Herb Gallery

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 bottom) Photo 1: Lithospermum erythrorhizon; 06/2008; author C. Micleu; permission Jade Institute Photo 2: Lithospermum erythrorhizon;…

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 Lung qi Photo Credits: (top to bottom) Photo 1: Aster tartaricus; 10/2006; author Kenpei; permission under…

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 qi, harmonizes the middle, calms the fetus in pregnancy Photo Credits: (top to bottom) Photo 1:…

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 vomiting Photo Credits: (top to bottom) Photo 1: Phyllostachys nigra; 06/2008; author C. Micleu; permission…

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 1: Polyporus umbellatus; author Laszio Nemeth; permission under GFDL Comments Zhu Ling is found in deciduous…

Zhi Zi Botanical name: Gardenia jasminoides Common name: Gardenia fruit, Cape jasmine fruit Family: Rubiaceae, madder family Part used in Chinese medicine:  fruit Major Chinese medicine actions: Resolves constrained heat, soothes irritability, clears damp heat downwards, cools blood Photo Credits: (top to bottom) Photo 1: Gardenia jasminoides; 02/2007; author Bernard Loison; permission under GFDL 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 aurantium; 11/2007; author Yarl; permission under GFDL Photo 2: Citrus aurantium; 01/2006; author Yarl; permission…

Zhe Bei Mu Botanical name: Fritillaria thunbergii Common name: Fritillaria bulb, Thunberg fritillaria Literal name translation: shell mother from Zhejiang Family: Liliaceae, lily family Part used in Chinese medicine:  bulb Major Chinese medicine actions: Clears and transforms phlegm heat, dissipates nodules Comments Fritillaria are known for their unusual pendulous flowers that bloom in spring or early…