Seeking the Truth of TCM

Roots of Herbs

Meridian Explorations

Food as Medicine

Medicinal Roots

181 herbs total

Ferulae Resina
Nature & Flavor
- Pungent in flavor
- Bitter in flavor
- Warm in nature
- Enters the liver meridian
- Enters the spleen meridian
- Enters the stomach meridian
Tags
- resolve food stagnation
- resolve abdominal masses (zheng masses)
- dissipate abdominal masses (pikuai)
- eliminate parasites
IntroductionAwei (Asafoetida), a Chinese medicinal, is the resin of Ferula sinkiangensis K. M. Shen or Ferula fukanensis K. M. Shen, plants of the Apiaceae family (genus Fe…
Os Draconis Praeparata
Nature & Flavor
- Sweet in flavor
- astringent
- Neutral in nature
- Enters the heart meridian
- Enters the liver meridian
- Enters the kidney meridian
Tags
- calm the spirit and relieve fright
- arrest sweating and astringe essence
- stop bleeding and astringe the intestines
- promote tissue regeneration and close sores
IntroductionCalcined Dragon Bone (Duàn Lóng Gǔ) is a processed product of the Chinese medicinal Long Gu (Dragon Bone). It is made from the fossilized bones of ancient mamma…
RhizomaCynancheBungei
Nature & Flavor
- Sweet in flavor
- Sweet and slightly bitter
- Neutral in nature
- Enters the liver meridian
- Enters the kidney meridian
- Enters the spleen meridian
Tags
- tonify the Liver and Kidney
- strengthen the sinews and bones
- supplement Qi and enrich Blood
- fortify the spleen
- promote digestion
- resolve toxin
IntroductionBaishouwu (Cynanchi Auriculati Radix), a Chinese medicinal, is the tuberous root of Cynanchum auriculatum Royle ex Wight and Cynanchum bungei Decne., plants of…
Gastrodiae Rhizoma
Nature & Flavor
- Sweet in flavor
- Neutral in nature
- Enters the liver meridian
Tags
- calm endogenous wind and relieve spasm
- subdue liver yang
- dispel wind and unblock the meridians and collaterals
IntroductionTianma (Gastrodiae Rhizoma), a Chinese medicinal, is the dried tuber of Gastrodia elata Bl., a plant of the Orchidaceae family (genus Gastrodia).
Chinese Chive / Garlic Chive (leaf); Leek Seed (seed)
Nature & Flavor
- Pungent in flavor
- Sweet in flavor
- Warm in nature
- Enters the stomach meridian
- Enters the liver meridian
- Enters the kidney meridian
Tags
- tonify the kidney and assist yang
- warm the middle and stimulate appetite
- move qi and activate blood
- disperse stasis and resolve toxin
IntroductionChinese chive (Jiucai), a Chinese medicinal, is the leaf of Allium tuberosum Rottl. ex Spreng., a plant of the Liliaceae family (genus Allium). It is a medicina…
Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma Rubra
Nature & Flavor
- Sweet in flavor
- Sweet and slightly bitter
- Warm in nature
- Enters the spleen meridian
- Enters the lung meridian
- Enters the heart meridian
- Enters the kidney meridian
Tags
- greatly tonify original qi
- restore the pulse and rescue collapse
- fortify the Spleen and benefit the Lung
- generate fluids and nourish Blood
- calm the spirit and benefit intellect
IntroductionGao Li Shen (Korean Red Ginseng), a Chinese medicinal, is produced from the cultivated roots of Panax ginseng C. A. Mey. (family Araliaceae) through processing…
Alpiniae Oxyphyllae Fructus
Nature & Flavor
- Pungent in flavor
- Warm in nature
- Enters the kidney meridian
- Enters the spleen meridian
Tags
- warm the kidney
- astringe essence
- reduce urination
- warm the spleen
- control salivation
- stop diarrhea
IntroductionYizhiren (Alpiniae Oxyphyllae Fructus), a Chinese medicinal, is the fruit of Alpinia oxyphylla Miq., a plant of the Zingiberaceae family (genus Alpinia).
Spatholobi Caulis
Nature & Flavor
- Bitter in flavor
- slightly sweet
- Warm in nature
- Enters the liver meridian
- Enters the kidney meridian
Tags
- Activate blood
- Tonify the Blood
- Regulate menstruation and relieve pain
- relax sinews and unblock collaterals
IntroductionJixueteng (Spatholobus Stem) is the dried vine stem of Spatholobus suberectus Dunn, a plant of the Fabaceae family. It is named “chicken blood vine” because whe…
Polygoni Multiflori Caulis
Nature & Flavor
- Sweet in flavor
- Neutral in nature
- Enters the heart meridian
- Enters the liver meridian
Tags
- dispel wind and unblock the meridians and collaterals
- nourish the heart and calm the mind
IntroductionShouwuteng (Polygoni Multiflori Caulis), a Chinese medicinal, is the dried vine stem of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb., a plant of the Polygonaceae family (genus…
Ginseng Radix Et Rhizoma
Nature & Flavor
- Sweet in flavor
- Sweet and slightly bitter
- Warm in nature
- Enters the spleen meridian
- Enters the lung meridian
- Enters the heart meridian
- Enters the kidney meridian
Tags
- greatly tonify original qi
- restore the pulse and rescue collapse
- fortify the Spleen and benefit the Lung
- generate fluids and nourish Blood
- calm the spirit and benefit intellect
IntroductionThis translation follows WHO International Standard Terminologies (2022) and Chinese Pharmacopoeia conventions.
Vernonia amygdalina Del.
Nature & Flavor
- Enters the liver meridian
- Enters the gallbladder meridian
- Enters the lung meridian
- Enters the large intestine meridian
- Bitter in flavor
- Cold in nature
Tags
- clear Heat and resolve Toxin
- lower blood pressure / antihypertensive
- antibacterial and anti-inflammatory
IntroductionSouth African leaf (Vernonia amygdalina), a Chinese medicinal, is a folk herb originating from Africa. Due to its significant heat-clearing and detoxifying effe…
Apis cerana Fabr/Apis mellifera L.
Nature & Flavor
- Sweet in flavor
- Sour in flavor
- Neutral in nature
- Enters the spleen meridian
Tags
- tonify
- strengthen
- benefit the liver
- fortify the spleen
IntroductionFengwangjiang (Royal Jelly), a Chinese medicinal, is the milky white gelatinous substance secreted by the pharyngeal glands and post‑pharyngeal glands of worker…