Herb Encyclopedia

Pinyin: Dāng Guī

Dong Quai is a perennial herb in the celery/carrot family with white flowers and a large, aromatic root. It is the most important women's herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine, often called the "female ginseng." The root is divided into three parts used differently: the head (top) stops bleeding, the body tonifies blood, and the tail moves blood. Min County, Gansu, produces the most famous "Min Gui."

Pinyin: Lóng Yǎn Ròu

Longan is a tropical fruit tree related to lychee, with round fruits that have a brown, leathery skin and translucent, sweet white flesh surrounding a single black seed. The name "dragon eye" (Long Yan) comes from the resemblance of the peeled fruit to an eyeball. In Chinese medicine, dried longan flesh is a sweet, warm blood and heart tonic, valued for its ability to calm the spirit and nourish the heart.

Pinyin: Bái Sháo

White Peony Root is the prepared root of the herbaceous peony, one of the most beloved flowers in China. The "white" refers to the preparation method (peeled and boiled, resulting in a whiter interior) rather than the flower color. It is a fundamental herb in Chinese medicine, valued for its ability to nourish blood, calm the liver, and relieve pain. Red Peony (Chi Shao) is a different species/part used for blood-moving, not tonification.

Pinyin: Suān Mó

Yellow dock is a common weed with a long history of use as a blood purifier, liver tonic, and digestive aid. The root gets its name from its bright yellow color, which comes from anthraquinone compounds. Yellow dock is widely used in Western herbalism for skin conditions, anemia, and liver support. The young leaves are also edible as a green vegetable.