TCM Herbal Databases
Stabilize and Bind
(固涩)
Herbs that stabilize and bind (收涩药, shōu sè yào) are used to astringe and prevent leakage of Qi, Blood, Body Fluids, and Essence (Jing). They are typically used in deficiency conditions, where the body's ability to hold or contain substances is impaired. These herbs do not treat the root cause, but contain symptoms (e.g., sweating, diarrhea, spermatorrhea) and are almost always used in combination with herbs that tonify the organ involved (Spleen, Lung, Kidney, etc.).
Stabilize Exterior and Stop Sweating
Used for spontaneous sweating (Qi deficiency) or night sweats (Yin deficiency).
Restrain the Lung and Stop Cough
Used for chronic cough or wheezing due to Lung Qi or Yin deficiency.
Bind the Intestines and Stop Diarrhea
Used for chronic diarrhea or dysenteric disorders.
Stabilize the Kidneys and Secure Essence
Used for seminal emission, spermatorrhea, leukorrhea, urinary incontinence.
Stabilize the Womb, Stop Leukorrhea and Bleeding
Used for excessive vaginal discharge or prolonged uterine bleeding due to Spleen/Kidney deficiency.
Astringe Urine
Used for enuresis, urinary frequency, incontinence.
Yu Ping Feng San (玉屏风散): Stabilize exterior, stop spontaneous sweat
Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan (金锁固精丸): Spermatorrhea, premature ejaculation
Sang Piao Xiao San (桑螵蛸散): Urinary leakage due to Heart–Kidney disharmony
Certain herbs have specialized functions beyond the more common categories.
Herbs That Expel Parasites
(驱虫药)
These are used to treat intestinal parasitic infections, such as roundworms, tapeworms, pinworms, hookworms. They kill or expel parasites and are often combined with purgatives or digestive herbs. These herbs are not commonly used in modern practice unless confirmed parasitic infestation is present.
Herbs That Open the Orifices
(开窍药)
Used in emergency or severe Shen disturbance cases, such as coma, seizures, stroke, delirium, due to Heat or Phlegm obstructing the Heart orifices. They are usually aromatic and strong, working to "open" the Heart orifices and restore consciousness. Often used in emergency pills, like An Gong Niu Huang Wan or Zi Xue Dan.
Herbs with Special or Rare Functions
These herbs do not fit neatly into major categories but serve unique roles in clinical practice.
Induce Vomiting
(催吐药 cuī tǔ yào)
Used to remove ingested toxins or Phlegm in emergencies.
Promote Hair Growth / Cosmetic Use
Expel Stones (gallstones, urinary stones)
Extract Toxins / Treat Snakebite / Topical Use
Kill lice / external parasites
Expel Parasites, Open Orifices, or Special Functions
Blood stasis (瘀血 yū xuè) is a major pathological factor that can lead to pain, masses, amenorrhea, traumatic injury, or chronic disease. The treatment principle is to move Blood (活血 huó xuè) and eliminate stasis (化瘀 huà yū). These herbs differ in strength, temperature, and organ affinity. They are often classified by function:
Strong Blood Movers – Break Blood Stasis
These herbs are potent and often used in acute or severe stasis, trauma, or masses.
Moderate Blood Movers – Alleviate Pain and Regulate Menstruation
These are commonly used in gynecology, for dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, postpartum pain, etc.
Mild Blood Movers – Nourish Blood, Calm Spirit
Used when Blood stasis coexists with Blood deficiency, or in chronic, deficient patients.
Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang (血府逐瘀汤): Chest/head Blood stasis
Tao Hong Si Wu Tang (桃红四物汤): Si Wu Tang + blood movers
Sheng Hua Tang (生化汤): Postpartum Blood stasis
Move Blood and Remove Stasis.
(活血化瘀)
Herbs that calm the Shen (安神药, ān shén yào) are used for symptoms such as insomnia, palpitations, irritability, anxiety, restlessness, excessive dreaming, mental confusion, mania or epilepsy (in severe cases).
Herbs that Calm the Shen by Anchoring
Heavy substances that anchor and subdue the Shen, often used in excess conditions (e.g., Heart Fire, Liver Yang rising, Phlegm-Heat disturbing the mind).
Herbs that Nourish the Heart and Calm the Shen
Used in deficiency patterns (e.g., Heart Blood or Yin deficiency), where the Shen is not anchored due to lack of nourishment.
Suan Zao Ren Tang (酸枣仁汤): Liver Blood and Yin deficiency insomnia
Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan (天王补心丹): Heart and Kidney Yin deficiency
Gan Mai Da Zao Tang (甘麦大枣汤): Restless Zang disorder (anxiety, depression)
Calm Shen
(安神)
Herbs that transform phlegm and stop cough (化痰止咳药, huà tán zhǐ ké yào) are used to treat conditions where Phlegm obstructs the Lungs or channels, and to relieve cough, wheezing, or chest congestion. Phlegm may result from Spleen dysfunction, external invasion, or internal pathogenic factors such as Heat, Cold, or Dampness. These herbs work to:
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Transform Phlegm (dissolve, expectorate, or redirect)
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Moisten the Lungs
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Redirect rebellious Lung Qi downward.
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Stop coughing and wheezing.
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Dispel external Wind if needed.
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Move Qi (理气) — regulate Qi stagnation.
Hot Phlegm
Used when the Phlegm is clear, white, copious, and the patient shows Cold signs (pale tongue, white coat, slow pulse).
Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan (清气化痰丸): Phlegm-Heat in Lungs
Bei Mu Gua Lou San (贝母瓜蒌散): Dry phlegm with difficult cough
Cold Phlegm
These herbs are used when the Phlegm is thick, yellow, and difficult to expectorate, often accompanied by heat signs (e.g., a red tongue, a yellow coat, and a rapid pulse).
Er Chen Tang (二陈汤): Base formula for Damp-Phlegm
Wen Dan Tang (温胆汤): Phlegm with Heat and irritability
Transform Phlegm and Stop Cough
(化痰止咳)
Herbs that regulate Qi (理气药, lǐ qì yào) are used to promote the movement of Qi, especially when Qi is stagnant, rebellious, or deficient. The most commonly affected organs are the Liver (LR), Spleen (SP), Stomach (ST), and Lung (LU). They are generally categorized into two groups:
Move Qi and Relieve Stagnation
These herbs are especially useful for Qi stagnation, often due to Liver Qi stagnation, seen in emotional stress, PMS, flank pain, distension, etc.
Regulate Qi and Harmonise the Middle
These are used primarily to address Spleen-Stomach Qi disharmony, which may manifest as nausea, bloating, loss of appetite, vomiting, and hiccups.
Yue Ju Wan (越鞠丸): Six stagnations (Qi, Blood, Damp, Heat, Food, Phlegm)
Chai Hu Shu Gan San (柴胡疏肝散): Liver Qi stagnation with pain
Ban Xia Hou Po Tang (半夏厚朴汤): Plum-pit Qi, emotional constraint
Regulate Qi
(理气)
Clear Internal Heat
(清热)
Herbs that clear internal Heat (清热药) are used to reduce excess internal Heat or Fire, which can affect different organs and levels of the body.
These herbs are categorized based on where and how the Heat manifests as heat in organs, heat in the Blood or toxic Heat. They are used to clear Heat from the Qi, Blood, or organ levels, drain Fire, cool Blood, or eliminate toxins or dry Damp-Heat, or relieve Deficiency Heat. Most of these herbs are cold in nature, often bitter or sweet, and target specific organs (Heart, Liver, Lung, Stomach, etc.).
Clear Qi-level Heat
Herbs that Clear Heat and Drain Fire (清热泻火药) → For excess Heat in the Qi level: high fever, thirst, red face, irritability, big pulse.
Bai Hu Tang (白虎汤): 4 Bigs: high fever, thirst, pulse, sweat
Heat in the Blood
Herbs that Clear Heat and Cool the Blood (清热凉血药) → For Heat in the Blood level: high fever, bleeding, rashes, delirium.
Qing Ying Tang (清营汤)- Heat in the Ying and Blood levels
Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang (犀角地黄汤)- Bleeding due to Blood Heat
Damp-Heat
Herbs that Clear Heat and Dry Dampness (清热燥湿药)
→ For Damp-Heat syndromes: jaundice, dysentery, UTI, vaginal discharge, eczema.
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang (龙胆泻肝汤)
Liver/Gallbladder Damp-Heat
Huang Lian Jie Du Tang (黄连解毒汤)
Toxic Heat and all 3 Jiaos
Resolve Toxicity
Herbs that Clear Heat and Resolve Toxicity (清热解毒药) → For febrile diseases, skin infections, sore throat, abscesses, pus, boils.
Yin Qiao San (银翘散): Wind-Heat and sore throat
Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin (普济消毒饮): Mumps, toxic swellings, acute tonsillitis
Deficiency Heat
Herbs that Clear Deficiency Heat (清虚热药)
→ For Yin deficiency with Heat signs: night sweats, tidal fever, steaming bone.
Qing Gu San (清骨散): Bone steaming due to Yin Deficiency
Da Bu Yin Wan (大补阴丸): Nourish Yin and clear Heat
Clear Heat from Organs
Herbs that clear Heat from the organs (清脏腑热药) are used to reduce excess Heat or Fire that accumulates in specific Zang-Fu organs (Heart, Liver, Stomach, Lungs, Intestines, etc.). This category is often considered part of the broader “Clear Heat” group, but these herbs target specific internal organs rather than systemic or surface-level Heat. Herbs that clear organ-level Heat are used to treat organ Fire (e.g., Liver Fire, Stomach Fire, Heart Fire), excess Heat in specific channels causing characteristic symptoms, heat-related bleeding, inflammation, irritability, and organ dysfunction. Clinical signs include.
Stomach Fire
Toothache, bleeding gums, bad breath, acid reflux, excessive hunger, dry mouth.
Lung Heat
Cough with yellow phlegm, fever, chest tightness, dry throat, nosebleeds.
Large Intestine Heat
Constipation, dry stool, abdominal fullness, red tongue, Heat signs.
Heart Fire
Irritability, insomnia, mouth/tongue ulcers, restlessness, red tongue tip, rapid pulse.
Liver Fire
Irritability, insomnia, mouth/tongue ulcers, restlessness, red tongue tip, rapid pulse.
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Long Dan Xie Gan Tang (龙胆泻肝汤): Liver/Gallbladder Fire
Dao Chi San (导赤散): Heart Fire (ulcers, irritability)
Qing Wei San (清胃散): Stomach Heat (toothache, bleeding gums)
Herbs that drain downward (泻下药, xiè xià yào) are used to promote bowel movements and purge accumulation of pathogenic factors through the large intestine. These herbs are indicated in cases of constipation, abdominal fullness, dry or hard stools, and Heat accumulation in the intestines. They are primarily used in Excess patterns, especially when pathogens are trapped in the Stomach and Large Intestine.
Purgatives
Vigorously purge Heat or Cold accumulation. Strong action for Excess constipation. Used to treat internal excess Heat or Cold, causing severe constipation, abdominal fullness, and sometimes delirium or fever.
Da Cheng Qi Tang (大承气汤): Strongest purge (Heat + constipation)
Xiao Cheng Qi Tang (小承气汤): Mild purge for less severe blockage
Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang (调胃承气汤): For Stomach Heat with mild constipation and dryness
Moist Laxatives
Gently moisten the intestines to relieve dry stool.
Mild, for Yin/Blood-deficiency. For mild, chronic constipation due to Yin or Blood deficiency, especially in the elderly or postpartum patients. These herbs gently moisten the intestines.
Ma Zi Ren Wan (麻子仁丸): Dry constipation due to Yin or Blood deficiency
Harsh Expellant
(峻下逐水药)
Drive out water accumulation (edema, ascites). Toxic, very strong, for emergency use only. Used to drain water accumulation from edema, ascites, or internal blockage. These are toxic and should only be used for serious conditions under close medical supervision.
Drain Downward
(泻下)
Herbal Functions
Chinese herbal medicine is built on a systematic classification of herbs and formulas by function, according to the principles of TCM. Below, you will find the general functions of herbal medicine grouped into major therapeutic categories, along with the key representative formulas in each. Chinese herbal formulas are traditionally categorised based on their core therapeutic actions.
Used for children, tonics, or chronic cough. Sweetened or fermented for taste and preservation.
Syrups / Medicinal wines / Herbal Balls
Washes, creams, poultices for skin, trauma, or inflammation
External use
Raw herbs boiled and consumed as tea; most potent, custom-made.
Herbs are soaked and simmered 20–60 min (harder substances longer).
Decoction
(汤剂)
Ground herbs, mixed with water or honey.
Stirred into warm water or taken as is.
Powder (散剂)
Herbal Administration
Herbal administration refers to the methods of preparing, prescribing, and taking Chinese herbal remedies to achieve optimal therapeutic effects. It encompasses form, dosage, timing, and delivery method, tailored to the patient's constitution, condition, and TCM diagnosis. The purpose of herbal administration is to:
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Deliver herbs in a safe, effective, and practical form.
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Enhance absorption, bioavailability, and synergy.
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Adapt treatment to acute or chronic patterns.
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Match strength of herb to severity of condition.
What is Chinese Herbal Medicine?
Chinese herbal medicine (中药, Zhōng yào) is one of the foundational modalities of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It involves the use of natural substances—mainly plants, but also minerals and animal products—to treat illness, restore balance, and support the body's self-healing according to TCM diagnostic principles. It is often used alone or in combination with acupuncture to address both acute and chronic conditions. Chinese herbal prescriptions are rarely single herbs. Instead, they are formulas (方剂, fāng jì), composed according to a structured hierarchy:
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Chief 君 (jūn): Targets main condition
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Deputy 臣 (chén): Assists the chief or treats secondary symptoms.
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Assistant 佐 (zuǒ): Reduces side effects, balances hot/cold, etc.
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Envoy 使 (shǐ): Guides formula to a specific channel or harmonizes.
Chinese Herbal Medicine
Concentrated formulas in pill form; easier to take.
Swallowed like capsules, convenient.
Pills (丸剂)
Freeze-dried extracts; modern, convenient.
Dissolved in warm water, usually by TCM pharmacies.
Granules
(颗粒剂)
Alcohol-based extracts.
For traumatic injury, arthritis, some chronic syndromes.
Tinctures
Includes creams, washes, poultices, plasters.
For skin infections, trauma, swelling, itching.
Topical Applications
Herbs that tonify deficiency (补虚药) are used to strengthen the body’s vital substances: Qi, Blood, Yin, and Yang. These herbs are grouped into four main categories depending on what they tonify qi, blood, yin and yang.
Tonify Qi
These herbs strengthen the Spleen and Lung, promote energy, and improve organ function.
Si Jun Zi Tang (四君子汤): Tonify Spleen Qi
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (补中益气汤): Raise Yang Qi, treat prolapse
Shen Ling Bai Zhu San (参苓白术散): Tonify Qi and drain Dampness
Tonify Blood
These nourish the Heart, Liver, and Spleen, and are used for pallor, dizziness, scanty menses, insomnia.
Si Wu Tang (四物汤): Classic formula to nourish and invigorate Blood
Ba Zhen Tang (八珍汤): Qi + Blood deficiency
Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang (当归补血汤): Tonify Qi to generate Blood
Tonify Yin
These warm and strengthen Kidney Yang, Spleen Yang, and sexual/reproductive function. Indicated in cold limbs, fatigue, infertility, urinary issues.
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (六味地黄丸): Kidney Yin deficiency
Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan (知柏地黄丸): Yin deficiency with Heat
Mai Wei Di Huang Wan (麦味地黄丸): Yin deficiency with dry Lung
Tonify Yang
These nourish Lung, Liver, Kidney, and Stomach Yin, used in dryness, steaming bones, night sweats, and low-grade fever.
Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan (金匮肾气丸): Kidney Yang deficiency
You Gui Wan (右归丸): Stronger Yang and Essence tonification
Er Xian Tang (二仙汤): Kidney Yin and Yang deficiency with Heat
Tonify Deficiency
(补法)
Herbs that release the exterior (解表药, Jiě Biǎo Yào) are used to expel external pathogenic factors such as Wind, Cold, Heat, or Damp that invade the body surface (typically the skin and muscles) and obstruct the Wei Qi (Defensive Qi).
These herbs are generally used during the early stages of acute illness, such as colds, flu, fever, headaches, chills, and body aches. Herbs that release the exterior:
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Induce sweating to push out pathogens via the pores.
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Regulate Wei Qi and Ying Qi (protective and nutritive Qi)
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Relieve symptoms such as chills, fever, sore throat, nasal congestion, headache, cough.
They are divided into two major categories depending on the nature of the pathogen: Expel Wind-Cold or Expel Wind-Heat
Wind-Cold
These herbs are pungent and warm, and are used for chills > fever, aversion to cold, absence of sweating, clear nasal discharge, and body aches.
Ma Huang Tang (麻黄汤): Excess type, Cold dominant
Gui Zhi Tang (桂枝汤): Deficiency type, with sweating
Wind-Heat
These herbs are pungent and cooling, used for treating fever, chills, sore throat, thirst, yellow nasal discharge, and cough with thick phlegm.
Yin Qiao San (银翘散): Early-stage Wind-Heat (sore throat, fever)
Sang Ju Yin (桑菊饮): Cough from Wind-Heat
Dual or Neutral Herbs
Release Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat, Depending on the Combination
Release the Exterior
(解表)
Herbs that harmonize (和解药, hé jiě yào) are used to regulate and balance internal disharmonies between organ systems, hot and cold, or interior and exterior. Rather than strongly tonifying, purging, or dispersing, these herbs work gently to coordinate physiological functions, especially in mixed or complex syndromes. They are used to harmonize Liver and Spleen (Wood overacting on Earth), harmonize Shaoyang (少阳) – alternating chills and fever, harmonize Stomach and Intestines – Cold and Heat in middle Jiao and support Qi and Blood balance in emotional or digestive conditions. These herbs are typically found in harmonizing formulas (和解剂), which are often prescribed for subacute, intermittent, or mixed-deficiency–excess conditions. Used for half-interior, half-exterior conditions: alternating fever and chills, bitter taste, dry throat, hypochondriac discomfort, nausea, irritability.
Balance between Liver–Spleen, Shaoyang, or Ying–Wei
Xiao Yao San (逍遥散): Harmonise Liver–Spleen, soothe Liver Qi
Jia Wei Xiao Yao San (加味逍遥散): Add clearing Heat to Xiao Yao San
Xiao Chai Hu Tang (小柴胡汤): Shaoyang syndrome (alternating chills/fever)
Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang (半夏泻心汤): Harmonise Stomach and Intestines, resolve clumping of Cold and Heat
Harmonize
(和解)
Herbs that transform Dampness (化湿药, huà shī yào) are used to treat Damp accumulation—a common pathological factor that obstructs Qi flow, especially in the Spleen, Stomach, Lung, and Lower Jiao. Dampness is heavy, sticky, and lingering, and can combine with Heat (→ Damp-Heat), Cold, or Wind. These herbs help dry Damp, aromatise the Middle Jiao, and promote urination to eliminate excess fluids. They dry internal Dampness, aromatically awaken the Spleen, regulate Qi of the middle Jiao (Spleen/Stomach), clear Damp-Heat from specific organs (e.g., Liver, Bladder), and promote urination to drain Dampness.
Resolve Damp, Damp-Heat.
Aromatic Herbs That Transform Dampness
(芳香化湿药)
Middle Jiao Damp obstruction (digestive) → Especially used for Spleen Dampness: bloating, nausea, poor appetite, heaviness, loose stool.
Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San (藿香正气散): For external Damp invasion with digestive upset
Herbs that clear Damp-Heat
Liver, Bladder, Intestines, genital tract → For Damp-Heat in Liver, Gallbladder, Bladder, Intestines, or skin.
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang (龙胆泻肝汤): Liver & Gallbladder Damp-Heat
San Ren Tang (三仁汤): Damp-Heat in the Qi level (early febrile illness)
Herbs that Promote Urination and Leach Damp
Edema, Lin syndrome (characterised by painful urination), and diarrhea → For edema, Lin syndrome, Damp accumulation in the lower Jiao, and dysuria.
Wu Ling San (五苓散): Edema, urinary difficulty, Taiyang syndrome
Ba Zheng San (八正散): Acute Damp-Heat UTI