Introduction:The complete collection of commonly used Chinese medicinal herb illustrations is here, a must-have for your permanent collection! Below is a compilation of commonly used Chinese medicinal herb illustrations along with their properties, meridian affiliations, and therapeutic functions for your appreciation and reference. Additionally, each herb is accompanied by its aliases for flexible application in daily practice.
Wind-Dispersing Herbs
1. Herbs for Dispelling Wind and Cold Sheng Jiang (Ginger) Aliases: Da Rou Jiang (Large Ginger), Xian Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger)
Bai Zhi (Angelica Dahurica) Aliases: Xiang Xiang (Fragrant), Ze Fen (Wet Fen)
Fang Feng (Siler) Aliases: Tong Yun (Copper Cloud), Hui Cao (Fennel Grass), Bai Zhi (Hundred Branches), Ping Feng (Wind Screen)
Cang Er (Xanthium) Aliases: Chang Si Cai (Common Thinking Vegetable), Di Kui (Earth Aster), Dao Ren Tou (Daoist Head), Zhu Er (Pig Ear), Ci Er Ke (Thorny Plant)
Qiang Huo (Notopterygium) Aliases: Qiang Qing (Qiang Green), Hu Qiang Shi Zhe (Qiang Messenger), Qiang Hua (Qiang Smooth), Tui Feng Shi Zhe (Wind-Dispersing Messenger)
Xi Xin (Asarum) Aliases: Xiao Xin (Small Xin), Xi Cao (Fine Grass), Shao Xin (Little Xin), Du Ye Cao (Single Leaf Grass), Shan Ren Shen (Mountain Ginseng)
Jing Jie (Schizonepeta) Aliases: Xiang Jing Jie (Fragrant Schizonepeta), Jia Su (False Perilla), Jiang Jie (Ginger Schizonepeta), Si Ling Gan (Four Ridge Stem Mugwort), Wen Chi Cai (Stable Tooth Vegetable)
Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig) Aliases: Liu Gui (Willow Cinnamon)
Ma Huang (Ephedra) Aliases: Long Sha (Dragon Sand), Gou Gu (Dog Bone), Bei Xiang (Low Xiang), Bei Yan (Low Salt)
2. Herbs for Dispelling Wind and Heat Niubangzi (Burdock Seed) Aliases: Shu Nianzi (Mouse Sticky Seed), Da Li Zi (Large Seed), E Shi (Evil Seed)
Sheng Ma (Cimicifuga) Aliases: Zhou Ma (Zhou Hemp), Ji Gu Sheng Ma (Chicken Bone Cimicifuga), Gui Lian Sheng Ma (Ghost Face Cimicifuga)
Chai Hu (Bupleurum) Aliases: Di Xun (Earth Smoke), Ru Cao (Rug Grass), Chai Cao (Chai Grass), Zi Hu (Purple Hu)
Ge Gen (Pueraria) Aliases: Gan Ge (Sweet Ge), Gan Ge (Dry Ge), Fen Ge (Powder Ge), Ge Tiao Gen (Ge Stem)
Sang Ye (Mulberry Leaf) Aliases: Tie Shan Zi (Iron Fan), Can Ye (Silkworm Leaf)
Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum) Aliases: Gan Ju (Sweet Chrysanthemum), Jin Rui (Golden Flower), Zhen Ju (True Chrysanthemum), Yao Ju (Medicinal Chrysanthemum)
Bo He (Peppermint) Aliases: Fan He Cai (Foreign Mint), Tu Bo He (Earth Mint), Nan Bo He (Southern Mint), Ren Dan Cao (Human Dan Grass), Ye Bo He (Wild Mint)
Fire-Clearing Herbs
1. Heat-Clearing and Fire-Draining Herbs Tian Hua Fen (Trichosanthes Root) Aliases: Gua Lou Gen (Gourd Root), Hua Fen (Flower Powder), Bai Yao (White Medicine), Rui Xue (Lucky Snow)
Jue Ming Zi (Cassia Seed) Aliases: Cao Jue Ming (Grass Jue Ming), Ma Ti Jue Ming (Horse Hoof Jue Ming), Qian Li Guang (Thousand Mile Light), Jia Lu Dou (False Green Bean)
Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena) Aliases: Lian Mu (Lotus Mother), Shui Xu (Water Mustache), Chuan Di Long (Chuan Earth Dragon), Yang Hu Zi (Goat Beard)
Zhi Zi (Gardenia) Aliases: Mu Dan (Wood Dan), Yue Tao (Yue Peach), Shan Zhi Zi (Mountain Gardenia), Huang Ji Zi (Yellow Gardenia), Huang Zhi Zi (Yellow Gardenia)
Lian Zi Xin (Lotus Seed Heart) Aliases: Ku Yi (Bitter Yi), Lian Yi (Lotus Yi), Lian Xin (Lotus Heart)
Xia Ku Cao (Selfheal) Aliases: Tie Se Cao (Iron Color Grass), Bang Zhu Tou Hua (Hammer Head Flower), Lang Tou Cao (Hammer Grass), Bang Chui Cao (Hammer Grass), Niu Ku Cao (Cow Dried Grass)
2. Herbs for Clearing Heat and Drying Dampness Long Dan (Gentiana) Aliases: Ling You (Ling Grass), Cao Long Dan (Grass Gentiana), Ku Di Dan (Bitter Earth Gentiana), Shan Long Dan (Mountain Gentiana), Shui Long Dan (Water Gentiana)
Bai Xian Pi (Dictamnus) Aliases: Ye Hua Jiao Pi (Wild Flower Pepper Skin), Bai Yang Xian (White Yang Fresh), Bei Xian Pi (Northern Fresh Skin), Chou Gen Pi (Stinky Root Skin), Ba Gu Niu (Eight Gu Niu), Ba Gua Niu (Eight Gu Niu), Hao Han Ba (Heroic Pull)
Ku Shen (Sophora) Aliases: Di Huai (Earth Huai), Ku Guo (Bitter Fruit), Chuan Shen (Chuan Shen), Niu Shen (Cow Shen), Di Shen (Earth Shen), Ye Huai (Wild Huai), Shan Huai (Mountain Huai)
Ya Dan Zi (Strychnos) Aliases: Lao Ya Dan (Old Ya Dan), Ya Dan Zi (Ya Egg), Xiao Ku Lian (Little Bitter Lian), Ku Shen Zi (Bitter Shen Seed)
Huang Qin (Scutellaria) Aliases: Shan Cha Gen (Mountain Tea Root), Huang Qin Cha (Huang Qin Tea), Tu Jin Cha Gen (Earth Jin Tea Root)
Huang Bai (Phellodendron) Aliases: Huang Bo (Yellow Bark), Yuan Bai (Round Bark), Bo Mu (Bark Wood), Chuan Huang Bai (Chuan Huang Bai)
Huang Lian (Coptis) Aliases: Chuan Lian (Chuan Lian), Chuan Huang Lian (Chuan Huang Lian), Jiang Huang Lian (Ginger Huang Lian), Wu Yu Huang Lian (Wu Yu Huang Lian), Jiu Lian (Wine Lian)
3. Heat-Clearing and Fire-Draining Herbs Da Qing Ye (Isatis Leaf) Aliases: Da Qing (Big Blue), Bei Ban Gen (Northern Blue Root), Da Dian (Big Indigo)
Shan Dou Gen (Sophora Root) Aliases: Dou Gen (Bean Root), Bei Dou Gen (Northern Bean Root), Guang Dou Gen (Wide Bean Root), Ku Dou Gen (Bitter Bean Root)
Bei Dou Gen (Northern Bean Root) Aliases: Bian Fu Ge Gen (Bat Ge Root), Bei Shan Dou Gen (Northern Mountain Bean Root), Shan Di Gua Yang (Mountain Sweet Potato Vine), Bian Fu Teng (Bat Vine)
Bai Tou Weng (Pulsatilla) Aliases: Ye Zhang Ren (Wild Elder), Tou Gong (Head Gong), Mao Gu Duo Hua (Mao Gu Flower), Lao Gong Hua (Old Gong Flower)
Bai Lian (White Root) Aliases: Bai Gen (White Root), Shan Di Gua (Mountain Sweet Potato), E Bao Dan (Goose Egg), Di Lao Shu (Earth Mouse), Mao Er Luan (Cat Egg)
Lian Qiao (Forsythia) Aliases: Han Lian Zi (Dry Lotus Seed), Kong Qiao (Empty Qiao), Kong Ke (Empty Shell), Luo Chi (Fallen Wing)
Ban Lan Gen (Isatis Root) Aliases: Dian Qing Gen (Indigo Root), Lan Dian Gen (Blue Indigo Root)
Jin Yin Hua (Honeysuckle) Aliases: Ren Dong Hua (Honeysuckle Flower), Yin Hua (Silver Flower), Shuang Hua (Double Flower), Er Bao Hua (Two Treasure Flower)
Yu Xing Cao (Houttuynia) Aliases: Zi Bei Yu Xing Cao (Purple Back Houttuynia), Zi Ji (Purple Ji)
Pu Gong Ying (Dandelion) Aliases: Pu Gong Cao (Dandelion Grass), Huang Hua Di Ding (Yellow Flower Ground Ding), Huang Hua Cao (Yellow Flower Grass), Pu Gong Ding (Dandelion Ding)
4. Heat-Clearing and Cooling Blood Herbs Di Huang (Rehmannia) Aliases: Sheng Di (Raw Rehmannia), Sheng Di Huang (Raw Rehmannia Root)
Chi Shao (Red Peony) Aliases: Mu Shao Yao (Wood Peony), Chi Shao Yao (Red Peony)
Mu Dan Pi (Peony Bark) Aliases: Dan Pi (Dan Bark), Dan Gen (Dan Root)
5. Herbs for Clearing Empty HeatYin Chai Hu (Silver Bupleurum) Aliases: Yin Xia Chai Hu (Silver Summer Bupleurum), Yin Hu (Silver Hu), Niu Du Gen (Cow Belly Root), Tu Shen (Earth Shen)
Hu Huang Lian (Huang Lian) Aliases: Ge Gu Lu Ze (Cutting Gu Lu), Hu Lian (Hu Lian), Xi Zang Hu Huang Lian (Tibetan Hu Huang Lian)
Downward Draining Herbs
1. Purgative Herbs Da Huang (Rhubarb) Aliases: Jiang Jun (General), Jin Wen (Golden Pattern), Jin Wen Da Huang (Golden Pattern Rhubarb), Chuan Jun (Chuan Jun)
2. Moistening Downward Herbs Huo Ma Ren (Hemp Seed) Aliases: Da Ma Ren (Large Hemp Seed), Ma Zi Ren (Hemp Seed), Ma Zi Xian Ma (Hemp Seed Line), Shan Ma (Mountain Hemp)
Yu Li Ren (Job’s Tears) Aliases: Yu Zi (Yu Seed), Yu Li Ren (Job’s Tears), Xiao Li Ren (Small Job’s Tears)
3. Harsh Downward Draining Herbs Qian Jin Zi (Qian Jin Seed) Aliases: Qian Liang Jin (Thousand Liang Gold), Pu Sa Dou (Bodhisattva Bean), Xu Sui Zi (Continuing Sui Seed)
Ba Dou (Croton Seed) Aliases: Ba Ren (Ba Seed), Ba Mi (Ba Rice), Hong Zi Ren (Red Seed), Xie Guo (Draining Fruit), Meng Zi Ren (Meng Seed), Ba Ren (Ba Seed)
Gan Sui (Euphorbia) Aliases: Gan Ze (Sweet Ze), Ling Ze Zhong (Ling Ze Swelling), Shou Hua Gen (Hand Flower Root), Mao Er Yan (Cat Eye), Sheng Yu Hua (Better than Flower)
Yuan Hua (Genus Euphorbia) Aliases: Chi Yuan (Red Yuan), Du Yuan (Du Yuan), Tou Tong Hua (Headache Flower), Nan Yuan (Southern Yuan), Yao Yu Cao (Medicinal Fish Grass), Jiu Long Hua (Nine Dragon Flower), Nao Yu Hua (Noisy Fish Flower)
Jing Da Ji (Genus Euphorbia) Aliases: Da Ji (Big Ji), Hong Ya Da Ji (Red Bud Da Ji), Zi Da Ji (Purple Da Ji), Jiang Jun Cao (General Grass)
Shang Lu (Genus Euphorbia) Aliases: Zhang Lu (Zhang Lu), Zhang Liu Gen (Zhang Liu Root), Jian Zhong Xiao (See Swelling Dissolve), Dang Lu (Dang Lu)
Wind-Damp Dispelling Herbs
3. Wind-Dispelling and Cold-Dispersing Herbs
Chuan Wu (Aconite)
Aliases: E Er Hua (Goose Flower), Wu Du (Five Poisons), Tie Du (Iron Poison)
Mu Guo (Papaya) Aliases: Mu Guo Shi (Papaya Fruit), Tie Jiao Li (Iron Foot Pear)
Cao Wu (Aconite) Aliases: Wu Tou (Black Head), Du Bai Cao (Single White Grass), Tu Fu Zi (Earth Fu Seed)
Wei Ling Xian (Clematis) Aliases: Tie Jiao Wei Ling Xian (Iron Foot Wei Ling Xian), Jiu Cao Jie (Wine Grass Step), Hei Gu Tou (Black Bone Head), Lao Hu Xu (Tiger Whiskers), Qi Cun Cao (Seven Inch Grass), Niu Xian Cao (Cow Idle Grass)
Du Huo (Angelica) Aliases: Du Yao Cao (Single Yao Grass), Du Hua (Single Flower), Chang Sheng (Long Life)
Lu Lu Tong (Siphonostegia) Aliases: Feng Shi (Maple Fruit), Feng Cao (Maple Grass), Jiu Kong Zi (Nine Empty Seeds), Feng Cao (Maple Grass)
2. Wind-Damp Clearing and Heat-Clearing Herbs
Fang Ji (Stephania) Aliases: Fen Fang Ji (Powder Fang Ji), Han Fang Ji (Han Fang Ji), Shi Jie (Stone Solution)
Ma Qian Zi (Strychnos) Aliases: Fan Mu Bie (Fan Wood Bie), Ku Shi Ba Dou Er (Bitter Fruit Bean), Ku Shi (Bitter Fruit), Ma Qian (Horse Front)
Qin Jiao (Gentiana) Aliases: Qin Jiao (Qin Jiao), Qin Jiu (Qin Jiu), Zuo Qin Jiao (Left Qin Jiao)
Sang Zhi (Mulberry Branch) Aliases: Sang Tiao (Mulberry Branch)
3. Wind-Damp Dispelling and Strengthening Bones and Muscles Herbs
Wu Jia Pi (Acanthopanax) Aliases: Nan Wu Jia Pi (Southern Wu Jia Pi), Wu Gu Pi (Wu Gu Skin), Hong Wu Jia Pi (Red Wu Jia Pi)
Gou Ji (Cibotium) Aliases: Jin Mao Gou Ji (Golden Hair Gou Ji), Jin Mao Gou (Golden Hair), Jin Gou Ji (Golden Gou Ji)
Sang Ji Sheng (Loranthus) Aliases: Tao Shu Ji Sheng (Peach Tree Mistletoe), Ku Lian Ji Sheng (Bitter Lian Mistletoe), Guang Ji Sheng (Wide Mistletoe)
Transforming Dampness Herbs
Guang Huo Xiang (Patchouli) Aliases: Tu Huo Xiang (Earth Patchouli), Da Ye Bo He (Large Leaf Mint), Mao Wei Xiang (Cat Tail Fragrance), Shan Hui Xiang (Mountain Anise)
Cang Zhu (Atractylodes) Aliases: Chi Zhu (Red Zhu), Xian Zhu (Immortal Zhu), Mao Zhu (Hair Zhu), Hua Cang Zhu (Flower Zhu)
Dou Kou (Cardamom) Aliases: Bai Dou Kou (White Cardamom), Cao Guo (Grass Fruit), Cao Dou Kou (Grass Cardamom)
Pei Lan (Eupatorium) Aliases: Lan Cao (Lan Grass), Mu Xiang (Wood Fragrance), Da Ze Lan (Large Ze Lan), Nu Lan (Female Lan), Xiang Cao (Fragrant Grass), Hang Pei Lan (Hang Pei Lan)
Cao Dou Kou (Cardamom) Aliases: Dou Kou (Cardamom), Cao Kou (Grass Cardamom), Cao Kou Ren (Grass Cardamom Seed), Cao Guo (Grass Fruit), Kou Ren (Kou Seed)
Cao Guo (Grass Fruit) Aliases: Cao Guo Ren (Grass Fruit Seed), Cao Guo Zi (Grass Fruit Seed), Lao Kou (Old Kou)
Water-Draining and Dampness-Resolving Herbs
1. Water-Draining and Swelling-Reducing Herbs
Dong Gua Pi (Winter Melon Skin) Aliases: Bai Gua Pi (White Melon Skin), Bai Dong Gua Pi (White Winter Melon Skin)
Chi Xiao Dou (Adzuki Bean) Aliases: Hong Dou (Red Bean), Xiao Dou (Small Bean), Ye Chi Dou (Wild Red Bean)
Ze Xie (Alisma) Aliases: Shui Xie (Water Xie), Mang Yu (Mang Yu), Ze Zhi (Water Zhi), Tian E Dan (Swan Egg), Ru Yi Cai (Ruyi Vegetable), Shui Bai Cai (Water Cabbage), Ji Xie (Ji Xie)
Fu Ling (Poria) Aliases: Fu Tu (Fu Tu), Fu Ling (Fu Ling), Song Shu (Pine Potato), Song Ling (Pine Ling)
Yi Yi Ren (Coix Seed) Aliases: Yi Ren (Yi Seed), Yi Mi (Yi Rice), Cao Zhu Zi (Grass Pearl), Hui Hui Mi (Hui Rice), Liu Gu Zi (Six Grains), Niao Zhu Zi (Bird Pearl)
2. Water-Draining and Lin-Resolving Herbs
Chuan Mu Tong (Cleome) Aliases: Huai Mu Tong (Huai Mu Tong), Shan Mu Tong (Mountain Mu Tong), Hua Mu Tong (Flower Mu Tong), Bai Mu Tong (White Mu Tong)
Che Qian Cao (Plantago) Aliases: Dang Dao (On the Road), Ha Ma Cao (Hama Grass), Che Lun Cao (Wheel Grass), Tie Guan Cao (Iron Pass Grass)
Shi Wei (Pyrrosia) Aliases: Shi Pi (Stone Skin), Jin Xing Cao (Golden Star Grass), Shi Lan (Stone Orchid), Shi Jian (Stone Sword), Shi Bei Liu (Stone Back Willow)
Deng Xin Cao (Juncus) Aliases: Hu Xu Cao (Tiger Whiskers Grass), Chi Xu (Red Whiskers), Deng Xin (Deng Grass)
3. Dampness-Resolving and Yellow-Reducing Herbs
Chui Pen Cao (Lysimachia) Aliases: Ban Zhi Lian (Half Branch Lotus), Fo Zhi Jia (Buddha’s Finger), Gou Ya Ban Zhi (Dog Tooth Half Branch), Dou Ban Zi Cai (Bean Tooth Vegetable), Gou Ya Zhi (Dog Tooth), Shu Ya Ban Zhi (Mouse Tooth Half Branch), Bai Wu Gong (White Centipede)
Jin Qian Cao (Lysimachia) Aliases: Shen Xian Dui Zuo Cao (Immortal Sitting Grass), Wu Gong Cao (Centipede Grass), Huang Dan Cao (Yellow Dan Grass)
Yin Chen (Artemisia) Aliases: Yin Chen Hao (Yin Chen Grass), Mian Yin Chen (Cotton Yin Chen), Rong Yin Chen (Fluffy Yin Chen)
Hu Zhang (Polygonum) Aliases: Ku Zhang (Bitter Zhang), Ban Zhang (Spotted Zhang), Hua Ban Zhang (Flower Spotted Zhang), Zi Jin Long (Purple Gold Dragon), Suan Tang Gan (Sour Soup Stem), Yin Yang Lian (Yin Yang Lotus)
Warming Interior Herbs
Ding Xiang (Clove) Aliases: Mu Ding Xiang (Mother Clove), Gong Ding Xiang (Male Clove), Xiong Ding Xiang (Male Clove)
Ba Jiao Huo Xiang (Star Anise) Aliases: Da Liao (Big Anise), Da Huo Xiang (Big Anise), Bo Shang Huo Xiang (Ship Anise), Ba Jiao Zhu (Star Anise Pearl), Ba Jiao Xiang (Star Anise Fragrance)
Xiao Huo Xiang (Fennel) Aliases: Tu Huo Xiang (Earth Anise), Gu Huo Xiang (Grain Anise), Cao Huo Xiang (Grass Anise), Gu Xiang (Grain Fragrance), Xiao Huo (Small Huo), Xiao Xiang (Small Fragrance), Xiang Si Cai (Fragrant Silk Vegetable)
Hua Jiao (Sichuan Pepper) Aliases: Qin Jiao (Qin Pepper), Shu Jiao (Shu Pepper), Ba Jiao (Ba Pepper), Chuan Jiao (Chuan Pepper)
Rou Gui (Cinnamon) Aliases: Gui Shu (Cinnamon Tree), Mu Gui (Wood Cinnamon), Yu Gui (Jade Cinnamon), Zi Gui (Purple Cinnamon), Da Gui (Big Cinnamon), Gui Pi (Cinnamon Skin)
Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger) Aliases: Bai Jiang (White Ginger), Gan Sheng Jiang (Dried Fresh Ginger), Jun Jiang (Uniform Ginger), Yao Jiang (Medicinal Ginger)
Wu Zhu Yu (Evodia) Aliases: Shi Zhu Yu (Food Evodia), Wu Yu (Wu Yu), Qi La Zi (Qi Spicy Seed), Qu Yao Zi (Qu Medicine Seed)
Fu Zi (Aconite) Aliases: Yan Fu Zi (Salted Aconite), Hei Shun Pian (Black Shun Slice), Bai Fu Pian (White Fu Slice)
Gao Liang Jiang (Galangal) Aliases: Liang Jiang (Good Ginger), Xiao Liang Jiang (Small Good Ginger), Hai Liang Jiang (Sea Good Ginger), Gao Liang Jiang (Gao Good Ginger)
Wei Yu Ling Traditional Chinese Medicine
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