HERBALCONSULTS

Herb Functions

Find out more about the herbs used in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Adenophora Tetraphylla (Sha Shen) Nourishes Yin. It treats dry cough, body heat, dry throat, thirst and dry lips. Its nature is sweet and slightly cold, most of these plants are found in China and Japan.

Angelica Pubescens (Du Huo) is specially effective for pain related ailments. Combined with Sang Ji Shen, Du Zhong and Dang Gui makes an effective formula for treating backache and arthritis. It has been used in China for thousands of years. Its nature is spicy, bitter and warm. Most of these grow in Western China.

Angelica Sinesis (Dang Gui) Builds blood and improves circulation. It is the most important herb for menstrual disorders. Its nature is sweet,pungent and warm. Most of these grow in Central China.

Apricot Pit (Xin Ren) It effects the lung and large intestine. It is an ingredient in many Herbal cough syrups. Combined with Da Huang (rhubarb Root) and Huo Ma Ren (hemp seeds), it helps to cleanse large intestine. It also stops cough and treats cancer. In high doses this herb is toxic. Its nature is sweet, bitter and slightly warm. These are found in Northwestern China.

Astragalas (Huang Qi) is an important herb for improving immune system function and tonifying vital energy (Qi) for thousands of years in China. It is also cardiotonic and lowers the blood sugar. It improves circulation in flesh and skin. Its nature is sweet and slightly warm, and is mostly found in Northern China.

Atractylodes Macrocephala (Bai Zhu) tonifies vital energy (Qi) and spleen Qi. Its drying and diuretic effect can be combined with Fu Ling and Yi Yi Ren to help the weight loss. Its nature is bitter, sweet and warm. Most of them grow in China, Korea and Japan.

Cinnamon Tree Stem (Gui Zhi) is a diaphoretic herb. Combined with Aged Orange Peel (Chen Pi), it helps to sooth the stomach. Its nature is spicy, sweet and warm, and most of them grow in Southern China.

Dandelion (Pu Gong Ying) is an antipyretic and antitoxin herb. The dosage is 10g-30g, It helps to reduce masses and cleanse the liver. Its nature is bitter, sweet and cold. These grow world-wide.

Dragon Bones (Long Gu) has great calming effect, commonly used for anxiety and hypertension. It can also help bleeding and chronic diarrhea. Its nature is sweet, sour and neutral. They can be found world-wide.

Eucommia (Du Zhong) tonifies liver and kidney. It is nutrient to bone, sinew and cartilage, helps backache and spinal illness. It is also sedative to restless fetus. Its nature is sweet and warm, most of them grow in Central China.

Gentian Root (Long Dan Cao) is effective in ailments in relation to damp-heat excess, such as jaundice, dark leukorrhoea, pain and swelling in scrotum, headaches, sore eyes, chest pain, excessive discharge and tantrums in children. Its nature is bitter and cold, most of them grow in China.

Ginseng (Ren Shen) has been one of the most important herbs in Chinese history for thousands years. It is very tonifying to primordial (Qi)energy. It tonifies lung and spleen Qi and helps to improve appetite. It is also used for insomnia and heart related illnesses. Its effect of boosting the immune system has been studied for treating AIDS patients. Its nature is sweet, slightly bitter and slightly warm.

Hare's Ear (Chai Hu), also called Bupleurum Falcatum has a rising character, which helps to lift up the vital energy (Qi). It is also quite effective in treating prolapse of internal organs such as rectum and uterus. Its nature is bitter, spicy and slightly cold, these are mostly found in Western China.

Hawthorn (Shan Zha) is specially effective to promote the metabolism and digestive system. It dilates the blood vessels to lower blood pressure and dissolves cholesterol deposits in lining of blood vessels. Its nature is sweet and sour, slightly warm, most of these grow in Eastern China.

Patchouly (Huo Xiang) improves appetite and removes the body's excess dampness and heat. It is a great herb for travelers diarrhea. It's also preventive for heat stroke and summer colds. Its nature is pungent, sweet and slightly warm. Most of them grow in China, Japan and Vietnam.

Japanese Honeysuckle Flower (Jin Yin Hua) is an antipyretic herb. It reduces body's excessive heat and helps it to detox. Its nature is sweet and cold, and most of them grow in Shan Gong Province of China. In the west we call this herb anti-biotic.

Ledebouriella Seseloides (Fang Feng) is specially effective in treating "wind damp" ailments, such as allergies, common colds and arthritis. It also has the function of pain relief. Its nature is pungent, sweet and slightly warm. Most of them grow in Northern China and Japan.

Longan Fruit (Long Yan Rou) tonifies spleen and heart. It also nourishes vital energy (Qi) and blood. This is a very calming herb. Its nature is sweet and warm, most of these grow in Southern China.

Magnolia Tree (Xin Yi Hua) is the most commonly used herb for ailments related to nose, such as sinusitis and rhinitis. Its nature is pungent and warm.

Pearl (Zhen Zhu) nourishes skin and helps the liver to detox. Its has been a major ingredient in facial creams in China for thousands of years. Combined with Guo qi zi (lycii) and Ju Hua, it helps to improve the vision. Its nature is sweet, salty and cold.

Pinellia Ternata (Ban Xia) helps chronic coughs and reduces phlegm. It also treats nausea and vomiting. Its nature is spicy, warm. The fresh herb is slightly toxic, but when dried and processed are not. The toxins are neutralized with tea and vinegar.

Praying Mantis egg case(Sang Piao Qiao) has an Astringent effect, which is commonly used for frequent urination and excessive discharge. Its nature is sweet, salty and neutral.

Rehmannia Glutinosa (Shu Di Huang) tonifies blood. It helps dizziness, heart palpitation and insomnia. It also nourishes kidney energy (Qi) and can be used for night sweats, spermatorrhoea and diabetes. Its nature is sweet and slightly warm. Most of these are found in Northern China.

Rhubarb (Da Huang) is a very purgative herb, its dosage is 0.3g-5.0g. For a serious case of constipation it is added to the herbal tea in the last few minutes of cooking in order to have the strongest effect. The powder applied to burns can relieve pain and swelling. These are found in Western China.

Safflower (Hong Hua) can dissolve blood clots and promote circulation. The external oil of this herb is commonly used in massage. Pregnant women should avoid using this herb. Its nature is pungent and warm. These are found in China,Indochina and Tibet.

Salvia Miltiorrhiza (Dan Shen) promotes blood circulation and dissolves clots. It also nourishes blood and treats insomnia and heart palpitations. This herb is most commonly used in blood-related illnesses. It is antiphlogistic to the liver and excellent for coronary diseases. Its nature is bitter and slightly cold, most of them grow in Northeastern China.

Scutellaria Barbata (Ban Zhi Lian) is an Anti-cancer herb. It can be used alone or in combination, internally or externally. Its nature is spicy, slightly bitter and cool. Most of these grow in Southern China.

Poria/Hoellen (Fu Ling) is effective in eliminating excess water from the system by converting it to urine and facilitating its passage through bladder and urethra. It is an ingredient in some weight-loss formulae. It can also be used for insomnia due to its calming effect. Its nature is sweet and neutral, and they grow commonly world-wide, at the base of pine trees.

Atractylodes (Cang Zhu) is a very drying herb, helping the spleen to function. It is effective for diarrhea, vomiting and also for improving vision. (It is rich in vitamin A. Its nature is spicy, bitter and warm. Most of thesew grow in Western China.

Large thistle (Da Ji) cools blood and stops bleeding. It is also effective for hypertension and may be applied topically to stop bleeding. Its nature is sweet and cold, the pulverized leaves can be applied to scaly skin illness, like eczema and psoriasis.

Tree Peony (Mu Dan Pi) is effective in relieving menopause symptoms such as hot flashes. If it is combined with Tao Ren, Chi Shao and Gui Zhi, it helps PMS and uterine fibroids. Its nature is bitter, spicy and slightly cold.

Wild jujube seed (Suan Zao Ren) calms the nerves and relaxes the body. Long-term usage can improve the complexion and cure insomnia. Its nature is sweet, sour and neutral.