Huang Yaoshi’s Tips: Click on the name of each Chinese herb (in blue) to jump to the corresponding page where Huang Yaoshi shares the usage of that herb.
1. Qi Tonifying Herbs
Qi Tonifying Herb – Ren Shen (Ginseng) – Ye Shan Shen (Wild Ginseng)
Ren Shen
Greatly tonifies the original qi, strengthens the spleen and lung, generates fluids and quenches thirst, calms the spirit and enhances intelligence.
Can be used for emergencies, spleen and stomach deficiency, diabetes, and improving memory.
Xi Yang Shen (American Ginseng)
Tonifies qi and nourishes yin, clears heat and generates fluids.
More suitable for those who easily get heat from ginseng, can also be used for diabetes and heart disease.
Dang Shen (Codonopsis)
Tonifies the middle and benefits qi, generates fluids, nourishes blood.
Can be used for summer heat stroke, diabetes with qi and fluid deficiency.
Tai Zi Shen (Pseudostellaria)
Tonifies qi and generates fluids.
Better for children, commonly used for pediatric spleen and stomach deficiency and loss of appetite, lung deficiency cough.
Huang Qi (Astragalus)
Tonifies qi and raises yang, benefits the defensive qi and stabilizes the exterior, promotes urination and reduces swelling, promotes wound healing and muscle regeneration.
Can be used for diabetes, hypertension, and post-stroke syndromes based on differentiation.
Shan Yao (Chinese Yam)
Benefits qi and nourishes yin, tonifies spleen, lung, and kidney, stabilizes essence and stops discharge.
Used for spleen deficiency with poor appetite and abdominal distension, lung deficiency with dry cough without phlegm, kidney qi deficiency with nocturnal emissions, frequent urination, diabetes with thirst.
Ci Wu Jia (Siberian Ginseng)
Strengthens the spleen and benefits qi, tonifies the kidney and strengthens the waist, nourishes the heart and calms the spirit, transforms phlegm and relieves asthma.
Similar effects to ginseng, commonly used for lower back and knee soreness, physical weakness, and cardiovascular diseases.
Jiao Gu Lan (Gynostemma)
Strengthens the spleen and benefits qi, transforms phlegm and stops cough, clears heat and detoxifies.
Commonly used for chronic gastritis, atrophic gastritis, alleviating side effects of cancer chemotherapy.
Bai Bian Dou (Hyacinth Bean)
Strengthens the spleen, transforms dampness, harmonizes the middle and relieves summer heat, detoxifies.
Commonly used for spleen deficiency with dampness, poor appetite.
Gan Cao (Licorice)
Benefits qi and tonifies the middle, clears heat and detoxifies, expels phlegm and stops cough, alleviates pain, harmonizes the properties of other herbs.
Detoxifies and can be used for palpitations, joint pain in fingers, stomach pain, and gastric spasms.
Da Zao (Jujube)
Tonifies the middle and benefits qi, nourishes blood and calms the spirit, harmonizes the properties of other herbs.
Mainly used to tonify spleen deficiency and harmonize the spleen and stomach.
Honey
Tonifies the middle and alleviates urgency, moistens dryness, detoxifies.
Benefits both spleen and lung, commonly used for stomach pain, gastric ulcers, cough, constipation, but should be used cautiously for acid reflux and heartburn.
2. Yang Tonifying Herbs
Yang Tonifying Herb – Dong Chong Xia Cao (Cordyceps)
Yin Yang Huo (Epimedium)
Warms the kidney and strengthens yang, strengthens tendons and bones, dispels wind and dampness.
Severely tonifies the fire of the life gate.
Xian Mao (Curculigo)
Warms the kidney and strengthens yang, strengthens tendons and bones, dispels cold and dampness, warms the spleen and stops diarrhea.
Commonly used for kidney yang deficiency causing frequent urination, low back pain, joint pain, hypertension in menopausal women.
Rou Cong Rong (Cistanche)
Tonifies kidney yang, benefits essence and blood, moistens the intestines and promotes bowel movements.
Acts slowly and gently, can be used for constipation in the elderly.
Dong Chong Xia Cao (Cordyceps)
Benefits kidney, strengthens yang, tonifies lung and relieves asthma, stops bleeding and transforms phlegm.
Commonly used for yang deficiency causing impotence, nocturnal emissions, low back pain, forgetfulness, prolonged weakness, susceptibility to colds, and weak cough.
3. Blood Tonifying Herbs
Blood Tonifying Herb – Dang Gui (Angelica)
Dang Gui
Tonifies blood, invigorates blood circulation, regulates menstruation, alleviates pain, moistens the intestines.
Can be used for blood deficiency and blood stasis causing heart discomfort, stomach pain, constipation in middle-aged and elderly individuals.
Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia)
Tonifies blood and nourishes yin, benefits essence and fills the marrow.
Commonly used in Si Wu Tang and Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, for menopausal heat and symptoms like gray hair and hair loss.
Ejiao (Donkey-hide Gelatin)
Tonifies blood, stops bleeding, nourishes yin and moistens dryness.
Commonly used for blood deficiency causing pale complexion, dizziness, or gynecological blood deficiency and bleeding.
Long Yan Rou (Longan)
Benefits heart and spleen, nourishes blood and calms the spirit.
Tonifies spleen and stomach, nourishes qi and blood, improves sleep.
4. Yin Tonifying Herbs
Yin Tonifying Herb – Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berries)
Mai Dong (Ophiopogon)
Nourishes yin, moistens the lungs, benefits the stomach and generates fluids, clears the heart and alleviates irritability.
Nourishes the yin of the lung, stomach, and heart meridians, commonly used for chronic gastritis, gastric ulcers, diabetes, insomnia, etc.
Bai He (Lily Bulb)
Nourishes yin, moistens the lungs, stops cough, clears the heart and calms the spirit.
Commonly used for yin deficiency cough, irritability and insomnia, stomach pain.
Shi Hu (Dendrobium)
Nourishes yin, clears heat, benefits the stomach and generates fluids.
Commonly used for dry mouth and tongue, swollen gums, mouth sores, low back and knee soreness.
Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berries)
Nourishes liver and kidney, benefits essence and blood, brightens the eyes, calms the spirit, generates fluids.
Commonly used for liver and kidney yin deficiency, blurred vision, dry eyes, low back and knee soreness, tinnitus, premature aging, hair loss, and graying.
Sang Shen (Mulberry)
Nourishes yin, tonifies blood, generates fluids, moistens the intestines.
Commonly used for dizziness due to blood deficiency, tinnitus, blurred vision, constipation.
Yin Er (Tremella)
Nourishes yin, moistens the lungs, benefits the stomach and generates fluids.
Besides preventing dry cough in autumn, it improves physical weakness.
5. Wind-Cold Releasing Herbs
Wind-Cold Releasing Herb – Ma Huang (Ephedra)
Ma Huang
Induces sweating and releases the exterior, opens the lungs and relieves asthma, promotes urination and reduces swelling.
Commonly used for wind-cold colds, skin diseases, urticaria, rhinitis, etc.
Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig)
Induces sweating and releases muscle, warms the meridians and unblocks the channels, promotes yang and transforms qi.
Commonly used for heart disease, cervical spondylosis, shoulder periarthritis, gynecological diseases caused by cold in the meridians.
Zi Su (Perilla)
Induces sweating and releases the exterior, regulates qi and relieves the middle, detoxifies fish and crab poison.
Commonly used for wind-cold colds or with gastroenteritis, alleviates stomach bloating and vomiting caused by spleen and stomach stagnation.
Bai Zhi (Angelica Dahurica)
Expels wind and releases the exterior, opens the nasal passages, dispels dampness and alleviates pain.
Commonly used for headaches, stomach pain, gastric ulcers, rhinitis, eczema, chloasma, etc., historically used for beauty.
Xi Xin (Asarum)
Expels wind and releases the exterior, disperses cold and alleviates pain, warms the lungs and transforms phlegm, opens the orifices.
Used for wind-cold colds, also historically used as a painkiller, for headaches, stomach pain, joint pain.
6. Wind-Heat Releasing Herbs
Wind-Heat Releasing Herb – Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum)
Bo He (Peppermint)
Releases wind-heat, clears the throat, detoxifies and relieves rashes, soothes the liver and relieves depression.
Commonly used for colds, headaches, and various heat-related conditions.
Sang Ye (Mulberry Leaf)
Releases wind-heat, moistens the lungs and stops cough, calms the liver and brightens the eyes.
Commonly used for head and face diseases, autumn dry cough, and colds.
Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum)
Releases wind-heat, clears the liver and brightens the eyes, calms liver yang, clears heat and detoxifies.
Brewing tea can assist with hypertension and hyperlipidemia.
Ge Gen (Pueraria)
Releases muscle and reduces fever, promotes measles eruption, generates fluids and quenches thirst, raises yang and stops diarrhea.
New clinical uses can be for cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and coronary heart disease.
7. Heat Clearing Herbs
Heat Clearing Herb – Qing Hao (Artemisia Annua)
Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena)
Clears heat and drains fire, nourishes yin and moistens dryness.
Treats both deficiency and excess, can be used for diabetes with the three excesses, menopausal syndrome.
Tian Hua Fen (Trichosanthes)
Clears heat and generates fluids, reduces swelling and drains pus.
Commonly used for thirst caused by diabetes, lung heat with phlegm cough, and dry cough due to yin deficiency.
Dan Zhu Ye (Lophatherum)
Clears heat and alleviates irritability, promotes urination.
Combined with Suan Zao Ren can be used for insomnia and anxiety.
Xia Ku Cao (Prunella)
Clears the liver and brightens the eyes, reduces swelling and dissipates nodules.
Commonly found in cooling teas, modernly used for liver fire type eye pain, headaches, and hypertension.
Jue Ming Zi (Cassia Seed)
Clears the liver and brightens the eyes, moistens the intestines and promotes bowel movements.
Alleviates vision decline, assists with constipation and hypertension headaches.
Huang Lian (Coptis)
Clears heat and dries dampness, drains fire and detoxifies.
Commonly used for damp-heat diarrhea, and various heat-related symptoms.
Jin Yin Hua (Honeysuckle)
Clears heat and detoxifies, disperses wind-heat.
A good choice for summer heat relief, modern studies show antibacterial and antiviral properties.
Lian Qiao (Forsythia)
Clears heat and detoxifies, dissipates abscesses and nodules, disperses wind-heat.
Main ingredients in Lianhua Qingwen and Yin Qiao Pian, modern studies show inhibition of plague bacteria and antiviral properties.
Ban Lan Gen (Isatis Root)
Clears heat and detoxifies, cools the blood and benefits the throat.
Used for warm diseases, exterior wind-heat, sore throat caused by colds or non-colds.
Pu Gong Ying (Dandelion)
Clears heat and detoxifies, promotes dampness.
Key herb for mastitis, commonly used for lobular hyperplasia, breast nodules, etc.
Ma Chi Xian (Portulaca)
Clears heat and detoxifies, cools the blood and stops dysentery, promotes urination.
Can be used for chloasma, acne, urticaria, and other skin diseases.
Fat Da Hai (Sterculia)
Clears heat and benefits the throat, moistens the lungs and opens the voice, clears heat and promotes bowel movements.
Commonly used for lung heat cough, sore throat, and hoarseness.
Sheng Di Huang (Raw Rehmannia)
Clears heat, cools the blood, nourishes yin and generates fluids.
Commonly used for yin deficiency constipation, cough, acid reflux, and bitter mouth.
Qing Hao (Artemisia Annua)
Clears deficiency heat, cools the blood, detoxifies, and stops malaria.
Commonly used for yin deficiency internal heat, malaria, jaundice hepatitis, heat stroke, etc.
8. Laxative Herbs
Laxative Herb – Da Huang (Rhubarb)
Da Huang
Promotes bowel movements, clears heat and drains fire, stops bleeding, detoxifies, invigorates blood and dispels stasis, clears damp-heat.
Small amounts strengthen the spleen and stomach, large amounts treat constipation, clinically used for edema, obesity, and hyperlipidemia.
Huo Ma Ren (Hemp Seed)
Moistens the intestines and promotes bowel movements.
Used for constipation in the elderly, habitual constipation, hemp seed oil is closely related to longevity.
9. Wind-Dampness Dispelling Herbs
Wind-Dampness Dispelling Herb – Du Huo (Angelica Pubescens)
Du Huo
Dispels wind-dampness, alleviates pain, releases the exterior.
Commonly used for middle-aged and elderly lower back and leg pain, rheumatic arthritis, low back soreness, and muscle strain.
Fang Ji (Stephania)
Dispels wind-dampness, alleviates pain, promotes urination and reduces swelling.
Commonly used for edema, arthritis, and hypertension.
Wei Ling Xian (Clematis)
Dispels wind-dampness, unblocks the meridians, transforms phlegm and water, treats fishbone obstruction.
Used for rheumatic arthritis, bone and joint pain, bone hyperplasia, and can also dissolve fish bones.
Qin Jiao (Gentiana)
Dispels wind-dampness, relaxes the tendons and meridians, clears deficiency heat, and clears damp-heat.
Commonly used for stroke and sequelae of cerebral infarction, wind-dampness joint pain, and arthritis.
Xi Xian Cao (Siegesbeckia)
Dispels wind and dampness, unblocks the meridians, clears heat and detoxifies.
Used for hypertension, sequelae of stroke, and skin diseases with itching and eczema.
Sang Zhi (Mulberry Branch)
Dispels wind and unblocks the meridians, promotes urination and reduces swelling.
Used for shoulder and neck pain, limb numbness, vitiligo, and has been developed into a hypoglycemic drug.
Lu Lu Tong (Liquidambar)
Dispels wind and unblocks the meridians, promotes urination, and induces lactation.
Functions as its name suggests, used for wind-dampness, edema, and insufficient milk production.
Sang Ji Sheng (Mulberry Mistletoe)
Dispels wind-dampness, benefits the liver and kidney, strengthens tendons and bones, calms the fetus.
Commonly used for alleviating low back and leg pain, can also be used for heart discomfort and hypertension.
10. Dampness Transforming Herbs
Dampness Transforming Herb – Huo Xiang (Agastache)
Huo Xiang
Transforms dampness, relieves summer heat, stops vomiting.
Commonly used for acute gastritis, wind-cold colds, summer heat stroke, and diarrhea.
Hou Po (Magnolia Bark)
Dries dampness, regulates qi, eliminates stagnation, relieves asthma.
Promotes food movement in the stomach, used for stomach bloating and poor appetite due to spleen and stomach dampness.
11. Water-Dampness Promoting Herbs
Yi Yi Ren (Job’s Tears)
Yi Yi Ren
Promotes urination and reduces dampness, strengthens the spleen and stops diarrhea, clears heat and drains pus, dispels bi.
Commonly used for spleen deficiency with heavy dampness, edema, diarrhea, prostatitis, and colitis.
12. Interior Warming Herbs
Fu Zi (Aconite)
Fu Zi
Revives yang and rescues from reversal, supplements fire and assists yang, disperses cold and alleviates pain.
Warms the body’s yang qi, commonly used for acute myocardial infarction, and critical situations of angina.
Rou Gui (Cinnamon)
Supplements fire and assists yang, disperses cold and alleviates pain, warms the meridians and unblocks the channels.
Commonly used for kidney yang deficiency in the elderly, chronic diarrhea, and frequent nighttime urination, as well as diarrhea in infants.
13. Qi Regulating Herbs
Qi Regulating Herb – Xiang Fu (Cyperus)
Xiang Fu
Soothes the liver and regulates qi, regulates menstruation and alleviates pain.
Li Shizhen referred to it as the “commander of women’s diseases”, especially suitable for women with liver qi stagnation and emotional repression.
Mei Gui Hua (Rose)
Regulates qi and relieves depression, invigorates blood and alleviates pain.
Alleviates breast tenderness and irritability before menstruation in women.
14. Digestive Herbs
Digestive Herb – Ji Nei Jin (Chicken Gizzard Membrane)
Shan Zha (Hawthorn)
Promotes digestion and resolves food stagnation, regulates qi and disperses blood stasis.
Resolves intestinal and gastric accumulation, can also be used for hyperlipidemia.
Ji Nei Jin
Strengthens the spleen, resolves food stagnation, astringes essence and stops leakage, promotes urination and dissolves stones.
A good remedy for strengthening the spleen and resolving food stagnation, commonly used for food accumulation, stomach bloating, and gallstones.
15. Hemostatic Herbs
Hemostatic Herb – San Qi (Notoginseng)
San Qi
Resolves stasis and stops bleeding, reduces swelling and alleviates pain.
Commonly used for cardiovascular diseases, stops bleeding without leaving stasis, used for bleeding with stasis.
Ai Ye (Mugwort)
Warms the meridians and stops bleeding, disperses cold and alleviates pain, regulates menstruation and calms the fetus, dispels dampness and alleviates itching.
Clinically used for dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation, and pregnancy-related discomfort.
16. Blood Activating and Stasis Resolving Herbs
Blood Activating Herb – Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum)
Chuan Xiong
Invigorates blood circulation and regulates qi, dispels wind and alleviates pain.
Commonly used for headaches and heart disease, “headaches require Chuan Xiong.”
Yan Hu Suo (Corydalis)
Invigorates blood, regulates qi, and alleviates pain.
Used for “pain all over the body,” especially for stomach pain, migraines, and dysmenorrhea.
Dan Shen (Salvia)
Invigorates blood, regulates menstruation, cools blood and dissipates abscesses, calms the spirit.
Best for gynecological diseases, used for heart disease and angina.
Hong Hua (Safflower)
Invigorates blood and regulates menstruation, dispels stasis and alleviates pain.
Strongly invigorates blood, commonly used for various menstrual and postpartum gynecological diseases, as well as difficult cases.
Zi Cao (Lithospermum)
Invigorates blood, regulates menstruation, cools blood and detoxifies, calms the spirit.
Used for various blood stasis gynecological diseases and traumatic injuries.
Tao Ren (Peach Kernel)
Invigorates blood and dispels stasis, moistens the intestines and promotes bowel movements, stops cough and relieves asthma.
Commonly used for gynecological diseases, coronary heart disease, and angina.
Yi Mu Cao (Motherwort)
Invigorates blood and dispels stasis, promotes urination and reduces swelling, clears heat and detoxifies.
Key herb for postpartum recovery, can be used for regulating menstruation and recovery of postpartum women, also for skin diseases and rhinitis.
Ze Lan (Lycopus)
Invigorates blood and dispels stasis, regulates menstruation, promotes urination and reduces swelling.
Commonly used for gynecological blood activation and regulation, used for women’s menstruation and postpartum diseases.
Guo Sui Bu (Dipsacus)
Invigorates blood and strengthens bones.
Used for kidney yang deficiency causing low back pain, tinnitus, toothache, and chronic diarrhea.
Shui Zhi (Leech)
Breaks blood and dispels stasis.
Commonly used for coronary heart disease, hypertension, and thrombotic stroke.
17. Phlegm Resolving and Cough Suppressing Herbs
Phlegm Resolving Herb – Ban Xia (Pinellia)
Ban Xia
Dries dampness and transforms phlegm, descends qi and stops vomiting, dissipates lumps and resolves stagnation, externally used to reduce swelling and alleviate pain.
Used for phlegm syndrome and vomiting, clinically used for cervical cancer and esophageal cancer.
Zao Jiao (Soapberry)
Reduces swelling and detoxifies, drains pus, and kills parasites.
Good at dispelling wind, used for skin diseases, itching, wind rash, and urticaria.
Xuan Fu Hua (Inula)
Descends qi and transforms phlegm, descends qi and stops vomiting.
Commonly used for reflux esophagitis, chronic gastritis, gastric ulcers, and bronchitis.
Jie Geng (Platycodon)
Opens and disseminates lung qi, resolves phlegm and drains pus, benefits the throat.
Can be used for recurrent cough after a cold, excessive phlegm, pharyngitis, throat swelling, and loss of voice.
Chuan Bei Mu (Fritillaria)
Clears heat and transforms phlegm, moistens the lungs and stops cough, dissipates lumps and reduces swelling.
Used for heat cough and dry cough, pharyngitis, and thyroid tumors.
Zhe Bei Mu (Fritillaria)
Clears heat and dissipates lumps, transforms phlegm and stops cough.
Used for heat phlegm, lumps, breast hyperplasia, and gastric ulcers.
Kuan Dong Hua (Tussilago)
Moistens the lungs and descends qi, stops cough and transforms phlegm.
Commonly used for various coughs, especially for cough that persists after a cold.
Bai Guo (Ginkgo)
Restrains the lungs and stops asthma, astringes and stops discharge, solidifies essence and reduces urination.
Commonly used for cough and asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, but toxic and should not be consumed in excess.
18. Calming Herbs
Calming Herb – Suan Zao Ren (Sour Jujube Seed)
Zhen Zhu (Pearl)
Calms the spirit, brightens the eyes, and promotes healing.
Historically used for skincare, clinically used for hypertension, coronary heart disease, and gastric ulcers in the elderly.
Suan Zao Ren
Nourishes the heart and benefits the liver, calms the spirit, and restrains sweating.
Can be used for daytime sleepiness and nighttime insomnia.
Yuan Zhi (Polygala)
Calms the heart and spirit, transforms phlegm and opens the orifices, dissipates lumps and swelling.
Commonly used for forgetfulness while studying, less irritating to the stomach when honey-prepared.
19. Liver Calming and Wind Subduing Herbs
Tian Ma (Gastrodia)
Shi Jue Ming (Stone Calamus)
Calms the liver and subdues yang, clears the liver and brightens the eyes.
Can alleviate hypertension headaches in the elderly, blurred vision, and is used in combination for epilepsy seizures.
Zhi Shi (Unripe Bitter Orange)
Calms the liver and subdues yang, anchors and descends, cools the blood and stops bleeding.
Commonly used for hypertension headaches, reflux esophagitis, chronic pharyngitis, and bronchitis.
Niuhuang (Cattle Gallstone)
Subdues wind and stops spasms, transforms phlegm and opens the orifices, clears heat and detoxifies.
Commonly used for coma due to stroke, hypertension, dizziness, and vertigo.
Tian Ma (Gastrodia)
Subdues wind and stops spasms, calms liver yang, dispels wind and unblocks the meridians.
Commonly used for hypertension, headaches, and dizziness.
Jiang Can (Silkworm)
Subdues wind and stops spasms, dispels wind and alleviates pain, transforms phlegm and dissipates lumps.
Has been used for atypical pneumonia and sequelae of stroke.
20. Orifice Opening Herbs
Orifice Opening Herb – Shi Chang Pu (Acorus)
Shi Chang Pu
Opens the orifices and calms the spirit, transforms dampness and harmonizes the stomach.
Dispels dampness from the spleen and stomach, has been used as an auxiliary herb for chronic gastritis, epilepsy, and cerebral infarction.
21. Astringent Herbs
Ma Huang Gen (Ephedra Root)
Ma Huang Gen
Restrains sweating.
A herb specifically used for sweating conditions, can be used for both qi deficiency spontaneous sweating and yin deficiency night sweating.
Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra)
Restrains the lungs, nourishes the kidneys, generates fluids, restrains sweating, astringes essence and stops diarrhea, calms the spirit.
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The prescriptions and usages mentioned in the text are for learning and reference only, not for commercial use. Please use under the guidance of a physician. For consultations, please visit a regular hospital and consult a professional doctor.
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