7 Surprising Health Benefits of Chinese Plum (Prunus Salicina) – Ben Cao Medical Book

1. Description

Chinese plum (scientific name: Prunus salicina Lindl., also known as Japanese plum, Chinese Pinyin: Li Zi, Simplified Chinese: 李子), is a species of small deciduous fruit-bearing tree with white flower and drupe (stone fruit) in genus Prunus in the rose family, Rosaceae. Habitats of Chinese plum include shrubland, forest edge, open forest, hillsides and along the roadsides (usually from between 400 to 2,600 meters in elevation) in East Asia (China, Korea, Japan), the United States and Australia, the plant can grow up to 12 m tall. Characteristics of Chinese plum include ability to withstand cultivation at high altitudes and adaptation to different soils. The roots, fruits and kernel of Chinese plum is used as heat-clearing drug, detoxicant, dampness-dispelling drug, analgesic, blood circulation promoter and aperitive in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) and widely adopted in treating different diseases and health problems, such as coughing.

Surprising Health Benefits of Mucuna Pruriens (Velvet Beans) – Ben Cao Medical Book

1. Description

Mucuna pruriens (scientific name: Stizolobium capitatum (Sweet) O.Kuntze, also known as velvet bean, Chinese Pinyin: Li Dou, Simplified Chinese: 黎豆), is a species of annual, flowering, climbing, herbaceous shrub with tripinnate, ovate, reverse ovate, rhombus-shaped leaves and white, lavender, or purple flowers. Native to Africa and tropical Asia, the plant is in genus Mucuna in the bean family, Fabaceae, it can grow up to 15 m long. The seed of Mucuna pruriens is used as secretory and antitussive in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) and widely adopted in treating different diseases and health problems, such as Parkinson’s disease and dystonia.

Health Benefits of Carex Kobomugi (Asiatic Sand Sedge) – Ben Cao Medical Book

1. Description

Carex kobomugi (also known as Japanese sedge or Asiatic sand sedge, Chinese Pinyin: Sha Zuan Tai Cao, Simplified Chinese: 砂钻苔草), is a species of low-growing, perennial, flowering sedge with long and wide leaves in genus Carex in the sedges family, Cyperaceae. Habitats of Carex kobomugi include sandbeach, sand dunes and other sandy sites along the coast in China including Taiwan Province, Japan and the Korean Pininsula. The plant can grow up to 20 cm tall. Characteristics of Carex kobomugi include adaptation to sandy land and tolerance for drought and flooding. The seeds of Carex kobomugi is used as spleen tonic and antiemetic (a drug that is effective against vomiting and nausea) in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) and widely adopted in treating different diseases and health problems, such as nausea and indigestion.

Health Benefits of Agriophyllum Squarrosum – Ben Cao Medical Book

1. Description:

Agriophyllum squarrosum (scientific name: Agriophyllum squarrosum (L.) Moq., also known as sand rice, Chinese Pinyin: Sha Peng, Simplified Chinese: 沙蓬), is a species of annual heavily branched stiff grass with alternate, entire, prickly leave in genus Agriophyllum (goosefoot family, Chenopodiaceae). Found in dunes and sandy places in northern China, the plant can grow up to 60 cm tall. Characteristics of Agriophyllum squarrosum include adaptation to sandy land, tolerance for cold and drought. The seeds of Agriophyllum squarrosum is used as stomachic, heat-clearing drug, detoxicant and diuretic in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) and widely adopted in treating different diseases and health problems, such as high blood pressure.

3 Health Benefits of Giant Foxtails – Ben Cao Medical Book

1. Description:

Giant foxtails (scientific name: Setaria faberii Herrm., also known as Japanese bristlegrass, nodding bristle-grass, Chinese foxtail, Chinese millet, giant bristlegrass, or nodding foxtail, Chinese Pinyin: Lang Wei Cao, Simplified Chinese: 狼尾草), is a species of annual grass of Asian origin in genus Setaria (grasses family, Poaceae). Found on hillsides, along the roadsides, in the fields and wilds, giant foxtails is used as heat-clearing drug, carminative and analgesic in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) and widely adopted in treating different diseases and health problems, such as toothache.

7 Health Benefits of Tartar Buckwheat – Ben Cao Medical Book

1. Description:

Tartary buckwheat (scientific name: Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn; also known as Tartary buckwheat, duckwheat, India buckwheat, India wheat, green buckwheat, or bitter buckwheat, Chinese Pinyin: Ku Qiao Mai, Simplified Chinese: 苦荞麦), is a species of annual, erect, flowering, domesticated crop in genus Fagopyrum (buckwheat family, Polygonaceae). Found often in high mountain regions (usually from between 1,200 to 3,500 meters in elevation) in East Asia, Europe and North America, the plant can grow up to 70 cm tall. Tartary buckwheat is used as stomachic, sedative, blood circulation promoter, discutient and aperitive in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) and widely adopted in treating different diseases and health problems, such as high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure and high blood sugar.

3 Health Benefits of Flax – Ben Cao Medical Book

1. Description:

Flax (scientific name: Linum usitatissimum, also known as common flax or linseed, Chinese Pinyin: Ya Ma, Simplified Chinese: 亚麻), is a species of annual, erect, flowering, herbaceous plant in genus Linum (Linaceae family). It is a food and fiber crop cultivated in regions with cool, humid climate across the world. The plant can grow up to 120 cm tall. The root, leaves and seeds of flax are used as blood circulation promoter, analgesic and depurative in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) and widely adopted in treating different diseases and health problems, such as injuries from falls, fractures, contusions and strains.

3 Health Benefits of Distillers Grains – Ben Cao Medical Book

1. Description:

Distillers grains (also known as brewer’s spent grain, Chinese Pinyin: Jiu Zao, Simplified Chinese: 酒糟), is a cereal byproduct of wine-making process which can include rice, wheat, sorghum, corn as well as other grains. Besides being used as cow food, distillers grains can also used as discutient, analgesic, blood circulation promoter and antiarthritic in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) and widely adopted in treating different diseases and health problems, such as bruises.

5 Health Benefits of Soju – Ben Cao Medical Book

1. Description:

Soju (also known as Shao Jiu, Simplified Chinese: 烧酒), is a clear distilled alcoholic beverage with alcohol content ranging from about 16.8% to 53% alcohol by volume (ABV). The raw materials of soju traditionally are grains like rice, wheat, or barley, but more source of starches are used today, such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, or tapioca. The production technique of soju was originated in the Chinese Yuan dynasty (1279 ~ 1368) with the earliest form of soju being known as Shochu (烧酎). After introduction into Korea peninsular, soju has become one of the most popular alcoholic beverages in both Korea and Asian restaurants and bars offseas. The most influential and dominant brand of Korean soju is Jinro. Soju is used as cold-dispelling drug, dampness-dispelling drug, anti-diarrheal and analgesic in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) and widely adopted in treating different diseases and health problems, such as stomachache and diarrheal.

Health Benefits of Snake Wine – Ben Cao Medical Book

1. Description:

Snake wine (Chinese Pinyin: She Jiu, Simplified Chinese: 蛇酒), is a medicated wine made by soaking whole snakes or snake organs (such as snake biles) as well as some herbs and/or insects in rice wine or white spirit (also known as Bai Jiu or Chinese liquor, it is a traditional fermented alcoholic drink). The written history of snake wine can be dated back to the Shennong Ben Cao Jing in the Chinese Western Zhou dynasty (CA. 1040–770 BC). Snake wine is now mainly consumed in China, Vietnam and across Southeast Asia, it is often used as blood circulation promoter, carminative, expectorant, dampness-dispelling drug, tonic and antispasmodic in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) and widely adopted in treating different diseases and health problems, such as rheumatoid arthritis, impotence and epilepsy.