Substances for Topical Application

Mu Bie Zi English Name: momordica seeds, cochinchina mormodica seed Literal Translation: “wooden turtle seeds” Pharmaceutical Name: Semen Momordicae Cochinensis Medica Category: Substances for Topical Application Properties: Mu Bie Zi enters the Large Intestine, Liver, and Stomach channels; it is bitter and slightly sweet in nature, warm in temperature, and considered toxic according to TCM read more

Peng Sha English Name: Borax Pharmaceutical Name: Borax Medica Category: Substances for Topical Application Properties: Peng Sha enters the Lung and Stomach channels; it is sweet and salty in nature; cool in temperature, and a potentially toxic substance. What is Peng Sha?: The Chinese Herb Peng Sha is borax, which a naturally occurring mineral salt read more

Qian Dan English Name: minium, lead oxide Pharmaceutical Name: Minium Medica Category: Substances for Topical Application Properties: Qian Dan enters the Heart and Liver channels; it is bitter in nature, cool in temperature, and considered toxic according to TCM theory. What is Qian Dan?: The Chinese Herb Qian Dan is red lead oxide powder. Historically, read more

Lu Gan Shi English Name: Smithsonitum Pharmaceutical Name: smithsonite, calamine Medica Category: Substances for Topical Application Properties: Lu Gan Shi enters the Liver and Stomach channels; it is sweet in nature and neutral in temperature. What is Lu Gan Shi?: The Chinese Herb Lu Gan Shi (commonly known as calamine) is a carbonate mineral comprising read more

Ma Qian Zi English Name: nux vomica (seed from strychnine tree) Pharmaceutical Name: Semen Strychni Medica Category: Substances for Topical Application Properties: Ma Qian Zi enters the Liver and Spleen channels; it is bitter in nature, cold in temperature, and considered extremely toxic according to TCM theory. What is Ma Qian Zi?: The Chinese Herb read more

Lu Feng Fang English Name: hornet nest Pharmaceutical Name: Nidus Vespae Medica Category: Substances for Topical Application Properties: Lu Feng Fang enters the Stomach and Lung channels; it is sweet in nature, neutral in temperature, and considered toxic according to TCM theory. What is Lu Feng Fang?: The Chinese Herb Lu Feng Fang is the read more

Liu Huang English Name: sulfur Pharmaceutical Name: Sulfur Medica Category: Substances for Topical Application Properties: Liu Huang is sour in nature and warm in temperature; it considered to be toxic. What is Liu Huang?: The Chinese Herb Liu Huang is the mineral sulfur, which is usually processed with heat to minimize toxicity and prevent arsenic read more

Er Cha English Name: catechu, black catechu Literal Translation: “child’s tea” Pharmaceutical Name: Catechu Medica Category: Substances for Topical Application Properties: Er Cha enters the Lung channel; it is bitter and astringent in nature and cool in temperature. What is Er Cha?: The Chinese Herb Er Cha is derived from the cutch tree (Acacia catechu read more

Da Feng Zi English Name: chaulmoogra seeds Pharmaceutical Name: Semen Hydnocarpi Medica Category: Substances for Topical Application Properties: Da Feng Zi enters the Liver, Spleen, and Kidney channels; it is acrid in nature, hot in temperature, and considered extremely toxic in TCM theory. What is Da Feng Zi?: The Chinese Herb Da Feng Zi is read more

Da Suan English Name: garlic bulb, garlic Pharmaceutical Name: Bulbus Alli Sativi Medica Category: Substances for Topical Application Properties: Da Suan enters the Spleen, Stomach, and Lung channels; it is acrid in nature and warm in temperature. What is Da Suan?: The Chinese Herb Da Suan is garlic (Allium sativum L.). It is best known read more