Chinese herbs
Panax ginseng C. A. Mey. (Ren Shen) is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Araliaceae family, genus Panax. It can grow up to 60 cm in height; the rhizome is short, and the main root is fusiform. Palmate compound leaves, 3–6, are whorled at the stem apex; petioles are 3–8 cm long, glabrous. Leaflets … Read more
Goji Berry (Lycium barbarum), also known as Gou Qi Zi. It is highly popular abroad, and foreign media refer to it as “Goji Berry.” Following in the footsteps of Laoganma and Mayinglong, a new Chinese specialty has taken the foreign world by storm: goji berry (Lycium barbarum). Foreigners find goji berries incredibly useful, steeping them … Read more
Kunbu (Kelp): The thallus of Laminaria japonica Aresch. (family Laminariaceae) or Ecklonia kurome Okam. (family Alariaceae). **Nature, Taste, and Meridian Tropism**: Cold in nature, salty in taste. Belongs to the Liver Meridian of Foot-Jueyin (LR), the Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming (ST), and the Kidney Meridian of Foot-Shaoyin (KI). 【Actions and Indications】Softens hardness and dissipates masses, … Read more
Malt: Dried germinated caryopsis of the mature fruit of *Hordeum vulgare* L. (Poaceae). **Nature and Flavor:** Neutral nature, sweet flavor. **Meridian Tropism:** Spleen Meridian (SP) and Stomach Meridian (ST). Actions and Indications: Moves qi and promotes digestion, strengthens the spleen and stimulates appetite, reduces lactation and relieves distension. This is a digestant medicinal. **【Pharmacological Research】** … Read more
Jineijin (Chicken Gizzard Membrane): derived from the dried inner wall of the gizzard of the domestic chicken, *Gallus gallus domesticus* Brisson. **【Nature, Flavor, and Meridian Tropism】** Nature: neutral; Flavor: sweet. Meridian tropism: Spleen Meridian of Foot-Taiyin (SP), Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming (ST), Small Intestine Meridian of Hand-Taiyang (SI), Bladder Meridian of Foot-Taiyang (BL). 【Actions and … Read more
Chixiaodou (Phaseolus calcaratus): the mature seed of Phaseolus calcaratus Roxb., a plant in the Fabaceae family. **Flavor and Nature:** Sweet and sour, neutral. **Meridian Tropism:** Heart Meridian (HT), Small Intestine Meridian (SI). **Actions and Indications:** Promotes urination to reduce edema, detoxifies and expels pus. It belongs to the subcategory of herbs that promote urination and … Read more
Huajiao: The mature pericarp of Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim. (family Rutaceae). **Properties and Meridian Tropism:** Warm in nature, pungent in flavor. Enters the Spleen Meridian (SP), Stomach Meridian (ST), and Kidney Meridian (KI). 【Actions and Indications】Warms the Middle to relieve pain, kills parasites and relieves itching. It is an interior-warming medicinal. [Pharmacological Research] Anti-gastric ulcer, anti-diarrhea, … Read more
Semen Euryales (Qianshi): the mature seed kernel of *Euryale ferox* Salisb., a plant in the Nymphaeaceae (water lily) family. 【Nature, Flavor, and Meridian Tropism】Neutral in nature, sweet and astringent in flavor. It enters the Spleen Meridian of Foot-Taiyin (SP) and the Kidney Meridian of Foot-Shaoyin (KI). 【Actions and Indications】Tonifies the kidney and consolidates essence, supplements … Read more
Oyster Shell (Muli): the shell of *Ostrea gigas* Thunberg, *Ostrea talianwhanensis* Crosse, or *Ostrea rivularis* Gould (family Ostreidae). Nature and Flavor: Slightly cold, salty. Meridian Tropism: Liver Meridian (LR), Gallbladder Meridian (GB), and Kidney Meridian (KI). 【Efficacy and Actions】Sedates and calms the spirit (zhenjing anshen), subdues yang and nourishes yin (qianyang buyin), softens hardness and … Read more