Ingredients
Traditional Chinese Medicine uses these medicinals as the back bone for prescribing formulas. These herbs and other herbal medicinals are rarely used alone as they are combined together to create a specific formula.
Knowledge of these basic Chinese Medicine formula ingredients is a necessity when prescribing to a patient. Information for each herbs functions, contraindications, properties and dosages is found in the following pages.
Chinese Medicine:
Properties - Chinese herbal medicinals can either be Hot, Warm, Neutral, Cool or Cold in nature. Each medicinal has a thermal property, as Mint can make your lips tingle with coolness when drinking warm tea, or peppers make your lips burn even when they're cool.
Meridian - The meridians each herb has an affinity for.
Dosage - this is how much of the herb can be used. Please note that different preparations can change the dosage amount as certain toxic herbs can have less or more toxicity depending on how they are prepared.
Contraindication - note that some herbs should not be used in certain conditions. Even if a herb does not have any contraindications, if it is not suited for the patient, negative results can occur. Each herb must be appropriate for the pattern diagnosed.
Please use the links below to research individual Chinese Medicinals:
Pinyin Name | English Name |
|---|---|
| An Xi Xiang | Benzoin |
| Bai Bu | Stemona Root |
| Bai Dou Kou | White Cardamon Seed |
| Bai Fu Zi | Typhonium Rhizome |
| Bai Gou Ye | Ginkgo Biloba |
| Bai Guo Ren | Ginkgo Nut |
| Bai He | Lily Bulb |
| Bai Hua She She Cao | Heydyotis |
| Bai Ji | Bletilla Rhizome |
| Bai Ji Li | Caltrop Fruit |
| Bai Jiang Cao | Patrinia |
| Bai Jie Zi | White Mustard Seed |
| Bai Jiu | White wine alcohol |
| Bai Mao Gen | Wolly Grass Root |
| Bai Qian | Cynanchum Rhizome |
| Bai Shao Yao | White Peony Root |
| Bai Tou Weng | Chinese Anemone Root, Pulsatilla |
| Bai Wei | Swallowwort Root |
| Bai Xian Pi | Dictamnus Root Bark |
| Bai Zhi | Angelica Root |
| Bai Zhu | Atractylodes Rhizome |
| Bai Zi Ren | Arbor-Vitae Seed |
| Ban Lan Gen | Woad Root |
| Ban Mao | Cantharides |
| Ban Xia | Pinellia Rhizome |
| Bei Xie | Dioscorea Root |
| Bi Ba | Long Pepper Fruit |
| Bian Xu | Knot Weed |
| Bie Jia | Chinese Soft Turtle Shell |
| Bing Lang | Areca Nut |
| Bing Pian | Borneol |
| Bo He | Field Mint |
| Bu Gu Zhi | Psoralea Fruit |
| Can Sha | Silkworm feces |
| Cang Er Zi | Cocklebur Fruit |
| Cang Zhu | Atractylodes Rhizome |
| Cao Dou Kou | Cardamon Seed |
| Cao Guo | Tsaoko Fruit |
| Ce Bai Ye | Biota Leaves |
| Chai Hu | Chinese Thoroughwax |
| Chan Tui | Cicada Moulting |
| Chang Pu | Sweetflag Root |
| Che Qian Zi | Plantaginis, Semen |
| Chen Pi | aged tangerine peel |
| Chen Xiang | aloeswood |
| Chi Shao Yao | Red Peony Root |
| Chi Shi Zhi | Kaolin |
| Chi Xiao Dou | aduki bean |
| Chuan Bei Mu | Fritillaria Cirrhosa Bulbus |
| Chuan Jiao | Szechuan Pepper |
| Chuan Lian Zi | Pagoda Tree Fruit |
| Chuan Shan Jia | Anteater Scales |
| Chuan Xiong | Szechuan Lovage root |
| Chun Gen Pi | Ailanthi cortex |
| Ci Shi | Murcury |
| Cong Bai | spring onion bulb |
| Da Fu Pi | Areca Nut |
| Da Huang | Rhubarb Root |
| Da Ji | Japanese Thistle |
| Da Qing Ye | American Indigo |
| Da Zao | Chinese Date |
| Dai Mao | Hawksbill Carapace |
| Dai Zhe Shi | Hematite |
| Dan Dou Chi | Prepared Soybean |
| Dan Nan Xing | Arisaemae cum felle bovis pulvis |
| Dan Shen | Salvia Root |
| Dan Zhu Ye | Lophatherum |
| Dang Gui | Chinese Angelica Root |
| Deng Xin Cao | Rush Pith |
| Di Fu Zi | Broom Cypress Fruit |
| Di Gu Pi | Wolfberry Root Cortex |
| Di Long | Earthworm |
| Ding Xiang | Clove Flower Bud |
| Dong Chong Xia Cao | Caterpillar Fungus |
| Dong Gua Pi | Winter Melon Seed |
| Dong Gua Ren | Winter Melon Seed |
| Du Huo | European Angelica |
| Du Zhong | Ecommia Bark |
| Duan Meng Shi | Lapis Micae seu Chloriti calcined |
| E Jiao | Ass Hide Glue |
| E Zhu | Indian Arrowroot |
| Fan Xie Ye | Senna Leaf |
| Fang Feng | Ledebouriella Root |
| Fang Ji | Stephania Root |
| Feng Mi | Honey |
| Fo Shou | Finger Citron Fuit |
| Fu Hai Shi | Pumice |
| Fu Ling | Fungus Nucleus |
| Fu Long Gan | Yellow Earth Ashes |
| Fu Pen Zi | Chinese Raspberry |
| Fu Ping | Duckweed |
| Fu Shen | Poria Spirit |
| Fu Shen | Poria Spirit |
| Fu Xiao Mai | Un-ripe Wheat Grain |
| Fu Zi | Aconiti Tuber |
| Gan Cao | Licorice Root |
| Gan Jiang | Dried Ginger |
| Gan Qi | Prepared Sap |
| Gan Sui | Kan Sui Root |
| Gao Ben | Chinese Lovage Root |
| Gao Liang Jiang | Catarrh Root |
| Ge Gen | Daidzein |
| Ge Jie | Gecko |
| Geng Mi | Non-Glutinous Rice |
| Gou Qi Zi | Chinese Wolfberry |
| Gou Teng | Gambir Vine Stem |
| Gu Jing Cao | Pipewort Scapus |
| Gu Sui Bu | Drynaria Rhizome |
| Gu Ya | Rice Sprout |
| Gua Di | Melon Pedicle |
| Gua Lou | Chinese Snake Gourd |
| Gui Ban | Fresh Water Turtle Shell |
| Gui Zhi | Cinnamon Twig |
| Hai Dai | Dried Algae |
| Hai Er Cha | Black Cutch Paste |
| Hai Feng Teng | kadsura stem |
| Hai Fu Shi | Pumice Stone |
| Hai Ge Ke | Clam Shell |
| Hai Jin Sha | Japanese Fern Spore |
| Hai Piao Xiao | Cuttlefish Bone |
| Hai Tong Pi | Coral Bean Bark |
| Hai Zao | Sargassum Seaweed |
| Han Fang Ji | Stephania Root |
| Han Lian Cao | Ecliptic Prostate |
| He Gu | Tiger bone |
| He Huan Pi | Mimosa Tree Bark |
| He Shi | Carpesium Fruit |
| He Shou Wu | Fleeceflower Root |
| He Xi | Lead |
| He Ye | Lotus Lead |
| He Zi | Myrobalan Fruit |
| Hei Zhi Ma | Black Sesame Seeds |
| Hong Hua | Safflower Flower |
| Hong Teng | Sargentadoxa Vine |
| Hou Po | Magnolia Bark |
| Hu Huang Lian | Picrorhiza Rhizome |
| Hu Jiao | Black Pepper |
| Hu Lu Ba | Fenugreek Seeds |
| Hu Po | Amber |
| Hu Tao Ren | Fructus Cortex |
| Hua (Chuan) Jiao | Szechuan Pepper |
| Hua Shi | Talcum Powder |
| Huai Hua Mi | Pagoda Tree Bud |
| Huang Bai | Amur Cork Tree Bark |
| Huang Jin | Gold |
| Huang Jing | Siberian Solomon Seal Rhizome |
| Huang Lian | Cankerroot |
| Huang Qi | Astragali |
| Huang Qin | Scutellaria |
| Huo Ma Ren | Hemp Seed |
| Huo Ma Ren | Hemp Seed |
| Huo Xiang | Patchouli Stem |
| Ji Nei Jin | Chicken Gizzard |
| Ji Xue Teng | Millettia Vine |
| Ji Zi Huang | Chicken Egg Yolk |
| Jiang Can | Silkworm |
| Jiang Huang | Tumeric Rhizome |
| Jiang Xiang | Dalbergia Heartwood |
| Jie Geng | Platycodon |
| Jie Geng | Balloon Flower Rhizome |
| Jie Sui Tan | Toasted Jie Geng |
| Jin Qian Cao | Lysimachia Plant |
| Jin Yin Hua | lonicera japonica |
| Jin Ying Zi | Cherokee Rosehip |
| Jing Jie | Schizonepeta Stem |
| Jiu Zi | Chinese Leek Seed |
| Ju He | Tangerine Seed |
| Ju Hua | Chrysanthemum Flower |
| Ku Lian Gen Pi | China Tree Root Bark |
| Ku Shen | Sophora Root |
| Kuang Dong Hua | Coltzfoot Flower |
| Kun Bu | Kelp |
| Lai Fu Zi | Radish Seeds |
| Li Pi | Pyri Fructus |
| Li Zhi He | Leechee Nut |
| Lian Qiao | Forsynthia Fruit |
| Lian Xu | Lotus Stem |
| Lian Zi | Lotus Seed |
| Lian Zi Xin | Lotus Flower |
| Ling Yang Jiao | Antelope Horn |
| Liu Huang | Sulphur |
| Liu Ji Nu | Artemesia |
| Long Dan Cao | Chinese Gentian Root |
| Long Gu | Fossilized Bone |
| Long Yan Rou | Longnan Fruit Flesh |
| Lou Lu | Echinops Root |
| Lu Feng Fang | Hornet Nest |
| Lu Gan Shi | Smithsonite |
| Lu Gen | Reed Rhizome |
| Lu Hui | Aloe |
| Lu Jiao Jiao | Deer Antler Glue |
| Lu Rong | Deer Antler Velvet |
| Luo Shi Teng | Collateral Stone Vine |
| Ma Bo | Fruiting Body of Puffball |
| Ma Chi Xian | Purslane |
| Ma Dou Ling | Birthwort Fruit |
| Ma Huang | Ephedra Stem |
| Ma Huang Gen | Ephedra Root |
| Ma Qian Zi | Brechnusssamen |
| Mai Men Dong | Ophiopogon Tuber |
| Mai Ya | Barley Sprout Malt |
| Man Jing Zi | Vitex Fruit |
| Mang Xiao | Glaubers Salt |
| Meng Chong | Female Tabanus Body |
| Mi Meng Hua | Buddleia Flower Bud |
| Ming Fan | Alum |
| Mo Yao | Myrrh |
| Mu Dan Pi | Tree Peony Root Cortex |
| Mu Fang Ji | Aristolochia Root |
| Mu Gua | Quince Fruit |
| Mu Li | Oyster Shell Calcium |
| Mu Tong | Akebia Vine |
| Mu Xiang | Costus Root |
| Mu Zei | Horsetail |
| Nan Gua Zi | Pumpkin Seeds |
| Niu Bang Zi | Great Burdock Fruit |
| Niu Huang | Cattle Gallstone |
| Niu Xi | Achyranthes Root |
| Nu Zhen Zi | Privet Fruit |
| Ou Jie | Lotus Rhizome Nodes |
| Pao Jiang | Black Roasted Ginger |
| Pei Lan | Orchid Stalk |
| Pi Pa Ye | eriobotrya japonica |
| Pu Gong Ying | Dandelion |
| Pu Huang | Cattail Pollen |
| Qi Cao | Coleopteran Insect Larvae |
| Qian Cao Gen | Rubia Root |
| Qian Dan | Lead Oxide |
| Qian Hu | Hogfennel Root |
| Qian Niu Zi | Morning Glory Seeds |
| Qian Shi | Euryale Seeds |
| Qiang Huo | Notopterygium Root |
| Qin Jiao | Gentiana Macrophylla Root |
| Qin Pi | Bark of Korean Ash Branch |
| Qing Dai | Indigo |
| Qing Fen | Calomel |
| Qing Hao | Wormwood |
| Qing Pi | Green Tangerine Peel |
| Qing Xiang Zi | Celosia Seeds |
| Qu Mai | Dianthus |
| Quan Xie | Scorpion |
| Ren Shen | Ginseng, Asian |
| Rou Cong Rong | Fleshy Stem of Broomrape |
| Rou Dou Kou | Nutmeg Seeds |
| Rou Gui | Dried Cinnamon Bark |
| Ru Xiang | Frankincense |
| San Leng | Scirpus Rhizome |
| San Qi | Field Seven |
| Sang Bai Pi | Mulberry Root Bark |
| Sang Ji Sheng | Mulberry Mistletoe Stem |
| Sang Piao Xiao | Preying Mantis Egg Case |
| Sang Ye | White Mulberry Leaf |
| Sang Zhi | Mulberry Twig |
| Sha Ren | Cardamon Seed |
| Sha Shen | Glehnia Root |
| Sha Yuan Ji Li | Milkvetch Seed |
| Shan Yao | Chinese Yam |
| Shan Yu Rou, Shan Zhu Yu | Asiatic Cornelian Cherry Fruit |
| Shan Zha | Hawthorn Fruit |
| She Chuang Zi | Cnidium Seeds |
| She Gan | Belamcanda Rhizome |
| She Xiang | secretio moschus |
| Shen Qu | Medicated Leaven |
| Sheng Di Huang | Rehmannia |
| Sheng Jiang | Fresh Ginger Rhizome |
| Sheng Ma | Black Cohosh Rhizome |
| Sheng Tie Luo | Frusta Ferri |
| Shi Chang Pu | Sweetflag Rhizome |
| Shi Di | Persimmon Calyx |
| Shi Gao | Gypsum |
| Shi Hu | Dendrobium Stem |
| Shi Jue Ming | Abalone Shel |
| Shi Jun Zi | Rangoo Creeper Fuit |
| Shi Liu Pi | Pomegranate Husk |
| Shi Wei | Pyrrosia Leaves |
| Shi Xiang | Shi Xiang |
| Shu Di Huang | Chinese Fox Glove |
| Shui Zhi | Fresh Water Leech |
| Si Gua Luo | Vegetable Sponge |
| St. Johns Wort | St. Johns Wort |
| Su He Xiang | Resin of Rose Maloes |
| Su Mu | Sappan Wood |
| Su Zi | Purple Perilla Fruit |
| Suan Zao Ren | Sour Jujube Seed |
| Suo Yang | Fleshy Stem of Cynomorium |
| Tai Zi Shen | Pseudostellaria |
| Tan Xiang | Sandalwood Powder |
| Tao Ren | Peach Seed |
| Tian Hua Fen | Chinese Snake Gourd |
| Tian Ma | Gastrodia Root |
| Tian Men Dong | Asparagus Tuber |
| Tian Nan Xing | Jack in the Pulpit Rhizome |
| Tian Zhu Huang | Bamboo Sugar |
| Ting Li Zi | Descurainia Seeds |
| Tong Cao | Rice Paper Pith |
| Tu Bie Chong | Cockroach |
| Tu Si Zi | Chinese Dodder Seeds |
| Wa Leng Zi | Cockle Shell |
| Wang Bu Liu Xing | Vaccaria Seeds |
| Wei Ling Xian | Clematis Root |
| Wu Bei Zi | Gallnut of Chinese Sumac |
| Wu Gong | Centipede |
| Wu Jia Pi | Root Bark |
| Wu Ling Zhi | Flying Squirrel Feces |
| Wu Mei | Mume Fruit |
| Wu Wei Zi | Schisandra Fruit |
| Wu Yao | Lindera Root |
| Wu Yi | Stinking Elm Fruit Paste |
| Wu Zei Gu | Sepiae seu Sepiellae, Os |
| Wu Zhu Yu | Evodia Fruit |
| Xi Jiao | Rhinoceros Horn |
| Xi Xian Cao | Siegesbeckia Plant |
| Xi Xin | Chinese Wild Ginger |
| Xi Yang Shen | American Ginseng |
| Xia Ku Cao | Selfheal Spike |
| Xian He Cao | Agrimony Grass |
| Xian Mao | Golden Eye Grass Rhizome |
| Xiang Fu | Nut Grass Rhizome |
| Xiang Ru | Aromatic Madder |
| Xiao Hui Xiang | Fennel Seed |
| Xiao Ji | Small Thistle |
| Xiao Shi | Niter |
| Xie Bai | Chive Bulb |
| Xin Yi Hua | Magnolia Flower |
| Xing Ren | Apricot Seed |
| Xiong Huang | Realgar |
| Xu Duan | Japanese Teasel Root |
| Xuan Fu Hua | Inula Flower |
| Xuan Shen | Ningpo Figwort Root |
| Xue Jie | Dragon Blood |
| Xue Yu Tan | Charred Human Hair |
| Yan Hu Suo | Corydalis Rhizome |
| Yang Qi Shi | Actinolitum |
| Yang Rou | Mutton |
| Ye Jiao Teng | Chinese Cornbind |
| Ye Ju Hua | Wild Chrysanthemum Flower |
| Ye Ming Sha | Bat Feces |
| Yi Mu Cao | Motherwort Grass |
| Yi Tang | Maltose |
| Yi Yi Ren | Seeds of Jobs Ears |
| Yi Zhi Ren | Black Cardamon Seed |
| Yin Chai Hu | Stellaria Root |
| Yin Chen Hao | Armoise Capillaire |
| Yin Yang Huo | Arial Parts of Epimedium |
| Ying Su Ke | Opium Poppy Husk |
| Yu Jin | Tumeric |
| Yu Li Ren | Bush Cherry Pit |
| Yu Liang Shi | Limonitum |
| Yu Mi Xu | Cornsilk |
| Yu Xing Cao | Houttuynia |
