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pharmacy.gif Chinese Herbs: Their Classifications  


There are a few different ways that the TCM system looks at the classification of herbs but the difference is really insignificant. Some traditions say there are 20 classifications with a few sub- classifications but I prefer the traditional view that is taught at The Shanghai College of Traditional Medicine in China which is 16 classifications with many sub-classifications as presented here.  

 



1: CLASS OF HERBS FOR TREATING EXTERIOR SYMPTOMS

    A: Expel Wind-Cold

    B: Expel Wind-Heat

 

2: CLASS OF HERBS FOR CLEARING HEAT

    A: Heat Clearing / Fire Purging

    B: Heat Clearing / Dampness Drying

    C: Heat Clearing / Blood Cooling

    D: Heat Clearing / Detoxifying

    E: Clearing Heat of Deficiency Type

 

3: CLASS OF EXPECTRENTS, ANTITUSSIVES AND ANTIASTHMATICS

    A: Herbs for Resolving Cold Phlegm

    B: Herbs for resolving Heat Phlegm

    C: Herbs for resolving Cough and Asthma

 

4: CLASS OF PURGATIVE HERBS

    A: Purgatives

    B: Laxatives

    C: Drastic Hydrogogues

 

5: CLASS OF HERBS FOR ELIMINATING DAMPANESS

    A: Antirheumatics

    B: Aromatic Drying Herbs

    C: Diuretics

 

6: CLASS OF INTERIOR WARMING HERBS

 

7: CLASS OF HERBS FOR REGULATING QI

 

8: CLASS OF HERBS FOR IMPROVING DIGESTION AND REMOVING FOOD STAGNATION

 

9: CALSS OF ANTHELMINTIC HERBS

 

10: CLASS OF HEMOSTATIC HERBS

 

11: CLASS OF HERBS FOR PROMOTING BLOOD CIRCULATION AND REMOVING BLOOD STASIS

 

12: CLASS OF HERBS AS TRANQUILIZERS

 

13: CLASS OF HERBS FOR CALMING THE LIVER

 

14: CLASS OF HERBS TO INDUCE RESUSCITATION

 

15: CLASS OF TONIC HERBS

    A: Herbs for replenishing the vital qi

    B: Herbs for tonifying Yang

    C: Herbs for tonifying Blood

    D: Herbs for tonifying Yin

 

16: CLASS OF ASTRINGENT HERBS