Xia Ku Cao (Prunella vulgaris) is the dried fruit spike of the lamiaceae plant Prunella vulgaris, named for withering after the summer solstice. This article provides an overview of its visual identification, medicinal parts, traditional understanding, and common preparations for overseas Chinese readers.
Cassia seed is the mature seed of the leguminous plant Cassia, traditionally used to clear heat, brighten the eyes, moisten the intestines, and promote bowel movements. This article introduces its appearance, medicinal part, traditional Chinese medicine understanding, common formulas, and precautions to help readers quickly recognize this well-known Chinese herb.
Scrophularia (Xuan Shen) is a commonly used heat-clearing and blood-cooling Chinese herb, with the root as its medicinal part. This article introduces its appearance, medicinal part, and how it differs from Rehmannia and Ophiopogon, and briefly describes formulas containing Scrophularia such as the Fluid-Increasing Decoction and Lily Bulb Lung-Strengthening Decoction, helping you understand this herb from a popular science perspective.
Moutan Cortex (Mu Dan Pi) is the dried root bark of the peony, commonly used in traditional practices for clearing heat, cooling blood, and invigorating blood stasis. This article systematically introduces its visual identification, medicinal part, understanding from TCM, differences from Chi Shao, common formulas, and usage precautions—helping overseas users gain a comprehensive understanding of this Chinese medicinal material.
Tian Hua Fen is not pollen but the dried root of Trichosanthes kirilowii. This article systematically introduces Tian Hua Fen, covering its identification, medicinal part, TCM perspective, differences from Kudzu root and Chinese Yam, common formulas, and important safety precautions.
Viola yedoensis is the whole plant with roots of the Violaceae family, easily recognized by its purple flowers. This article provides a comprehensive introduction covering appearance, medicinal parts, TCM understanding, common formulas, and precautions, serving as a reliable reference for understanding this heat-clearing and detoxifying herb.
Honeysuckle flower (Jin Yin Hua) is the dried bud or early flower of Lonicera japonica, a plant in the Caprifoliaceae family. It is traditionally used to disperse wind-heat, clear heat, and resolve toxicity. This article introduces key identification features, medicinal parts, differences from Lonicerae Flos (mountain honeysuckle), and common formulas such as Yin Qiao San and Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin, helping overseas users understand and use it correctly.
Forsythia is the dried fruit of Forsythia suspensa, a plant in the Oleaceae family. Traditionally used to clear heat, detoxify, reduce swelling, and resolve masses. This article details the morphological characteristics, medicinal parts, differences between green (unripe) and ripe forsythia fruit, and the traditional applications of formulas such as Yinqiao San, Baohe Wan, and Qingying Tang, along with usage precautions. It is suitable for readers seeking in-depth knowledge of this herbal material.
Ban Lan Gen comes from the dried root of Isatis indigotica and is a common heat-clearing Chinese medicinal. This article guides you through its physical characteristics, medicinal parts, differences from Da Qing Ye, its traditional use in formulas such as Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin, and safe usage recommendations.
Daqingye comes from the leaves of Isatis indigotica and is a commonly used Chinese herb for clearing heat and cooling blood. This article covers identification, medicinal parts, differences from Banlangen, common formulas, and usage precautions—helping you quickly grasp the core information about this herb.
Qing Dai is a processed dry powder made from the leaves or stems of plants such as Isatis indigotica and Polygonum tinctorium. It is deep blue, light in weight, and easily airborne. This article explains its visual identification, medicinal origins, traditional Chinese medicine understanding, differences from similar herbs, and common formulas to help readers gain a more comprehensive view of this distinctive processed TCM product.
Houttuynia cordata, known as fish mint, comes from the dried aerial parts of the Saururaceae plant. The commonly eaten “folded ear root” usually refers to its underground stem. This article introduces the plant’s appearance, medicinal parts, differences from the edible root, common herbal formulas, and usage precautions, serving as a reference for understanding this traditional Chinese herb.
Dandelion is a common herbaceous plant in the Asteraceae family, used medicinally as the whole plant with root. This article organizes fundamental knowledge about dandelion from the perspectives of visual identification, medicinal parts, TCM understanding, differentiation from similar plants, and common formulas, helping readers gain a clearer understanding of this heat-clearing and detoxifying herb.
What is Xin Yi? Xin Yi is the dried flower bud of Magnoliaceae plants, resembling a writing brush tip and densely covered with fuzz. Traditionally used to disperse wind-cold and open the nasal passages, this article covers its appearance, medicinal parts, common formulas, and precautions to help build a basic understanding.
Cang Er Zi is a fruit-based herb commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine, derived from the mature fruit of the cocklebur plant with its involucre. This article will guide you through its appearance, medicinal parts, differences from Xin Yi, classic formulas, and important safety risks to help you build a foundational understanding.
