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new vita® Herbal Ingredients Achieve Better Health in Weeks Acanthopanax Root Bark Traditional Uses Removes wind and dampness, supplements liver and kidneys, strengthens tendons and bones, invigorates blood circulation, eliminates blood stagnancy, for Fistula obstruction, spasms of tendons and bones, numbness and pain, in the loins and legs, pudendal pruritis in women, impotence due to scrotum dampness Scientific Research (1) Antiphlogistic purpose: A. sessiliflorus inhibits arthritis in rats. (2) Analgesic, antipyretic purposes: Intraperitoneal injection of A. sessiliflorus extract in mice shows an analgesic purpose, but it possesses no antipyretic purpose when tested on rabbits. (3) Purpose: on the cardiovascular system: A. sessiliflorus dramatically inhibits extirpated toad heart. (4) Adaptogenic purpose: It enables the body to fight fatigue and regulates the body during disease stages (adaptogenic herbs increase the bodyís nonspecific resistance against diseases and stress). (5) Other purposes: A. sessiliflorus lowers the blood pressure and stimulates uterine and intestinal-tract functions in rabbits. Albizzia Flower Traditional Uses Relieves depression, invigorates blood circulation,controls pain, sets muscle and bone, for restlessness, anxiety, insomnia, lung muscle trauma, hone fracture, carbuncle, ulcer. Scientific Research (1) It has tonifying, stimulating, analgesic, anthelmintic, and diuretic purposes. (2) Oxytocic purposes: Animal studies have indicated that it has oxytocic action Alisma Rhizome Traditional Uses Promotes diuresis, dispels dampness, cleanses heat, for Damp-heat, dysuria, edema, distention, vomiting, diarrhea, retention of phlegm, beriberi, urinary disturbances, hematuria, stagnant water in the stomach, thirst, dizziness Scientific Research (1) Diuretic purpose:.Intravenous injection of the aqueous extract into the rabbitís ear will increase its potassium salt secretion, thus increasing urination. (2) Purpose on fat storage in the liver: When rats were fed with 5 percent alisma powder, storage of lipid in the liver was inhibited, probably by the choline, lecithin, and aristol-monoacetate content in alisma. It also reduced the blood cholesterol level. (3) Hypotensive and hypoglycemic purposes: It lowers the blood pressure, and blood glucose level in rabbits. (4) Antibacterial purpose: In vitro, it inhibits Mycobacterium tuberculosis. American Burdock Root Common Names: Bardana, burr seed, clotbur, cocklebur, grass burdock, hardock, hareburr, hurr-burr, turkey burrseed. Medicinal Parts: Root, seed, leaves. Properties and Uses: Aperient, cholagogue, diaphoretic, diuretic. The decoction or infusion of burdock root is aperient, but not for all individuals; for some it may even be constipative. Both the tea and the tincture can be used for stomach ailments. Burdock is also said to neutralize and eliminate poisons in the system. The leaves are not generally used but do contain a substance that stimulates the secretion of bile. If they are to be used for liver problems, use fresh leaves only. A decoction of leaves also makes a good wash for sores and may be helpful for acne. The fresh, bruised leaves are sometimes used as a remedy for poison oak or poison ivy, The seeds contain an oil that is used medicinally, but only with medical supervision. American Caraway Seed Medicinal Part Seed. Caraway is a biennial or perennial plant cultivated and found in the northern and northwestern U.S., Europe, and Asia. The hollow, furrowed, angular, branched stem grows in the second year from a white, carrot-shaped root. The leaves are bi- or tripinnate and deeply incised, the upper ones on a sheath-like petiole. The small white or yellow flowers appear in May and June, forming a compound umbel with rays of unequal length. The fruit is dark brown, oblong, flattened, and two-seeded. Properties and Uses Antispasmodic, appetizer, carminative, em-menagogue, expectorant, galactagogue, stomachic. Like a number of other common kitchen spices, caraway has a beneficial purpose on the appetite and digestion. It also promotes the onset of menstruation, relieves uterine cramps, promotes the secretion of milk, and is mildly expectorant. Use caraway for flatulent colic, particularly in infants, and also as a stomach settler after takin nauseous medicines. American Chives Leaves Medicinal Part: Leaves. Chive grows to a height of 8 to 12 inches from a small, elongated, bulbous root. The leaves are hollow, cylindrical, closed at the top and dilated to surround the stem at the bottom. The otherwise naked stem bears a terminal globose cluster of reddish-blue or purple flowers in June and July. The fruit is a three-sided black seed. Properties and Uses: Appetizer, digestive. Chives help to stimulate appetite and to promote the digestive processes. The plant, also contains iron and arsenic (in harmless amounts) and may therefore be helpful for anemia. American Cranesbill Root Common Names Alum root, cranesbill, crowfoot, geranium, spotted geranium, wild cranesbill, wild geranium. Medicinal Part Rootstock. Description Cranesbill is growing from 1 to 2 feet high, as well as long-petioled basal leaves. Both basal and stem leaves are deeply 5- to 7-parted, with coarsely toothed, pointed lobes. The rose-purple flowers grow in pairs on axillary peduncles from April to July. Properties and Uses Astringent, styptic. Spotted cranebill root is a strong astringent for both internal and external use. Internally, it is helpful against diarrhea and hemorrhage. It also makes a good mouthwash and gargle for sore throat, gum problems, and throat and mouth sores. One tribe of American Indians used a decoction of wild grape and spotted cranebill root as a mouthwash for children who had thrush. The powdered root is an purposeive blood coagulant and can be used to stop external bleeding. American Loquat Seed Traditional Uses Cleanses lungs, harmonizes stomach, causes chíi to descend, resolves phlegm, for Lung-heat, retention of p ileum and water, stomach-heat, retching Scientific Research (1) Antitussive and expectorant purposes: Amygadalin, after being hydrolyzed, yields hydrocyanic acid which calms the sensory nerves of the bronchi, thus decreasing coughing. It stimulates the respiration center of the central nervous system. (2) Antiviral purpose. It inhibits viruses causing influenza. American Witch Hazel Common Names Hazel nut, pistachio, snapping hazel, spotted alder, striped alder, tobacco wood, winterbloom. Medicinal Parts Bark, leaves. Description Witch hazel is a deciduous shrub or small tree which grows in damp woods from Nova Scotia to Georgia and Nebraska; it is also cultivated elsewhere for its autumn-blooming flowers. Growing to a height of up to 15 feet, the stems and branches are covered with scaly gray to brown bark. The alternate, elliptic to obovate leaves are coarsely toothed and often are finely hairy on the veins underneath. The yellow flowers have 4 strap-shaped petals and grow in nodding, axillary clusters, blooming in autumn when the leaves are falling. The fruit is a woody capsule which ejects two shining black seeds when they ripen during the summer or autumn following the flowers. Properties and Uses Astringent, hemostatic, sedative, tonic. Witch hazel leaves and bark have served mostly to make astringent preparations, which have been taken internally for diarrhea and used externally as a rinse or gargle for mouth and throat irritations and as a vaginal douche for vaginitis. For skin irritations, bruises, insect bites and stings, minor burns, and poison ivy, an ointment made from the fluid extract or a poultice can be applied. A poultice made from the inner bark is said to be purposeive for hemorrhoids and for eye inflammation. The inner bark also has sedative and hemostatic properties. American Yellow Dock Common Names Curled dock, garden patience, narrow dock, sour dock, rumex. Medicinal Part The root. Description Yellow dock is a perennial plant found as a trouble-some weed in fields and waste places in Europe, the U.S. and southern Canada. Its spindle-shaped, yellow taproot sends up a smooth, rather slender stem, 1 to 3 feet high. Lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate in shape, the pointed light green leaves have predominantly wavy margins. The lower leaves are larger and longer-petioled than the upper. Blooming from June to July, the numerous pale green, drooping flowers are loosely whorled in panicled racemes. The fruit is a pointed, three-angled and heart-shaped nut. Properties and Uses Astringent, cholagogue, tonic. Known as a medicinal plant since ancient times, yellow dock has been used as a laxative or mild astringent tonic. In the nineteenth century, it was considered a "blood purifier" and was prescribed for eruptive diseases, such as scrofula, and skin problems. The ointment is valuable for itching, sores, swellings, and scabby eruptions. American Indians applied crushed yellow dock leaves to boils and the pulverized roots to cuts. Amomum Seed Traditional Uses Moves and regulates chíi, smoothes muscles of body, opens stomach, distributes food, prevents spontaneous abortion, for Pain due to swelling in the stomach, stagnation of chíi, stagnancy of undigested food dull stomach, lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, fetal restlessness Scientific Research (1) Aromatic stomachic purpose: The essential oil contains aromatics which possess stomachic actions. (2) Purpose; on the intestines: The 0.254.75% extract of Amomum villosum or A. xanthioides stimulates extirpated intestines, while the 1.00-1.25% saturated solution, inhibits intestinal functioning. Angelica Sinensis Root (Tang-Kuci Root) Traditional Uses Supplements and moves blood, moistens intestines, regulates menses, for Headache due to deficiency of blood, chest and abdominal pain, constipation, amenorrhea, menorrhalgia, functional bleeding Scientific Research (1) Uterus-regulating purpose: Tang-kuei has both stimulating and inhibiting actions on uterine muscles. Experiments indicate that its non-volatile water-soluble compounds stimulate uterine muscle, while its volatile oil inhibits uterine muscle, producing a relaxing action. Therefore, to cause the uterus to contract the herb should be decocted for a long period of time to get rid of the volatile oil. If the uterus is to be relaxed then the herb should be put into the decoction later (that is, the other herbs should be decocted first for some time before tang-kuei is added and it should be boiled over a low flame to prevent loss of the volatile oil). Animal studies show that the uterus upon being pressed will exhibit irregular contractions, but after ad-mirristration of tang-kuei the uterus will contract regularly. This means that tang-kuei can regulate the function of the uterus and that is most probably the mechanism of tang-kueiís ability to treat menorrhalgia. Mice given feed containing 5% tang-kuei have higher DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) content in their uteri, have higher glucose metabolism, and thus have a higher multiplication rate of uterine tissue. (2) Purpose on metabolism and secretion: Mice fed with 5% tang-kuei feed have a higher metabolic rate, and show an increase in oxygen consumption by the liver. Though the vitamin B12, content is low in tang kuei, the vitamins may nevertheless be responsible for its hematinic action. The extract protects the liver and prevents a decrease in liver sugar in mice with acute hepatitis induced by carbon tetrachloride. In experiments with mice, the herb acts against vitamin E deficiency, which may be related to its fetus-stabilizing purpose. (3) Sedative purpose: The volatile oil inhibits brain activity, thus having the purpose of sedation. (4) Diuretic purpose: Tang-kuei promotes urine excretion. (5) Antibacterial purpose: In vitro, it inhibits Bacillus dysenteriae, E. coli, Streptococcus naemolyticus and other bacteria.Biota Seed Arctium Fruit Traditional Uses Disperses wind-heat, cleanses and benefits the throat, ventilates the lungs, promotes eruptions, removes swelling, dissolves toxins, for Cough due to wind-heat, sore throat, unerupted erythema, swelling ulcer, carbuncle Scientific Research (1) Diuretic purpose: Arctiin produces diuresis in experimental studies using frogs, mice, and rabbits. (2) Antibacterial purpose: The extract inhibits the proliferation of Diplococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus in vitro. (3) Antifungal purpose: It inhibits the growth of dermatophytes in vitro. Artemisia Traditional Uses Removes heat, dispels dampness, for Jaundice; feverishness, dysuria Scientific Research (1) Antipyretic purpose: The aqueous extract possesses a strong antipyretic purpose but its decoctionís action is weaker. (2)Purpose on the gallbladder: It stimulates bile secretion, the components responsible for this action being esculetin-6, 7-dimethyl ether and caffeic acid; capillarisin also is quite potent. (3) Hypotensive purpose: The aqueous or ethanol extract lowers the blood pressure of anethetized animals. (4) Purpose on fats: It lowers the serum cholesterol and p-lipoprotein levels, thus preventing the accumulation of fat deposits in the blood vessels. (5) Antibacterial purpose: In vitro, it inhibits Staphylococcus flavus, Bacillus typhi, and others. (6) Antifungal purpose: The dilute solution of capillin inhibits the growth of red ringworm. (7) Antiviral purpose: The ethanol extract strongly inhibits epidemic influenza virus. (8) Anthelmintic purpose: The essential oil paralyzes spineless round worms. (9) Other purposes: The essential oil inhibits spontaneous motor activities and reflexes in mice. Asarum Root Traditional Uses Dispels cold and wind, warms the lungs to resolve accumulated fluids, for Sinusitis, toothache, rheumatoid arthritis due to wind and dampness, retention of phlegm and fluid, cough with dyspnea, general coughing Scientific Research (1) Antipyretic purpose: The essential oil lowers the body temperature of rabbits differing from fever induced by typhoid vaccine. (2) Analgesic purpose: It shows a local anesthetic purpose and analgesic purposes. (3) Tranquilizing purpose: Its essential oil has a tranquilizing purpose as shown by experiments on animals. At first it induces extreme stimulation, then gradually paralysis of the voluntary and respiratory movements and reflexes leading to death. (4) Antibacterial purpose: In vitro the alcohol extract shows a marked inhibition of the growth of gram-positive bacteria Shigella dysenteriae and Salmonella (Eberthella) typhosa. (5) Antitussive purpose: The constituents higenamine and kakuol have been shown to have antitussive purposes. Astragalus Root Traditional Uses Supplements chíi, increases yang, consolidates surface, controls diaphoresis, delivers water, disperses swelling, discharges pus, for Exterior deficiency, spontaneous diaphoresis,' nocturnal diaphoresis, deficiency of chíi, blood prostration, deficiency of the spleen, diarrhea, diseases caused by insufficient ch'i Scientific Research (1) Tonifying purposes: Continuous administration of the decoction to mice for three weeks increases their body weight- and prolongs swimming time. The herb is considered a chíi tonic. (2) Diuretic purpose: In animal studies, oral ingestion or injection of the extract induces diuresis. (3) Purpose on nephritis: It has been proven purposeive against experimentally-induced nephritis, especially in treating proteuria. Oral ingestion of large amounts of the powdered herb by rats rendered them resistant to experimentally-induced nephritis using blood serum. It also delayed the occurrence of proteuria and high-blood cholesterol disease. Patients with proteuria that are given the herb recover faster than those in the control group. (4) Cardiotonic purpose: The herb increases contraction of normal hearts, its cardiotonic purpose being even more dramatic in hearts exhausted by fatigue and poison. (5) Vasodilation purpose: It dilates blood vessels, improves blood circulation of the skin, and enhances nutrition., (6) Antibacterial purpose: In vitro the herb has antibacterial action upon Shigella dysenteriae, Streptococcus haemolyticus, Diplococcus pneumonia, and Staphylococcus aureus. (7) Hypotensive purpose: In animal studies, the herb has been proven to lower blood pressure, probably through its vasodilation action. Atractylodes Ovata Rhizome Traditional Uses Supplements spleen, tonifies chíi, dries dampness, delivers water, harmonizes stomach and spleen, controls diaphoresis, prevents miscarriage, for Deficiency of the spleen, fatigue, loss of appetite, mental fatigue, diarrhea, edema, retention of phlegm, spontaneous diaphoresis, dizziness, vomiting, fetal restlessness Scientific Research (1) Diuretic purpose: The herb inhibits reabsorption by the renal tubules and increases secretion of potassium salts. The action is not only pronounced but also lasts for a long time. (2) Sedative purpose: Animal studies show that the essential oil possesses sedative action. (3) Blood sugar-lowering purpose: Rabbits given the extract orally were found to have lower blood sugar. The herb when given orally to rats hastens glucose assimilation, thus lowering the blood sugar level. (4) Stomachic purpose: It promotes digestion and also has antiemetic and anti-diarrheal actions. The herb is often prescribed in conjunction with moisture-removing drugs and digestants Atractylodes Rhizome Traditional Uses Supplements spleen, Dries dampness, strengthens spleen, removes wind-dampness, promotes diuresis. Generalized aching,gastroenteritis,edema,uropenia due to renal dysfunction. Scientific Research (1) Stomachic effect. (2) Diuretic and diaphoretic effects: The diuretic mechanism is still not clear; however, it increases the secretion of sodium and potassium in the urine. (3) Tranquilizing effect: Its volatile oil at low doses tranquilizes frogs, while at high doses it inhibits the frog`s central nervous system and leads to death from paralysis. (4) Hypoglycemic effect: Experiments using toads and rabbits show that it inhibits the animals` blood sugar level. Biota Leaf Traditional Uses Cools blood, controls bleeding, for Hemoptysis, epistaxis, dysentery, hematuria, functional bleeding, arthralgia due to wind-damp Scientific Research (1)Hemostatic purpose: Experiments prove that the herb shortens bleeding time and quickens blood clotting. (2) Antibacterial purpose: In vitro it inhibits Diplococcus lanceolatus capsulatus, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus albus, and dysentery bacteria. The ethanol extract inhibits pneumonia bacteria. (3) Antitussive purpose: Experiments show that oral ingestion of the herb inhibits coughing. Biota Seed Traditional Uses Tranquilizes the heart, calms the spirit, moistens intestines, promotes bowel movement, controls diaphoresis, for Rapid heart palpitation, insomnia, involuntary emission, hyper-hydrosis due to debility, amnesia, constipation Scientific Research The fatty oil possesses a laxative action. Bitter Ginseng Root Traditional Uses Dispels heat, dries dampness, expels wind, kills intestinal parasites, for Dysentery, hematochezia, jaundice, edema, dysuria, rash, scabies, eczema due to dampness, pruritis Scientific Research (1) Diuretic and antipyretic purpose: Animal studies show it has these properties. (2) Antifungal purpose: The 8% extract inhibits proliferation of various dermatophytes. (3) Other purposes: Matrine and oxymatrine prevent the formation of ulcers. Matrine when injected subcutaneously into rabbits produces central nervous system inhibition, intense convulsions, repiratory paralysis, and ultimately death. Bletilla Tuber Traditional Uses Nourishes the lungs, controls bleeding, promotes tissue, resolves phlegm, eliminates ulcers, for Hemoptysis due to impairment of the lungs, epistaxis, hematemesis; (external use) carbuncle, burn wounds, dermal laceration Scientific Research (1) Hemostatic purpose: The mucilage content possesses hemostatic and antionco-tic actions; its hemostatic action is probably due to its ability to agglutinate blood cells forming thrombi. (2) Antibacterial purpose: In vitro it inhibits gram-positive bacteria and Mycobac-terium tuberculosis. (3) Antifungal purpose: It inhibits "white scabies". Bupleurum Root Traditional Uses Revolves surface, disperses heat, dissolves liver congestion, disperses stagnancy, raises yang chíi, for Alternating episodes of chills and fever, jaundice, fullness and pain in the chest, bitter taste in the mouth, deafness, dizziness, vomiting, malaria Scientific Research (1) Antipyretic purpose: The extract when given orally to artificially-induced fever in rabbits exerts a notable hypothermic purpose. It also to some extent relieves fever induced by TTG (a polysaccharide produced by the bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens). However, it is still doubtful whether it can relieve fever induced by malaria. (2) Anti-hepatosis purpose: The extract has a moderate to extreme purpose on hepatosis induced by typhoid vaccines, alcohol, or organic phosphates. It is not purposeive against hepatosis induced by tetraethylenechloride or carbon tetrachloride when given orally. (3) Tranquilizing and analgesic purposes: The crude saikosides given orally to mice produce a tranquilizing purpose by prolonging the sleeping time induced by hexa-barbital; it also has a moderate analgesic purpose and strong antitussive purpose. (4) Antibacterial purpose: In vitro, it inhibits the growth of Bacillus tuberculosis. (5) Antiviral purpose: In vitro, it shows a strong inhibitory purpose on the proliferation of influenza virus. (6) Antiphlogistic purpose: The crude saponin when given orally shows an anti-inflammatory purpose and inhibits dextran and granuloma-induced edema by the granuloma pouch method. However, it shows no notable purpose on edema induced by carrageenin, acetic acid, and arthritis, and it also has no protective purpose against histamine shock and anaphylactic shock. Chinese Date Traditional Uses Supplements and tonifies spleen and stomach, moistens heart and lungs, nourishes and pacifies spirit, smooths herbal action, harmonizes all drugs Scientific Research (1) Antiallergic purpose: It has this action because of the presence of cyclic AMP in its aqueous extract. (2) Antiulcer purpose: In stress ulcer experiments, the ethanol extract has been determined to have antiulcer. activity. Cinnamon Bark Traditional Uses Reinforces vital yang, warms the spleen and stomach, dispels accumulated chill, and invigorates blood vessels, for Deficient renal function, limb chill and feeble pulse, debilitation and collapse of yang, ahdominal pain and diarrhea, chilling pain of the waist and knees, amenorrhea. wandering abscess, fever in the upper and cold in the lower parts of the body. Scientific Research (1) Stimulation of the circulation: It dilates blood vessels, thus promoting blood circulation. It also possesses diaphoretic action. Because of its ability to improve circulation, it can enhance the purposes of other herbs. Experience indicates that cinnamon bark can be used as a guide to enable other herbs to reach where they could not otherwise. (2) Stomachic purpose: The essential oil stimulates the gastrointestinal tract, promoting digestion and absorption. It also alleviates pain due to gastrointestinal spasms, eliminates gas in the digestive tract, and inhibits abnormal fermentation processes in the intestines. (3) Antifungal purpose: In vitro it inhibits various pathogenic fungi. Citrus Peel Traditional Uses Disperses stagnant chíi, dissolves phlegm, dissipates fullness, disperses accumulations, for Accumulation and obstruction of phlegm in the chest, chíi formation in epigastrium, swelling and pain in the intestines, food stagnation, indigestion Scientific Research (1) Stomachic purpose: In animal studies the extract increased and regulated gastrointestinal activities. In modern-medicine it is used as an aromatic bitter stomachic. (2) Contraction of the uterus: The extract stimulates rabbit uterus and rabbit extirpated uterus by increasing the tonicity and contraction of the uterine muscle. (3) Other purposes: The decoction increases blood pressure. At a low dosage, it increases the contraction of extirpated heart; however, at high dosage it decreases heart contraction. Clematis Root Traditional Uses Removes wind-dampness, promotes meridian flow, controls pain, regulates urination, for Rheumatism, gout, pain in the loins, knees and limbs, apoplexy, migraine, edema, mass in the abdomen. Scientific Research (1) Antibacterial purpose: In vitro, .it inhibits bacteria that cause dysentery and enteritis. (2) Antifungal purpose: In vitro, it inhibits dermatophytes and microsporons. (3) Hypotensive purpose: The extract causes a lowering of the blood pressure of anesthetized dogs and.also constricts the kidneys. (4) Antidiuretic purpose: It dramatically reduces diuresis in mice and rats. (5) Analgesic purpose: Animal studies show that it has a definite analgesic purpose. (6) Purpose on a sprain: It has marked anti-sprain action. (7) Softening purpose: The acetic acid extract softens the bones of fish. (8) Other purposes: It first inhibits, then stimulates extirpated toad heart; it also stimulates the intestines of mice. Clove Flower Buds Traditional Uses Warms middle warmer and kidneys, supplements yang, promotes digestive function, expels wind, for Deficiency-cold of the spleen and kidneys, hiccough, vomiting, diarrhea, cold pain in the chest and abdomen. It is also used as a spice for food and in the manufacture of cosmetics. Scientific Research (1) Stomachic purpose: The essential oil stimulates gastric secretion and thus promotes digestion. (2) Antibacterial purpose: The alcohol extract inhibits Bacillus diphtheriae, Bacillus anthracis, Staphylococcus auras, Staphylococcus albus, Bacillus paratyphi, Shigella dysenteriae, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. (3) Antiviral purpose: It dramatically inhibits epidemic influenza virus. (4) Antifungal purpose: It inhibits various types of white ringworm. (5) Tranquilizing purpose: Intraperitoneal injection of the extract produces a sedating action in mice after a few hours. (6) Adrenalin-antagonizing actions; It inhibits the heartbeat of extirpated frog heart by inhibiting excitatory transmission of the A.V. nodes. Experiments using frog legs indicate it dilates the blood vessels. These purposes are probably due to its adrenalin-antagonizing actions. (7) Other purposes: The ethanol or aqueous extract stimulates the uterus and its contraction; it also paralyzes roundworms in pigs. Codonopsis Root Traditional Uses Invigorates the spleen and stomach, replenishes chíi, harmonizes spleen and stomach, increases the secretion of fluids, for Splenic and gastric weakness, insufficient chíi, fatigue, Joss of appetite and thirst. Chinese physicians use it as a ginseng substitute. Scientific Research (1) Tonifying and stomachic purpose: The herb stimulates the nervous system, increases body resistance, and promotes digestion, absorption, and metabolism. (2) Hemopoietic purpose: Experiments show that it increases the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin content in rabbits. The hemopoietic actions are thought to be the result of the interaction between tang-shen and the spleen. (3) Hypotensive purpose: Animal studies show it dilates peripheral blood vessels and inhibits adrenal cortex activity, causing a lowering of blood pressure. Coptis Rhizome Traditional Uses Dispels heat, dries dampness, purges fire, removes toxin, for Fidgets due to extreme heat, sensation of fullness in the chest and abdomen, thirst, diarrhea due to heat, abdominal pain, tenesmus, hemoptysis, epistaxis, conjunctivitis, tumor, oral ulceration Scientific Research (1) Antibacterial purpose: The main constituent berberine has bacteriostatic action on pathogenic microbes. It is especially bactericidal to intestinal bacteria, and has the same efficacy as a sulfa drug. (2) Antiviral purpose: It inhibits influenza virus. (3) Antiphlogistic purpose: The aqueous extract inhibits granulation of fertilized eggs and possesses anti-inflammatory action. (4) Anti-ulcer purpose: Oral administration of the aqueous extract to mice inhibits gastric ulcer due to nervousness. (5) Stomachic purpose: The bitter taste possesses a stomachic purpose, and helps in digestion. It also stimulates the secretion of saliva, gastric juices, pancreatic juice, bile juice, and the activities of the gastrointestinal tract. (6) Antidiarrheal purpose: Berberine acts on the gastric mucosa to prevent diarrhea. (7) Other purposes: In vitro, the aqueous extract induces spasms of the mouse intestinal tract, contracts uteri, and also prevents atherosclerosis; prolongs sleeping (CNS purpose) and lowers blood pressure. Cordyceps Traditional Uses Supplements lungs and kidneys, controls cough with dyspnea, for Cough due to consumption. hemoptysis, hyperhidrosis, impotence, involuntary emission. pain in the loins and knees Scientific Research (1) Bronchial purpose: It dramatically dilates extirpated animal bronchi. (2) Sedative purpose: It sedates and induces sleeping in mice. (3) Antibacterial purpose: In vitro cordycepic acid inhibits staphylococci, streptococci, a:id other types of bacteria. (4) Antifungal purpose: In vitro it inhibits to varying degrees several kinds of fungi. (5) Other purposes:Intravenous injection of the extract causes the blood pressure to drop and inhibits the activity of intestinal tract, uterus,and heart. Costus Root Traditional Uses Promotes chíi circulation, relieves distention, controls pain and diarrhea, harmonizes the stomach, for Stomachache due to perverted flow of liver chíi, vomiting, diarrhea, borborygmus, abdominal pain, dysentery, tenesmus Scientific Research (1) Antibacterial purpose: Aucklandia lappa possesses the strongest inhibitory purpose on various staphylococci, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus typhi. (2) Regulating the intestine and analgesic purposes: The extract of A. lappa acts on the nervus, vagus, stimulates the large intestine, increases peristalsis of the large intestine, and moderates pain and gas inside the gastrointestinal tract. (3) Anthelmintic purpose: The alantolactone conte' in lnula helenium possesses stronger anthelmintic' action than santonin; however, it is quite bitter and can cause vomiting. (4) Hypotensive purpose: The aromatic extract of Aristolochia debilis or A. contorta possesses a pronounced hypotensive purpose. Its toxicity is lower than that of the.fruit of Aristolochia debilis. The hypotensive action is strong and lasts for a long time. Cratagus Fruit Traditional Uses Promotes food digestion and resolves accumulation, expels phlegm and eliminates food stagnancy, for Dyspepsia, stagnancy of undigested food, stuffiness fullness in the chest and abdomen, acid regurgitation, hernia, menorrhagia, persistence of lochia, indigestion in infants due to improper nursing Scientific Research (1) Digestive purpose: Crataegolic acid increases gastric secretion of digestive enzymes, thus helping in digestion. (2) Antibacterial purpose: In vitro, the decoction is strongly inhibitory to Shigella dysenteriae. (3) Vasodilative and hypotensive purpose: By dilating blood vessels, it causes a prolonged hypotensive purpose. Ancient Chinese thought that it could disperse stagnation and remove stasis, probably through its vasodilating actions. (4) Other purposes: It lowers cholesterol level and causes uterine contractions. Cyperus Rhizome Traditional Uses Restores the normal functioning of the depressed liver, regulates menses, controls pain, for Convulsions, amenorrhea, ante- and postpartum headache,ístagna-tion, epigastric pain, hematemesis, hematochezia, hematuria, functional bleeding, leukorrhea Scientific Research (1) Analgesic purpose: The ethanol extract increases rabbitsí pain threshold. (2) Uterine contraction-inhibiting purpose: The extract inhibits contraction of smooth muscles and decreases the tonicity of extirpated uteri, but its purpose is weaker than that of tang-kuei. Dioscorea Rhizome Traditional Uses Supplements spleen and stomach, tonifies lungs and kidneys, astringes sperm, for Diarrhea due to spleen deficiency, chronic dysentery, cough due to general debility, diabetes, nocturnal emission, leukorrhea, urinary frequency Scientific Research Nutritive purpose: This action is probably due to its mucilage and nutrient content. Epimedium Traditional Uses Supplements kidneys and strengthens yang, dispels wind-damp, for Impotence, weakness in the loins and knees, arthralgia due to wind, cold, and damp, general para1ysis Scientific Research (1) Aphrodisiac purpose: It has an aphrodisiac action mainly because it stimulates secretion of semen, causing the filling up of the scrotum, thereby stimulating the sensing nerves, and indirectly promoting sexual desire. The leaf and the root are most potent in this action, the fruit is intermediate, and the stem the least potent. (2) Hypotensive purpose: The extract lowers blood pressure of anesthetized rabbits, normal mice, and hypertensive rats having kidney disorders. It acts mainly on dilating the peripheral blood vessels and inhibiting.the vasomotor center in the brain. (3) Other purposes: Antitussive, expectorant, and antiasthmatic purposes. In small dosages it causes diuresis while at high dosages it acts against diuresis. Eyebright Common Names Euphrasy, eye-bright. Medicinal Part: The herb. Description Red eyebright is a small, downy, annual herb very common in meadows, pastures, and other grassy areas of Europe and western Asia and probably naturalized locally in various places in the U.S. Its square, leafy stem grows up to 12 inches high and bears opposite, stiff, ovate leaves. The two-lipped, red or purple and white flowers grow in axillary leafy spikes from June to September. Properties and Uses Astringent, tonic. As the name suggests, red eyebright has been used to treat eye inflammations, eyestrain, and other eye ailments. A weak infusion of the fresh herb is used for these purposes, either as an eyewash or as fomentation. In addition, an infusion or poultice of red eye bright has been used for symptoms associated with colds, such as coughs, sore throat, nasal congestion, and catarrh. In Europe it has sometimes been taken for hay fever. Fennel Fruit Traditional Uses Regulates the flow of chíi, controls pain, increases appetite, dispels cold, expels wind, for Abdominal distention, vomiting, diarrhea, hernia, abdominal pain Scientific Research (1) Expectorant purpose: The essential oil irritates the oral and throat mucosa and stimulates bronchial secretions, thus producing expectorant purposes. (2) Stomachic purposes: The essential oil sensitizes the sense of taste and reflexively increases gastric and saliva secretion and activities of the stomach, thereby increasing the appetite and promoting digestion. Fermented Pinellia Tuber Traditional Uses Harmonizes Stomach, Controls vomiting dries dampness, removes phlegm, disperses accumulation and swelling, for Vomiting, cough and dyspnea, thoracocostal distention, apoplexy, phlegm syncope, wind phlegm, dizziness, headache, insomnia Scientific Research (1) Antiemetic and sedative purposes: The toxic components are quite insoluble in water; the antiemetic and antitussive components, however, are soluble in hot water. The toxic compound cannot be destroyed by ginger juice or by boiling at 100 degrees C for three hours. Its toxicity can be eliminated by using alum. Therefore alum is always added to processed pinellia. Raw ginger is added to assist in its antiemetic action. Pinellia possesses quite a strong antiemetic purpose because it decreases excitation of the center causing vomiting. (2) Emetic purpose: Raw pinellia and its extract cause vomiting, which is in accordance with the report of our ancestors that "unprocessed pinellia causes vomiting". The vomit-inducing component can be removed by heating the raw and powdered herb at high temperatures while the antiemetic component is preserved. (3) Sedative purpose: The active constituent is an alkaloid. The boiled and filtered water-soluble fraction has been shown to tranquilize respiratory movements slightly. (4) Purpose on 'the eye: Ingestion ofthe boiled and filtered water soluble portion can slightly decrease pressure inside the eyes. Flowery Knotweed Root Traditional Uses Nourishes yin, replenishes sperm and blood. tonifies liver and kidneys, for Deficiency of liver and kidney yin, prematurely white hair, pain in the loins and knees, involuntary emission, functional bleeding, intestinal wind, chronic malaria, carbuncle, scrofula Scientific Research (1) Purgative purpose: It stimulates peristaltic movements of the intestine to induce defecation. The active constituents are the derivatives of anthraquinone. (2) Cholesterol level-lowering purpose: In experiments with rabbits, it inhibits the increase of serum cholesterol and also decreases the absorption of cholesterol by the alimentary canal. This action is probably due to the ability of its constituents to combine with cholesterol to inhibit increase in cholesterol. (3) Purpose on arteriosclerosis: It prevents the retention of lipid in the serum or inhibits the deposition of lipoid on the inner membrane of arteries, probably because of its lecithin content. (4) Antiviral purpose: It has been shown to act against viruses. (5) Other purposes: It is cardiotonic, especially to exhausted hearts; it stimulates extirpated frog heart and also causes blood sugar to first rise and then fall. The anthra-quinon derivatives in the herb possess a stimulatory action on the nervous system. Forsythia Fruit Traditional Uses Dispels heat, removes toxin, disperses accumulations and swelling, drains pus, for Ulcer, scrofula, erysipelas, gonorrhea, erythema, dermal eruption Scientific Research (1) Antibacterial purpose: In vitro it inhibits Shigella dysenteriae, Salmonella typhosa, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other gram-negative bacteria. It also inhibits Staphylococus aureus, Streptococcus hemolyticus, Diplococcus pneumoniae, and Hemophilus pertussis and other gram-positive bacteria. (2) Antiviral purpose: It inhibits influenza virus. (3) Cardiotonic and diuretic purposes: Oleonolic acid is probably purposeive as a cardiotoric and diuretic. Fritillaria Bulb Traditional Uses Moistens dryness to resolve phlegm, controls cough, clears heat, for Cough due to heat in the lungs, lung abscess, malfunction of the lungs. Chuan-pei is purposeive for treating tuberculosis and hemoptysis, while che-hei is good for cough due to external pernicious influence, incised-wound toxin, carbuncle, scrofula, toxic swelling, and laryngeal ulcer. Scientific Research (1) Antitussive and expectorant purposes: The alkaloids of the herb possess atro pinelike activities, stop contraction of the bronchial smooth muscle, decrease secretion, and dilate the pupil of the eye. (2) Central nervous system-inhibiting purpose: In warm-blooded animals it paralyzes the central nervous system, stimulates heart muscles, causes dysfunction, of breathing and spontaneous, motor movements, decreases heart rate, and causes incomplete heart contraction thus leading to a lowering of blood pressure. It increases extirpated uterine contractions but inhibits peristalsis of extirpated rabbit intestines. Gardenia Fruit Traditional Uses Dispels heat and purges fire, cools blood, removes toxin, for Insomnia due to fidgets and deficiency, jaundice, urinary disturbances, diabetes, hyperemia, hematemesis, epistaxis, bloody diarrhea, hematochezia, tumor, esophagitis, chest pain, stomachache, oral ulceration, tonsillitis, mastitis Scientific Research (1) Purpose on the gallbladder: The aqueous or ethanol extracts when injected into rabbits stimulates their bile secretion. The extract also lowers the blood bilirubin level in rabbits after their bile ducts have been tied off and they have been injected with crocin and crocetin. Geniposide after being degraded in the intestine yields geni-pin, which stimulates bile secretion after being absorbed. (2)Hypotensive purpose: The aqueous or ethanol extracts will continuously lower blood pressure in cats. (3) Antibacterial purpose: In vitro, it inhibits the growth of Shigella dysenteriae, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus hemolyticus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. (4) Antifungal purpose: Its aqueous extract inhibits white ringworm. (5) Tranquilizing purpose: Its aqueous extract exhibits a tranquilizing purpose in mice. -. (6) Antipyretic purpose: It inhibits center-controlling fever, its action being very similar to that of coptis and scute. (7) Other purposes: It inhibits ascitic carcinoma and suppresses diarrhea when given orally to mice. Ginger Root Traditional Uses Warms middle warmer, reinvigorates yang, arms lungs, and resolves phlegm, for Vomiting, diarrhea. abdominal pain, cold limbs, minute pulse, cough due to retention of cold, rheumatic pain due to cold and moisture Scientific Research (1) Hypertensive purpose: It reflexively stimulates the vasomotor center and stimulates' the sympathetic nervous system thereby increasing the blood pressure. (2) Stomachic and antiemetic purposes: It stimulates blood circulation. Ingestion of it warms the stomach and intestines, thus improving digestion and absorption by the gastrointestinal tract, which results in antiemetic and antidiarrheal actions. Gleditsia Thorn Traditional Uses Opens cavities, resolves phlegm, dispels wind-dampness, kills parasites, for Stroke syndrome, hemiplegia, sore throat, asthmatic cough swelling toxin, tinea Scientific Research (1) Hemolytic purpose: It possesses strong hemolytic action. (2) Antibacterial purpose: The aqueous extract inhibits Escherichia coli, Eberthel-la typhos, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris, and gram-negative bacteria in vitro. (3) Antifungal purpose: In vitro it inhibits various dermatophytes. (4) Expectorant purpose: Its saponin content,stimulates gastric mucosa reflexively,. causingan increase in secretions of the respiratory tract to aid in expelling phlegm Hocquartia Stem Traditional Uses Clears heat, promotes water metabolism,facilitates lactation,promotes blood circulation, for Irritability and heat sensation in the chest, sore throat and laryngitis, urinary calculus, urinary bladder dysfunction, chyluria, hematuria, cramp, anemia, agalactia Scientific Research (1) Diuretic purpose: Its diuretic action is weaker than polyporus but stronger than lophatherum. (2) Cardiotonic purpose: A. manshuriensis action like that of digitalis, stimulates extirpated toad heart. (3) Antibacterial purpose: In vitro, it inhibits grampositive bacteria, Eberthella dysenteriae, and dermatophytes. (4) Anticancer purpose: Aristolochic acid inhibits the growth of carcinoma. Huo-Shan Dendrobium Stem Traditional Uses Increases fluids, benefits stomach, nourishes yin, moistens lungs, expels heat, quenches thirst, for Impairment of body fluids due to febrile disease, dry mouth, fidgets, thirst, deficiency fever after an illness Scientific Research (1) Antipyretic and analgesic purpose: Its purpose is slight. Dendrobine is the purposeive constituent and acts on the spinal column. (2) Stomachic purpose: The extract stimulates smooth muscle contraction of the small intestine, increases its tonicity, and promotes peristalsis and gastric secretion to help in digestion. (3) Other purposes: The extract of D nobble cannot relieve fever induced by Escherichia coli in rabbits. In higher dosages the extract paralyzes smooth muscles and inhibits heartbeat. At suitable dosages, it inhibits the actions of pilocarpine, atropine, and adrenaline on hearts and small intestines. Its inhibiting purpose is slightest with atropine. Japanese Honeysuckle Flower Traditional Uses Removes toxic heat, for Fever, dermal eruption, carbuncle, malignant ulcer, red dysentery, toxic swelling, toxic heat Scientific Research (1) Antibacterial purpose: In vitro the extract dramatically inhibits Shigella dy-senteriae, Salmonella typhosa,Escherichia coli, Staphylococcusaureus, Streptococcus hemolyticus, and Hemophilus pertussis. (2) Antiviral purpose: The decoction of a formula containing Lonicera Flos can treat the recurrence of PR8 influenza virus infection. (3) Stomachic purpose: The extract can slightly inhibit the occurrence of diges-tive-type stomach ulcers. (4) Antispasmodic purpose: Lonicerin can relieve spasms of extirpated small intestine by stimulating sympathetic nerves and inhibiting the parasympathetic nerves in the intestine, (5) Diuretic purpose: It increases the excretion of sodium chloride, thus possessing a diuretic purpose. Japanese Quince Fruit Traditional Uses Quenches liver fire, relaxes muscles and meridians, harmonizes the stomach, removes dampness, for Beriberi swelling, contortion of arm and leg, arthralgia due to dampness, chronic cough Scientific Research (1) Antibacterial purpose: Malic acid inhibits the growth of pathogenic bacteria. (2) Hemopoieticpurpose: Malic acid increases the absorption of iron to produce hemopoietic activities. (3) Antispasmodic purpose: It relaxes the smooth muscle of the gastrointestinal tract and relieves spasms in the limbs. (4) Diuretic purpose: Clinical observations indicate that it dramatically promotes diuresis. Japanese Teasel Root Traditional Uses Supplements liver and kidneys, unites fractured tendons and bone, invigorates blood circulation, prevents miscarriage, for Incised wound, broken bone, swelling carbuncle, foot debility, fetal restlessness, functional bleeding, lumbago Scientific Research: Anti-inflammatory purpose: It induces the eruption of pus, stops bleeding, and has an analgesic-purpose in patients with carbuncle dermatosis. It also promotes the regeneration of tissues. Laminaria Traditional Uses Softens hardness, disperses accumulation, resolves phlegm, cleanses heat, for Scrofula, goiter, edema, accumulation, testicular pain and swelling Scientific Research (1) Hypotensive purpose: Laminine is the active constituent which lowers blood pressure slightly and temporarily. (2) Purpose on goiter: Because of its iodine and iodide content, the herb is used to treat goiter caused by deficiency in iodide or iodine. (3) Antitussive and expectorant purposes: The extract has been proven to have an antitussive purpose on guinea pigs and on artificially-induced coughing in rats and cats. Ledebouriella Root Traditional Uses Dispels wind, resolves surface, removes dampness, relieves convulsions, controls diarrhea and b1eeding, for Common cold due to wind-cold, headache, vertigo, generalized aching, arthralgia due to wind, cold and dampness, ostealgia, limbic spasms Scientific Research (1) Antipyretic purpose: The extract is proven to have antipyretic actions when tested on febrile rabbits injected with typhoid vaccine into the auricular vein. (2) Antibacterial and antifungal purposes: In vitro the aqueous extract is proven purposeive against fungus Shigella dysenteriae, and Bacillus diphtheria. (3) Antiviral purpose: It inhibits viruses causing influenza. Licorice Root Traditional Uses Supplements spleen, replenishes chíi, clears heat, removes toxin, moist-ens lungs, controls cough, harmonizes the stomach and spleen, harmonizes all drugs, for Sore throat, carbuncle, toxic swelling, toxicosis in fetuses and children, diarrhea due to spleen deficiency, thirst due to stomach deficiency, cough due to dry lungs, palpitation Scientific Research (1) Detoxifying purpose: Glyiyrrhizin and its calcium salt possess detoxifying action on bacterial toxins (diphtherin, tetanin), poisonous foods and drugs, and toxins of metabolic products. Glycvrrhizin when degraded yields glucuronic acid, v:hich in the liver will combine with toxic materials to form glucuronide to produce a detoxifying action. (2) Adrenocortical hormonelike The active constituent glycyrrhetic acid in licorice causes the retention of water and sodium ions, increases blood pressure, promotes the secretion of potassium, and thus possesses actions similar to those of adrenocorticohormone. Licorice is purposeive against Addisonís disease. (3) Antispasmodic purpose: It inhibits smooth muscle activities, mainly because of its flavonoid content, which has actions similar to those of papaverin. (4) Gastric secretion-inhibiting action: Animal studies show that licorice inhibits gastric secretion caused by histamine. (5) Anti-inflammatory purpose: Glycyrrhizin and its degraded product glycyrrhe-tinic acid possess anti-inflammatory actions similar to those of certain hormones secreted by the adrenal gland. Ligusticum Rhizome Traditional Uses Invigorates blood circulation, promotes the flow of ch'i, dispels wind, controls pain, for Headache, abdominal pain, arthralgia due to cold, spasm of tendons, amenorrhea, other menstrual disorders Scientific Research (1) Antispasmodic purpose: The extract inhibits intestinal and uterine contraction. in animals to produce antispasmodic and analgesic purposes. Its active constituent is ferulic acid. (2) Tranquilizing purpose: The essential oil inhibits the central nervous system. (3) Hypotensive purpose: The aqueous extract slightly lowers the blood pressure of animals. Intramuscular injection can produce this purpose, but the purpose is more pronounced with anesthetized animals (dogs, cats, and rabbits) when the extract is injected intravenously. (4) Vasodilative purpose: The extract when injected into the coronary artery increases blood flow in the coronary artery and to the lower limbs. (5) Antibacterial purpose: In vitro it inhibits Escherichia coli, Bacillus typhi, and dysentery bacteria. (6) Antifungal purpose: In vitro butylphthalide, cnidilide, and neocnidilide inhibit dermatophytes. Ligustrum Fruit Traditional Uses Supplements kidneys, nourishes yin, nourishes liver, clears vision, for Yin deficiency, internal heat, debility of the waist and knees, deafness, dizziness, palpitations, insomnia, constipation Scientific Research (1) Cardiotonic purpose: Oleanolic acid possesses cardiotonic actions. (2) Purgative purpose: (-mannite acts as a laxative and purgative. (3) Nutritive purpose: The constituents oleic acid and olinoleic acid possess nutritive actions; (4) Other purposes: Recent experimental studies have shown that the aqueous extract inhibits the growth of transplanted tumor cells in animals. Lophatherum Leaf Traditional Uses Clears heat, promotes urination, for fever with fidgets; uropenia with reddish urine; febrile disease; fidgets Scientific Research (1) Antipyretic purpose: Given orally it has a hypothermic purpose on rats with artificially induced fevers. (2) Diuretic purpose: Its diuretic purpose is weaker than chlorides in the urine. (3) Anticarcinogenic purpose: The extract is purposeive in cinoma and sarcoma-180. Loquat Leaf Traditional Uses Cleanses lungs, harmonizes stomach, causes ch'i to descend, resolve phlegm, for Lung-heat, retention of phlegm and water, stomach-heat, retching Scientific Research (1) Antitussive and expectorant purposes: Amygadalin, after being hydrolyze, yields hydrocyanic acid which calms the sensory nerves of the bronchi, thus decreasing coughing. It stimulates the respiration center of the central nervous system. (2) Antiviral purpose: It inhibits viruses causing influenza. Lotus Fruit Traditional Uses Dispels toxic heat in the heart, benefits kidneys, strengthens spleen, controls diarrhea, astringes, for Spleen deficiency, diarrhea, excessive dreaming, involuntary emission, functional bleeding, leukorrhea Scientific Research (1) Purpose on smooth muscle: The alkaloids of the herb relax smooth muscle, methylcorypalline dilates coronary arteries, and demethylcoclaurine relaxes smooth uterine muscle. (2) Other purposes: The decoction of the embryo neutralizes toxicity; oxoushin-sunine inhibits swollen infection of the nose and throat. Lycium Berry Traditional Uses Supplements the liver and kidneys, promotes sperm and blood, clears vision, for Deficiency of liver and kidney yin, debility of loins and knees, vertigo, excessive tearing, cough due to consumption, diabetes, nocturnal emission Scientific Research (1) Purpose on liver fat: In experiments with mice intoxicated with carbon tetrachloride, the aqueous extract slightly inhibits the precipitation of fat in liver cells and promotes regeneration of liver cells. The active constituents are probably the metabolic products of betaine. (2) Hypoglycemia purpose: The herb lowers the level of blood sugar. (3) Hypotensive purpose: Intravenous injection of the aqueous extract into the rabbitís ear causes a dramatic decrease in blood pressure and also stimulates breathing. Lycium Root Bark Traditional Uses Dispels heat, cools blood, expels fever due to deficiency, for Bone-steaming fever, hyperhidrosis, thirst, cough, hematemesis Scientific Research (1) Hypotensive purpose: The aqueous extract directly dilates blood vessels and thus lowers blood pressure. (2) Antibacterial purpose: In vitro, it inhibits Staphylococcus aureus. (3) Hypoglycemic purpose: It lowers the blood sugar level m rabbits. (4) Antipyretic purpose: It lowers the temperature of rabbits with experimentally induced fevers. Magnolia Bark Traditional Uses Dries dampness, removes fullness, moves chíi, reduces inflammation, for Abdominal pain, distention, regurgitation, hiccoughs, stagnancy of undigested food, obstruction of phlegm, asthma, cough, diarrhea Scientific Research (1) Antispasmodic purpose: The decoction decreases the toxicity of extirpated intestinal tracts, relaxes tetanic contraction of the striated muscles, and paralyzes the nerve endings of motor neurons. (2) Antibacterial purpose: In vitro it inhibits typhoid bacteria, dysentery bacteria, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. (3) Stomachic purpose: It stimulates the mucosa of the digestive tract, and produces reflex excitation. (4) Anthelmintic purpose: It eliminates Ascaris suis. (5) Other purposes: The extract inhibits the heartbeat, causes contraction of the blood vessels of toadsí lower limbs, and completely inhibits muscular contraction induced by acetylcholine Medicated Leaven Traditional Uses Promotes digestion, moves chíi, strengthens spleen, controls diarrhea, resolves surface, for Loss of appetite, indigestion, diarrhea Scientific Research Stomachic purpose: Amylase and yeast promote digestion and have a stomachic purpose. Mint Traditional Uses Disperses wind-heat, cleanses throat, promotes eruption, for fever due to exogenous pathogenic factors, headaches, hyperemia, sore throat, oral and dermal lesions, rash, toothache Scientific Research (1) Inhibition of central nervous system purpose: Animal studies show that a large dose of menthol suppresses the central nervous system, and can cause paralysis of the spinal cord. (2) Dilating blood vessels purpose: The oil when applied to frogs possesses a local vasodilatingpurpose and when applied to a rabbitís ear has a reddening purpose; it stimulates the skin, regulates the nerve center controlling body temperature, and dilates blood vessels, thus producing a sudorific purpose. (3) Inhibition of intestinal movement purpose: In vitro, the oil inhibits and paralyzes intestinal activities. (4) Analgesic and antipruritic purposes: When menthol is applied to the skin, it selectively stimulates nerve endings sensitive to cold, producing a sensation of coolness, and also has a local analgesic purpose. Morinda Root Traditional Uses Warms kidneys, supplements yang, strengthens muscles and bones, removes cold-warmth, for Impotence; cold pain of the lower abdomen; arthralgia due to wind, cold and dampness; beriberi; loin and knee pain Scientific Research (1) Antibacterial purpose: In vitro the ethanol extract inhibits Bacillus subtilis. (2) Hypotensive purpose: It reduces blood pressure. (3) Cortical hormone-like It has biological purposes resembling those of the cortical hormones. Mulberry Leaf Traditional Uses Soothes liver wind and heat, cleanses liver, clears vision, for Headache, hyperemia, thirst, cough. Scientific Research Antibacterial purpose. The extract inhibits the proliferation of Bacillus typhi and staphylococci, in vitro. Notoplerygium Rhizome Traditional Uses Dispels wind, resolves surface, expels wind-damp, controls pain, for Common cold due to wind-cold, headache, generalized aching, chillphobia, fever, rheumatic arthralgia, carbuncle Scientific Research (1) Antibacterial purpose: The ethanol extract of N. incisium inhibits the proliferation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. (2) Antifungal purpose: It also inhibits the growth of dermatophytes. (3) Other purposes: N. incisium also has sudorific, antipyretic, and analgesic purposes. Ophiopogon Tuber Traditional Uses Cleanses yin, moistens dryness, removes heat, resolves phlegm, increases salivation, quenches thirst, moistens lungs, controls cough, for Impairment of body fluids due to febrile diseases, fidgets and restlessness, thirst, dry throat, hematemesis, constipation due to lack of body fluids Scientific Research (1) It has antipyretic, antitussive, expectorant, diuretic, cardiotonic, and tonify-ing purposes. (2) Blood sugar-lowering purpose: The aqueous extract lowers blood pressure for quite aí long period of time in both normal rabbits and those haying alloxan-induced diabetes. (3) Anti-inflammatory purpose: In mice, the ethanol extract inhibits swelling of feet caused, by carrageenin. (4) Antibacterial action: In vitro it possesses quite a strong inhibitory action on Staphylococcus albus, Escherlchia coli, and Bacillus typhi Pearls Traditional Uses Tranquilizes spirit, stabilizes fright, reduces heat, removes toxin, as-tringes, promotes tissue regeneration, for Convulsions due to wind, epilepsy, restlessness of the mind and spirit, irritable fever with thirst, sore throat, oral lesions; (external treatment) ocular nebula, persistent ulcer Scientific Research (1) Gastric acid-neutralizing purpose: Its active constituent is calcium carbonate. (2) Antihistamine purpose: The hydrolyte of the outer layer of pearls catalyzed by sulfuric acid inhibits contraction of the intestinal tract due to histamine and also prevents death in guinea pigs due to histamine shock. (3) Antiallergic purpose: It prevents allergic responses in guinea pigs injected with horse serum. (4) Diuretic purpose: It can temporarily cause experimental rabbits to increase urinary volume. Perilla Leaf Traditional Uses Induces diaphoresis, dispels heat, moves chíi to relieve intestinal gas, removes fish and crab toxins, strengthens the stomach, for Common cold due to wind-cold, cough and dyspnea, distention and fullness in the chest and abdomen Scientific Research (1) Sleep-prolonging purpose: The extract increases the duration of sleep. (2) Antipyretic purpose: The liquid extract has a slight antipyretic purpose on febrile rabbits injected with typhoid vaccine. (3) Antibacterial purpose: In vitro, it inhibits the proliferation of staphylococcus bacteria. Plantago Seed Traditional Uses Regulates water metabolism, removes heat, clears vision, disperses phlegm, controls cough, for Gonorrhea, ocular disorders Scientific Research (1) Diuretic purpose: It increases the secretion of water, urea, sodium chloride, and uric acid. (2) Antitussive and expectorant purpose: It acts on the center controlling breathing, and increases the secretion of mucus, thus exerting expectorant action. Platycodon Root Traditional Uses Ventilates and smoothes the lungs, disperses cold, resolves phlegm, drains pus, for Cough due to external pathogenic factors, sore throat, tonsillitis Scientific Research (1) Expectorant purpose: It promotes salivary and bronchial secretions. (2) Antilussive purpose: The 20%decoction treats coughing in mice caused by ammonia. (3) Antibacterial purpose: In vitro it is bacteriostatic to fungi, for example tinea alba. (4) Other purposes: Crude platycodon exertsits tranquilizing,analglgesic, and antipyretic properties by inhibiting the central nervous system: it also possesses anti-inflammatory, vasodilating, and hypotensive actions. Polygala Root Traditional Uses Tranquilizes spirit, removes phlegm, disperses tumor, for Palpitation, amnesia, excessive dreaming, insomnia, cough due to cold-phlegm, painful swelling due to damp-phlegm Scientific Research (1) Nauseant and expectorant purpose: Its saponin content can irritate gastric mucosa, causing slight nausea and reflex bronchial secretion. This purpose is weak, but patients with gastritis and gastric ulcer should avoid using it. (2) Antibacterial purpose: The ethanol extract markedly inhibits, Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella dysenteriae, and Bacillus tuberculosis. (3) Other purposes: It has hemolytic action. The aqueous extract increases uterine contraction and muscle tone in experimental animals. Polygonatum Rhizome Traditional Uses Supplements the stomach and spleen, replenishes chíi, tonifies spleen, moistens lungs, nourishes sperm and bone marrow, for General deficiency and impairment, dry cough, thirst, debility Scientific Research (1) Hypoglycemic purpose: Rabbits given the extract orally manifest a blood sugar level which first gradually rises and then falls. (2) Hypotensive purpose: The extract lowers the blood pressure of anesthetized animals. (3) Antibacterial purpose: The extract inhibits the growth of Bacillus typhi and Staphylococcus aureus. (4) Antifungal purpose: The extract inhibits the growth of dermatophytes. Poria Traditional Uses Promotes diuresis, eliminates dampness, strengthens spleen, harmonizes the middle warmer, tranquilizes the heart, soothes the nerves, and pacifies the spirit Scientific Research (1) Diuretic purpose: Animal studies show it has a diuretic purpose, presumably by inhibiting the reabsorption of renal tubules, thus increasing the secretion of sodium, potassium, and chloride electrolytes. (2) Nutritive purpose: Its nutritive constituents enhance the spleen and tonify the middle part of the body. (3) Tranquilizing purpose: It has a calming action. (4) Other purposes: It decreases blood sugar level, relaxes the extirpated intestines of rabbits, and slightly lessens the formation of gastric ulcer. Red Peony Root Traditional Uses Cleanses heat, cools blood, invigorates blood circulation, disperses stagnancy, for Abdominal pain, subcostal pain, accumulation, obstruction of blood circulation, hernia, intestinal wind, swelling, hyperemia, amenorrhea Scientific Research (1) Tranquilizing purpose: It inhibits the central nervous system, producing a tranquilizing action. (2) Analgesic and anticonvulsive purposes: It suppresses abdominal pain caused by spasms of the smooth muscle of the small intestine. (3) Antibacterial purpose: In vitro it inhibits dysentery bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus. (4) Antiviral purpose: It inhibits the virus causing epidemic common cold. (5) Coronary artery-dilating purpose: The aqueous extract dilates the coronary arteries. Rehmannia Root Traditional Uses Clears up heat, cools blood, controls bleeding, nourishes yin and blood, for Hematemesis, epistaxis; hematochezia, functional bleeding, macula, dermal eruption, fidgets and fever, dark red tongue, fever due to yin deficiency, sore throat, dry mouth and lips, dry stool, thirst, hemorrhage Scientific Research (1) Hemostatic purpose: Animal studies show that the extract hastens the coagulation of blood. (2) Cardiotonic and diuretic purposes: The extract is cardiotonic to a dysfunctioning heart because of its purpose on cardiac muscle and ability to dilate renal blood vessls; therefore it also possesses a diuretic purpose. (3) Hypoglycemic purpose: The extract when given orally to rabbits lowers their blood sugar level, while its methanol extract lowers the blood sugar level of mice having alloxan-induced diabetes. Reishi Mushroom Traditional Uses Nourishes, supplements, tonifies, removes toxin, astringes, disperses accumulation, for Deficiency fatigue, neurasthenia, insomnia, bronchial cough in elderly persons, carcinoma Scientific Research (1) Antitussive and expectorant purposes: The ethanol extract or aqueous extract when injected peritoneally into mice inhibits the central nervous system and produces antitussive and expectorant actions. (2) Hypotensive purpose: Intraperitoneal injections of the extract into anesthetized rabbits and dogs lower their blood pressure and increase their urine volume. (3) Antihepatic purpose: Carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic mice when fed with the ethanol extract at a dosage of 10 g/kg for eight days have fewer symptoms associated with hepatitis. (4) Antibacterial purpose: It is bacteriostatic to Bacillus pneumoniae, staphylococci, and streptococci bacteria. Royal Jelly Royal jelly is probably the most mysterious of all the products of the beehive. Just about everyone has heard of royal jelly, if only as an ingredient in luxurious skin-care products. But chances are you don't know much about it as a hormone-rich dietary supplement. Royal jelly is one of Nature's best-kept secrets. In fact, because royal jelly is fed directly from a worker bee to the queen bee, most beekeepers never have an opportunity to see or taste the royal milk. Nurse bees between five and fifteen days of age secrete royal jelly. In the nursing phase of their development, worker bees practically force-feed themselves near to bursting with an incredibly rich diet of bee pollen and honey. The queen bee drinks her fill of royal jelly directly from the nurse bees' hypopharyngeal glands, located on either side of the nurse bees' heads. What is Royal Jelly Royal jelly is a thick fluid, creamy in consistency, milky white in appearance. It is synthesized in nurse bees' bodies during the digestion of bee pollen, which helps account for its remarkable quantities of hormonal substances and the strong proteins found in its highly nitrogenous composition. It has a pungent odor. The queen bee obviously thinks royal jelly is delicious, but humans find it very tart and bitter on the tongue. Royal jelly is fed to the queen bee for the whole of her life. This rich royal milk plays an absolutely essential role in the making of a queen. Queen bees are made, not born. Eggs to be reared as queens are laid in specially prepared, super-size brood cells that look rather like peanut shells. But the eggs deposited therein by the queen mother of the hive are identical to those eggs that are destined to become the sexless worker bees of the hive. They are not genetically superior in any way. Worker bees, denied royal jelly except for three short days during the larval period, are the sexless laborers of the hive. The Composition of Royal Jelly Royal jelly is very complex. A broad chemical analysis reveals that it has a moisture content of 66.05 percent; a protein content of 12.34 percent; lipids, 5.46 percent; reducing substance, 12.49 percent; minerals, .82 percent; and unidentifiable elements, 2.84 percent. And here we are again looking at the ìmagic" of the bee. As with bee pollen, science still hasn't been able to completely identify and isolate all the important constituents of royal jelly, let alone synthesize a satisfactory substitute in the laboratory. We know royal jelly is exceptionally rich in natural hormones and offers an abundance of the B vitamins ñ including thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, inositol, and folic acid ñ and vitamins A, C, and E. With twenty amino acids, royal jelly is a highly concentrated source of rich proteins, including cystine, lysine, and arginine. It provides important fatty acids, sugars, sterols, phosphorus compounds, and acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is important in the transmission of nerve messages and assists in the production of glandular secretions. Royal jelly is rich in nucleic acids, which in royal jelly include DNA and RNA, the very stuff of which life is made. Gelatin, one of the precursors of collagen, is another component of royal jelly. Collagen is a powerful anti-aging element that keeps us youthful. The presence of gamma globulin, an infection-fighting and immunostimulating factor, has been documented in royal jelly. Not surprisingly, royal jelly also contains decanoic acid, which exhibits strong antibiotic activity against many bacterial and fungal infestations. If royal jelly did not have this built-in antibiotic factor, science points out, the nutritive richness of the royal milk would provide an excellent growing medium for all kinds of harmful microbes. Mother Nature takes care of her own. Before we examine the scientific studies on royal jelly, let's look at the role this nutritively dense royal milk plays in the hive. During the first three days of larval development, baby bees destined to become workers of the colony are fed a diluted form of royal jelly ñ the royal milk liberally mixed with honey. This rich brood food is supplied so generously, the tiny young larvae actually lie in a pool of it within their individual brood cells. The mass feeding of royal jelly comes abruptly to an end after three days. The quality of brood food changes, and the quantity supplied is reduced sharply. During the remainder of their larval development, baby worker bees are fed bee bread (bee pollen) and honey. Food is given as needed. During the final stages of larval life, the development of the worker-larva's sex glands is suppressed. Her sex glands will remain immature and useless for the whole of her life. However, her hypopharyngeal glands, the glands that will secrete the royal jelly to feed the queen, mature and develop fully. Should royal jelly, even in diluted form, continue to be supplied to these baby workers, a queen would be produced. The Rearing of a Queen Throughout her entire larval and pupal periods, a future queen is supplied with highly nutritive, hormone-rich royal jelly. Nurse bees instinctively supply abundant royal jelly to the larvae deposited in the peanut-shaped queen brood cells past the three-day period of mass feeding of royal jelly to all larvae. Rubus Fruit Traditional Uses Supplements liver and kidneys, as-tringes sperm, inhibits urine secretion, for Impotence, involuntary emission, dizziness Scientific Research Antibacterial purpose: In vitro it inhibits the growth of Vibrio cholerae. Sargassum Traditional Uses Disperses accumulated phlegm, disperses goiter and tumor, delivers water, cleanses heat, for Scrofula, goiter, tumor, edema, testicular pain and swelling Scientific Research (1) Anticoagulant purpose: The anticoagulant constituent possesses the same anticoagulation action as that of heparin and is not easily decomposed by heat. (2) Antifungal purpose: The aqueous extract inhibits various dermatophytes in vitro. (3) Hypotensive purpose: It lowers blood cholesterol level and blood pressure. Saussurea Root Traditional Uses Promotes chíi circulation, relieves distention, controls pain and diarrhea, harmonizes the stomach, for Stomachache due to perverted flow of liver chíi, vomiting, diarrhea, borborygmus, abdominal pain, dysentery, tenesmus Scientific Research (1) Antibacterial purpose: Aucklandia lappa possesses the strongest inhibitory purpose on various staphylococci, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus typhi. (2) Regulating the intestine and analgesic purposes: The extract of A. lappa acts on the nervus. vagus, stimulates the large intestine, increases peristalsis of the large intestine, and moderates pain and gas inside the gastrointestinal tract. (3) Anthelmintic purpose: The alantolactone content" in Inula helenium possesses stronger anthelmintic action than santonin; however, it is quite bitter and can cause vomiting. (4) Hypotensive purpose: The aromatic extract of Aristolochia debilis or A. contorta possesses a pronounced hypotensive purpose. Its toxicity is lower than that of the fruit of Aristolochia debilis. The hypotensive action is strong and lasts for a long time. Schisandra Fruit Traditional Uses Actions; Astringes the lungs, nourishes the kidneys, promotes secretion of fluids, controls hyperhidrosis, controls seminal emission and diurrhea, for Dyspnea. and cough due to deficiency of the lungs, dryness in the mouth and thirst, spontaneous diaphoresis, nocturnal diaphoresis, nocturnal emission, insomnia, amnesia Scientific Research (1) Central nervous system-stimulating purpose: It excites the central nervous system and increases brain efficiency, and regulates the cardiovascular system to improve blood circulation. The tincture of the herb is most potent as compared to other kinds of extract. The ether extracts possess tranquilizing actions because gomisin A inhibits the central nervous system. (2) Antitussive and expectorant purposes: The ether extract possesses these actions. Gomisin A has antitussive action. (3) Purpose on the uterus: It stimulates uterine smooth muscle, causing an increase in uterine rhythmic contraction (4) Antibacterial purpose: The decoction possesses strong inhibitory action on Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus dysenteriae, Bacillus typhi, and Staphylococcus aureus. (5) Cardiotonic purpose: The tincture is cardiotonic to the frog heart both in vitro and in viva, and causes stronger contractions and more complete relaxation. (6) Other purposes: Schizandrin possesses analgesic action, inhibits gastric secretion, and promotes bile secretion; Gomisin A markedly inhibits the rising values of (GOT and GPT in serum due to liver dysfunction. Schizonepeta Traditional Uses Dispels wind, resolves surface, controls bleeding, for Fever due to common cold, headache, laryngitis, carbuncle, tumor, postpartum syncope due to blood disorders, epistaxis, hematochezia Scientific Research (1) Sudorific and antipyretic purposes: The decoction has an antipyretic purpose on an animal in which a fever is artifically induced. (2) Antibacterial purpose: In vitro, it inhibits the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. (3) Antiphlogistic purpose: It stimulates the degradation and absorption of diseased tissue of the skin. (4) Hemostatic purpose: It shortens blood coagulation time. Scrophlaria Root Traditional Uses Nourishes yin, dispels heat, purges fire, removes toxin, for Febrile diseases, impairment of yin, thirst, constipation, macula, swollen and sore throat, carbuncle, scrofula Scientific Research (1) Vasodilating purpose: The extract dilates blood vessels, stimulates blood circulation, and possesses antiphlogistic purposes. (2) Hypotensive purpose: The aqueous extract lowers blood pressure. It is especially purposeive in renal hypertensive cases. (3) Antipyretic purpose: The constituent P-methoxycinnamic acid possesses this purpose. (4) Other purposes: Experiments also show that it has hypogiyccniic, antifungal, hemolytic, and topical stimulation purposes. Scutellaria Root Traditional Uses Cleanses heat, dries moisture, purges fire, removes toxin, prevents spontaneous abortion, for All febrile diseases, jaundice, dysentery, gastroenteritis, water retention, furuncle, carbuncle, inflammation, feeling of fullness in the chest, hypochondria, loss of appetite; vomiting, headache due to hypertension, insomnia, hypertension Scientific Research (1) Antiallergic purpose: Baicalein and baicalin destroy the SH enzyme system of macrocytes, thereby inhibiting the release of antibodies and preventing an allergic response. Therefore it relieves dermatitis, asthma, and tracheal constriction due to allergy. (2) Purpose on the gallbladder: The extract increases the secretion of bile in dogs and rabbits. Baicalein is more purposeive than baicalin in this action while wogonin has no purpose. (3) Diuretic purpose: Baicalein is most purposeive in inducing diuresis, while wogonin is second and baicalin last. (4) Hypotensive purpose: Intravenous or intramuscular injection of the extract of baicalin lowers the blood pressure of anesthetized dogs, cats, and rabbits. It acts on the vascular receptors, thus directly dilating blood vessels and inducing hypotensive action. (5) Antibacterial purpose: In vitro, it inhibits Bacillus dysenteriae, Bacillus diptheriae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Diplococcus pneumoniae. (6) Antiviral purpose: In vitro, it inhibits the epidemic influenza virus PR8. (7) Antifungal purpose: In vitro, it inhibits various dermatophytes. (8) Tranquilizing purpose: Because baicalin inhibits the cortex of the mouse cerebrum, it suppresses the spontaneous activities of mice. (9) Antipyretic purpose: The extract lowers body temperature of rabbits with fevers induced by injecting typhoid vaccine, but other animal studies do not show this purpose. Spiny Jujube Kernel Traditional Uses Nourishes the liver, calms the heart and spirit, controls hyperhidrosis, and reinforces yin, for Fidgets due to deficiency, insomnia, diaphoresis due to deficiency Scientific Research (1) Sedative purpose: It inhibits the central nervous system and exerts stable sedative action. The raw seed is much more potent that its fried seed, which has lost its oily component and thus does not have sedative action. There is a report that the aqueous component has sleep-inducing properties. (2) Hypotensive action: Animal studies have indicated that it causes a persistent lowering of blood pressure. (3) Uterine purpose: Because it stimulates the uterus, pregnant women should take care in using it. (4) Other purposes: It causes a blockage of nerve impulses. Tana Kuei Root Tana Kuei Root Traditional Uses Supplements and moves blood, moistens intestines, regulates menses, for Headache due to deficiency of blood, chest and abdominal pain, constipation, amenorrhea, menorrhalgia, functional bleeding Scientific Research (1) Uterus-regulating purpose: Tang-kuei has both stimulating and inhibiting actions on uterine muscles. Experiments indicate that its non-volatile water-soluble compounds stimulate uterine muscle, while its volatile oil inhibits uterine muscle, producing a relaxing action. Therefore, to cause the uterus to contract the herb should be decocted for a long period of time to get rid of the volatile oil. If the uterus is to be relaxed then the herb should be put into the decoction later (that is, the other herbs should be decocted first for some time before tang-kuei is added and it should be boiled over a low flame to prevent loss of the volatile oil). Animal studies show that the uterus upon being pressed will exhibit irregular contractions, but after ad-minstration of tang-kuei the uterus will contract regularly. This means that tang-kueican regulate the function of the uterus and that is most probably the mechanism of tang-kueiís ability to treat menorrhalgia. Mice given feed containing 5% tang-kuei have higher DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) content in their uteri, have higher glucose metabolism, and thus have a higher multiplication rate of uterine tissue. (2) Purpose on metabolism and secretion: Mice fed with 5% tang-kuei feed have a higher metabolic rate, and show an increase in oxygen consumption by the liver. Though the vitamin B12 content is low in tang kuei, the vitamins may nevertheless be responsible for its hematinic action. The extract protects the liver and prevents a decrease in liver sugar in mice with acute hepatitis induced by carbon tetrachloride. In experiments with mice, the herb acts against vitamin E deficiency, which may be related to its fetus-stabilizing purpose. (3) Sedative purpose: The volatile oil inhibits brain activity, thus having the purpose of sedation. (4) Diuretic purpose: Tang-kuei promotes urine excretion. (5) Antibacterial purpose: In vitro, it inhibits Bacillus dysenteriae, E. coli. Streptococcus haemolyticus and other bacteria. Tangerine Peel Traditional Uses Regulates chíi, strengthens spleen, dries moisture, transforms phlegm, for Turgid chest and abdomen, vomiting, diarrhea, cough Scientific Research (1) The herb is used as a stomachic, expectorant, and antiemetic and can regulate the intestine. (2) Hemostatic purpose: Both hesperidin and rutin (quercetin) possess vitamin P-like activities that strengthen capillaries and decrease bleeding. (3) Antibacterial purpose: In vitro the extract inhibits staphylococci. (4) Other purposes: The extract increases blood pressure, stimulates the heart, inhibits gastrointestinal and uterine activities, and slightly inhibits urinary excretion. Trichosanthes Fruit Traditional Uses Moistens the lungs and intestines, resolves phlegm, for Thirst due to febrile disease, jaundice, diabetes, mastitis, sore throat Scientific Research (1) Antibacterial purpose: In vitro, it inhibits Escherichia coli, typhoid bacteria, and dysentery bacteria. (2) Anticancer purpose: Animal studies indicate that it has definite inhibitory actions but not a high inhibitory rate on tumors and ascitic carcinoma. Trichosanthes Root Traditional Uses Cleanses heat, moistens dryness, discharges pus, disperses swelling, promotes secretion of fluids, quenches thirst, for Thirst due to febrile disease; jaundice, diabetes, mastitis, hemorrhoids, sore throat, swelling Scientific Research (1) Blood sugar-lowering purpose: Clinical studies indicate that diabetic patients taking a decoction containing trichosanthes as its main ingredient have markedly lowered blood sugar levels. (2) Anticancer purpose: In vitro it inhibits cancer cells. (3) Abortifacient purpose: In mainland China, trichosanthes has recently been used-clinically to induce abortion. Tubuo Angelica Root Traditional Uses Removes wind-dampness, promotes circulation of meridians, expels dampness, for Headache due to common cold, aching and pain in the loins and knees, arthralgia due to dampness, wind, and cold, pruritis, convulsive pain in the hands and feet Scientific Research (1) Tranquilizing and sleep-inducing purposes: Oral administration or i.p. injection of the extract in mice and rats produces sedating and sleep-inducing actions. (2) Analgesic purpose: Experiments using the hot-plates methodshow that it has analgesic purposes on mice. (3) Antiarthritic purpose: It reduces inflammation of the joints induced by formaldehyde in rats. (4) Hypotensive purpose: Injection of the extract into anesthetized dogs orcats dilates their blood vessels and reduces their blood pressure. Unripe Bitter Orange Fruit Traditional Uses Moves ch'i, dissipates accumulations, for Accumulation of phlegm in the hypochondraic region, chest pain, accumulation in the chest, feeling of fullness, pain in upper abdomen, retention of undigested food, constipation Scientific Research (1) Stimulation of gastrointestinal functions: The extract markedly inhibits extirpated rabbit intestines and the gastrointestinal system of anesthetized dogs, but it stimulates gastrointestinal motor activities in humans (this explains why clinically the extract is used to increase digestion). (2) Contraction of the uterine muscle: The extract stimulates the rabbit uterus and rabbit extirpated uterus by increasing the tonicity and contraction of the uterine muscle. (3) Purgative purpose: This purpose is thought to be related to the flavonoid content of the aqueous extract. (4) Other purposes: The aqueous extract increases blood pressure. At low dosages, it increases contraction of extirpated toad heart, while at high dosages it decreases contraction. The aqueous extract slightly inhibits urinary excretion in anesthetized dogs and induces contraction of toad blood vessels. Unsalted Fermented Soybean Traditional Uses Dispels exterior symptoms, relieves fidgets, for Febrile disease, headache, chills and fever, fidgeting, fullness in the Chest Scientific Research Stomachic purpose: The enzyme-like activities help digestion an tonify the stomach. Vitex Fruit Traditional Uses Disperses wind-heat, cleanses head and eyes, for Heaviness of the head, ocular pain, headache, common cold Wheat Traditional Uses Supplements liver and kidneys, strengthens tendons and bones, dispels wind-dampness, for Waist and back pain, knee pain, foot and knee debility, enuresis, leukorrhea, urinary frequency in elderly men, bleeding from all kinds of ulcers White Peony Root Traditional Uses Supplements blood, controls pain, alleviates sudden onset of disease, for Chest, abdominal, and costal pain, dysentery, spasm of the limbs, fever due to yin-deficiency, menorrhagia, functional bleeding Scientific Research (1) Antispasmodic and analgesic purposes: In experiments using extirpated rabbitsí intestinal tracts and tests on smooth muscle of unextirpated ratsí stomach and uterus, it has been shown to lower the tonicity of the muscles and inhibit activities. (2) Sedative purpose: Paeoniflorin inhibits the central nervous system. (3) Antibacterial purpose: It possesses quite pronounced antibacterial action on Staphylococcus aureus and Shigella dysenteriae. (4) Other purposes: Preliminary experiments show that the herb inhibits gastric secretion and prevents the development of gastric ulcers due to nervousness in rats Clinical observation indicates that the herb inhibits diaphoresis and diuresis. Home Our Company Our Products Our Ingredients Product Recommendations Questionnaire Free Consultation With Dr. Luke Cua Price Listing Site Directory