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The ancient Greeks understood that important chemical changes took place during fermentation, calling it “alchemy.” As with dairy products, preservation of vegetables and fruits by the process of lacto-fermentation has many advantages beyond simply maintaining the … Read More
Botanical name: Lithospermum erythrorhizon
Common name: Lithospermum, Groomwell root
Literal name translation: purple herb
Family: Boraginaceae, borage family
Part used in Chinese medicine: root
Major Chinese medicine actions:
Clears heat, cools blood, resolves toxin
Botanical name: Aster tartaricus
Common name: Aster root, Purple aster, Tatarian aster
Literal name translation: purple aster
Family: Asteraceae, aster family
Part used in Chinese medicine: root
Major Chinese medicine actions:
Relieves cough, expels phlegm, facilitates flow of … Read More
Botanical name: Perilla frutesens
Common name: Perilla leaf, Shiso
Literal name translation: purple perilla leaf
Family: Labiatae, mint family
Part used in Chinese medicine: leaf
Major Chinese medicine actions:
Releases exterior, disperses cold, promotes the movement of … Read More
Botanical name: Bambusa tuldoides
Common name: Bamboo shavings
Family: Gramineae, grass family
Part used in Chinese medicine: stems (culms)
Major Chinese medicine actions:
Clears and transforms phlegm heat, clears heat in Lungs,
clears Stomach heat, alleviates nausea and … Read More
Botanical name: Polyporus umbellatus
Common name: Polyporus
Literal name translation: pig’s fungus
Family: Polyporaceae
Part used in Chinese medicine: whole fungus
Major Chinese medicine actions:
Promotes urination, leeches dampness, facilitates fluid metabolism
Botanical name: Citrus aurantium
Common name: Unripe bitter orange
Family: Rutaceae
Part used in Chinese medicine: immature fruit
Major Chinese medicine actions:
Breaks up stagnant qi, reduces accumulations, transforms phlegm
Botanical name: Foeniculum vulgaris
Common name: Fennel seed
Literal name translation: small return fragrance
Family: Apiaceae, parsley family
Part used in Chinese medicine: fruit
Major Chinese medicine actions:
Disperses cold, warms Liver and Kidneys,
regulates qi and … Read More
Botanical name: Angelica sinensis
Common name: Angelica root (Chinese)
Literal name translation: state of return
Family: Apiaceae, parsley family
Part used in Chinese medicine: root
Major Chinese medicine actions:
Nourishes the blood, regulates the menses, mildly
invigorates and … Read More
Botanical name: Cryptotympana pustulata
Common name: Cicada moulting
Family: Cicadidae
Part used in Chinese medicine: moulting
Major Chinese medicine actions:
Disperses wind, clears heat, extinuishes internal wind,
stops spasms, vents rashes, alleviates itching
Botanical name: Benincasa hispida
Common name: Wintermelon rind, Wax gourd rind
Literal name translation: winter melon skin
Family: Cucurbitaceae, gourd family
Part used in Chinese medicine: skin or rind
Major Chinese medicine actions:
Facilitates urination, reduces swelling, … Read More
Botanical name: Benincasa hispida
Common name: Wintermelon seed, Wax gourd seed
Literal name translation: winter melon seed
Family: Cucurbitaceae, gourd family
Part used in Chinese medicine: seeds
Major Chinese medicine actions:
Clears heat, expels phlegm, drains dampness… Read More
Botanical name: Cordyceps sinensis
Common name: Cordyceps, Chinese caterpillar fungus
Literal name translation: winter worm,summer grass
Family: Hypocreaceae
Part used in Chinese medicine: whole fungus
Major Chinese medicine actions:
Tonifies Kidney yang, nourishes essence, tonifies Lung … Read More
Botanical name: Trionyx sinensis
Common name: Chinese soft-shelled turtle
Family: Trionychidae
Part used in Chinese medicine: carpax
Major Chinese medicine actions:
Nourishes yin, subdues yang, clears heat from deficiency,
softens hardness, invigorates blood
Botanical name: Glehnia littoralis
Common name: Glehnia root
Literal name translation: northern sand root
Family: Apiaceae, parsley family
Part used in Chinese medicine: root
Major Chinese medicine actions:
Nourishes Lung and Stomach yin, clears Lung heat, generates … Read More
Botanical name: Scutellaria barbata
Common name: Barbat scullcap, Bearded scutellaria
Literal name translation: half-branch lotus
Family: Lamiaceae, mint family
Part used in Chinese medicine: leaves and stems
Major Chinese medicine actions:
Clears heat, resolves toxin, reduces swelling, … Read More
Botanical name: Pinellia ternata
Common name: Pinellia rhizome
Literal name translation: half summer
Family: Araceae, arum family
Part used in Chinese medicine: prepared rhizome
Major Chinese medicine actions:
Dries dampness, transforms phlegm, directs rebellious qi downward,
stops vomiting, … Read More
Botanical name: Tribulus terrestris
Common name: Tribulus, Puncture-vine fruit
Literal name translation: white affliction sharp
Family: Zygophyllaceae, caltrop family
Part used in Chinese medicine: fruit
Major Chinese medicine actions:
Calms Liver, expels wind, stops itching, brightens eyes,… Read More
Botanical name: Bletilla striata
Common name: Bletilla rhizome
Family: Orchidaceae, orchid family
Part used in Chinese medicine: rhizome
Major Chinese medicine actions:
Restrains blood to stop bleeding, reduces swelling,
generates flesh
Botanical name: Stemona sessilifolia
Common name: Stemona root
Literal name translation: hundred parts
Family: Stemonaceae
Part used in Chinese medicine: root
Major Chinese medicine actions:
Moistens Lungs, alleviates cough, directs Lung qi downward