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TCM Herbs

Principles of treatment behind every TCM herb are guided by the theories in Chinese herbal pharmacology.

Chinese herbs are divided into 4 main types according to their properties: cool, cold, hot and warm. For instance, herbs with warm or hot properties can be used to treat illnesses that are classified as cool or cold in nature, and vice versa.
Chinese herbs are also classified into 5 types of tastes based on their different features and effects: sour, bitter, sweet, pungent and salty. Chinese herbs that are bitter have a cooling property and can be used in cases of accumulated body heat due to lack of adequate rest, while pungent-tasting Chinese herbs have dispersing effects and can be used to treat the flu.
Another feature of herbs is that they are attributed to different meridians to treat different problems and illnesses efficiently.
Lastly, Chinese herbs also have both "ascending" and "descending" effects. These are used to guide the movements of the flow of Qi and blood in the body.

Use the herb finder below and reap the health benefits these natural herbs offer.

English Name | Latin Name | Chinese Name (Hanyu Pinyin)

Chinese Taxillus Herb | Herba Taxilli | 桑寄生 (Sangjisheng)

Also known as:		Mistletoe Mulberry Twig; Mulberry Mistletoe
Source:		Twig & Leaf
Property:		Neutral
Taste:		Bitter, Sweet
Channel:		Influences the liver and kidney channels.
Actions:		To reinforce the liver and the kidneys, strengthen the tendons and bones, relieve rheumatic conditions and prevent miscarriage.
Indications:		Rheumatic or rheumatoid arthralgia with aching and weakness of the lower back and knees; abnormal uterine bleeding; menorrhagia; uterine bleeding during pregnancy; threatened abortion; hypertension.

References:

State Pharmacopoeia Commission of PRC, Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China, 2005 ed.1, by People's Medical Publishing House, December 2005
Zhao Zhongzhen, An Illustrated Chinese Materia Medica in Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University, May 2004
Eu Yan Sang International Holdings Pte Ltd, The Eu Yan Sang Heritage: An Anthology of Chinese Herbs and Medicines, Eu Yan Sang International Holdings Pte Ltd, December 1998

Photo Courtesy of School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University.