Dichroa root (Changshan)-Dichroa fibrifuga

Dichroa root (Changshan) Pharmaceutical Name: Radix Dichroae Botanical Name: Dichroa fibrifuga Lour. Common Name: Dichroa root Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing. Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The roots are dug in autumn. After the fibrous roots have been removed, the roots are dried in the sun and cut into slices. They can also be fried with wine. Properties & Taste: Bitter, pungent, cold and toxic Meridians: Lung, heart and liver. Functions: To expel phlegm and relieve malaria. Indications & Combinations: Malaria. Dichroa root (Changshan) is used … Xem tiếp

Green chiretta (Chuanxinlian)-Andrographis paniculata

Green chiretta (Chuanxinlian) Pharmaceutical Name: Herb Andrographitis Botanical Name: Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Nees Common Name: Green chiretta, Kariyat Source of Earliest Record: Lingnan Caoyao Lu Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The aerial parts of the plant are gathered in the early autumn when the plant begins to flower. Then it is cut into pieces and dried. Properties & Taste: Bitter and cold. Meridians: Lung, stomach, large and small intestines Functions: 1. To clear heat and release toxins; 2. To dry dampness Indications & Combinations: 1. The beginning … Xem tiếp

Mother-of-pearl (Zhenzhumu)-Pteria martensii (Dunker)

Mother-of-pearl (Zhenzhumu) Pharmaceutical Name: Margarita Zoological Name: 1. Pteria martensii (Dunker); 2. Hyriopsis cumingii (Lea); 3. Cristaria plicata (Leach) Common Name: Mother-of-pearl, pearl Source of Earliest Record: Haiyao Bencao Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The pearl shells are collected and ground into powder. Properties & Taste: Salty and cold. Meridians: Heart and liver. Functions: 1. To pacify the liver and subdue the yang; 2. To clear heat in the liver and brighten the eyes. Indications & Combinations: 1. Deficient yin of the liver and kidneys and hyperactivity of … Xem tiếp

Ark shell (Walengzi)

Ark shell (Walengzi) Pharmaceutical Name: Concha Arcae. Zoological Name: 1. Arca granosa L.; 2. Arca subcrenata Lischke; 3. Arca inflata Reeve. Common Name: Ark shell. Source of Earliest Record: Mingyi Bielu. Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The shells are collected from the sea when the tide is out. After the flesh is removed, the shell is dried and ground into powder. Properties & Taste: Salty and neutral. Meridians: Lung, stomach and liver. Functions: 1. To resolve phlegm and stagnation; 2. To soften hardness and disperse nodules Indications & … Xem tiếp

Chinese chive seed (Jiuzi)

Chinese chive seed (Jiuzi) Pharmaceutical Name: Semen Allii tuberosi Botanical Name: Allium tuberosum Rottl. Common Name: Chinese leek, Chinese chive seed Source of Earliest Record: Bencao Jingji Zhi. Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The seeds are collected in autumn, and then dried in the sun or fried. Properties & Taste: Pungent, sweet and warm Meridians: Liver and kidney Functions: 1. To tonify the liver and kidneys; 2. To strengthen yang and control the essence Indications & Combinations: 1. Deficiency of kidney yang manifested as impotence and cold pain … Xem tiếp

Curculigo rhizome (Xianmao)

Curculigo rhizome (Xianmao) Pharmaceutical Name: Rhizoma curculiginis Botanical Name: Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. Common Name: Curculigo rhizome, Golden-eye grass Source of Earliest Record: Haiyao Bencao Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The rhizomes are dug in early spring. After the fibrous roots have been removed, the roots are dried in the sun and cut into slices. Properties & Taste: Pungent, hot and toxic Meridian: Kidney Functions: 1. To warm the kidney and strengthen yang; 2. To dispel cold and dampness Indications & Combinations: 1. Weakness of kidney yang manifested as … Xem tiếp

Dioscorea (Shanyao)-Dioscorea opposita

Dioscorea (Shanyao) Pharmaceutical Name: Rhizoma Dioscoreae Botanical Name: Dioscorea opposita Thunb. Common Name: Chinese yam, Dioscorea Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing. Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The rhizomes are dug in the period of Frost’s Descent (eighteenth solar term). After the rough bark has been removed, the rhizomes are cleaned and dried in either the sun or the shade. Then, they are soaked again and cut into slices. Properties & Taste: Sweet and neutral. Meridians: Spleen, lung and kidney Functions: 1. To strengthen the spleen and … Xem tiếp

Green tangerine peel (Qingpi)-Citrus reticulata

Green tangerine peel (Qingpi) Pharmaceutical Name: Pericarpium Citri reticulatae viride Botanical Name: Citrus reticulata blanco Common Name: Green tangerine peel Source of Earliest Record: Bencao Tujing Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: When tangerines are still green in June or July, the green skins are removed, cleaned and dried in the sun. Properties & Taste: Bitter, pungent and warm Meridians: Liver, gall bladder and stomach Functions: 1. To promote the free flow of qi in the liver; 2. To relieve retention of food and disperse stagnation Indications & Combinations: … Xem tiếp

Motherwort (Yimucao)-Leonurus heterophyllus Sweet

Motherwort (Yimucao) Pharmaceutical Name: Herba Leonuri Botanical Name: Leonurus heterophyllus Sweet Common Name: Motherwort Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The entire plant is gathered in May or June, when it is flowering. It is then dried in the sun. Properties & Taste: Pungent, bitter and slightly cold. Meridians: Heart, liver and urinary bladder. Functions: 1. To invigorate blood and move stagnation; 2. To promote urination and reduce edema Indications & Combinations: 1. Blood stagnation manifested as irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, postpartum … Xem tiếp

Arnebia (Zicao)

Arnebia (Zicao) Pharmaceutical Name: Radix Lithospermi seu Arnebiae. Botanical Name: 1. Lithospermun erythrorhizon sieb. et zucc; 2. Arnebia euchroma (Royle Johnst); 3. Macrotomia euchroma. Common Name: Lithospermun root, Arnebia root, Groomwell 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, soaked in water and cut into slices. Properties & Taste: Sweet and cold. Meridians: Heart and liver. Functions: 1. To cool blood and invigorate blood; 2. To release toxins and bring the … Xem tiếp

Chinese gentian (Longdancao)

Chinese gentian (Longdancao) Pharmaceutical Name: Radix Gentianae Botanical Name: 1. Gentiana scabra Bge.; 2. Gentiana triflora Pall.; 3 Gentiana manshurica Kitag. Common Name: Chinese gentian Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The roots, or rhizomes, are gathered in autumn, dried in the sun and cut into pieces. Properties & Taste: Bitter and cold Meridians: Liver, gall bladder and stomach Functions: 1. To clear heat and dry dampness; 2. To reduce fire in the liver Indications & Combinations: 1. Damp-heat syndrome: a) damp-heat … Xem tiếp

Curcuma root (Yujin)

Curcuma root (Yujin) Pharmaceutical Name: Radix Curcumae Botanical Name: 1. Curcuma longa L.; 2. C. aromatica salisb.; 3. Curcuma zedoaria Rosc.; 4. Curcuma kwangsiensis S. Lee et C. F. Liang Common Name: Curcuma root Source of Earliest Record: Xinxiu Bencao Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The tuberous roots are dug in autumn or winter. After removing the fibrous roots, the roots are cleaned, boiled, dried in the sun and cut into slices. Properties & Taste: Pungent, bitter and cold Meridians: Heart, liver and gall bladder Functions: 1. To … Xem tiếp

Dittany bark (Baixianpi)-Dictamnus dasycarpus

Dittany bark (Baixianpi) Pharmaceutical Name: Cortex Dictamni radicis Botanical Name: Dictamnus dasycarpus Turcz. Common Name: Dittany bark, Fraxinella 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 bark is peeled off, cut into slices and dried in the sun. Properties & Taste: Bitter and cold Meridians: Spleen and stomach. Functions: 1. To clear heat and release toxins; 2. To remove damp and stop itching Indications & Combinations: Boils and … Xem tiếp

Moutan bark (Mudanpi)-Paeonia suffruticosa Andr

Moutan bark (Mudanpi) Pharmaceutical Name: Cortex Moutan Botanical Name: Paeonia suffruticosa Andr. Common Name: Moutan bark, Tree peony bark Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing. Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The roots are dug and gathered in autumn. After the fibrous roots have been removed, the roots are dried in the sun. Properties & Taste: Bitter, pungent and slightly cold Meridians: Heart, liver and kidney Functions: 1. To clear heat and cool blood; 2. To invigorate blood and resolve blood stagnation Indications & Combinations: 1. Febrile disease … Xem tiếp

Asarum herb (Xixin)

Asarum herb (Xixin) Pharmaceutical Name: Herba asari cum Radice. Botanical Name: 1. Asarum hetrotropoides Fr. var. mandshuricum (Maxim.) Kitag. 2. A. sieboldii Miq. Common Name: Asarum herb, Wild ginger. Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing. Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The entire plant is gathered in summer and dried in the shade. Properties & Taste: Pungent and warm. Meridians: Lung and kidney. Functions: 1. To dispel cold and stop pain; 2. To warm the lungs and resolve phlegm-damp; 3. To relieve nasal congestion. Indications & Combinations: 1. … Xem tiếp