Information and products on Natural Alternatives to Pain management, Medication and Surgery
Herbs information & products on Chinese Medicine

    Herbs are a gift from God's own pharmacist, Mother nature. Over many hundreds of years her plants have proven their value. That's why millions of Americans are rediscovering the incredible healing power of herbs in their natural form. Herbs can be used as a natural medicine without the common side effects associated with prescription drugs.
   There is a plethora of information on herbs in your local health food store or book store. We have listed many of the traditional Chinese herbs and their common usage below. There are also American Indian herbs, Ayurvedic herbs as well as many herbs listed in the Bible. Before using any of the herbs mentioned or listed below, please seek advice from an herbal specialist for any serious conditions.
Shop for various quality natural remedies online.

Chinese Medicine: The Most Significant Substances and Their Indications.

    With the incredible popularity of Chinese herbs and traditional Chinese medicine formulae over the last few years in North America, Australia and Europe, it behooves practitioners to become familiar, or at least aware, of the individual herbs and substances which comprise the majority of formulas, along with their indications.  Ninety-nine percent of all contemporary practitioners will undoubtedly opt to use in their practice ancient formulae which have been tableted and created for today's practitioner instead of spending thousands of hours learning how to formulate these ancient remedies themselves. In our busy practices and lives, we cannot expect to practice the same way it was done during the Ming dynasty and before. Utilizing Chinese herbology today has never been easier. Even with this in mind, knowledge of each individual substance, along with the English translation and indications, could prove to be a very valuable reference tool.
 The following list should be saved for future reference. Notice the list is in alphabetical order by Chinese name, followed by the English common name and indications:

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


Dr. Lisbeth Baird D.C. , FIACA

Est.1998 All Rights Reserved, MAMM is a registered Trademark