Chinese herb directory
The following directory provides individual profiles for 179 of the most important and widely prescribed herbs in Chinese herbal medicine. Each page covers the herb’s TCM properties (nature, flavour and channels), principal actions and indications, the key classical formulas in which it appears, modern pharmacological research, and clinical cautions.
Chinese herbs are never prescribed individually — they are always combined into precisely balanced formulas tailored to each patient’s individual TCM pattern. To see the classical formulas that combine these herbs into complete prescriptions, visit the Chinese herbal medicine formula directory.
I am Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto, a member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM) with over 25 years of clinical experience. I prescribe pharmaceutical-grade herbal granules from Sun Ten in Taiwan. Online consultations are available for patients throughout the UK and internationally.
Browse herbs A–Z
Bai Shao — White Peony Root (Paeonia lactiflora)
Bai Bu — Stemona Root (Stemona sessilifolia)
Bai Guo — Ginkgo biloba seed (Ginkgo biloba)
Bai Jiang Cao — Patrinia Herb (Patrinia scabiosaefolia)
Bai Mao Gen — Woolly Grass Rhizome (Imperata cylindrica)
Ba Ji Tian — Morinda Root (Morinda officinalis)
Bai He — Lily Bulb (Lilium brownii)
Bai Zhu — White Atractylodes (Atractylodes macrocephala)
Ban Lan Gen — Isatis Root (Isatis tinctoria)
Ban Xia — Pinellia Rhizome (Pinellia ternata)
Bo He — Chinese Peppermint (Mentha haplocalyx)
Bai Tou Weng — Pulsatilla Root (Pulsatilla chinensis)
Bai Jie Zi — White Mustard Seed (Sinapis alba)
Bu Gu Zhi — Psoralea Fruit (Cullen corylifolium)
Bai Dou Kou — Round Cardamom (Amomum kravanh)
Bai Hua She She Cao — Hedyotis (Hedyotis diffusa)
Bai Wei — Cynanchum Root (Cynanchum atratum)
Bai Xian Pi — Dictamnus Root Bark (Dictamnus dasycarpus)
Bai Bian Dou — White Hyacinth Bean (Lablab purpureus)
Bi Ba — Long Pepper (Piper longum)
Bai Bu — Stemona Root (Stemona sessilifolia)
Bai Guo — Ginkgo biloba seed (Ginkgo biloba)
Bai Jiang Cao — Patrinia Herb (Patrinia scabiosaefolia)
Bai Mao Gen — Woolly Grass Rhizome (Imperata cylindrica)
Ba Ji Tian — Morinda Root (Morinda officinalis)
Bai He — Lily Bulb (Lilium brownii)
Bai Zhu — White Atractylodes (Atractylodes macrocephala)
Ban Lan Gen — Isatis Root (Isatis tinctoria)
Ban Xia — Pinellia Rhizome (Pinellia ternata)
Bo He — Chinese Peppermint (Mentha haplocalyx)
Bai Tou Weng — Pulsatilla Root (Pulsatilla chinensis)
Bai Jie Zi — White Mustard Seed (Sinapis alba)
Bu Gu Zhi — Psoralea Fruit (Cullen corylifolium)
Bai Dou Kou — Round Cardamom (Amomum kravanh)
Bai Hua She She Cao — Hedyotis (Hedyotis diffusa)
Bai Wei — Cynanchum Root (Cynanchum atratum)
Bai Xian Pi — Dictamnus Root Bark (Dictamnus dasycarpus)
Bai Bian Dou — White Hyacinth Bean (Lablab purpureus)
Bi Ba — Long Pepper (Piper longum)
Ce Bai Ye — Biota Leaf (Platycladus orientalis)
Che Qian Zi — Plantain Seed (Plantago asiatica)
Chuan Bei Mu — Fritillary Bulb (Fritillaria cirrhosa)
Chai Hu — Bupleurum Root (Bupleurum chinense)
Chen Pi — Aged Tangerine Peel (Citrus reticulata)
Chi Shao — Red Peony Root (Paeonia lactiflora)
Chuan Xiong — Sichuan Lovage Root (Ligusticum chuanxiong)
Cao Dou Kou — Grass Cardamom Seed (Alpinia katsumadai)
Chuan Jiao — Sichuan Pepper (Zanthoxylum bungeanum)
Chuan Lian Zi — Sichuan Chinaberry Fruit (Melia toosendan)
Che Qian Zi — Plantain Seed (Plantago asiatica)
Chuan Bei Mu — Fritillary Bulb (Fritillaria cirrhosa)
Chai Hu — Bupleurum Root (Bupleurum chinense)
Chen Pi — Aged Tangerine Peel (Citrus reticulata)
Chi Shao — Red Peony Root (Paeonia lactiflora)
Chuan Xiong — Sichuan Lovage Root (Ligusticum chuanxiong)
Cao Dou Kou — Grass Cardamom Seed (Alpinia katsumadai)
Chuan Jiao — Sichuan Pepper (Zanthoxylum bungeanum)
Chuan Lian Zi — Sichuan Chinaberry Fruit (Melia toosendan)
Da Zao — Chinese Date (Ziziphus jujuba)
Dan Shen — Red Sage Root (Salvia miltiorrhiza)
Dang Shen — Codonopsis Root (Codonopsis pilosula)
Dang Gui — Chinese Angelica Root / Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis)
Di Yu — Garden Burnet Root (Sanguisorba officinalis)
Du Huo — Pubescent Angelica Root (Angelica pubescens)
Du Zhong — Eucommia Bark (Eucommia ulmoides)
Dan Dou Chi — Prepared Soybean (Glycine max)
Dan Zhu Ye — Lophatherum (Lophatherum gracile)
Deng Xin Cao — Juncus / Rush Pith (Juncus effusus)
Dong Chong Xia Cao — Cordyceps (Ophiocordyceps sinensis)
Ding Xiang — Clove Flower Bud (Syzygium aromaticum)
Dan Shen — Red Sage Root (Salvia miltiorrhiza)
Dang Shen — Codonopsis Root (Codonopsis pilosula)
Dang Gui — Chinese Angelica Root / Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis)
Di Yu — Garden Burnet Root (Sanguisorba officinalis)
Du Huo — Pubescent Angelica Root (Angelica pubescens)
Du Zhong — Eucommia Bark (Eucommia ulmoides)
Dan Dou Chi — Prepared Soybean (Glycine max)
Dan Zhu Ye — Lophatherum (Lophatherum gracile)
Deng Xin Cao — Juncus / Rush Pith (Juncus effusus)
Dong Chong Xia Cao — Cordyceps (Ophiocordyceps sinensis)
Ding Xiang — Clove Flower Bud (Syzygium aromaticum)
Gan Cao — Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza uralensis)
Gan Jiang — Dried Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Ginseng — Panax Ginseng Root / Rén Shēn (Panax ginseng)
Gou Qi Zi — Goji Berry / Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum)
Gou Teng — Gambir Stem (Uncaria rhynchophylla)
Gui Zhi — Cinnamon Twig (Cinnamomum cassia)
Ge Gen — Kudzu Root (Pueraria lobata)
Gua Lou — Trichosanthes Fruit (Trichosanthes kirilowii)
Gu Sui Bu — Drynaria Rhizome (Drynaria fortunei)
Gao Liang Jiang — Lesser Galangal Rhizome (Alpinia officinarum)
Gan Jiang — Dried Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Ginseng — Panax Ginseng Root / Rén Shēn (Panax ginseng)
Gou Qi Zi — Goji Berry / Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum)
Gou Teng — Gambir Stem (Uncaria rhynchophylla)
Gui Zhi — Cinnamon Twig (Cinnamomum cassia)
Ge Gen — Kudzu Root (Pueraria lobata)
Gua Lou — Trichosanthes Fruit (Trichosanthes kirilowii)
Gu Sui Bu — Drynaria Rhizome (Drynaria fortunei)
Gao Liang Jiang — Lesser Galangal Rhizome (Alpinia officinarum)
He Shou Wu — Fo-Ti Root (Polygonum multiflorum)
Hong Hua — Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius)
Hu Zhang — Japanese Knotweed Root (Reynoutria japonica)
Huang Bai — Phellodendron Bark (Phellodendron chinense)
Huang Jing — Solomon’s Seal Rhizome (Polygonatum sibiricum)
Huang Qin — Skullcap Root (Scutellaria baicalensis)
Huang Lian — Coptis Rhizome / Goldthread (Coptis chinensis)
Huang Qi — Astragalus Root (Astragalus membranaceus)
Huai Hua — Sophora Flower (Styphnolobium japonicum)
Huo Xiang — Agastache / Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin)
Huo Ma Ren — Hemp Seed (Cannabis sativa)
Han Lian Cao — Eclipta (Eclipta prostrata)
He Huan Pi — Mimosa Tree Bark (Albizia julibrissin)
Hong Jing Tian — Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea)
Hong Hua — Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius)
Hu Zhang — Japanese Knotweed Root (Reynoutria japonica)
Huang Bai — Phellodendron Bark (Phellodendron chinense)
Huang Jing — Solomon’s Seal Rhizome (Polygonatum sibiricum)
Huang Qin — Skullcap Root (Scutellaria baicalensis)
Huang Lian — Coptis Rhizome / Goldthread (Coptis chinensis)
Huang Qi — Astragalus Root (Astragalus membranaceus)
Huai Hua — Sophora Flower (Styphnolobium japonicum)
Huo Xiang — Agastache / Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin)
Huo Ma Ren — Hemp Seed (Cannabis sativa)
Han Lian Cao — Eclipta (Eclipta prostrata)
He Huan Pi — Mimosa Tree Bark (Albizia julibrissin)
Hong Jing Tian — Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea)
Jie Geng — Platycodon Root (Platycodon grandiflorum)
Jin Yin Hua — Honeysuckle Flower (Lonicera japonica)
Ju Hua — Chrysanthemum Flower (Chrysanthemum morifolium)
Jue Ming Zi — Cassia Seed (Cassia obtusifolia)
Ji Li — Tribulus Fruit (Tribulus terrestris)
Jiang Huang — Turmeric Rhizome (Curcuma longa)
Jing Jie — Schizonepeta (Schizonepeta tenuifolia)
Ji Nei Jin — Chicken Gizzard Lining (Endothelium Corneum Gigeriae Galli)
Jin Yin Hua — Honeysuckle Flower (Lonicera japonica)
Ju Hua — Chrysanthemum Flower (Chrysanthemum morifolium)
Jue Ming Zi — Cassia Seed (Cassia obtusifolia)
Ji Li — Tribulus Fruit (Tribulus terrestris)
Jiang Huang — Turmeric Rhizome (Curcuma longa)
Jing Jie — Schizonepeta (Schizonepeta tenuifolia)
Ji Nei Jin — Chicken Gizzard Lining (Endothelium Corneum Gigeriae Galli)
Lian Qiao — Forsythia Fruit (Forsythia suspensa)
Lai Fu Zi — Radish Seed (Raphanus sativus)
Lian Zi — Lotus Seed (Nelumbo nucifera)
Ling Xiao Hua — Campsis Flower (Campsis grandiflora)
Long Yan Rou — Longan Fruit (Dimocarpus longan)
Long Dan Cao — Gentian Root (Gentiana scabra)
Long Gu — Dragon Bone (fossilised bone)
Lu Gen — Reed Rhizome (Phragmites communis)
Lai Fu Zi — Radish Seed (Raphanus sativus)
Lian Zi — Lotus Seed (Nelumbo nucifera)
Ling Xiao Hua — Campsis Flower (Campsis grandiflora)
Long Yan Rou — Longan Fruit (Dimocarpus longan)
Long Dan Cao — Gentian Root (Gentiana scabra)
Long Gu — Dragon Bone (fossilised bone)
Lu Gen — Reed Rhizome (Phragmites communis)
Mai Men Dong — Ophiopogon Tuber / Lilyturf Root (Ophiopogon japonicus)
Mai Ya — Germinated Barley (Hordeum vulgare)
Mu Dan Pi — Tree Peony Root Bark / Moutan (Paeonia suffruticosa)
Mu Gua — Chinese Quince Fruit (Chaenomeles speciosa)
Mu Xiang — Costus Root (Aucklandia lappa)
Mu Li — Oyster Shell (Ostrea gigas)
Ma Huang — Ephedra (Ephedra sinica)
Mo Yao — Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha)
Mai Ya — Germinated Barley (Hordeum vulgare)
Mu Dan Pi — Tree Peony Root Bark / Moutan (Paeonia suffruticosa)
Mu Gua — Chinese Quince Fruit (Chaenomeles speciosa)
Mu Xiang — Costus Root (Aucklandia lappa)
Mu Li — Oyster Shell (Ostrea gigas)
Ma Huang — Ephedra (Ephedra sinica)
Mo Yao — Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha)
Sang Ye — Mulberry Leaf (Morus alba)
San Qi — Notoginseng Root (Panax notoginseng)
Sang Ji Sheng — Mulberry Mistletoe (Taxillus chinensis)
Shen Qu — Medicated Leaven (Massa fermentata medicinalis)
Shan Yao — Chinese Yam (Dioscorea opposita)
Shan Zha — Hawthorn Berry (Crataegus pinnatifida)
Shan Zhu Yu — Asiatic Cornelian Cherry Fruit (Cornus officinalis)
Sheng Di Huang — Raw Rehmannia Root (Rehmannia glutinosa)
Sheng Jiang — Fresh Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Shu Di Huang — Prepared Rehmannia Root (Rehmannia glutinosa)
Suan Zao Ren — Sour Jujube Seed (Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa)
San Leng — Sparganium Rhizome (Sparganium stoloniferum)
Sang Bai Pi — Mulberry Root Bark (Morus alba)
Sha Shen — Glehnia / Adenophora Root (Glehnia littoralis)
Sheng Ma — Cimicifuga Rhizome (Cimicifuga foetida)
Shi Chang Pu — Acorus Rhizome (Acorus tatarinowii)
San Qi — Notoginseng Root (Panax notoginseng)
Sang Ji Sheng — Mulberry Mistletoe (Taxillus chinensis)
Shen Qu — Medicated Leaven (Massa fermentata medicinalis)
Shan Yao — Chinese Yam (Dioscorea opposita)
Shan Zha — Hawthorn Berry (Crataegus pinnatifida)
Shan Zhu Yu — Asiatic Cornelian Cherry Fruit (Cornus officinalis)
Sheng Di Huang — Raw Rehmannia Root (Rehmannia glutinosa)
Sheng Jiang — Fresh Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Shu Di Huang — Prepared Rehmannia Root (Rehmannia glutinosa)
Suan Zao Ren — Sour Jujube Seed (Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa)
San Leng — Sparganium Rhizome (Sparganium stoloniferum)
Sang Bai Pi — Mulberry Root Bark (Morus alba)
Sha Shen — Glehnia / Adenophora Root (Glehnia littoralis)
Sheng Ma — Cimicifuga Rhizome (Cimicifuga foetida)
Shi Chang Pu — Acorus Rhizome (Acorus tatarinowii)
Tian Ma — Gastrodia Rhizome (Gastrodia elata)
Tian Men Dong — Asparagus Tuber (Asparagus cochinchinensis)
Tao Ren — Peach Kernel / Peach Seed (Prunus persica)
Tu Si Zi — Dodder Seed / Cuscuta (Cuscuta chinensis)
Tai Zi Shen — Pseudostellaria Root (Pseudostellaria heterophylla)
Tian Hua Fen — Trichosanthes Root (Trichosanthes kirilowii)
Tian Men Dong — Asparagus Tuber (Asparagus cochinchinensis)
Tao Ren — Peach Kernel / Peach Seed (Prunus persica)
Tu Si Zi — Dodder Seed / Cuscuta (Cuscuta chinensis)
Tai Zi Shen — Pseudostellaria Root (Pseudostellaria heterophylla)
Tian Hua Fen — Trichosanthes Root (Trichosanthes kirilowii)
Wu Yao — Lindera Root (Lindera aggregata)
Wu Zhu Yu — Evodia Fruit (Tetradium ruticarpum)
Wu Wei Zi — Schisandra Berry / Five Flavour Fruit (Schisandra chinensis)
Wang Bu Liu Xing — Vaccaria Seed (Vaccaria segetalis)
Wu Bei Zi — Chinese Gall (Galla chinensis)
Wu Mei — Mume Plum / Smoked Plum (Prunus mume)
Wu Zhu Yu — Evodia Fruit (Tetradium ruticarpum)
Wu Wei Zi — Schisandra Berry / Five Flavour Fruit (Schisandra chinensis)
Wang Bu Liu Xing — Vaccaria Seed (Vaccaria segetalis)
Wu Bei Zi — Chinese Gall (Galla chinensis)
Wu Mei — Mume Plum / Smoked Plum (Prunus mume)
Xiang Fu — Nutgrass Rhizome / Cyperus (Cyperus rotundus)
Xing Ren — Apricot Kernel (Prunus armeniaca)
Xu Duan — Teasel Root (Dipsacus asper)
Xi Xin — Asarum (Asarum sieboldii)
Xia Ku Cao — Self-Heal Spike (Prunella vulgaris)
Xi Yang Shen — American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius)
Xuan Shen — Scrophularia Root (Scrophularia ningpoensis)
Xing Ren — Apricot Kernel (Prunus armeniaca)
Xu Duan — Teasel Root (Dipsacus asper)
Xi Xin — Asarum (Asarum sieboldii)
Xia Ku Cao — Self-Heal Spike (Prunella vulgaris)
Xi Yang Shen — American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius)
Xuan Shen — Scrophularia Root (Scrophularia ningpoensis)
Yi Zhi Ren — Black Cardamom Fruit (Alpinia oxyphylla)
Yi Mu Cao — Chinese Motherwort / Leonurus (Leonurus japonicus)
Yi Yi Ren — Job's Tears Seed (Coix lacryma-jobi)
Yin Yang Huo — Epimedium / Horny Goat Weed (Epimedium brevicornu)
Yuan Zhi — Polygala Root (Polygala tenuifolia)
Yu Zhu — Solomon’s Seal Rhizome (Polygonatum odoratum)
Yan Hu Suo — Corydalis Rhizome (Corydalis yanhusuo)
Yin Chai Hu — Stellaria Root (Stellaria dichotoma)
Yu Xing Cao — Houttuynia (Houttuynia cordata)
Yi Mu Cao — Chinese Motherwort / Leonurus (Leonurus japonicus)
Yi Yi Ren — Job's Tears Seed (Coix lacryma-jobi)
Yin Yang Huo — Epimedium / Horny Goat Weed (Epimedium brevicornu)
Yuan Zhi — Polygala Root (Polygala tenuifolia)
Yu Zhu — Solomon’s Seal Rhizome (Polygonatum odoratum)
Yan Hu Suo — Corydalis Rhizome (Corydalis yanhusuo)
Yin Chai Hu — Stellaria Root (Stellaria dichotoma)
Yu Xing Cao — Houttuynia (Houttuynia cordata)
Zao Jiao Ci — Gleditsia Spine (Gleditsia sinensis)
Ze Lan — Bugleweed (Lycopus lucidus)
Ze Xie — Water Plantain Rhizome / Alisma (Alisma plantago-aquatica)
Zhi Ke — Bitter Orange Fruit (Citrus aurantium)
Zi Su Ye — Perilla Leaf (Perilla frutescens)
Zhi Mu — Anemarrhena Rhizome (Anemarrhena asphodeloides)
Zi Wan — Aster Root (Aster tataricus)
Zhi Zi — Gardenia Fruit (Gardenia jasminoides)
Zhu Ru — Bamboo Shavings (Phyllostachys nigra)
Zhe Bei Mu — Zhejiang Fritillary (Fritillaria thunbergii)
Zhi Shi — Immature Bitter Orange (Citrus aurantium)
Ze Lan — Bugleweed (Lycopus lucidus)
Ze Xie — Water Plantain Rhizome / Alisma (Alisma plantago-aquatica)
Zhi Ke — Bitter Orange Fruit (Citrus aurantium)
Zi Su Ye — Perilla Leaf (Perilla frutescens)
Zhi Mu — Anemarrhena Rhizome (Anemarrhena asphodeloides)
Zi Wan — Aster Root (Aster tataricus)
Zhi Zi — Gardenia Fruit (Gardenia jasminoides)
Zhu Ru — Bamboo Shavings (Phyllostachys nigra)
Zhe Bei Mu — Zhejiang Fritillary (Fritillaria thunbergii)
Zhi Shi — Immature Bitter Orange (Citrus aurantium)
