Chinese green onion (Congbai)

Chinese green onion (Congbai) Pharmaceutical Name: Bulbus Allii Fistulosi Botanical Name: Allium fistulosum L. Common Name: Allium bulb, Wild scallion, Chinese green onion. Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The fresh, white bulb is gathered in any season. Properties & Taste: Pungent and warm. Meridians: Lung and stomach Functions: 1. To release the exterior and cause sweating; 2. To disperse cold by invigorating yang-qi; 3. To alleviate toxins Indications & Combinations: 1. Initial stage of wind-cold exterior syndrome (the very early stage … Xem tiếp

Cuttlefish bone (Wuzeigu)

Cuttlefish bone (Wuzeigu) Pharmaceutical Name: Os Sepiae seu Sepiellae Zoological Name: 1. Sepiella maindroni de Rochebrune; 2. Sepia esculenta Hoyle Common Name: Cuttlefish bone, Cuttlebone Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The cuttlefish is caught from April to August. The bone is removed from the fish and dried for twenty-four hours. Properties & Taste: Salty, astringent and slightly warm. Meridians: Liver and kidney. Functions: 1. To astringe and stop bleeding; 2. To control the essence and relieve leukorrhea; 3. To restrain hyperacidity … Xem tiếp

Dog testis (Huanggoushen)-Canis familiaris

Dog testis (Huanggoushen) Pharmaceutical Name: Testis et Penis Canis familiaris Zoological Name: Canis familiaris L. Common Name: Dog testis Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing. Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The penis or testis can be obtained at any time. After removing the fat, the testis is dried in the shade. Properties & Taste: Salty and warm. Meridian: Kidney. Functions: To tonify the kidneys and strengthen yang. Indications & Combinations: Deficiency of kidney yang manifested as impotence, aversion to cold and cold extremities. Dog testis (Huanggoushen) is … Xem tiếp

Eupatorium (Peilan)-Eupatorium fortunei

Eupatorium (Peilan) Pharmaceutical Name: Herba Eupatorii Botanical Name: Eupatorium fortunei Turcz. Common Name: Eupatorium Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The aerial parts of the plant are harvested either in summer or autumn, with autumn being preferable. They are cut into pieces and dried in the sun. Properties & Taste: Pungent and neutral. Meridians: Spleen and stomach. Functions: 1. To transform dampness; 2. To release summer-heat Indications & Combinations: 1. Dampness blocking spleen and stomach manifested as epigastric and abdominal distension and … Xem tiếp

Mugwort leaf (Aiye)-Artemisia argyi Levl. et Vant.

Mugwort leaf (Aiye) Pharmaceutical Name: Folium Artemisiae Argyi Botanical Name: Artemisia argyi Levl. et Vant. Common Name: Mugwort leaf Source of Earliest Record: Mingyi Bielu. Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The leaves are gathered in spring or summer, when the mugwort is flowering. They are dried in a shady place. Properties & Taste: Bitter, pungent and warm. Meridians: Liver, spleen and kidney Functions: 1. To warm the channels and stop bleeding; 2. To dispel cold and stop pain Indications & Combinations: 1. Hemorrhages due to deficiency and cold, … Xem tiếp

Asparagus root (Tianmendong)

Asparagus root (Tianmendong) Pharmaceutical Name: Radix Asparagi Botanical Name: Asparagus cochinchinensis (Lour.) Merr. Common Name: Asparagus root. Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing. Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The tuberous roots are dug in autumn. After the fibrous roots have been removed, the roots are boiled in hot water or steamed, and soaked again in clear water. The roots are then dried in the sun or baked. Finally, they are cut into slices. Properties & Taste: Sweet, bitter and very cold. Meridians: Lung and kidney. Functions: 1. … Xem tiếp

Calabash gourd (Hulu)

Calabash gourd (Hulu) Pharmaceutical Name: Pericarpium lagenariae Botanical Name: Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl. Common Name: Calabash gourd. Source of Earliest Record: Rihuazi Bencao. Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: When the calabash gourd ripens in autumn, its peel is collected and dried in the sun. Properties & Taste: Sweet and neutral. Meridians: Lung and small intestine. Functions: To promote water metabolism and reduce edema. Indications & Combinations: Edema. Calabash gourd (Hulu) is used with herbs which promote water metabolism, such as Benincasa peel (Dongguapi). Dosage: 15-30 g.

Chinese rose flower (Yuejihua)

Chinese rose flower (Yuejihua) Pharmaceutical Name: Flos Rosae chinensis Botanical Name: Rosa chinensis Jacq. Common Name: Chinese rose flower Source of Earliest Record: Bencao Gangmu. Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The flower buds are gathered in June or July in fair weather. Then the buds are opened and dried in the shade. Properties & Taste: Sweet and warm. Meridian: Liver Functions: 1. To invigorate blood and regulate menstruation; 2. To reduce swelling Indications & Combinations: 1. Qi and blood stagnation in the liver manifested as irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea … Xem tiếp

Cyathula root (Niuxi)

Cyathula root (Niuxi) Pharmaceutical Name: Radix Achyranthis bidentatae; Radix Cyathulae Botanical Name: 1. Achyranthes bidentata Bl.; 2. Cyathula officinalis Kuan Common Name: Achyranthes root, Cyathula root Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The roots are dug in winter, dried and cut into slices. Properties & Taste: Bitter, sour and neutral Meridians: Liver and kidney Functions: 1. To invigorate blood, release stagnation and promote menstruation; 2. To tonify liver and kidneys, and strengthen the tendons and muscles; 3. To promote urination and relieve … Xem tiếp

Dogbane (Luobuma)-Apocynum venetum

Dogbane (Luobuma) Pharmaceutical Name: Folium Apocyni veneti Botanical Name: Apocynum venetum L. Common Name: Dogbane leaf Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing. Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The leaves or whole plant are gathered in summer, dried in the sun and then cut into pieces. Properties & Taste: Tasteless, astringent and slightly cold. Meridian: Liver. Functions: 1. To pacify the liver and clear heat; 2. To promote urination Indications & Combinations: 1. Hyperactivity of liver yang manifested as headache, vertigo, dizziness, irritability and insomnia. Dogbane (Luobuma) is … Xem tiếp

Euryale seed (Qianshi)-Euryale ferox

Euryale seed (Qianshi) Pharmaceutical Name: Semen Euryales Botanical Name: Euryale ferox Salisb. Common Name: Euryale seed Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing. Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The ripe seeds are collected from August to September. The seeds are shelled, dried in the sun and pounded into pieces. Properties & Taste: Sweet, astringent and neutral Meridians: Spleen and kidney. Functions: 1. To tonify the spleen and stop diarrhea; 2. To strengthen the kidneys and control essence; 3. To dispel dampness and relieve leukorrhea Indications & Combinations: 1. … Xem tiếp

Mulberry (Sangshen)-Morus alba L.

Mulberry (Sangshen) Pharmaceutical Name: Fructus Mori Botanical Name: Morus alba L. Common Name: Mulberry, Morus fruit Source of Earliest Record: Xinxiu Bencao Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The ripe fruit is gathered from April to June. It is cleaned and dried in the sun. Properties & Taste: Sweet and cold. Meridians: Heart, liver and kidney. Functions: 1. To nourish the yin and replenish the blood; 2. To promote the production of body fluids and stop thirst; 3. To moisten the intestines and move feces Indications & Combinations: 1. … Xem tiếp

Aster root (Ziwan)

Aster root (Ziwan) Pharmaceutical Name: Radix Asteris Botanical Name: Aster tataricus L. f. Common Name: Aster root, Purple aster root Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The roots, or rhizomes, are dug in spring or autumn. Then they are cleaned, dried in the sun and cut into pieces. Properties & Taste: Bitter, sweet and slightly warm. Meridian: Lung. Functions: To resolve phlegm and stop cough. Indications & Combinations: Cough: a) cough due to invasion by exogenous pathogenic factors manifested as cough with … Xem tiếp

Campsis flower (Lingxiaohua)

Campsis flower (Lingxiaohua) Pharmaceutical Name: Flos Campsis Botanical Name: Campsis grandiflora (Thunb.) K. Schum. Common Name: Campsis flower. Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing. Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The flowers are gathered in full bloom. They are then dried in the shade. Properties & Taste: Pungent and slightly cold. Meridians: Liver and pericardium. Functions: 1. To release stagnation and clear the meridians; 2. To cool the blood and dispel wind Indications & Combinations: 1. Amenorrhea caused by blood stagnation. Campsis flower (Lingxiaohua) is used with Chinese … Xem tiếp

Chinese starjasmine (Luoshiteng)

Chinese starjasmine (Luoshiteng) Pharmaceutical Name: Calilis trachelospermi Botanical Name: Tranchelospermun jasminoides (Lindl.) Lem. Common Name: Chinese starjasmine. Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing. Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The foliated stems are gathered in winter or spring, cleaned, dried in the sun and cut into small pieces. The raw stems can be steamed with yellow wine. Properties & Taste: Bitter and slightly cold. Meridians: Heart and liver. Functions: 1. To dispel wind and dampness and clear the collaterals; 2. To cool the blood and reduce swelling Indications … Xem tiếp