After diagnosing a patient's condition and the pattern of disharmony causing the problem the health professionals at East West Center for Natural Medicine will often write an herbal formula from over a thousand common herbal formulas or customize a formula to suit the patients unique health needs. This "prescription" for herbs is based on medical traditions and formulas that have their roots in the ancient history of man and are recorded in al cultures around the world. Herbal medicine has a long history around the world and is known to have existed as long ago as five thousand years. One of the first recorded herbal treatment manuals "The Shen-Nung Herbal Classic" was begun during the Stone Age and completed in the later part of the 5th century B.C., from which some very important formulas originated. This Classic manual is responsible for the way in which herbalists and TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) practitioners Categorize herbs today.

Herbs are categorized into three groups. The first group is called “food herbs” which are eaten as part of one’s diet for general fortification, prevention and maintenance of health. The other two groups are called “medicinal herbs” which are dispensed to each patient as an individual formula based on one’s constitution, environment and medical condition. Medicinal herbal therapy works in concert with acupuncture and other therapies by providing the nourishing support for the energetic “re-programming” and “re-balancing” efforts of natural medicine. Below is a list of just a few of the many herbs available to practitioners of TCM and Herbal medicine in the treatment of their patients. The herbs are listed with the English common name first and the Latin name after the / mark. The Chinese name is in parenthesis, (Yi Zhi Ren) would be an example and the Chinese character is shown at the end.

Achyranthes Bidentata  (Niu Xi) 牛膝

This is a perennial herb with greenish purple stems and large purple joints that resemble the knee of an ox, hence the Chinese name is "ox-knee". The roots of this highly superior herb are used by TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) practitioners and herbalists alike in the treatment of conditions such as bladder and urinary tract problems and menstrual disorders.

Aconite/ Radix Aconiti Praeparata (Fu Tsu) 附子

This herb is primarily used by TCM practitioners and herbalists in the treatment of such symptoms cold limbs, fatigue and sleeplessness. It is used to dilate blood vessels of lower limbs to increase coronary flow and metabolism. In TCM it is used to warm and strengthen the spleen and kidney for conditions like impotence. It decreases emissions and edema; expel cold and alleviate pain in the shoulder joint.

Persica Seed/ Prunus Persica (Tao Ren) 杏仁  

The kernels of this fruit is used by TCM practitioners and herbalists to relieve coughing and asthma related symptoms such as wheezing, chest distention, spasms in the throat. It is known to moisturize the lining of the intestines and relieve dryness and it will relax the bowels. Studies have shown it to be effective in relieving constipation of the aged and the debilataded.  Do not use if you are pregnant.

 
 Atractylodes/ Atractylodes Rhizoma (Bai Zhu) 白朮

The stems of this perennial are commonly used in Chinese medicine and native American Herbology to Invigorate the blood and benefit energy. It is used in both modalities in the treatment of poor appetite, loose stools, decrease fatigue, eliminate cold limbs, promote dieresis, eliminate edema, stop vomiting in pregnancy and sooth an unstable fetus.

Boomrape/ Cistanche Salsa (Rou Cong Rong) 肉蓯蓉

Chinese Cornbind / Polygonum Multiflorum (He Shou Wu) 何首烏

The tuberous roots of this perennial herb are sold in flat, irregular pieces and have a reddish brown color. It is a superior herb which contains no toxin and is an effective remedy for high blood pressure and arteriosclerosis. In Chinese medicine it is used to strengthen the sinews and bone, promote male and female fertility, darken gray hair and build bone marrow. It is also used for promotion of bowel movement an anti-rheumatic, to tonify liver and kidney energy and expels wind-dampness. Herbalist and TCM practitioner alike use it for such symptoms as dizziness, insomnia, abdominal pain after childbirth, anemia, constipation due to dry bowels, premature gray hair.

 

Chinese Wolfberry / Fructus Lycii (Gou Qi Zi) 枸杞子 

The fruit comes from common shrub also called snow berries by the Native Americans is small and oval in shape. It is reddish orange with a sweet but coarse taste. This dried fruit is considered a superior health tonic by Asians and Indians alike. It has been widely used by many since ancient times in Asia in most longevity formulas.  Wolfberry is Particularly good for the eyes and to strengthen weak legs and knees in the elderly and feeble. TCM practitioners commonly use this fruit to nourish the kidneys, tonify the liver-yin, treat deficiency of essence and blood.  It is used to treat such symptoms as dizziness, blurring of vision, tinnitus, emission and soreness of the loin and extremities It will also relieves chronic thirst and moistens dry lungs as well as help in the treatment and prevention diabetes.

Chrysanthemum (Ju Hua) 菊花 

This perennial flower grows wild and cultivated by many people around the world for it's ability to cure and it's wonderful flavor.. The flowers are dried and are pale yellow in color and bittersweet in taste.  Chrysanthemum is antipyretic and cooling. It has an effect on blood pressure for some people and can help to lower blood pressure.  TTCM practitioners and herbalists use it to improve vision due to kidney and liver dysfunction, clear internal heat, eases swelling and inflammation and nourish the blood. It is also effective for vertigo, headache with fever and for eye aches or itchiness. Use it as a tea and brew it in a teapot or cook with a bit more water in a pot for 5-10 minutes for stronger taste and effects. Add honey or brown sugar to taste if preferred. The tea can also be used as an external wash to ease inflammation.

Citrus Peel / Citrus Reticulatae Pericarpium (Chen-Pi) 陳皮
 

The sun-dried peels of the citrus mandarin orange and are aged by storing them dry. It is a superior herb. The older they are the more effective their medicinal effects. Regulate energy stagnation in spleen and stomach; relieve nausea and vomiting, oppression in chest, cough and excess phlegm; relieve chest and abdominal swelling; relieve local infection.

Dandelion / Taraxacum Officinale (Pu Gong Ying) 蒲公英
 

A very common perennial herb that grows wild in fields all over the world and has tooth-edged leaves and yellow flower. The whole plant is used as medicine.Clear away heat and detoxifying blood; weight-loss aid and diuretic; reduce swelling and dissolve clots. Suitable for food poisoning; inflammation of liver and gallbladder; kidney and gallbladder stones; tuberculosis and clots in lungs.

 

Deer Horn / Cervus Nippon (Lu Rong) 鹿茸

Horn of nippon, prepared as round thin pieces, section of base is whitish and soft, unpleasant in odor. Nutrient tonic to semen, marrow, sinew, and cartilage. This is one of the most renowned and popular sexual tonics. Invigorate kidney-yang, supplement essence and blood and strengthen the tendons and bones. For treating kidney-yang deficiency manifested as cold limbs, fatigue, backache, impotence, emission and profuse urine, sterility and leucorrhagia. Also for treating insufficiency of essence and blood manifested as flaccidity of extremities or mal-development, slow growth in children. It accelerates the healing of ulcer or wound, increases the level of red blood cells, increases heart rate and cardiac output.


Ginseng / Panax (Ren Shen) 人參

The kernels of ginkgo tree with a smooth hard light-brown shell. It is a general drug used as food and medicine. Large dosage may cause poisoning with symptoms of vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, etc. Western researchers have valued ginkgo leaves as effective preventive and treatment for premature senility, dementia, brain damage and a wide range of cognitive disorders. Ginkgo roots are also used as medicine. Astringent to the lungs and relieve persistent cough, wheezing; antioxidant; stabilizing brain cells and prevent mental deterioration; treat asthma and tinnitus; treat impotence, spermatorrhea, nocturnal emission, white urine and frequent urination.