Table 2.
Action and indication of the most ten frequently used herbs
| Chinese name in pinyin | Latin name | Frequency of usage | Action | Indication |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Da Huang | Radix et Rhizoma Rhei | 428 | Drains heat and purges accumulations; clears heat, transforms dampness and promotes urination; drains heat from the blood; invigorates the blood and dispels blood stasis | Intestinal heat excess with high fever, profuse sweating, thirst, constipation, abdominal distention and pain, delirium, a yellow tongue coat and a full pulse; blood stasis with amenorrhea, fixed abdominal masses or fixed pain |
| Huo Ma Ren | Semen Cannabis | 247 | Nourishes, moistens and lubricates the intestines; nourishes the yin; clears heat and promotes healing of sores; moistens dryness and benefits the hair | Constipation in the elderly; constipation after a warm febrile disease; postpartum constipation; constipation due to blood and yin deficiency; sores and ulcerations (auxiliary-internal and topical); promotes hair growth and treats dry hair |
| Fan Xie Ye | Folium Sennae | 232 | Drains downward and guides out stagnation; eliminates excess heat and drains summer heat | Heat in the stomach and intestines with constipation and abdominal fullness; summer heat |
| Bai Zhu | Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae | 198 | Tonifies the spleen and augments qi; dries dampness and promotes water metabolism; stabilizes the exterior and stops sweating | Spleen and stomach deficiency with diarrhea, fatigue; spleen damp or accumulation of fluids affecting the digestion; edema and reduced urination due to spleen deficiency; qi deficiency with spontaneous sweating |
| Dang- Gui | Radix Angelicae Sinensis | 132 | Tonifies the blood and regulates the menses; invigorates and harmonizes the blood and disperses cold; moistens the intestines and unblocks the bowels | Blood deficiency with pale, ashen complexion, lusterless nails, tinnitus; blood deficiency associated irregular menstruation, amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea; dry Intestines due to blood deficiency |
| Huang Qi | Radix Astragali | 126 | Tonifies qi and blood; strengthens the spleen and raises the yang qi of the spleen and stomach; tonifies wei qi, stabilizes the exterior and tonifies the lungs | Postpartum fever due to qi and blood deficiency; spleen qi deficiency with anorexia, fatigue and diarrhea; excessive sweating with qi, yang or yin deficiency; dampness in the head |
| Gan Cao | Radix Glycyrrhizae | 112 | Tonifies the spleen and augments qi; moistens the lungs, resolves phlegm and stops cough; moderates spasms and alleviates pain; clears heat and relieves fire toxicity | Spleen qi deficiency with shortness of breath, lassitude and loose stools; qi and blood deficiency with an irregular pulse and/or palpitations; productive or non-productive cough; raw for toxic heat with sore throat or carbuncles and sores |
| Sheng Di | Radix Rehmanniae | 99 | Clears heat and cools the blood; nourishes yin, generates fluids, increases saliva and treats wasting and thirsting; cools heart fire | Ying-stage heat with high fever, thirst and a scarlet tongue; hemorrhage due to blood heat; throat pain due to yin deficiency |
| Bai Shao | Radix Paeoniae Alba | 94 | Nourishes the blood and regulates menstruation; astringes yin and adjusts the ying and wei; calms liver yang and liver wind and alleviates pain | Liver blood deficiency with menstrual dysfunction, vaginal discharge and uterine bleeding; anemia; breast distention and pre-menstrual syndrome |
| Lu Hui | Aloe | 93 | Purges, drains fire and guides out accumulations; clears heat and cools the liver; kills parasites and strengthens the stomach | Heat accumulation with constipation, dizziness, red eyes, and irritability; chronic constipation; heat in the liver channel or liver fire with epigastric discomfort, dizziness, headache, irritability, tinnitus, constipation and fever |