Uncaria is derived from the hooked stems and branches of Rubiaceae plants. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is often used to extinguish wind, calm fright, clear heat, and pacify the liver. This article covers its visual identification, medicinal parts, differences from Gastrodia (Tianma) and Star Jasmine (Luoshiteng), common formulas such as Tianma Gouteng Yin, and important precautions for use.
Tian Ma is the dried tuber of the orchid plant Gastrodia elata and is a widely used herb in traditional Chinese medicine for calming the liver and extinguishing wind. This article covers its appearance characteristics, medicinal parts, how to distinguish it from Gou Teng and Bai Ji, common formulas, and key safety considerations.
Dilong is derived from the dried whole bodies of earthworms such as Pheretima aspergillum and is a traditional animal-based medicine. This article will introduce what Dilong looks like, where its medicinal part is, how TCM understands it, the differences between Guang Dilong and Hu Dilong, common formulas containing Dilong, and key precautions for its use.
Quan Xie is the dried whole body of the East Asian scorpion, a toxic animal product used in Chinese medicine. This article details its physical identification, traditional use for calming wind and relieving spasms, modern neurotoxin research, comparison with centipede and stiff silkworm, representative formulas such as Qian Zheng San, and stresses that it must be used under professional guidance.
Centipede is the dried body of Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans, a toxic animal-derived medicinal. This article provides a comprehensive overview of this special Chinese herb, covering visual identification, medicinal parts, TCM understanding, modern research, differences from scorpion and millipede, representative formulas, and usage precautions, emphasizing that self-use is not allowed.
Jiang Can is not an ordinary dead silkworm or silkworm chrysalis, but a special dried medicinal derived from silkworm larvae infected by Beauveria bassiana. This article helps readers systematically understand this animal-fungus composite Chinese medicinal through its external characteristics, medicinal parts, traditional Chinese medicine functions, common formulas, and safety precautions.
Medicinal pearls are concretions formed inside pearl oysters or freshwater mussels. Unlike jewelry pearls, they have specific identification methods and medicinal standards. This article outlines their appearance, medicinal part, TCM understanding, differences from mother-of-pearl, common formulas, and usage precautions, helping readers build a basic understanding.
Amber is not an ordinary stone, but a fossil-like medicinal material formed from the resin of ancient pine trees. This article offers a comprehensive look at amber as a Chinese herb—covering its visual identification, medicinal parts, traditional understanding, differences from jewelry amber, common formulas, and usage precautions.
Albizia bark is derived from the dried bark of the silk tree and is a commonly used mind-calming and constraint-relieving herb in TCM. This article introduces its appearance, medicinal parts, differences from Albizia flower, common formulas, and usage precautions, providing reliable reference information for those interested.
Polygala root is a commonly used herb in traditional Chinese medicine, derived from the dried root of Polygala tenuifolia or Polygala sibirica. This article introduces its physical characteristics, medicinal parts processing, how to distinguish it from Acorus gramineus, and its application in formulas such as Gui Pi Tang and An Shen Ding Zhi Wan, along with important usage precautions.
Yujin (Curcuma root tuber) is the dried tuberous root of Curcuma wenyujin, Curcuma longa, Curcuma kwangsiensis, or Curcuma phaeocaulis. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is believed to activate blood and relieve pain, move qi and resolve constraint, clear the heart and cool the blood, and promote bile flow to abate jaundice. This article introduces identification methods, medicinal parts, differences from turmeric and zedoary, common formulas, and precautions for use, helping readers gain a comprehensive understanding of Yujin.
Shou Wu Teng is the dried stem of the Chinese herb He Shou Wu, traditionally also known as Ye Jiao Teng. This article covers its appearance, medicinal parts, differences from He Shou Wu and He Huan Pi, as well as common calming formulas and usage precautions, helping readers understand this commonly used Chinese herbal medicine scientifically.
Shichangpu is the dried rhizome of Acorus tatarinowii, with a flat-cylindrical shape and a strong, distinctive fragrance. This article provides a systematic overview of this commonly used Chinese herb, covering identification, medicinal parts, traditional perspectives, modern concerns, differentiation from similar herbs, common formulas, and key precautions, to help readers gain a correct understanding.
Bingpian (borneol) is not just a name; its appearance, sources, and standards all matter. This article provides overseas readers with a systematic understanding of Bingpian, covering identification features, medicinal parts, traditional Chinese medicine perspectives, modern research, differences from camphor, common formulas, and safety considerations.
Storax is a traditional orifice-opening and consciousness-restoring medicinal derived from the fragrant resin secreted by the storax tree. It appears as a semi-fluid viscous paste with an intense aroma. This article organizes knowledge about storax from the perspectives of its morphological identification, medicinal parts, understanding in Chinese medicine, differences from similar medicinals, and common formulas.
