From plant to use
Simmering roots, bark and seeds so they release their flavour and compounds.
Hard plant parts give up little in a short infusion. That is why many traditions gently boil roots, bark, seeds and berries: a decoction. Think of ginger root, cinnamon bark and the herbal formulas of Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine.
Registry
Herbs on this site whose description mentions this preparation. That does not mean every herb is safe to prepare yourself: read the safety information for each one.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 525
Michelia champaca
Traditionally attributed effects: decongestant, cleansing, stomachic, tonic, laxative, carminative; for gastritis, chronic rheumatism, abscesses, fever, indigestion, nausea, kidney diseases, gonorrhoea; flower oil for headache, eye inflammation and gout.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 766
Rosa laevigata
Traditionally attributed effects: holds in the essence and curbs diarrhoea and frequent urination.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 290
Bupleurum chinense
Traditionally attributed effects: energy tonic, stimulates the liver, cooling, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, promotes bile, lowers cholesterol.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 148
Forsythia suspensa
The fruits (lian qiao) are a 'cooling' herb in Chinese medicine for early colds with sore throat and fever, and for skin inflammation. There is little clinical research on lian qiao alone.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 726
Eupatorium fortunei
Traditionally attributed effects: transforms dampness in the middle and relieves summer heat.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 684
Viola yedoensis (syn. V. philippica)
Traditionally attributed effects: cools heat and 'toxin' in abscesses, boils, sore throat and inflamed eyes.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 641
Cuscuta chinensis
Traditionally attributed effects: a remedy for male infertility and urinary complaints; a tonic that strengthens bones and tendons, soothes lower back pain and balances the female reproductive system.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 683
Pulsatilla chinensis
Traditionally attributed effects: for hot, bloody dysentery, amoebae and vaginal trichomonas.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 790
Artemisia anomala
Traditionally attributed effects: lets the blood flow, promotes menstruation and relieves pain from injury.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 642
Asparagus cochinchinensis
Traditionally attributed effects: moistening; for recovery after illness or surgery, chronically dry skin and for the production of sex hormones.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 738
Artemisia argyi
Traditionally attributed effects: warms the meridians and uterus, stops bleeding from cold and relieves pain; the herb of moxa.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 714
Clematis chinensis
Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind and dampness and moves the qi in pain anywhere in the body.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 125
Ephedra sinica
Contains ephedrine, which widens the airways and stimulates the nervous system and heart. It is the origin of modern ephedrine and pseudoephedrine medicines. As a supplement it has proved dangerous.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 120
Angelica sinensis
In Chinese medicine one of the most important herbs to 'nourish the blood', especially for menstrual complaints. Western studies found no clear effect on menopausal symptoms.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 681
Fraxinus chinensis subsp. rhynchophylla
Traditionally attributed effects: for diarrhoea and dysentery from damp heat, red eyes and cough with heat.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 643
Rubus chingii
Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens kidneys and liver; for poor vision, frequent urination and impotence.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 679
Gentiana scabra
Traditionally attributed effects: drains damp heat and fire from liver and gallbladder.
Asia · Herb · № 304
Coptis chinensis
Traditionally attributed effects: promotes bile, antibacterial, pain-relieving, calming, anti-inflammatory.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 740
Corydalis yanhusuo
Traditionally attributed effects: moves blood and qi and is an important pain-relieving herb.
CautionAsia · Food · № 572
Zizyphus vulgaris
Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, lowers blood sugar, soothing, soothing to the chest.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 729
Amomum villosum (en A. kravanh)
Traditionally attributed effects: warms the spleen, transforms dampness, calms a restless foetus and prevents tonics from lying heavy on the stomach.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 660
Ligusticum sinense
Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind-cold and relieves above all headache at the crown, toothache and rheumatic pain.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 708
Lobelia chinensis
Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic and detoxifying in oedema, inflamed ulcers and snakebites.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 137
Rheum palmatum
The root (da huang) contains anthraquinones, making it a strong laxative. In small amounts its tannins have the opposite, binding effect. Its mechanism is well understood.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 138
Salvia miltiorrhiza
The red root is used in Chinese medicine to 'promote blood circulation', especially for heart and vascular complaints. There are many studies in China, often of limited quality.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 768
Polygala tenuifolia
Traditionally attributed effects: calms the mind and clears phlegm from 'the openings of the heart' and from the lungs.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 703
Lysimachia christinae (ook Desmodium styracifolium)
Traditionally attributed effects: helps pass kidney and gallstones and drains damp heat from the liver.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 741
Lycopus lucidus
Traditionally attributed effects: moves the blood and regulates menstruation; diuretic.
CautionAsia · Food · № 635
Dioscorea polystachya (syn. D. opposita)
Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens spleen, stomach and lungs, helps regulate the hormone system in women and is said to lower blood sugar.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 665
Actaea cimicifuga (syn. Cimicifuga foetida)
Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind-heat, helps rashes come out and lifts the energy in prolapse.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 558
Swertia chirata
Traditionally attributed effects: bitter tonic, stomachic, expels worms, laxative, cleansing, antidiarrhoeal, antipyretic; for intermittent fever, skin diseases, intestinal worms, asthma, hiccups and vomiting, gout; scorpion stings.
CautionAsia · Food · № 445
Buchanania lanzan
Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, cleansing, laxative, diuretic; seeds nutritious, gum for diarrhoea, ointment for itching and skin blemishes, oil for swollen neck glands, substitute for almond oil.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 124
Chrysanthemum × morifolium
The flowers (ju hua) are used in Chinese medicine as a 'cooling' remedy for colds with fever, headaches and tired, red eyes. Clinical evidence is limited.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 755
Cibotium barometz
Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens kidney yang, bones and tendons in a stiff, painful lower back and knees.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 225
Cichorium intybus
Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, laxative, tonic.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 233
Cupressus sempervirens
Traditionally attributed effects: antiseptic, antispasmodic, calming, diuretic.