What are the Types of Herbal Medicines and What Are Their Effects and Benefits?

Chinese medicine relies on a diverse range of herbal ingredients, many of which are commonly found in our daily lives, such as licorice, astragalus, goji berries, and tangerine peel. Each herb possesses unique properties and effects, some are used independently, while others are combined with other herbs for synergistic effects. When utilizing these herbal ingredients, it is advisable to have a basic understanding of their functions and benefits.

1. Tangerine Peel: It regulates qi, resolves stagnation, soothes the lungs and clears mucus, and harmonizes the five viscera. Tangerine peel can also be used as a seasoning in soups, especially greasy or bean-based soups, to aid in digestion and disperse stagnation.

2. Eucommia: It strengthens the waist, nourishes the kidneys, and stabilizes kidney function. A recommended recipe is Peanut Eucommia Ox Tail Soup, which nourishes the blood, benefits the kidneys, and strengthens bones and muscles.

3. Panax Notoginseng: Also known as Tianqi, it is a type of ginseng with nourishing properties. Traditionally used for treating injuries, it also promotes blood circulation and resolves blood stasis. Given the increasing prevalence of coronary heart disease, Tianqi is commonly used in soups to aid in its management.

4. Andrographis Paniculata: It has a bitter taste and cold nature, affecting the heart, lungs, stomach, and bladder meridians. It clears heat, detoxifies, resolves dampness, and reduces swelling. It is suitable for reducing fire and eliminating dryness, and can be used to treat acute bacillary dysentery, gastroenteritis, colds, meningitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, whooping cough, tuberculosis, lung abscess, cholecystitis, hypertension, epistaxis, sore throat, abscesses, burns, and snakebites.

5. Angelica Sinensis Powder: Angelica sinensis is a perennial herb, with its roots being the medicinal part. Mainly produced in Sichuan, Gansu, Shaanxi, Yunnan, and Hubei provinces in China, it is known for its sweet and heavy taste, which makes it effective in replenishing blood. Its light and pungent aroma allows it to promote blood circulation. It is commonly used to treat women's menstrual disorders, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea due to blood deficiency, pallor, weakness, anemia, uterine bleeding, postpartum blood stasis, and nasal bleeding during menstruation.

1. Supplementation of Essential Trace Elements: Trace elements serve as cofactors for enzymes and participate in various metabolic processes. Deficiencies in these elements can lead to various diseases and accelerate aging. Herbal medicine is rich in trace elements essential for human health. Herbs like eucommia, polygonum multiflorum, ginseng, schisandra, and yam are rich in zinc, while astragalus and human milk contain selenium. Deerhorn, rehmannia, asarum, and angelica sinensis are rich in iron, and atractylodes, alisma, and cinnamon contain manganese. Honey contains 47 types of trace elements.

2. Enhancement of Human Immune Function: The immune system plays a crucial role in maintaining the stability of the internal environment. When immune function declines, various diseases can occur. Herbs such as shiitake mushrooms, lily bulbs, polygonatum odoratum, and goji berries can increase the number of peripheral blood lymphocytes. Herbs like epimedium, codonopsis, pangolin scales, and cordyceps sinensis can enhance cellular immune function. Rehmannia can strengthen the phagocytic ability of the body's macrophages. Ginseng has a bidirectional regulatory effect on the central nervous system, improving brain function, delaying brain aging, and enhancing the body's resistance to diseases. Jujube can strengthen the spleen and suppress immune responses. Research suggests that herbs that tonify the kidneys, spleen, and qi-blood mostly have immunomodulatory effects.