Madder comes from the dried root and rhizome of Rubia cordifolia, once used as a red dye and now a common TCM herb for cooling blood and resolving stasis. This article outlines its appearance, medicinal parts, how to distinguish it from Salvia and Red Peony, classic formulas like Gutong Decoction, and safety considerations, providing an objective reference for international readers.
Mugwort leaf comes from the dried leaves of Artemisia argyi and is a commonly used herb in Chinese medicine. This article introduces its leaf identification features, medicinal part, traditional actions, differences from sweet wormwood and motherwort, common formulas, and safety considerations to help readers gain a systematic understanding.
Bai Mao Gen is the dried rhizome of Imperata cylindrica, a grass species, traditionally used for cooling blood, stopping bleeding, clearing heat, and promoting urination. This article covers its identifying features, medicinal parts, differences from Lu Gen and Xiao Ji, and common formulas like Shi Hui San and Xiao Ji Yin Zi, helping overseas users build foundational knowledge of this herb.
Xiaoji is the dried aerial part of Cirsium setosum, a plant in the Asteraceae family, traditionally used as a cooling blood and hemostatic herb. This article provides a science-based reference covering its visual identification, medicinal parts, TCM understanding, differences from Daji and Dandelion, commonly used formulas, and safety considerations.
Japanese Thistle (Da Ji) is a traditional Chinese hemostatic herb, derived from the dried aerial parts or root of the Cirsium plant. Different parts have distinct uses; the plant is tall with deeply lobed, spiny leaves and purple-red flower heads, and it’s easily confused with Field Thistle (Xiao Ji). This article outlines its identification features, medicinal parts, formula applications, and precautions, offering objective reference for interested readers.
Di Yu is a commonly used Chinese herb for cooling blood and stopping bleeding, derived from the dried roots of Sanguisorba officinalis or Sanguisorba officinalis var. longifolia. This article provides a balanced overview covering physical identification, medicinal parts, traditional Chinese medicine understanding, differences from Agrimony and Sophora flower, common formulas, and usage precautions.
Huaihua refers to the flowers and flower buds of Sophora japonica, a plant in the Fabaceae family. The opened flowers are called Huaihua, while the unopened buds are commonly known as Huaimi in commerce. This article introduces the identification features, medicinal parts, traditional Chinese medicine understanding, common applications, and precautions for use.
Cebai Ye is derived from the dried twigs and leaves of Platycladus orientalis, different in use from the seeds (Bai Zi Ren) of the same plant. This article systematically introduces Cebai Ye through visual identification, medicinal parts, traditional understanding, common formulas, and precautions, serving as a reference for overseas Chinese readers.
Bletilla striata, commonly known as bai ji, is the dried tuber of the orchid species Bletilla striata, traditionally used for astringent hemostasis, reducing swelling, and promoting tissue regeneration. This article helps overseas Chinese readers scientifically understand bai ji by covering its visual identification, medicinal parts, distinctions from gastrodia, common formulas, and precautions, thus preventing confusion with ornamental orchids or similar herbs.
Fu Zi is a high-risk medicinal herb that requires standardized processing, traditionally used for restoring yang and rescuing from collapse. This article offers an objective science-based reference for overseas Chinese readers, covering visual identification, medicinal parts, TCM understanding, modern research, differences from Chuan Wu and Cao Wu, and representative formulas.
Chuan Wu is the dried mother root of Aconitum carmichaeli. The raw root is highly toxic; clinically, processed Chuan Wu is used. This article systematically introduces the physical identification of Chuan Wu, the mother root as the medicinal part, and how it differs from Fu Zi and Cao Wu. It also outlines representative formulas containing Chuan Wu and the toxicity risks that must be heeded, helping users build a safety awareness.
Cao Wu comes from the dried root tubers of Aconitum kusnezoffii and related species. The raw herb is highly toxic and must be properly processed into Zhi Cao Wu before medicinal use. This article outlines its botanical identification, medicinal parts, traditional actions, modern risks, differences from Chuan Wu and Fu Zi, relevant formulas, and emphasizes the importance of never self-medicating with this herb.
Cinnamon bark, derived from the dried bark of Cinnamomum species, is oily, sweet, and pungent, often used to warm and tonify kidney yang. This article covers its appearance, medicinal parts, TCM understanding, and classic formulas, sorting out identification points and safety to help you correctly recognize this traditional interior-warming herb.
Wu Zhu Yu is the nearly ripe fruit of plants in the Rutaceae family, appearing as small dark yellowish-green berries with a strong pungent aroma, and is completely different from Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus). This article provides an objective reference for overseas readers by introducing its visual identification, medicinal parts, traditional Chinese medicine perspectives, modern risk warnings, common formulas, and usage precautions.
Galangal comes from the dried rhizome of Alpinia officinarum and is a commonly used warming and cold-dispelling herb in Chinese medicine. This article introduces its key identification features, the medicinal part (rhizome), differences from dried ginger and fresh ginger, common formula combinations, and precautions for use, providing objective reference for those concerned about stomach cold, indigestion, and related issues.
