Zhu Ling is a commonly used diuretic and dampness-draining medicinal in Chinese medicine, derived from the dried sclerotium of the fungus Polyporus umbellatus. This article introduces its appearance identification, medicinal parts, differences from Fu Ling and Lei Wan, and common formulas such as Wu Ling San and Zhu Ling Tang, helping overseas readers gain a comprehensive understanding.
Plantago seed comes from the mature seeds of Plantago asiatica or Plantago depressa and is a common diuretic damp-draining herb. This article details its appearance, medicinal part, traditional Chinese medicine understanding, common formulas, and important usage details, serving as a reference for readers who want a systematic understanding of Plantago seed.
Plantain herb is the dried whole plant of Plantago asiatica or Plantago depressa, widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. This article covers plant identification, medicinal parts, differences from plantain seeds, and common formulas that include plantain herb, along with key precautions for use.
Talc is the massive form of the silicate mineral talc, often used in traditional Chinese medicine to clear heat and promote diuresis. This article introduces its identification tips, medicinal origin, differences from gypsum, and common formulas such as Liu Yi San and Ba Zheng San, with usage precautions to help overseas readers safely understand this mineral medicine.
Tongcao comes from the dried stem pith of Tetrapanax papyrifer, a plant in the Araliaceae family. It appears as a white cylinder, light and soft, traditionally used to clear heat, promote urination, and promote lactation. This article outlines its identification points, harvesting and processing, differences from Mutong, and its use in classic formulas to help readers build a foundational understanding.
Bi Xie (萆薢) comes from the dried rhizome of Dioscorea species such as Dioscorea hypoglauca. Traditionally used to drain dampness, discharge turbidity, dispel wind, and relieve impediment, this article provides an objective overview from appearance identification, medicinal parts, classic formulas, and usage precautions.
Mutong is the dried stem of Akebia plants, commonly used in traditional formulas to clear heat, promote urination, and unblock lactation. This article covers its appearance, medicinal parts, key differences from Guanmutong, and classic formulas like Bazheng San and Daochi San, emphasizing safe use and warning against the aristolochic acid-containing Guanmutong.
Qu Mai is a traditional Chinese herb prepared from the dried aerial parts of Dianthus superbus or Dianthus chinensis. This article systematically covers plant identification, the medicinal part used, traditional functions, how to distinguish Qu Mai from Bian Xu and Shi Wei, and classic formulas such as Ba Zheng San, helping readers build foundational knowledge.
Polygonum aviculare (knotgrass) is the dried aerial part of this Polygonaceae plant, traditionally used for promoting urination, relieving strangury, killing parasites, and stopping itching. This article introduces its visual identification, medicinal parts, TCM understanding, formula examples, and precautions for a comprehensive look at this herb.
Kochia fruit (Difuzi) comes from the ripe fruit of Kochia scoparia and is a commonly used TCM herb for clearing heat, draining dampness, dispelling wind, and relieving itching. This article covers its appearance, harvesting and processing, traditional applications, differences from Cnidium seed and Plantago seed, and introduces related formulas such as Xiaofeng San and Kushen Tang, along with important precautions.
Lygodium spore is a traditional Chinese medicine derived from the mature spores of a fern. It appears as a yellowish-brown fine powder that easily becomes airborne. This article introduces how to identify Lygodium spore, its medicinal part, the differences from Cattail Pollen, common formulas that contain it, and important precautions for use.
Shiwei is the dried leaf of plants in the Polypodiaceae family, commonly sourced from Pyrrosia sheareri, Pyrrosia lingua, or Pyrrosia petiolosa. This article systematically outlines Shiwei’s characteristics from leaf morphology, medicinal parts, traditional Chinese medicine understanding, differentiation from similar herbs, and common formulas, while reminding that its use should be based on individual constitution and professional guidance.
Dong Kui Guo comes from the ripe fruit of Malva verticillata. In traditional texts, it is often confused with Dong Kui Zi. This article provides a relatively complete reference for overseas readers, covering visual identification, medicinal parts, TCM perspectives, differences from Qing Ma Zi, common formulas, and precautions.
Rush pith is the dried stem pith of Juncus effusus, used in TCM to clear heart fire and promote urination. This article covers visual identification, processing of the medicinal part, differences from rice paper pith, and how rush pith is used in formulas like Dao Chi San, along with safety precautions.
Bai Tou Weng is a commonly used heat-clearing and detoxifying herb in traditional Chinese medicine, derived from the dried root of the Pulsatilla plant. This article introduces its key identification features, the root as the medicinal part, how it differs from Qin Pi and Huang Lian, as well as common formulas and precautions for proper use.
