Chinese Herbal Medicine (Part 2)

There are over 5,000 traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, but only about 235 are commonly used. In Japan, the national health insurance system recognizes 148 traditional Chinese medicine formulas and 118 herbs.

Below are eleven of the Chinese medicinal herbs that are commonly used in the United States today. .

1. Ginseng (Panax ginseng, ren shen). Ginseng root is highly valued as an adaptogen, which helps the body adapt to change, and thus prevent stress-related illness.

2. Tang kuei (Angelica sinensis). Tang kuei is considered as an outstanding herb for women, but in complex formulas can also be used by men to nourish the blood, improve circulation, calm nervous tension, and relieve pain.

3. Ma huang (Ephedra sinensis). Ma huang is used as a stimulant; it opens the breathing passages, relieves lung congestion, and enhances weight loss. The herb also has alkaloid components, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, which have both been made into modern drugs.

4. Licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis; gan cao). This root is used to neutralize toxins, relieve inflammation, enhance digestion, and to treat hepatitis, sore throat, muscle spasm, and other ailments. It is used in about one-third of all Chinese herbal prescriptions, and is thought to enhance the effectiveness of many herbal formulas. However, excessive consumption of this herb over an extended period of time can cause a sodium-potassium imbalance, with symptoms of fluid retention or rapid heartbeat.

5. Ginger (Zingiber officinale; shengjiang). Spicy ginger root is a wonderful aid to digestion. In addition, it neutralizes toxins in foods, increases circulation to the limbs, clears the lungs, and soothes nausea.

6. Cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia; kuei pi). Cinnamon is used to warm the body, invigorate circulation, and harmonize upper and lower body energy. In large quantities, however, it can irritate the liver, and should not be used by people with inflammatory liver disease.

7. Coptis (Coptis chinensis; huang lian). This herb is rich in alkaloids. It is used to combat infection and calm the nerves. One of its active ingredients, berberine, has broad antimicrobial activity. Coptis is closely related to the bitter American herb goldenseal.

8. Peony (Paeonia albiflora; pai shao). Peony root is used to regulate the blood. It regulates blood vessels, reduces platelet stickiness, and helps promote circulation. Peony is also often used to help balance the female hormonal system.

9. Bupleurum (Bupleurum chinense). One of the most frequently used herbs in Japanese herbal medicine, it has been used in Japan for treating liver disease, skin ailments, arthritis, menopausal symptoms, corticosteroid withdrawal, ulcers, and mental disorders.

10. Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus; huang ch'i). Probably the most commonly used herb today in China. This herb normalizes immune functions and has applications in immune deficiencies, autoimmune disease, and allergies. It is also beneficial to digestion, and to the skin, and is included in many formulas to promote the function of other herbs. Astragalus has also been used in the treatment of hepatitis and AIDS.

11. Salvia (Salvia miltiorrhiza; dan shen). Salvia is used in coronary artery disease, and in other cases where there has been damage to body tissues, including after a stroke or a traumatic injury. It is also used for chronic inflammation, infection, and degenerative diseases.

In addition, Salvia promotes circulation in the capillary beds, reduces blood pressure and cholesterol, and helps liver function.