Herb Encyclopedia

Pinyin: Ròu Cōng Róng

Cistanche is a parasitic plant that grows on the roots of desert shrubs (saxaul trees) in the arid deserts of northwest China. The thick, fleshy stems are dug in spring before they emerge from the ground. Known as "desert ginseng," it is a primary yang tonic in Chinese medicine, valued for its ability to tonify kidney yang without being too warming or drying.

Pinyin: Tù Sī Zǐ

Dodder is a parasitic vine that wraps around other plants and absorbs nutrients from them. The small seeds are an important kidney and essence tonic in Chinese medicine. Despite being a parasite that harms its host plant, dodder seed has a nourishing, tonifying effect on the human body. It is classified as a superior herb in the Shennong Bencao Jing.

Pinyin: Yín Yáng Huò

Epimedium is a perennial ground cover plant with heart-shaped leaves and small yellow flowers. It is one of the most famous and controversial Chinese herbs, known in the West as "horny goat weed." The Chinese name Yin Yang Huo literally means "licentious goat weed," named for the observation that goats grazing on the plant showed increased sexual activity. Icariin is the primary active compound.

Pinyin: Dù Zhòng

Eucommia is a deciduous tree native to central China, and the only member of its family. The bark is distinguished by the white, rubbery filaments that stretch between broken pieces. It is a primary kidney and bone tonic in Chinese medicine. Eucommia is also known as the "hardy rubber tree" because its sap contains natural rubber.

Pinyin: Bā Jǐ Tiān

Morinda officinalis is a climbing vine with small white flowers and fleshy, tuberous roots. It is one of the four major kidney yang tonics in Chinese medicine (along with cistanche, epimedium, and eucommia). The roots are typically steamed with licorice or salt water to enhance their medicinal properties. Morinda is known for being a relatively gentle yang tonic suitable for long-term use.

Pinyin: Qián Má Gēn

Nettle root comes from the same plant as nettle leaf, but with different medicinal properties. While nettle leaf is used primarily for allergies and as a nutritive tonic, nettle root is specifically used for prostate health and urinary issues. It is one of the most widely researched herbs for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Pinyin: Wǔ Wèi Zǐ

Schisandra is a climbing vine whose berries have all five of the traditional Chinese medicine flavors (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and pungent), hence the name "five-flavor fruit." It is one of the most important adaptogenic herbs in Chinese medicine, prized for its ability to tonify the kidneys, astringent lung qi, generate fluids, and calm the spirit. Schisandra is also valued for liver protection and as a beauty herb.