Astragalus (huangqi)
The long tap roots of astragalus are, today, the most
commonly used herb material in
China
. Astragalus normalizes immune responses (used for immune deficiency,
allergies, and autoimmunity), benefits digestive functions, and treats
disorders of the skin from burns to carbuncles. Astragalus is used as a
promoter of the functions of several other herbs, such as salvia and tang-kuei
(mentioned below). It is used in the treatment of AIDS and hepatitis, for
chronic colitis, senility, and cardiovascular diseases. Cancer patients
who take this herb can often avoid the white blood cell deficiencies (leukopenia)
that occur with chemotherapy. The root is rich in polysaccharides and
flavonoids that produce the beneficial effects. Astragalus may be used by
itself, usually as a liquid extract, or in combination with other herbs in
the form of teas, pills, or tablets. Dosage is from 1-60 grams per day,
depending on the application and form. Caution: some individuals
may experience flatulence and abdominal bloating from use of astragalus.
Atractylodes (baizhu)
The rhizomes of atractylodes are considered very
important to the treatment of digestive disorders and problems of moisture
accumulation. The herb helps move moisture (and nutrients) from the
digestive tract to the blood, reducing problems of diarrhea, gas, and
bloating, and helps move moisture from the body tissues to the bladder for
elimination, alleviating edema. The herb is frequently included in tonic
prescriptions, and the herb is rarely used by itself. Dosage is from 200
milligrams in capsules and tablets to 15 grams per day in the form of
decoction. Caution: persons suffering from a hot and dry condition
may experience worsening of those symptoms if large amounts of
atractylodes are used.
Bupleurum (chaihu)
The thin roots of bupleurum are one of the most
frequently used herbs in the Japanese practice of Oriental medicine.
Doctors in
Japan
have found it useful in the treatment of liver diseases, skin ailments,
arthritis, menopausal syndrome, withdrawal from corticosteroid use,
nephritis, stress-induced ulcers, and mental disorders. The roots are rich
in saponins that reduce inflammation and regulate hormone levels. The herb
is not used by itself, but rather in formulas with about four to twelve
ingredients, made as teas, pills, or tablets. Dosage ranges from a few
hundred milligrams of powder to about 15 grams in tea per day. Caution:
some individuals may experience dizziness or headaches from use of
bupleurum.
Cinnamon (guizhi and rougi)
The twigs (guizhi) and bark (rougi) of this large
tropical tree are said to warm the body, invigorate the circulation, and
harmonize the energy of the upper and lower body. Modern studies
demonstrate that cinnamon reduces allergy reactions. Traditionally,
cinnamon twig is used when the peripheral circulation is poor and cinnamon
bark is used when the entire body is cold. If the upper body is warm and
the lower body is cold, then cinnamon will correct the imbalance. Cinnamon
is usually cooked together with other herbs to make a warming tea, or
powdered with other herbs to make a pill or tablet that regulates
circulation of blood. Dosage is 0.3-3 grams of bark and up to 9 grams of
twig per day. Caution: large amounts of cinnamon are irritating to
the liver and should not be used by those with inflammatory liver
disorders.
Coptis (huanglian)
This rhizome (underground stem) is one of the most
bitter herbs used in Chinese medicine. It is rich in alkaloids that
inhibit infections and calm nervous agitation; it is usually combined with
other bitter-tasting herbs, such as phellodendron, scute, and gardenia, to
promote these actions. Examples of its many uses include treatment of skin
diseases, intestinal infections, hypertension, and insomnia. Coptis is a
close relative of an extremely bitter and very useful American herb,
goldenseal. Because of its taste, coptis is most often used in the form of
pills or tablets. Typical dosage is from a few hundred milligrams of
powder to 3 grams in decoction per day. Caution: regular use of
coptis in large dosage may cause diarrhea.
Ginger (jiang)
The fibrous rhizome of this herb is highly spicy and
said to benefit digestion, neutralize poisons in food, ventilate the
lungs, and warm the circulation to the limbs. Today, ginger is commonly
used as a spice in cooking; as a medicine it has been shown helpful in
counteracting nausea from various causes including morning sickness,
motion sickness, and food contamination. Many herbalists use ginger in the
treatment of cough (it acts as an expectorant) and common cold. Ginger is
used in making teas and the powder is encapsulated for easy consumption.
Typical dosage is from a few milligrams used as an assistant in herb
formulas to about 3 grams per day in making decoctions. Instant tea
granules (sugar or honey base) are available. Caution: persons who
suffer from dryness-dry cough, thirst, dry constipation, etc.-may find
that ginger worsens the condition.
Ginseng (renshen)
The root has long been cherished as a
disease-preventive and a life preserver. It calms the spirit, nourishes
the viscera, and helps one gain wisdom. Modern applications include
normalizing blood pressure, regulating blood sugar, resisting fatigue,
increasing oxygen utilization, and enhancing immune functions.
Traditionally, the root is cooked in a double boiler to make a tea, used
either alone or with several other herbs. Today, teas can be made quickly
from carefully prepared extracts in liquid or dry form; ginseng powder is
made into tablets or encapsulated, and ginseng formulas are available in
numerous forms for easy consumption. Typical dosage is 0.5-3.0 grams.
Higher doses may be used over the short term for specific therapeutic
actions: in
China
30 grams is recommended to treat shock (sudden hypotension). Caution:
excessive consumption of ginseng can lead to nervousness and may produce
hormonal imbalance in women.
Hoelen (fuling)
This herb is a large fungus that grows on pine roots.
It is used to alleviate irritation of the gastro-intestinal system and,
like atractylodes, it helps transport moisture out of the digestive system
into the blood stream and from the various body tissues to the bladder.
When bits of the pine root are included in the herb material it is called
fushen; the combination of the fungus and pine produces a mild sedative
action. This herb, because it is quite mild, is mostly used in making
decoctions or dried decoctions, with a dosage equivalent of about 10-15
grams per day. The herb is non-toxic and rarely causes any adverse
effects.
Licorice (gancao)
The roots have an extremely sweet taste (but are also
bitter) and are said to neutralize toxins, relieve inflammation, and
enhance digestion. In
Europe
, a drug has been made from licorice extract that heals gastric ulcers.
Licorice is used by Chinese doctors in the treatment of hepatitis, sore
throat, muscle spasms, and, when baked with honey, for treatment
hyperthyroidism and heart valve diseases. Traditionally, licorice is
thought to enhance the effectiveness of herb formulas and is used to
moderate the flavor of herb teas; as a result, it is found in about
one-third of all Chinese herb prescriptions. Licorice powder is
encapsulated for easy consumption or mixed with other herbs and tableted.
Dosage is from very small amounts (a few hundred milligrams) to 15 grams
per day in decoction used to treat viral hepatitis. Caution:
excessive consumption of licorice over an extended period to time can
cause sodium/potassium imbalance with symptoms of tachycardia and/or
edema.
Ma-huang (mahuang)
The stem-like leaves when taken in a dose of several
grams stimulate perspiration, open the breathing passages, and invigorate
the central nervous system energy. It has been shown that most of these
effects are due to two alkaloid components, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine,
both of them having been made into modern drugs (for asthma and sinus
congestion, respectively). In addition, the stimulating action of ma-huang
has led to its use as a metabolic enhancer (burns calories more quickly)
for those who are trying to lose weight. Ma-huang also has
anti-inflammatory actions useful in treating some cases of arthralgia and
myalgia. Ma-huang can be made into a tea, or used in extract form;
powdered ma-huang is rarely used. Dosage range is 1-9 grams/day, usually
in two or three divided doses. Caution: the stimulant effect of ma-huang
can cause insomnia and agitation; persons with very high blood pressure
may find this symptom worsened by use of ma-huang.
Peony (baishao and chihshao)
The root of this common flower is used to regulate the
blood. It relaxes the blood vessels, reduces platelet sticking, nourishes
the blood, and promotes circulation to the skin and extremities. The root
of both wild and cultivated peonies are used. The wild peony yields
"red peony" (chihshao) a fibrous root that is especially used
for stimulating blood circulation. The cultivated peony yields "white
peony" (baishao) a dense root that nourishes the blood. Peony is
often combined with tang-kuei, licorice, or other herbs mentioned here to
enhance or control their effects. The dosage range is from 0.5-15 grams
per day. Peony rarely causes any adverse reactions.
Rehmannia (dihuang)
The root of this herb is a dark, moist herb that is
extensively used to nourish the blood and the hormonal system. It is
frequently used in the treatment of problems of aging, because of its
ability to restore the levels of several declining hormones. There are two
forms of the herb that are currently used: one, designated shengdihuang or
raw rehmannia, is given to reduce inflammation and is included in many
formulas for autoimmune disorders; the other is designated shoudihuang or
cooked rehmannia, and is used as a nourishing tonic. Often, the two forms
are combined together in equal proportions to address inflammatory
problems that are related to the lack of adequate levels of regulating
hormones. The herb is mainly used in making decoctions or dried
decoctions, with a dosage of 10-30 grams per day. Caution: persons
with weak digestion and tendency to experience loose stool or diarrhea may
find that this herb, especially cooked rehmannia, worsens those symptoms.
Rhubarb (dahuang)
This large root was one of the first herbs that the
Western world imported from
China
. It serves as a very reliable laxative, and also has other benefits:
enhancing appetite when taken before meals in small amounts, promoting
blood circulation and relieving pain in cases of injury or inflammation,
and inhibiting intestinal infections. Rhubarb also reduces autoimmune
reactions. The impact of rhubarb is influenced by how it is prepared; if
it is cooked for a long period of time, the laxative actions are reduced
but other actions are retained. Typical dosage is 0.5-3 grams per day. Caution:
rhubarb, alone or in formulas, should not be used by those with irritable
bowel conditions, as it may cause cramping and diarrhea.
Salvia (danshen)
The deep red roots of this Chinese sage plant have
become an important herb during the past two decades even though it was
used for centuries before that. It is applied in almost all cases where
the body tissues have been damaged by disease or injury; thus, it is given
for post-stroke syndrome, traumatic injury, chronic inflammation and/or
infection, and degenerative diseases. It is best known for its ability to
promote circulation in the capillary beds-the so-called microcirculation
system. In addition, salvia lowers blood pressure, helps reduce
cholesterol, and enhances function of the liver. It may be consumed alone
or with other herbs, in wines, teas, pills, or tablets; dosage is 1-20
grams per day. Salvia rarely causes any adverse reactions.
Tang-kuei (danggui)
The root has been long respected as a blood-nourishing
agent. It has its highest rate of use among women because tang-kuei will
help to regulate uterine blood flow and contraction, but when employed in
complex formulas it can be used by both men and women to nourish the
blood, moisten the intestines, improve the circulation, calm tension, and
relieve pain. Tang-kuei is frequently said to have estrogenic effects, but
this is not a valid claim. The recommended dosage for tang-kuei is 0.5-9
grams per day. Tang-kuei may be made as a tea or cooked with chicken to
make soup (the taste is quite strong), but it is often used today as a
powder, encapsulated or made into tablets, alone or with other herbs. Caution:
some individuals find that tang-kuei causes nausea or loose stool
In Chinese herbology, there are 50 "fundamental herbs. These include:
- Agastache rugosa - huòxiāng (藿香)
- Alangium chinense - bā jiǎo fēng (八角枫)
- Anemone or Pulsatilla chinensis - bái tóu weng (白头翁)
- Anisodus tanguticus - shān làngdàng (山莨菪)
- Ardisia japonica - zǐjīn niú (紫金牛)
- Aster tataricus - zǐwǎn (紫菀)
- Astragalus membranaceus - huángqí (黄芪) or běiqí (北芪)
- Camellia sinensis - chá shù (茶树) or chá yè (茶叶)
- Cannabis sativa - dà má (大麻)
- Carthamus tinctorius - hóng huā (红花)
- Cinnamomum cassia - ròu gùi (肉桂)
- Cissampelos pareira - xí shēng téng (锡生藤) or (亞乎奴)
- Coptis chinensis - duǎn è huánglián (短萼黄连)
- Corydalis ambigua - yán hú suǒ (延胡索)
- Croton tiglium - bā dòu (巴豆)
- Daphne genkwa - yuánhuā (芫花)
- Datura metel - yáng jīn huā (洋金花)
- Datura tatula - zǐ huā màn tuó luó (紫花曼陀萝)
- Dendrobium nobile - shí hú (石斛) or shí hú lán (石斛兰)
- Dichroa febrifuga - chángshān (常山)
- Ephedra sinica - cǎo má huáng (草麻黄)
- Eucommia ulmoides - dùzhòng (杜仲)
- Euphorbia pekinensis - dàjǐ (大戟)
- Flueggea suffruticosa (formerly Securinega suffruticosa) - yī yè qiū (一叶秋)
- Forsythia suspensa - liánqiào (连翘)
- Gentiana loureiroi - dì dīng (地丁)
- Gleditsia sinensis - zào jiá (皂荚)
- Glycyrrhiza uralensis - gāncǎo (甘草)
- Hydnocarpus anthelmintica
(syn. H. anthelminthicus) - dà fēng zǐ (大风子)
- Ilex purpurea - dōngqīng (冬青)
- Leonurus japonicus - yìmǔcǎo (益母草)
- Ligusticum wallichii - chuānxiōng (川芎)
- Lobelia chinensis - bàn biān lián (半边莲)
- Phellodendron amurense - huáng bǎi (黄柏)
- Platycladus orientalis (formerly Thuja orientalis) - cèbǎi (侧柏)
- Pseudolarix amabilis - jīn qián sōng (金钱松)
- Psilopeganum sinense - shān má huáng (山麻黄)
- Pueraria lobata - gé gēn (葛根)
- Rauwolfia serpentina - (從蛇根木) or (印度蛇木)
- Rehmannia glutinosa - dìhuáng (地黄) or gān dìhuáng (干地黄)
- Rheum officinale - yào yòng dà huáng (药用大黄)
- Rhododendron tsinghaiense - Qīnghǎi dùjuān (青海杜鹃)
- Saussurea costus - yún mù xiāng (云木香)
- Schisandra chinensis - wǔ wèi zi (五味子)
- Scutellaria baicalensis - huángqín (黄芩)
- Stemona tuberosa - bǎi bù (百部)
- Stephania tetrandra - fáng jǐ (防己)
- Styphnolobium japonicum (formerly Sophora japonica) - huái (槐), huái shù (槐树), or huái huā (槐花)
- Trichosanthes kirilowii - guālóu (栝楼)
- Wikstroemia indica - liǎo gē wáng (了哥王)
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