Large-leaf gentian root (Qinjiao)-Gentiana macrophylla

Large-leaf gentian root (Qinjiao) Pharmaceutical Name: Radix Gentianae macrophyllae Botanical Name: 1. Gentianamacrophylla pall.; 2. Gentiana crassicaulis Duthie ex Burkill; 3. Gentiana dahurica Fisch.; 4. Gentiana straminea Maxim. Common Name: Large-leaf gentian 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 root bark has been removed, the roots are cleaned, dried in the sun and cut into slices. Properties & Taste: Bitter, pungent and slightly cold Meridians: Stomach, liver and gall bladder. Functions: … Xem tiếp

Amomum fruit (Sharen)

Amomum fruit (Sharen) Pharmaceutical Name: Fructus Amomi. Botanical Name: 1. Amomum vilosum Lour.; 2. Amomum longiligulare T. L. Wu; 3. A. xanthioides Wall. Common Name: Amomum fruit. Source of Earliest Record: Kaibao Bencao. Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The fruit is gathered in summer or autumn, whenever it ripens. It is dried in the sun or in a low-temperature room and then mashed. Properties & Taste: Pungent and warm. Meridians: Spleen and stomach. Functions: 1. To promote qi circulation and transform dampness;2. To calm fetus Indications & Combinations: … Xem tiếp

Bugleweed (Zelan)

Bugleweed (Zelan) Pharmaceutical Name: Herba Lycopi Botanical Name: Lycopus lucidus Turcz. var. hirtus Regel Common Name: Bugleweed. Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing. Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The aerial part of the entire plant is gathered in summer, dried in the sun and cut into pieces. Properties & Taste: Bitter, pungent and slightly warm Meridians: Liver and spleen Functions: 1. To invigorate blood and remove stagnation; 2. To promote urination and reduce edema Indications & Combinations: 1. Blood stagnation manifested as amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation or … Xem tiếp

Common knotgrass (Bianxu)

Common knotgrass (Bianxu) Pharmaceutical Name: Herba Polygoni avicularis Botanical Name: Polygonum aviculare L. Common Name: Polygonum, Common knotgrass Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The aerial parts of the plant are gathered in summer and dried in the sun. Properties & Taste: Bitter and slightly cold. Meridian: Urinary bladder Functions: 1. To promote water metabolism and regulate abnormal urination; 2. To expel parasites and stop itching. Indications & Combinations: 1. Damp-heat in the urinary bladder manifested as scanty urine with blood, painful … Xem tiếp

Ginkgo seed (Baiguo)-Ginkgo biloba

Ginkgo seed (Baiguo) Pharmaceutical Name: Semen Ginkgo Botanical Name: Ginkgo biloba L. Common Name: Ginkgo seed Source of Earliest Record: Bencao Gangmu Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The ripe seeds are gathered in autumn, cleaned and dried in the sun. After the shells of the seeds have been broken, the seeds are removed and pounded into pieces. Properties & Taste: Sweet, bitter, astringent, neutral and slightly toxic Meridian: Lung Functions: 1. To strengthen lung qi and soothe asthma; 2. To relieve leukorrhea. Indications & Combinations: 1. Asthma: a) … Xem tiếp

Ledebouriella root (Fangfeng)-Ledebouriella divaricata

Ledebouriella root (Fangfeng) Pharmaceutical Name: Radix Ledebouriellae Botanical Name: Ledebouriella divaricata (Turcz.) Hiroe Common Name: Ledebouriella root Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The root is dug in spring and autumn, dried in the sun, soaked in water and cut into pieces. Properties & Taste: Pungent, sweet and warm Meridians: Lung, liver, spleen and urinary bladder Functions: 1. To release the exterior and expel wind; 2. To expel wind-dampness and alleviate pain; 3. To alleviate spasms Indications & Combinations: 1. Wind-cold exterior … Xem tiếp

Anemarrhena rhizome (Zhimu)

Anemarrhena rhizome (Zhimu) Pharmaceutical Name: Rhizoma Anemarrhenae. Botanical Name: Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bge. Common Name: Anemarrhena rhizome. Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing. Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The rhizomes are gathered in spring or autumn. After the fibrous roots have been removed, the rhizomes are cleaned, dried and soaked in water. Finally, the skin is peeled off, cut into slices and baked with salt. Properties & Taste: Sweet, bitter and cold. Meridians: Lung, stomach and kidney. Functions: 1. To clear heat and reduce fire; 2. To nourish … Xem tiếp

Bupleurum root (Chaihu)

Bupleurum root (Chaihu) Pharmaceutical Name: Radix bupleuri Botanical Name: Bupleurum scorzoneraefollium wild; 2. Bupleurum chinense DC. Common Name: Bupleurum root. Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing. Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The roots are dug in spring or autumn, dried in the sun and cut into short pieces. The raw root can be used, or it can be baked with wine or vinegar. Properties & Taste: Bitter, pungent and slightly cold. Meridians: Pericardium, liver, gall bladder and triple jiao. Functions: 1. To release the exterior and clear … Xem tiếp

Coptis root (Huanglian)

Coptis root (Huanglian) Pharmaceutical Name: Rhizoma Coptidis Botanical Name: 1. Coptis chinensis Franch. C.; 2. Coptis diltoidea C. Y. Cheng et Hsiao; 3. Coptis teetoides C. Y. Cheng Common Name: Coptis root Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: Five to seven year old roots, or rhizomes, are dug and gathered in autumn and dried for use, or fried with ginger juice. Properties & Taste: Bitter and cold. Meridians: Heart, liver, stomach and large intestine Functions: 1. To clear heat and dry dampness; … Xem tiếp

Ginseng (Renshen)-Panax ginseng

Ginseng (Renshen) Pharmaceutical Name: Radix Ginseng Botanical Name: Panax ginseng C. A. Mey. Common Name: Ginseng Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: There are many types of ginseng, including wild and cultivated. Cultivated ginseng from Jilin Province in China is the best quality. The ginseng roots are dug in autumn after being cultivated for six to seven years, and then they are cleaned, dried in the sun, steamed or baked and cut into slices. Properties & Taste: Sweet, slightly warm. Meridians: Spleen … Xem tiếp

Leech (Shuizhi)-Whitmania pigra

Leech (Shuizhi) Pharmaceutical Name: Hirudo seu whitmaniae Zoological Name: 1. Whitmaniapigra (Whitman); 2. Hirudo nipponica Whitman; 3. Whitmania acranulata (Whitman) Common Name: Leech Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The leeches are caught from May to June or in autumn. They are killed and dried in the sun, and then pounded into powder or carbonized. Properties & Taste: Salty, bitter, neutral and slightly toxic Meridian: Liver Functions: 1. To invigorate blood and remove stagnation; 2. To promote menstruation Indications & Combinations: 1. … Xem tiếp

Antelope's horn (Lingyangjiao)

Antelope’s horn (Lingyangjiao) Pharmaceutical Name: Cornus Saigae Tataricae. Zoological Name: Saiga tatarica L. Common Name: Antelope’s horn. Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing. Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The antelope’s horn is sawn off in autumn and ground into powder or cut into very thin slices. Properties & Taste: Salty and cold. Meridians: Liver and heart. Functions: 1. To pacify the liver and subdue endogenous wind; 2. To clear liver fire and brighten the eyes; 3. To clear heat and release toxins. Indications & Combinations: 1. Endogenous … Xem tiếp

Burnet root (Diyu)

Burnet root (Diyu) Pharmaceutical Name: Radix Sanguisorbae Botanical Name: Sanguisorba officinalis L. Common Name: Sanguisorba root, Burnet 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 then cleaned, dried in the sun and cut into slices. Properties & Taste: Bitter, sour and slightly cold Meridians: Liver, stomach and large intestine Functions: 1. To cool blood and stop bleeding; 2. To dispel toxins and promote healing of … Xem tiếp

Cordyceps (Dongchongxiacao)

Cordyceps (Dongchongxiacao) Pharmaceutical Name: Cordyceps Botanical Name: Cordyceps sinensis (Berk.) Sacc Common Name: Cordyceps, Chinese caterpillar fungus Source of Earliest Record: Bencao Congxin Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The fungus and the carcass of the larvae of various insects are collected in the period of the Summer Solstice (tenth solar term). They are cleaned and dried in the sun or baked. Properties & Taste: Sweet and warm. Meridians: Kidney and lung Functions: 1. To tonify lungs and kidneys; 2. To stop bleeding; 3. To resolve phlegm Indications & … Xem tiếp

Glauber's salt (Mangxiao)

Glauber’s salt (Mangxiao) Pharmaceutical Name: Natrii Sulfas Mineral Name: 1. Mirabilite; 2. Glauber’s salt; 3. Sodium sulfate Common Name: Mirabilite, Glauber’s salt Source of Earliest Record: Mingyi Bielu Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: Sodium sulfate Properties & Taste: Salty, bitter and cold Meridians: Stomach and large intestine Functions: 1. To purge feces downward; 2. To soften hardness; 3. To clear heat Indications & Combinations: 1. Constipation. Glauber’s salt (Mangxiao) is used with Rhubarb (Dahuang) in the formula Dachengqi Tang. 2. Sore throat, ulcerated mouth, red eyes or boils. … Xem tiếp