Ninety-nine percent of all contemporary practitioners will undoubtedly opt to use in their practice ancient formulae which have been tableted and created for today's practitioner instead of spending thousands of hours learning how to formulate these ancient remedies themselves. In our busy practices and lives, we cannot expect to practice the same way it was done during the Ming dynasty and before. Utilizing Chinese herbology today has never been easier. Even with this in mind, knowledge of each individual substance, along with the English translation and indications, could prove to be a very valuable reference tool.
The following list should be saved for future reference. Notice the list is in alphabetical order by Chinese name, followed by the English common name and indications. Should the need for a specific formula arise in which you are stymied not knowing where to look, fax the details to me at 602-488-5008; we will do the best we can to advise you and assist you in locating a patent formula or to create one specifically for your needs.
| Chinese name | English name | Indications |
| a-chiao | gelatin | Treats yin weakness |
| ai-yeh | artemisia | Quiets the fetus, dispels gas |
| ch'ai-hu | bupleurum | Regulates menstruation, antipyretic |
| ch'an-shui | cicada | Disperses heat, stops convulsions |
| che-chien-tzu | plantago | Diuretic, clears fevers, detoxifies |
| ch'en-pi | tangerine | Expectorant, energy tonic |
| chen-hsiang | aquilaria | Alleviates pain, reinforces the kidney |
| chi-li-tzu | tribulus | Promotes milk production in nursing mothers |
| chi-lien | coptis | Digestive, antidysenteric |
| chiang | ginger | Food poisoning, cold extremities |
| chiang-huang | tumeric | Stimulates the gallbladder |
| ch'iang-huo | chianghuo | Diaphoretic, analgesic |
| chieh-keng | platycodon | Reduces swelling, promotes pus drainage |
| chien-chih | gardenia | Antipyretic, snake bite |
| chuien-chin-tzu | euphorbia | Poisonous, purgative, used externally for skin and sores |
| chien-niu-tzu | morning glory | Promotes menstruation, induces abortion |
| chih-ko | bitter orange | Antidiarrhetic, abdominal swelling, indigestion |
| chih-mu | anemarrhena | Antipyretic, urinary and bowel disorders |
| chih-shao | peony | Lessens perspiration, purifies yin, night sweats, fever |
| chih-tzu | gardenia | See "chien-chih" |
| chin-chieh | schizonepeta | Cerebral hemorrhage with aphasia, any bleeding |
| chin-chiu | gentian | Relieves pain, promotes diuresis and sweating |
| chin-yin-hua | lonicera | Clears fevers and detoxifies |
| chin-ying tzu | rosa | Detoxifies, menstrual regularity |
| ching-san-leng | scirpus | Stimulates menstrual flow, promotes milk production |
| chiu-chieh-chang-pu | anemone | Vermifugal, antitoxic |
| chu-hua | chrysanthemum | Antipyretic, headache with fever, vertigo |
| chu-ju | bamboo | Expectorant, antipyretic |
| chu-li | bamboo sap | Removes internal heat |
| chu-ling | grifolia | Diuretic |
| chu-sha | cinnabar | Settles nerves, convulsions, fear palpitations |
| chuan-chiao | zanthoxylum | Dispels chills and cold, counteracts moisture |
| ch'uan-hsiung | conidium | Stops childbirth bleeding, induces uterine contraction |
| ch'uan-hou-po | magnolia bark | Antispasmodic, abdominal distention, gastritis |
| chuan-ku | nuphar | Gynecological conditions, irregular menstruation |
| chuan-wu | aconite | Analgesic, antiarthritic |
| erh-cha | catechu | Hemostatic, expectorant |
| fan-hsieh-yeh | cassia | Smoothes bowel movement |
| fan-hung-hua | saffron | Difficult labor, dead fetus, prolonged menstruation |
| fan-mu-pieh | strychnine | Debility, convalescence from severe illness |
| fang-chi | stephania | Antispasmodic, antipyretic |
| fang-feng | siler | Analgesic, antipyretic |
| feng-jou | siler | Analgesic, antipyretic |
| feng-la | beeswax | Coating of pills, base for ointments |
| fu-pen-tzu | woodberry | Prevents graying, vigor, respiration |
| fu-ling | poria | Treats spleen and stomach |
| fu-shen | poria | Treats spleen and stomach |
| fu-tzu | aconite | Analgesic, antiarthritic |
| ho-shou-wu | polygonum | Promotes fertility, builds vitality, strengthens ligaments |
| ho-tzu | terminalia | Stimulates intestines, strengthens lungs |
| hsi-hsin | asarum | Analgesic, sedative |
| hsi-yang-shen | ginseng | Mental stability, dispels fire, produces body fluids |
| hsia-ku-tsao | prunella | Antirheumatic, red, swelling, itching eyes |
| hsiang-fu-tzu | cyperus | Corrects "chi" circulation, alleviates pain, melancholia |
| hsiao-hui-hsiang | fennel | Abdominal distention, promotes digestion |
| hsiao-mai | wheat | Reduces fever |
| hsiao-tou-kou | cardamon | Digestion |
| hsieh-chieh | calamus | Blood circulation, stops bleeding, knife wounds |
| hsien-mi | rice | Stabilizes pulmonary and intestinal function |
| hsin-i | magnolia flower | Alleviates pain, see "mu-pi" |
| hsing-jen | apricot | Antispasmodic, sedative |
| hsu-tuan | dipsacus | Blood circulation, premature labor, trauma injuries |
| hsuan-fu-hua | inula | Intestinal fullness, pulmonary disorders |
| hsuan-hu | corydalis | Trauma injuries, relieves pain, stimulates energy |
| hsuan-shen` | scrophularia | Anti-inflammatory, thirst from stress, fever, lowers heat |
| hu-chiao | black pepper | Warms and aids elimination, ch'i stagnancy in chest |
| hu-ma-you | sesame oil | Anti-inflammatory, ringworm, itching, insect bites |
| hu-po | amber | Convulsive disorders in children, epilepsy |
| hua-chiao | pepper | Expels worms and parasites |
| hua-shih | talc | Anti-inflammatory, quenches thirst, sunstroke |
| huai-hua | sophora | Strengthens blood vessels, hemoptysis, nosebleed |
| huang-chi | astragalus | Stops perspiration, strengthens spleen, night sweats |
| huang-ch'in | scute (skullcap) | Reduces fever, quiets the fetus, removes moist heat |
| huang-ching | polygonatum | Nourishes liver and kidney, promotes fertility, vitality |
| huang-la | beeswax | Used for coating pills, base for ointments |
| huang-lien | coptis | Antipyretic, antidysenteric, heart distress |
| huang-po | philodendron | Abdominal distention, digestion, constipation |
| hung-hua | carthamus | Clears meridian channels, hemorrhage after childbirth |
| hung-tsao | jujube | Calms nerves, insomnia, forgetfulness, cardiac function |
| huo-hsiang | agastache | Strengthens stomach and stops vomiting, clears fever |
| i-chih-jen | ichihjen | Stimulant, tonic, a stomachic |
| i-i-jen | coix | Pulmonary disorders, rheumatoid arthritis |
| i-mi-jen | coix | Pulmonary disorders, rheumatoid arthritis |
| i-yi-jen | coix | Pulmonary disorders, rheumatoid arthritis |
| jen-shen | ginseng | See "hsi-yang-shen" |
| jou-tou-kou | nutmeg | Vomiting, food stagnancy, pain in the stomach |
| jou-tsung-jung | cistanche | General tonic, aphrodisiac, impotence, infertility |
| ju-hsiang | olibanum (mastic) | Analgesic, sedative, resolves bruises and clots |
| kan-ts'ao | licorice | Relaxant, supplements energy, see "tiao-tsao" |
| kao-liang-chiang | lesser galangal | Abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea |
| kao pen | ligusticum | Antispasmodic, antiarthritic, dispels "wind", benefits skin |
| keng-mi | rice (oryza) | Intestinal function, poor appetite, indigestion |
| ko-ken | pueraria | Alcoholic intoxication, antipyretic |
| kou-chi | chain fern | Excellent tonic for older men, strengthens spine |
| kou-chi-tzu | lychee | Strengthens kidneys, restores semen, nourishes liver |
| kou-teng | gambir | Infantile fever, hypertension with headache, convulsions |
| ku-mu | picrasma | Stomach symptoms |
| k'u-shen | sophora | Relieves fever, kills insects, scabies, hives |
| kua-lou | trichosanthes | Aids pus drainage, reduces swelling, detoxifies |
| kua-lou-ken | trichosanthes | Aids pus drainage, reduces swelling, detoxifies |
| kuan-mu-tung | aristolochia | See "ma-tou-ling" |
| kuan-mu-hsiang | saussurea | Promotes energy circulation, abdominal symptoms |
| kuei-chih | cinnamon | Relaxes muscles, stimulates appetite |
| kuei-p'i | cinnamon | Relaxes muscles, stimulates appetite |
| la-chiao | capsicum | Promotes sweating, stimulant |
| liang-chiang | lesser galangal | See "kao-liang-chiang" |
| lien-ch'iao | forsythia | Relieves heat, swelling, and suppuration, erysipelas |
| lu-chiao | deer horn | Antispasmodic, antipyretic, tonic, stimulant |
| lu-hui | aloe | In conjunction with licorice for eczema |
| lung-ku | dragon bone | Anxiety, nightmares, sedative |
| lung-tan | gentian | Intercostal pain, chills, fever, sore throat |
| lung-yen-jou | longan | Amnesia, palpitations caused by fear, insomnia |
| ma-huang | mahuang | Bronchial dilator, stimulates respiration, raises BP |
| ma-tou-ling | aristolochia | Relieves coughing, asthma and bronchitis, expectorant |
| mai-men-tung | ophiopogon | Regulates lungs and heart |
| man-chin-tzu | vitex | Antipyretic, tonic, headache, vertigo |
| mang-hsiao | magnesium sulphate | Laxative, reduces fever, expectorant |
| m-shih-tzu | oakgall | Chief source of tannic acid, bleeding from cuts |
| mo-yao | myrrh | Analgesic, externally applied to scabies, painful boils |
| mou-tan-p'i | moutan | Antipyretic |
| mu-kua | Chinese quince | Improves gastric function, relaxes muscles |
| mu-li | oyster shell | Clears fever, breaks up congestion, night sweats |
| mu-pi | magnolia flower | Alleviates pain |
| mu-t'ung | akebia | Promotes urination, counteracts inflammation and fever |
| nan-sha-shen | adenophora | Nourishes yin and purifies the lungs, excess phlegm |
| niui-hsi | achyranthes | Strengthens muscles and bone, heals bruises, pus drain |
| niu-pang-tzu | burdock | Antipyretic, diuretic, chills, fever, dermatitis |
| o-shu | zedoary | Stimulates menstrual flow, stagnancy of ch'i and blood |
| pa-chi-tien | morinda | Strengthens bones and ligaments, anti-arthritic |
| pa-chiao-hui-hsiang | anise | Abdominal pain, vomiting, anorexia |
| pa-tou | croton | Violent purgative |
| pai-chi | bletilla | Knife wounds, burns, nosebleeds |
| pai-chih | angelica | Promotes pus drainage, dispels gas |
| pai-chu | atractylodes | General tonic, see "tsang-chu" |
| pai-ho | tiger lily | Palpitations due to fear, antitussive, antipyretic, diuretic |
| pai-hsien-p'i | Chinese dittany | Loosens stiff joints, eliminates wet fevers |
| pai-pu | stemona | Calms the respiration, colds, coughs |
| pai-shao | peony | Spasms of the arms and legs, strengthens blood |
| pai-tou-kou | cardamon | Gastritis, belching, abdominal distention |
| pai-tou-weng | Chinese anemone | Eliminates fever |
| pai-tzu-su | perilla | See "tzu-su" |
| pai-wei | cynanchum | Yin weakness, fever due to wind |
| pan-hsia | pinellia | Reduces expectoration, cough, vomiting, asthma |
| pei-hsin | asarum | Analgesic, sedative, expectorant, diuretic |
| pei-mu | fritillary | Loosens congestion, resolves phlegm, fever |
| pei-wu-wei | schizandra | Strengthens lungs and kidneys |
| pi-hsieh | tokoro | Antirheumatic, diuretic |
| pi-ma-tzu | castor oil plant | Throat paralysis, drooping eyes/mouth |
| pi-pa | long pepper | Antipyretic, gastric fullness, watery diarrhea |
| pi-pa-yeh | eriobotrya (loquat) | Lowers excess energy, quiets cough |
| pi-tao-kan | persica | Injuries from falling, see "t'ao-jen" |
| pieh-chia | turtle shell | Cools fever, infantile epilepsy, debilitating fever |
| pien-tou | dolichos | Arrests diarrhea and vomiting, abdominal distention |
| pin-lang | betel nut | Intestinal parasites, chest pain, abdominal pain |
| po-ho | mint | Stomachic, sore throat |
| po-tzu-jen | arbor vita | Expectorant, nutritive tonic |
| pu-huang | cattail | Prolonged menstruation, aching arms after childbirth |
| pu-ku-chih | psoralea | Sexual dysfunction, threatened abortion, impotence |
| san-chi | pseudoginseng | Bleeding disorders, nosebleeds, hemoptysis |
| sang-chi-sheng | loranthus | Backache, stiff joints, arthritis |
| sang-pai-pi | mulberry | Relieves lung congestion, promotes diuresis |
| sha-jen | Chinese cardamon | Abdominal pain, distention, gastric disorders |
| sha-jen-k'o | Chinese cardamon | Abdominal pain, distention, gastric disorders |
| sha-k'o | Chinese cardamon | Abdominal pain, distention, gastric disorders |
| shan-cha | crataegus | Distention in the chest and abdomen, food stagnancy |
| shan-chu-yu | cornus | Liver and kidney dysfunction, tinnitus |
| shan-nai | galangal | Dandruff, scabies |
| shan-yao | dioscorea (yam) | Nutrient tonic, digestant |
| shang-lu | phytolacca | Externally used for foul sores, poisonous |
| she-hsiang | musk deer | Antispasmodic, analgesic, convulsions, apoplexy |
| sheng-chiang | ginger | Food poisoning, nausea, abdominal distention |
| sheng-ma | cimicifuga | Chronic diarrhea, uterine prolapse, antipyretic |
| sheng-ti | rehmannia | Premature graying, cardiotonic, hemostatic |
| shih-chang-pu | acorus | Analgesic, vermifugal, externally applied to carbuncles |
| shih-chun-tzu | quisqualis | Vermifugal, abdominal pain due to parasites |
| shih-hu | dendrobium | Nourishes yin and promotes salivation |
| shih-kao | gypsum | Speech disorders, extreme thirst, dry mouth, heat symptoms |
| shih-lien-tzu | lotus | Tonic |
| su-hsia | pinellia | Stops bleeding, reduces inflammation, strengthens SP |
| suan-tsao-jen | zizyphus | Insomnia due to stress, palpitations, sedative |
| suo-yang | cynomorium | Strengthens kidneys and gonads, impotence, tonic |
| ta-chi | knoxia | Diuretic |
| ta-fu-pi | betel nut | See "pin-lang" |
| ta-huang | rhubarb | Constipation, indigestion, stomachic |
| ta-ma-jen | cannabis | Constipation, substituted by linum usitatissimum |
| ta-tsao | jujube | Regulates cardiac and pulmonary function |
| tan-chu-yeh | lophatherum | Clears fever, irritability |
| tan-hsiang | sandal wood | breathing |
| tan-tou-shih | soja | Relaxes muscles, clears fever, apprehension, irritability |
| tang-kuei | tang-kuei | Headache, lower back, meridian blockage, circulation |
| t'ao-jen | persica | Injuries from falling, mental instability, sedative |
| teng-hsin-tsao | juncus | Sedative, diuretic |
| ti-huang | rehmannia | Cardiotonic, hemostatic |
| ti-ku-pi | lyceum bark | Antipyretic, cough, fever |
| ti-yu | sanguisorba | Postpartum difficulties, snake and insect bites |
| tiao-teng | gambir | Flatulence, vertigo, hypertension with headache |
| tiao-tsao | licorice | Supplements energy, loosens phlegm, intoxication |
| tien-ma | gastrodia | Anti-gas, quiets muscle spasms |
| tien-nan-hsing | arisaema | Relieves spasms and pain, reduces swelling |
| ting-hsiang | cloves | Warms the body, alleviates pain, increases circulation |
| tsang-chu | atractylodes | General tonic to increase appetite and promote health |
| tsao-chiao | gleditsia | Loosens congestion, resolves phlegm, constipation |
| tsao-wu | aconite | Very toxic, antiarthritic, analgesic |
| tse-hsieh | alisma | Urinary tract, kidney stones, aphrodisiac |
| tse-she | alisma | Urinary tract, kidney stones, aphrodisiac |
| tu-fu-ling | smilax | Antispasmodic, diuretic |
| tun-chih | lard | Base for ointments |
| tung-chung-hsia-tsao | cordycep | Restorative and tonic |
| tung-jua-tzu | benincasa | Anti-inflammatory |
| tzu-su | perilla | Chi imbalances, quiets fetus, asthma, detoxifies |
| tzu-ts'ao | lithospermum | Antifebrile, cools blood, lubricates intestines |
| tzu-wan | aster | To quiet restless crying children, quiets nervous system |
| wei-ling-hsien | Chinese clemati | Flatulence, pain at the waist, knees, arms and legs |
| wei-ling-ts'ai | potentilla | Eliminates fever, cools the blood |
| wu-chu-yu | evodia | Uterine muscle stimulant, increase blood pressure |
| wu-mei | dark plum | Antifebrile, antispasmodic, persistent cough, worms |
| wu-pei-tzu | Chinese sumac | Pulmonary weakness, hemostatic |
| wu-yao | lindera | Anti-inflammatory, analgesic |
| ya-men-jen | linseed | Laxative, constipation |
| yen-hu-suo | corydalis | Relieves pain, stimulates energy and circulation |
| yin-ch'en-hao | artemisia | Antipyretic, diuretic |
| yin-yang-huo | epimedium | Aphrodisiac, warms the kidneys, strengthens yang |
| ying-pi | cherry | Relieves cough |
| yu-chu | polygonatum | Slows and deepens respiration, antiarthritic, fever |
| yuan-chih | polygala | Reduces swelling, sedative |
Click here for previous articles by John Amaro, LAc, DC, Dipl. Ac.(NCCAOM), Dipl.Med.Ac.(IAMA).