Seeking the Truth of TCM

Roots of Herbs

Meridian Explorations

Food as Medicine

Medicinal Roots

570 herbs total

Cicadae Periostracum
Nature & Flavor
- Sweet in flavor
- Cold in nature
- Enters the lung meridian
- Enters the liver meridian
Tags
- disperse wind-heat
- relieve sore throat
- promote eruption
- calm endogenous wind and relieve spasm
- Brightens the eyes and removes corneal opacities.
IntroductionChán Tuì (Cicada Slough) is a Chinese medicinal substance. It is the exuviae (cast-off skin) shed by the nymph of the cicada Cryptotympana pustulata Fabricius (…
Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix
Nature & Flavor
- Bitter in flavor
- Cold in nature
- Enters the bladder meridian
- Enters the lung meridian
Tags
- dispel wind and relieve pain
- promote diuresis to reduce edema
IntroductionFáng Jǐ (Stephania Root) is a Chinese medicinal substance. It is the dried root of Stephania tetrandra S. Moore, a plant of the Menispermaceae family. It is com…
Concha Ostreae
Nature & Flavor
- Salty in flavor
- Cold in nature
- Enters the liver meridian
- Enters the gallbladder meridian
- Enters the kidney meridian
Tags
- Neutralizes acid and relieves pain.
- Astringe and secure
IntroductionDuàn Mǔ Lì (Calcined Oyster Shell) is a Chinese medicinal substance. It is a processed product of oyster shells.
Euphorbiae Helioscopiae Herba
Nature & Flavor
- Pungent in flavor
- Sweet and slightly bitter
- Cold in nature
Tags
- Expels water to reduce swelling.
- Resolves phlegm and disperses nodules.
- Kills parasites and treats tinea (ringworm).
IntroductionZé Qī (泽漆) is a Chinese medicinal herb. It is the dried whole plant of Euphorbia helioscopia L., a plant of the Euphorbiaceae family. The whole plant contains a…
Acanthopanacis Cortex
Nature & Flavor
- Sweet in flavor
- Bitter in flavor
- Warm in nature
- Enters the liver meridian
- Enters the kidney meridian
Tags
- dispel wind and eliminate dampness
- tonify and nourish the Liver and Kidney
- strengthen the sinews and bones
- promote diuresis to reduce edema
IntroductionWǔ Jiā Pí (Acanthopanax Root-bark) is a Chinese medicinal substance. It is the dried root bark of Acanthopanax gracilistylus W.W.Smith, a plant of the Araliacea…
Sappan Lignum / Caesalpinia sappan L.
Nature & Flavor
- Sweet in flavor
- Salty in flavor
- Neutral in nature
- Enters the heart meridian
- Enters the liver meridian
- Enters the spleen meridian
Tags
- Activate blood and resolve stasis
- Reduces swelling and relieves pain.
IntroductionSū Mù (Sappan Wood) is a Chinese medicinal substance. It is the dried heartwood of Caesalpinia sappan L., a plant of the Fabaceae family. It appears as long cyl…
Mori Ramulus
Nature & Flavor
- Sweet and slightly bitter
- Neutral in nature
- Enters the liver meridian
Tags
- dispelling wind-damp
- Benefits the joints.
IntroductionSāng Zhī (Mulberry Twig) is a Chinese medicinal substance. It is the dried tender branch of Morus alba L., a plant of the Moraceae family. It is long and cylind…
Typhae Pollen
Nature & Flavor
- Sweet in flavor
- Neutral in nature
- Enters the liver meridian
- Pericardium Meridian
Tags
- stop bleeding
- Activate blood and resolve stasis
- relieve strangury
IntroductionPú Huáng (Cattail Pollen) is a Chinese medicinal substance. It is the dried pollen of Typha angustifolia L., Typha orientalis Presl, or related species of the T…
Borneolum Syntheticum
Nature & Flavor
- Pungent in flavor
- Bitter in flavor
- slightly cold in nature
- Enters the heart meridian
- Enters the spleen meridian
- Enters the lung meridian
Tags
- Opens the orifices and awakens the mind.
- clear heat
- relieve pain
IntroductionBīng Piàn (Borneol) is a Chinese medicinal substance. According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, borneol is classified into three types: natural borneol (levo-born…
Herba Polygoni Salicifolii
Nature & Flavor
- Pungent in flavor
- Warm in nature
- Enters the spleen meridian
- Enters the stomach meridian
- Enters the large intestine meridian
Tags
- resolve toxin
- fortify the spleen
- transform Dampness
- Activate blood
- stop malaria
IntroductionLà Liǎo Cǎo is a Chinese medicinal herb. It is the whole plant of Polygonum lapathifolium L. var. salicifolium Sibth., a plant of the Polygonaceae family.
Salvia japonica Thunb.
Nature & Flavor
- Bitter in flavor
- Pungent in flavor
- Neutral in nature
Tags
- clear heat
- drain dampness
- activate blood and regulate menstruation
- resolve toxin and reduce swelling
IntroductionShǔ Wěi Cǎo (Sage Herb) is a Chinese medicinal herb. It is the whole plant of Salvia japonica Thunb., a plant of the Lamiaceae (mint) family.
Testudinis Carapax Et Plastrum
Nature & Flavor
- Salty in flavor
- Sweet in flavor
- slightly cold in nature
Tags
- Nourishes yin and suppresses yang.
- Benefits the kidneys and strengthens bones.
- Nourishes blood and tonifies the heart.
- Stabilizes menstruation and stops uterine bleeding.
IntroductionGuī Jiǎ (Tortoise Shell) is a Chinese medicinal substance. It is the carapace (dorsal shell) and plastron (ventral shell) of the tortoise Chinemys reevesii (Gra…

Major Heat