Indicated for carbuncles and swellings. Also known as Shugan (Rat Liver). Leaves are smooth, greenish-white.
Pungent in flavor, non-toxic. Indicated for traumatic injuries caused by metal weapons.
Sweet in flavor, non-toxic. Indicated for severe Bi-syndrome (obstruction syndrome) with swelling. Grows in river marshes, resembling Puhuang (Cattail Pollen), leaves like Mustard greens.
Sweet in flavor, non-toxic. Indicated for blood stasis, stops seminal emission, calms excessive Qi. Also known as Heicao (Black Grass). Grows in mountain valleys, resembling Gualou (Trichosanthes Fruit).
Pungent in flavor, neutral in nature, non-toxic. Indicated for Bi-Qi (obstructive Qi), strengthens Yin, treats facial Laoju (labor-induced carbuncle), relieves vexation, strengthens sinews and bones, treats head wind disorders. Can be used as a hair-washing medicine. Grows on climbing woody plants. Also known as Luying (Deer Flower). Harvested in the ninth lunar month, dried in shade.
Salty in flavor, non-toxic. Indicated for regulating the Heart, treating insufficient Heart Qi.
Sweet in flavor, toxic. Indicated for scabies, nourishes muscles, removes foul flesh, harvested on the Summer Solstice.
Bitter in flavor, non-toxic. Indicated for overflowing Qi and vessels. Another name is Qinhua (Celery Flower).
Sweet in flavor, non-toxic. Indicated for rebellious Qi, relieves vexation, strengthens sinews and bones.
Bitter in flavor. Indicated for Water-Qi (fluid retention), removes Red Worms (intestinal parasites), improves complexion. Cannot be taken for a long time. Harvested when sprouting in spring.
Bitter in flavor, non-toxic. Indicated for internal injury, Wei-Bi (flaccidity and obstruction) and overflow-type swelling. Bark: Indicated for Guest-Heat Qi in the Spleen. Also known as ShanJie, Dajie, Tongqi. Harvested in the tenth lunar month, sun-dried.
Indicated for tonifying Qi, lightening the body, and prolonging life. Grows on the shady side of Mount Tai, resembling small plums, fruits are green, seedless, eaten when ripe.
Bitter in flavor, fragrant, warm in nature, non-toxic. Indicated for Wind-Xuan pain (vertigo/pain). Can be used as a hair-washing medicine. Harvested in the seventh lunar month and dried in shade; fruits resemble peaches.
Pungent in flavor, neutral in nature, non-toxic. Relieves mental restlessness, stops sore pain. Grows in Liaodong.
Sweet in flavor, neutral in nature, non-toxic. Indicated for shortness of Qi, relieves vexation. Grows in hills and valleys, leaves like Nai (Apple/Pear), fruits red with three seeds.
Sweet in flavor, non-toxic. Indicated for tonifying Qi. Grows in mountains, leaves like White Poplar, fruits in the third lunar month, ripens red in the tenth lunar month, edible.
Sweet in flavor, cold in nature, non-toxic. Indicated for retained fluid under the hypochondrium, uneven Stomach Qi, clears heat, resembles Ruihe (Prunus Seed). Harvested in the fifth lunar month, dried in shade.
Flowers: treat deficiency; Seeds: treat internal injury; Roots: treat rebellious Qi in the heart and abdomen, stop thirst. Harvested in the tenth lunar month.
Bitter in flavor. Treats edema, carbuncles and swellings of the body and face. Harvested in the fifth lunar month.
Bitter in flavor. Stops XiaoKe (wasting-thirst), removes White Worms, tonifies Qi. Grows in Jiangnan, leaves like pine needles with thorns, fruits reddish-yellow. Harvested in the tenth lunar month.