kelly ilseman, August 2022
Rationale for growing Chinese herbs in the U.S. Although most Chinese herbalists in America still buy imported herbs, there is increasing demand for locally-grown herbs. Compelling global environmental and political pressures make the future supply of Chinese herbs uncertain. Conservation and quality are two top reasons to grow Chinese herbs in the states. According to Peg Schafer, “small-scale ecological farming of herbs is a critical aspect of ensuring a high-quality supply and preventing continued loss of these herbs from their wild native regions.”(1) Unfortunately, “15-20% of these herbs are now considered endangered.” For example, Mu Xiang (see picture below), a Chinese herb commonly used in formulas to help relieve abdominal pain, is listed in the highest level of CITES risk for possible extinction.(1) Herbs that are endangered may become harder to source, and eventually become unavailable for market; when a species’ numbers dwindle, this also creates a gap in biodiversity, affecting all life forms and life-supporting structures in complex ways. Another issue with importing Chinese herbs is potential heavy metal contamination; wild herbs and cultivated fields in China are often downstream from factory production. Many of these factories are likely producing parts for products being shipped back to the U.S. We have entrenched ourselves in a toxic loop and it is up to us to remedy this - growing the herbs domestically is one way to do this. Even organic herbs grown in China often have pesticide contamination when tested by a third party. Species adulteration (several species of some herbs mixed together under one pinyin name), “substitutions of one herb for another,” and incorrect identification are all issues that “plague the herbal import industry.”(1) The recent pandemic and war in Ukraine have also greatly increased the price of importing herbs from China. There are many reasons to produce these herbs on our own soil.
Mu Xiang seedling at The Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm, Petaluma, CA
Personal motivation Learning tons of rote information from black and white slides presented in Herbs class (sounds romantic, right?), and from black and white text/drawings in the Materia Medica leaves an aspiring herbalist lacking in the sensual qualities of herbs. The contact. The direct experience. What qualities does the herb have as it grows that lend a deeper understanding of its medicinal value? How does someone work with various herbs using different media to make medicine? How do the herbs grow, look, taste, smell? Working in the medicinary was definitely a good start, being in contact with and learning to identify the processed herbs based on name and qualities (shape, smell, texture, color). But the real plants! I felt this part of my education lacking and knew many of my classmates did too.
Peg Schafer’s book The Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm inspired hope within me - people are farming Chinese herbs in the US and doing so successfully. My question kept arising, ‘why aren’t more people doing this, especially in Portland, Oregon?’ The climate is perfect, and there are two Chinese medicine schools within a few miles proximity of each other. Although Peg’s farm itself is no longer a production farm with long rows of herbs stretching for miles, it serves as a small conservation and education garden. A trial/educational garden like this would serve students at the local acupuncture colleges, the acupuncture community of Portland, as well as the public. It is the perfect model for what is needed to enhance the herbal education at these schools and a bridge to further connect the public with plant medicine.
cover of Peg’s book, The Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm
Travel to the farm I visited the Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm in Petaluma, CA, at the end of a hot, dry August in 2022. It was a short trip between two days of working at my acupuncture practice, so there was no gap in patient services. It was the end of summer, but it felt like fall in San Francisco. Certain trees’ leaves had already fallen to the ground, fog hung over the city, and it was quite windy. I felt that despite the many differences, San Francisco truly is a West Coast NYC.
picture of Chinatown, SF, with Chinese lanterns hanging
zigzag above a peopled side street, and signs with
Chinese writing on most buildings
Arrival at the farm
The unique beauty of this home and landscape were a welcome sight after hours of driving past desolate, thirsty lands of Napa Valley to the southeast and the town of Petaluma itself, at the end of a long, dusty lane. Through the gate, there was a naturally landscaped yard with vines, stones, and ornamental shrubs surrounding a dark brown and tan house and an expansive gravel driveway. The surrounding fields looked like high desert - parched rolling hills punctuated with occasional shrubbery, with a treeline in the distance. Horses were in the corral next door. The garden itself was lush green and thriving thanks to a nearby reservoir. No longer a production farm, this small garden highlights each species for educational and preservation purposes. Nevertheless, there were a huge number of species contained within that small space.
The Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm grounds upon first entering through the driveway gate
Upon entry, the grounds at the Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm include an expansive gravel driveway, a hearty patch of Juniper, islands of taller trees and shrubs, the house to the left, and fencing surrounding the gardens straight ahead. Several brown buildings of various shapes and sizes were situated behind the garden, one with a skylight, and tall trees behind the frames. Peg thinks these grounds used to be a commune, as there are several bath houses, which sounds dreamy to me. I’m thinking, why not revive that? Sounds like a nice way to live.
Peg’s husband, who studied at Haystack School of Arts and Crafts in coastal Maine, designed and built the house: thick dark brown trim around a peaked roof, the exterior walls a mottled, almost stucco-like tan, with vines growing up the sides outlining the beams, and large windows near the roof. (Coincidentally, a girl at Oshala Farm’s Herb Camp was headed to Haystack this fall, an artist’s retreat nestled among the pines, perched on cliffs overlooking the Atlantic.)
Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm homestead - a house with vines growing up the sides, surrounded by landscaping
Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm grounds - a closer view showing an island of shrubs
and trees to the left, a uniquely carved bench under what appears to possibly be an oak tree, a long line of fencing surrounding a garden, with several brown buildings
in the distance, one of which has a skylight.
A note on Chinese herb names (Pinyin, Scientific, Pharmaceutical, common) and qualities (temperature, flavor, organs, actions) Chinese herbs have several names, which can be confusing for students not familiar with the scientific names of plants or botanical taxonomy. I felt that I had an advantage during school due to my experience with these, and yet, the number of herbs is vast, and actually encompasses non-plant materials such as shells, minerals, and more. All of the information associated with each herb is mind-boggling, all the more reason in my opinion to have real soothing connection to the plants, whose presence and very essence makes all the learning worthwhile.
I chronicled the herb garden as I experienced it, including all four names for each herb. Listed first are the Chinese pinyin names (how the Chinese characters for the names sound using English letters) for each plant, followed by taxonomic Genus and species, Pharmaceutical Name (a permutation of Genus plus the part of plant used: “herba”/”ye” = “leaf,” “gen”/”radix” = “root,” “fructus”/”gua” = “fruit,” “zi”/“ren”/“semen”/”dou” = “seed,” “caulis” = “vine,” “pi” = “bark/skin”), and lastly the common name(s) when applicable are listed. (Note: pinyin names represent the processed portion of the plant used as medicine, not the whole plant. Usually several plant species have one pinyin name.)
I included additional information from the Chinese Materia Medica and Sun’s Notes for each herb, such as temperature, flavor(s), directions, organ systems, and actions. I found this part of the project painstaking, and it practically took the life out of the project for me, but I feel that it’s valuable to connect the herb images to their medicinal qualities and actions. Chinese medicine pattern differentiation relies heavily on physical signs of cold or heat; thus the herbs’ temperatures are of utmost importance. The flavors impact action, as each flavor is associated with an organ system and directionality - up, down, or upper, middle, lower part of the body. The organs indicate Organ systems as known within the medical theory framework of East Asian medicine; they include the physical organs as we know them in most cases, but also include the meridian pathways and all the associated connections between and among Organs and many types of meridian pathways. These pathways are best understood physically as part of the connective tissue matrix, the body’s communication network.
Garden Tour
I could tell Peg had given many tours and was able to adapt on the fly to what I expected to get out of the experience. I made every effort to loosen the flow by engaging Peg with my interest, curiosity, and sense of wonder in the garden, all while questioning her stream-of- consciousness-style and joyfully practicing my herb-name recognition - a complete mix of pinyin and scientific (like someone who knows two languages but is still learning to be fluent).
Before we got to the Chinese herbs, I saw a frog sitting happily on an Amaranth leaf in her vegetable garden. Amaranth is a beautiful plant with purple-red leaves and bright reddish flower heads and seed stalks.
green tree frog nestled on a purple-red Amaranth leaf
close-up of giant Amaranth flower head and leaves in detail
Amaranth leaves and buds can be used in salads. (2) I asked Peg how she collects the grains, and she said these can be collected before the seeds pop and turn rust brown by hanging the stalks upside down, allowing them to dry and drop onto a tarp. (2) Amaranth is a nutritious grain native to Central America; it is not a Chinese herb.
Deep purple-reds and greens of Amaranth leaves
~ fractal-like patterns of nature ~
A short straight path headed south past the vegetable garden and swath of Amaranth plants to the left. The herb garden was laid out in circular fashion. We turned to the left to begin looking at herbs, heading around the circle clockwise, then through a cool-looking ornamental gate to see the small orchard and greenhouse. Some of the plants seem unassuming, given their potent medicinal powers or legendary stature in the Materia Medica. It’s important to remember that the part of the plant used for medicine varies. The best way to tell here is by looking at the second half of the pharmaceutical name.
Chinese herbs
Yi Yi Ren; Coix lacryma-jobi; Coicis semen; Job’s tears/coix seed
temperature: sl. cold; flavors: sweet/bland; organs: Spleen, Stomach, Lung, Kidney (4) actions: Spl qi xu (deficiency), promotes urination to drain dampness from bones, sinews, muscles, and eliminates tendon spasm due to wind-damp bi-syndrome. Can also clear heat, drain pus, and treat lung abscess as well as appendicitis. (4)
Coix lacryma-jobi plant with leaves and seeds;
close up of ripe and almost ripe yi yi ren seeds with leaf blade and stem
Man Jing Zi; Vitex rotundifolia; Viticis fructus; Beach Vitex
temperature: cool; flavors: acrid/bitter; organs: Bladder, Liver, Stomach (4) actions: Clears heat from face, eyes, head when eyes are red and painful. Treats migraines and headaches when heat symptoms are present. Treats painful bi-syndrome (aching, cramping, numb muscles, and joints). (4) I pictured Vitex as a tree, as in ‘Chastetree berry,’ a western herb used gynecologically, but these plants are shrubs! By its waxy leaf covering and smooth round leaf edges, it looks like a coastal plant.
full view of the Vitex shrub
Vitex shrub with rounded, almost waxy leaves and purple flowers
Xuan Fu Hua; Inula japonica; Inulae flos; elecampane
temperature: sl warm; flavors: bitter/acrid/salty; organs: Lung, Spleen, Stomach, Liver (4) actions: Directs rebel qi downward; profuse phlegm in Lungs; rising St qi (naus/vom/belch/acid reflux). Softens harmful phlegm and removes pathogenic water and disperses clumped phlegm above the diaphragm and glue-like lacquered phlegm around the heart. (4) HDI: diuretics.4 Pairs with Dai Zhe Shi. (4) Flowers normally disperse outwards and upwards, lifting out pathogens just like they lift their beautiful blooms lightly towards the sky. This is a unique flower, however, because it directs downwards.(4)
Bright yellow sunshine orbs, Elecampane flowers have a look characteristic of the Aster family
I know this herb best as a western herb for respiratory issues. I was introduced to the herb from Rosemary Gladstar’s Art and Science of Herbalism course, but had only seen and consumed dried leaves of the plant until this summer. New to the world of living Elecampane, I have been introduced to two different species this summer. My first was at Oshala Farm in SE Oregon this past June ~ to their gorgeous tall, orange-flowered rows. My second was at Peg’s farm. The Chinese herbal species has a small but sunny yellow flower with a darker yellow center (pictured above), brightening up the drab day before the sun came out. Can be clearly and easily recognized as a member of the Aster family.
Wei Ling Xian; Clematis brevicaudata; Clematidis radix; clematis temperature: warm; caution: toxic; flavors: acrid/salty; organ: Bladder (4) actions: Stops pain due to Wind-Damp Bi-Syndrome and strongly activates all 12 channels to open/unblock painful obstructions.(4) Dissolves phlegm and softens hardness, and can be used for “fishbone lodged in throat” either literally or metaphorically. (4)
I didn’t get a good picture of this herb. This is a Google search image showing white Clematis flowers with long
elegant stamens against a background of green leaves
The tour was interspersed with conversation about various topics of interest that arose. At this point my tour guide mentioned that the acupuncture school in San Francisco (ACTCM, the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine) had recently closed. (3) The school was bought by another entity and that they gradually shut down programs until the school closed. (3) We lamented its loss, given proximity to one of the largest Chinatowns in the country and a large East Asian population. She said that the new owners unfortunately had no interest in being involved with her herb collections.(3) Thankfully, Huntington Botanical Gardens in San Marino, California, bought a living set of her collection and now has one of the largest collections of Chinese herbs in the U.S.(3)
Qian Hu; Peucedanum praeruptorum; Peucedani radix; hog fennel root
temperature: sl cold; flavors: bitter/acrid; organ: Lung (4)
actions: Descends Lung qi, dissolves phlegm-heat, disperses wind-heat and fire downward. Can be used for cough with sticky, yellow sputum, as well as wheezing, bronchitis, and asthma. (4) HDI: anticoag/antiplatelet (4)
hog fennel plant with wooden ID sign
hog fennel: white flower and green leaves with reddish stems
Although the species of Chinese medicinal herbs are normally quite important, with ‘Superior Herbs’ it is okay to use different species because they are food grade. (3)
Gou Qi Zi; Lycium chinense; Lycii Fructus; goji berries
temperature: neutral; flavor: sweet; organs: Lung, Liver, Kidney (2)
actions: Nourish yin and blood; nourish Liver blood and tonify Kidney yin to treat dizziness, vertigo, decreased vision, weak low back and knees, and seminal emissions; mildly tonify Kidney yang. (2) Enrich Lung yin for cough; Brightens the eyes for improved vision. (2)
Lycium greenery
small purple flower of the goji berry plant
Bai Zhi; Angelica dahurica; Angelica dahuricae Radix; Chinese Angelica
temperature: warm; flavors: acrid/aromatic; organs: Lung, Spleen, Stomach (4)
actions: Guide to Yangming Stomach/Large Intestine level. Number one herb to open the nose for sinusitis or frontal headache. (4) Reduces swelling in areas related to the Lung, Spleen, Stomach, and Large Intestine channels/organs, and drains pus. (4) Used for Wind-Damp-Cold Bi-Syndrome involving body pain, as well as damp-cold genital discharge. Toxic at 30-60g prepared herb.4 HDI: CPY450 liver enzyme pathway inhibitor. (4)
Angelica dahurica foliage
Sheng Di Huang/Shu Di Huang; Rehmannia glutinosa; Rehmanniae radix + Rehmanniae radix praeparata; Chinese foxglove sheng di huang: temperature: sweet; flavor: bitter, cold; organs: Heart, Liver, Kidney (2) actions: The fresh (sheng) herb clears heat and cools blood for warm-heat pathogens presenting at the nutritive layer, resulting in rashes, irritability, excess thirst, mouth and tongue sores, and itchy skin disorders. (2) It nourishes yin and generates fluids for conditions such as chronic low-grade fever, constipation, throat pain, and dry mouth. (2)
shu di huang: temperature: sl warm; flavor: sweet; organs: Heart, Liver, Kidney (2)
actions: Known best for nourishing yin and blood, marrow, and Essence, including pre-natal yin and Essence.2 Can nourish Kidney yin xu (deficiency) for night sweats and seminal emissions. (2) This potent herb can generate Essence and bolster Marrow for low back and knee weakness, dizziness, decreased hearing, and graying hair, as well as delayed childhood development, premature aging, loss of mental acuity/memory, etc…(2) Shu di is an extremely “cloying” herb, which means it is so nourishing that it’s thick and heavy. It needs to be combined with other herbs that are moving so that heavy stagnation will not develop. (2)
The correct species to use medicinally is Rehmannia glutinosa; the incorrect species is Rehmannia alata. (3) I was surprised at the benign stature of this herb, given its potent medicinal power. I recognized the leaves, but the plant shown in these pictures had not yet grown back to full size after a seasonal cutting back.
Rehmannia glutinosa - herb in the middle,
with serrated green and reddish leaves
Wei Ling Xian; Clematis hexapetala; Clematidis radix; clematis
temperature: warm; caution: sl toxic; flavors: acrid, salty; organ: Bladder (4) actions: Alleviates body pain due to Wind-Damp Bi-Syndrome. (4) “Strongly mobilizes all 12 channels to open and unblock painful obstruction.” (4) Dissolves phlegm, softens hardness, for conditions such as nodules or masses, including “fishbone lodged in throat.” (4)
whole clematis shrub with weeping, vining branches
white, star-anemone-shaped clematis flowers, with
wispy flowing ends radiating from a central yellow core
wooden sign labeled Clematidis
hexapetala, Wei Ling Xian
Leonurus heterophyllus; Leonuri herba + Leonuri Fructus; motherwort; yi mu cao = aerial portions and young flowers; chong wei zi = fruit
yi mu cao: temperature: sl cold; flavors: acrid, bitter; organs: Heart, Liver, Bladder (4) actions: The leaves of Leonurus (yi mu cao) promote blood circulation and eliminate blood stasis. (4) It is known as a classic woman’s herb (or herb for people with ovaries and uteruses) in western herbology as well, and can be used for irregular menses, amenorrhea (lack of a menstrual cycle), and dysmenorrhea (pain during menstrual cycles). (4) It is classically used for postpartum blood stasis with the herb chuan xiong.4 The leaves can also promote urination to reduce edematous swelling in the body, as well as “clear and resolve toxins” resulting in abscesses and itching. (4)
chong wei zi: temperature: sl cold; flavor: sweet; organs: Liv, Spl (2) actions: “invigorates the blood, clears the Liver, brightens the eyes” (2) for irregular menstruation, lack of menstruation, or painful menstruation, and abdominal pain due to blood stasis. Alleviates “red, swollen, painful eyes” and headaches due to Liver heat. (2) ***Do not use for continual menstrual bleeding.***(2) Can be toxic at 20-30g; normal doses are at 3-9g. (2)
profile of Leonurus plant with flower heads
against blue sky and dreamy white clouds
green to yellowing Leonurus leaves with small
light purple/lavender flower inflorescences
This was a giant mammoth of a plant, easily 15 feet tall, and the largest motherwort plant I’ve ever seen. Peg and I joked that to an unassuming eye, it kind of looks like a pot plant. Teenage boys visiting the farm often ask if they can smoke it.
Richter’s Seeds of Eastern Canada was mentioned as a good source of seeds at this point in the tour. (3) I’m unsure if Peg was referring to motherwort seeds or Chinese medicinal plant seeds in general.
Ban Lan Gen (root)/Da Qing Ye (leaf); Isatis indigotica; Isatidis/Baphicanthis Radix/Herba; Woad
ban lan gen:
temperature: cold; flavor: bitter; organs: Ht, Lu, St (2) actions: Cools blood and resolves fire toxins (antibacterial and antiviral) that cause sore throat and other epidemic diseases such as diphtheria and tonsillitis…; also suitable to treat jaundice due to damp-heat. (2)
da qing ye:
temperature: very cold; flavor: bitter, salty; organs: Ht, Lu, St (2)
actions: Cools heat toxins at qi (early-stage warm pathogen disease) and blood levels (later stage, deeper level pathogens) such as epidemic diseases and severe contagious diseases. (2)
Harvest leaf before frost (November in N. California). (3)
Isatis indigotica with small yellow flowers and green foliage
Isatis indigotica foliage and small yellow flowers
hand holding Da Qing Ye
The leaf can be eaten raw, but is strongly bitter. (3) I’ve attuned my ability to love bitters over the past 10 - 20 years, so I found it pretty mild. In my opinion, the leaf is perfect for chopping into summer salads.
Cang Zhu; Atractylodes koreana; Atractylodis rhizoma; red atractylodes
temperature: warm; flavors: acrid, bitter; organs: Spleen-Stomach (2)
actions: This herb guides to the Spleen and Lung (Taiyin).2 It has a strong drying damp action, and strengthens Spleen/Stomach. (2) Eliminates Wind-Damp Bi-Syndrome. It also induces sweating. HDI: diuretics, antidiabetics. (2)
Peg called this an uncommon, difficult, “mean plant.” (3) Cang Zhu comes from red Atractylodes; Bai Zhu comes from white Atractylodes.
thick, sword-shaped, glossy yellow-green Atractylodes leaves
Atractylodes koreana, cang zhu sign
Lian Qiao; Forsythia suspensa; Forsythiae Fructus; forsythia
temperature: sl cold; flavor: bitter; organs: Ht, GB, Lu4 actions: Guides to San Jiao, clears Wind-Heat, Disperses clumps/constraint, and separates heat.4 This is a classic antibacterial/antiviral herb used in most early-stage, clear Wind-Heat formulas such as Yin Qiao San, but can go deeper into the blood as well to treat abscesses and toxic clumps with heat in the blood.4 It is famously paired with jin yin hua (honeysuckle flower) in medicinal formulas.
Forsythia branch and leaves
Da Ji; Euphorbia pekinensis; Knoxiae/Euphorbiae Radix; croton oil plant
temperature: cold, toxic; flavors: bitter, acrid; organs: K, LI, Spl (4)
actions: cools blood, reduce tox/swell; HDI: anticoag/platelets.4 This root “strongly purges harmful fluid via the stools” to treat edema and ascites. (4) Caution during pregnancy and with gan cao (licorice). (4) Low dose: 1.5-3 g in decoction and 1g in powder/granule form. (4)
It was really tough to get a good picture of this herb due to the sunlight, but you can see its characteristic shape: like a pinwheel. Once you get to know the Euphorbia genus, you can spot it from far away. They are common landscape plants used in the nursery industry, though I’m unsure if it’s the same species.
Euphorbia leaves bleached by sun-splashed camera lens
Xu Duan; Dipsacus asperoides; Dipsaci Radix; Japanese teasel
temperature: sl warm; flavors: bitter, sweet, acrid; organs: Kidney, Liver (4)
actions: Tonifies Liver and Kidneys, with sinew-strengthening effects. (4) Treats sore low back, knees, joint stiffness and leg weakness. (4) Calms restless fetus and “stops leakage,” including bleeding during pregnancy and threatened miscarriage. (4)
round cone-like flower head; looks like a thistle or
center of an echinacea flower with narrow, pointed bracts
Shan Zha; Crataegus pinnatifida; Crataegi Fructus; Hawthorn fruit
temperature: sl warm; flavors: sour, sweet; organs: Liver, Spleen, Stomach (2)
actions: The fruit helps reduce “food stagnation,” especially from meat and grease. (2) It invigorates blood flow and treats abdominal pain and distention. Char the herb to best treat diarrhea/dysentery. (2) Avoid using large doses during pregnancy. (2) Use post-partum to aid “abdominal pain and clumps due to blood stasis.” (2) Treats hypertension, coronary artery disease, and high cholesterol. (2)
This herb has 5 flower petals, characteristic of flowering plants in the Rosaceae (rose) family.
Shan Zha fruit among the leaves against a blue sky
Shan Yao; Dioscorea opposita; Dioscoreae Rhizoma; Chinese yam
temperature: neutral; flavors: sl sweet, astringent; organs: Spleen, Lung, Kidney (2)
actions: Tonifies Spleen, Lung, and Kidney yin and qi, as well as stabilizes and secures Essence. (2)
Shan yao vines forming a clump like a little troll in the garden;
Motherwort and sunflowers towering overhead against blue sky
Ju Hua / Bo Jo Ju Hua; Chrysanthemum; Chrysanthemi Flos; chrysanthemum
temperature: cool; flavors: acrid, sweet, bitter; organs: Liver, Lung4
actions: Clears heat from red, painful, swollen eyes, clears toxins, brightens eyes, and quiets Liver yang rising.4 This one is from ‘bo jo’ = a region in China near Anhui; from Robert Newman → Peg → → Strictly Medicinals + Herb Pharm)3
Chrysanthemum foliage
Mu Dan Pi; Paeonia suffruticosa; Moutan Cortex; peony root bark
temperature: sl cold; flavors: bitter, acrid; organs: Heart, Liver, Kidney (2) actions: Can be used for excess and deficiency heat; gently moves blood circulation without injuring either blood or yin. (2) Used for blood stagnation, blood heat, yin deficiency, and “warm pathogen in xue [blood] level” resulting in skin rashes. (2)
From Peg: can eat raw bark of Paeonia suffruticosa; cannot do so for chi/bai shao (Paeonia lactiflora or obovata). (3)
screenshot of Peony flower, leaves, root from Traditional Healing Arts
Xi Xian Cao; Siegesbeckia orientalis; Siegesbeckia Herba
temperature: cold; flavor: bitter; organs: Liver, Kidney (4)
actions: Used for Wind-Damp Bi-Syndrome involving numbness, weakness, cramping, and spasms of limbs. Clears heat toxins to treat eczema and itching. (4)
This plant is in the Aster family. Peg said, “collect medicine before the flowers.” (3) This is common practice so that the medicinal portions (in this case the leaves) have more medicine in them before the plant’s energy goes towards flower production.
green leaves and tiny yellow flowers of Siegesbeckia
Achillea millefolium; yarrow
Not a Chinese herb. A common and powerfully medicinal western herb used for colds and fevers, among other functions. Known as a diaphoretic to stimulate sweating.
white yarrow flowers and foliage
Man Jing Zi; Vitex negundo var. cannabifolia; chaste tree seed temperature: cool; flavors: acid, bitter; organs: Bladder, Liver, Stomach4 actions: Clears eyes, face, and head, including headaches/migraines, as well as painful Wind-Damp Bi-Syndrome - stiff joints, cramps, and numbness.4
Vitex tree
Long Dan Cao; Gentiana scabra; Gentianae Radix; gentian root
temperature: v cold; flavor: v bitter; organs: Liver, Gallbladder, Stomach (4)
actions: Used for damp-Heat in the Liver-Gallbladder or lower body, including jaundice, itchy/swollen gential regions, leucorrhea, and eczema; (4) Treats Liver/GB fire, including headache, costal pain, bitter taste, red eyes, and hearing loss and Liver Wind resulting in high fever, delirium, and convulsions. (4)
Gentiana scabra, Long Dan Cao sign
pointed dark glossy green leaves with smooth edges and one prominent center vein
Qin Jiao; Gentiana straminea; Gentianae stramineae Radix; gentian root
temperature: sl cold; flavors: bitter, acrid; organs: Gallbladder, Liver, Stomach (2)
actions: Dispels Wind-Damp leading to sinew cramping, tidal-fever and steaming bone due to yin deficiency, resolves damp-heat jaundice, and moistens intestines/unblocks bowel. (2) Most herbs for Wind-Damp are warm, but this one is slightly cold and can be used for “acute or chronic, cold or hot disorders,” making it unique among the Wind-Damp fighting herbs. (2)
She is testing which species grow best in different locations of her garden. (3)
wooden Gentiana straminea, qin jiao, sign
Jiu Cai Zi; Allium tuberosa; Allii tuberosi Semen; allium seed
temperature: warm; flavors: acrid, sweet; organs: Liver, Kidney (4)
actions: Tonifies K yang: treats weak, cold, painful low back and knees; controls Essence, secures urine, and treats impotence, seminal emission, frequent urination, leucorrhea (4)
Allium tuberosa - white flower heads with thin green stalks
Nan Wu Wei Zi; Kadsura longipedunculata; Chinese Kadsura vine
An adulterant of Qing Feng Teng (Menispermaceae, Sinomenium acutum; Sinomenii Caulis) (3)
temperature: neutral; flavors: bitter, acrid; organs: Liver, Spleen (2)
actions: “dispels wind-damp painful obstruction, unblocks the channels and collaterals, facilitates urination” (2)
wooden Kadsura longipedunculata, Nan Wu Wei Zi sign
Kadsura longipedunculata, Nan Wu Wei Zi
Yu Xing Cao; Houttuynia cordata; Houttuyniae Herba; fish mint/fish leaf/rainbow plant/chameleon plant/heart leaf/fish wort/Chinese lizard tail temperature: sl cold; flavor: acrid; organs: Lung, Large Intestine (4) actions: Dains pus and swelling; promotes urination; drains Damp-Heat (painful, burning urination); treats Lung abscess (cough, sticky yellow sputum; pus, blood). (4) Short cook only for 15 min to preserve medicinal power. (4)
wooden Houttuynia cordata, Yu Xing Cao sign surrounded
by the plant’s heart-shaped yellow-green leaves
Zi Wan; Aster tartaricus; Asteris Radix; purple aster
temperature: sl warm; flavors: acrid, bitter; organ: Lung (2) actions: treats cough from “wind-cold, wind-heat, Lung deficiency, and consumption” and helps get rid of phlegm. (2)
Blooms in October ~ “old lady purple.” (3)
four-five foot stalks of leaves nested in many larger leaves
at the base, all yellow-green at this point in the season
Bo He; Mentha haplocalyx; Menthae haplocalycis Herba; Field Mint
temperature: cool; flavors: acrid, aromatic; organs: Lung, Liver (2)
actions: Clears exterior Wind-Heat: fever, cough, headache, red eyes, sore throat; Vents rashes (including measles). (2) Frees constrained Liver qi and expels “turbid filth leading to summerheat gastric disturbance” leading to “abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and a thick, greasy tongue coating.” (2)
yellow-green mint leaves with small purple flowers
So yellowed it’s barely recognizable, but this is mint, including the little lilac-colored blooms on top. It’s been a very dry season in northern California, and this picture was taken in late August, well into the dry season.
Mo Han Lian/Han Lian Cao; Eclipta prostrata; Ecliptae Herba
temperature: cool; flavors: sweet, sour; organs: Kidney, Liver (2)
actions: Nourishes Liver and Kidney yin, cools heat, stops bleeding, and blackens hair (2)
little Eclipta prostrata reaching for the sun
Fan Xie Ye; Cassia angustifolia (synonym of Senna alexandria); Sennae Folium; senna leaf
temperature: cold; flavors: sweet, bitter; organ: Large Intestine (2)
actions: Drains and guides stagnant heat from Large Intestine. (1.5-3g for mild laxative; 4.5-9g for strong purge) (2)
This plant will tolerate poor soil growing conditions. (3)
small senna plant with many opposite leaves per branch;
yellow flowers in a bunch at the top of the plant; thin reddish stem
senna seed pods
Zhi Mu; Anemarrhena asphodeloides; Anemarrhenae Rhizoma
temperature: cold; flavors: bitter, sweet; organs: Lung, Stomach, Kidney (4) actions: Decreases fire/yin deficiency heat in Lungs, Stomach, Kidneys. (4) Nourishes yin, moistens dryness.4 Treats Yangming/Qi-level heat (“4 bigs”). (4) HDI: antidiabetics. (4) This herb is in a famous formula called Bai Hu Tang “White Tiger Decoction,” where it pairs with Shi Gao to be very cooling and moistening in cases of severe heat. Peg said it’s easy to grow. (3)
wooden Anemarrhena asphodeloides, Zhi Mu, sign
Ye Ju Hua; Chrysanthemum indicum; Chrysanthemi indici Flos; wild chrysanthemum flower
temperature: sl cold; flavors: bitter, acrid; organs: Lung, Liver (2) actions: Disperses Wind, Clears Heat, resolves toxicity, and reduces swelling. (2)
This “herb was harvested in China; not used like the other ju hua.” (3)
whole wild chrysanthemum (ye ju hua) shrub
close up of wild chrysanthemum leaves
Shi Chuang Pu; Acorus gramineus; Acori tatarinowii Rhizoma; Japanese Sweet Grass
temperature: warm; flavors: aromatic, acrid, bitter; organs: Heart, Stomach (4) actions: Calms spirit and reduces fuzzy head (loss of consciousness, unclear thought, poor memory, delirium, dulled senses).4 Transforms Dampness (Spleen/Stomach). (4) Dislodges phlegm and opens orifices; promotes blood circulation to reduce swelling; caution in pregnancy. (4)
wooden Acorus gramineus,
Japanese Sweet Grass, Shi Chang Pu sign
Chuan Niu Xi; Cyathula officinalis; Cyathulae Radix; Cyathula Root
temperature: neutral; flavors: bitter, sweet; organs: Liver, Kidney (4)
actions: Moves and circulates blood to eliminate blood stasis, unblocks menses. (4) Eliminates wind and drains dampness, including Lin Syndrome (edema, difficult urination and Damp-Heat in lower jiao). (4) Treats weak low back and knees, but doesn’t tonify like Huai Niu Xi. (4) Treats headaches and dizziness, vomiting blood, nosebleed, toothache, mouth ulcers due to fire flaring upwards. (4)
Cyathula officinalis foliage, 2-3 feet high
Xia Ku Cao; Prunella vulgaris; Prunellae Spica; selfheal
temperature: cold; flavors: bitter, acrid; organs: Liver, Gallbladder (2)
actions: “cools Liver fire, disperses clumps, benefits the eyes” (2)
These grow everywhere in New England and the Pacific Northwest. Once you attune to seeing them in the wild, you cannot unsee them. Proliferative.
close-up of several bygone/browned Prunella
flowers with small green-yellow leaves
Jiao Gulan; Gynostemma pentaphyllum; Sweet Tea Vine
Not listed in Chinese Materia Medica.
Gynostemma sign
Gynostemma vine w/ bright almost lime-green leaves
(Juan Ye) Huang Jing; Polygonatum cirrhifolium; Polygonati Rhizoma; Solomon’s Seal
This species is listed as an alternative species and local variant in the Materia Medica.
temperature: neutral; flavor: sweet; organs: K, Lu, Spl (2)
actions: “tonifies the qi, nourishes the yin, augments the essence.” (2) Note: enriching and cloying; not to be used for phlegma and stagnant dampness, as this herb increases dampness. (2)
Solomon’s Seal close up: long, smooth edged leaves with center
vein and 4 green (ripening) berries at node
wooden Polygonatum cirrhifolium,
Juan Ye Huang Jing sign
Huang Jing; Polygonatum sibericum; Polygonati Rhizoma; Siberian Solomon’s Seal
temperature: neutral; flavor: sweet; organs: Kidney, Lung, Spleen (2)
actions: “Tonifies the qi, nourishes the yin, augments the essence” (2) Treats fatigue due to Spleen qi deficiency. (2) Treats dry cough (with low amount of sputum). Can also treat sore low back due to Kidney essence exhaustion. (2)
wooden Polygonatum sibericum, Siberian Solomon’s Seal, Huang Jing sign
She Gan; Iris domestica (scientific name changed from Belamcanda chinensis based on evolutionary biology research3); Belamcanda Rhizoma; iris
temperature: cold; flavor: bitter; organ: Lung2
actions: “clears heat toxin, reduces swelling of the throat, transforms phlegm”2
screenshot courtesy of U Wisconsin
Qin Jiao; Gentiana siphonantha; Gentianae siphonantha Radix; gentian root
This species is not listed in the Chinese Materia Medica. Peg told me she is trialing different Qin Jiao in various locations around her garden. (3) In general, Qin Jiao, is slightly cold, bitter, and acrid, and goes to the Gallbladder, Liver, and Stomach. (2) It “dispels wind-dampness, eliminates tidal fever and steaming bone disorder.” (2) This means that it “soothes sinews” for cases of Wind-Damp Bi-Syndrome (think Liver), clears deficiency heat (especially when combined with other herbs), resolves dampness leading to jaundice (think Gallbladder), and moistens intestines for easier stool passage (think St connection to LI). (2)
Gentiana siphonantha; Qin Jiao sign
Bai He; Lilium lancifolia; Lilii Bulbus; lily bulb
temperature: sl cold; flavors: sweet, sl. bitter; organs: Heart, Lung (2)
actions: “enriches the Lung yin, drains heat from the Heart, stops coughs, quiets the spirit.” (2)
wooden Lilium lancifolia, Bai He sign
Lilium lancifolia foliage close-up
Dan Shen; Salvia miltiorrhiza; Salvia miltiorrhizae Radix; salvia root
temperature: sl cold; flavor: bitter; organs: Heart, Pericardium, Liver (2) actions: This herb is popularly used in many herbal formulas because it both invigorates and tonifies the blood, and can calm the spirit due to nutritive- and blood-level heat. (2) Dan Shen can be used for blood stasis in any area of the body and is “an important herb in gynecology.” (2)
green leaves of small Salvia miltiorrhiza plant
Tu Huo Xiang; Agastache rugosa; Agastashes Herba; Korean mint
temperature: sl warm; flavors: acrid; organs: Lu, Spl, St (2)
actions: This herb releases the exterior and transforms dampness, while at the same time harmonizing the middle and reducing nausea. (2)
wooden Agastache rugosa, Korean Mint, Tu Huo Xiang sign
Agastache rugosa leaves and flowers
In classic mint-family style, this herb looks beautiful and smells amazing! Square stems denote it’s part of the mint family, and lovely purple flowers can be included with leaves for a cooling summer afternoon tea.
Melia toosendan; Toosendan Fructus; Sichuan Chinaberry; Chuan Lian Z (544 bensky)
temperature: cold; caution: sl tox; flavor: bitter; organs: Liver, Small Intestine, Bladder, Stomach (4)
actions: clears heat/fire rising due to Liver qi stagnation (4)
Melia toosendan leaves and ripening green fruit
wooden Melia toosendan, Sichuan Chinaberry, Chuan Lian Zi sign
close-up of Melia toosendan leaves
Pi Pa Ye; Eriobotrya japonica; Eriobotryae Folium
temperature: neutral; flavor: bitter; organ: Lung, Stomach2
actions: “directs qi downward to stop coughs and alleviate nausea and vomiting”2
dark green leaves with smooth edges, center vein and veins from center
to edge of leaf; 8-12” long leaves alternate or whorled at the tips of branches
Ban Zhi Lian; Scutellaria barbata; Scutellaria barbata Herba; barbat skullcap
temperature: sl cool; flavors: acrid, sl bitter; organs: Liver, Lung, Stomach (2)
actions: The leaves of this plant are used to clear heat and toxicity resulting in “furuncles, sores, abscesses,” snakebites, and trauma. (2) It is used to treat cancer and chronic hepatitis. (2) The herb promotes urination, relieves edema, and “mildly dispels blood stasis and stops bleeding” in cases of nosebleeds, trauma, vomiting blood, or blood in the urine. (2)
wooden Scutellaria barbata, Barbat Skullcap, Ban Zhi Lian sign
Scutellaria barbata plants with light purple flowers
palm holding Scutellaria barbata stem with two purple flowers on top
Huang Qin; Scutellaria baicalensis; Scutellariae Radix; baikal skullcap root, scute
temperature: cold; flavor: bitter; organs: Lung, Stomach, Gallbladder, Large Intestine2 actions: “cools heat, dries dampness, stops bleeding, quiets the fetus in pregnancy.”2
Used for Damp-Heat in the Stomach and Intestines (diarrhea, dysentery, fever, stifling sensation in chest, inability to drink).2 Used for heat and toxicity (sores, swellings with heat signs such as high fever, irritability, thirst, and thick, yellow sputum).2 Clears heat and stops bleeding with symptoms of nosebleed, vomiting blood, bloody stool.2
hand holding stems with purple baikal skullcap flowers
wooden Scutellaria baicalensis, Baikal Skullcap, Huang Qin
sign with baikal skullcap leaves behind it, along w/ browned
selfheal flower heads and a poppy seed head in front
A yellow garden spider joined us:
yellow garden spider, Argiope aurantia
Ze Lan; Lycopus lucidus; Lycopi Herba; bugleweed
temperature: sl warm; flavors: bitter, acrid; organs: Liver, Spleen (2)
actions: “gently moves the blood without injuring the normal qi, promotes urination.” (2)
Used topically and internally for traumatic pain, as this herb’s leaves move blood to relieve pain. relieves menstrual pain. (2) Promotes urination to reduce edema or painful urinary dribbling post-partum, as well as facial edema. (2)
stand of Lycopus lucidus greenery
Lycopus lucidus, Ze Lan sign
*Note the square stems behind the sign -
indication that Ze Lan is in the mint
family: Lamiaceae
Hong Hua; Carthamus tinctorius; Carthami Flos; safflower
temperature: warm; flavor: acrid; organs: Heart, Liver (2)
actions: “invigorates the blood, stops pain.” (2) Used for blood stasis issues ranging from blocked menstruation to abdominal pain, retained lochia, or abdominal masses. Can also be used for sores, carbuncles, and purple erythema. (2)
This plant is an adulterant of saffron, or vice versa. (3) The two can be substituted for each other in cooking, although they have different flavors. (3) Saffron does not substitute for safflower medicinally, although I wager that saffron has some blood-moving properties.
wooden Carthamus tinctorius, Safflower, Hong Hua sign
tall, browned safflower stalks with large bulbous seed heads on top
Xian He Cao; Agrimony pilosula; Agrimoniae Herba; agrimony
temperature: neutral; flavors: bitter, astringent; organs: Lu, Liv, Spl (2)
actions: “binds and inhibits bleeding” for vomiting blood, coughing blood, nosebleed, bleeding gums, bloody urine, and uterine bleeding. (2) Its neutral temperature allows it to easily be combined with other herbs to treat conditions presenting with heat or cold signs, as well as excess or deficiency. (2) Invasive. (3)
Agrimony plant, bleached to a yellowed-green
Bai Ji; Bletilla striata; Bletillae Rhizoma; hardy ground orchid
temperature: cool; flavors: bitter, sweet; organs: Lung, Stomach, Liver (2)
actions: “Restrains to stop bleeding [mainly in Lungs and Stomach, but also from traumatic injury], reduces swelling, generates flesh.” (2) Often used topically. (2)
Bletilla striata, Hardy Ground Orchid, Bai Ji sign
surrounded by Prunella (xiao ku cao) flower heads
Dang Gui/Dong Quai; Angelica sinensis; Angelica sinensis Radix
temperature: warm; flavors: sweet, acrid; organs: Heart, Liver, Spleen (2)
actions: This herb “tonifies the blood, invigorates the blood, regulates menstruation, alleviates pain.” (2) It is a famous gynecological herb and is used in western herbology as well; some sources speculate about its estrogenic properties, but scientific findings do not appear to support this action. Treats irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, and dysmenorrhea. (2) It is an ideal blood nourishing herb, because it can also “move blood” (2) in the Chinese theoretical concept of this idea. Liver and Heart blood deficiency might manifest with signs such as “pallid, ashen complexion, lusterless nails, tinnitus, blurred vision, and [heart] palpitations.” (2) The herb can be used for Wind-Cold-Damp or Wind-Damp Bi-Syndrome (body pain) as well, when combined with other herbs.2 In all of these herb scenarios, the herb’s main actions are supported by other herbal friends in formulaic combinations. (2)
This species of dang gui is the hardest to grow. (2) Peg has the only species in the U.S., although Trout Lake Soaps had some at one time. (3) I am growing one of her seedlings in Portland.
Angelica sinensis plant inside a circular stone-lined
raised garden bed, with wooden plant ID sign
Qin Jiao; Gentiana tibetica; Gentiana tibetica Radix; gentian root
This species is not listed in the Chinese Materia Medica. Peg told me she is trialing different Qin Jiao in various locations around her garden. (3) In general, Qin Jiao, is slightly cold, bitter, and acrid, and goes to the Gallbladder, Liver, and Stomach. (2) It “dispels wind-dampness, eliminates tidal fever and steaming bone disorder.” (2) This means that it “soothes sinews” for cases of Wind-Damp Bi-Syndrome (think Liver), clears deficiency heat (especially when combined with other herbs), resolves dampness leading to jaundice (think Gallbladder), and moistens intestines for easier stool passage (think St connection to LI). (2)
close up of Qin Jiao with browning center flower heads and bracts
amongst lime-green foliage - long green leaves up to 12” long with
smooth edges and 4-5 parallel veins running from stalk to leaf tip
patch of Qin Jiao
Yu Zhu; Polygonatum odoratum; Polygonati odorati Rhizoma; angular Solomon's seal or scented Solomon's seal
temperature: sl cold; flavor: sweet; organs: Lung, Stomach (2)
actions: nourishes Lung and Stomach yin/fluids without being cloying (overly heavy, sticky); (2) “restores fluids injured by external pathogens without preventing the expulsion of those pathogens” (2)
This plant is in the Lily family. (2)
approximately 3-foot high stalk with many ~6-8” smooth, edged,
pointed leaves with main 3 veins running parallel down the leaves;
green leaves yellow-green during the heat of August
close up of stem and leaves with berries at nodes
Di Yu; Sanguisorba officinalis; Sanguisorbae Radix; burned bloodwort root
temperature: sl cold; flavor: bitter, sour; organs: Liver, Large Intestine, Stomach (2)
actions: “cools heat in the flood, stops bleeding, resolves toxicity, restrains and inhibits” (2)
This herb is in the rose family and the flowers will have 5 petals.
wooden Sanguisorba Di Yu sign
browned terminal flower spikes against wire fence with wooden posts
base of Sanguisorba leaves with tall spicules and
browned terminal flower heads
(Dong) Dang Gui; Angelica acutiloba; Angelica acutiloba Radix; touchi
This is a variant of Angelica sinensis, listed in the Materia Medica on page 754.2 They both have similar properties: warm, sweet, acrid, going to the Heart, Liver, and Spleen, with ability to tonify and move blood, regulate menses, and reduce pain.
Dang Gui leaves and sign
Qin Jiao; Gentiana crassicaulis; Gentianae crassicaulis Radix; gentian root
temperature: sl cold; flavors: bitter, acrid; organs: Gallbladder, Liver, Stomach (2)
actions: “dispels wind-dampness, eliminates tidal fever and steaming bone disorder” (2)
top down view of ten Gentiana plants with
whorls of four broad lance-shaped, green
leaves with center veins surrounding
developing terminal flower clusters
Gentiana crassicaulis Qin Jiao sign
Akebia; Akebiae Caulis; Mu Tong; Akebia vine
temperature: sl cold; flavor: bitter; organs: Bladder, Heart, Small Intestine (2)
actions: encourages urination, descends fire and damp-heat through urine, increases lactation, and removes blood stasis (2)
vine with alternate leaf whorls, each with 5 ovular leaves at the end of a stem
Trichosanthes kirilowii; Trichosanthes Fructus (Gua Luo Shi), Trichosanthes Semen (Gua Luo Zi/Ren), Radix (Gua Luo Gen/Tian Hua Fen), Pericarpium (Gua Luo Pi)
Fruit: Gua Luo Shi temperature: cold; flavors: sweet; organs: Lung, Stomach, Large Intestine (2)
actions: cools/transforms phlegm, moistens intestines, sends turbid phlegm downward (2)
Seed: Gua Luo Ren/Zi
temperature: cold; flavors: sweet; organs: Lung, Stomach, Large Intestine (2)
actions: a slippery herb that moistens, cools, and transforms phlegm (2)
Root: Gua Luo Gen/Tian Hua Fen
“better [than gua luo pi] at directing fire downward, moistening dryness, and generating fluids to alleviate thirst.” (2)
temperature: cold; flavors: bitter, sl sweet; organs: Lung, Stomach (2)
actions: clears heat and generates fluids; clears toxins, alleviates swelling, quickens the blood (2)
Gua Luo Pi
“better [than tian hua fen] at facilitating the movement of qi, easing the chest, and transforming and cooling phlegm-heat” (2)
close up of Trichosanthes vines w/ nearly round
or nearly triangular (cordate), lobate leaves
giant mound of Trichosanthes vines
close-up of white Trichosanthes flowers, with yellow center,
5 elegantly fringed petals against green leaf background;
name means “heavenly flower powder” (2)
wooden sign for Trichosanthes
*Saussurea costus or Aucklandia lappis; Aucklandiae Radix; Mu Xiang
temperature: warm; flavors: acrid, bitter; organs: Gallbladder, Large Intestine; Spleen, Stomach, Triple Burner (2)
actions: facilitates qi flow, alleviates pain, strengthens Spleen, reduces food stagnation (2)
*On appendix A, CITES endangered plant list; Himalayan; likes cold (3)
wooden Saussurea sign
close up of three little Saussurea costus plants
many potted Saussurea costus plants on a greenhouse table
Sedum sarmentosum; Chu Pen Cao
Not listed in Materia Medica.
Sedum sign
(Gansu) Dan Shen; Salvia przewalskii; Salviae przewalskii Radix; salvia
This is an alternative species and local variant (Gansu) of Salvia miltiorrhiza. (2) It has similar properties: slightly cold, bitter, and goes to the Heart, Liver, and Pericardium, with a penchant for invigorating and nourishing blood and calming the spirit. (2)
wooden Salvia przewalskii sign
Salvia przewalskii plant
close-up of Salvia przewalskii branch nodes with leaves and flowers
Tian Men Dong; Asparagus cochinchinensis; Asparagi Radix; asparagus tuber temperature: very cold; flavors: sweet, bitter; organs: Kidney, Lung2
actions: tonifies Lung and Kidney yin, engenders fluids, clears yin xu heat
This plant is in the Liliaceae family.2
Asparagus cochinchinensis,
Tian Men Dong sign
Asparagus cochinchinensis plant
Shan Yao; Dioscorea opposita (used to be called D. batatas); Dioscoreae Rhizoma; Chinese yam
temperature: neutral; flavor: sweet; organs: Kidney, Lung, Spleen (2)
actions: tonifies Kidney, Lung, and Spleen qi and yin; secures Essence (2)
large vining Chinese yam on two pyramidal poles
closer image of Chinese yam leaves
He Huan Hua + He Huan Pi; Albizzia julibrissin; Albiziae Flos and Albiziae Cortex; silktree, happy tree
he huan hua:
temperature: neutral; flavor: sweet; organs: Liv, St (2)
“Relieves constraint, calms the spirit, regulates the qi, invigorates the collaterals.” (2)
he huan pi:
temperature: neutral; flavor: sweet; organs: Ht, Liv (2)
“Relieves constraint, calms the spirit, regulates the qi, invigorates the blood.” Caution during pregnancy. (2)
close-up Albizzia leaves and flowers
Albizzia branch with compound pinnate leaves and pink flowers
wooden sign for Albizzia tree
Du Zhong; Eucommia ulmoides; Eucommiae Cortex; Eucommia bark
temperature: warm; flavors: sweet, sl acrid; organs: Kidneys, Liver (2)
actions: tonifies Kidneys and Liver for strong bones (Kidneys) and sinews (Liver), and calms the fetus (2)
These are 20 yr-old trees. It takes a long time to grow the trees large enough for substantial bark harvest. (3)
young Eucommia tree with leaves drooping due to heat/thirst
Da Zao; Zizyphus jujuba; Jujubae Fructus; spiny jujube kernel
temperature: warm; flavor: sweet; organs: Spleen, Stomach (2)
actions: “Sweet, moistening, and harmonious,” this fruit bolsters the Spleen and Stomach, helping to build qi in cases of low energy, shortness of breath, reduced appetite, and loose stools. (2) It “nourishes the blood and calms the spirit,” and, like gan cao (licorice root) harmonizes the properties of other herbs in formula. (2)
Zizyphus tree, maybe 6’ tall
close up of developing Zizyphus fruit
close-up da zao fruit ripening on branch, with
green, glossy, lanceolate, alternate leaves
landscape with Zizyphus jujuba trees
Zizyphus tree
Wu Jia Pi; Eleutherococcus nodiflora; Acanthopanacis Cortex; Chinese ginseng
temperature: warm; flavors: acrid, bitter; organs: Kidney, Liver (2)
actions: eliminates wind-dampness, stops pain, strengthens sinews (2)
Eleutherococcus nodiflora Wu Jia Pi sign
Xin Yi Hua; Magnolia denudata; Magnoliae Flos
temperature: warm; flavor: acrid; organs: Lung, Stomach (2)
actions: “disseminates and disperses upper burner wind-heat, clears the nasal passages, relieves sinus headaches” (2) Endangered. (3)
parched Magnolia leaves
Maizie sitting under Magnolia tree, under a bluebird sky
Bai Zi Ren (p. 930)/Ce Bai Ye; Platycladus orientalis (also known as Biota orientalis); Platycladi Semen/Platycladi Cacumen; arborvitae seed Bai Zi Ren:
temperature: neutral; flavor: sweet; organs: Heart, Kidney, Large Intestine (2)
actions: calms shen by nourishing Heart blood / yin; moistens the Kidneys and Large Intestine to treat constipation (2)
Ce Bai Ye:
temperature: sl cold; flavors: bitter, astringent; organs: Lung, Liver, Large Intestine (2)
actions: “cools heat, inhibits bleeding due to blood heat, [including vomit with blood, bloody gums, coughing blood, bloody urine or stool], stops cough.” (2) Known for its ability to “expel phlegm” and treat “ viscous, difficult-to-expectorate sputum streaked with blood.” (2)
Seed for these trees was collected at the Great Wall of China. (3)
arborvitae shrubs
Shan Zhu Yu; Cornus officinalis; Corni Fructus; dogwood, Asiatic cornelian cherry fruit
temperature: sl warm; flavor: sour; organs: K, Liv (2)
actions: This fruit “augments the Liver and Kidneys, secures the primal qi, [and] prevents abandonment.” Can be used to treat fluid leakage: frequent urination, incontinence, spermatorrhea, or excess sweating. (2) Supports “devastated yang and collapsed qi” in cases of severe shock and/or trauma. (2) Tonified Liver and Kidneys to help alleviate dizziness, sore/weak low back and knees, as well as impotence. (2) This Cornus tree has no fruit this year! (3)
Cornus leaves close up with characteristic veining
wooden Cornus sign
Huājiāo; Zanthoxylum armatum; Zanthoxylum armatum Fructus; Schezuan pepper tree
Not listed in the Materia Medica.
Schezuan pepper tree branch with thorns evident
Schezuan pepper tree branch with ovate, smooth-edged leaves
Schezuan pepper tree branch bearing yellow fruit
Schezuan pepper tree - close up of yellow fruit
Schezuan pepper tree
Qing Dai; Indigofera tinctoria; Indigo naturalis (leaves + stems); Indigo
temperature: cold; flavor: salty; organs: Liver, Lung, Stomach (2)
actions: clears heat and cools the blood, eliminates toxicity, reduces maculae, reduces swelling (including mouth sores, sore throat, or mumps), drains Liver fire, alleviates summer heat and wind, including “convulsions, red eyes, sore throat.” (2) Medicine and dye are leached from leaves and stems using water and lime. (2)
Indigofera tinctoria plant
wooden Indigofera tinctoria sign
Ma Huang; Ephedra; Ephedrae Herba; ephedra stem
temperature: warm; flavors: acrid, sl bitter; organs: Lung, Bladder (2)
actions: increases sweating to release the exterior to treat excess wind-cold conditions (fever, chills, headache, no sweating), stops wheezing and coughing, and promotes urination to reduce edema. Also “warms and disperses cold pathogens: useful for wind-damp painful obstruction and deep-rooted toxic sores without a head.” (2)
Some formulas call for ephedra with nodes on the stalks and roots removed, which decreases the diaphoretic effects. Such formulas are used when dissemination of Lung qi and stopping cough/wheezing is more important than inducing sweating. (2) The seeds at Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm germinate, but organoleptic testing indicates it doesn’t contain enough medicinals. (3)
plastic-covered hoop house containing Ephedra Herba
close-up of Ephedra Herba (1)
close-up of Ephedra Herba (2)
Huang Qi; Astragalus mongolicus; Astragali Radix; astragalus
temperature: sl warm; flavor: sweet; organs: Lung, Spleen (2)
actions: builds qi and blood, especially for postpartum or recovery from severe loss of blood.2 Also “tonifies the Spleen and raises the yang: for Spleen deficiency presenting with lack of appetite, fatigue, and diarrhea.” (2) Fortifies the exterior protective qi to prevent pathogen invasion and builds Lung qi for cases of frequent colds and shortness of breath. (2)
vetch-like Astragalus plant with pinnate leaves and pink flowers (1)
vetch-like Astragalus plant with pinnate leaves and pink flowers (2)
Fang Feng; Saposhnikovia divaricata; Saposhnikoviae Radix; Siler/Laserwort
temperature: sl warm; flavors: acrid, sweet; organs: Bladder, Liver, Spleen (2)
actions: releases exterior in cases of external wind-cold, including “headache, chills, and body aches.” (2) Relieves pain in cases of wind-damp bi syndrome, especially when wind is predominant. (2) Relieves spasms due to wind, as well as Intestinal wind manifesting in “recurrent, painful diarrhea with bright blood in the stool.” (2)
wooden Saposhnikovia divaricata Siler, Laserwort, Fang Feng sign
close up of Saposhnikovia divaricata leaves
Saposhnikovia divaricata plant - tousled like the wind it treats
Ashwagandha
Not part of the Materia Medica.
Ashwagandha plant
Qing Xiang Zi; Celosia sp.; Celosiae Semen; celosia seeds
temperature: sl cold; flavor: sweet; organ: Liver (2)
actions: benefits the eyes and ears by clearing Liver fire, sends qi downwards, gets rid of superficial visual obstructions (2)
beautiful Celosia with many pink terminal spikes on 6-10” slender stems
Sheng Jiang; Zingiber officinalis; ginger; Zingiberus Rhizoma recens
temperature: sl warm; flavor: acrid; organs: Lung, Spleen, Stomach (2)
actions: releases exterior in cases of wind-cold, warms the middle and alleviates nausea and vomiting, warms the Lungs to stop coughing; assists in cases of overdosing other herbs to resolve toxicity (fu zi, ban xia, or food poisoning) (2)
wooden Zingiber officinalis Sheng Jiang sign
Bai Ji; Bletilla striata; Hardy Ground Orchid
temperature: cool; flavors: bitter, sweet; organs: Lung, Stomach, Liver (2)
actions: “Restrains to stop bleeding [mainly in Lungs and Stomach, but also from traumatic injury], reduces swelling, generates flesh.2 ”Often used topically. (2)
Bletilla sign and leaves
Bletilla
Che Qian Zi; Plantago asiatica; Plantaginis Semen; Chinese Plantain
temperature: cold; flavor: sweet; organs: Bladder, Kidney, Liver, Lung (2)
actions: gets rid of damp-heat via the urine; (2) clears the eyes d/t Kidney or Liver deficiency issues or Liver heat (2) // leaves can also be used to clear heat, but are less effective at promoting urination; fresh leaves are better than dried (2)
wooden Plantago asiatica, Chinese Plantain, Che Qian Zi sign
Plantago asiatica leaves and slender 6-8” terminal flower spikes
Yu Jin/Jiang Huang; Curcuma longa; curcuma tuber/turmeric rhizome; turmeric root
Yu Jin
temperature: cold; flavors: acrid, bitter; organs: Heart, Lung, Liver (2)
actions: invigorates the blood to stop pain - often used topically for trauma or chronic sores, as well as “chest, abdominal, flank, or menstrual pain.” (2) clears heat and cools the blood in cases of nosebleed, vomiting blood, and bloody urine (2)
Jiang Huang:
temperature: warm; flavors: acrid, bitter; organs: Spleen, Stomach, Liver (2)
actions: used to invigorate blood to treat amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, chest or abdominal pain, or abscesses due to deficiency cold or trauma. promotes qi movement to reduce epigastric and abdominal pain. (2) treats wind-damp painful obstruction with blood stasis, with particular effects on the shoulders. (2)
beautiful lime-green Curcuma longa leaves
growing in an enclosed bed in the greenhouse
Bai Zhu; Atractylodes macrocephala; Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma; Chinese Thistle
temperature: warm; flavors: bitter, sweet; organs: Spleen, Stomach (2)
actions: This herb bolsters the Spleen, dries dampness due to the Spleen not performing its functions of “transforming and transporting,” and calms a baby developing in utero. (2) It should not be used when there is strong yin deficiency and lack of fluids, as it is drying! (2)
wooden Atractylodes macrocephala Chinese Thistle Bai Zhu sign
Ji Xue Cao; Centella asiatica; Centellae Herba; Pennywort, Gotu Kola
temperature: cold; flavors: bitter, acrid; organs: Liver, Spleen, Kidney (2)
actions: “clears damp-heat, resolves toxicity, reduces swelling” (2)
wooden Centella sign
Centella leaves ~ groundcover
Kuan Jin Teng; Tinospora sinensis; Tinosporae sinensis Caulis; heart-leaved moonseed
temperature: sl cold; flavor: bitter; organ: Liver (2)
actions: Relaxes the sinews in cases of wind-damp bi syndrome painful obstruction; reduces heat, redness, swelling, and pain due to traumatic injury (2)
wooden Tinospora sinensis Kuan Jin Teng sign
Tinospora sinensis vines
Bai Bu; Stemona tuberosa; Stemonae Radix
temperature: sl warm; flavors: sweet, bitter; organ: Lung (2)
actions: treats cough by directing qi downwards, especially in people with chronic conditions or deficient constitutions (2)
Stemona tuberosa sign beside white baby’s breath flowers and plantain leaves
Stemona tuberosa on pyramidal stilts
Chai Hu; Bupleurum chinensis; Bupleuri Radix
temperature: cool; flavors: bitter, acrid; organs: Gallbladder, Liver, Pericardium, Triple Burner (2)
actions: raises and disperses qi to treat “alternating chills and fever,” to “raise the clear qi of the Stomach and Gallbladder,” release muscle-layer heat, harmonize Shaoyang imbalances, and move stuck Liver qi (2)
beautiful yellow Bupleurum flowers and green leaves against a clear blue sky
Bupleurum flowers and leaves
profile of Bupleurum flowers
Dang Shen; Codonopsis pilosula; Codonopsis Radix; poor man’s ginseng
temperature: neutral; flavor: sweet; organs: Lung, Spleen (2)
actions: treats “lack of appetite, fatigue, tired limbs, diarrhea, vomiting” by tonifying the Spleen and “chronic cough and shortness of breath” by tonifying the Lungs. (2) also treats uterine, stomach, or rectal prolapse, and a great deal of Lung sputum due to Spleen deficiency. (2) can assist other herbs in helping to release the exterior in cases of deficiency. (2)
wooden Codonopsis ID sign
herbaceous vines of Codonopsis plant (larger green leaves)
Lei Gong Teng/Lei Geng Teng; Tripterygium wilfordii; Tripterygii wilfordii Radix; tripterygium root temperature: cold; caution: v toxic; flavors: bitter, acrid; organs: Liver, Spleen (2)
actions: “cools heat, resolves toxicity, soothers the sinews, invigorates the blood, unblocks clumping, reduces swelling and pain, kills parasites, alleviates itching” (2)
Tripterygium wilfordii leaves and flowers
Tripterygium wilfordii plant showing habit/shape and size
plastic Tripterygium wilfordii sign
assortment of greenhouse plants
fungal inoculation logs
view of the rolling hills behind hoop house
seeds for sale
views on the way out
my little take-home Dang Gui, Angelica sinensis
Summary of extra info
Lillium Initiative
foster plants
ACTCM collection; guest curator Nanjing
Huntington Botanical Gardens bought set of her collection species: superior food-grade herbs - okay to use dif species American Herbal Pharmacopeia Chris Hobbs - evolutionary biologist/mycologist
Richter’s seeds - eastern Canada U WA Botanical garden in vancouver, WA
Google lens (Andy Ellis Spring Wind)
Cover spore holes w/wax when inoculating logs w/ edible mushrooms
References
Schafer P. The Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm: A Cultivator’s Guide to Small-Scale Organic Herb Production. Chelsea Green Publishing; 2011.
Bensky D, Clavey S, Stöger E. Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica. Portable 3rd Edition. Eastland Press, Inc; 2015.
Schafer P. Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm Tour. Petaluma, CA: Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm; August 25, 2022.
Yun S. Single Herbs Study Chart, 1st Ed. Sun’s Notes; 2017.
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