| Chinese name |
English name |
Indications |
| a-chiao |
gelatin |
Treats yin weakness |
| ai-yeh |
artemisia |
Quiets the fetus, dispels gas |
| ch'ai-hu |
bupleurum |
Regulates menstruation, antipyretic |
| ch'an-shui |
cicada |
Disperses heat, stops convulsions |
| che-chien-tzu |
plantago |
Diuretic, clears fevers, detoxifies |
| ch'en-pi |
tangerine |
Expectorant, energy tonic |
| chen-hsiang |
aquilaria |
Alleviates pain, reinforces the kidney |
| chi-li-tzu |
tribulus |
Promotes milk production in nursing mothers |
| chi-lien |
coptis |
Digestive, antidysenteric |
| chiang |
ginger |
Food poisoning, cold extremities |
| chiang-huang |
tumeric |
Stimulates the gallbladder |
| ch'iang-huo |
chianghuo |
Diaphoretic, analgesic |
| chieh-keng |
platycodon |
Reduces swelling, promotes pus drainage |
| chien-chih |
gardenia |
Antipyretic, snake bite |
| chuien-chin-tzu |
euphorbia |
Poisonous, purgative, used externally for skin and sores |
| chien-niu-tzu |
morning glory |
Promotes menstruation, induces abortion |
| chih-ko |
bitter orange |
Antidiarrhetic, abdominal swelling, indigestion |
| chih-mu |
anemarrhena |
Antipyretic, urinary and bowel disorders |
| chih-shao |
peony |
Lessens perspiration, purifies yin, night sweats, fever |
| chih-tzu |
gardenia |
See "chien-chih" |
| chin-chieh |
schizonepeta |
Cerebral hemorrhage with aphasia, any bleeding |
| chin-chiu |
gentian |
Relieves pain, promotes diuresis and sweating |
| chin-yin-hua |
lonicera |
Clears fevers and detoxifies |
| chin-ying tzu |
rosa |
Detoxifies, menstrual regularity |
| ching-san-leng |
scirpus |
Stimulates menstrual flow, promotes milk production |
| chiu-chieh-chang-pu |
anemone |
Vermifugal, antitoxic |
| chu-hua |
chrysanthemum |
Antipyretic, headache with fever, vertigo |
| chu-ju |
bamboo |
Expectorant, antipyretic |
| chu-li |
bamboo sap |
Removes internal heat |
| chu-ling |
grifolia |
Diuretic |
| chu-sha |
cinnabar |
Settles nerves, convulsions, fear palpitations |
| chuan-chiao |
zanthoxylum |
Dispels chills and cold, counteracts moisture |
| ch'uan-hsiung |
conidium |
Stops childbirth bleeding, induces uterine contraction |
| ch'uan-hou-po |
magnolia bark |
Antispasmodic, abdominal distention, gastritis |
| chuan-ku |
nuphar |
Gynecological conditions, irregular menstruation |
| chuan-wu |
aconite |
Analgesic, antiarthritic |
| erh-cha |
catechu |
Hemostatic, expectorant |
| fan-hsieh-yeh |
cassia |
Smoothes bowel movement |
| fan-hung-hua |
saffron |
Difficult labor, dead fetus, prolonged menstruation |
| fan-mu-pieh |
strychnine |
Debility, convalescence from severe illness |
| fang-chi |
stephania |
Antispasmodic, antipyretic |
| fang-feng |
siler |
Analgesic, antipyretic |
| feng-jou |
siler |
Analgesic, antipyretic |
| feng-la |
beeswax |
Coating of pills, base for ointments |
| fu-pen-tzu |
woodberry |
Prevents graying, vigor, respiration |
| fu-ling |
poria |
Treats spleen and stomach |
| fu-shen |
poria |
Treats spleen and stomach |
| fu-tzu |
aconite |
Analgesic, antiarthritic |
| ho-shou-wu |
polygonum |
Promotes fertility, builds vitality, strengthens ligaments |
| ho-tzu |
terminalia |
Stimulates intestines, strengthens lungs |
| hsi-hsin |
asarum |
Analgesic, sedative |
| hsi-yang-shen |
ginseng |
Mental stability, dispels fire, produces body fluids |
| hsia-ku-tsao |
prunella |
Antirheumatic, red, swelling, itching eyes |
| hsiang-fu-tzu |
cyperus |
Corrects "chi" circulation, alleviates pain, melancholia |
| hsiao-hui-hsiang |
fennel |
Abdominal distention, promotes digestion |
| hsiao-mai |
wheat |
Reduces fever |
| hsiao-tou-kou |
cardamon |
Digestion |
| hsieh-chieh |
calamus |
Blood circulation, stops bleeding, knife wounds |
| hsien-mi |
rice |
Stabilizes pulmonary and intestinal function |
| hsin-i |
magnolia flower |
Alleviates pain, see "mu-pi" |
| hsing-jen |
apricot |
Antispasmodic, sedative |
| hsu-tuan |
dipsacus |
Blood circulation, premature labor, trauma injuries |
| hsuan-fu-hua |
inula |
Intestinal fullness, pulmonary disorders |
| hsuan-hu |
corydalis |
Trauma injuries, relieves pain, stimulates energy |
| hsuan-shen` |
scrophularia |
Anti-inflammatory, thirst from stress, fever, lowers heat |
| hu-chiao |
black pepper |
Warms and aids elimination, ch'i stagnancy in chest |
| hu-ma-you |
sesame oil |
Anti-inflammatory, ringworm, itching, insect bites |
| hu-po |
amber |
Convulsive disorders in children, epilepsy |
| hua-chiao |
pepper |
Expels worms and parasites |
| hua-shih |
talc |
Anti-inflammatory, quenches thirst, sunstroke |
| huai-hua |
sophora |
Strengthens blood vessels, hemoptysis, nosebleed |
| huang-chi |
astragalus |
Stops perspiration, strengthens spleen, night sweats |
| huang-ch'in |
scute (skullcap) |
Reduces fever, quiets the fetus, removes moist heat |
| huang-ching |
polygonatum |
Nourishes liver and kidney, promotes fertility, vitality |
| huang-la |
beeswax |
Used for coating pills, base for ointments |
| huang-lien |
coptis |
Antipyretic, antidysenteric, heart distress |
| huang-po |
philodendron |
Abdominal distention, digestion, constipation |
| hung-hua |
carthamus |
Clears meridian channels, hemorrhage after childbirth |
| hung-tsao |
jujube |
Calms nerves, insomnia, forgetfulness, cardiac function |
| huo-hsiang |
agastache |
Strengthens stomach and stops vomiting, clears fever |
| i-chih-jen |
ichihjen |
Stimulant, tonic, a stomachic |
| i-i-jen |
coix |
Pulmonary disorders, rheumatoid arthritis |
| i-mi-jen |
coix |
Pulmonary disorders, rheumatoid arthritis |
| i-yi-jen |
coix |
Pulmonary disorders, rheumatoid arthritis |
| jen-shen |
ginseng |
See "hsi-yang-shen" |
| jou-tou-kou |
nutmeg |
Vomiting, food stagnancy, pain in the stomach |
| jou-tsung-jung |
cistanche |
General tonic, aphrodisiac, impotence, infertility |
| ju-hsiang |
olibanum (mastic) |
Analgesic, sedative, resolves bruises and clots |
| kan-ts'ao |
licorice |
Relaxant, supplements energy, see "tiao-tsao" |
| kao-liang-chiang |
lesser galangal |
Abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea |
| kao pen |
ligusticum |
Antispasmodic, antiarthritic, dispels "wind", benefits skin |
| keng-mi |
rice (oryza) |
Intestinal function, poor appetite, indigestion |
| ko-ken |
pueraria |
Alcoholic intoxication, antipyretic |
| kou-chi |
chain fern |
Excellent tonic for older men, strengthens spine |
| kou-chi-tzu |
lychee |
Strengthens kidneys, restores semen, nourishes liver |
| kou-teng |
gambir |
Infantile fever, hypertension with headache, convulsions |
| ku-mu |
picrasma |
Stomach symptoms |
| k'u-shen |
sophora |
Relieves fever, kills insects, scabies, hives |
| kua-lou |
trichosanthes |
Aids pus drainage, reduces swelling, detoxifies |
| kua-lou-ken |
trichosanthes |
Aids pus drainage, reduces swelling, detoxifies |
| kuan-mu-tung |
aristolochia |
See "ma-tou-ling" |
| kuan-mu-hsiang |
saussurea |
Promotes energy circulation, abdominal symptoms |
| kuei-chih |
cinnamon |
Relaxes muscles, stimulates appetite |
| kuei-p'i |
cinnamon |
Relaxes muscles, stimulates appetite |
| la-chiao |
capsicum |
Promotes sweating, stimulant |
| liang-chiang |
lesser galangal |
See "kao-liang-chiang" |
| lien-ch'iao |
forsythia |
Relieves heat, swelling, and suppuration, erysipelas |
| lu-chiao |
deer horn |
Antispasmodic, antipyretic, tonic, stimulant |
| lu-hui |
aloe |
In conjunction with licorice for eczema |
| lung-ku |
dragon bone |
Anxiety, nightmares, sedative |
| lung-tan |
gentian |
Intercostal pain, chills, fever, sore throat |
| lung-yen-jou |
longan |
Amnesia, palpitations caused by fear, insomnia |
| ma-huang |
mahuang |
Bronchial dilator, stimulates respiration, raises BP |
| ma-tou-ling |
aristolochia |
Relieves coughing, asthma and bronchitis, expectorant |
| mai-men-tung |
ophiopogon |
Regulates lungs and heart |
| man-chin-tzu |
vitex |
Antipyretic, tonic, headache, vertigo |
| mang-hsiao |
magnesium sulphate |
Laxative, reduces fever, expectorant |
| m-shih-tzu |
oakgall |
Chief source of tannic acid, bleeding from cuts |
| mo-yao |
myrrh |
Analgesic, externally applied to scabies, painful boils |
| mou-tan-p'i |
moutan |
Antipyretic |
| mu-kua |
Chinese quince |
Improves gastric function, relaxes muscles |
| mu-li |
oyster shell |
Clears fever, breaks up congestion, night sweats |
| mu-pi |
magnolia flower |
Alleviates pain |
| mu-t'ung |
akebia |
Promotes urination, counteracts inflammation and fever |
| nan-sha-shen |
adenophora |
Nourishes yin and purifies the lungs, excess phlegm |
| niui-hsi |
achyranthes |
Strengthens muscles and bone, heals bruises, pus drain |
| niu-pang-tzu |
burdock |
Antipyretic, diuretic, chills, fever, dermatitis |
| o-shu |
zedoary |
Stimulates menstrual flow, stagnancy of ch'i and blood |
| pa-chi-tien |
morinda |
Strengthens bones and ligaments, anti-arthritic |
| pa-chiao-hui-hsiang |
anise |
Abdominal pain, vomiting, anorexia |
| pa-tou |
croton |
Violent purgative |
| pai-chi |
bletilla |
Knife wounds, burns, nosebleeds |
| pai-chih |
angelica |
Promotes pus drainage, dispels gas |
| pai-chu |
atractylodes |
General tonic, see "tsang-chu" |
| pai-ho |
tiger lily |
Palpitations due to fear, antitussive, antipyretic, diuretic |
| pai-hsien-p'i |
Chinese dittany |
Loosens stiff joints, eliminates wet fevers |
| pai-pu |
stemona |
Calms the respiration, colds, coughs |
| pai-shao |
peony |
Spasms of the arms and legs, strengthens blood |
| pai-tou-kou |
cardamon |
Gastritis, belching, abdominal distention |
| pai-tou-weng |
Chinese anemone |
Eliminates fever |
| pai-tzu-su |
perilla |
See "tzu-su" |
| pai-wei |
cynanchum |
Yin weakness, fever due to wind |
| pan-hsia |
pinellia |
Reduces expectoration, cough, vomiting, asthma |
| pei-hsin |
asarum |
Analgesic, sedative, expectorant, diuretic |
| pei-mu |
fritillary |
Loosens congestion, resolves phlegm, fever |
| pei-wu-wei |
schizandra |
Strengthens lungs and kidneys |
| pi-hsieh |
tokoro |
Antirheumatic, diuretic |
| pi-ma-tzu |
castor oil plant |
Throat paralysis, drooping eyes/mouth |
| pi-pa |
long pepper |
Antipyretic, gastric fullness, watery diarrhea |
| pi-pa-yeh |
eriobotrya (loquat) |
Lowers excess energy, quiets cough |
| pi-tao-kan |
persica |
Injuries from falling, see "t'ao-jen" |
| pieh-chia |
turtle shell |
Cools fever, infantile epilepsy, debilitating fever |
| pien-tou |
dolichos |
Arrests diarrhea and vomiting, abdominal distention |
| pin-lang |
betel nut |
Intestinal parasites, chest pain, abdominal pain |
| po-ho |
mint |
Stomachic, sore throat |
| po-tzu-jen |
arbor vita |
Expectorant, nutritive tonic |
| pu-huang |
cattail |
Prolonged menstruation, aching arms after childbirth |
| pu-ku-chih |
psoralea |
Sexual dysfunction, threatened abortion, impotence |
| san-chi |
pseudoginseng |
Bleeding disorders, nosebleeds, hemoptysis |
| sang-chi-sheng |
loranthus |
Backache, stiff joints, arthritis |
| sang-pai-pi |
mulberry |
Relieves lung congestion, promotes diuresis |
| sha-jen |
Chinese cardamon |
Abdominal pain, distention, gastric disorders |
| sha-jen-k'o |
Chinese cardamon |
Abdominal pain, distention, gastric disorders |
| sha-k'o |
Chinese cardamon |
Abdominal pain, distention, gastric disorders |
| shan-cha |
crataegus |
Distention in the chest and abdomen, food stagnancy |
| shan-chu-yu |
cornus |
Liver and kidney dysfunction, tinnitus |
| shan-nai |
galangal |
Dandruff, scabies |
| shan-yao |
dioscorea (yam) |
Nutrient tonic, digestant |
| shang-lu |
phytolacca |
Externally used for foul sores, poisonous |
| she-hsiang |
musk deer |
Antispasmodic, analgesic, convulsions, apoplexy |
| sheng-chiang |
ginger |
Food poisoning, nausea, abdominal distention |
| sheng-ma |
cimicifuga |
Chronic diarrhea, uterine prolapse, antipyretic |
| sheng-ti |
rehmannia |
Premature graying, cardiotonic, hemostatic |
| shih-chang-pu |
acorus |
Analgesic, vermifugal, externally applied to carbuncles |
| shih-chun-tzu |
quisqualis |
Vermifugal, abdominal pain due to parasites |
| shih-hu |
dendrobium |
Nourishes yin and promotes salivation |
| shih-kao |
gypsum |
Speech disorders, extreme thirst, dry mouth, heat symptoms |
| shih-lien-tzu |
lotus |
Tonic |
| su-hsia |
pinellia |
Stops bleeding, reduces inflammation, strengthens SP |
| suan-tsao-jen |
zizyphus |
Insomnia due to stress, palpitations, sedative |
| suo-yang |
cynomorium |
Strengthens kidneys and gonads, impotence, tonic |
| ta-chi |
knoxia |
Diuretic |
| ta-fu-pi |
betel nut |
See "pin-lang" |
| ta-huang |
rhubarb |
Constipation, indigestion, stomachic |
| ta-ma-jen |
cannabis |
Constipation, substituted by linum usitatissimum |
| ta-tsao |
jujube |
Regulates cardiac and pulmonary function |
| tan-chu-yeh |
lophatherum |
Clears fever, irritability |
| tan-hsiang |
sandal wood |
breathing |
| tan-tou-shih |
soja |
Relaxes muscles, clears fever, apprehension, irritability |
| tang-kuei |
tang-kuei |
Headache, lower back, meridian blockage, circulation |
| t'ao-jen |
persica |
Injuries from falling, mental instability, sedative |
| teng-hsin-tsao |
juncus |
Sedative, diuretic |
| ti-huang |
rehmannia |
Cardiotonic, hemostatic |
| ti-ku-pi |
lyceum bark |
Antipyretic, cough, fever |
| ti-yu |
sanguisorba |
Postpartum difficulties, snake and insect bites |
| tiao-teng |
gambir |
Flatulence, vertigo, hypertension with headache |
| tiao-tsao |
licorice |
Supplements energy, loosens phlegm, intoxication |
| tien-ma |
gastrodia |
Anti-gas, quiets muscle spasms |
| tien-nan-hsing |
arisaema |
Relieves spasms and pain, reduces swelling |
| ting-hsiang |
cloves |
Warms the body, alleviates pain, increases circulation |
| tsang-chu |
atractylodes |
General tonic to increase appetite and promote health |
| tsao-chiao |
gleditsia |
Loosens congestion, resolves phlegm, constipation |
| tsao-wu |
aconite |
Very toxic, antiarthritic, analgesic |
| tse-hsieh |
alisma |
Urinary tract, kidney stones, aphrodisiac |
| tse-she |
alisma |
Urinary tract, kidney stones, aphrodisiac |
| tu-fu-ling |
smilax |
Antispasmodic, diuretic |
| tun-chih |
lard |
Base for ointments |
| tung-chung-hsia-tsao |
cordycep |
Restorative and tonic |
| tung-jua-tzu |
benincasa |
Anti-inflammatory |
| tzu-su |
perilla |
Chi imbalances, quiets fetus, asthma, detoxifies |
| tzu-ts'ao |
lithospermum |
Antifebrile, cools blood, lubricates intestines |
| tzu-wan |
aster |
To quiet restless crying children, quiets nervous system |
| wei-ling-hsien |
Chinese clemati |
Flatulence, pain at the waist, knees, arms and legs |
| wei-ling-ts'ai |
potentilla |
Eliminates fever, cools the blood |
| wu-chu-yu |
evodia |
Uterine muscle stimulant, increase blood pressure |
| wu-mei |
dark plum |
Antifebrile, antispasmodic, persistent cough, worms |
| wu-pei-tzu |
Chinese sumac |
Pulmonary weakness, hemostatic |
| wu-yao |
lindera |
Anti-inflammatory, analgesic |
| ya-men-jen |
linseed |
Laxative, constipation |
| yen-hu-suo |
corydalis |
Relieves pain, stimulates energy and circulation |
| yin-ch'en-hao |
artemisia |
Antipyretic, diuretic |
| yin-yang-huo |
epimedium |
Aphrodisiac, warms the kidneys, strengthens yang |
| ying-pi |
cherry |
Relieves cough |
| yu-chu |
polygonatum |
Slows and deepens respiration, antiarthritic, fever |
| yuan-chih |
polygala |
Reduces swelling, sedative |
