Below is a list of some common Chinese herbs along with their English and Chinese names, as well as their primary uses in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It is important to note that this is not an exhaustive list, and these herbs should be used under the guidance of a licensed TCM practitioner.
Ginseng (人参 Rénshēn) Use: Boosts energy, improves immune system, and increases mental clarity.
Astragalus (黄芪 Huángqí) Use: Strengthens the immune system, supports digestion, and increases energy.
Wolfberry (枸杞 Gǒuqǐ) or Goji Berry Use: Nourishes the liver and kidneys, improves vision, and supports the immune system.
Licorice Root (甘草 Gāncǎo) Use: Harmonizes herbal formulas, soothes the stomach, and reduces inflammation.
Chinese Angelica Root (当归 Dāngguī) or Dong Quai Use: Nourishes blood, regulates menstruation, and relieves pain.
Reishi Mushroom (灵芝 Língzhī) Use: Boosts the immune system, calms the mind, and supports liver function.
White Peony Root (白芍 Báisháo) Use: Nourishes blood, regulates menstruation, and relieves pain.
Szechuan Lovage Rhizome (川芎 Chuānxiōng) Use: Invigorates blood circulation, reduces pain, and alleviates headaches.
Cinnamon Bark (肉桂 Ròuguì) Use: Warms the body, relieves pain, and improves blood circulation.
Chinese Hawthorn Fruit (山楂 Shānzhā) Use: Aids digestion, improves blood circulation, and reduces blood lipids.
Schisandra Fruit (五味子 Wǔwèizǐ) Use: Calms the mind, supports the liver, and improves kidney function.
Eucommia Bark (杜仲 Dùzhòng) Use: Strengthens the bones and muscles, supports the kidneys and liver, and lowers blood pressure.
Chinese Rhubarb Root (大黄 Dàhuáng) Use: Clears heat, purges toxins, and relieves constipation.
Chinese Motherwort (益母草 Yìmǔcǎo) Use: Regulates menstruation, promotes blood circulation, and reduces postpartum bleeding.
Atractylodes Rhizome (白术 Báizhú) Use: Strengthens the spleen, supports digestion, and dries dampness.
Poria (茯苓 Fúlíng) Use: Strengthens the spleen, supports digestion, and calms the mind.
Chinese Yam (山药 Shānyào) Use: Nourishes the kidneys, supports digestion, and strengthens the spleen.
Gastrodia (天麻 Tiānmá) Use: Calms the liver, alleviates headaches, and reduces dizziness.
Chinese Date (红枣 Hóngzǎo) or Jujube Use: Nourishes the spleen, calms the mind, and supports digestion.
Bupleurum (柴胡 Cháihú) Use: Relieves liver constraint, reduces fever, and soothes irritability.
Epimedium (淫羊藿 Yín Yáng Huò) or Horny Goat Weed Use: Nourishes the kidneys, strengthens the bones and muscles, and enhances libido.
Chinese Skullcap Root (黄芩 Huángqín) Use: Clears heat, dries dampness, and reduces inflammation.
Safflower (红花 Hónghuā) Use: Invigorates blood circulation, reduces pain, and unblocks menstruation.
Gardenia Fruit (栀子 Zhīzi) Use: Clears heat, reduces inflammation, and cools the blood.
Phellodendron Bark (黄柏 Huángbǎi) Use: Clears heat, dries dampness, and detoxifies.
Honeysuckle Flower (金银花 Jīnyínhuā) Use: Clears heat, detoxifies, and relieves sore throat.
Chrysanthemum Flower (菊花 Júhuā) Use: Clears heat, cools the liver, and reduces eye inflammation.
Forsythia Fruit (连翘 Liánqiào) Use: Clears heat, detoxifies, and reduces inflammation.
Chinese Peony Root (芍药 Sháoyào) Use: Nourishes blood, supports digestion, and reduces pain.
Salvia Root (丹参 Dānshēn) Use: Invigorates blood circulation, relieves pain, and reduces anxiety.
Pinellia Rhizome (半夏 Bànxià) Use: Dries dampness, resolves phlegm, and alleviates nausea.
Dandelion (蒲公英 Púgōngyīng) Use: Clears heat, detoxifies, and reduces inflammation.
Chinese Senega Root (细辛 Xìxīn) Use: Warms the lungs, alleviates pain, and expels cold.
Chinese Mint (薄荷 Bòhé) Use: Disperses wind-heat, clears the head, and soothes the throat.
Platycodon Root (桔梗 Júgěng) Use: Clears heat, expels phlegm, and benefits the throat.
Mulberry Leaf (桑叶 Sāngyè) Use: Clears heat, moistens the lungs, and soothes the throat.
Codonopsis Root (党参 Dǎngshēn) Use: Tonifies the spleen and lungs, increases energy, and nourishes body fluids.
Aconite Root (附子 Fùzǐ) Use: Warms the interior, expels cold, and alleviates pain.
Ginger (生姜 Shēngjiāng) Use: Warms the stomach, dispels cold, and alleviates nausea.
Coix Seed (薏苡仁 Yìyǐrén) Use: Strengthens the spleen, drains dampness, and clears heat.
Tangerine Peel (陈皮 Chénpí) Use: Regulates qi, supports digestion, and dries dampness.
Costus Root (木香 Mùxiāng) Use: Moves qi, relieves pain, and supports digestion.
Chinese Black Cardamom (草果 Cǎoguǒ) Use: Dispels cold, reduces dampness, and alleviates abdominal pain.
Coptis Root (黄连 Huánglián) Use: Clears heat, drains dampness, and detoxifies.
Patchouli (广藿香 Guǎnghuòxiāng) Use: Releases the exterior, transforms dampness, and resolves turbidity.
Siler Root (防风 Fángfēng) Use: Releases the exterior, dispels wind, and alleviates pain.
Turmeric (姜黄 Jiānghuáng) Use: Invigorates blood circulation, relieves pain, and reduces inflammation.
Morus Alba Root Bark (桑白皮 Sāngbáipí) Use: Clears heat, promotes urination, and reduces edema.
Cyperus Rhizome (香附 Xiāngfù) Use: Regulates qi, relieves pain, and soothes the liver.
Chinese Wild Ginger (细辛 Xìxīn) Use: Warms the interior, dispels cold, and alleviates pain.
Bamboo Shavings (竹茹 Zhúrú) Use: Clears heat, transforms phlegm, and alleviates nausea.
Chinese Thistle (蓟 Ji) Use: Invigorates blood circulation, relieves pain, and reduces swelling.
Chinese Raspberry (枇杷 Pípa) Use: Nourishes the lungs, transforms phlegm, and relieves cough.
Chinese Magnolia Vine (五味子 Wǔwèizǐ) Use: Calms the spirit, supports the kidneys, and improves digestion.
Pseudostellaria Root (太子参 Tàizǐshēn) Use: Tonifies qi, nourishes yin, and strengthens the spleen.
Corydalis Rhizome (延胡索 Yánhúsū) Use: Invigorates blood circulation, relieves pain, and reduces depression.
Fritillaria Bulb (川贝 Chūanbèi) Use: Clears heat, transforms phlegm, and moistens the lungs.
Ligusticum Rhizome (川芎 Chuānxiōng) Use: Invigorates blood circulation, relieves pain, and promotes menstruation.
Radish Seed (莱菔子 Láifúzǐ) Use: Promotes digestion, drains dampness, and resolves phlegm.
Hawthorn Berry (山楂 Shānzhā) Use: Aids digestion, improves blood circulation, and reduces blood lipids.
Achyranthes Root (牛膝 Niúxī) Use: Invigorates blood circulation, strengthens bones and tendons, and alleviates pain.
Chinese Goldthread (黄连 Huánglián) Use: Clears heat, drains dampness, and detoxifies.
Chinese Ephedra (麻黄 Máhuáng) Use: Releases the exterior, dispels wind-cold, and alleviates asthma.
Alisma Rhizome (泽泻 Zéxiè) Use: Promotes urination, drains dampness, and strengthens the spleen.
Japanese Honeysuckle (金银花 Jīnyínhuā) Use: Clears heat, detoxifies, and relieves sore throat.
Lotus Seed (莲子 Liánzǐ) Use: Nourishes the spleen, calms the spirit, and supports digestion.
Polygonatum Rhizome (玉竹 Yùzhú) Use: Nourishes yin, moistens the lungs, and strengthens the spleen.
Prunella (夏枯草 Xiàkūcǎo) Use: Clears heat, detoxifies, and reduces inflammation.
Pueraria Root (葛根 Gěgēn) Use: Releases the exterior, dispels wind-cold, and alleviates neck stiffness.
Red Sage Root (丹参 Dānshēn) Use: Invigorates blood circulation, relieves pain, and reduces anxiety.
Rehmannia Root (地黄 Dìhuáng) Use: Nourishes yin, cools the blood, and supports the kidneys.
Seabuckthorn (沙棘 Shājí) Use: Nourishes blood, relieves pain, and promotes tissue regeneration.
Semen Persicae (桃仁 Táorén) Use: Invigorates blood circulation, relieves pain, and reduces swelling.
Sophora Flower Bud (槐花 Huáihuā) Use: Clears heat, dispels wind, and stops bleeding.
Chinese Lovage (独活 Dúhuó) Use: Dispels wind-dampness, alleviates pain, and supports the liver and kidneys.
Sparganium Rhizome (三棱 Sānléng) Use: Invigorates blood circulation, reduces swelling, and dissolves masses.
Stephania Root (防己 Fángjǐ) Use: Promotes urination, drains dampness, and relieves edema.
White Mustard Seed (白芥子 Báijièzǐ) Use: Warms the lungs, transforms phlegm, and alleviates cough.
Sweet Wormwood (青蒿 Qīnghāo) Use: Clears heat, cools the blood, and treats malaria.
Tienchi Ginseng (田七 Tiánqī) Use: Invigorates blood circulation, reduces pain, and stops bleeding.
Tokoro Root (薯蓣 Shǔyù) Use: Clears damp-heat, promotes urination, and reduces swelling.
Trichosanthes Root (天花粉 Tiānhuāfěn) Use: Clears heat, transforms phlegm, and moistens the lungs.
Tribulus Fruit (蒺藜 Jílì) Use: Calms the liver, dispels wind, and improves vision.
White Mulberry Root Bark (桑白皮 Sāngbáipí) Use: Clears heat, promotes urination, and reduces edema.
Clematis Root (威灵仙 Wēilíngxiān) Use: Dispels wind-dampness, unblocks channels, and alleviates pain.
Zedoary Rhizome (Ezhu) (莪术 Èzhú) Use: Invigorates blood circulation, reduces swelling, and dissolves masses.
Arisaema Rhizome (天南星 Tiānnánxīng) Use: Transforms phlegm, dries dampness, and reduces swelling.
Longan Aril (龙眼肉 Lóngyǎnròu) Use: Nourishes blood, calms the spirit, and supports the heart.
Vaccaria Seed (王不留行 Wángbùliúxíng) Use: Invigorates blood circulation, promotes lactation, and reduces swelling.
Curcuma Root (Yu Jin) (郁金 Yùjīn) Use: Invigorates blood circulation, clears heat, and relieves pain.
Scutellaria Baicalensis (Huang Qin) (黄芩 Huángqín) Use: Clears heat, dries dampness, and reduces inflammation.
Psoralea Fruit (Buguzhi) (补骨脂 Bǔgǔzhī) Use: Tonifies kidneys, strengthens bones, and warms the spleen.
Anemarrhena Rhizome (Zhimu) (知母 Zhīmǔ) Use: Clears heat, nourishes yin, and moistens dryness.
Dipsacus Root (Xuduan) (续断 Xùduàn) Use: Tonifies kidneys, strengthens bones, and promotes blood circulation.
Cassia Twig (Guizhi) (桂枝 Guìzhī) Use: Releases the exterior, dispels wind-cold, and warms the channels.
Moutan Cortex (Mudanpi) (牡丹皮 Mǔdānpí) Use: Clears heat, cools blood, and invigorates blood circulation.
Chinese Gall (Wubeizi) (五倍子 Wǔbèizǐ) Use: Astringes the lungs, stops cough, and reduces inflammation.
Chinese Quince (木瓜 Mùguā) Use: Reduces dampness, alleviates pain, and relaxes muscles.
Cassia Seed (Jue Ming Zi) (决明子 Juémíngzǐ) Use: Clears liver heat, improves vision, and supports bowel movement.
Ophiopogon Root (Maidong) (麦冬 Màidōng) Use: Nourishes yin, moistens the lungs, and supports the heart.
Please note that this list is not exhaustive, and there are many more Chinese herbs used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is always best to consult with a licensed TCM practitioner or healthcare professional before using any of these herbs.
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