Bamboo leaf (Zhuye)

Bamboo leaf (Zhuye) Pharmaceutical Name: Folium bambusae Botanical Name: Phyllostachy nigra (Lodd.) Munro var. henonis (Mitf.) Stapf ex Rendle Common Name: Bamboo leaf, Bambusa Source of Earliest Record: Mingyi Bielu. Part Used & Method for Pharamceutical Preparations: The leaves are picked at any time. It is best to prepare fresh leaves for use. Properties & Taste: Sweet and cold. Meridians: Heart, lung and stomach. Functions: 1. To clear heat and relieve irritability; 2. To promote urination Indications & Combinations: 1. Thirst in febrile disease: Bamboo leaf (Zhuye) is used with … Xem tiếp

Cicada slough (Chantui)

Cicada slough (Chantui) Pharmaceutical Name: Periostracum Cicadae Zoological Name: Cryptotympana pustulata Fabricius Common Name: Cicada slough Source of Earliest Record: Mingyi Bielu Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The slough shed by the cicada is found on the ground or on the branches of trees, then dried in the sun. Properties & Taste: Sweet and cold Meridians: Lung and liver Functions: 1. To disperse wind and clear heat; 2. To bring the rash to the surface and relieve itching; 3. To clear eyes; 4. To stop spasms Indications & … Xem tiếp

Eagle wood (Chenxiang)-Aquilaria agallocha

Eagle wood (Chenxiang) Pharmaceutical Name: Lignum Aquilariae resinatum Botanical Name: 1. Aquilaria agallocha Roxb.; 2. Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Gilg Common Name: Aquilaria, Eagle wood Source of Earliest Record: Mingyi Bielu. Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The heart-wood, or resinous wood, is dried in a shady place, then sawn into powder. Properties & Taste: Pungent, bitter and warm Meridians: Spleen, stomach and kidney. Functions: 1. To regulate qi and stop pain; 2. To descend the perverse qi and stop vomiting; 3. To strengthen the kidneys and stop asthma Indications … Xem tiếp

Flavescent sophora root (Kushen)-Sophora flavescens

Flavescent sophora root (Kushen) Pharmaceutical Name: Radix Sophorae flavescentis Botanical Name: Sophora flavescens Ait. Common Name: Flavescent sophora root Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The roots are dug in spring or autumn. After the fibrous roots have been removed, the roots are cleaned, cut into slices and dried in the sun. Properties & Taste: Bitter and cold Meridians: Heart, liver, stomach, large intestine and urinary bladder Functions: 1. To clear heat and dry dampness; 2. To promote urination; 3. To disperse … Xem tiếp

Hawthorn fruit (Shanzha)-Crataegus cuneata

Hawthorn fruit (Shanzha) Pharmaceutical Name: Fructus Crataegi Botanical Name: 1. Crataegus cuneata Sieb, et Zucc; 2. Crataegus pinnatifida Bge. var Major N. E. Br.; 3. Crataegus pinnatifida Bge. Common Name: Hawthorn fruit, Crataegus fruit Source of Earliest Record: Xinxiu Bencao Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The fruit is gathered in late autumn or in the beginning of winter, dried in the sun and fried, or raw, fruit may be used. Properties & Taste: Sour, sweet and slightly warm. Meridians: Spleen, stomach and liver Functions: 1. To eliminate food … Xem tiếp

Lotus node (Oujie)-Nelumbo nucifera

Lotus node (Oujie) Pharmaceutical Name: Nodus Nelumbinis Rhizomatis Botanical Name: Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. Common Name: Lotus node Source of Earliest Record: Yaoxing Lun Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The lotus rhizomes are dug in autumn or winter. The nodes of the rhizomes are removed, cleaned and dried in the sun. Properties & Taste: Sweet, astringent and neutral Meridians: Liver, lung and stomach Functions: To promote healing and stop bleeding Indications & Combinations: Hemorrhages, especially cough with blood and vomiting with blood. Lotus node (Oujie) is used with Bletilla … Xem tiếp

Bamboo shavings (Zhuru)

Bamboo shavings (Zhuru) Pharmaceutical Name: Caulis bambusae in taenis Botanical Name: Phyliostachys nigra var. henonis Stapf Common Name: Bamboo shavings. Source of Earliest Record: Mingyi Bielu Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: After the outside green skin has been removed, shavings are taken from the outer part of the bamboo. This can be done all year round. Properties & Taste: Sweet and slightly cold. Meridians: Lung, stomach and gall bladder. Functions: 1. To clear heat and resolve phlegm; 2. To relieve irritability and stop vomiting Indications & Combinations: 1. … Xem tiếp

Carpesium fruit (Heshi)

Carpesium fruit (Heshi) Pharmaceutical Name: Fructus Carpesii Botanical Name: 1. Carpesium abrotanoides L.; 2. Daucus caroto L. Common Name: Carpesium fruit. Source of Earliest Record: Xinxiu Bencao. Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The fruit is gathered in August or September and dried in the sun. Properties & Taste: Bitter, pungent, neutral and slightly toxic Meridians: Spleen and stomach. Functions: To kill parasites. Indications & Combinations: Parasites in the intestines, including roundworm, pinworm and tapeworm. Carpesium fruit (Heshi) is used with Quisqualis fruit (Shijunzi) and Areca seed (Binglang). Dosage: … Xem tiếp

Cimicifuga rhizome (Shengma)

Cimicifuga rhizome (Shengma) Pharmaceutical Name: Rhizoma Cimicifugae Botanical Name: 1. Cimicifuga foetida L.; 2. Cimicifuga dahurica (Turcz) Maxim.; 3. Cimicifuga heracleifolia Kom. Common Name: Cimicifuga rhizome, Bugbane rhizome Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The roots, or rhizomes, are dug in summer or autumn and dried in the sun. After removing the fibrous roots, they are soaked in water and cut into pieces. Properties & Taste: Pungent, sweet and slightly cold. Meridians: Spleen, lung, large intestine and stomach Functions: 1. To release … Xem tiếp

Earthworm (Dilong)-Pheretima aspergilum

Earthworm (Dilong) Pharmaceutical Name: Lumbricus Zoological Name: 1. Pheretima aspergilum (Perrier); 2. Allolobophora caliginosa (Savigny) trapezoides (Ant. Duges) Common Name: Earthworm Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The earthworm is caught in summer or autumn. It is cleaned in warm water, and then dried in the sun. Properties & Taste: Salty and cold Meridians: Liver, spleen and urinary bladder. Functions: 1. To clear heat and subdue endogenous wind; 2. To soothe asthma; 3. To promote urination; 4. To clear the collaterals Indications … Xem tiếp

Fleeceflower root (Heshouwu)-Polygonum multiflorum

Fleeceflower root (Heshouwu) Pharmaceutical Name: Radix Polygoni multiflori Botanical Name: Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. Common Name: Fleeceflower root Source of Earliest Record: Kaibao Bencao Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The tuberous roots are dug in autumn or spring. They are cleaned, cut into slices and dried in the sun. Properties & Taste: Bitter, sweet, astringent and slightly warm Meridians: Liver and kidney Functions: 1. To nourish blood and replenish essence; 2. To moisten the intestines and move stool; 3. To release toxins Indications & Combinations: 1. Deficient blood syndrome … Xem tiếp

Hemp seed (Huomaren)-Cannabis sativa

Hemp seed (Huomaren) Pharmaceutical Name: Fructus Cannabis Botanical Name: Cannabis sativa L. Common Name: Cannabis seed, Hemp seed Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The ripe seeds are gathered in autumn, cleaned and dried in the sun. This herb must be ground in a mortar and pestle before use. Properties & Taste: Sweet and neutral. Meridians: Spleen and large intestine Functions: To lubricate intestines and move feces. Indications & Combinations: 1. Constipation due to dryness in the intestines. Hemp seed (Huomaren) is … Xem tiếp

Lotus seed (Lianzi)-Nelumbo nucifera

Lotus seed (Lianzi) Pharmaceutical Name: Semen Nelumbinis Botanical Name: Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. Common Name: Lotus seed Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The lotus seeds are collected from August to September. After the skins of the seeds have been removed, the seeds are dried in the sun. Properties & Taste: Sweet, astringent and neutral Meridians: Spleen, kidney and heart Functions: 1. To tonify the spleen and stop diarrhea; 2. To reinforce the kidneys and control the essence; 3. To nourish the blood … Xem tiếp

Abutilon (Dongkuizi)

 Pharmaceutical Name: Semen Malvae. Botanical Name: Malva verticillata L. Common Name: Abutilon seed. Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing. Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: After the fruit ripens in summer or autumn, the seeds are gathered and ground into powder. Properties & Taste: Sweet and cold Meridians: Large intestine and small intestine. Functions: 1. To promote urination and regulate abnormal urination; 2. To promote lactation; 3. To moisten intestines and move feces. Indications & Combinations: 1. Dysuria and edema: Abutilon (Dongkuizi) is used with Poria (Fuling) … Xem tiếp

Basket fern (Guanzhong)

Basket fern (Guanzhong) Pharmaceutical Name: Rhizoma Dryopteris crassirhizomae Botanical Name: 1. Dryopteris crassirhixoma Nakai; 2. Osmunda japonica Thunb. 3. Woodwardia unigemmata (Makino) Nakai Common Name: Dryopteris rhizome, Basket fern 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 dried in the sun and cut into slices. The herb can be used either raw or carbonized. Properties & Taste: Bitter and slightly cold. Meridians: Liver and spleen. Functions: 1. To … Xem tiếp