As summarized in our previous article, there are a total of 102 types of medicinal and food ingredients containing pilot tests. This time, based on the sharing of the forum user “Cold Grass”, and according to the book “Principles and Basis of Health Food Formulation” by Fan Qingsheng, we categorize these medicinal and food ingredients according to the functional claims of health food for the convenience of the friends in the R&D of health food industry.

Table 1 Classification of 102 kinds of medicines and food ingredients according to 26 kinds of health functions

Health function claims

Name of raw materials in the same source of food and medicine

1、Immunity regulation

Codonopsis pilosula, Astragalus, Poria, wolfberry, jujube, Colla Corii Asini, Ganoderma lucidum, American ginseng, Dendrobium officinale, Cortex Eucommiae, mulberry, etc.

2、Promote digestive function

Hawthorn, malt, Chinese yam, Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng, Leptospermum officinale, Lentil, Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae, Poria, Fructus Jujubae, Fructus Fructus, etc.

3、Improve memory function

Poria, astragalus, yellow essence, etc.

4、Promote growth and development

Hawthorn, oyster, etc.

5、Relieve physical fatigue function

American ginseng, wolfberry, sand nut, yam, cinnamon, cloves, Pueraria lobata, etc.

6、Improve the function of hypoxia tolerance

Sea buckthorn, wolfberry, yellow essence, ginseng, angelica, ganoderma lucidum, astragalus, etc.

7、Auxiliary protection against radiation hazards

Angelica, ganoderma lucidum, wolfberry, astragalus, etc.

8、Laxative function

Flaxseed, cassia seed, lycopodium, peach kernel, lily of the valley, bamboo, astragalus, orange peel, honey, hawthorn, rosmarinus officinalis, Ulmus, mulberry and so on.

9、Assisting blood lipid-lowering function

Hawthorn, cassia seed, lotus leaf, etc.

10、Assist in lowering blood sugar

Pueraria Mirifica, Astragalus Membranaceus, Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati, Ume, Cassia Seed, Yam, Hawthorn, Licorice, Mulberry Leaf, Lily, etc.

11、Regulate intestinal flora function

12、Improve sleep function

Sour jujube seed, lotus seed, mulberry, wolfberry, Cortex Eucommiae, Ganoderma lucidum, Poria, Tianma, etc.

13, Weight loss function

Astragalus, lotus leaf, poria, cassia, hawthorn, citron, licorice, chrysanthemum, lycopodium, etc.

14、Improve nutritional anemia

Angelica sinensis, Colla Corii Asini, Poria, Mulberry, Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng, Fructus Jujubae, Fructus Longan, Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae, Fructus Lycii, Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng, Cinnamon, etc.

15、Auxiliary protective function for chemical liver injury

Ganoderma lucidum, hawthorn, mulberry, malt, Pueraria lobata, yellow essence, American ginseng, wolfberry, Poria, gardenia, fritillaria, angelica sinensis, tangerine peel, etc.

16、Promote lactation function

Astragalus, longan meat, jujube, oyster, etc.

17、Auxiliary protection function for gastric mucous membrane damage

Poria, hawthorn, Semen Coicis, Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae, Ginger, Pueraria Mirifica, Dandelion, Licorice, Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng, Fructus Lycii, etc.

18、Promote the function of lead discharge

19、Clearing throat and moisturizing function

Radix Panax Ginseng, Chrysanthemum, Mulberry Leaf, Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati, Peppermint, Platycodon Grandiflorus, Honeysuckle, Plumbago Ovata, Dandelion, Tangerine Red, Fructus Lohanensis, Licorice and so on.

20、Auxiliary function of lowering blood pressure

Cassia seed, Tianma, Cortex Eucommiae, Pueraria Mirifica, Hawthorn, Sophora japonica, Chrysanthemum, Lotus Seed, Mulberry Leaf, etc.

21、Enhance bone density

Cistanche, Astragalus, etc.

22、Antioxidant function

Peach kernel, curcumin, Cistanches, etc.

23, Relieve visual fatigue

Chinese wolfberry, chrysanthemum, cassia seed, etc.

24, Acne function

Cassia seed, Angelica sinensis, Angelica dahurica, Poria, wolfberry, longan meat, honeysuckle, gardenia, mulberry leaf, amaranth, fritillaria, hawthorn, chrysanthemum, Coix lacryma, apricot kernel, aconite, etc.

25, dispel chloasma function

American ginseng, angelica, wolfberry, peach kernel, mulberry, chrysanthemum, cassia seed, poria, Pueraria lobata, mulberry leaf, dry ginger, etc.

26、Improve skin moisture function

Angelica dahurica, Pueraria lobata, almonds, angelica, umeboshi, yam, wolfberry, kombu, mulberry, etc.

From the above table, we know that different raw materials have different effects, so how are these raw materials used in health food? Which is the most used ingredient?

Next, I organize the statistics of the registered health food data on the website of the former General Administration of Food and Drug Administration, and come up with the usage frequency of 102 kinds of medicinal and food ingredients.

The statistics show that wolfberry ranks first in the total frequency of use, followed by American ginseng and ganoderma lucidum and so on. It seems that goji berries are a good choice for health care.

In addition to those that can only be found in pharmacies, such as American ginseng, astragalus, and ganoderma lucidum, the three commonly used household ingredients, jujube, hawthorn, and Chinese yam, also have a very high frequency of use.

Table 2 102 kinds of medicinal and food ingredients efficacy, dosage and frequency of application in health food statistics

Name

Frequency

Functions and Indications

Dosage

Lycium barbarum

1434

Nourishing the liver and kidney, benefiting the essence and brightening the eyes. Used for deficiency of essence, lumbar and knee pain, dizziness and tinnitus, impotence and spermatorrhea, internal heat and thirst, blood deficiency and atrophy, and dizziness and uncertainty of eyes.

6~12g.

Radix Panax Ginseng*

1159

Tonifying Qi and nourishing Yin, clearing heat and promoting generation of body fluid. Used in treating deficiency of qi and yin, deficiency of heat and tiredness, coughing, wheezing, phlegm and blood, internal heat and thirst, dry mouth and throat.

3～6g.

Ganoderma Lucidum*

1042

Tonifying Qi and calming the mind, relieving cough and asthma. Used for restlessness of the mind, insomnia and palpitation, cough and asthma in lung deficiency, shortness of breath in deficiency labor, and lack of appetite.

6～12g.

Astragalus Membranaceus*

1035

Tonifying Qi and elevating Yang, consolidating the surface and stopping sweating, inducing diuresis to reduce swelling, generating fluid and nourishing blood, promoting stagnation and paralysis, supporting toxin and draining pus, and astringing sores to promote muscle growth. It is used in treating qi deficiency and weakness, loose stools with little food, sinking of the middle qi, prolonged diarrhea and prolapse of the anus, blood in stool and leakage, sweating from the surface, edema with deficiency of qi, internal heat and thirst, atrophy with deficiency of blood, paralysis, paralysis and numbness, carbuncle with difficulty in ulceration, and prolonged ulceration with no astringency.

9-30g.

Poria

751

Inducing diuresis and seepage of dampness, strengthening the spleen and tranquilizing the heart. It is used in edema with little urine, phlegm, palpitation, deficiency of spleen with little food, loose stool and diarrhea, restlessness of heart and mind, palpitation and insomnia.

10~15g.

Jujube

718

Tonifying the middle Jiao, nourishing Blood and tranquilizing the mind. It is used in spleen deficiency with little food, loose stools, and women’s agitation.

6~15g.

Hawthorn

572

Strengthening the stomach by eliminating food, promoting circulation of Qi, dispersing blood stasis, resolving turbidity and lowering fat. It is used in treating stagnation of meat and food, distension and fullness of stomach and epigastric region, dysentery and abdominal pain, menstrual closure due to blood stasis, postpartum stagnation, stabbing pain in heart and abdomen, chest paralysis and heartache, hernia pain and hyperlipidemia. Jiao Shanzha’s effect of eliminating food stagnation is enhanced. It is used in treating stagnation of meat and food, diarrhea and dysentery.

9～12g.

Angelica sinensis**

543

Tonifying and invigorating Blood, regulating menstruation, relieving pain, moistening the intestines and laxatives. Used for blood deficiency and atrophy, dizziness and palpitation, irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea with menstrual closure, abdominal pain with deficiency cold, rheumatism and paralysis pain, bruises and injuries, carbuncle sores and ulcers, intestinal dryness and constipation. Wine Angelica activates blood circulation and promotes menstruation. Used for menstrual dysmenorrhea, rheumatic paralysis pain, bruises and injuries.

6-12g.

Pueraria Mirifica

542

Relieving muscles and fever, generating body fluid to quench thirst, transmitting rashes, promoting Yang to stop diarrhea, activating channels and collaterals, and detoxifying alcohol. It is used in treating external fever and headache, strong pain in the neck and back, thirst, thirst, impenetrable measles, hot diarrhea, diarrhea, dizziness and headache, hemiplegia, chest paralysis and heartache, and injuries caused by alcohol poisoning.

10-15g.

Yam

484

Tonifying the spleen, nourishing the stomach, generating fluid and benefiting the lung, tonifying the kidney and astringing the essence. It is used for spleen deficiency with little food, prolonged diarrhea, lung deficiency with asthma and cough, kidney deficiency with spermatorrhea, dyspareunia, frequent urination, deficiency heat and thirst. Bran-fried Yam tonifies the spleen and strengthens the stomach. Used in spleen deficiency with little food, loose diarrhea, excessive leucorrhea.

15-30g.

Cassia Seed

449

Clearing heat and improving eyesight, moistening the intestines and laxative. It is used in treating eye redness and astringency, shyness and excessive tears, headache and dizziness, darkness and uncertainty of the eyes, and constipation.

9～15g.

Honey

442

Tonifying the middle Jiao, moistening dryness, relieving pain and detoxifying; used externally to regenerate muscles and astringent sores. It is used in treating pain in the epigastrium and abdomen, dry cough in the lungs, constipation in the intestines, detoxification of aconite; external treatment of ulcers and scalded wounds.

15-30g.

Yellow Essence

356

Tonifying Qi and nourishing Yin, strengthening the spleen, moistening the lung and benefiting the kidney. Used in treating deficiency of spleen and stomach qi, tiredness and fatigue, deficiency of stomach yin, dry mouth and little food, lung deficiency, cough, coughing up blood, deficiency of essence and blood, lumbar and knee soreness and weakness, premature whitening of beard and hair, internal heat and thirst.

9～15g.

Sour Date Kernel

342

Nourishing the heart and tonifying the liver, tranquilizing the heart and tranquilizing the mind, restraining sweating and generating fluid. It is used in treating insomnia, palpitation and dreaming, excessive sweating and thirst.

10～15g.

Chrysanthemum

279

Dispersing wind-heat and clearing heat, calming the liver and improving vision, clearing heat and removing toxins. Used for wind-heat and cold, headache and dizziness, redness and swelling of the eyes, dimming of the eyes, canker sores and poison.

5~10g.

Lotus Leaf

258

Clearing summerheat and dampness, elevating Qing Yang, cooling blood and stopping bleeding. It is used in treating summer-heat and thirst, summer-dampness and diarrhea, diarrhea due to deficiency of spleen, epistaxis due to blood-heat, bleeding in stool and leakage. Charcoal of Lotus Leaf is used to stop bleeding by astringency and resolving blood stasis. It is used in bleeding disorder and postpartum hematemesis.

3-10g

Licorice

256

Tonifying the spleen and benefiting vital energy, clearing heat and removing toxins, expelling phlegm and relieving cough, relieving anxiety and pain, harmonizing various herbs. It is used in treating weakness of spleen and stomach, tiredness and fatigue, palpitation and shortness of breath, cough and phlegm, contracted pain in the epigastrium, abdomen and limbs, carbuncle, swelling and sores, and relieving the toxicity and potency of drugs.

2～10g.

Colla Corii Asini

249

Tonifying blood and nourishing yin, moistening dryness and stopping bleeding. Used in blood deficiency and yellowish, dizziness and palpitation, muscle impotence and weakness, insomnia and heartburn, internal movement of deficiency wind, lung dryness and cough, coughing with exertion and hemoptysis, vomiting and urinating blood, blood in stool and leakage, fetal leakage in pregnancy.

3~9g.

Mentha piperita

249

Dispersing wind-heat, clearing the head and eyes, inducing diaphoresis, clearing rashes, dredging the liver and promoting circulation of Qi. It is used in treating wind-heat colds, initial onset of wind-warmth, headache, redness of the eyes, paralysis of the throat, mouth sores, rubella, measles, and distention of the chest and hypochondrium.

3～6g, after the next.

Mulberry

229

Nourishing Yin, tonifying Blood, generating fluids and moisturizing dryness. Used for Yin deficiency of liver and kidney, dizziness and tinnitus, palpitation and insomnia, premature whitening of hair, thirst due to injury of body fluid, internal heat and thirst, and constipation due to dryness of intestines.

9～15g.

Mulberry Leaf

199

Dispersing wind-heat, clearing lung and moistening dryness, clearing liver and improving eyesight. Used for wind-heat cold, lung-heat dry cough, dizziness and headache, redness and blurred vision.

5～10g.

Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi)

197

Regulating Qi, strengthening the spleen, drying dampness and resolving phlegm. Used for distention and fullness in the epigastrium, poor diet and vomiting and diarrhea, coughing with excessive phlegm.

3～10g.

Sea Buckthorn*

196

Strengthening the spleen and eliminating food, relieving cough and phlegm, promoting blood circulation and dispersing blood stasis. It is used in treating spleen deficiency with little food, abdominal pain with accumulation of food, cough with profuse phlegm, chest paralysis and heart pain, menstrual closure with blood stasis, bruises and swelling.

3-10g.

Radix Codonopsis Pilosulae

165

Strengthening the spleen, benefiting the lungs, nourishing the blood and promoting the production of body fluid. Used in treating deficiency of spleen and lung qi, poor appetite and tiredness, cough and asthma, deficiency of qi and blood, yellowish color, palpitation and shortness of breath, thirst due to injury of body fluid, and thirst due to internal heat.

9-30g.

Honeysuckle

150

Clearing heat and removing toxins, evacuating wind-heat. It is used in carbuncle, furuncle, throat paralysis, dengtoxin, feverish blood dysentery, wind-heat cold, fever of warm disease.

6-15g.

Longan Pork (Gui Yuan)

138

Tonifying the heart and spleen, nourishing blood and tranquilizing the mind. Used for deficiency of Qi and blood, palpitation and dizziness, forgetfulness and insomnia, blood deficiency and atrophy.

9～15g.

Cinnamon

132

Nourishing fire and Yang, inducing fire to return to the source, dispersing cold, relieving pain and warming the meridians. Used for impotence, cold uterus, cold pain in the waist and knees, kidney deficiency for asthma, false Yang floating, dizziness, cold pain in the heart and abdomen, cold vomiting and diarrhea, cold hernia and abdominal pain, dysmenorrhea and menstrual cramps.

1~5g.

Job’s tears

120

Inducing diuresis and seeping dampness, strengthening the spleen and stopping diarrhea, removing paralysis, draining pus, detoxicating and dispersing knots. It is used in edema, athlete’s foot, dysuria, diarrhea due to spleen deficiency, dampness paralysis, lung carbuncle, intestinal carbuncle, warts and cancer.

9-30g.

Lily

118

Nourishing Yin, moisturizing the lung, clearing the heart and tranquilizing the mind. It is used for coughing due to deficiency of yin, coughing up blood due to labor, palpitation, insomnia, dreaming and mental trance.

6～12g.

Asparagus*

117

Relieving wind and stopping spasm, calming liver-yang, dispelling wind and clearing collaterals. Used for pediatric convulsions, epileptic convulsions, tetanus, headache, dizziness, paralysis, numbness of limbs, rheumatic paralysis.

3~10g.

Cornus officinalis*

115

Tonifying the liver and kidney, collecting astringency and fixing detachment. Used in treating dizziness and tinnitus, lumbar and knee pain, impotence and spermatorrhea, urination and frequent urination, leakage and leucorrhea, profuse sweating, internal heat and thirst.

6-12g.

Oyster

102

Tranquilizing the mind, submerging yang, tonifying yin, softening hardness and dispersing knots. It is used in treating palpitation and insomnia, dizziness and tinnitus, scrofula and phlegm, and mass in the abdomen. Calcined Oyster is used for astringent and solidifying astringency, restraining acid and relieving pain. It is used for spontaneous sweating and night sweating, spermatorrhea, spermatorrhea, leucorrhea, stomach pain and acid swallowing.

9-30g.

Lycopodium

99

Eliminating food stagnation, removing flatulence, subduing Qi and resolving phlegm. Used for food stagnation, epigastric distension, constipation, stagnation and diarrhea, phlegm congestion and cough.

5~12g.

Malt

98

Promoting circulation of Qi, eliminating food, strengthening the spleen and opening the stomach, restoring breast milk and eliminating flatulence. It is used for food accumulation without elimination, distension and pain in the epigastrium, deficiency of spleen with little food, milk accumulation, breast distension and pain, weaning of women, liver depression and dystocia, liver and stomach qi pain. Raw Malt strengthens the spleen and harmonizes the stomach, dredges the liver and promotes circulation of Qi. It is used in treating spleen deficiency with little food and milk depletion. Stir-fried malt extracts Qi, eliminates food and restores breast milk. It is used for women with food stagnation and weaning off breastmilk. Jiao Mai Tu (焦麦芽) is used for eliminating food stagnation and resolving stagnation. Used in treating food accumulation that does not go away, with distension and pain in the epigastrium.

10-15g.

Peach Kernel

96

Promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, moistening the intestines and relaxing the bowels, relieving cough and calming asthma. Used for menstrual dysmenorrhea, obstruction in the abdomen and lumps, lung carbuncle, intestinal carbuncle, bruises and injuries, intestinal dryness and constipation, cough and asthma.

5~10g.

Dendrobium Ironpod*

94

Benefiting the stomach and generating fluid, nourishing Yin and clearing heat. It is used for heat illness with fluid injury, dry mouth and thirst, deficiency of stomach yin, dry vomiting with little food, non-resolving of deficiency heat after illness, yin deficiency and fire, bone vaporization and labor heat, darkness of the eyes, impotence of sinews and bones.

6～12g.

Jade Mangosteen

93

Nourishing Yin, moisturizing dryness, generating fluid and quenching thirst. Used in treating yin injury of lung and stomach, dry and hot cough, dry throat and thirst, internal heat and thirst.

6～12g.

Gardenia

84

Dispersing fire and removing vexation, clearing heat and inducing dampness, cooling blood and detoxicating; used externally to reduce swelling and relieve pain. Used for fever, damp-heat jaundice, gonorrhea, astringent pain, blood-heat epistaxis, eye redness, swelling and pain, fire-poisoning sores and ulcers; used for external treatment of sprain and contusion pain.

6~10g.

Fenghua Seed (火麻仁)

81

Moistening the intestines and laxative. Used in treating blood deficiency and fluid deficiency, constipation with dry bowels.

10~15g.

Perilla

78

Relieving exterior cold, promoting circulation of Qi and harmonizing the stomach. Used for cold and flu, cough and vomiting, vomiting in pregnancy, fish and crab poisoning.

5～10g.

Angelica Dahurica

74

Dispersing cold, dispelling wind and relieving pain, clearing nasal orifices, drying dampness and stopping the bandages, subduing swelling and draining pus. Used for cold and headache, eyebrow bone pain, nasal congestion, congested nose, nasal abyss, toothache, hypoglossia, sores and swelling.

3~10g.

Turmeric**

72

Breaking blood and promoting circulation of Qi, promoting menstruation and relieving pain. It is used in treating stabbing pain in the chest and hypochondrium, chest paralysis, heart pain, dysmenorrhea, obstruction of menstruation, obstruction of mass in the abdomen, rheumatism, shoulder and arm pain, and swelling and pain in falling and thrashing.

3-10g.

Sand Seed

67

Resolving dampness and opening the stomach, warming the spleen and stopping diarrhea, regulating Qi and tranquilizing the fetus. It is used in treating dampness and turbidity obstruction, epigastric plumpness without hunger, coldness in the spleen and stomach, vomiting and diarrhea, malignant obstruction in pregnancy, and restlessness of the fetus.

3～6g, and then put down.

Platycodonopsis

65

Promoting the lung, inducing diuresis, expelling phlegm and draining pus. It is used in coughing with profuse phlegm, chest congestion, sore throat, hoarseness, and spitting pus in lung carbuncle.

3~10g.

Dandelion

65

Clearing heat and removing toxins, subduing swelling and dispersing lumps, diuretic and detoxicating. It is used for furuncle and poison, breast carbuncle, scrofula, redness of the eyes, sore throat, lung carbuncle, intestinal carbuncle, damp-heat jaundice, hot shower and astringent pain.

10-15g.

Luo Han Guo

63

Clearing heat and moistening the lung, inducing pharynx and opening the voice, and lubricating the bowels. Used for lung-heat dry cough, sore throat and loss of voice, intestinal dryness and constipation.

9～15g.

Almond (Sweet, Bitter)

62

Reducing Qi, relieving cough and asthma, moistening the intestines and laxatives. Used for cough and asthma, chest fullness and phlegm, intestinal dryness and constipation.

5~10g.

Chicken Nei Jin

62

Strengthening the stomach and eliminating food, astringing essence and stopping emission, clearing gonorrhea and removing stones. It is used for non-elimination of food accumulation, vomiting, diarrhea and dysentery, pediatric chancre, hematuria, seminal emission, stagnant and astringent pain in stone gonorrhea, and bile distension and coercive pain.

3-10g.

Fatty Sai Hai Sea

62

Clearing heat and moistening the lungs, inducing diaphoresis and opening the voice, moistening the intestines and laxatives. It is used for mute voice with lung heat, dry cough without phlegm, dry and sore throat, heat knot and closed stool, headache and redness of eyes.

2~3 pieces.

Ume

61

Astringing the lungs, astringing the intestines, generating fluids and tranquilizing roundworms. It is used for prolonged cough due to lung deficiency, prolonged diarrhea and dysentery, deficiency heat and thirst, vomiting and abdominal pain due to ascaris lumbricoides.

6~12g

Hovenia dulcis#

56

Clearing heat and diuretic, quenching thirst and removing vexation, and relieving drunkenness. Used for drunkenness, thirst, vomiting, and unfavorable bowel movements.

10~15g

Lotus Seed

54

Tonifying the spleen to stop diarrhea, stopping leucorrhea, benefiting the kidney and astringent essence, nourishing the heart and tranquilizing the mind. It is used in treating diarrhea of deficiency of spleen, diarrhea of the belt, spermatorrhea, palpitation and insomnia.

6～15g.

Black Sesame Seed

54

Tonifying the liver and kidney, benefiting essence and blood, moistening intestinal dryness. Used for deficiency of essence and blood, dizziness, tinnitus, deafness, premature whitening of hair, hair loss after illness, intestinal dryness and constipation.

9-15g.

Papaya

53

Relaxing tendons and activating collaterals, harmonizing the stomach and resolving dampness. It is used in treating paralysis and contracture of dampness, soreness and pain in lumbar and knee joints, summer-dampness vomiting and diarrhea, contracture of tendons, and edema of feet.

6~9g.

Green Fruit

53

Clearing heat and removing toxins, inducing diuresis, and generating fluids. Used for sore throat, cough and phlegm mucus, fever and thirst, fish and crab poisoning.

5～10g.

Raspberry

53

Benefiting the kidney, consolidating essence and reducing urination, nourishing the liver and improving eyesight. Used for spermatorrhea, dysuria, frequent urination, impotence and premature ejaculation, dark and dim eyes.

6～12g.

Zingiber officinale

48

Ginger: Relieving exterior cold, warming and stopping vomiting, resolving phlegm and relieving cough, and detoxifying fish and crab. It is used for wind-cold cold, cold stomach, vomiting, coughing with cold phlegm, fish and crab poisoning.
Dried ginger: warming the middle and dispersing cold, restoring yang, warming the lung and resolving drinks. Used for cold pain in the stomach and abdomen, vomiting and diarrhea, cold limbs and pulse, cold drinks and cough.

3-10g.

Eugenol

46

Clearing heat and cooling blood, eliminating food and strengthening the stomach, generating body fluid and relieving cough. It is used in treating blood heat and blood stasis, indigestion, abdominal distension, cough, sore throat and dry mouth.

3～9g.

Cistanches**

46

Tonifying kidney yang, benefiting essence and blood, moistening the intestines and laxatives. Used for deficiency of kidney yang, deficiency of essence and blood, impotence and infertility, lumbar and knee soreness, weakness of muscles and bones, intestinal dryness and constipation.

6-10g.

Pueraria Mirifica

45

Warming the kidney to consolidate essence and reduce urination, warming the spleen to stop diarrhea and take in saliva. Used in kidney deficiency, frequent urination, spermatorrhea, cold spleen, diarrhea, cold pain in the abdomen, salivation.

3-10g.

Clove

39

Warming the middle Jiao and lowering the rebellious, tonifying the kidney and assisting Yang. Used for cold spleen and stomach, vomiting, vomiting and diarrhea, cold pain in the heart and abdomen, kidney impotence.

1~3g.

Ulmus Root

39

Moistening the intestines and relaxing the bowels, lowering Qi and inducing diuresis. It is used for dryness of intestines and fluids, stagnation of food and gas, abdominal distension and constipation, edema, foot fungus, and unfavorable urination.

6~10g.

Forsythia

36

Relaxing the liver and regulating qi, harmonizing the stomach and relieving pain, drying dampness and resolving phlegm. It is used in treating stagnation of Qi in liver and stomach, chest and hypochondrium distension and pain, gastric and epigastric plumpness, poor appetite and vomiting, coughing with excessive phlegm.

3-10g.

Fructus Gracilis Fructus

36

Benefiting the kidney and fixing essence, tonifying the spleen and stopping diarrhea, removing dampness and stopping leucorrhea. Used for spermatorrhea, dyspareunia, frequent urination, prolonged diarrhea of spleen deficiency, leucorrhea, and leucorrhoea.

9～15g.

Perilla Seed

36

Reducing qi and resolving phlegm, relieving cough and asthma, laxative. Used for phlegm congestion, cough and asthma, intestinal dryness and constipation.

3～10g.

Cortex Eucommiae Leaf*

34

Tonifying the liver and kidney, strengthening the muscles and bones. For deficiency of liver and kidney, dizziness, lumbar and knee pain, impotence and weakness of muscles and bones.

10~15g.

Ocimum sanctum

33

Dispelling wind, clearing collaterals and relieving spasm. Used for rheumatism, paralysis, numbness, contracture, stroke, askew, hemiplegia, convulsions and spasms, tetanus, leprosy, scabies.

6-12g.

Kombucha

31

Eliminating phlegm, softening and dispersing knots, inducing diuresis and subduing swelling. It is used in treating gall tumor, scrofula, testicular swelling and pain, phlegm and edema.

6～12g.

Fish Maw

26

Clearing heat and removing toxins, eliminating carbuncle and draining pus, diuretic and detoxicating. Used for lung carbuncle spitting pus, phlegm-heat asthma and cough, hot diarrhea, hot showers, carbuncles and sores.

15～25g

Tangerine Red

24

Regulating Qi and relaxing the middle Jiao, drying dampness and resolving phlegm. It is used in cough with excessive phlegm, food and wine accumulation, vomiting, nausea and congestion.

3-10g.

White Lentil

22

Strengthening the spleen, resolving dampness, harmonizing the middle and eliminating summer heat. For weak spleen and stomach, loss of appetite, loose stools, excessive leucorrhea, summer dampness and diarrhea, chest tightness and abdominal distension. Stir-frying white lentils to strengthen the spleen and resolve dampness. It is used in spleen deficiency and diarrhea, excessive leucorrhea.

9～15g.

Vipers##

21

Tonifying the liver and kidney, dispelling wind. For deficiency of liver and kidney, soreness of waist and knees, dizziness and weakness.

For the preparation of proprietary Chinese medicine.

Sophora japonica

20

Cooling the blood, stopping bleeding, clearing the liver and cathartic fire. Used for blood in stool, hemorrhoidal blood, bloody diarrhea, bleeding, vomiting blood, blood circulation, liver heat and red eyes, headache and dizziness.

5~10g.

Mangosteen Leaf

19

Clearing heat and diarrhea, relieving vexation and thirst, inducing diuresis and clearing gonorrhea. Used for fever and thirst, short, red, astringent and painful urination, mouth and tongue sores.

6-10g.

Fresh Radix et Rhizoma Citri Reticulatae

18

Cooling blood, stopping bleeding, clearing heat and inducing diuresis. Used in treating hemorrhagic fever, vomiting blood, epistaxis, urinating blood, fever and thirst, damp-heat jaundice, edema with scanty urination, and hot shower with astringent pain.

9-30g.

Citron

17

Relaxing the liver and regulating Qi, relieving the middle Jiao, and resolving phlegm. Used in treating stagnation of Qi in liver and stomach, distension and pain in chest and hypochondrium, plumpness in the epigastrium, vomiting and yelping, and coughing with profuse phlegm.

3-10g.

Fresh Rehmannia Glutinosa

17

Clearing away heat and fire, generating body fluid to quench thirst, removing vexation, relieving vomiting, and inducing diuresis. It is used in fever and thirst, coughing with lung heat, spitting pus in lung carbuncle, vomiting and retching with stomach heat, hot shower and astringent pain.

15-30g.

Red Kidney Bean

13

Inducing water retention and swelling, detoxicating and draining pus. Used for edema, swollen feet, jaundice, red urine, rheumatism and heat paralysis, carbuncle sores, intestinal carbuncle and abdominal pain.

9-30g.

Amaranth

12

Clearing heat and removing toxins, cooling blood and stopping bleeding, stopping dysentery. Used for fever and blood dysentery, carbuncle and furuncle, eczema, erysipelas, snake and insect bites, blood in stool, hemorrhoidal blood, hemorrhagic leakage.

9～15g.

White Fruit

11

Astringing the lungs to stabilize wheezing, stopping leucorrhea and shrinking urine. Used for phlegm and coughing, bring down the white turbidity, urination and frequent urination.

5~10g.

Nutmeg

11

Promoting circulation of Qi in the middle Jiao, astringing the intestines to stop diarrhea. Used for cold spleen and stomach, prolonged diarrhea, distension and pain in the epigastric region, and vomiting with little food.

3~10g.

Pogostemon

11

Aromatizing and resolving turbidity, harmonizing and stopping vomiting, expressing and relieving heatstroke. It is used in treating dampness and turbidity obstruction, epigastric congestion and vomiting, summer dampness symptom, the first signs of dampness and temperature, fever and tiredness, chest tightness, cold and dampness blocking the summer heat, abdominal pain and vomiting and diarrhea, and nasal abyss and headache.

3~10g.

Sophora japonica

9

Cooling the Blood to stop bleeding, clearing the liver and cathartic fire. Used for blood in stool, hemorrhoidal blood, bloody diarrhea, bleeding, vomiting blood, blood circulation, liver heat, eye redness, headache and dizziness.

5~10g.

Cumin

8

Dispersing cold, relieving pain, regulating Qi and harmonizing the stomach. It is used in treating cold hernia and abdominal pain, testicular drop, dysmenorrhea, cold pain in the abdomen, distension and pain in the epigastric region, and vomiting and diarrhea with little food. Salt Cumin warms the kidney and disperses cold to relieve pain. Used in treating abdominal pain of cold hernia, falling testicles, dysmenorrhea, abdominal pain of cold menstruation.

3-6g

Chicory

7

Clearing the liver and inducing bile, strengthening the stomach and eliminating food, inducing diuresis and swelling. It is used in jaundice due to dampness-heat, stomachache with little food, edema with little urine.

9～18g.

Daidaihua#

6

Regulating Qi, broadening the chest and appetizing the stomach. Used for chest and epigastric distension, nausea, loss of appetite.

1.5~2.5g

Saffron**

5

Promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, cooling blood and detoxicating, relieving depression and tranquilizing the mind. Used in treating menstrual obstruction, postpartum stagnation, warm poisonous spots, depression and congestion, palpitation and frenzy.

1~3g

Anise

4

Warming Yang, dispersing cold, regulating Qi and relieving pain. Used in treating cold hernia and abdominal pain, kidney deficiency and lumbago, cold stomach and vomiting, cold pain in the epigastric region.

3～6g

Tempeh

4

Relieving exterior syndrome, removing vexation, and promoting the development of heat. Used in treating colds and flu, cold and heat headache, irritability and chest tightness, and insomnia.

6～12g.

Sichuan Pepper

3

Warming the middle Jiao, relieving pain, killing worms and relieving itching. Used for cold pain in the epigastric region, vomiting and diarrhea, abdominal pain caused by worms; external treatment of eczema, itching.

3～6g.

Elshotria

3

Promoting sweating and relieving symptoms, resolving dampness and harmonizing the middle. Used for summer-dampness cold, fever, headache without sweating, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea, edema, dysuria.

3~10g.

Allium sativum

3

Tonifying Yang, dispersing knots, promoting Qi circulation and directing stagnation. Used for chest paralysis and heartache, abdominal and stomach plumpness and distension, diarrhea and dysentery.

5~10g.

Allium cepa

2

Warming the stomach to stop vomiting, dispersing cold and relieving pain. For cold pain in the epigastrium, cold stomach, vomiting, belching and acid swallowing.

3～6g.

Yellow Mustard Seed

2

Warming the lung, expelling phlegm and inducing Qi, dispersing knots and relieving pain. It is used in coughing with cold phlegm, distension and pain in chest and hypochondrium, phlegm stagnation in meridians and collaterals, numbness and pain in joints, phlegm-dampness flowing, gangrene and swollen toxin.

3-9g.

Knife Bean

1

Warming the middle Jiaozhong, lowering Qi, stopping diarrhea. Used in treating cold and deficiency eructation, vomiting.

6～9g

Artichoke

1

Cooling Blood to stop bleeding, dispersing blood stasis and removing toxins to eliminate carbuncle. Used in treating epistaxis, vomiting blood, urinary blood, hemorrhagic drenching, hematemesis, leakage, bleeding from trauma, carbuncle, swelling and sores.

5～12g.

Wicker Welfare

1

Warming the middle Jiao, dispersing cold, lowering Qi and relieving pain. Used for cold pain in the epigastric region, vomiting, diarrhea, cold stagnation of Qi, chest paralysis and heartache, headache, toothache.

1~3g.

White Lentil Flower

0

Strengthening the spleen and harmonizing the stomach, eliminating heat and dampness. Treating dysentery, diarrhea, and leucorrhea.

Black Pepper

0

Warming the middle Jiao, dispersing cold, lowering Qi, and eliminating phlegm. Used for vomiting with cold stomach, abdominal pain and diarrhea, loss of appetite, epilepsy with excessive phlegm.

0.6-1.5g.

Cephalotaxus

0

Killing worms and eliminating accumulation, moistening the lungs, relieving cough, moistening dryness and laxative. Used in hookworm disease, ascariasis, tapeworm disease, abdominal pain of worm accumulation, pediatric chancre, cough of dry lung, constipation.

9～15g.

SANNAI**

0

Promoting circulation of Qi and warming the middle, eliminating food and relieving pain. Used for chest and diaphragm distension, cold pain in the epigastrium and abdomen, and dietary intolerance.

Herb Fruit**

0

Drying dampness and warming the middle, stopping malaria and removing phlegm. Used in treating internal obstruction of cold and dampness, distension and pain in the epigastric region, plumpness and vomiting, malaria with cold and fever, plague with fever.

3～6g.

Note:
Source of Functions and Dosage: Unless otherwise specified, from the Chinese Pharmacopoeia.
Source of frequency of use data: website of the former General Administration of Food and Drugs.
*Pilot
**Only used as spice and flavorings
##Standard for Chinese Materia Medica of Jiangsu Province 1989 Edition
##Standard for Chinese Materia Medica of Zhejiang Province Book I