✵The TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) herbalism is also known as pharmaceutics of Traditional Chinese Medicine, or Chinese pharmaceutics, is the branch of health science dealing with the preparation, dispensing, and proper utilization of Chinese herbs. It is majorly composed of Introduction of Chinese Medicinals, Classification of Chinese Herbs, Formulas, and Patent medicines.
Classifications of Herbs:Herbs Clearing Heat and Purging Fire.
Introduction: Herbs Clearing Heat and Purging Fire: an agent or substance that has the effect of clearing heat from the Qi system, with high fever, dire thirst, dry yellow tongue coating and rapid surging pulse, or purging fire from the internal viscera, such as heart fire, liver fire, etc.
Heat-clearing herbs mostly are cold and cool in property, a few are neutral and cool in nature, mostly are bitter in flavor, some are sweet, pungent or salty, has functions clearing heat, purging fire, cooling blood, detoxifying heat-pathogen, relieving asthenic heat, drying dampness, removing dampness, nourishing Yin, relieving exterior, etc., and these herbs are mainly used for various syndromes of interior-heat. Clearing-heat herbs are classified into several kinds: ①.heat-clearing and fire-purging herbs, ②.heat-clearing and dampness-drying herbs, ③.heat-clearing and counteracting-toxins herbs, ④.heat-clearing and blood-cooling herbs, and ⑤.asthenic heat-clearing herbs, etc.
Heat-clearing and fire-purging herbs mostly are great cold, slight cold, or cool in property, pungent, bitter and sweet in flavor, have functions dispelling excessive heat in Qi-phase, and its heat clearing function is stronger, and these herbs are mainly used for various syndromes due to interior-heat being overabundant, such as hyperpyrexia and polydipsia (high fever and excessive thirst), dryness, etc. Representative herbs of this kind are Gypsum Fibrosum (Shí Gāo), Rhizoma Anemarrhenae (Zhī Mǔ), Radix Trichosanthis (Tiān Huā Fěn), and other herbs including Semen Cassiae (Jué Mínɡ Zǐ), Semen Celosiae (Qīnɡ Xiānɡ Zǐ), Herba Lophatheri (Dàn Zhú Yè), Plumula Nelumbinis(Lián Zǐ Xīn), Rhizoma Phragmitis (Lú Gēn), Spica Prunellae (Xià Kū Cǎo), Flos Eriocauli (Gǔ Jīnɡ Cǎo), Flos Buddlejae (Mì Ménɡ Huā), Herba Equiseti (Mù Zéi), Folium Apocyni Veniti (Luó Bù Má Yè), Fructus Gardeniae (Zhī Zi), Herba Commelinae (Yā Zhí Cǎo), Lotus Leaf(Hé Yè), etc.
Among above herbs, Radix Trichosanthis (Tiān Huā Fěn) is introduced in Expectorants herbs for resolving heat-phlegm, Herba Commelinae (Yā Zhí Cǎo) is introduced in Heat-clearing and counteracting-toxins herbs, Lotus Leaf (Hé Yè) is introduced in Popular Herbs.
✵Till January 1st, 2024, there are totally [13] kinds of common TCM herbs, [17] kinds of related plant species, [1] kind of related minerals, are recorded in this category. These Herbs Clearing Heat and Purging Fire are briefly introduced separately:
Gypsum Fibrosum (Gypsum).
Brief Introduction: The herb Gypsum Fibrosum is a soft mineral chiefly composed of hydrated calcium sulfate (CaSO42H2O), used to clear heat and purge fire for relieving (1).high fever with fidgetiness and thirst in cases of warm diseases.(2).heat in the lung with cough and dyspnea, and (3).heat in the stomach with toothache and painful swelling of the gums, and also externally to promote the healing of wounds and ulcers. The herb is commonly known as Gypsum Fibrosum, Gypsum, Shí Gāo.
Brief Introduction: The herb Rhizoma Anemarrhenae is the dried rhizome of Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge (family Liliaceae), used (1).to clear heat and purge fire for relieving high fever with dire thirst in cases of warm diseases, and cough due to heat in the lung, and (2).to nourish Yin and moisten the intestines for treating low fever in cases of Yin deficiency, diabetes, and constipation. The herb is commonly known as Rhizoma Anemarrhenae, Common Anemarrhena Rhizome, Zhī Mǔ.
Semen Cassiae (Cassia Seed).
Brief Introduction: The herb Semen Cassiae is the dried ripe seed of Cassia obtusifolia L., or Cassia tora L (family Leguminosae), used (1).to clear the liver and brighten the eyes for treating acute inflammation of the eye, (2).to moisten the intestines for relieving constipation, and (3).nowadays for reducing high blood pressure and blood cholesterol. The herb is commonly known as Semen Cassiae, Cassia Seed, Jué Mínɡ Zǐ.
Semen Celosiae (Feather Cockscomb Seed).
Brief Introduction: The herb Semen Celosiae is the dried ripe seed of Celosia argentea L (family Amaranthaceae), used to clear the liver of heat, improve vision and remove nebula for the treatment of acute conjunctivitis, blurred eyesight due to nebula, and dizziness due to hyperactivity of the liver. The herb is commonly known as Semen Celosiae, Feather Cockscomb Seed, or Qīnɡ Xiānɡ Zǐ.
Herba Lophatheri (Lophatherum Herb).
Brief Introduction: The herb Herba Lophatheri is the dried stem and leaf of Lophatherum gracile Brongn., or Lophatherum sinense Rendle (family Gramineae), used for relieving fidgetiness and thirst in cases of febrile diseases, and dysuria with painful urination, also known as a bamboo leaf. The herb is commonly known as Common Lophatherum Herb, Common Lophatherum or Dàn Zhú Yè.
Plumula Nelumbinis (Lotus Plumule).
Brief Introduction: The herb Plumula Nelumbinis is the dried plumule and radicle in the ripe seed of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn (family Nymphaeaceae), used (1).to clear the heart and induce tranquilization for treating delirium in cases of acute febrile diseases, insomnia and nocturnal emission, and (2).to stop seminal discharge and bleeding in cases of seminal emission and hematemesis due to blood heat. The herb is commonly known as Plumula Nelumbinis, Lotus Plumule, Lián Zǐ Xīn.
Rhizoma Phragmitis (Reed Rhizome).
Brief Introduction: The herb Rhizoma Phragmitis is the fresh or dried rhizome of Phragmites communis Trin (family Gramineae), used (1).to clear heat and promote fluid production in cases of high fever with thirst, (2).to evacuate pus for treating lung abscess, and (3).to stop vomiting in cases of stomach heat. The herb is commonly known as Rhizoma Phragmitis, Reed Rhizome, or Lú Gēn.
Spica Prunellae (Common Selfheal Fruit-Spike).
Brief Introduction: The herb Spica Prunellae is the dried fruit-spike of Prunella vulgaris L., or Prunella asiatica Nakai (family Labiatae), used (1).to clear liver fire for the treatment of acute conjunctivitis, headache and dizziness, and (2).to dissipate nodulation for treating acute mastitis, mumps, scrofula and goiter. The herb is commonly known as Spica Prunellae, Common Selfheal Fruit-Spike, Xià Kū Cǎo.
Flos Eriocauli (Pipewort Flower).
Brief Introduction: The herb Flos Eriocauli is the dried flower-head with the stalk of Eriocaulon beurgerianum Koern (family Eriocaulaceae), used to dispel wind and heat for the treatment of acute conjunctivitis, nebula, and headache. The herb is commonly known as Flos Eriocauli, Pipewort Flower or Gǔ Jīnɡ Cǎo.
Flos Buddlejae (Pale Butterfly-bush Flower).
Brief Introduction: The herb Flos Buddlejae is the dried flower-bud and inflorescence of Buddleja officinalis Maxim (family Loganiaceae), used to clear liver heat and remove nebula for the treatment of acute conjunctivitis with lacrimation and photophobia, and blurred vision due to nebula. The herb is commonly known as Flos Buddlejae, Pale Butterfly-bush Flower or Mì Ménɡ Huā.
Herba Equiseti (Common Scouring Rush Herb).
Brief Introduction: The herb Herba Equiseti is the dried aerial part of Equisetum hiemale L (family Equisetaceae), used in ophthalmology for treating acute infections and removing nebula. The herb is commonly known as Herba Equiseti, Common Scouring Rush Herb, Mù Zéi.
Folium Apocyni Veniti (Dogbane Leaf).
Brief Introduction: The herb Folium Apocyni Veniti is the dried leaf of red dogbane, Apocynum venetum L (family Apocynaceae), used for suppressing hyperactive liver yang, clearing heat and inducing diuresis. The herb is commonly known as Folium Apocyni Veneti, Dogbane Leaf, or Luó Bù Má Yè.
Fructus Gardeniae (Cape-jasmine Fruit).
Brief Introduction: The herb Fructus Gardeniae is the dried fruit of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis (family Rubiaceae), used (1).to purge fire and calm the mind in cases of fever with fidgetiness and insomnia, and (2).to clear damp-heat from the liver and gallbladder in cases of acute icteric hepatitis, and to cool blood and counteract toxins in cases of bleeding, sores and ulcers. The herb is commonly known as Fructus Gardeniae, Cape-jasmine Fruit, Zhī Zi.
✵The TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) herbalism is also known as pharmaceutics of Traditional Chinese Medicine, or Chinese pharmaceutics, is the branch of health science dealing with the preparation, dispensing, and proper utilization of Chinese herbs. It is majorly composed of Introduction of Chinese Medicinals, Classification of Chinese Herbs, Formulas, and Patent medicines.
Introduction: Herbs Clearing Heat and Purging Fire: an agent or substance that has the effect of clearing heat from the Qi system, with high fever, dire thirst, dry yellow tongue coating and rapid surging pulse, or purging fire from the internal viscera, such as heart fire, liver fire, etc.
Brief Introduction: The herb Gypsum Fibrosum is a soft mineral chiefly composed of hydrated calcium sulfate (CaSO42H2O), used to clear heat and purge fire for relieving (1).high fever with fidgetiness and thirst in cases of warm diseases.(2).heat in the lung with cough and dyspnea, and (3).heat in the stomach with toothache and painful swelling of the gums, and also externally to promote the healing of wounds and ulcers. The herb is commonly known as Gypsum Fibrosum, Gypsum, Shí Gāo.
Brief Introduction: The herb Rhizoma Anemarrhenae is the dried rhizome of Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge (family Liliaceae), used (1).to clear heat and purge fire for relieving high fever with dire thirst in cases of warm diseases, and cough due to heat in the lung, and (2).to nourish Yin and moisten the intestines for treating low fever in cases of Yin deficiency, diabetes, and constipation. The herb is commonly known as Rhizoma Anemarrhenae, Common Anemarrhena Rhizome, Zhī Mǔ.
Brief Introduction: The herb Semen Cassiae is the dried ripe seed of Cassia obtusifolia L., or Cassia tora L (family Leguminosae), used (1).to clear the liver and brighten the eyes for treating acute inflammation of the eye, (2).to moisten the intestines for relieving constipation, and (3).nowadays for reducing high blood pressure and blood cholesterol. The herb is commonly known as Semen Cassiae, Cassia Seed, Jué Mínɡ Zǐ.
Brief Introduction: The herb Semen Celosiae is the dried ripe seed of Celosia argentea L (family Amaranthaceae), used to clear the liver of heat, improve vision and remove nebula for the treatment of acute conjunctivitis, blurred eyesight due to nebula, and dizziness due to hyperactivity of the liver. The herb is commonly known as Semen Celosiae, Feather Cockscomb Seed, or Qīnɡ Xiānɡ Zǐ.
Brief Introduction: The herb Herba Lophatheri is the dried stem and leaf of Lophatherum gracile Brongn., or Lophatherum sinense Rendle (family Gramineae), used for relieving fidgetiness and thirst in cases of febrile diseases, and dysuria with painful urination, also known as a bamboo leaf. The herb is commonly known as Common Lophatherum Herb, Common Lophatherum or Dàn Zhú Yè.
Brief Introduction: The herb Plumula Nelumbinis is the dried plumule and radicle in the ripe seed of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn (family Nymphaeaceae), used (1).to clear the heart and induce tranquilization for treating delirium in cases of acute febrile diseases, insomnia and nocturnal emission, and (2).to stop seminal discharge and bleeding in cases of seminal emission and hematemesis due to blood heat. The herb is commonly known as Plumula Nelumbinis, Lotus Plumule, Lián Zǐ Xīn.
Brief Introduction: The herb Rhizoma Phragmitis is the fresh or dried rhizome of Phragmites communis Trin (family Gramineae), used (1).to clear heat and promote fluid production in cases of high fever with thirst, (2).to evacuate pus for treating lung abscess, and (3).to stop vomiting in cases of stomach heat. The herb is commonly known as Rhizoma Phragmitis, Reed Rhizome, or Lú Gēn.
Brief Introduction: The herb Spica Prunellae is the dried fruit-spike of Prunella vulgaris L., or Prunella asiatica Nakai (family Labiatae), used (1).to clear liver fire for the treatment of acute conjunctivitis, headache and dizziness, and (2).to dissipate nodulation for treating acute mastitis, mumps, scrofula and goiter. The herb is commonly known as Spica Prunellae, Common Selfheal Fruit-Spike, Xià Kū Cǎo.
Brief Introduction: The herb Flos Eriocauli is the dried flower-head with the stalk of Eriocaulon beurgerianum Koern (family Eriocaulaceae), used to dispel wind and heat for the treatment of acute conjunctivitis, nebula, and headache. The herb is commonly known as Flos Eriocauli, Pipewort Flower or Gǔ Jīnɡ Cǎo.
Brief Introduction: The herb Flos Buddlejae is the dried flower-bud and inflorescence of Buddleja officinalis Maxim (family Loganiaceae), used to clear liver heat and remove nebula for the treatment of acute conjunctivitis with lacrimation and photophobia, and blurred vision due to nebula. The herb is commonly known as Flos Buddlejae, Pale Butterfly-bush Flower or Mì Ménɡ Huā.
Brief Introduction: The herb Herba Equiseti is the dried aerial part of Equisetum hiemale L (family Equisetaceae), used in ophthalmology for treating acute infections and removing nebula. The herb is commonly known as Herba Equiseti, Common Scouring Rush Herb, Mù Zéi.
Brief Introduction: The herb Folium Apocyni Veniti is the dried leaf of red dogbane, Apocynum venetum L (family Apocynaceae), used for suppressing hyperactive liver yang, clearing heat and inducing diuresis. The herb is commonly known as Folium Apocyni Veneti, Dogbane Leaf, or Luó Bù Má Yè.
Brief Introduction: The herb Fructus Gardeniae is the dried fruit of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis (family Rubiaceae), used (1).to purge fire and calm the mind in cases of fever with fidgetiness and insomnia, and (2).to clear damp-heat from the liver and gallbladder in cases of acute icteric hepatitis, and to cool blood and counteract toxins in cases of bleeding, sores and ulcers. The herb is commonly known as Fructus Gardeniae, Cape-jasmine Fruit, Zhī Zi.
