✵TCM herbalism is also known as the pharmaceutics of Traditional Chinese Medicine or Chinese pharmaceutics. It is the branch of health science dealing with the preparation, dispensing, and proper utilization of Chinese herbs. It is primarily composed of Introduction to Chinese Medicinals, Classification of Chinese Herbs, Formulas, and Patent Medicines.
Pungent-Warm Exterior-Releasing Herbs
Introduction: Pungent-Warm Exterior-Releasing Herbs: are herbs that are pungent in flavor and warm in nature, commonly used to treat wind-cold exterior syndrome. Exterior-releasing herbs are typically pungent and possess dispersing properties; they expel exogenous pathogens via diaphoresis, thereby alleviating exterior syndromes. Based on differences in flavor, nature, and functional emphasis, exterior-releasing herbs are primarily classified into two categories: pungent-warm exterior-releasing herbs and pungent-cool exterior-releasing herbs.
Pungent-warm exterior-releasing herbs are predominantly warm in nature and pungent in flavor. They function to dispel wind and cold pathogens and are principally indicated for syndromes caused by exogenous wind-cold invasion.
Representative herbs include Ramulus Cinnamomi (Guì Zhī), Radix Saposhnikoviae (Fánɡ Fēnɡ), and other herbs including Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens (Shēnɡ Jiānɡ), Folium Perillae (Zǐ Sū Yè), Herba Elsholtziae (Xiānɡ Rú), Herba Schizonepetae (Jīnɡ Jiè), Radix Angelicae Dahuricae (Bái Zhǐ), Rhizoma Ligustici (Gǎo Běn), Flos Magnoliae (Xīn Yí), Fructus Xanthii (Cānɡ Ěr Zǐ), Rhizoma seu Radix Notopterygii (Qiānɡ Huó), Herba Centipedae (É Bù Shí Cǎo), and Bulbus Allii Fistulosi (Cōnɡ Bái).
✵As of January 1, 2024, this category includes a total of [14] commonly used TCM herbs derived from [26] plant species. Brief descriptions of these herbs are provided individually below.
Ramulus Cinnamomi (Cassia Twig)
Brief Introduction: Ramulus Cinnamomi consists of the dried young twigs of Cinnamomum cassia Presl. It is used: (1) to induce sweating for releasing the muscles in wind-cold exterior syndromes; (2) to warm and unblock the meridians, thereby alleviating pain caused by cold and congealing blood; and (3) to promote menstrual flow in cases of amenorrhea due to cold stagnation. Common names include Ramulus Cinnamomi, Cassia Twig, and Guì Zhī.
Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens (Fresh Ginger)
Brief Introduction: Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens is the fresh rhizome of Zingiber officinale (Willd.) Rosc. It is used (1) to induce sweating and release the exterior in wind-cold syndromes, and (2) to warm the middle energizer and stop vomiting. The herb is commonly known as Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens, Fresh Ginger, or Shēng Jiāng.
Brief Introduction:Radix Saposhnikoviae is the dried root of Saposhnikovia divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk.(family Apiaceae), used (1) to release the exterior in exterior syndromes, (2) to dispel wind in urticaria, (3) to dispel wind-damp and alleviate pain in rheumatalgia (rheumatoid arthralgia), and (4) to subdue spasms in tetanus. It is commonly known as Radix Saposhnikoviae, Divaricate Saposhnikovia Root, or Fánɡ Fēnɡ.
Brief Introduction: Radix Angelicae Dahuricae is the dried root of Angelica dahurica (Fisch.ex Hoffm.) Benth. et Hook.f. or Angelica dahurica var.formosana (Boiss.) Shan et Yuan (family Apiaceae, formerly Umbelliferae). It is used (1) to release the exterior, dispel wind, and alleviate pain—especially in frontal headache and nasal congestion due to wind-cold invasion, rheumatic arthralgia, and toothache; (2) to eliminate dampness and relieve leukorrhea; and (3) to drain pus and reduce swelling—used for boils, sores, abscesses, rhinitis, and sinusitis. Commonly known as Radix Angelicae Dahuricae, Dahurian Angelica Root, or Bái Zhǐ.
Herba Schizonepetae (Fineleaf Schizonepeta Herb)
Brief Introduction:Herba Schizonepetae is the dried aerial part of Schizonepeta tenuifolia Briq. It is used (1) to release the exterior and dispel wind in wind-cold syndromes, (2) to promote eruption in measles, and (3) to dispel wind in urticaria. It is commonly known as Herba Schizonepetae, Fineleaf Schizonepeta Herb, or Jīnɡ Jiè.
Spica Schizonepetae (Fineleaf Schizonepeta Spike)
Brief Introduction:Spica Schizonepetae is the flowering spike of Schizonepeta; it is used similarly to Herba Schizonepetae but exhibits stronger dispersing and wind-releasing actions. The herb is commonly known as Jīnɡ Jiè Suì.
Brief Introduction:Herba Schizonepetae Carbonisata is the carbonized processed herb; it is used primarily as a hemostatic agent for functional uterine bleeding and hematochezia. The herb is commonly known as Jīnɡ Jiè Tàn.
Folium Perillae (Perilla Leaf)
Brief Introduction:Folium Perillae is the dried leaf of Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt., used (1) to induce sweating for treating wind-cold disorders, (2) to stop vomiting, and (3) as an antidote for fish and crab poisoning. It is commonly known as Perilla Leaf, Purple Perilla Leaf, or Zǐ Sū Yè.
Herba Elshotziae (Elsholtzia Herb)
Brief Introduction:Herba Elshotziae is the dried aerial part of Mosla chinensis Maxim. cv. Jiangxi-angru. It is used (1) to induce sweating and resolve dampness in summer cold and (2) to promote diuresis and alleviate edema. The herb is commonly known as Herba Elsholtziae, Elsholtzia Herb, or Xiāng Rú.
Rhizoma Ligustici (Chinese Lovage)
Brief Introduction:Rhizoma Ligustici is the dried rhizome and roots of Ligusticum sinense Oliv. or Ligusticum jeholense (Nakai et Kitag.) Nakai et Kitag. It is used to alleviate vertex headache due to wind-cold invasion and rheumatic arthralgia. The herb is commonly known as Rhizoma Ligustici, Chinese Lovage, or Gao Ben.
Flos Magnoliae (Biond Magnolia Flower)
Brief Introduction:Flos Magnoliae is the dried flower bud of Magnolia biondii Pamp., Magnolia denudata Desr., or Magnolia sprengeri Pamp., used to treat nasal congestion and rhinorrhea in rhinitis and sinusitis. It is commonly known as Flos Magnoliae, Biond Magnolia Flower, or Xīn Yí.
Fructus Xanthii (Siberian Cocklebur Fruit)
Brief Introduction:Fructus Xanthii is the dried, ripe fruit of Xanthium sibiricum Patrin. ex Widder, used to dispel wind, eliminate dampness, relieve nasal obstruction, and alleviate pain—indicated for wind-cold invasion manifesting as nasal congestion, rhinitis, sinusitis, urticaria with pruritus, and rheumatic arthralgia. The herb is commonly known as Fruit of Siberian Cocklebur, Fructus Xanthii, or Cānɡ ěr Zǐ.
Herba Centipedae (Small Centipeda Herb)
Brief Introduction:Herba Centipedae is the dried whole plant of Centipeda minima (L.) A. Braun et Ascherson. It is used (1) to dispel wind-cold and relieve nasal obstruction in the treatment of common colds accompanied by acute rhinitis, and (2) to stop coughing. It is commonly known as Small Centipeda Herb, Herba Centipedae, or É Bù Shí Cǎo.
Rhizoma seu Radix Notopterygii (Notopterygium Rhizome or Root)
Brief Introduction:Rhizoma seu Radix Notopterygii is the dried rhizome or root of Notopterygium incisum Ting ex H.T. Chang or Notopterygium forbesii de Boiss. It is used to dispel wind, cold, and dampness, and is indicated for wind-cold invasion and wind-cold-damp (rheumatic or rheumatoid) arthralgia—especially affecting the upper part of the body. Common names include Rhizoma seu Radix Notopterygii, Notopterygium Rhizome or Root, and Qiānɡ Huó.
✵TCM herbalism is also known as the pharmaceutics of Traditional Chinese Medicine or Chinese pharmaceutics. It is the branch of health science dealing with the preparation, dispensing, and proper utilization of Chinese herbs. It is primarily composed of Introduction to Chinese Medicinals, Classification of Chinese Herbs, Formulas, and Patent Medicines.
Introduction: Pungent-Warm Exterior-Releasing Herbs: are herbs that are pungent in flavor and warm in nature, commonly used to treat wind-cold exterior syndrome. Exterior-releasing herbs are typically pungent and possess dispersing properties; they expel exogenous pathogens via diaphoresis, thereby alleviating exterior syndromes. Based on differences in flavor, nature, and functional emphasis, exterior-releasing herbs are primarily classified into two categories: pungent-warm exterior-releasing herbs and pungent-cool exterior-releasing herbs.
Brief Introduction: Ramulus Cinnamomi consists of the dried young twigs of Cinnamomum cassia Presl. It is used: (1) to induce sweating for releasing the muscles in wind-cold exterior syndromes; (2) to warm and unblock the meridians, thereby alleviating pain caused by cold and congealing blood; and (3) to promote menstrual flow in cases of amenorrhea due to cold stagnation. Common names include Ramulus Cinnamomi, Cassia Twig, and Guì Zhī.
Brief Introduction: Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens is the fresh rhizome of Zingiber officinale (Willd.) Rosc. It is used (1) to induce sweating and release the exterior in wind-cold syndromes, and (2) to warm the middle energizer and stop vomiting. The herb is commonly known as Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens, Fresh Ginger, or Shēng Jiāng.
Brief Introduction: Radix Saposhnikoviae is the dried root of Saposhnikovia divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk.(family Apiaceae), used (1) to release the exterior in exterior syndromes, (2) to dispel wind in urticaria, (3) to dispel wind-damp and alleviate pain in rheumatalgia (rheumatoid arthralgia), and (4) to subdue spasms in tetanus. It is commonly known as Radix Saposhnikoviae, Divaricate Saposhnikovia Root, or Fánɡ Fēnɡ.
Brief Introduction: Radix Angelicae Dahuricae is the dried root of Angelica dahurica (Fisch.ex Hoffm.) Benth. et Hook.f. or Angelica dahurica var.formosana (Boiss.) Shan et Yuan (family Apiaceae, formerly Umbelliferae). It is used (1) to release the exterior, dispel wind, and alleviate pain—especially in frontal headache and nasal congestion due to wind-cold invasion, rheumatic arthralgia, and toothache; (2) to eliminate dampness and relieve leukorrhea; and (3) to drain pus and reduce swelling—used for boils, sores, abscesses, rhinitis, and sinusitis. Commonly known as Radix Angelicae Dahuricae, Dahurian Angelica Root, or Bái Zhǐ.
Brief Introduction: Herba Schizonepetae is the dried aerial part of Schizonepeta tenuifolia Briq. It is used (1) to release the exterior and dispel wind in wind-cold syndromes, (2) to promote eruption in measles, and (3) to dispel wind in urticaria. It is commonly known as Herba Schizonepetae, Fineleaf Schizonepeta Herb, or Jīnɡ Jiè.
Brief Introduction: Spica Schizonepetae is the flowering spike of Schizonepeta; it is used similarly to Herba Schizonepetae but exhibits stronger dispersing and wind-releasing actions. The herb is commonly known as Jīnɡ Jiè Suì.
Brief Introduction: Herba Schizonepetae Carbonisata is the carbonized processed herb; it is used primarily as a hemostatic agent for functional uterine bleeding and hematochezia. The herb is commonly known as Jīnɡ Jiè Tàn.
Brief Introduction: Folium Perillae is the dried leaf of Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt., used (1) to induce sweating for treating wind-cold disorders, (2) to stop vomiting, and (3) as an antidote for fish and crab poisoning. It is commonly known as Perilla Leaf, Purple Perilla Leaf, or Zǐ Sū Yè. 
Brief Introduction: Herba Elshotziae is the dried aerial part of Mosla chinensis Maxim. cv. Jiangxi-angru. It is used (1) to induce sweating and resolve dampness in summer cold and (2) to promote diuresis and alleviate edema. The herb is commonly known as Herba Elsholtziae, Elsholtzia Herb, or Xiāng Rú.
Brief Introduction: Rhizoma Ligustici is the dried rhizome and roots of Ligusticum sinense Oliv. or Ligusticum jeholense (Nakai et Kitag.) Nakai et Kitag. It is used to alleviate vertex headache due to wind-cold invasion and rheumatic arthralgia. The herb is commonly known as Rhizoma Ligustici, Chinese Lovage, or Gao Ben.
Brief Introduction: Flos Magnoliae is the dried flower bud of Magnolia biondii Pamp., Magnolia denudata Desr., or Magnolia sprengeri Pamp., used to treat nasal congestion and rhinorrhea in rhinitis and sinusitis. It is commonly known as Flos Magnoliae, Biond Magnolia Flower, or Xīn Yí. 
Brief Introduction: Fructus Xanthii is the dried, ripe fruit of Xanthium sibiricum Patrin. ex Widder, used to dispel wind, eliminate dampness, relieve nasal obstruction, and alleviate pain—indicated for wind-cold invasion manifesting as nasal congestion, rhinitis, sinusitis, urticaria with pruritus, and rheumatic arthralgia. The herb is commonly known as Fruit of Siberian Cocklebur, Fructus Xanthii, or Cānɡ ěr Zǐ.
Brief Introduction: Herba Centipedae is the dried whole plant of Centipeda minima (L.) A. Braun et Ascherson. It is used (1) to dispel wind-cold and relieve nasal obstruction in the treatment of common colds accompanied by acute rhinitis, and (2) to stop coughing. It is commonly known as Small Centipeda Herb, Herba Centipedae, or É Bù Shí Cǎo. 
Brief Introduction: Rhizoma seu Radix Notopterygii is the dried rhizome or root of Notopterygium incisum Ting ex H.T. Chang or Notopterygium forbesii de Boiss. It is used to dispel wind, cold, and dampness, and is indicated for wind-cold invasion and wind-cold-damp (rheumatic or rheumatoid) arthralgia—especially affecting the upper part of the body. Common names include Rhizoma seu Radix Notopterygii, Notopterygium Rhizome or Root, and Qiānɡ Huó.