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
|
