What Types of Herbs Are Included in Traditional Chinese Medicine?

Chinese herbal medicine typically includes diaphoretic herbs, heat-clearing herbs, laxatives, warming and tonifying herbs, and tonic herbs. Oral administration of these herbs should be guided by a doctor. Here is a breakdown of the various types:

1. Diaphoretic Herbs

Common diaphoretic herbs include Pinellia ternata, ginger, perilla, and cinnamon twig. These herbs promote sweating and dispel exterior wind-cold, thus helping to treat cold symptoms.

2. Heat-Clearing Herbs

Common heat-clearing herbs include Coptis chinensis, Scutellaria baicalensis, and Isatis indigotica. These herbs have a clearing and detoxifying effect, helping to treat symptoms of wind-heat and blood heat.

3. Laxatives

Laxatives are herbs that lubricate the intestines and promote bowel movements, aiding in the management of constipation and bloating symptoms. Common laxatives include rhubarb, senna leaf, aloe vera, and mirabilite.

4. Warming and Tonifying Herbs

Warming and tonifying herbs warm the middle and dispel cold, suitable for those with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold. They can help improve symptoms such as stomach pain, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Common examples include dried ginger, radix aconiti lateralis preparata, and cinnamon bark.

5. Tonic Herbs

Tonic herbs, such as ginseng, astragalus, atractylodes macrocephala, and angelica sinensis, are commonly used to enrich blood, tonify qi, nourish organs, and harmonize yin and yang. They assist in improving symptoms of qi and blood deficiency.

During medication, it is important to maintain a bland diet and avoid cold, raw, and spicy foods like chilled watermelon and spicy crayfish to ensure the effectiveness of the herbs is not compromised.