Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a treasure of China, and experienced practitioners can use it to address various ailments. We can also apply it in dietary therapy to nourish our bodies.
Top Properties of Chinese Herbs
Best for clearing heat and detoxifying—Jin Yin Hua (Honeysuckle);
Best for aromatic dampness transformation—Huo Xiang (Agastache);
Best for promoting urination and leaching out dampness—Fu Ling (Poria);
Best for aromatic opening of the orifices—She Xiang (Musk);
Best for clearing heat—Shi Gao (Gypsum);
Best for purging fire—Huang Lian (Coptis);
Best for descending Qi—Chen Xiang (Agarwood);
Best for generating fluids—Shi Hu (Dendrobium);
Best for resolving phlegm—Ban Xia (Pinellia);
Best for calming the liver—Ling Yang Jiao (Antelope Horn);
Best for cooling and refreshing—Bo He (Peppermint);
Best for alleviating pain—Yuan Hu (Corydalis);
Best for stopping bleeding—San Qi (Notoginseng);
Best for tonifying Yang—Lu Rong (Deer Antler Velvet);
Best for tonifying Yin—Nu Zhen Zi (Ligustrum);
Best for purging—Da Huang (Rhubarb);
Best for cooling blood—Xi Jiao (Rhinoceros Horn);
Best for regulating Qi—Zhi Shi (Bitter Orange);
Best for soothing the liver—Yu Jin (Curcuma);
Best for invigorating blood—Dan Shen (Salvia);
Best for tonifying Qi—Ren Shen (Ginseng);
Best for tonifying blood—Dang Gui (Angelica);
Best for tonifying the spleen—Shan Yao (Chinese Yam);
Best for digesting food—Shen Qu (Malt);
Best for clearing phlegm—Bei Mu (Fritillaria);
Best for reducing jaundice—Yin Chen (Virgate Wormwood);
Best for dispelling wind—Du Huo (Angelica Pubescens);
Best for calming the spirit—Zao Ren (Jujube Seed);
Best for warming the interior—Fu Zi (Aconite).
Great Herbs for Women’s Beauty
Dang Gui: A sacred herb for nourishing blood, ensuring women’s lifelong safety.
Hong Hua: A flower that invigorates blood and beautifies women.
Yi Mu Cao: The beauty expert of Empress Wu Zetian.
Xue Lian Hua: A flower that blooms from the ice mountain, nurturing youthful beauty.
Ai Cao: A natural health remedy, “Comforting Skin”.
Aloe Vera: The secret of Cleopatra’s beauty that conquered the world.
Bai Ji: The whitening fairy among herbs.
Ge Gen: The “women’s ginseng” that clears heat and generates fluids.
Bai Shao: A confidante for nourishing Yin and blood in women.
Xing Ren: Nourishes the skin, keeping it youthful and radiant.
Yu Zan Hua: Nourishes blood and removes spots, making one as beautiful as a flower.
Protecting Our Innate Essence
He Shou Wu: Warms and tonifies kidney Yang, allowing one to live for 500 years with flowing black hair.
Gou Qi Zi: The ancient elixir for seasonal health.
Dong Chong Xia Cao: A dual tonic for Yin and Yang, unique in the world.
San Qi: A “gold that cannot be exchanged” for reviving the dead.
Qian Shi: A water fairy loyal to the spleen and kidneys.
Nu Zhen Zi: Tonifies the liver and kidneys, achieving perfect harmony.
Du Zhong: The top herb for regulating blood pressure.
Tu Si Zi: A gentle tonic that begins in the womb.
The Source of Health from Acquired Essence
Bai Fu Ling: Strengthens the spleen and tonifies the center, allowing even Empress Cixi to “return to youth”.
Shan Yao: A divine food that nourishes our acquired essence.
Fan Mu Guo: The “longevity fruit” that ensures your gastrointestinal peace.
Chen Pi: The most common herb for strengthening the spleen.
Huo Xiang: Assists the spleen and stomach, allowing you to eat as you please.
Ding Xiang: A fragrant remedy for warming the stomach.
Common Ailments Without Seeking Help
Ban Lan Gen: A classic remedy for colds.
Jie Geng: A cough remedy that makes the great chef smile.
Lu Han Guo: A sweet fruit that can lower blood sugar.
Tao Ren: Best at invigorating blood, removing stasis, and promoting bowel movements.
Zi Su: Dispels cold and warms the stomach, essential when eating seafood.
Nangua Zi: Eating a handful daily keeps prostate issues at bay.
Bin Lang: The top herb for digestion and resolving accumulation.
Zhu Yu: The best choice for external blood pressure reduction.
Dong Sang Ye: A wonderful remedy for night sweats and spontaneous sweating.
Kuan Dong Hua: The first choice for chronic cough in patients with lung cold.
Luo Di Sheng Gen: A sacred herb for treating injuries in the Dai ethnic group.
Shi Chang Pu: A blessing for patients with coronary heart disease.
Da Ji: A good remedy for stopping bleeding, whether used externally or internally.
Juan Bai: A herb that reduces inflammation and stops bleeding.
Xian He Cao: Quickly restores physical strength.
Pu Huang: A pollen that can lower blood lipids.
Brain-Boosting and Calming Techniques
Tian Ma: The guardian that keeps smart people from being confused for a lifetime.
Suan Zao Ren: Banishes insomnia, bringing sweet dreams for a lifetime.
Hong Zao: Nourishes blood and calms the spirit, perfect for daily snacking.
Huang Hua Cai: Boosts brain function and clears the heart, bringing joy and worry-free living.
Gui Yuan: Nourishes blood, calms the spirit, and strengthens the body, with countless benefits.
Lian Hua: Clears the heart and nourishes the spirit, solidifying essence and strengthening bones.
Yuan Zhi: An effective remedy for treating palpitations, forgetfulness, and insomnia with vivid dreams.
Effortless Herbal Detox
Jin Yin Hua: With it, even the hottest summer feels cool.
Pu Gong Ying: Use it for unknown lumps and toxins on the body.
Yu Xing Cao: An anti-inflammatory and detoxifying herb, small but powerful.
Jue Ming Zi: The earliest used ophthalmic herb in history.
Pi Pa Ye: A common remedy for clearing lung heat.
Zhi Zi: Excellent at resolving heat toxins throughout the body.
Xia Ku Cao: The top herb for clearing heat and draining fire, especially for lymphatic tuberculosis.
Zi Hua Di Ding: A key herb for detoxifying and resolving abscesses.
Mu Dan: A wonderful herb for cooling blood, a divine flower.
Feng Xian Hua: An external remedy for clearing heat and detoxifying, known as the “Daughter Flower”.
Huang Lian: Clears damp-heat from the five organs, the world’s most bitter herb.
Delicious Vegetarian Dishes on the Table
Yin Er: The best food for nourishing the lungs and moistening Yin.
Bai He: Nourishes the five organs, delicious in any preparation.
Jie Cai: A top vegetable for patients with “three highs” (high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol).
Bo He: An aromatic therapy for soothing the throat.
Hui Xiang: A remedy for chronic gastritis.
Bai Guo: Unquestionably effective for treating cough and asthma.
Che Qian Cao: The best dietary therapy for prostatitis patients.
Digestive Herbs
Digestive food accumulation: Hawthorn, Qu, and Wheat, Inner Gold, Arrow Vine, and Mustard Sprouts.
Hawthorn digests meat accumulation, treats chest and abdominal pain, and can resolve stasis.
Qu digests rice accumulation, relieves breast engorgement, and resolves liver stagnation.
Mustard Sprouts digest food and regulate Qi, suitable for food accumulation, bloating, and phlegm cough.
Inner Gold resolves accumulation and dissolves stones, suitable for various food accumulations and incontinence.
Calming Herbs
Heavy-duty calming herbs: Cinnabar, Magnetite, Amber, Dragon Bone, and Dragon Teeth.
Nourishing heart and calming spirit: Bai Zao Ren, Yuan Zhi, He Huan Hua, and Ye Jiao Teng.
Cinnabar detoxifies and calms the heart, treating palpitations and insomnia.
Magnetite calms the heart and liver, brightens the eyes, and stabilizes breath.
Dragon Bone calms fright and soothes the spirit, treating dizziness.
Suan Zao Ren nourishes the heart and benefits the liver, treating blood deficiency, insomnia, and night sweats.
Yuan Zhi opens the orifices, expels phlegm, and treats forgetfulness, epilepsy, and phlegm cough.
Detoxifying, Insecticidal, Moistening, and Itching-Relieving Herbs
Alum, Snake Bed, Male Sulfur, and Dandelion.
Male Sulfur detoxifies and kills intestinal worms, treating eczema, snake bites, and swelling.
Sulfur relieves itching and treats scabies, taken internally to tonify Yang and promote bowel movements.
Phlegm-Resolving, Cough-Relieving, and Asthma-Relieving Herbs
Phlegm-resolving herbs: Ban Xia, Xing Ren, Bai Fu Zi, and others.
Ban Xia resolves phlegm and dampness, disperses lumps, and treats nausea and dizziness.
Jie Geng resolves phlegm and promotes lung function, relieving cough and sore throat.
Chuan Bei resolves phlegm and moistens the lungs, suitable for dry phlegm and cough.
Gua Lou clears the lungs and resolves heat phlegm, promoting bowel movements.
Huang Qi resolves phlegm and promotes lung function, suitable for cough and asthma.
Note: This account aims to spread TCM culture. The TCM knowledge mentioned in this article is for learning and exchange purposes only.
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