English

What is Mao Dong Qing? It generally refers to a traditional Chinese medicinal material derived from the dried root of Mao Dong Qing. It can be preliminarily identified by its shrub-like form, fine hairs on the undersides of its leaves, red fruits, and root cross-section. This article also introduces its traditional understanding, common preparations, differences from holly leaves and Jiu Bi Ying, and important considerations for use.

What is Zhi Ju Zi? It refers to medicinal parts related to the mature seeds or fruits of Hovenia and similar plants, often appearing nearly round or flattened. This article explains its identification, botanical sources, traditional uses, modern research, differences from similar herbs, and common formulas.

Gleditsia spine is the dried thorn of the Gleditsia tree, not the same medicinal part as its fruit. This article explains its appearance, harvesting and processing, traditional Chinese medicine perspectives, differences from similar medicinal materials, common formulas, and key safety considerations.

Gleditsia fruit is the mature pod of the Chinese honey locust tree. It is long, flattened, and strap-shaped, and contains strongly irritating saponins. This article explains how to identify it, which parts are used medicinally, how traditional Chinese medicine views it, common formulas, and important safety concerns. It also distinguishes Gleditsia fruit from Gleditsia spines and similarly named soap pods.

What is cat’s claw herb? It comes from the dried tuberous roots of the small buttercup and gets its name from the way multiple small tubers cluster together to resemble a cat’s paw. This article explains its appearance, medicinal parts, traditional Chinese medicine perspective, the limits of modern research, differences from similar herbs, common preparations, and important precautions for use.

Zhongjie Feng is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb made from the dried whole plant of Sarcandra glabra, commonly known as Cao Shanhu or coral herb. This article introduces its appearance, stem-node characteristics, medicinal parts, traditional understanding, modern research, differences from similar plants, and common preparations to help overseas Chinese readers build a basic understanding.

What is Dong Ling Cao? It comes from the dried aerial parts of Rabdosia rubescens and is commonly used in standardized preparations for traditional heat-clearing and throat-soothing purposes. This article explains its square stems, ovate leaves, medicinal parts, traditional uses, limits of modern research, differences from Xihuangcao and Sarcandra, and common preparations.

Bu Zha Ye is a traditional herbal ingredient and cooling tea material commonly used in the Lingnan region. Derived from the dried leaves of Microcos paniculata, it is discussed here in terms of appearance, medicinal parts, traditional uses, differences from mulberry and lotus leaves, common formulas, and precautions.

Perilla stem is the dried stem of the perilla plant and is often confused with perilla leaf or perilla seed. This article explains how to identify it by appearance, cross-section, harvesting, and processing, while introducing traditional formula applications and precautions for people with qi deficiency, yin deficiency, or during pregnancy.

Juluo refers to the white, web-like vascular bundles found between the inner peel and pulp of citrus fruits. Often confused with aged citrus peel or ordinary fruit fibers, it is introduced here through its appearance, medicinal part, traditional Chinese medicine applications, common formulas, and safety considerations.

Tangerine leaf is the dried leaf of the tangerine and its cultivated varieties. Because it can be confused with aged tangerine peel, citrus pith, or loquat leaves, this article explains its appearance, medicinal part, traditional Chinese medicine perspectives, common formulas, and important precautions.

Kudzu flower comes from wild kudzu or lobed kudzuvine. Although it shares the same plant source as kudzu root, the medicinal parts differ. This article explains how to identify kudzu flower, which parts are collected, how traditional Chinese medicine understands it, what modern research suggests, and what to consider before use.

Spikenard is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb made from the dried roots and rhizomes of Nardostachys jatamansi or Nardostachys chinensis, known for its distinctive aroma. This article explains its appearance, medicinal parts, traditional uses, differences from similar herbs, common formulas, and precautions.

What is Jiu Xiang Chong? It is the dried whole body of a specific stink bug species used in traditional Chinese medicine, although not all stink bugs are suitable for medicinal use. This article explains its appearance, medicinal parts, traditional uses, differences from common stink bugs and woodlice, related formulas such as Jiu Xiang Chong Wan and Wu Long Wan, and important precautions.

Suo Luo Zi refers to the mature seeds of the horse chestnut, Zhejiang horse chestnut, or Chinese horse chestnut. The seeds are often flattened or irregularly spherical, with a broad, pale hilum. This article explains their source, identification features, medicinal part, traditional uses, formula applications, and precautions, while helping readers distinguish ornamental tree fruits from medicinal herbal slices.