Pin Yin Name: Yi Zhi Ren
Latin Name: Alpina oxyphylla
Other names: Elettaria cardamomum; Amomum amarum

MEDICINAL PART: seed
THERAPUTIC EFFECTS: stomachic; carminative; astringent; stimulant; controls excess urination and loose bowels.
INDICATIONS: spermatorrhea; urinary incontinence; diarrhea; abdominal pains; premature ejaculation; impotence; vomiting.
CONTRAINDICATIONS: stomach ulcers.
INCOMPATIBLES: none.

Pin Yin Name: Pu Huang
Latin Name: Typha latifolia
Other names: bulrush; hsiang pu (fragrant rush); Typha orientalis

MEDICINAL PART: pollen
THERAPUTIC EFFECTS: diuretic; hemostatic; astringent; promotes circulation; dissolves clots.
INDICATIONS: menorrhagia; dysmenorrhea; abdominal pain after childbirth; chronic liver inflammation and accompanying pain in the rib cage; spermatorrhea; pain and pressure in chest; internal hemmorages due to traumatic injuries.
CONTRAINDICATIONS: use only as long as required to relive symptoms.
INCOMPATIBLES: none

Pin Yin Name: Mu Gua
Latin Name: Fructus Chaenomelis

MEDICINAL PART: Fruit
THERAPUTIC EFFECTS: Expel wind-dampness and relax the tendons; Regulate the stomach and eliminate dampness; Promote digestion.
INDICATIONS: A) For arthralgia, manifested as feeling of heaviness and stiffness of extremities and muscular spasm; also for beriberi; B) For vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and muscular spasm of summer-heat and dampness; C) For indigestion.
CONTRAINDICATIONS: none.

Pin Yin Name: Jin Ying Zi
Latin Name: Fructus Roase Laevigatae

MEDICINAL PART: Fruit
THERAPUTIC EFFECTS: A) Strengthen the kidney and spleen; B) Astringent; C) Antidiuretic; D) Antidiarrhetic.
INDICATIONS: 1) For kidney deficiency manifested as nocturnal emission, enuresis and leukorrhagia; 2) For chronic diarrhea due to spleen deficiency.
CONTRAINDICATIONS: none.

Pin Yin Name: He Show Wu
Latin Name: Polygonum multiflorum
Other names: jiao teng ("tangled vine")

MEDICINAL PART: roots, stems, leaves
THERAPUTIC EFFECTS: demulcent to bowels; anti-rheumatic; strengthens sinew and bone; promotes male and female fertility; darkens gray hair; builds bone marrow.
INDICATIONS: dizziness; insomnia; spermatorrhea; abdominal pain after childbirth; weak "rubbery" feeling in knees and lower back; anemia; constipation due to dry bowels; premature gray hair; abscesses; colitis
CONTRAINDICATIONS: none
INCOMPATIBLES: any sort of blood products; scaleless fish; white turnip; onions; garlic; iron compounds and utensils.

Contemporary clinical evidence shows that this herbs is also an effective remedy for high blood pressure and arteriosclerosis.

Pin Yin Name: Gou Ji Zi
Latin Name: Lycium Chinense
Other names: Yang ru (goat milk); Lycium barbatum

MEDICINAL PART: fruit
THERAPUTIC EFFECTS: tonic; nutrient; emollient to lungs; relieves chronic thirst; corrects blurry vision.
INDICATIONS: spermatorrhea; weak knees; lumbago; dizziness; headache; blurry or weak vision; fatigue; thirst
CONTRAINDICATIONS: weak digestion; fever; arthritis.
INCOMPATIBLES: be sure not to use any sort of iron, aluminum, or other metal utensils when preparing wolfberry.

Wolfberry has been a popular health tonic since ancient times in China, and it appears in many longevity formulas. Among it many benefits, it is especially good medicine or eye problems and improves vision. The elderly and infirm frequently use it to strengthen weak legs and knees. The herb has nutritional as well as medicinal value, and its sweet flavor lends itself very well to cooking. Soak for a day or two in some honey and rum, wolfberries make a tasty tonic snack, but they're quite potent taken "straight", so don't eat too many at one time.

Pin Yin Name: Shan Yao
Latin Name: Dioscorea opposita
Other names: Dioscorea japonica; Dioscorea batatas

MEDICINAL PART: tuber
THERAPUTIC EFFECTS: stomachic; digestive, antidiarrhetic; moisten skin and hair; stimulates endocrine secretions; immunotonic; strengthens kidney functions; stimulates appetite.
INDICATIONS: spermatorrhea, nocturnal emissions, and related fatigue and neurasthenia; chronic fatigue; leukorrhea; loss of appetite; immune deficiency; abscesses, boils, carbuncles, and other skin sores and infections; cold or weak limbs.
CONTRAINDICATIONS: constipation; high blood pressure
INCOMPATIBLES: pork; onion.

This is one of several herbs currently under intensive medical research in China as a tonic restorative for immune deficiency. The herb helps restore impaired immune functions, stimulates secretions of vital immune factors, and enhances overall immune response throughout the system.

Pin Yin Name: Ju Hua
Latin Name: Chrysanthemum morifolium
Other names: Chrysanthemum sinense

MEDICINAL PART: flowers
THERAPUTIC EFFECTS: antipyretic; refrigerant; lowers blood pressure; improves vision.
INDICATIONS: headache, dizziness, eye aches, and blurry vision due to kidney and lover dysfunctions; high blood pressure; numbness in extremities.
CONTRAINDICATIONS: none
INCOMPATIBLES: none

Infusions of chrysanthemum are particularly good for swelling, inflammation, and itching in the eyes, both internally and as an external wash.

Chrysanthemums have also been widely used as an additional infusion ingredient to tea. Add several chrysanthemum flowers along with your regular tea leaves when brewing.

Pin Yin Name: Sheng Ma
Latin Name: Cimicifuga Foetida
Other names: Actea spicata; Cimicifuga japonica

MEDICINAL PART: root
THERAPUTIC EFFECTS: diaphoretic; antipyretic; analgesic; antidote.
INDICATIONS: headache; fever and chills; red and painful eyes; mouth and lip abscesses; bronchial infections with heavy cough; spermatorrhea; cold feet; diarrhea; prolapse of anus; thyroid disorders.
CONTRAINDICATIONS: deficient yin-energy (TCM)
INCOMPATIBLES: none.

Pin Yin Name: Rou Qui
Latin Name: Cinnamomum cassia
Other names: cassia; mu gui (wood cinnamon); cinnamomum aromaticum.

MEDICINAL PART: unscraped bark of mature trees
THERAPUTIC EFFECTS: stomachic; analgesic; stimulant; astringent; diaphoretic; improves vision; enhances circulation.
INDICATIONS: loss of appetite; fatigue; abdominal pain; lack of energy after long illness or surgery; dysmenorrhea; red and swollen eyes; cold extremities.
CONTRAINDICATIONS: none
INCOMPATIBLES: onions; kaolin.

Cinnamon is known as an excellent synergist for many other herbs, particularly yang tonics. It is used to enhance the warming and tonic properties of herbal liquors, and also to improve their flavor.

As one of the most warming herbs, cinnamon is an excellent choice for warming up cold hands and feet and cold internal organs.

Pin Yin Name: She Chuang Zi
Latin Name: Cnidium Monnieri
Other names: Selinum Monnieri

MEDICINAL PART: seed
THERAPUTIC EFFECTS: tonic; anti-rheumatic; antiseptic; aphrodisiac; astringent; stimulant.
INDICATIONS: impotence; female infertility; vaginal itching and yeast infections; damp itchy scrotum; abscesses; ringworm
CONTRAINDICATIONS: males with chronic spermatorrhea and premature ejaculation should avoid using this herb, because it will increase the amount of semen lost during ejaculation and thus cause further enervation and weakness
INCOMPATIBLES: tree peony, croton, Fritillaria verticilata

This is one of the best Chinese herbs to use as an antiseptic and astringent external wash for all sorts of damp, itchy skin conditions, particularly on the scrotum and vagina. It is effective against many strains of yeast that commonly infect the female genital region, and it can be applied for this purpose to wash the inside of the vagina as well as the external area.

Pin Yin Name: Dang Shen
Latin Name: Codonopsis Dangshen
Other names: bastard ginseng; Campanumaea pilosula

MEDICINAL PART: root
THERAPUTIC EFFECTS: stomachic; cardiotonic; builds immunity and raises resistance; lowers blood pressure; raises blood sugar.
INDICATIONS: chronic fatigue; hypertension; loss of appetite; indigestion due to hyperacidity; loose bowels; pale complexion; exhaustion after surgery or childbirth body bloating and facial swelling due to edema; immune deficiency; hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
CONTRAINDICATIONS: none
INCOMPATIBLES: none

Since this herb acts similarly to ginseng, it can be substituted for the latter when ginseng is too costly or in short supply. It is often used instead of ginseng for mild chronic conditions that do not require high-potency herbs. Recent research has also established dang shen as an effective preventive against many forms of heart disease. Since it lends itself well to cooking, it can be used daily in the kitchen as an ingredient in stews, soups, and porridges, or simply boiled in chicken broth, as a general nutrient tonic for the whole family and a specific preventative against heart disease.

According to the traditional Chinese view, the reason that this herb is such a reliable energy tonic is because of its affinity for the spleen and lungs, which are the two major organ-energy systems responsible for the extraction of energy from food and air through digestion and respiration.

Pin Yin Name: Kuan Dung Hua
Latin Name: Tussilago farfara
Other names: cough worth; horse hoof

MEDICINAL PART: flowers and floral buds; leaves
THERAPUTIC EFFECTS: antitussive; expectorant; antiphlogistic; demulcent to lungs
INDICATIONS: coughs, including "smoker's cough"; asthma; shortness of breath due to lung congestion; acute or chronic lung infections.
CONTRAINDICATIONS: none
INCOMPATIBLES: Gleditschia chinensis, mirabilite, Scrophularia, astralagus, forsythia, ephedra, Celosia argentea.

In China, the leaves and flowers are coarsely chopped and smoked for the treatment of chronic coughs. Habitual cigarette smokers occasionally substitute this herb for tobacco when their lungs get too congested. China even produces a popular brand of cigarette using coltsfoot in place of tobacco and markets it as a remedy for smoker's cough.

Pin Yin Name: Yu Mi Xu
Latin Name: Stigma Maydis

MEDICINAL PART: Style and Stigma
THERAPUTIC EFFECTS: A) Diuretic; B) Reduce Inflammation; C) Hypotensive; D) Lower/Regulate Blood Sugar; E) Hemostatic.
INDICATIONS: 1) To promote diuresis -- For edema, ascites, and wet beriberi; 2) For hepatocellular jaundice, cholelithiasis (gallstones) and cholecystitis (inflammation of gallbladder); 3) For hypertension; 4) To lower blood sugar level -- For diabetes mellitus; 5) To stop bleeding -- For epistaxis (nosebleed) and gingival bleeding (gums). Recently, also used for thrombocytopenic purpura.
CONTRAINDICATIONS: none.

Pin Yin Name: Shan Zhu Yu
Latin Name: Fructus Corni

MEDICINAL PART: pulp
THERAPUTIC EFFECTS: Diuretic and hypotensive.
INDICATIONS: For deficiency or hypofunction of the liver and kidney manifested as sore waist and knees, impotence, dizziness, tinnitus, blurring of vision, enuresis, spontaneous perspiration, night sweat, or dypsnea.
CONTRAINDICATIONS: none.

Pin Yin Name: Yian Hu Suo
Latin Name: Corydalis ambigua

MEDICINAL PART: root
THERAPUTIC EFFECTS: analgesic; antispasmodic, sedative, emmenagogue, deobstruent; promotes circulation of blood.
INDICATIONS: bodily aches and pains; menstrual disorders; uterine congestion after childbirth; bruises and clots due to broken bones and other traumatic injuries
CONTRAINDICATIONS: none
INCOMPATIBLES: iron, aluminum, and other metal compounds and utensils.

Pin Yin Name: Mu Xiang
Latin Name: Saussurea lappa
Other names: Aplotaxis lappa; Aucklandia costus; kusta

MEDICINAL PART: root
THERAPUTIC EFFECTS: stomachic; analgesic; carminative; antiseptic; calms fetus; antidote; deodorant
INDICATIONS: pressure, pain, and gas in abdomen; diarrhea and dysentery; angina and other oppressive chest pains; nausea; asthma; body odor.
CONTRAINDICATIONS: use this herb only as long as required for symptoms; excessive use can inhibit and disrupt human energies.
INCOMPATIBLES: none

Pin Yin Name: Wang bu liu hsing
Latin Name: Saponaria vaccaria
Other names: soapwort; jin gung hua (forbidden palace flower)

MEDICINAL PART: seed
THERAPUTIC EFFECTS: styptic; astringent; analgesic; laxative; galactagogue; emmenagogue; expectorant.
INDICATIONS: stroke; numbness in extremities; bleeding cuts and abrasions; abscesses; chronic cough; insufficient lactation; headaches.
CONTRAINDICATIONS: pregnancy
INCOMPATIBLES: none

This herb is used for its astringent properties in a patent formula for swelling and inflammation of the prostate. The formula is quite effective, but during treatment the herbs causes some men to temporarily lose the capacity to sustain erection, a side effect that disappears when the herb is withdrawn.

Pin Yin Name: Mai Men Dung
Latin Name: Liriope spicata
Other names: Ophiopogon spicatus

MEDICINAL PART: root tuber
THERAPUTIC EFFECTS: nutrient; antitussive; antipholgistic; stomachic; emollient; galactagogue; diuretic; cardiotonic; promotes secretions of vital fluids.
INDICATIONS: weak cardiac function; poor circulation; recuperation from surgery, illness or childbirth; shortness of breath; insufficient lactation; chronic dry cough; blood in sputum; hypoglycemia
CONTRAINDICATIONS: People with generally weak constitutions, poor digestion, and chronic diarrhea should avoid single use of this herb.
INCOMPATIBLES: coltsfoot; Sophora angustifolia; Celosia argentea; edible tree lichens (tree ears).

The herb is particularly useful for recuperation after surgery, childbirth, or serious illness, especially after a bout of pneumonia or other severe lung infection. By strengthening the lungs and enhancing respiration, it increases the supply of oxygen and energy extracted from air through breathing.

Pin Yin Name: Xian Mao
Latin Name: Curculigo Ensofolia
Other names: Curculigo orchiodes; Hyposis aurea; pu luo men shen (Brahmin ginseng)

MEDICINAL PART: root
THERAPUTIC EFFECTS: tonic; stimulant; aphrodisiac; digestive; strengthens urinary tract.
INDICATIONS: impotence; urinary incontinence; fatigue; cold chest pains; numbness in extremities; premature senility; tinnitus.
CONTRAINDICATIONS: empty yin with flaring fire symptoms (TCM).
INCOMPATIBLES: iron, aluminum, and other metal compounds and utensils

The “empty yin with flaring fire” symptoms referred to above is a male degenerative condition in which kidney Water (yin) becomes severely depleted (empty) due to excessive loss of semen, while the kidney Fire (yang) of sexual desire flares out of control as kidney Water grows progressively weaker and thus loses its natural restraining influence over kidney Fire, permitting sexual desire to flare out of control. Not only does this condition cause excessive loss of semen through voluntary sexual activity, it also causes involuntary loss through spermatorrhea and nocturnal emissions. In Chinese medicine, involuntary ejaculation is seen as a warning signal from the body that a man’s sexual potency is on the brink of complete depletion, not as a harmless way of expelling excess semen, as in the conventional Western view. Empty yin with flaring fire can drive men into self-destructive cycles of increasing sexual indulgence with diminishing sexual potency, a sort of uncontrollable “sexual addiction” that has become very common in modern urban life-styles.

Pin Yin Name: Bai Qian
Latin Name: Rhizoma Cynanchi Stauntonii

MEDICINAL PART: Root and Rhizome
THERAPUTIC EFFECTS: A) Expectorant; B) Antitussive.
INDICATIONS: To relieve cough and eliminate phlegm -- For stagnation of the lungs with productive cough and dyspnea (difficulty in breathing).
CONTRAINDICATIONS: none.

Pin Yin Name: Suo Yang
Latin Name: Cynomorium coccineum
Other names: Squaw root

MEDICINAL PART: root, stem
THERAPUTIC EFFECTS: aphrodisiac; tonic; promotes semen production; demulcent.
INDICATIONS: impotence; spermatorrhea; nocturnal emissions; premature ejaculation; weakness in lower back and knees; dry skin and mouth; thirst; constipation due to dry bowels and old age.
CONTRAINDICATIONS: none
INCOMPATIBLES: none

The herb’s sexually fortifying properties have long been established by clinical experience in China.