The lotus root node is the jointed section of the lotus rhizome and does not look exactly the same as the lotus root commonly eaten as food. This article explains its appearance, medicinal part, traditional Chinese medicine concepts, processing methods, related formulas, and important usage precautions.
Lotus leaf is the dried leaf of the lotus plant and is traditionally understood in Chinese medicine through concepts such as clearing summer heat, resolving dampness, raising clear yang, and cooling the blood to stop bleeding. This article explains its appearance, medicinal parts, differences between fresh and dried lotus leaves, identification tips for distinguishing them from mulberry and banana leaves, and common formula categories.
Traditionally known as Fu Long Gan, Zao Xin Tu is the sintered soil formed at the center of a wood-burning stove after prolonged exposure to heat and flames. This article explains its appearance, standardized medicinal sources, traditional Chinese medicine perspectives, modern quality control, differences from Chi Shi Zhi and Yu Yu Liang, common formulas, and essential safety considerations.
Bai Fan is a hydrated potassium aluminum sulfate crystal produced by processing alunite, with different traditional internal and external uses in Chinese medicine. This article explains its appearance, medicinal source, differences from calcined alum, common formulas, and safety concerns related to aluminum salts.
Calamine is a mineral medicine containing compounds such as zinc carbonate and is mainly used topically after standardized processing. This article explains its appearance, medicinal source, traditional Chinese medicine perspective, modern research, common preparations, and key precautions.
Realgar is an orange-red mineral medicine composed mainly of arsenic disulfide, not an ordinary insect repellent or festival item. This article explains what realgar looks like, its medicinal source, traditional understanding, differences from cinnabar and sulfur, related formulas, and potential health risks.
Sulfur is a mineral medicinal substance used in traditional Chinese medicine, commonly found as yellow chunks or powder. This article explains its medicinal source, traditional uses, differences from realgar and alum, related formulas, and important safety precautions.
What is Dan Zhu Ye? It is not simply any bamboo leaf found in daily life, but a traditional Chinese medicinal material with specific requirements regarding its source, appearance, and use in formulas. This article explains its leaf and stem-node features, medicinal parts, traditional understanding, common formulas, and precautions to help overseas Chinese readers build a basic understanding.
Reed root is the fresh or dried rhizome of the reed plant, a grass species. Fresh and dried forms differ in appearance, texture, and use. This article explains how to identify reed root, its medicinal part, traditional Chinese medicine perspectives, common formulas, and precautions.
Tianzhu Huang is a dried secretion or coagulated substance formed inside the stems of bamboo plants. This article explains its medicinal source, identification features, traditional uses, modern research, differences from bamboo shavings and bamboo sap, and common formulas such as Baolong Wan.
Pei Lan is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb derived from the dried aerial parts of the Pei Lan plant. Because of its aromatic scent, it is often confused with patchouli. This article explains how to identify Pei Lan, which parts are used medicinally, its traditional uses, common formulas, and key precautions for overseas Chinese readers.
What is tsaoko? It is the nearly mature seed cluster of a ginger-family plant, known for its strong spicy aroma and warming, drying properties. This article explains how to identify it, compares it with white cardamom and black cardamom, and introduces traditional formulas containing tsaoko, along with important precautions.
What is red cardamom? It comes from the mature fruit of lesser galangal. The fruit is usually oblong or oval, with a reddish-brown to dark-red surface and longitudinal ridges. This article explains its appearance, medicinal part, traditional Chinese medicine perspective, differences from similar herbs, common formulas, and precautions.
Sword bean is both a common legume and a traditional Chinese medicinal material. This article explains what sword bean looks like, which part is used medicinally, how to distinguish it from white hyacinth bean and cowpea, and how traditional Chinese medicine views its uses for warming the middle, directing qi downward, and easing hiccups. It also introduces Sword Bean Powder, Sword Bean Seed Powder, and important precautions for everyday use.
Litchi seed is the seed inside the mature litchi fruit, not the edible flesh commonly consumed. This article explains how to identify it, its medicinal part, traditional Chinese medicine perspectives, differences from similar herbs, common formulas, and important usage precautions for overseas Chinese readers.
