A Comprehensive Introduction to the Classification of Chinese Medicinal Herbs Based on Their Properties and Common Medicinal Herbs

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a holistic system of healing that has been practiced for over 2,000 years. It is based on the fundamental principle of balancing the body’s Yin and Yang, the flow of Qi (energy), and the Five Elements. In TCM, various therapeutic methods such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, cupping, and massage (tuina) are employed to treat disease and promote health.

Herbal medicine plays a central role in TCM. The use of medicinal plants, along with animal and mineral-based substances, is integral to TCM’s therapeutic approach. One of the key principles in the application of Chinese herbs is their classification by properties or pharmacological action, which guide practitioners in selecting herbs according to a patient’s specific condition. In this article, we will explore the classification of Chinese medicinal herbs based on their properties and provide an overview of some of the most commonly used herbs in TCM.

Classification of Chinese Medicinal Herbs by Their Properties

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the properties of medicinal herbs are categorized into several distinct categories, based on their nature (temperament), flavor (taste), meridian (organ affiliation), and effect (therapeutic action). These properties help determine how herbs influence the body’s internal balance, and each herb has specific characteristics that make it suitable for different types of illnesses and conditions.

1 Nature (Temperature) of Herbs

The nature (or temperature) of an herb describes its effects on the body’s internal environment, specifically whether it is warming, cooling, or neutral. This classification helps practitioners select herbs that either expel cold or heat from the body or maintain balance.

• Warm Herbs: These herbs have a heating effect on the body and are used to treat cold-related diseases, such as chills, cold limbs, and slow circulation. They help to stimulate circulation, warm the Yang energy, and expel cold from the body. Warm herbs are typically used in conditions such as cold-type digestive disorders, fatigue, and certain types of joint pain.
  • Examples of Warm Herbs:
    • Ginger (Sheng Jiang): A warming herb used to treat cold in the stomach, nausea, and vomiting.
    • Cinnamon (Rou Gui): A warming herb used for conditions such as cold-related abdominal pain, poor circulation, and joint stiffness.
• Cool Herbs: These herbs have a cooling effect on the body, and they are primarily used to treat heat-related diseases. Cool herbs help to clear internal heat, reduce inflammation, and lower fever. They are often used for conditions such as sore throat, fever, infections, or excessive sweating.
  • Examples of Cool Herbs:
    • Chrysanthemum (Ju Hua): Known for its cooling properties, it is often used to treat headaches, fevers, and eye disorders.
    • Mint (Bo He): This herb is commonly used to clear heat from the upper body and treat conditions like sore throat, cold, or mild fever.
• Neutral Herbs: These herbs do not significantly alter the body’s internal temperature and are used for conditions where the body’s temperature balance is already normal. They are often used in tonic formulas and for maintaining general health.
  • Examples of Neutral Herbs:
    • Ginseng (Ren Shen): A mild, neutral herb used to tonify Qi and enhance general vitality.
    • Licorice (Gan Cao): A harmonizing herb with a neutral effect that can be used in various formulas to balance the effects of other herbs.

2 Flavor (Taste) of Herbs

The flavor or taste of an herb is another important classification, which reflects how the herb affects the body’s internal environment. Each flavor has specific actions that relate to the therapeutic effects it has on the body’s organs and Qi.

• Sweet: Sweet herbs are generally used to tonify and nourish the body. They are particularly effective in tonifying the Qi and blood, moistening dryness, and harmonizing other herbs in formulas. Excessive use of sweet herbs can lead to dampness and weight gain.
  • Examples of Sweet Herbs:
    • Licorice Root (Gan Cao): Sweet in flavor and often used as a harmonizer in formulas, it tonifies the spleen and promotes the flow of Qi.
    • Jujube (Da Zao): This herb is used to tonify blood, improve digestion, and enhance vitality.
• Bitter: Bitter herbs have a cooling and drying effect on the body. They are often used to clear heat, dry dampness, and purge toxins from the body. Bitter herbs are especially helpful for digestive issues, such as bloating or constipation, and conditions related to excess moisture, like edema.
  • Examples of Bitter Herbs:
    • Coptis (Huang Lian): Known for its bitter taste, this herb is used to clear heat, detoxify, and treat gastrointestinal infections.
    • Gentian (Long Dan Cao): A bitter herb used to clear damp-heat from the liver and gallbladder.
• Sour: Sour herbs are used to astringe or “hold in” bodily fluids. They help treat excessive sweating, diarrhea, or urinary incontinence by toning the body’s Qi and preventing leakage. Sour herbs are commonly used in the treatment of conditions that cause excessive fluid loss or imbalance.
  • Examples of Sour Herbs:
    • Sour Plum (Mei Gui): Used for digestive disturbances and as astringent to help stop diarrhea.
    • Schisandra (Wu Wei Zi): A sour herb used to tonify the kidneys, lungs, and liver, and for improving endurance and vitality.
• Pungent (Spicy): Pungent herbs are used to disperse the body’s Qi, move stagnation, and promote circulation. They are often used to release exterior conditions such as colds, coughs, and headaches, and they can also promote digestion by enhancing the movement of Qi in the digestive system.
  • Examples of Pungent Herbs:
    • Ginger (Sheng Jiang): Often used to expel wind-cold from the body, warm the digestive system, and alleviate nausea.
    • Peppermint (Bo He): A pungent herb used to relieve wind-heat, clear the head, and improve mental clarity.
• Salty: Salty herbs are typically used to soften and purge the body. They are used to treat conditions like constipation, edema, or toxins in the body. They also help in softening hardness or masses in the body.
  • Examples of Salty Herbs:
    • Sea Cucumber (Hai Shen): A salty herb used to tonify the kidneys and treat conditions like impotence, sore joints, and lower back pain.
    • Kelp (Hai Dai): Often used for treating goiter and thyroid problems by softening nodules and masses.
• Astringent: These herbs are used to consolidate or retain the body’s vital fluids. They are effective in treating conditions such as excessive sweating, diarrhea, and frequent urination. They help to strengthen the body’s defenses and prevent fluid leakage.
  • Examples of Astringent Herbs:
    • Astringent Chestnut (Sheng Ma): Used to treat diarrhea and excessive sweating due to deficiency.
    • Hawthorn Berry (Shan Zha): Used to treat digestive issues, especially related to meat and fat digestion, and to strengthen the stomach.

3 Meridian (Organ Affiliation)

In TCM, each herb is believed to affect specific meridians or organs. This classification helps practitioners determine which organs will benefit from the herb’s actions.

• Lung: Herbs that enter the lung meridian are often used to treat respiratory conditions, such as coughs, asthma, and colds. They can clear heat, expel phlegm, and tonify the lungs.
  • Examples:
    • Licorice Root (Gan Cao): Tonifies the lungs and relieves coughs.
    • Platycodon Root (Jie Geng): Expels phlegm and clears the lungs.
• Spleen: Herbs that enter the spleen meridian are used to enhance digestion, tonify the Qi, and alleviate fatigue.
  • Examples:
    • Ginseng (Ren Shen): Tonifies the Qi and strengthens the spleen.
    • Atractylodes (Bai Zhu): Strengthens the spleen and alleviates bloating and digestive discomfort.
• Kidney: Kidney-affecting herbs are commonly used to tonify the kidney Yin or Yang, which are essential for maintaining overall health and vitality. These herbs are often used in treating conditions such as infertility, fatigue, and lower back pain.
  • Examples:
    • Goji Berry (Gou Qi Zi): Nourishes the kidney and liver, improving vision and sexual health.
    • Rehmannia Root (Shu Di Huang): Tonifies the kidney Yin and treats conditions such as premature aging and chronic fatigue.
• Liver: Herbs that affect the liver are typically used to move Qi, relieve stress, and treat conditions such as headaches, digestive disorders, and menstrual irregularities.
  • Examples:
    • Bupleurum (Chai Hu): Relieves liver Qi stagnation and is often used in formulas for stress or mood disorders.
    • Schisandra (Wu Wei Zi): Strengthens the liver and enhances endurance.

4 Effect (Therapeutic Action)

The therapeutic effect of an herb refers to its overall action in the body, such as clearing heat, expelling cold, nourishing blood, or promoting circulation. Herbs can have multiple actions, and their selection depends on the specific condition being treated.

• Tonifying Herbs: These herbs are used to strengthen the body, often by nourishing the Qi, blood, or Yin.
  • Examples:
    • Ginseng (Ren Shen): Tonifies the Qi and boosts overall vitality.
    • Angelica (Dang Gui): Nourishes the blood and regulates menstruation.
• Clearing Heat Herbs: These herbs are used to treat conditions caused by internal heat, such as fevers, infections, or inflammation.
  • Examples:
    • Coptis (Huang Lian): Clears heat and purges toxins.
    • Phellodendron (Huang Bai): Clears damp-heat, especially from the lower body.
• Expelling Wind and Cold: These herbs are used to expel wind, cold, and dampness from the body, often in cases of common colds, flu, and joint pain.
  • Examples:
    • Ginger (Sheng Jiang): Expels cold and relieves nausea.
    • Ephedra (Ma Huang): Expels wind-cold and relieves asthma symptoms.

Conclusion

The classification of Chinese medicinal herbs based on their properties is a critical component of Traditional Chinese Medicine. By considering factors such as nature (temperature), flavor, meridian, and therapeutic effect, practitioners can select the most appropriate herbs for specific conditions. Whether warming or cooling, sweet or bitter, these herbs play a vital role in restoring balance to the body and promoting overall health. Understanding the properties of Chinese herbs allows for their effective use in personalized, holistic treatment plans that aim to harmonize the body’s internal systems.