Immature bitter orange (Zhishi)-Citrus aurantium

Immature bitter orange (Zhishi) Pharmaceutical Name: Fructus Aurantii immaturus Botanical Name: 1. Citrus aurantium L.; 2. Citrus sinensis Osbeck Common Name: Immature bitter orange fruit Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The immature fruit is gathered in July or August. The fruit is halved and dried in the sun, cleaned, soaked in water overnight, cut into slices and dried again. Properties & Taste: Bitter, pungent and slightly cold. Meridians: Spleen, stomach and large intestine Functions: 1. To disperse stagnant qi and relieve … Xem tiếp

Lysimachia (Jinqiancao)-Dessmodium styracifolium

Lysimachia (Jinqiancao) Pharmaceutical Name: 1. Herba Lysimachiae; 2. Herba Desmodii Botanical Name: 1. Lysimachia christinae Hance (primulaceae); 2. Dessmodium styracifolium (Osbeck) Merr. (Leguminosae) Common Name: Lysimachia, Dessmodium Source of Earliest Record: Bencao Gangmu Shiyi Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The whole plant is gathered in summer or autumn, cleaned and dried in the sun. Properties & Taste: Sweet or no taste and neutral Meridians: Liver, gall bladder, kidney and urinary bladder Functions: 1. To promote water metabolism and relieve abnormal urination; 2. To transform dampness and relieve jaundice … Xem tiếp

Medicated leaven (Shenqu)-Massa fermentata medicinalis

Medicated leaven (Shenqu) Pharmaceutical Name: Massa fermentata medicinalis Common Name: Medicated leaven Source of Earliest Record: Yaoxing Lun Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: Medicated leaven is a fermented mixture of wheat flour, bran and the fresh aerial parts of Armented annua, Xanthium sibixicum, Polygonum hydropiper and other herbs. Properties & Taste: Sweet, pungent and warm Meridians: Spleen and stomach Functions: To eliminate food retention and harmonize the stomach Indications & Combinations: Retention of food manifested as epigastric and abdominal distension and fullness, no appetite, gurgling sound and diarrhea. … Xem tiếp

Agastache (Huoxiang)

Agastache (Huoxiang) Pogostemon cablin Pharmaceutical Name: Herba agastachis seu, Herba pogastemonis. Botanical Name: 1. Pogostemon cablin Blanco; 2. Agastache rugosa (Fisch. et Mey.) O. Ktze. Common Name: Agastache, Pogostemon cablin. Source of Earliest Record: Mingyi Bielu. Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The aerial parts of the plant are gathered in summer or autumn, cut into pieces and dried in the shade. Properties & Taste: Pungent and slightly warm. Meridians: Spleen, stomach and lung. Functions: 1. To transform dampness; 2. To dispel summer-heat; 3. To stop vomiting. Indications & … Xem tiếp

Biota tops (Cebaiye)

Biota tops (Cebaiye) Pharmaceutical Name: Cacumen Biotae. Botanical Name: Biota orientalis (L.) Endl. Common Name: Biota tops, Acborvitae tops Source of Earliest Record: Mingyi Bielu. Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The leafy twigs are gathered all year round. They are dried in a shady place and cut into pieces. Properties & Taste: Bitter, astringent and slightly cold Meridians: Lung, liver and large intestine. Functions: To cool blood and stop bleeding. Indications & Combinations: 1. Hemorrhages due to extravasation of blood by heat manifested as cough with blood, vomiting … Xem tiếp

Celosia seed (Qingxiangzi)

Celosia seed (Qingxiangzi) Pharmaceutical Name: Semen Celosiae Botanical Name: 1. Celosia argentea L.; 2. Celosia cristata L. Common Name: Celosia seed. Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing. Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The seeds are gathered in autumn when ripe and dried in the sun. Properties & Taste: Bitter and slightly cold. Meridian: Liver. Functions: 1. To clear heat in the liver; 2. To brighten the eyes and reduce corneal opacity Indications & Combinations: Flaring up of liver fire manifested as red, painful and swollen eyes, blurred … Xem tiếp

Cistanche (Roucongrong)

Cistanche (Roucongrong) Pharmaceutical Name: Herba cistanches Botanical Name: Cistanche deserticola Y. C. Ma Common Name: Cistanche Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing. Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The fleshy stems are gathered in spring, dried in the sun and cut into slices. Properties & Taste: Sweet, salty and warm. Meridians: Kidney and large intestine. Functions: 1. To tonify the kidneys and strengthen yang; 2. To moisten the intestines and move feces Indications & Combinations: 1. Deficiency of the kidneys manifested as impotence. Cistanche (Roucongrong) is used with … Xem tiếp

Ephedra (Mahuang)-Ephedra sinica

Ephedra (Mahuang)   Pharmaceutical Name: Herba Ephedrae Botanical Name: 1. Ephedra sinica Stapf; 2. Ephedra equisetina Bunge; 3. Ephedra intermedia Schrenk et Mey. Common Name: Ephedra, Ephedra Mormon tea Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: Herbaceous twigs or stems are collected from the Beginning of Autumn (thirteenth solar term) to Frost’s Descent (eighteenth solar term), dried in a shady place and then cut into pieces and used either raw or baked with honey. Properties & Taste: Pungent-spicy, bitter and warm Meridians: Lung … Xem tiếp

Frankincense (Ruxiang)-Boswellia carterii

Frankincense (Ruxiang) Pharmaceutical Name: Resina oliani; Olibanum Botanical Name: Boswellia carterii Birdw. Common Name: Frankincense, Mastic Source of Earliest Record: Mingyi Bielu Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The gum-resin is gathered in spring or summer, after the bark of the tree is cut. Then the gum-resin is fried. Properties & Taste: Pungent, bitter and warm. Meridians: Heart, liver and spleen Functions: 1. To invigorate blood and stop pain; 2. To reduce swelling. Indications & Combinations: 1. Pains caused by blood stagnation: a) dysmenorrhea Frankincense (Ruxiang) is used with … Xem tiếp

Houttuynia (Yuxingcao)-Houttuynia cordate

Houttuynia (Yuxingcao) Pharmaceutical Name: Herba Houttuyniae Botanical Name: Houttuynia cordate Thunb. Common Name: Houttuynia Source of Earliest Record: Mingyi Bielu Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The entire plant is gathered in the time between summer and autumn. After gathering, it is cleaned and dried in the sun. Properties & Taste: Pungent and slightly cold. Meridian: Lung Functions: To clear heat and release toxins. Indications & Combinations: 1. Lung abscess manifested as cough with bloody and pus-like sputum. Houttuynia (Yuxingcao) is used with Platycodon root (Jiegeng) and Coix seed … Xem tiếp

Imperata rhizome (Baimaogen)-Imperata cylindrical

Imperata rhizome (Baimaogen) Pharmaceutical Name: Rhizoma Imperatae Botanical Name: Imperatacylindrical Beauv. var. major (Nees.) C. E. Hubb. Common Name: Imperata rhizome, Woody grass Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The rhizomes are dug in spring or autumn, cleaned, dried in the sun and cut into small pieces. Properties & Taste: Sweet and cold Meridians: Lung, stomach and urinary bladder. Functions: 1. To cool blood and stop bleeding; 2. To clear heat and promote urination Indications & Combinations: 1. Hemorrhages due to extravasation … Xem tiếp

Macrostem onion (Xiebai)-Allium macrostemon

Macrostem onion (Xiebai) Pharmaceutical Name: Bulbus Allii macrostemi Botanical Name: Allium macrostemon Bge. Common Name: Macrostem onion, Bakeri, Bulb of Chinese chive Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The macrostem, or bulb, of the onion is dug in May, cleaned and dried in the sun. Properties & Taste: Pungent, bitter and warm Meridians: Lung, stomach and large intestine Functions: 1. To promote the flow of yang and dissipate cold phlegm; 2. To regulate qi and reduce stagnation. Indications & Combinations: 1. Cold … Xem tiếp

Mentha (Bohe)-Mentha haplocalyx

Mentha (Bohe) Pharmaceutical Name: Herba Menthae Botanical Name: Mentha haplocalyx Briq. Common Name: Mentha, Peppermint Source of Earliest Record: Xinxiu Bencao Part Used & Method of Pharmaceutical Preparations: The entire plant, including leaves, is gathered in any season. The leaves can be picked two or three times each year, dried in a shady place and then cut into pieces. Properties & Taste: Pungent and cool Meridians: Lung and liver Functions: 1. To disperse wind-heat and clear the head and eyes; 2. To promote liver qi, allowing it to flow freely; … Xem tiếp

Birthwort fruit (Madouling)

Birthwort fruit (Madouling) Pharmaceutical Name: Fructus Aristlochiae. Botanical Name: 1. Aristolochia contorta Bge.; 2. Aristolochia debilis Sieb. et Zucc. Common Name: Aristolochia fruit, Birthwort fruit Source of Earliest Record: Yaoxing Lun Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The ripe fruit is gathered in autumn and dried in the sun. Properties & Taste: Bitter, slightly pungent and cold Meridians: Lung and large intestine Functions: 1. To clear the lungs and resolve phlegm; 2. To stop cough and soothe asthma Indications & Combinations: 1. Heat in the lungs manifested as cough … Xem tiếp

Centipede (Wugong)

Centipede (Wugong) Pharmaceutical Name: Scolopendra Zoological Name: Scolopendra subspinipes mutilams L. Koch Common Name: Centipede Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The centipede is caught in spring, and then it is boiled, dried and pounded into powder, or fixed to bamboo slats to dry. Properties & Taste: Pungent, warm and toxic. Meridian: Liver. Functions: 1. To subdue endogenous wind and stop spasms; 2. To dispel toxins; 3. To clear collaterals and stop pain Indications & Combinations: 1. Acute and chronic convulsions or … Xem tiếp