Gou Qi Zi

Fructus Lycii
Class: Tonify
Subclass: Tonify the Yin
Source or related herb:

Name
Pinyin
Pharmaceutical
Botanical
Other names
Description

Gou Qi Zi
Fructus Lycii
Lycium barbarum L.
(Solanaceae)
Barbary Wolfberry Fruit.

Properties
Nature
Neutral.
Taste
Sweet.
Organ
Liver, Kidneys, Lungs.
Toxicity Non toxic.

Origin
Ningxia, Hebei, Gansu, Qinghai.
Preparation
The drug is collected in summer and autumn when
the fruit turns orange-red. After drying in the shade to
make the pericarp shrunken, the drug is exposed to
strong sun light until the exocarp is dried and hard,
and the pulp soft, removed from the fruit stalk.
Actions
Nourishes Liver and Kidneys.
Tonifies Liver and Kidneys.
Improves vision.
Moistens the Lungs.
Comparisons

Warning
Contraindications Pasty stools from Spleen
Deficiency.
Internal Heat.
High fever.
Caution
Inhibited by
Incompatible with

Note

Daily dosage
Min.
Max.
Note
5g
10 g
This table displays the minimum and maximum daily dosages of the herb administered alone or in
combination, in accordance with the recognized dosage schedule.
Proportional dosage
Min.
Max.
Avg.
n
2.00 %
19.50 % 9.05 %
37
This table displays the suggested minimum, maximum and average proportions to use when combining this
herb with other herbs in order to create a formula. Calculation of these proportional dosages is based on the
formulas that exist in the database and which contain the herb. n represents the number of dosages taken
into account. For instance, if 3 formulas (or modifications) contain the herb and that both a mininum and
maximum proportions are specified each time, then n equals 6.

Wu Wei Zi
Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis

Class: Astringent
Subclass:
Source or related herb:

Name
Pinyin
Pharmaceutical
Botanical

Other names
Description

Wu Wei Zi
Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis
Wu Wei Zi du nord : Schisandra
chinensis (Tucz.) Baill. Wu Wei
Zi du sud : Schisandra
sphenanthera Rehd. & Wils.
(Magnoliaceae)
Sheng Wu Wei Zi, Bei Wu Wei
Chinese Magnoliavine Fruit.

Properties
Nature
Warm.
Taste
Acid.
Organ
Lungs, Kidneys, Heart.
Toxicity Non toxic.

Origin
* Schisandra chinensis: Inner-Mongolia, Hebei,
Shanxi.
* Schisandra sphenanthera: Southwest China,
Changjiang river area.
Preparation
The ripe fruit is collected in autumn, washed clean,
and dried in the sun.
The fruit can also be processed with honey and
vinegar.
Actions
Strengthens the Lungs (to cure chronic cough).
Nourishes the Kidneys (to cure chronic cough).
Promotes generation of Body Fluids.
Stops sweating.
Preserves the Essence.
Stops diarrhea.
Calms the Heart.
Calms the Mind.
Comparisons

Warning
Note
Contraindications Early-stage measles and cough.
Heat excess in the Interior.
Caution
Inhibited by
Incompatible with
Daily dosage
Min.
Max.
Note
3g
6g
Powder: 1-3 g each time.
This table displays the minimum and maximum daily dosages of the herb administered alone or in
combination, in accordance with the recognized dosage schedule.
Proportional dosage
Min.
Max.
Avg.
n
0.55 %
37.00 % 11.30 % 88
This table displays the suggested minimum, maximum and average proportions to use when combining this
herb with other herbs in order to create a formula. Calculation of these proportional dosages is based on the
formulas that exist in the database and which contain the herb. n represents the number of dosages taken
into account. For instance, if 3 formulas (or modifications) contain the herb and that both a mininum and
maximum proportions are specified each time, then n equals 6.

Fu Ling
Sclerotium Poriae Cocos
Class: Promote Urination and Leach Out Dampness
Subclass:
Source or related herb:

Name
Pinyin
Pharmaceutical
Botanical
Other names
Description

Fu Ling
Sclerotium Poriae Cocos
Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf
(Polyporaceae)
Bai Fu Ling, Yun Ling
Indian Bread.

Origin
Yunnan, Anhui, Hubei, Henan, Sichuan.
Preparation
The drug is collected mostly in July to September,
removed from soil, piled up, spread, and air-dried on
the surface. Repeat this operation for several times
until wrinkles appears and the inside water
evaporated, then dried in the shade. It is known as
Fu Ling Ge. Or the fresh sclerotium is cut and dried
in the air. According to the cut portions, and known as
Fu Ling Pi and Fu Ling Kuai, respectively.

Properties
Nature
Neutral.
Taste
Sweet, insipid.
Organ
Lungs, Spleen, Heart, Bladder.
Toxicity Non toxic.

Actions
Eliminates Water.
Strengthens the Spleen.
Calms the Mind.

Warning
Contraindications Copious and frequent urination
due to Cold from Deficiency.
Prolapse.
Caution
Inhibited by
Incompatible with

Note

Comparisons

Daily dosage
Min.
Max.
Note
10 g
15 g
This table displays the minimum and maximum daily dosages of the herb administered alone or in
combination, in accordance with the recognized dosage schedule.
Proportional dosage
Min.
Max.
Avg.
n
0.30 %
73.00 % 13.83 % 248
This table displays the suggested minimum, maximum and average proportions to use when combining this
herb with other herbs in order to create a formula. Calculation of these proportional dosages is based on the
formulas that exist in the database and which contain the herb. n represents the number of dosages taken
into account. For instance, if 3 formulas (or modifications) contain the herb and that both a mininum and
maximum proportions are specified each time, then n equals 6.

Da Zao
Fructus Jujubae
Class: Tonify
Subclass: Tonify the Qi
Source or related herb:

Name
Pinyin

Da Zao

Origin
Henan, Hebei, Shandong, Shaanxi.

Pharmaceutical
Botanical
Other names
Description

Fructus Jujubae
Ziziphus jujuba Mill.
(Rhamnaceae)
Hei Zao
Black jujube.

Properties
Nature
Warm.
Taste
Sweet.
Organ
Spleen, Stomach.
Toxicity Non toxic.

Preparation
The drug is collected in autumn when ripe, and dried
in the sun.

Actions
Tonifies the Middle.
Strengthens Qi.
Nourishes Blood.
Calms the Mind.
Regulates the nature of other drugs.
Comparisons

Warning
Contraindications Bloating or sensation of
abdominal and epigastric
distension.Accumulation of food
or parasites.Cough due to hot
Phlegm.Toothache.Bloating.
Caution
Inhibited by
Incompatible with

Note

Daily dosage
Min.
Max.
Note
10 g
30 g
3-12 pieces (10-30 g).
This table displays the minimum and maximum daily dosages of the herb administered alone or in
combination, in accordance with the recognized dosage schedule.
Proportional dosage
Min.
Max.
Avg.
n
1.50 %
50.00 % 8.96 %
127
This table displays the suggested minimum, maximum and average proportions to use when combining this
herb with other herbs in order to create a formula. Calculation of these proportional dosages is based on the
formulas that exist in the database and which contain the herb. n represents the number of dosages taken
into account. For instance, if 3 formulas (or modifications) contain the herb and that both a mininum and
maximum proportions are specified each time, then n equals 6.

Gan Cao
Radix Glycyrrhizae Uralensis
Class: Tonify
Subclass: Tonify the Qi
Source or related herb:

Name
Pinyin
Pharmaceutical
Botanical

Gan Cao
Radix Glycyrrhizae Uralensis
Glycyrrhiza uralensis
Fisch.,Glycyrrhiza inflata

Origin
Mongolia, Shanxi, Gansu, Xinjiang.
Preparation
The roots are collected in spring and autumn,

Other names
Description

Bat.,Glycyrrhiza glabra L.
(Leguminosae)
Sheng Gan Cao
Licorice Root.

Properties
Nature
Neutral.
Taste
Sweet.
Organ
Heart, Lungs, Spleen, Stomach.
Toxicity Non toxic.

removed from rootlet, and dried in the sun for use.

The roots can also be processed with honey.

Actions
Tonifies the Spleen.
Benefits the Qi.
Moistens the Lungs.
Calms cough.
Calms deaf or acute pain.
Regulates the nature of other drugs.
Comparisons

Warning
Note
Contraindications Dampness with a sensation of
fullness, bloating of the
abdomen and chest, and
vomiting.
Caution
Overuse and long-term use may
cause edema.
Inhibited by
Incompatible with Gan Sui
Da Ji (Radix Euphorbiae seu
Knoxiae)
Hai Zao
Yuan Hua
Daily dosage
Min.
Max.
Note
2g
10 g
This table displays the minimum and maximum daily dosages of the herb administered alone or in
combination, in accordance with the recognized dosage schedule.
Proportional dosage
Min.
Max.
Avg.
n
0.30 %
47.00 % 8.87 %
226
This table displays the suggested minimum, maximum and average proportions to use when combining this
herb with other herbs in order to create a formula. Calculation of these proportional dosages is based on the
formulas that exist in the database and which contain the herb. n represents the number of dosages taken
into account. For instance, if 3 formulas (or modifications) contain the herb and that both a mininum and
maximum proportions are specified each time, then n equals 6.

Huang Qi
Radix Astragali Membranacei
Class: Tonify
Subclass: Tonify the Qi
Source or related herb:

Name
Pinyin
Pharmaceutical
Botanical

Huang Qi
Radix Astragali Membranacei
Astragalus membranaceus
(Fisch.) Bge.,Astragalus
mongholicus (Bge.)

Origin
* Astragalus membranaceus: Shanxi, Mongolia,
Heilongjiang, Gansu.
* Astragalus mongholicus: Mongolia, Jilin, Hebei,
Shanxi.

Other names
Description

(Leguminosae)
Sheng Huang Qi, Sheng Huang
Qi, Sheng Jian Qi, Huang Qi
(Bei)
Milkvetch Root.

Properties
Nature
Slightly warm.
Taste
Sweet.
Organ
Spleen, Lungs.
Toxicity Non toxic.

Preparation
The four year old roots are gathered in spring or
autumn, but autumn ones are of better quality. After
the fibrous roots have been removed, the roots are
dried in the sun, soaked again in water, and cut into
slices.
The drug can also be processed.
Actions
Tonifies Qi.
Raises Yang.
Strengthens the Defensive-Qi.
Strengthens the Exterior.
Expels toxins.
Promotes healing cicatrizant polymer.
Diuretic.
Resolves oedema.
Comparisons
Ren Shen nourishes Yin while tonifying Qi (Qi
deficiency conditions).

Warning
Contraindications Yin Deficiency and ascendant
Yang.Poor digestion or
indigestion.Stagnant Qi and
Dampness.Excess in the
Exterior.Early-stage abscess.
Caution
Inhibited by
Incompatible with

Note

Daily dosage
Min.
Max.
Note
15 g
30 g
Large doses: 30-60 g (never exceed).
This table displays the minimum and maximum daily dosages of the herb administered alone or in
combination, in accordance with the recognized dosage schedule.
Proportional dosage
Min.
Max.
Avg.
n
0.50 %
120.00 % 17.33 % 118
This table displays the suggested minimum, maximum and average proportions to use when combining this
herb with other herbs in order to create a formula. Calculation of these proportional dosages is based on the
formulas that exist in the database and which contain the herb. n represents the number of dosages taken
into account. For instance, if 3 formulas (or modifications) contain the herb and that both a mininum and
maximum proportions are specified each time, then n equals 6.

Bai Zhu
Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae
Class: Tonify
Subclass: Tonify the Qi
Source or related herb:

Name
Pinyin
Pharmaceutical

Bai Zhu
Rhizoma Atractylodis

Origin
Zhejiang, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Fujian, Anhui.

Botanical
Other names
Description

Macrocephalae
Atractylodes macrocephala
Koidzumi (Compositae)
Sheng Bai Zhu
Largehead Atractylodes
Rhizome.

Properties
Nature
Warm.
Taste
Bitter, sweet.
Organ
Spleen, Stomach.
Toxicity Non toxic.

Preparation
The drug is collected in winter while the lower leaf of
the plant turns yellow and the upper leaf becomes
fragile, removed from soil, baked or sunned to
dryness, and then removed from fibrous root.
The drug can also be simple stir-fried, or processed
with terra (stir-fry the slices of Rhizoma Atractylodis
Macrocephalae with fine powders of Terra Flova Usta
until the outer surface ashen, and sift).
Actions
Tonifies Qi.
Strengthens the Spleen.
Dries Dampness.
Diuretic.
Stops sweating.
Prevents miscarriage.
Comparisons
Cang Zhu strengthens the Spleen and clears
Dampness.
Shan Yao is more effective to nourish Lungs and
Kidneys; also tonifies Yin of the Stomach and
Spleen.

Warning
Note
Contraindications Dryness, thirst, and injury to the
Fluids.
Internal Heat from Yin
Deficiency.
Dampness in the Middle Burner.
Caution
Inhibited by
Incompatible with
Daily dosage
Min.
Max.
Note
5g
10 g
This table displays the minimum and maximum daily dosages of the herb administered alone or in
combination, in accordance with the recognized dosage schedule.
Proportional dosage
Min.
Max.
Avg.
n
0.50 %
66.50 % 14.34 % 163
This table displays the suggested minimum, maximum and average proportions to use when combining this
herb with other herbs in order to create a formula. Calculation of these proportional dosages is based on the
formulas that exist in the database and which contain the herb. n represents the number of dosages taken
into account. For instance, if 3 formulas (or modifications) contain the herb and that both a mininum and
maximum proportions are specified each time, then n equals 6.