Dijin Cao is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb derived from the dried whole plants of Euphorbia humifusa or Euphorbia maculata. This article explains its identifying features, medicinal parts, traditional uses, differences from geranium and purslane, and common formulas such as Dijin Cao Decoction and Dijin Cao Tablets.
Oroxylum indicum is named for the broad, delicate wings surrounding its mature seeds, which resemble butterflies. This article explains how to identify it, its medicinal part, traditional Chinese medicine applications, common formulas, and how it differs from Sterculia lychnophora and cicada slough.
Qing Guo is the mature fruit of the Chinese olive, a plant in the olive family, and is used in traditional Chinese medicine and everyday foods. This article explains its appearance, medicinal part, traditional understanding, differences from similar fruits, common preparations, and important precautions.
Phyllanthus emblica is a common traditional Chinese medicinal material derived from the mature fruit and traditionally known as amla. This article explains its appearance, medicinal part, traditional uses, modern research, differences from similar fruits, and common preparations.
Corn silk consists of the styles and stigmas of female maize flowers. It is both a common agricultural byproduct and a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. This article introduces its appearance, medicinal parts, traditional uses, modern research, differences from similar herbs, common formulas, and precautions.
Catechu is a traditional Chinese medicinal processed product made by decocting, concentrating, and drying the branches and stems of the catechu tree. It commonly appears as irregular blocks ranging from brown to dark brown. This article introduces its medicinal source, appearance, traditional uses, identification considerations, common formulas, and safety precautions.
Mu Bie Zi is the mature seed of the cucurbit plant Momordica cochinchinensis. It has a distinctive netted surface and toothed edges. Because it is toxic, traditional use emphasizes proper processing and professional guidance. This article explains its identifying features, medicinal parts, differences from nux vomica and castor seeds, common preparations, and safety risks.
Toad venom is a dried preparation made from glandular secretions of the Asiatic toad or black-spectacled toad. This article explains its medicinal source, traditional Chinese medicine uses, modern safety concerns, differences from toad skin and bezoar, common preparations, and important precautions.
Cantharides is a traditional Chinese medicinal material derived from specific blister beetles in the Meloidae family. The dried whole insect is used medicinally and contains the highly toxic compound cantharidin. This article explains its appearance, medicinal parts, traditional uses, modern toxicity risks, common preparations, and safety warnings to help readers develop a careful and informed understanding.
Asafoetida is an oleo-gum-resin known for its strong, distinctive odor. This article explains its medicinal sources, appearance, identification features, traditional uses, differences from similar resins, common formulas, and important precautions.
What is Lu Xian Cao? It usually refers to the dried whole herb of Pyrola species, especially Pyrola calliantha or common wintergreen. It is characterized by basal leathery leaves, slender flower stalks, and racemose inflorescences. This article explains how to identify it, its medicinal parts, traditional Chinese medicine uses, differences from similar herbs, common formulas, and important precautions.
Haitong Pi is a traditional Chinese medicinal material commonly found as grooved or curled bark. This article explains its appearance, medicinal part, traditional uses, differences from Magnolia Bark and Qinpi, as well as precautions for sourcing, external washing, and personal use.
Xun Gu Feng is traditionally associated with Aristolochia plants such as Aristolochia mollissima, commonly described as having vining stems, heart-shaped leaves, fine hairs, and distinctive flowers. Because some sources may contain aristolochic acids linked to severe kidney injury and cancer risk, this article provides educational information only and does not recommend self-collection, decoction, or alcohol infusions.
Photinia leaf is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb made from the dried leaves of the Photinia plant. Because of its leathery leaves, it is often confused with apocynum leaf and loquat leaf. This article explains how to identify Photinia leaf, its medicinal parts, traditional uses, common formulas, and precautions.
Liquidambar resin is a resin exuded from the trunk of the Chinese sweetgum tree. It commonly appears as irregular yellowish-white to brownish-yellow lumps or granules and is characterized by its translucency, brittleness, and fragrance. This article introduces its medicinal part, traditional understanding, identification methods, differences from liquidambar fruits and rosin, and traditional formulas such as Liquidambar Resin Powder.
