- Ban Bian Lian – Chinese Lobelia – “Half-Edged Lily”
- Ban Lan Gen – Isatis root or Baphicacanthus
- Ban Zhi Lian – Scutellaria barbata – Barbat Skullcap – Bearded Scute – “Half-Branch Lotus”
- Chuan Xin Lian – Andrographis – Green Chiretta – Kariyat – “Thread-the-Heart Lotus”
- Da Qing Ye – Isatis leaf or Baphicacanthus or Clerodendron or Polygonum tinctorium – “Big Bluegreen Leaf”
- Gui Zhen Cao – Bidens – “Demon/Ghost Spike/Needle Plant”
- Hong Teng – Sargentodoxa vine – “Red Vine”
- Jin Yin Hua – Honeysuckle flower – Lonicera – “Gold Silver Flower”
- Lian Qiao – Forsythia fruit
- Ma Bo – Lasiosphaera or Calvatia – Puffball mushroom
- Ma Chi Xian – Purslane – Portulaca – “Horse’s Teeth Amaranth”
- Niu Huang – Cow, Ox, or Water Buffalo Gallstone (Bezoar) – “Cattle Yellow”
- Notes on this Category
- Pu Gong Ying – Taraxacum – Dandelion
- Qin Pi – Fraxinus branch bark – Korean Ash
- Qing Dai – Indigo – A preparation of Shi Gao and Da Qing Ye
- Shan Dou Gen – Sophora root (S. tonkineenis or S. subprostata) – “Mountain Bean Root”
- She Gan – Belamcanda rhizome – “Arrow Shaft”
- Tu Fu Ling – Smilax – Sarsaparilla
- Ya Dan Zi – Brucea fruit – “Crow Gallbladder Seed”
- Ye Ju Hua – Wild Chrysanthemum flower
- Yu Xing Cao – Houttuynia – “Fishy-Smelling Herb”
- Zao Xiu – Qi Ye Yi Shi Hua – Chong Lou – Paris Rhizome
- Zi Hua Di Ding – Viola yedoensis – Violet – “Purple Flower Earth Spike”
Clear Summer-Heat
Common OB/GYN Formulas
Dispel Wind-Dampness
- Bai Hua She – Agkistrodon Snake or Bungarus Snake – “White-Patterned Snake”
- Du Huo – Angelica pubescens root** – “Self-Reliant Existence”
- Fang Ji – (Han Fang Ji) – Stephania root
- Hai Feng Teng – Kadsura stem – Piper futokadsura – “Sea Wind Vine”
- Hai Tong Pi – Erythrina bark – Coral-bean bark
- Luo Shi Teng – Trachelospermum – Star Jasmine stem – “Collateral Stone Vine”
- Mu Gua – Chinese Quince – Chaenomelis fruit – “Wood Melon”
- Notes on This Category
- Qi Ye Lian – Schefflera root
- Qian Nian Jian – Homalomena rhizome – “Thousand Years of Health”
- Qin Jiao – Gentiana macrophylla root
- Qing Feng Teng – Sinomenium
- Sang Zhi – Mulberry twig – Morus alba
- Shen Jin Cao (Jin Bu Huan) – Lycopodium serratum – “Stretch Sinew Herb” (“More Valuable than Gold”)
- Wei Ling Xian Chinese Clematis root – “Awesome Spiritual Immortal” or “Temple’s Sacred Root” or “Strong and Very Effective”
- Wu Jia Pi – Eleutherococcus gracilistylus root bark (formerly known as Acanthopanax) – “Bark of Five Additions”
- Wu Shao She – Zaocys Snake
- Xi Xian Cao – Siegesbeckia
Drain Dampness
- Bi Xie – Tokoro rhizome – Fish-Poison Yam – Dioscorea hypoglauca or D. tokoro (and other species)
- Bian Xu – Polygonum aviculare – Knotweed
- Che Qian Zi – Plantago seed – “Before the Cart Seeds”
- Chi Xiao Dou – Aduki bean – Phaseolus calcaratus – “Little Red Bean”
- Deng Xin Cao – Rush pith – Juncus – “Lamp Wick Herb”
- Di Fu Zi – Kochia fruit – “Earth Skin Seeds”
- Dong Gua Pi – Benincasa peel – Winter Melon peel – Wax Gourd peel
- Dong Gua Ren – Benincasa seed – Winter Melon seed – Wax Gourd seed
- Dong Kui Zi – Dong Kui Guo – Muskmallow seed – Malva verticalla or Abutilon seed / Velvetleaf seed
- Fu Ling – Poria sclerotium (mushroom) – Hoelen – Tuckahoe – Includes Fu Shen, Fu Ling Pi, Chi Fu Ling, Fu Shen Xin
- Hai Jin Sha – Japanese Fern spores – Lygodium – “Sea Gold Sand”
- Hua Shi – Talcum – “Slippery Stone”
- Jin Qian Cao – Lysimachia* – “Gold Money Herb”
- Mu Tong – Akebia* – “Open-ended Wood”
- Notes on This Category
- Qu Mai – Dianthus – Pinks
- Shi Wei – Pyrossia leaf – “Stone Reed”
- Tong Cao – Tetrapanax – Rice Paper Pith – “Unblocking Herb”
- Yi Yi Ren – Coix seed – Job’s tears
- Yin Chen Hao – Capillaris – Artemisia capillaris (or A. scoparia)
- Yu Mi Xu Cornsilk – “Jade Rice Whiskers”
- Ze Xie – Alisma rhizome – Water Plantain – “Marsh Drain”
- Zhu Ling – Polyporus umbellatus sclerotium (mushroom) – Grifola umbellatus
Free Constrained Liver Qi
Generate Body Fluids and Moisten the Lungs
Guiding Herbs
Kill Gu Parasites
Kill and Discharge Parasites
- Bing Lang – Betel nut / Areca seed
- Fei Zi – Torreya seed
- Guan Zhong / Mian Ma Guan Zhong / Dryopteris crassirhizoma root & rhizome OR Woodwardia OR Osmunda OR Matteuccia (or other plants) / Shield Fern
- Herbs that Kill Parasites (notes for this category)
- Ku Lian Pi / Ku Lian Gen Pi – Melia root bark / China Tree root bark
- Lei Wan – Omphalia sclerotium / Polyporus mylittae / “Thunder Ball”
- Nan Gua Zi – Pumpkin seed (with husk) – “Southern Melon Seeds”
- Shi Jun Zi – Rangoon Creeper fruit with seeds – Quisqualis – “Envoy Seeds”
Nourish and Support Jing
Open the Orifices and Resuscitate
- An Xi Xiang – Benzoin – (Resin of Styrax benzoin and other Styrax species) – “Peaceful Rest Fragrance”
- Bing Pian – Borneol – (Natural form is extracted from Dryobalanops aromatica or Blumea balsamifera) – “Ice Slice”
- Notes on This Category
- She Xiang – Musk (Secretions from the Musk Deer)
- Shi Chang Pu – Acorus rhizome (A. gramineus) – Related to and similar to the American species A. calamus (Calamus, Sweetflag)
- Su He Xiang – Resin of Rose Maloes – Liquidambar sap – Styrax – “Revive and Join Fragrance”
Promote Blood Circulation and Dispel Stasis
- Chuan Niu Xi – Cyathula root – “Sichuan Ox Knee”
- Chuan Shan Jia – Pangolin scales – “Penetrate Mountain Scales”
- Chuan Xiong – Ligusticum root – Szechuan Lovage – Cnidium
- Dan Shen – Salvia miltiorrhiza root – Red Sage – “Cinnabar Root”
- E Zhu – Zedoaria rhizome – Curcuma zedoaria, C. aromatica, or C. kwangsinensis
- Hong Hua – Carthamus flower – Safflower – “Red Flower”
- Hu Zhang – Bushy Knotweed root and rhizome – Polygonum cuspidatum – “Tiger’s Cane”
- Huai Niu Xi – Achyranthes root – “Ox Knee”
- Ji Xue Teng – Millettia or Spatholobus root and vine
- Jiang Huang – Turmeric rhizome – Curcuma longa – “Ginger Yellow”
- Jiang Xiang – Dalbergia heartwood – “Descending Fragrance”
- Liu Ji Nu – Artemisia anomala – Anomala – “Liu’s Resident Slave”
- Lu Lu Tong – Sweetgum fruit – Liquidambar – “All Roads Open”
- Mao Dong Qing – Ilex root – Rough-haired Holly – Ilex pubescentis
- Meng Chong – Tabanus – Gadfly
- Mo Yao – Myrrh – Commiphora myrrha resin
- Notes on This Category
- Ru Xiang – Frankincense – Mastic – Boswellia carterii – “Fragrant Milk”
- San Leng – Sparganium rhizome (or Scirpus) – “Three Edges”
- Shui Zhi – Leech – Hirudo
- Si Gua Luo – Luffa – Dried skeleton of vegetable sponge – “Net of String Melon”
- Su Mu – Sappan wood – Caesalpinia sappan
- Tao Ren – Peach kernel – Prunus persica (or P. davidiana)
- Tu Bie Chong (Di Bie Chong, Zhe Chong) – Eupolyphaga – Wingless Cockroach – “Land Soft-Shelled Turtle”
- Wang Bu Liu Xing – Vaccaria seed – (Ficus pumila, Hypericum sampsoni, and Vicia sativa also used as substitutes, each with unique properties) – “King Who Does Not Stay But Departs”
- Wu Ling Zhi – Flying Squirrel feces (Pteromys or Trogopterus) – “Fat of the Five Spirits”
- Yan Hu Suo – Corydalis rhizome
- Yi Mu Cao – Leonurus heterophyllus – Chinese Motherwort – “Benefit Mother Herb”
- Yu Jin – Curcuma tuber (Curcuma aromatica, but sometimes: C. longa, C. kwangsinensis, C. zedoaria) – “Constrained Metal”
- Yue Ji Hua – Partially-opened Chinese Tea Rose – Rosa chinensis – “Moon Season Flower”
- Zang Hong Hua – Xi Hong Hua – Saffron – Crocus sativa stigma
- Ze Lan – Lycopus – Bugleweed – “Marsh Orchid”
- Zi Ran Tong – Iron Pyrite (An Iron Sulfide)
Promote Bowel Movement By Moistening
- Huo Ma Ren – Ma Zi Ren – Cannabis seed – “Fire Hemp Seeds”
- Notes on This Category
- Yu Li Ren – Bush Cherry Pit – Prunus japonica or P. humulis – “Constrained Plum Pit”
- Yu Li Ren – Bush Cherry pit – Prunus japonica or P. humulis – “Constrained Plum Pit”
Promote Digestion & Relieve Food Stagnation
- Gu Ya – Rice sprout – Oryza
- Ji Nei Jin – Chicken Gizzard Lining – “Chicken Inner Gold”
- Lai Fu Zi – Radish seed – Raphanus
- Mai Ya – Barley sprout
- Notes on This Category
- Shan Zha – Crataegus fruit – Hawthorn (C. pinnatifida or C. cuneata)
- Shen Qu – Medicated Leaven (Usually composed of 6 herbs) – “Divine Fermented Mass”
Promote Qi Circulation
- Chen Pi – Aged Citrus peel (usually Tangerine or Mandarin Orange) – Citrus reticulata, C. tangerina, C. erythrosa – “Aged Peel” – And Related Herbs: Ju Pi (unaged peel), Ju Hong (only the outer red part of the peel), Ju He (citrus seed), Qing Ju Ye (the bluegreen leaf)
- Chen Xiang – Aquilaria sap – Aloeswood – “Sinking Fragrance” or “Fragrant Dense Herb”
- Chuan Lian Zi – Melia fruit – Sichuan Pagoda Tree fruit – Sichuan Chinaberry
- Da Fu Pi – Betel husk – Areca peel – “Big Abdomen Peel”
- Fo Shou – Finger Citron – “Buddha Hand”
- Li Zhi He – Litchee nut (Leechee)
- Mei Gui Hua – Young flower of Chinese Rose – Rosa rugosa
- Mu Xiang – Auklandia/Saussurea root or Costus – “Fragrant Wood”
- Notes on This Category
- Qing Pi – Bluegreen Citrus peel – Immature Chen Pi – “Bluegreen Peel”
- Shi Di – Persimmon (Kaki) calyx
- Tan Xiang – White Sandalwood (heartwood) – Santalum
- Wu Yao – Lindera root
- Xiang Fu – Cyperus rhizome – Nutgrass – “Aromatic Appendage”
- Xiang Yuan – Citrus Vilsonii Tanaka
- Xie Bai – Chinese Chive bulb – Bakeri
- Zhi Ke – Zhi Qiao – Mature Bitter Orange
- Zhi Shi – Immature Bitter Orange
Purge Accumulation & Stagnation Through the Bowels
- Da Huang – Rhubarb root and rhizome – Rheum – “Big Yellow”
- Fan Xie Ye – Senna leaf – Cassia angustifolia or C. acutifolia – “Purgative Leaf of the Foreigners”
- Lu Hui – Aloe (dried concentrate) – A. vera or A. ferox
- Mang Xiao – Mirabilite – Sodium Sulfate – Glauber’s Salt (Na2SO4)
- Notes on This Category
Quiet the Shen
- Bai Zi Ren – Biota seed = Thuja orientalis = Platycladus – Chinese Arborvitae
- Ci Shi – Magnetite – (Oxides of Iron, also Magnesium and Aluminum) – “Magnetic Stone”
- He Huan Pi – Albizzia bark – Mimosa tree – “Collective Happiness Bark”
- Hu Po – Amber – Succinum
- Ling Zhi – (Chi Zhi, Dan Zhi) – Ganoderma mushroom – Reishi
- Long Gu – Fossilized Bone (usually mammal vertebrae and extremities) – “Dragon Bone”
- Part One Begins Here – Herbs That Quiet the Shen and Nourish the Heart
- Part Two Begins Here: Heavy Substances That Anchor the Shen
- Sheng Tie Luo – Iron filings – “Raw Iron Leavings”
- Shou Wu Teng (Ye Jiao Teng) Polygonum multiflorum vine (aerial portion of He Shou Wu) – “Vine to Pass Through the Night”
- Suan Zao Ren – Zizyphus seed – Sour Jujube seed – “Sour Date Seed”
- Yuan Zhi – Polygala root – Chinese Senega – “Profound Will” or “Long-term Memory”
- Zhu Sha – Cinnabar – Mercuric Sulfide – “Vermillion Sand”
- Zi Shi Ying – Fluorite (Calcium Fluorite) – (Amethyst also used) – “Purple Stone Radiance”
Release the Exterior - Cooling
- Bo He – Chinese Field Mint
- Chai Hu – Bupleurum root – “Kindling of the Barbarians”
- Chan Tui – Cicada Molt (skin)
- Dan Dou Chi – Prepared Soybean
- For Various Wind-Heat Patterns, Also Consider, When Appropriate:
- Fu Ping – Duckweed – Spirodela
- Ge Gen – Pueraria lobata root – Kudzu
- Ju Hua – Chrysanthemum Flower
- Man Jing Zi – Vitex fruit
- Mu Zei – Equisetum hiemale – Horsetail – Scouring Rush – “Wood Thief”
- Niu Bang Zi – Arctium seed – Burdock seed
- Notes on This Category
- Sang Ye – White Mulberry leaf – Morus alba
- Sheng Ma – Cimicifuga (Actea) rhizome – “Ascending Hemp”
Release the Exterior - Warming
- Bai Zhi – Angelica dahurica root
- Cang Er Zi – Xanthium fruit – Cocklebur – “Deep Green Ear Seeds”
- Cong Bai – Scallion – Spring Onion (white part with root)
- Fang Feng – Siler root – Ledebouriella – Saposhnikovia divaricata – “Guard Against Wind”
- Gao Ben – Ligusticum root – Chinese Lovage
- Gui Zhi – Cinnamon twig
- Jing Jie – Schizonepeta flowers and herb
- Ma Huang – Ephedra (E. sinica, E. equisetina, E. intermedia) – “Hemp Yellow”
- Notes on This Category
- Qiang Huo – Notopterygium root
- Sheng Jiang – Fresh Ginger rhizome
- Xiang Ru – Elscholtzia – Aromatic Madder – “Fragrant Soft Herb”
- Xin Yi Hua – Magnolia flower
- Zi Su Ye – Perilla Leaf – “Purple Relaxing Leaf”
Resolve Phlegm
- Bai Fu Zi – Typhonium rhizome – “White Appendage”
- Bai Jie Zi – White Mustard seed
- Bai Qian – Cynanchum root and rhizome – “White Before”
- Ban Xia – Pinellia rhizome – “Half Summer”
- Chuan Bei Mu – Tendrilled Fritillaria bulb – “Shell Mother from Sichuan”
- Cooling Phlegm-Resolving Herbs Begin Here
- Dan Nan Xing – Prepared Arisaema rhizome – Jack-in-the-Pulpit
- Fu Hai Shi (Fu Shi, Hai Fu Shi) – Pumice – Or occasionally Costazia skeleton (an aquatic invertebrate similar to coral) – “Float on the Sea Stone”
- Gua Lou – Trichosanthes whole fruit
- Gua Lou Pi – Trichosanthes peel
- Gua Lou Ren – Trichosanthes seed
- Hai Zao – Sargassum – Black tangly seaweed
- Huang Yao Zi – Dioscorea bulbifera tuber – “Yellow Medicine”
- Jie Geng – Platycodon root – Balloon Flower root
- Kun Bu – Kelp thallus – Ecklonia – Kombu – OR Laminaria (Hai Dai – which possesses nearly the same properties)
- Meng Shi – Mica or Lapis – Chlorite-Schist
- Pang Da Hai – Boat Sterculia seed – “Fat Big Sea”
- Qian Hu – Peucedanum root – Hogfennel – “Before Barbarians”
- The Warmer Phlegm-Resolving Herbs Start Here
- Tian Zhu Huang – Siliceous Secretions of Bamboo – Tabasheer – “Heavenly Bamboo Yellow”
- Xuan Fu Hua – Inula flower – Elecampane – “Revolved, Upturned Flower”
- Zao Jiao – Gleditsia fruit – Chinese Honeylocust – “Soap Thorn”
- Zao Jiao Ci – Gleditsia spine/thorn
- Ze Qi – Euphorbia helioscopia – “Marsh Lacquer”
- Zhe Bei Mu – Non-tendrilled Fritillaria bulb – “Shell Mother from Zhejiang”
- Zhu Li – Dried Bamboo Sap
- Zhu Ru – Bamboo Shavings
Stabilize the Kidneys
Stop Bleeding
- Ai Ye – Mugwort leaf – Artemisia argyi or A. vulgaris or A. lavandulaefolia
- Bai Ji – Bletilla rhizome
- Bai Mao Gen – Imperata rhizome – Woolly grass – White grass
- Ce Bai Ye – Biota leaf – Thuja orientalis – Cacumen platycladi – Leafy twig of Chinese Arborvitae – “Flat Fir Leaves”
- Da Ji – Japanese Thistle – Circinum – “Big Thistle”
- Di Yu – Sanguisorba root – Burnet-bloodwort root
- Huai Hua – Huai Hua Mi – Sophora flower bud – Pagoda Tree flower bud
- Lian Fang Mature – Lotus receptacle – Lotus peduncle
- Notes on This Category
- Ou Jie – Node of Lotus Rhizome
- Pu Huang – Cattail / Typha / Bulrush Pollen
- Qian Cao – Qian Cao Gen – (Red) Madder root – Rubia
- San Qi – Tian Qi – Panax pseudoginseng or P. notoginseng – “Three Seven”
- Xian He Cao – Agrimony – “Immortal Crane Herb”
- Xiao Ji – Small Thistle – Cephalanoplos
- Xue Yu Tan – Charred Human Hair – “Charred Excess of the Blood”
- Zong Lu Tan – Charred Stiple Palm Fiber – Trachycarpus – “Palm Stipule”
Stop Coughing and Relieve Wheezing
- Bai Bu – Stemona root – “Hundred Parts”
- Bai Guo – Ginkgo nut – “Silver Almond”
- Kuan Dong Hua – Coltsfoot flower – Tussilago – “Welcome Winter Flower”
- Ma Dou Ling – Aristolochia fruit – Birthwort – “Bell of a Horse’s Hat”
- Mu Hu Die – Oroxylum seed – “Wood Butterfly”
- Notes on This Category
- Pi Pa Ye – Loquat leaf – Eriobotrya
- Sang Bai Pi – Morus bark – “Mulberry White Bark”
- Su Zi – Zi Su Zi – Perilla seed
- Ting Li Zi – Descurainia or Lepidium seed
- Xing Ren – Apricot seed – Prunus
- Zi Wan – Purple Aster Root
Subdue Liver Yang and Extinguish Liver Wind
- Bai Ji Li (Ci Ji Li) – Tribulus fruit – Puncture vine – Caltrop – Tribulus terrestris
- Dai Zhe Shi – Hematite – “Red Stone from Dai County”
- Di Long – Earthworm – Lumbricus – “Earth Dragon”
- Gou Teng – Uncaria stem and thorns – Uncaria rhynchophylla, U. sinensis, and related species – “Hook Vine”
- Jiang Can – (Bai Jiang Can) – Silkworm (Bombyx) infected with Beauveria bassiana
- Jue Ming Zi – Cassia seed – Fetid Cassia seed – “Seeds of Realized Brightness”
- Ling Yang Jiao – Antelope Horn
- Luo Bu Ma – Apocynum leaf – Dogbane
- Mu Li – Oyster Shell
- Notes on This Category
- Quan Xie – Scorpion – Buthus
- Shi Jue Ming – Abalone shell – Haliotis – “Stone Sense Brightness”
- Tian Ma – Gastrodia rhizome – “Heavenly Hemp”
- Wu Gong – Centipede – Scolopendra
- Zhen Zhu – Pearl – Margarita
- Zhen Zhu Mu – Mother of Pearl
Topical Herbs
- Liu Huang – Sulfur – “Sulfur Yellow”
- Lu Feng Fang – Hornet Nest
- Ma Qian Zi – Strychnos nux-vomica seeds – Nux-vomica – “Horse Money Seeds”
- Ming Fan – Bai Fan – Alum – Basic Potassium Aluminum Sulfate – also Ku Fan, the prepared form
- Peng Sha – Borax – Sodium Borate / Sodium Tetraborate Decahydrate
- She Chuang Zi – Cnidium seed – “Snake’s Bed Seeds”
- Wa Leng Zi – Ark shell – Cockle shell
- Xiong Huang – Realgar – Arsenic Sulfide – “Male Yellow”
- Xue Jie – Dragon’s Blood – Resinous secretion of Daemonoropis draco or Dracaena cambodiana
- Zhang Nao – Camphor
Warm the Interior
- Bi Ba – Bi Bo – Long Pepper fruit – Pippali
- Chuan Jiao – Hua Jiao – Szechuan Pepper fruit – Chinese Prickly Ash – Zanthoxylum bungeanum
- Ding Xiang – Clove flower bud – “Spike Fragrance”
- Fu Zi – Zhi Fu Zi – Prepared lateral (daughter) root of Aconite – “Appendage” or “Attached Son”
- Gan Jiang – Dry Ginger rhizome – Zingiber
- Gao Liang Jiang – Galanga rhizome – Alpinia officinarum
- Hu Jiao – Black Pepper – “Barbarian Pepper”
- Notes on This Category
- Rou Gui – Inner bark of Vietnamese Cinnamon (Cinnamomum loureirii)
- Wu Zhu Yu – Evodia fruit / Euodia / Tetradium ruticarpum
- Xi Xin – Asarum root – Often referred to as “Wild Ginger,” though unrelated to ginger – “Thin Acrid”
- Xiao Hui Xiang – Fennel seed
Dr. Borten,
Thank you so much for providing all of this information on your website! It is a treasure and I wanted to express my appreciation for the work that must have go into building this site
Thank you so much!
Sincerely,
James Roguski
310-619-3055
What is parasite ? Heat ?? And what tch herb tonic or herb would be best
Herbs that kill parasites – it’s one of the categories here. Parasites could manifest as damp, phlegm, heat, cold, wind, etc., but non-microbial parasites are treated as their own category. And sometimes both microbial (e.g. Lyme) and non-microbial parasites are regarded as Gu and may be treated best through methods developed / elucidated by Heiner Freufauf.
very informative !
Extremely useful and well presented, many thanks for sharing this!
It’s very difficult to find info about Chinese medication. Thank you very very much! I found more than what I was looking for??
I have been studying your website daily for many months. I appreciate the information, your comments and those of other practitioners you share with us.
I have been asked many times how many hrs after taking formulas does one need to wait before having an alcoholic drink. A general guideline would be helpful. I don’t know if you are still active on this comments section of your page.
You’re welcome. I don’t know of a specific guideline regarding time after taking herbs before alcohol is permissible. Maybe someone else out there can cite a recommendation and source.
In some cases it’s absolutely fine or even beneficial to have alcohol with your herbs – especially if moving and warming are the main focus, like for pain, especially from cold. Many winter tonics are preserved in brandy or taken as powder with alcohol.
There are certain patterns where alcohol is simply contraindicated, so it’s not so much a matter of not mixing well with herbs, but just not a good idea with the condition – for instance, dampness, heat, and damp-heat. Alcohol is warm to hot energetically (depending on the alcohol) and, of course, toxic, so anytime that’s not a favorable influence, it’s better to avoid it. But, since I’ve used all herbs (including drying, cooling, and detoxifying ones) successfully in the form of alcohol-based tinctures, I wouldn’t say that I can think of a specific reason to always avoid alcohol near consumption of herbs.
Que buena accion, asi podre ayudar a muchisima gente
muchas gracias
de nada. Me alegra saber que es útil.
Pornstar
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