PoriaFulingPORIA1. 2020 Edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia This product is the dried sclerotium of the fungus Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf, belonging to the family Polyporaceae. It is harvested from July to September. After excavation, the soil and sand are removed, and it is piled for “sweating”. It is then spread out to dry until the … Read more
1. Differences Between Saffron and Carthamus Saffron and Carthamus differ by just one character, often leading to confusion as the same medicinal substance. In fact, they belong to different plant families and have vastly different market prices. According to the 2020 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, the summarized information is as follows: Saffron (Crocus sativus) … Read more
Carthamus (Safflower) Safflower (Scientific name: Carthamus tinctorius L., also known as grass safflower or red-blue flower) is a plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. The medicinal part used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is its dried flowers, which are harvested in summer when they change from yellow to red, and then dried in the shade … Read more
Introduction: Astragalus (Huang Qi), a commonly seen herb in daily life, possesses warm and gentle properties, with a sweet taste, and belongs to the spleen and lung meridians. In the clever application of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Astragalus can exert its remarkable qi-tonifying effects, safeguarding people’s health. It is often said, “The spleen is the … Read more
Haven’t followed us yet? Tap here— Introduction: Ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Mey) is a perennial herb that prefers cool, shady environments. Its leaves lack stomata and palisade tissue, making it unable to retain moisture; temperatures above 32 degrees Celsius can scorch the leaves. It typically flowers in three years and bears fruit in five … Read more
“The Book of the Later Han: Biographies of Women” states, “Mothers adjust medicinal cuisine with deep feelings,” linking “medicine” with “cuisine.” For thousands of years, our ancestors have accumulated rich experiences at the cost of their lives. Medicinal cuisine is a wonderful combination of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and culinary experience, and is one of … Read more
Click the “blue text” above to see the little starsTraditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) TCM is often perceived in a certain way. However, many people may not know that modern TCM can be prepared in various forms, with pills being one of them.Pills Release and dissolve the medication slowly, prolonging efficacy, reducing toxicity and irritation, and … Read more
Pills (wan) are spherical or quasi-spherical solid preparations made from raw medicinal materials combined with suitable excipients. They are one of the traditional dosage forms in Chinese medicine, first documented in the pre-Qin text “Fifty-Two Disease Formulas.” Even today, despite the significant advancements in modern pharmaceutical industry, Chinese medicine pills remain one of the most … Read more
Author: Zeng Anna, Chief Pharmacist, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University Editor: Luo Wei, Pharmacist, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University Traditional Chinese Medicine Decoction Powder A cost-effective and labor-saving dosage form of traditional Chinese medicine You may have heard of dosage forms such as tinctures, pills, pastes, powders, and decoctions, but does … Read more
As the old saying goes, if the decoction of Chinese medicine is not brewed properly, its efficacy is reduced by half. How should we brew Chinese medicine? Step 1: Selection of Brewing Utensils Do not use iron, copper, or aluminum pots, as chemical reactions may occur during the brewing process, reducing the medicinal efficacy. Use … Read more