English

Sichuan pepper is derived from the mature pericarp of Zanthoxylum bungeanum or Z. schinifolium, commonly used to warm the middle, relieve pain, kill parasites, and relieve itching. This article introduces its identifying features, medicinal parts, differences from black pepper and Evodia, and applications in formulas such as Da Jian Zhong Tang and Wu Mei Wan, providing a practical reference for overseas readers.

Long pepper comes from the dried nearly ripe or ripe fruit spikes of Piper longum, resembling a slender cylinder with a distinctive pungent aroma. This article covers visual identification, medicinal parts, TCM understanding, differences from black pepper, common formulas, and usage precautions, serving as a popular science reference for overseas Chinese readers.

Pao Jiang is a Chinese herbal medicine made by standardized processing of dried ginger (Gan Jiang). Its surface is charred black while the inside is brown, lightweight with a roasted aroma. This article provides a systematic scientific overview covering its appearance identification, medicinal part, traditional Chinese medicine understanding, differences from Gan Jiang and Jiang Tan (charred ginger), common formulas such as Huang Tu Tang and Pao Jiang San, and precautions, helping overseas users to accurately understand this herb used for warming the channels and stopping bleeding.

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.

Lotus seeds come from the mature seeds of the lotus plant. The seed without the embryo (heart) and the lotus embryo itself have different uses. This article will guide you in identifying the appearance, medicinal parts, and common formulas such as Shen Ling Bai Zhu San and Si Shen Wan, along with usage precautions.

Hawthorn is a common medicinal and edible herb derived from the ripe fruit of Crataegus pinnatifida or Crataegus pinnatifida var. major. This article introduces how to identify hawthorn, its medicinal parts, traditional understanding, how it differs from wild hawthorn and smoked plum, and common formulas such as Baohe Wan, along with usage precautions, helping readers gain a well-rounded understanding of hawthorn.

Liu Shen Qu is not a single plant but a fermented product made from flour or wheat bran mixed with various herbs, traditionally used to promote digestion and harmonize the stomach. This article will introduce its appearance, medicinal origin, differences from Jian Qu and malt, and common formulas containing Liu Shen Qu, as well as usage precautions.

Malt is made from dried, sprouted mature barley grains and is a commonly used digestive herb in traditional Chinese medicine. This article systematically covers its identifying characteristics, the medicinal part (the sprouted caryopsis), differences from rice sprout, common formulas like Baohe Wan and Jianpi Wan, and precautions regarding use during breastfeeding.

Rice sprout is a common spleen-strengthening and digestion-promoting medicinal made by germinating and drying the mature fruit of rice. This article covers its appearance, medicinal part, TCM understanding, differences from barley sprout and millet sprout, common formulas, and precautions for overseas readers.

Fu Xiao Mai is the immature or shriveled caryopsis of wheat, named for its light weight and ability to float on water, clearly differing from everyday edible wheat. This article systematically covers identification, medicinal part, traditional understanding, common formulas, and usage precautions, suitable for readers interested in Chinese herbal medicine.

Glutinous rice root is the dried root and rhizome of glutinous rice, traditionally used to nourish yin and stop sweating. This article explains its visual identification, medicinal part, distinguishes it from light wheat and rice sprout, and introduces common formulas such as Glutinous Rice Root Decoction along with usage precautions, providing clear reference for overseas users.

Ephedra root is a commonly used Chinese medicine for consolidating the exterior and stopping sweating, but its appearance and usage are often confused with the ephedra stem. This article introduces the identifying characteristics, medicinal part, TCM understanding, common formulas, and usage precautions of ephedra root, helping you correctly understand this medicinal herb.

Xian He Cao is the dried aerial part of Agrimonia pilosa, a plant in the Rosaceae family. Traditionally used for astringing, stopping bleeding, and relieving dysentery, this article summarizes its botanical identification features, medicinal parts, differences from common adulterants, typical formulas, and usage precautions, serving as a reference for herbal enthusiasts overseas.

Laifuzi comes from the mature seeds of radish, oval-shaped with fine reticulation on the surface. This article provides an objective overview of its visual identification, medicinal part, TCM perspective, differences from Zisuzi (perilla seed), common formulas, and precautions for overseas readers.

Chicken gizzard lining is the dried inner wall of the chicken’s gizzard, not the muscle itself. This article covers its visual identification, medicinal parts, Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, modern research, how it differs from duck gizzard lining and Massa Medicata Fermentata (Liu Shen Qu), common formulas, and precautions to help readers understand this herbal material.