Dahurian angelica root (Baizhi)

Dahurian angelica root (Baizhi) Pharmaceutical Name: Radix Angelicae Dahuricae Botanical Name: 1. Angelica dahurica (Fisch. ex Hoffm.) Benth. et Hook. f.; 2. Angelica dauburica (Fisch. ex Hoffm.) Benth. et Hook. f. var. formosana (Boiss.) Shan et Yuan Common Name: Dahurian angelica root Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing. Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The root is dug in the period between summer and autumn, when the leaves turn yellow. The fibrous roots are removed, dried, soaked in water and cut into slices. Properties & Taste: Pungent and … Xem tiếp

Dragon's blood (Xuejie)-Daemonorops draco

Dragon’s blood (Xuejie) Pharmaceutical Name: Sanguis Draconis Botanical Name: Daemonorops draco Bl. Common Name: Calamus gum, Dragon’s blood Source of Earliest Record: Xinxiu Bencao. Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The red resinous secretion from the fruit and stem is collected during the summer. It is heated or steamed into a solid resin, then pounded into powder. Properties & Taste: Sweet, salty and neutral. Meridians: Heart and liver. Functions: 1. To stop bleeding and promote the healing of wounds; 2. To invigorate blood and remove stagnation; 3. To stop … Xem tiếp

Dried ginger (Ganjiang)-Zingiber officinale

Dried ginger (Ganjiang) Pharmaceutical Name: Rhizoma zingiberis Botanical Name: Zingiber officinale (Willd.) Rosc. Common Name: Dried ginger Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing. Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The rhizomes are dug in winter. After the fibrous roots have been removed, the rhizomes are cleaned, dried in the sun and cut into slices. Properties & Taste: Pungent and hot. Meridians: Spleen, stomach, heart and lung Functions: 1. To warm spleen and stomach and dispel cold; 2. To prevent yang from collapsing; 3. To warm the lungs and … Xem tiếp

Finger citron (Foshou)-Citrus medica

Finger citron (Foshou) Pharmaceutical Name: Fructus Citri sarcodactylis Botanical Name: Citrus medica L. var. Sarcodactylis Swingle Common Name: Finger citron fruit Source of Earliest Record: Bencao Tujing Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The ripe fruit is gathered from October to December, then cut into slices and dried in the sun. Properties & Taste: Pungent, bitter and warm. Meridians: Liver, spleen, stomach and lung Functions: 1. To pacify liver and regulate qi; 2. To harmonize the spleen and stomach and resolve phlegm. Indications & Combinations: 1. Qi stagnation in … Xem tiếp

Gypsum (Shigao)-Calcium sulphate

Gypsum (Shigao) Pharmaceutical Name: Gypsum Fibrosum Mineral Name: Calcium sulphate Common Name: Gypsum Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The mineral is ground into powder. Properties & Taste: Sweet, pungent and very cold Meridians: Lung and stomach Functions: 1. To clear heat and sedate fire; 2. To relieve irritability and thirst Indications & Combinations: 1. Excessive heat at the qi level due to invasion by exogenous pathogenic heat manifested as high fever, irritability, thirst, profuse sweating and surging, rapid and forceful pulse. … Xem tiếp

Mulberry mistletoe (Sangjisheng)-Taxillus chinensis (DC.) Danser

Mulberry mistletoe (Sangjisheng) Pharmaceutical Name: Ramulus Taxilli Botanical Name: Taxillus chinensis (DC.) Danser Common Name: Loranthus, Mulberry mistletoe Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The foliated stems and branches are gathered in winter or spring, cut into pieces and dried in the sun. Properties & Taste: Bitter and neutral. Meridians: Liver and kidney. Functions: 1. To dispel wind and dampness; 2. To tonify the liver and kidney, and strengthen the tendons and combinations; 3. To calm the fetus and prevent miscarriage. Indications … Xem tiếp

Bamboo juice (Zhuli)

Bamboo juice (Zhuli) Phyllostachys nigra Pharmaceutical Name: Saccus Bambusae in Taeniam. Botanical Name: 1. Phyllostachys nigra var. henonis Stapf; 2. Bambusa tuldoides Munro; 3. Sinocalamus breecheyanus (Munro) McClure var. pubescens P. F. Li Common Name: Bamboo juice. Source of Earliest Record: Mingyi Bielu. Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The bamboo juice is collected after the green bamboo has been burned. Properties & Taste: Sweet and cold. Meridians: Lung and stomach. Functions: To clear heat and resolve phlegm. Indications & Combinations: 1. Phlegm-heat cough manifested as cough with thick, … Xem tiếp

Carbonized petiole of windmill palm (Zonglutan)

Carbonized petiole of windmill palm (Zonglutan) Pharmaceutical Name: Petiolus Trachycarpi carbonisatus Botanical Name: Trachycarpus fortunei H. wendl. Common Name: Carbonized palm fiber, Carbonized petiole of windmill palm Source of Earliest Record: Bencao Shiyi. Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The palm fiber is gathered in the period of the Winter Solstice (twenty-second solar term), and then it is carbonized. Properties & Taste: Bitter, astringent and neutral. Meridians: Lung, liver and large intestine. Functions: To stop bleeding. Indications & Combinations: 1. Hemorrhages due to extravasation of blood by heat manifested … Xem tiếp

Cibot rhizome (Gouji)

Cibot rhizome (Gouji) Pharmaceutical Name: Rhizoma Cibotii Botanical Name: Cibotium barometz (L.) J. Sm. Common Name: Cibot rhizome, Chain fern Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The rhizomes are dug in autumn. After the fibrous roots have been removed, the rhizomes are soaked in wine for one day, steamed, cut into slices and dried in the sun. Properties & Taste: Bitter, sweet and warm. Meridians: Liver and kidney. Functions: 1. To tonify liver and kidneys; 2. To strengthen bones and tendons; 3. … Xem tiếp

Dragon's bone (Longgu)

Dragon’s bone (Longgu) Pharmaceutical Name: Os draconis Zoological Name: 1. Stegodon orientalis; 2. Rhinocerus senensia Common Name: Dragon’s bone, Fossilized bone Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing. Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The fossilized vertebrae and other bones of ancient large mammals, such as Rhinocerus or Rechistaric reptiles, are collected and broken into pieces. Properties & Taste: Sweet, astringent and slightly cold. Meridians: Heart and liver. Functions: 1. To pacify the liver and subdue the yang; 2. To calm the heart and soothe the mind; 3. To … Xem tiếp

Drynaria (Gusuibu)-Drynaria frotunei

Drynaria (Gusuibu) Pharmaceutical Name: Rhizoma Drynariae Botanical Name: 1. Drynaria frotunei (Kunze) J. Sm.; 2. Drynaria baronii (Christ) Diels Common Name: Drynaria, Davallia Source of Earliest Record: Kaibao Bencao Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The rhizomes are dug in any season. After they have been cleaned, the rhizomes are cut into slices and dried. Properties & Taste: Bitter and warm. Meridians: Liver and kidney. Functions: 1. To tonify the kidneys; 2. To invigorate blood and stop bleeding; 3. To heal wounds Indications & Combinations: 1. Deficient kidneys manifested … Xem tiếp

Flattened milkvetch seed (Shayuanzi)-Astragalus complanatus

Flattened milkvetch seed (Shayuanzi) Pharmaceutical Name: Semen Astragali complanati (Leguminosae) Botanical Name: Astragalus complanatus R. Br. Common Name: Flatstem milkvetch seed Source of Earliest Record: Bencao Yanyi Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The ripe seeds are collected in late autumn or early winter. The seeds are then fried with salt water. Properties & Taste: Sweet and warm. Meridians: Liver and kidney. Functions: 1. To tonify the kidneys and control essence; 2. To nourish the liver and brighten the eyes Indications & Combinations: 1. Deficient kidneys manifested as impotence, … Xem tiếp

Hairy birthwort (Xungufeng)-Aristolochia mollissima

Hairy birthwort (Xungufeng) Pharmaceutical Name: Herba Aristolochiae Mollissimae Botanical Name: Aristolochia mollissima Hance Common Name: Hairy birthwort Source of Earliest Record: Zhiwu Mingshi Tukao Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The whole plant is gathered in summer or autumn, cleaned and dried. Properties & Taste: Pungent, bitter and neutral Meridian: Liver Functions: 1. To dispel wind and dampness; 2. To clear the channels and collaterals; 3. To stop pain Indications & Combinations: Wind-damp obstruction syndrome manifested as joint pain, numbness of the limbs, tendon and muscle spasms and pain … Xem tiếp

Loquat leaf (Pipaye)-Eriobotrya japonica

Loquat leaf (Pipaye) Pharmaceutical Name: Folium Eriobotryae Botanical Name: Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl. Common Name: Eriobotrya leaf, Loquat leaf Source of Earliest Record: Mingyi Bielu Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The leaves are gathered in late spring or early summer and dried in the sun. Then the down of the leaves is brushed off and the leaves are cut into pieces. Properties & Taste: Bitter and neutral Meridians: Lung and stomach Functions: 1. To resolve phlegm and stop cough; 2. To conduct rebellious qi downward and stop vomiting … Xem tiếp

Mulberry twigs (Sangzhi)-Morus alba L.

Mulberry twigs (Sangzhi) Pharmaceutical Name: Ramulus Mori Botanical Name: Morus alba L. Common Name: Morus branch, Mulberry twigs Source of Earliest Record: Bencao Tujing Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The tender branches are gathered at the end of spring or the beginning of summer; then they are dried in the sun and cut into slices. Properties & Taste: Bitter and neutral Meridian: Liver Functions: 1. To dispel wind and dampness; 2. To clear the collaterals. Indications & Combinations: Wind-damp obstruction syndrome manifested as rheumatic pain and spasm of … Xem tiếp