The Chinese herbalists' top ten remedies for common complaints

The herbs most commonly used in Chinese medicine:

Bo He (Chinese mint) - cold and sore throat or sore eyes.

Sheng Jiang (common ginger) - nausea, indigestion. Classified as "warm" - do not use in cases of fever.

Dang Gui (angelica root) - period pains; poor circulation. Also classified as "warm".

Ching Pi (newly-dried peel of mandarin orange) - abdominal pain.

Chen Pi (matured dried peel of mandarin) - abdominal distension, irritable bowel, phlegm on the chest. Known as "warming" and "drying". Not to be used for dry cough or fever.

Gou Qui Za (bright red berries) - failing eyesight, dryness of the eye. Not to be used if patient has indigestion.

Yi Zhi Ren (black cardamom) - diarrhoea.

Sha Ren (common cardamom) - morning sickness, indigestion.

Yi Yi Ren (Chinese barley) - cellulite; sluggish lymphatic system; carbuncles.

Ren Shen (Ginseng - "man root") - general tonic; especially digestive and lung disorders. "Warming" and "drying" - prolonged overuse can lead to lethargy.

Note: Herbs are almost always prescribed in combination. The Register of Chinese Herbal Medicines advises that in some cases the commonly prescribed remedies listed above may be unsuitable, and that herbal remedies should only be used after consultation with an accredited herbalist.