5 Effective Chinese Herbs and Their Usage

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is known for its alternative medicine treatments such as acupuncture, massage, reflexology and herbal treatments. Many remedies against cold, high blood pressure, headaches etc. are made from a combination of different Chinese herbs.

The importance of picking the right remedy for a specific health problem can’t be overemphasized. Many Chinese herbs are often advertised as harmless, miraculous solutions to all health problems including cancer, high blood pressure, headaches etc. and even more can be bought over the counter.

Still, before taking any of them, a doctor, or a pharmacist, should be consulted; even if the manufacturer claims that there are no side-effects, each herb can interact with medicines you use (both prescribed and those over the counter).

To get the best results, and pick the right formula for your specific condition, a list of 5 most common Chinese herbs, and their usage, is created.  Their Latin and Chinese names are also given in brackets.

1. American Ginseng (Radix Panacis Quinquefolii; Xi Yang Shen)

This sweet, and slightly bitter herb, is cultivated in the US, China, Canada and France. Praised for its good effects on the heart, lungs and kidneys, American ginseng renews body’s vital energy (Qi) and helps the production of body fluids.

Combination of ginseng, rehmannia root and dendrobium is used for treating fever, irritability and fatigue, while breathing difficulties are cured with a combination of ginseng and anemarrhena rhizome. Ginseng is often used as a spice in everyday cooking, for its therapeutic actions are quite mild.

2. Wolfberry / Goji (Fructus Lycii, Gou Qi Zi)

Wolfberry, or Goji, is actually a sweet, ripe fruit of Lycium barbarum. Its therapeutic powers are mainly seen when treating the illnesses connected to liver and kidneys. Wolfberry is said to nourish the liver and to invigorate the kidneys.

The usual manifestation of liver and kidneys problems, are sexual dysfunction, lumbar soreness, dizziness, and cataract and diabetic symptoms (the last is usually treated with a combination of Wolfberry, rehmannia root, dwarf lily-turftuber and snakegourd root). Goji can often be found in supplements that stimulate body functioning, or prepared alone as a medicinal wine or syrup. Its therapeutic effects are mild so it can be used in everyday cooking.

3. Roseroot (Rhodiola; Hong Jing Tian)

Roseroot

Artic root or Golden Root, as it can also be called, is a kind of bush that belongs to the family of Crassulaceae. Its root, rhizome or even the whole herb is used by Chinese people for centuries, especially in Tibet.

The tonic made from this herb is used to treat pneumonia, bleeding, chest pains etc. It also activates the blood circulation, unblocks blood vessels and clears the lung system, while it nourishes the heart system.

4. Turkey Tail (Coriolus versicolor or Trametes versicolor; Yun Zhi)

Turkey tail or Cloud Mushroom is a sweet plant mainly used to invigorate spleen, and to eliminate problems concerning spleen, liver and lungs diseases. The symptoms include general weakness, poor appetite, hepatitis, rheumatoidarthritis. It is often found in immune-stimulating remedies for cancer patients, since it reduces the adverse effects of chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

5. Honeysuckle Flower (Flos Lonicerae; Jin Yin Hua)

Honeysuckle Flower

Sweet Honeysuckle flowers that grow all over China are used in TCM to eliminate toxic substances, cure pharingitism, cold and flu, and acute infectious disease. Honeysuckle flower can be used alone or combined with herbs like Chinese Honeyloctus spibe, dandelion, wild chrysanthemum flowers etc. depending on the patient’s condition. Thanks to its sweet taste, it is often prepared as tea, or with distilled water, which is especially refreshing during the hot summer days.

Chinese herbs, as a part of a healing program, give best results if they are followed by a lifestyle change, and if they are combined with acupuncture, or Chinese reflexology techniques.

About the author

Barbara

I am a devoted hedonist who enjoys nice things – food, wine, fine arts, spending time with friends and family. Teaching mandarin Chinese is my life vocation, but my dream is to open a small restaurant and a patisserie. My life's motto: "Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

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