Radix Angelicae Sinensis (Angelica / Dang Gui)
This is considered the QUEEN OF WOMEN’S HERBS, able to tonify and invigorate the entire female system. It is also used in treating blood deficiency, diabetes, and rheumatic pains. Angelica has a distinctive penetrating fragrance, reminiscent of celery. This smell is one measure of its quality.
Actions:
1. Nourishing blood to regulate menstruation. In treating irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, etc.
2. Activating blood circulation to relieve pain. In treating traumatic injury, carbuncle, phlegmon, sores, arthralgia due to wind-dampness, stasis of blood and pain after childbirth.
3. Moistening the intestine to relax the bowel. In treating constipation due to deficiency of blood and dryness of the intestine.
Fructus Lycii (Wolfberry / Gou Qi Zi)
An important traditional tonic, this is very common in soups, both savory and sweet. While generally used by women, an old Chinese saying warns men, “Do not take wolfberry when far away from home,” ostensibly referring to the herb’s ability to arouse sexual desire.
Actions:
1. Nourishing the liver and kidney. In treating lassitude of the low back and knee due to deficiency of the kidney-essence.
2. Nourishing the liver to improve vision. In treating dizziness, blurred vision and poor eyesight due to deficiency fluid of the liver and kidney.
Colla Corii Asini (Donkey Hide Glue / E Jiao)
This is prepared from the boiling of asses’ hides. When used in prescriptions, it is generally added last –after the other ingredients have been boiled. Its unusual ability to nourish the yin and the blood makes it a valuable universal tonic.
Actions:
1. Tonifying the body by supplying energy and stimulating the production of blood; increasing red blood cells, hemoglobin and blood platelets.
2. Promoting white blood cell (lymphocyte) transformation; balancing calcium and clearing the deposits; preventing the oxidation of vitamin E.
Radix Astragali (Milk Vetch / Huang Qi)
This is a favorite tonic for fatigue due to stress and for nervous exhaustion evidenced by emotional instability. The central portion of the root is yellow and it comes from the northern provinces in China. Larger roots are considered more effective
Actions:
1. Invigorating energy and strengthening yang. In treating deficiency of energy manifested by weak physiques, listlessness, lassitude, poor appetite, etc.
2. Consolidating superficial resistance to arrest sweating. In treating spontaneous sweating, night sweating, etc., due to weak physique and exterior deficiency.
3. Promoting pus discharge and tissue regeneration. In treating carbuncle and ulceration due to deficiency of energy and blood.
4. Inducing dieresis and relieving edema. In treating edema of the face and limbs, dysuria, palpitation, shortness of breath, etc.
Radix Rehmanniae (Chinese Foxglove / Di huang)
This is a common ingredient in women’s prescriptions. Both raw and cooked forms are black, mashed preparations of the root of the plant.
Actions:
1. Nourishing the yin.
2. The raw form cools the blood while the cooked form notifies the blood.
References: Ying, W. K. and Dahlen, Martha. Chinese Herbal Medicine. Wokman Press, 1997.