Cindy Micleu

Zi Cao

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

Photo Credits: (top to

Zi Wan

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

Zi Su Ye

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

Zhu Ru

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

Zhu Ling

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

Photo Credits: (top to bottom)
Photo

Zhi Shi

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

Photo Credits: (top to bottom)
Photo 1: Citrus

Xiao Hui Xiang

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

Dang Gui

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

Dong Gua Ren

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

Dong Gua Pi

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

Dong Chong Xia Cao

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

Bie Jia

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

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Bei Sha Shen

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

Ban Zhi Lian

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

Ban Xia

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

Bai Ji Li

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

Bai Ji

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

Photo Credits: (top to bottom)
Photo 1:

Bai Bu

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

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