Practitioner, Bastyr Center for Natural Health, Seattle, WA
Adjunct Faculty/Lecturer, Northwestern Health Sciences University,
Arizona School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine,
Eastern School of Acupuncture and Traditional Medicine,
Clinic Supervisor, Bastyr University
Graduate student, Asian Languages and Literature, Univ of WA
*** The following information is intended strictly for edification of those patients actively receiving professional Chinese medical care. This information alone is insufficient - even for a fully trained physician - to base a diagnosis upon or guide medical care. There are many details required for treatment, about the patient and the herbs, that are not given here. Further, a hallmark of proper care is oversight by a trained clinician. Readers are advised not to attempt to employ this information for the purposes of self-diagnosis or self-care.
Importantly, terms used are translations of Chinese medical terminology and should not be misconstrued as equivalent in meaning to the same or similar English words. For instance, "liver" as used in Chinese medicine may refer to the organ, a specific section of tissue running from the big toe to the head, or even a set of behavioral of psychological characteristics. Similarly, "blood" as used in Chinese medicine has much in common with the modern medical usage. However, there are very important differences, for instance, the Chinese medical understanding of the strong relationship between blood and the mind.
Except where noted, all information comes from Brand, Eric and Wiseman, Nigel. Concise Chinese Materia Medica. New Mexico: Paradigm Publications, 2008.
*** The list of herbs is currently under construction with new herbs being added every week. If you are a current patient and an herb in your formula is not listed, let me know, and I will get the information posted within 24 hours.
To assist in locating specific herbs quicker, it is suggested you use your browser's search feature, for instance, pressing "CTRL + F" and entering the name of the herb in the search box.
For each herb, the following information is given:
Bear in mind, that which is listed does not necessarily correlate to one's direct experience upon tasting the herb. For example, some acrid herbs taste pungent, but not all.
A
B
Bái biǎn dòu 白扁豆; lablab [bean]; also called hyacinth bean; Lablab Semen Album
Sweet; slightly warm; spleen, stomach; 10-30 grams
Fortifies the spleen and transforms dampness; disperses summerheat
Bái sháo 白芍; white peony [root], Paeoniae Radix Alba
Bitter, sour, sweet; slightly cold; liver, spleen; 10-30 grams
Nourishes the blood and regulates menstruation; emolliates the liver and relieves pain;
calms liver yang; constrains yīn and checks sweating
Bái zhǐ 白芷; Dahurian angelica [root]; Angelicae Dahuricae Radix
Acrid; warm; lung, stomach; 3-10 grams
Resolves the exterior and disperses wind; dispels wind and relieves pain; disperses
swelling and expels pus
Bái zhú 白朮; white atractylodes [rhizome]; Atractylodis MAcrocephalae Rhizoma
Bitter, sweet; warm; spleen, stomach; 5-15 grams
Supplements qì and fortifies the spleen; dries dampness and disinhibits water; checks sweating; quiets the fetus
Bǎi zǐ rén 柏子仁; arborvitae seed; also called Oriental arboervitae seed; Platycladi Semen; also called Biotae Semen
Sweet; balanced; heart, kidney, large intestine; 10-20 grams
Nourishes the heart and quiets the spirit; moistens the intestines and frees the stool
Bàn xià 半夏; pinellia [rhizome]; Pinelliae Rhizoma
Acrid; warm; toxic; spleen, stomach, lung; 3-10 grams
Dries dampness and transforms phlegm; downbears counterflow and checks vomiting; disperses swelling and relieves pain
[Dr. Aguilar's note - The listed toxicity of this and other herbs is mitigated with specific preparation techniques and is safe for use within professional Chinese medical guidelines.]
Bò hé 薄荷; mint; also called field mint; Menthae Herba
Acrid; cool; lung, live; 2-10 grams
Disperses wind-heat; clears and disinhibits the head and eyes; disinhibits the throat; outthrusts papules; courses the liver and moves qì
Bǔ gǔ zhī 補骨脂; psoralea [fruit]; also called scurfy pea [fruit]; Psoraleae Fructus
Acrid, sweet; warm; spleen, kidneyl 6-15 grams
Supplements the kidney and assists yáng, secures essence and reduces urination; warms the spleen adn checks diarrhea; promotes qì absorption and calms panting
C
Cāng ěr zǐ 蒼耳子; xanthium [fruit]; Xanthii Fructus
Acrid, bitter; warm; slightly toxic; lung; 3-10 grams
Frees the basal orifices; dispels wind-damp and relieves pain
[Dr. Aguilar's note - The listed toxicity of this and other herbs is mitigated with specific preparation techniques and is safe for use within professional Chinese medical guidelines.]
Cāng zhú 蒼術; atractylodes [rhizome]; Atractylodis rhizoma
Acrid, bitter; warm; spleen, stomach; 5-10 grams
Dries dampness and fortifies the spleen; dispels wind-damp impediment; treats external contraction of wind-cold dampness
Chái hú 柴胡; bupleurum [root]; also called hare's ear [root]; Bupleuri Radix
Bitter, acrid; slightly cold; 3-10 grams
Harmonizes and resolves the exterior and abates heat; Courses the liver and resolves depression; uplifts yang qi
(Shí) Chāng pú (石)菖蒲; acorus [root]; Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma
Bitter, acrid; warm; heart, stomach; 5-10 grams
Open the orifices and quiets the spirit; transforms dampness and harmonizes the stomach
Chē qián zǐ 車前子; plantago seed; also caleld plantain seed; Plantaginis Semen
Sweet; cold; kidney, liver, lung (some sources also say uirnary bladder or small intestine); 10-15 grams
Disinhibits water and frees stranguary; percolates dampness and checks diarrhea; clears the liver and brightens the eyes; clears the lung and transforms phlegm
Chén pí 陳皮; tangerine peel; Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium
Acrid, bitter; warm; spleen, lung; 3-10 grams
Moves qì and fortifies the spleen; dries dampness and transforms phlegm
[Dr. Aguilar's note - Chén pí is often used in formulas to aid in digestion of the formula.]
Chì sháo 赤芍; red peony [root]; Paeoniae Radix Rubra
Bitter; slightly cold; liver; 6-15 grams
Clears heat and cools the blood; qiockens the blood and transforms stasis
Chuān bèi mǔ 川貝母; Sichuān fritillaria [bulb]; also called fritillaria [bulb]; Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus
Bitter, sweet; slightly cold; lung, heart; 3-6 grams
Clears heat and transforms phlegm; moistens the lung and relieves cough; dispereses phlegm and binds
Chuān liàn zǐ 川楝子; toosendan [fruit]; Toosendan Fructus
Bitter; cold; mildly toxic; liver, stomach, small intestine urinary bladder; 3-10 grams
Moves qì and relieves pain
[Dr. Aguilar's note - The listed toxicity of this and other herbs is mitigated with specific preparation techniques and is safe for use within professional Chinese medical guidelines.]
Chuān xiong 川芎; chuanxiong [rhizome]; Chuanxiong Rhizoma
Acrid; warm; 3-10 grams
Quickens the blood and moves qì; dispels wind and relieves pain
D
Dà huáng 大黃; rhubarb [root and rhizome]; also called Chinese rhubarb; Rhei Radix et
Rhizoma
Bitter; cold; spleen, stomach, large intestine, liver, heart; 5-10 grams
Drains and percipitates to attack accumulations; drains fire and resolves toxin
Dān shēn 丹參; salvia [root]; also called red-rooted sage [root]; Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix
Bitter; slightly cold; liver, heart; 5-15 grams
Quickens the blood and regulates menstruation; disperses welling-abscesses
Dàn zhú yè 淡竹叶;
Dāng guī 當歸; Chinese angelica [root]; also called tangkuei [root]; Angelicae Sinensis Radix
Sweet, acrid; warm; liver, heart, spleen; 5-15 grams
Supplements the blood; quickens the blood and relieves pain; moistens the intestintes
Dǎng shēn 黨參; codonopsis [root]; Codonopsis Radix
Sweet; balanced; spleen, lung; 10-30 grams
Supplements spleen and lung qì; engenders liquids; nourishes blood
Dú huó 獨活; pubescent angelica; also called tohuo [angelica root]; Angelicae Pubescebtis Radix
Bitter, acrid; slightly warm; liver, gallbladder; 5-15 grams
Dispels wind-damp and relieves impediment pain; resolves the exterior
Dù zhòng 杜仲; eucommia [bark]; Eucommiae Cortex
Sweet; warm; liver, kidney; 10-15 grams
Supplements the liver and kidney; strengthens sinew and bone; quiets the fetus
F
Fáng fēng 防風; saposhnikovia [root]; also called ledebouriella [root] or siler [root]; Saposhnikoviae Radix
Acrid, sweet; slighlty warm; urinary bladder liver, spleen; 3-20 grams
Dispels wind and resolves the exterior; overcomes dampness and relieves pain; resolves tetany
Fú líng 茯苓; poria; also called hoelen, tuckahoe; Poria
Sweet, bland; balanced; heart, spleen, kidney; 10-15 grams
Disinhibits water and percolates dampness; fortifies the spleen; quiets the spirit
G
Gān cǎo 甘草; licorice [root]; also spelled liquorice [root]; Glycyrrhizae Radix
Sweet; balanced; 3-10 grams
Supplements heart and spleen qì; dispels phlegm and relieves cough; relaxes tension and relieves pain; harmonizes the nature of medicinals; clears heat and resolves toxins
Gǒu qǐ zǐ 枸杞子; lycium [berry]; also called matrimony vine [fruit], boxthorn fruit; Lycii Fructus
Sweet; balanced; liver, kidney (some sources say lung); 5-15 grams
Supplements the liver and kidney, brightens the eyes
Gōu téng 鉤藤; uncaria [stem and thorn]; Uncariae Ramulus cum Uncis
Sweet; slightly cold; liver, percardium; 10-15 grams
Extinguishes wind and checks tetany; clears heat and calms the liver
Guì zhī 桂枝; cinnamon twig; Cinnamomi Ramulus
Acrid, sweet; warm; lung, heart, bladder; 3-10 grams
Promotes sweating and resolves the exterior; warms and frees the channels
H
Hé huān pí 合歡皮; silk tree bark; Albiziae Cortex
Sweet; balanced; heart, liver; 10-15g
Quiets the spirit and resolves depression; quickens the blood and disperses swelling
Hé shǒu wū (zhì) 何首烏 (炙); flowery knotweed [root]; also called multiflorous polygonum [root]; Polygoni Multiflori Radix
Sweet, astringent; slightly warm; liver, kidney; 10-30 grams
Supplements essence-blood
Hóng huā 紅花; carthamus [flower]; also called safflower; Carthami Flos
Acrid; slightly warm; liver, heart; 3-9 grams
Quickens the blood and frees the menses; dispels stasis and relieves pain
(Huái) Niú xī 懷牛膝; achyranthes [root]; Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix
Bitter, sour, sweet; balanced; liver, kidney; 6-15 grams
Quickens the blood and frees menstruation; supplements the liver and kidney and strengthens sinews and bones; disinhibits urine and frees stranguary; conducts fire and blood downward
Note - Chuan niu xi (cyathula [root]; Cyathulae Radix) is similar in action to (Huái) Niú xi. However, it is more effective in quickening the blood and transforming stasis, and lacks the ability to supplement the liver and kidney and to strengthen the sinews and bones.
Huáng bǎi 黃柏; phellodendron [bark]; also called amur cork tree bark; Phellodendri Cortex
Bitter; cold; kidney, large intestine, urinary bladder; 5-10 grams
Clears heat and dries dampness; drains fire and resolves toxin' abates vacuity heat
Huáng qí 黃芪; astragalus [root]; Aastragali Radiz
Sweet; slightly warm; spleen, lung; 10-15 grams
Boosts qì and upbears yáng; boosts defense and secures the exterior; disinhibits water and disperses swelling; expresses toxin and engenders flesh
[Dr. Aguilar's note - Zhǐ Huáng qī 炙黃芪, honey stir-fired astragalus, has similar properties, but is stronger in upbearing yáng and weaker in boosting the defense.]
Huáng qín 黃芩; scutellaria [root]; also called Baikal skullcap [root] or scute; Scutellariae Radix
Bitter; cold; lung, stomach, gallbladder, large intestine; 3-10 grams
Clears heat and dries dampness; drains fire and resolves toxin; cools the blood and
stances bleeding; eliminates heat to quiet the fetus
Huáng lián 黃連; coptis [rhizome]; also called goldthread [rhizome]; Coptidis Rhizoma
Bitter; cold; heart, liver stomach, large intestine; 1.5-10 grams
Clears heat and dries dampness; drains fire and resolves toxin
I
J
Jié gěng 桔梗; platycodon [root]; also called balloonflower root, Chinese bellflower root; Platycodonis Radix
Bitter, acrid; balanced; lungl 3-10 grams
Diffuses the lung and transforms phlegm; disinhibts the throat; expels pus
Jīn yín huā 金銀花; lonicera [flower]; Lonicerae Flos
Sweet; cold; lung, stomach, large intestine; 10-30 grams
Clears heat and rsovles toxin; disperses wind-heat; checks dysentery; treats painful
swollen throat due to wind-heat or heat toxin
Jīng jiè 荊芥; schizonepeta; Schizonepetae Herba
Acrid; slightly warm; lung, liver; 3-10 grams
Dispels wind and resolves the exterior; outthrusts papules and relieves itching; disperses sores; stanches bleeding
Jú huā 菊花; chrysanthemum [flower]; Chrysanthemi Flos
Acrid, sweet, bitter; slightly cold; liver, lung; 10-15 grams
Disperses wind-heat; clears the liver and drains fire; brightens the eyes; calms lver yáng; clears heat and resolves toxin
K
L
Lián qiào 连翘;forsythia [fruit]; Forsythiae Fructus
Bitter; slightly cold; lung, heart, galbladder; 10-15 grams
Clears heat and resolves toxin; disperses welling-abscesses and bnds
Lóng yǎn ròu 龍眼肉; longan flesh; Longan Arillus
Sweet, warm; heart, spleen; 10-15 grams
Supplements the heart and spleen, nourishes the blood, and quiets the spirit
M
Mài mén dōng 麦门冬; ophiopogon [root]; Ophiopogonis Radix
Sweet, slightly bitter; slightly colld; stomach, lung, heart; 6-12 grams
Nourishes lung yīn and clears lung heat; boosts the stomach and engenders liquid; clears
the heart and eliminates vexation
Mò yào 末藥; frankincense; also called olibanum; Olibanum
Acrid, bitter; warm; heart, liver, spleen; 3-10 grams
Quickens the blood, moves qì, relieves pain, and dis[erses swelling; dispels putridity and
engenders flesh
Mǔ dān pí 牡丹皮; moutan [bark]; also called tree peony [bark]; Moutan Cortex
Bitter, acrid; slightly cold; heart, liver, kidney; 6-12 grams
Clears heat and cools the blood; quickens the blood and transforms stasis; abates vacuity
fire
Mǔ lì 牡蠣; oyster shell; Ostreae Concha
Salty, astringent; slightly cold; liver, kidney; 10-30 grams
Calms the liver and subdues yáng; softens hardness and disperses binds; quiets the spirit
Mǔ xiāng 木香; costusroot; Aucklandiae Radix
Acrid, bitter; warml spleen, stomach, large intestine, gallbladder, triple burner; 3-10 grams
Moves qì, regulates the center, and relives pain
[Dr. Aguilar's note - Mǔ xiāng is often added to herbal formulas aiding in their digestion.]
N
Niú bàng zǐ 牛蒡子; burdock [seed]; Arctii Fructus
Acrid, bitter; cold; lung, stomach; 3 -10 grams
Disperses wind-heat and disinhibits the throat; outthrusts papules; resolves toxin and
disperses welling
O
P
Q
Qiāng huó 羌活; notopterygium [rhizome and root]; Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix
Acrid, bitter; warm; urinary bladder, kidney; 3-12 grams
Disperses wind-cold; dispels wind-damp and relieves pain
Qīng pí 青皮; unripe tangerine peel; Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride
Acrid, bitter; warm; liver, gallbladder, stomachl 3-10 grams
[Dr. Aguilar's note - Strongly courses liver qi.]
R
Rén shēn 人參; ginseng [root]; Ginseng Radix
Sweet, slightly bitter; slightly warm; heart, lung, spleen, (some sources add kidney); 5-10
grams
Greatly supplements original qì; supplements lung qì; supplements the spleen; engenders
liquid; quiets the spirit and sharpens the wits (improves mental faculties)
Ròu guì 肉桂; cinnamon bark; also called cassia bark, Chinese cinnamon bark;
Cinnamomi Cortex
Acrid, sweet; hot; kidney, spleen, heart, liver; 2-5 grams
Supplements fire and assists yáng; disperses cold and relieves pain; warms the
channels/menses and drees the vessels
S
Shú dì huāng 熟地黃; cooked rehmannia [root]; also called Chinese foxglove [root];
Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata
Sweet; slightly warm; liver, kdiney; 10-30 grams
Supplements the blood; enriches yīn; boosts essence and replenishes marrow
T
Táo rén 桃仁; peach kernel; Persicae Semen
Bitter, sweet; balanced; slightly toxic; liver, heart, lung, large intestine; 5-15 grams
Quickens the blood and transforms stasis; moisteens the intestines and frees the stool
U
V
W
X
Xiāng fù 香附; cyperus [rhizome]; also called nu grass [rhizome]; Cyperi Rhizoma
Acrid, slightly bitter, slightly sweet; balanced; liver, spleen, triple burner; 6-12 grams
Courses the liver and recitfies qì; regulates menstruation and relieves pain
Y
Yè jiāo téng 夜交藤; flowery knotweed stem; also called multiflorous polygonum stem; Polygoni Multiflori Caulis
Sweet; balanced; heart, liver; 10-30g
Hourishes the heart and quiets the spirit; dispels wind and frees the network vessels
Z
Copyright John Aguilar, Jr., DAOM, EAMP. All rights reserved.
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