✵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.
Purgatives Herbs
Introduction: Purgative herbs are agents or substances that promote defecation or even induce diarrhea—not only to relieve constipation but also to expel stagnant matter, excessive heat, and retained fluid from the body.
Purgative herbs function by inducing purgation to relieve constipation, resolve food retention in the stomach, clear and purge excess heat, eliminate blood stasis, and expel retained fluid. They are primarily indicated for excess syndromes, constipation, dispepsia of indigested food, retention and accumulation of blood stasis, interior accumulation of excess heat, cold accumulation, fluid retention stagnating in the interior. They are also used in certain excess-heat syndrome, such as persistent hyperpyrexia, delirious speech and mania, upward-flaring fire-heat, cephalgia (headache), conjunctival congestion (red eyes), oral ulcers (aphthae), swollen and painful gums, and upper bleeding due to fire-heat—e.g., epistaxis, hematemesis, and hemoptysis.
According to functional differences, purgative herbs are classified into three categories: (1) offensive purgative herbs, (2) laxative herbs, and (3) drastic hydrogogue herbs.
Offensive purgative herbs are typically bitter in taste and cold in nature, exerting a potent effect on bowel movement and elimination of excess heat and stagnant matter. Due to their strong purgative potency, they are reserved for severe excess-heat syndromes, dry stool (stercoroma), constipation from cold accumulation. Representative herbs include Radix et Rhizoma Rhei (Dà Huáng), and other herbs include Aloe (Lú Huì), and Folium Sennae (Fān Xiè Yè).
Lubricating laxative herbs moisten the intestinal tract to facilitate defecation—especially in the elderly with fluid deficiency, in febrile diseases with fluid depletion, and in postpartum blood deficiency. These herbs are mostly oily seeds or kernels (rich in fixed oils) or moistening tonics. Their actions include moistening dryness, softening stools, and gently promoting bowel movement. They are mainly used for general constipation—particularly in individuals with deficient or weakened constitutions. Representative herbs include Semen Pruni (Yù Lǐ Rén); others with similar moistening and laxative effects include Semen Cassiae (Jué Mínɡ Zǐ), Semen Trichosanthis (Guā Lǒu Rén), Herba Cistanche (Ròu Cōnɡ Rónɡ), Radix Polygoni Multiflori (Hé Shǒu Wū), and Fructus Ligustri Lucidi (Nǚ Zhēn Zǐ)—though these are not formally classified as lubricating laxatives.
✵As of January 1, 2024, this category includes [4] commonly used TCM herbs and [12] associated plant species.
✵As of January 1, 2024, this subcategory includes [3] commonly used TCM herbs and [8] associated plant species. Brief introductions of these herbs follow.
Radix et Rhizoma Rhei (Rhubarb)
Brief Introduction:Radix et Rhizoma Rhei is the dried root and rhizome of Rheum palmatum L., Rheum tanguticum Maxim. ex Balf., or Rheum officinale Baill. It is used to induce catharsis, clear heat, purge fire, stop bleeding, counteract toxins, and remove blood stasis. It is indicated for: (1) constipation due to gastrointestinal accumulation; (2) warm diseases with high fever, delirium, and constipation; (3) postpartum abdominal pain and amenorrhea due to blood stasis; (4) hemoptysis, hematemesis, and epistaxis associated with excessive heat in the blood; and, externally; (5) burns, boils, and sores. The herb is commonly known as Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, Rhubarb, or Dà Huáng.
Folium Sennae (Senna Leaf)
Brief Introduction:Folium Sennae consists of the dried leaflets of Cassia angustifolia Vahl. or Cassia acutifolia Delile. It is used as a purgative, primarily for constipation—especially habitual constipation. Common names include Folium Sennae, Senna Leaf, and Fān Xiè Yè.
Aloe (Aloes)
Brief Introduction: The herb Aloe is the dried leaf juice of Aloe barbadensis Mill., Aloe ferox Mill., or related species. It is used (1) as a purgative for constipation, (2) to clear liver fire—treating dizziness, headache, and irritability—and (3) to expel intestinal parasitic worms. The herb is commonly known as Aloe or Lú Huì.
✵As of January 1, 2024, this subcategory includes [1] commonly used TCM herb and [4] associated plant species. Brief introductions of these herbs follow.
Semen Pruni (Chinese Dwarf Cherry Seed)
Brief Introduction:Semen Pruni is the dried ripe seed of Prunus humilis Bge., Prunus japonica Thunb., Prunus pedunculata Maxim., or Prunus triloba Lindl. It is used as a mild laxative for constipation and as a diuretic to alleviate edema. Common names include Chinese Dwarf Cherry Seed, Long-stalk Peach Seed, Bunge Cherry Seed, Dwarf Flowering Cherry Seed, Chinese Bushcherry Seed, and Downy Cherry Seed (Yù Lǐ Rén).
✵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: Purgative herbs are agents or substances that promote defecation or even induce diarrhea—not only to relieve constipation but also to expel stagnant matter, excessive heat, and retained fluid from the body.
Brief Introduction: Radix et Rhizoma Rhei is the dried root and rhizome of Rheum palmatum L., Rheum tanguticum Maxim. ex Balf., or Rheum officinale Baill. It is used to induce catharsis, clear heat, purge fire, stop bleeding, counteract toxins, and remove blood stasis. It is indicated for: (1) constipation due to gastrointestinal accumulation; (2) warm diseases with high fever, delirium, and constipation; (3) postpartum abdominal pain and amenorrhea due to blood stasis; (4) hemoptysis, hematemesis, and epistaxis associated with excessive heat in the blood; and, externally; (5) burns, boils, and sores. The herb is commonly known as Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, Rhubarb, or Dà Huáng.
Brief Introduction: Folium Sennae consists of the dried leaflets of Cassia angustifolia Vahl. or Cassia acutifolia Delile. It is used as a purgative, primarily for constipation—especially habitual constipation. Common names include Folium Sennae, Senna Leaf, and Fān Xiè Yè.
Brief Introduction: The herb Aloe is the dried leaf juice of Aloe barbadensis Mill., Aloe ferox Mill., or related species. It is used (1) as a purgative for constipation, (2) to clear liver fire—treating dizziness, headache, and irritability—and (3) to expel intestinal parasitic worms. The herb is commonly known as Aloe or Lú Huì.
Brief Introduction: Semen Pruni is the dried ripe seed of Prunus humilis Bge., Prunus japonica Thunb., Prunus pedunculata Maxim., or Prunus triloba Lindl. It is used as a mild laxative for constipation and as a diuretic to alleviate edema. Common names include Chinese Dwarf Cherry Seed, Long-stalk Peach Seed, Bunge Cherry Seed, Dwarf Flowering Cherry Seed, Chinese Bushcherry Seed, and Downy Cherry Seed (Yù Lǐ Rén).