Wood Ear Mushroom for Daily Use: The TCM Approach to Yin Er
Before I launch into a detailed discussion of all the lovely health benefits of using the wild mushroom known in English as Wood Ear (Latin name: Tremella fuciformis), I want to talk a little bit about the Chinese name. The Chinese term is Yin Er, which literally translates as Silver Ear. It is worth noting that the word “Yin/银” or silver, in this context, is a homophone for a different “Yin/陰” which is the Yin from Yin-Yang.
Traditional Chinese Formulation with Poria: Support Digestion, Drain Damp
One of the most commonly used ingredients in Chinese herbal formulas is the fungus known as Poria cocos in Latin, and also called China root, Indian bread, and just poria. It is the primary herb in the “drain dampness” category.
Schizandra Berry formulas based on Traditional Chinese Medicine
The schisandra berry is a delightful, and delicious, addition to an herbalist’s toolkit. Before I describe in detail all the abilities and applications of this herb, I want to share my personal experience of schisandra.
Chrysanthemum Formulas Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine Uses
As a single-herb therapy, chrysanthemums are used both internally and externally. For internal use, make a tea with the flowers, letting them steep 3-4 minutes in boiling water, then drain out the large pieces and drink only the liquid. Chrysanthemum tea is useful for…
Chinese Skullcap, Scutellaria baicalensis: Clear Heat, Dry Damp
Huang Qin is a widely used plant in Chinese herbal medicine with a range of applications. To understand all of these applications, I will start by discussing the category Huang Qin belongs to and then describe in further detail the particular qualities of this versatile plant. Huang Qin belongs to a category of herbs that […]
Five Phases of TCM: Understanding Chinese Elements in Herbalism
There is an expression that you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. I find this mildly terrifying because my top five includes my cat, who likes to poop on my bed and eat dental floss. I shudder to imagine what it means if my cat makes up one-fifth […]
