MEDICINAL HERBAL
CLASSIFICATIONS
Herbs for
Eliminating:
Promoting sweating and dispelling wind/cold/heat: diaphoretics
Promote Sweating and Dispel Wind Cold:
pungent, warm circulatory stimulant diaphoretics
Peppermint leaf and essential oil
Ginger rhizome and essential oil
Osha root
Butterbur root
Magnolia Bud
Xanthium--Siberian cocklebur
Perilla leaf
Scallion bulb
Promote Sweating and Dispel Wind Heat
pungent, cool peripheral vasodilatory diaphoretics
Elder flower
Linden leaf and flower
Catnip leaf
Spearmint leaf and essential oil
Boneset herb
Vervain herb
Burdock seed
Mulberry leaf
Chrysanthemum flower
Evodia
Duckweed
Promoting urination and draining fluid congestion: diuretics
draining diuretics
Lovage root
Goldenrod herb
Couch grass rhizome
Squills bulb
Dandelion leaf
Elder bark
Promoting bowel movement and removing accumulations: laxatives
Promote Bowel movement, Reduce Liver Cngestion and Relieve Epigastric Fullness
warm cholalagogue laxatives, liver decongestants
Celandine herb
Milk Thistle seed
Culver’s root
Fumitory herb
Promote Bowel Movement, Clear Damp Heat and Stop Vomiting
cool cholalagogue laxatives
Wormwood herb
Blue flag rhizome
May apple rhizome
Fringe tree root bark
Balmony herb
Promote Bowel Movement, Remove Accumulations and Clear Heat
Stimulant laxatives/purgatives
Cascara sagrada bark
Alder buckthorn bark
Rhubarb rhizome
Senna leaf
Aloe resin
Tamarind pulp
Castor bean
Promoting expectoration and resolving phlegm: expectorants
Promote Expectoration and Resolve Cold Phlegm
pungent, warm stimulant expectorants, antitussives
Thyme herb and essential oil
Hyssop herb and essential oil
Pine needle and essential oil
Basil herb
Winter savory herb and essential oil
Blood root rhizome
Yerba santa leaf
Immortal root
Wild ginger root and herb
Platycodon (Ballonflower) root
Pinellia corm
Honey locust pod
Ginger root
Promote Expectoration, Reduce Infection and Resolve Hot Phlegm
pungent, cool, antiseptic expectorants, antitussives
Eucalyptus leaf and essential oil
Pleurisy root
Scabious root and herb
White horehound herb
Coltsfoot herb
Black Bamboo Shavings, Sap, Root
Loquat leaf
Fritillary bulb
Tricosanthes (Snakegourd) seed, fruit and Rind
Plaintain leaf
Pumice
Clam shell
Promoting menstruation and clearing stagnation:
stimulant emmenagogues
Blue cohosh
Wild ginger rhizome
Hazelwort rhizome
Rue herb
Pennyroyal herb
Causing vomiting: emetics
Herbs for Restoring:
Increasing the Qi and replenishing deficiency: restoratives
Increase Heart Qi, Restore Coronary Circulation and Relieve Chest Oppression
neurocardiac restoratives and stimulants, coronary restoratives
Hawthorn berry
Arnica flower
Lily of the Valley
Valerian rhizome
Cereus stem and flower
Foxglove
Increase Digestive Qi, Promote Absorption and Relieve Fatigue
sweet digestives, anastative nutritives
American Ginseng root
Elecampane root
Licorice root
Parsley root
Codonopsis root
Atractylodes Root
Mountain Yam root
Pseudostellaria root
Rice grain
Barley malt sugar and sprout
Chicken Gizzard ling
Rice Grain sprouted
Increase Urinary Qi, Harmonize Urination and Relieve Incontinence
antienuretics, antileucorrheals, diuretics
Fennel seed and essential oil
Buchu leaf
Poplar bark
Gravel root
Sea holly root
Long Yam root
Asian Dodder seed
Japanese Dogwood berry
Unripe Chinese Raspberry fruit
Lotus stamen
Praying Mantis Egg Case
Ephedra root
Sweet rice root
Poria (Hoelen) fungus
Alisma (Water Plantain) Root
Polyporus mushroom
Chinese Lobelia herb and root
Aduki bean
Croton seed
Asian Poke root
Increase Reproductive Qi, Harmonize Menstruation and Relieve Infertility
uterus and fertility restoratives
Helionas rhizome
Life root herb
White deadnettle herb and root
Mugwort herb
Geranium herb and essential oil
Tonifying the Yang and dispelling cold: stimulants
Tonify the Yang, Simulate Circulation, Dispel Cold and Relieve Chills
coronary stimulants
Rosemary leaf and essential oil
Cayenne pepper
Prickly ash bark
Cinnamon bark and essential oil
Camphor resin and essential oil
Bayberry bark
Aconite root
Toad venom
Tonify the Kidney Yang and relief infertility and impotence
Epimedium leaf
Morinda root
Mature Deer Antler and Antler Glue
Sea Cucumber
Sea Horse
Seal Genitals
Saw palmetto berry
Damiana leaf
Jasmine flower and essential oil
Stimulate Circulation, Dispel Wind/Damp/Cold, and Relief Joint and Muscle Pain
diaphoretic and analgesic antirheumatics/antiarthritics
Juniper berry and essential oil
Sassafras root bark
Virginia snakeroot
Jamaica sarsaparilla root
Bittersweet stalk
Cowslip root
Meadowsweet herb
Ledebouriella root
Cinnamon twig
Notopterygium root
Hairy Angelica root
Chinese Clematis root
Mulberry twig
Knotty Pine Wood Shaving
Silk worm dropping
Tonify Liver and Kidney, Strengthen sinews and Bones: Musculoskeletal restoratives
Acanthopanax root bark
Eucommia bark
Loranthus (Asian MIstletoe) twig
Stimulate Digestion, Warm The Middle, Resolve Mucus Damp And Relieve Abdominal Fullness pungent, warm digestive stimulants
Calamus rhizome
Angelica root and essential oil
Horseradish root
Cardamom pod and essential oil
Black peppercorn and essential oil
Evodia berry
Dried Ginger root
Clove bud
Sichuan peppercorn
Asafoetida resin
Long Pepper Fruit spike
Fennel Seed
Fenugreek seed
Persimmon Calyx
Stimulate Digestion, Remove Accumulations And Relieve Appetite Loss
bitter, cool digestive stimulants
Blessed thistle herb
Barberry root bark
Oregon grape root
Centaury herb
Transform Spleen Dampness
Pungent, dry digestants
Amomum (Cluster Cardamom) pod
Betal (Areca) husks
Radish seed
Black Actractylodes root
Moisten the intestines, Relieve Dryness and constipation
demulcent laxatives
Dendrobium stem
Cannabis seed
Mirabilitum (Glauber’s Salt)
Promote Astriction, Relieve Diarrhea
Nutmeg seed
Opium poppy husk
Cuttlefish bone
Lotus seed and leaf
Black Plum fruit
Pomegranate husk
Red Kaolin
Limonitum (Clay Ironstone)
Reduce Colic and Abdominal Pain
Magnolia bark
Amomum (Wild Cardamom) pod
Lychee seed
Cockle shell
Harmonize the Liver and Spleen, reduce liver congestion and Epigastric Fullness
Ripe and Unripe Tangerine rind
Saussurea root
Ripe and Unripe bitter orange fruit
Tumeric tuber and rhizome
Reduce Liver and Gallbladder inflammation
Gardenia pod/fruit
Rhubarb root
Gentian root
Nourishing the blood and replenishing deficiency: nutritives
Provide Nourishment, Restore the Endocrine, Nervous and Immune Systems
anastative nutritives, endocrine restoratives, central nervous restoratives, immune enhancers
Flower pollen
Microalgae
Wheatgrass
Oat berry and straw
Watercress herb
Kelp thallus
Bladderwrack thallus
Enrich Liver Yin, Nourish Blood and Relieve Fatigue
hepatic anastative, hemogenics
Artichoke leaf
Alfalfa herb
Nettle herb
Preparred Rehmannia root
Lycium (Wolfberry) berry
Ass Hide Glue
Jujube (Zizyphus) berry
Enriching the Yin, Moistening dryness and Generate Fluids:
sweet, bland demulcents
(mucogenic secretories, secretolytic expectorants, hydrogenics)
Asparagus root
Marsh mallow root
Blue mallow flower
Slippery elm bark
Comfrey leaf
Mullein leaf
Iceland moss
Irish moss
Lungwort lichen
Chickweed herb
Borage herb
Aloe gel
Balm of Gilead bud
Promote moisture, promote secretions, and relieve Respiratory dryness
Nourish the Yin, generate fluids and moisten dryness
Brochial demulcents, mucogenics, mucoyic expectorants
Ophiopogon Root
Asparagus rhizome
Anemarrhena Root
Trichosanthes root (Snakegourd root)
Glehnia root
Fritillaria
Lycium (Wolfberry) root bark
Promoting Astriction and Drying Damp:
astringents (mucostatics/anticatarrhals, antidiarrheals, hemostatics, styptics
Sage leaf and essential oil
Tormentil rhizome
Birthroot
Cranesbill root
White oak bark
Eyebright herb
Canadian fleabane herb
Sumac root bark
Turpentine oil
Cattail pollen
Rehmannia root
Potato Yam (Dioscorea) Tuber
Lotus Receptacle and root node
Charred Human hair
Moisten the Kidneys and Relieve Urinary Irritation
Urinary demulcents
Coix (Job’s-Tears) seeds
Musk Mallow Seed
Marshmallow
Herbs for Draining:
Circulating the Qi and loosening constraint and Stop Spasms
relaxants, spasmolytics
Circulate Lung Qi, Open the Chest and Relieve Wheezing
bronchodilators, antiasthmatics
Lobelia herb
White cherry bark
Grindellia herb
Aniseed and essential oil
Perilla seed
Bitter apricot kernal
Wild Asparagus (Stemona) root
Ephedra Stem
Coltsfoot flower
Mulberry root bark
Kelp Seaweed
Japanese Elecampane flower
Hematite
Stalactite tip
Tonify Lung and Kidney Yang, and Arrest Wheezing
Adrenocortical restorative antiasthmatics
Cordyceps
Gecko
Circulate Heart Qi, Regulate Circulation, and Relieve Irritability
hypotensives, vasodilators
Lavender flower and essential oil
Mellisa leaf and essential oil
Skullcap herb
Bugleweed herb
Wood betony herb
Selfheal spike
Cowslip flower
Rauwolfia root
Madagascar Periwinkle Root and Herb
Vitalize the Blood and Disperse Blood Stasis in the Heart
Gingko leaf
Asian Hawthorne berry
Sichuan Lovage Root
Red Sage
Safflower
Kudzu (Pueraria) root
Siberian Solomon’s-Seal root (Polygonatum)
Circulate Intestinal Qi, Harmonize Urination and Relieve Pain
intestinal spasmolytics
Wild Yam Root
Chamomile flower and essential oil
Caraway seed and essential oil
Circulate Urinary Qi, Harmonize Urination and Relieve Pain
St. John’s wort herb
Wild carrot seed and essential oil
Parsley seed and essential oil
Circulate Uterus Qi, Harmonize Menstruation, and Relieve Pain
Motherwort herb
Marjoram herb and essential oil
Oregano herb and essential oil
Black cohosh root
Lady’s slipper rhizome
Black haw bark
Cramp bark
Tansey herb
Feverfew herb
Pasque flower herb
Chasteberry
Dong Quai
Tree Peony Bark
Saussurea root
Asian Trumpet Creeper vine
Relax the Uterus and Relieve Dysmenorrhea
Asian Motherwort Herb
White Peony root
Peach Kernal
Flying Squirrel Dropping
Japonese Rose Flower
Clearing heat, and reducing fever and inflammation: refrigerants
Clear Heat and Reduce Fever
bitter, cold antipyrtics
Gentian root
Bogbean herb
Chicory root
Melilot herb
Clear Heat, Cool the Blood and Stop Bleeding
sour, stringent, cold anti-inflammatory decongestants and hemostatics
Wood sorrel herb
Grapevine leaf
Lady’s mantle herb
Sanicle herb
Rose petal and essential oil
Clear Heat, Dry damp, Reduce Infection and Dry Discharge
bitter, astringent, cold antiseptics
Horsetail herb
Sandlewood and essential oil
Bilberry leaf and essential oil
Loosestrife herb
Agrimony
Bearberry leaf
Willow bark
Cornsilk style
Blackberry leaf
Clear Heat and Detoxify Fire Toxins
cool, antiseptic detoxicants
Lemon rind and essential oil
Purselane herb
Ribwort plantain herb
Dispel wind-heat and detoxify fire toxin
Japanese honeysuckle flower
Forsythia valve
Usnea thallus
Garlic bulb
Clear damp heat and detoxify fire toxin
Coptis root
Baikal Skullcap (Scutellaria) root
Isatis root and leaf
Phellodendron (Siberian cork tree) bark
Three needle barberry root
Asian wintergreen root and herb
Clear Damp heat from the Bladder, and clear infection
Aristolochia stem
Talc
Polygonum (Knotgrass) herb
Asian Plantain Seed
Felt Fern Leaf
Japanese Climbing Fern Herb
Akebia Stem
Bamboo Grass leaf
Dispel wind/Damp/Heat and Relieve Painful Obstruction: Reduce Joint Pain and Swelling
Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, antiarthritic
Stephania root
Large leaf Gentian root
Japanese Honeysuckle stem and Leaf
Vitalizing the blood and removing congestion: decongestants
astringent venous and uterine decongestants
Goldenseal rhizome
Red root
Yarrow herb
Shepard’s purse herb
Witch hazel leaf
Squaw vine herb
Marigold flower
Cyperus cone and essential oil
Stoneroot
Horse chestnut
Herbs for Altering
and Regulating:
Promoting detoxification and resolving toxicosis: detoxicants
resolve detoxicants (antidyskratics, lymphatic decongestants, dermatropics, anntitumorals
Dandelion root
Yellow dock root
Poke root
Figwort root and herb
Burdock root
Heartease herb
Birch leaf and bud
Walnut leaf and hull
Cleavers herb
Pipsissewa (Wintergreen) herb and root
Speedwell herb
Hydrangea rhizome
Red clover flower
Celery seed
Bistort herb
Thin leaf rattlebox herb
Herbs for Symptom
Treatment:
Enhancing pregnancy and childbirth: pregnancy enhancers
Raspberry leaf
Birthwort root
Calming the spirit: nervous
sedatives (depressant hypnotics, neurocardiac sedatives, anticonvulsants)
Mistletoe herb
Hops flower
Passionflower herb
Bitter orange flower and Neroli essential oil
Tribulus fruit
Asian Corydalis Corm
Seashore Chastetree (Vitex) berry
Bupleurum root
Chinese Lovage (Ligusticum) root
Prepared Aconite root tuber
Tangerine seed
Calm the Heart, Sedate the Nerves and Relieve Anxiety
Dragon bone
Oyster shell
Magnetite
Mother of Pearl shell
Pearl
Calcite
Purple flurite
Amber resin
Cinnabar
Ziziphus (Sour Jujube) Seed
Wheat Berry
Fermented Soybean
Relax the nerves and stop spasms
Extinguish internal wind, stop spasms and clear wind phlegm
Gastrodia corm
Uncaria (Gambir) vine twig
Cicada slough
Silkworm larva
Jack-in-the-Pulpit corm
Tortoise shell
Abalone shell
Snake slough
Scorpion
Centipede
Chlorite
Quell fire, extinquish Wind and Calm the Spirit
Depressant antipyretics and spasmolytics
Bear Gallbladder
Ox Gallstone
Antelope horn
Water Buffalo horn
Gypsum
Earthworm
Viper Gallbladder
Pig Gallbladder
Tonify Liver and Kidneys, benefit essence, Relieve Depression
Antidepressant central nervous system restoratives
Polygonum (He shou wu) root
Glossy Privet (ligustrum) berry
Mulberry fruit
Euphoria (Longan) fruit
Eclipta (Field Lotus) herb
Gotu Kola leaf
Black Sesame seed
Lifting the spirit: nervous stimulants
Open the orifices and revive the senses with aromatic herbs
Analeptics, psychogenics
Acorus (Rock Sweet Flag) root
Liquidanber (Storax) resin
Borneo Camphor resin
Musk
Nux Vomica (Strychnos) nut
Benzoin
Promoting tissue repair: vulneraries (analgesics, detumescents)
Disperse Congealed blood
Pseudoginseng (San Qi) root
Myrrh resin
Frankincense (Boswellia) resin
Dragon’s-blood resin
Cockroach
Leech
Pyrite
Dolomite
Calamine
Stimulating immunity and reducing infection:
anti-infectives, immunostimulants (antibacterials, antivirals, antifungals
Garlic bulb
Myrrh resin and essential oil
Catjeput leaf and bud and essential oil
Tea tree leaf and bud and essential oil
Echinacea root
Wild indigo root
Chaparral leaf
Tonify the Righeous Qi: Endocrine restoratives, Adaptogens and immune enhancers
Eleuthero ginseng root
Velvet deer antler
Human Placenta
Asian (Panax) ginseng root
Schisandra berry
Reishi mushroom
Astragalus root
Licorice root
Clearing parasites: antiparasitics, antihelminics
Clear internal Parasites
Red Squash seed
Betel nut
Annual wormwood (artemesia) herb
Aloe resin
Clear externalParasites
Cnidiumseed
Hornet nest
Sulfur
Alum