Traditional Herbs Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine CARE includes:

• Food Therapy
• Herbal Therapy
• Tai Chi and Qi Gong (Exercise)
• Acupuncture and Cupping

Herb tastes effect different bodily functions.  Each herb is unique in nature and in taste.  Herbs with the same nature, have the same taste!  There are some herbs with similar tastes, which have a different nature.  The studies of nature and taste can be rather complicated.

Spicy and Sweet

These tastes move fast, so characteristically, they belong to the yang constitution type.

Sour and Bitter

This taste moves through the body functions downward and so it reflects the yin body type.

Salty

This taste moves energy downward, so it is also the yin body type.

Bland

This offers a subtle sweet taste and belongs to the yang.

Spicy, Sweet and Bland – Combination

Distinctively yang.

Sour, Bitter and Salty

Attributes in the yin and their affect on the human body.

The four actions of herbs:

• ascending
• descending
• floating
• sinking

Yang characteristics include:

• high energy
• light
• external
• upper
• hot
• dry
• excess

Yin attributes are associated with:

• low energy
• darkness
• internal
• lower
• cold
• wet
• deficient

Common Traditional Chinese Herbs:

• American Ginseng
• Asian Ginseng
• Astragalus
• Bitter Melon
• Bupleurum
• Chinese Scullcap
• Corydalis
• Dong Quai
• Eleuthero
• Green Teas
• Licorice
• Ligustrum
• Maitake
• Reikshi
• Schisandra
• Shiitake
• Fo-ti
• Chinese Ginger
• Ginkgo Biloba

Here are some other herbs used for treatment in many different health ailments:

• Oldenlandia: clear heat/relieve toxicity – helpful in the treatment of lung and throat cancer.
• Selaginaella: clear heat/relieve toxicity – helpful in the treatment of lung and throat cancer.
• Sophora Root: clear heat/relieve toxicity – helpful in the treatment of acute lymphocytic leukemia.
• Zedoania:  invigorate the blood – helpful in the treatment of cervical cancer.
• Rhubarb Root and Rhizome: clear heat/relieve toxicity – helpful in the treatment of melanoma, breast cancer and carcinoma.
• Red Clover: may help prevent malignant tumors, particularly in breast and prostate cancer.
• Pau D’Arco, Lapacho, Taheebo: contains anti-cancer and anti-tumor properties and is used in the treatment of cancer in Central and South America.
• Mistletoe: contains anti-tumor proteins and has been proven to have antineoplastic activity.
• Cleavers: helpful in the treatment of lymphatic cancer and can be used as a diuretic; can also help reduce lymphatic drainage.
• Sweet Violet: this has a long-standing reputation as being an anti-cancer herb.  Sweet Violet can be made into a poultice to use on cancer cells.

General Information

You do your research online or check out or purchase a book on herbalism to aid in your research.  Herbology is an interesting subject, which anyone can dabble in and learn.  Herbs can be dangerous if used in the wrong manner, so make sure you either know your information well or are practicing with the aid of someone who is considered to be an expert and is well-versed in these types of practices.