Rehmannia glutinosa (Sheng Di)

Rehmannia glutinosa - Sheng Di is a TCM herb used to nourish blood, activate blood, nourish yin and cool blood. Modern research has shown that it had obvious inhibitory effect on rosette forming cell in the mouse spleen, could significantly promote the biosynthesis of DNA and protein in spleen lymphocyte cell activated by ConA, and have obvious increasing effect on IL-2. It could correct the increase of b receptor in kidneys of rats with hyperthyroidism, and restore the thyroid to its normal function. For rats with hyperthyroidism of yin deficiency pattern, it could lower T3 and elevate T4, restoring them to normal levels, and increasing the concentration of aldosterone. Gastrogavage to rabbits was found to antagonize the inhibitory effect on pituitary-adrenal gland of dexamethasone and increase plasma cortisol. 1% Di Huang infusion had a cardiotonic effect on isolated frog hearts, while it had an inhibitory effect at a concentration of 2%. Intravenous injection of the water infusion of Di Huang was found to lower the blood pressure in anaesthetized dogs. For rats with renal hypertension, oral administration of Di Huang decoction was found to lower the blood pressure and improve renal function. Di Huang extract could lower the blood sugar, and shorten the bleeding and coagulation time in rabbits or mice. It could also delay ageing. In addition, Di Huang had anti-inflammatory, and anti-fungal effects as well as a protective effect against toxic hepatitis induced by CCl4. 

Clinically, this herb is indicated in the treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding, senile vaginitis, summer fever, chronic pharyngitis, SLE, menopausal syndrome, diabetes, chronic bronchitis, erythema multiforme, vitiligo, recurrent mouth ulcer, cerebrovascular spasm, chyluria, allergic rhinitis, infertility due to abnormal sperm and allergic purpura. 

Glehnia littoralis (Sha Shen) 

Sha Shen is a TCM herb used to nourish yin, clear the lung, benefit the stomach and generate fluid. Modern research has shown that Sha Shen has anti-febrile and analgesic effects. At low concentrations, the water immersion of Sha Shen increased the contraction of isolated heart of toads, but showed an inhibitory effect at higher of concentrations. It had similar effects on in situ toad hearts. Its polysaccharide had an immunosuppressant activity. Clinically, this herb is used to treat infantile persistent pneumonia, whooping cough, esophagitism infantile mouth ulcer, toothache and hoarse voice. 

Ophiopogon japonicus (Mai Dong)

Mai Dong is a TCM herb that can moisten the lung, nourish yin, benefit the stomach, generate fluid, clear the Heart and eliminate vexation. Modern research has shown that Mai Dong can regulate blood sugar, protect ischemic cardiac muscle, antagonize experimental arrhythmia, increase anti-anoxic ability, stimulate reticuloendothelial system and strengthen body resistance to disease. It also has anti-bacterial, cardiac, diuretic, sedative, anti-tussive and renal function restoring effects. Clinically, this herb is used to treat coronary heart disease, hypotension, shock, arrhythmia, haemoptysis due to pulmonary tuberculosis, chronic atrophic gastritis, post-hepatitis syndrome, diabetes, infantile summer fever, dry mouth, anorexia, infantile diabetes insipidus and acute edema. 

Asparagus cochinchinensis (Tian Dong)

Asparagus cochinchinensis - Tian Dong is a TCM herb used to clear the lung, lower fire, nourish yin and moisten dryness. Modern research showed that Tian Dong had anti-bacterial, anti-tumor, anti-tussive, anti-asthmatic and expectorant effects. It could improve non-specific immunity of the body, increase WBC count, and lower cholesterol. 

Clinically, this herb is used to treat chronic bronchitis, whooping cough, insufficient milk, hyperplasia of lobule of mammary gland, breast cancer, malignant lymphoma, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, flat wart and hernia.

Angelica sinensis (Dang Gui)

Dang Gui is a herb used in TCM to activate blood, nourish blood, relieve pain, regulate menstruation, moisten the intestines and relieve constipation. Modern research has shown that it can relieve the spasm of the coronary artery and increase the volume in the coronary artery. It can also improve cellular immunity and humoral immunity. Dang Gui contains two kinds of ingredients that could excite and inhibit the uterus respectively. Decoction of Dang Gui had an inhibitory effect on bacteria such as shigella dysenteriae, typhoid bacillus, bacillus paratyphosus, comma bacillus, bacillus coli and hemolytic streptococcus. The volatile oil of Dang Gui had sedative effect on the brain. In addition, it can protect the liver and has a diuretic effect on anaesthetized animals. Dang Gui can be used in the treatment of arrhythmia, ischemic stroke, pulmonary artery hypertension, hemorrhoids, senile refractory constipation, myopia, vertigo, chronic prostatitis, sudden deafness, chronic hepatitis, tumors, impotence, erythema nodosum, coronary heart disease, hepatocirrhosis, peptic ulcer and menstrual problems.

Lycium chinensis (Gou Qi Zi)

Lycium chinensis - Gou Qi Zi is a TCM herb to nourish the liver and kidney, brighten the eyes and moisten the lung. Modern research has shown that Gou Qi could promote non-specific immunity and regulate immunological function. It has anti-ageing, anti-cancer and estrogen-like effects. Gou Qi Zi could lower blood fat and blood sugar, protect the liver and treat fatty liver. It can also promote haematopoiesis in normal mice, promote the generation of RBC and hemoglobin, and increase the platelet count. Clinically, this herb is used to treat chronic atrophic gastritis, male infertility, obesity, hyperlipemia, chronic hepatitis, hepatocirrhosis, primary liver cancer, vomiting of pregnancy, boils, bedsore, burn, chilblain and skin diseases. 

Anemarrhena asphodeloides (Zhi Mu)

Anemarrhena asphodeloides - Zhi Mu is a TCM herb used to clear heat, purge fire, nourish yin and moisten dryness. Modern research has shown that Zhi Mu has anti-febrile and anti-bacterial effects. It can bi-directionally regulate hormones and their effects. The water decoction of Zhi Mu can lower blood sugar. It also has anti-cancer effects. Clinically, this herb is used to treat senile Sjögren syndrome, single benign node in the thyroid gland, depression and prostatic hyperplasia. 

Trichosanthes kirilowii (Tian Hua Fen)

Trichosanthes kirilowii - Tian Hua Fen is a herb used in TCM to generate fluid, quench thirst, lower fire, moisten dryness, eliminate pus and reduce swelling. Modern research has shown that Tian Hua Fen had anti-early pregnancy and abortion-inducing effects. Its protein had immuno stimulative and immunosuppressant effects simultaneously. It had anti-tumor and anti-bacterial effects. Tian Hua Fen extracts can regulate blood sugar and inhibit the biosynthesis of proteins. In vitro tests have shown that Tian Hua Fen proteins have an anti-AIDS effect. Clinically, this herb is used to treat epidemic hemorrhagic fever, hepatitis B, habitual constipation, diabetes, boils, carbuncles and other skin inflammatory diseases. It is also used in abortion, ectopic pregnancy, grape mole and chorionepithelioma. 

Coptis chinensis (Huang Lian)

Coptis chinensis is a TCM herb used to clear heat, dry dampness, discharge fire and remove toxin. Modern research has shown that Huang Lian had anti-bacterial effects on various bacteria, and the effect was the strongest on Shigella dysenteriae, Staphylococcus aureus and Tubercle bacillus. It also had anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-toxic and anti-inflammatory effects. Berberine at low dosages could excite isolated heart of cats and dilate coronary artery; while at high dosages, it showed inhibitory effects. Berberine could increase the contractility of animal hearts in heart failure conditions. It could also obviously lower the myocardial oxygen consumption in heart failure, and protect the ischemic cardiac muscle. Berberine had anti-arrhythmic and anti-cancer effects, and could lower blood pressure and dilate blood vessels. Huang Lian and berberine could both lower blood sugar, and had significant inhibitory effects on platelet aggregation and ADP release in rabbits. Intravenous injection of berberine to small dogs could excite gastrointestinal smooth muscles. Berberine could stimulate bile secretion, lower serum cholesterol and antagonize stress ulcers. 

Clinically, Huang Lian is used to treat bacillary dysentery, arrhythmia, hypertension, scarlet fever, refractory heart failure, chronic pelvic inflammation, epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis, diphtheria, whooping cough, pulmonary TB, pulmonary abscess, infections in oral cavity and face, pharyngitis, acute tonsillitis, atrophic rhinitis, sinusitis, purulent otitis media, erythema multiforme, skin ulcer, eczema, chronic atrophic gastritis, fungal infection in the intestinal tract, peptic ulcer, chronic cholecystitis, burn and trichomonal vaginitis.