Insights and Updates

The clam is a common seafood, scientifically known as Meretrix meretrix (wenha), a bivalve of the family Veneridae. Meretrix is rich in protein; besides its high nutritional value, both its meat and its shell have certain medicinal value. Meretrix meat, also called hai-ge rou or…

The Chinese medicinal Jiuxiangchong is the dried whole insect Aspongopus chinensis, of the family Pentatomidae. Jiuxiangchong is also colloquially called the "fart bug" or "stinky bug," because when startled it releases a characteristic foul odor to protect itself. Despite its inelegant nickname, after stir-frying Jiuxiangchong…

Xueshan Jin Luohan Zhitu Mo is a topical Chinese patent medicine. Its composition includes: Tiebangchui (Aconitum Brachypodum Root), Yanhusuo (Corydalis, Rhizoma Corydalis), Wulingzhi (Trogopterus Dung), Xuelianhua (Snow Lotus Flower), Chuanxiong (Szechuan Lovage, Rhizoma Chuanxiong), Hongjingtian (Rhodiola), Qinjiao (Gentiana Macrophylla, Radix Gentianae Macrophyllae), Taoren (Peach Kernel),…

Fufang Biejia Ruangan Pian is a modern Chinese patent medicine. Its composition includes: Biejia (Soft-shelled Turtle Shell, Carapax Trionycis), Sanqi (Pseudoginseng, Radix Notoginseng), Chishao (Red Peony, Radix Paeoniae Rubra), Huangqi (Astragalus, Radix Astragali), Danggui (Angelica), Ezhu (Zedoary, Rhizoma Curcumae), Dangshen (Codonopsis), Dongchongxiacao (Cordyceps), Banlangen (Isatis…

Tiaogan Tang comes from Fu Qingzhu Nuke (Fu Qingzhu's Gynecology), an empirical formula of Fu Qingzhu, a famous gynecologist of the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, for treating women's dysmenorrhea. Its composition is: Chao Shanyao (dry-fried Dioscorea, Rhizoma Dioscoreae) 5 qian (15g), Ejiao (Ass-hide…

The potato (Solanum tuberosum) is the tuber of a plant in the nightshade family (Solanaceae). It is a common food, and almost everyone has eaten potatoes. We know potatoes have high nutritional value, but few realize they also have considerable medicinal value; when used properly,…

Shuihonghuazi is the fruit of Polygonum orientale (Prince's-feather), a plant of the genus Polygonum in the knotweed family. When the fruit spikes ripen from August to October each year, they are harvested, sun-dried, and the fruits threshed and cleaned of impurities before being used medicinally.

"Changyong Tang" (Intestinal Abscess Decoction) is recorded in the Yi Xin Fang. Its composition is: Yiyiren (Coix Seed, Semen Coicis) 5 qian (15g), Mudanpi (Moutan Bark, Cortex Moutan) 3 qian (9g), Taoren (Peach Kernel, Semen Persicae) 3 qian (9g), Dongguazi (Winter Melon Seed, Semen Benincasae)…

"Zaobei Dan" comes from Gufang Huijing (Essentials of Ancient Formulas). Its composition is: Chinese honeylocust fruit (Zaojia, seeds removed) 2, Chinese gall (Wubeizi, worms removed) and mirabilite (Poxiao) each 1 liang (30 g). Grind the herbs to powder; mix and pound with 4 liang (120…

Whether as individuals or as a collective, we inevitably encounter all sorts of challenges and problems, and before these challenges we have many choices. But my life experience tells me that, of all the choices, moving forward is the best. Looking at the whole history…