Apothecary

  • Bái Zhú /bye joo/

    Strengthens digestion / Spleen qi

    Primary Use:

    • strengthen the Spleen

    • support digestion

    • dry excess dampness

    • help the body transform food into usable energy

    Treats patterns associated with:

    • fatigue

    • bloating

    • loose stools

    • heaviness in the body

    • brain fog

    • low appetite

    • exhaustion after overthinking or overwork

    Common pairings:

  • Chái Hú /chai hoo/

    Moves Liver qi, relieves constraint

    Primary Use:

    • move stagnant Liver qi

    • relieve emotional constraint

    • harmonize internal imbalance

    • help energy that feels “stuck” begin moving again

    Treats patterns associated with:

    • irritability

    • mood swings

    • stress held in the body

    • tension in the chest or ribs

    • emotional suppression

    • burnout with frustration

    • PMS-related emotional symptoms

    • alternating exhaustion and agitation

    Classic formula:

    • Xiao Yao San (Free and Easy Wanderer)

  • Bái Dòu Kòu/bye doh koh/

    Primary Use:

    • promote the movement of qi

    • support digestion

    • reduce dampness

    Treats patterns associated with:

    • Bloating before menstruation

    • Digestive symptoms that worsen with stress

    • Feelings of heaviness or sluggishness during the menstrual cycle

    • Nausea during pregnancy (culinary use; medicinal use should be discussed with a qualified practitioner)

    Common pairings:

    Rose bud, ginger

  • Dāng Guī /dong gway/

    Nourishes and moves blood

    Primary Use:

    • nourishing Blood

    • supporting women’s health

    • circulation

    • recovery after depletion

    Treats patterns associated with:

    • fatigue

    • dryness

    • dizziness

    • pale complexion

    • scanty or irregular menstruation

    • postpartum recovery

    • emotional depletion

    • menstrual pain related to stagnation and deficiency

    Common pairings:

    • with Chái Hú for Liver qi stagnation affecting menstruation/emotions

    • with peony root (Bái Sháo) in women’s formulas

    • in Xiao Yao San

    • in Si Wu Tang (Four Substance Decoction)

  • Xiāng Fù/shee-ahng foo

    Primary use:

    • regulate Liver qi

    • support the smooth movement of qi throughout the body

    Treats patterns associated with:

    • PMS

    • Menstrual cramps

    • Irregular menstrual cycles

    • Breast tenderness

    • Irritability and mood changes

    • Emotional frustration or constraint

    • Stress-related digestive discomfort

    • Bloating

  • Chén Pí/chuhn pee/

    Primary Use:

    Treats patterns associated with:

    • PMS-related bloating

    • Digestive symptoms that worsen before menstruation

    • Stress-related digestive discomfort

    • Nausea

    • Poor appetite

    • Feelings of emotional tension or frustration accompanied by digestive symptoms

    Common pairings:

    • Dāng Guī for Blood nourishment

    • Chái Hú for Liver qi stagnation

    • licorice root (Gān Cǎo) to ease cramping and harmonize formulas

  • Xiāo Yáo Sǎn /shyaow yow sahn/

    Primary Use:

    • Liver qi stagnation
      combined with

    • Blood deficiency
      and

    • Spleen qi deficiency

    Treats patterns associated with:

    • emotionally constraint

    • depletion

    • overwhelm

    • exhaustion from holding too much for too long

    • irritability

    • mood swings

    • PMS

    • fatigue

    • digestive issues worsened by stress

    • bloating

    • sighing frequently

    • tension in neck/shoulders

    • irregular appetite

    • burnout with emotional reactivity

    Traditional Formula Decoction:

    • Chái Hú (柴胡) Bupleurum root 9g

    • Dāng Guī (当归) Chinese angelica root 9g

    • Bái Sháo (白芍) White peony root 9g

    • Bái Zhú (白术) Atractylodes root 9g

    • Fú Líng (茯苓) Poria mushroom 9g

    • Gān Cǎo (甘草) Licorice root 3-6g

    • Shēng Jiāng (生姜) Fresh ginger 2-3 slices

    • Bò He (薄荷) Mint leaf / field mint

    Preparation:

    • Combine herbs in a pot

    • Add water until herbs are covered by several inches

    • Soak 20–30 minutes

    • Bring to a gentle boil

    • Simmer 20–40 minutes

    • Strain liquid

    • Drink warm

    [We write about these traditions from the perspective of cultural inheritance, personal study, and lived experience rather than clinical expertise. Herbal medicine is deeply individualized, and readers should consult qualified practitioners for medical guidance. This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.]

  • Sì Jūn Zǐ Tāng /sih june zuh tong/

    Primary Use:

    • Spleen qi deficiency

    • fatigue and depletion

    • weakened digestion

    • low energy after chronic overwork or illness

    Treats patterns associated with:

    • exhaustion

    • weaksnes

    • mental fog

    • depletion after stress

    • inadequate recovery

    • fatigue

    • poor appetite

    • bloating

    • loose stools

    • heaviness

    • low motivation

    • weak voice

    • burnout

    • difficulty concentrating

    Traditional Formula Decoction:

    • Rén Shēn (人参) Ginseng root 9g

    • Bái Zhú (白术) Atractylodes root 9g

    • Fú Líng (茯苓) Poria mushroom 9g

    • Gān Cǎo (甘草) Licorice root 3-6g

    Preparation:

    • Add herbs to a pot

    • Cover with about 4–5 cups of water

    • Soak 20–30 minutes

    • Bring to a gentle boil

    • Simmer 30–40 minutes

    • Strain and drink warm

    [We write about these traditions from the perspective of cultural inheritance, personal study, and lived experience rather than clinical expertise. Herbal medicine is deeply individualized, and readers should consult qualified practitioners for medical guidance. This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.]

  • Shēng Jiāng /sheng jyang/

    Warms digestion, harmonizes

    Primary Use:

    • warm digestion

    • disperse cold

    • move qi

    • harmonize the stomach

    • reduce nausea

    Treats patterns associated with:

    • nausea

    • bloating

    • chills

    • sluggish digestion

    • cold-related stomach discomfort

    • early colds or wind invasion

    Common pairings:

    • Xiao Yao San

  • Rén Shēn /run shen/

    Srengthen, nourish, replenish qi

    Primary Use:

    • strongly tonifying qi

    • restoring vitality

    • supporting recovery from depletion

    • strengthening the Spleen and Lung systems

    Treats patterns associated with:

    • profound fatigue

    • burnout

    • weakness after illness

    • shortness of breath

    • low appetite

    • mental exhaustion

    • collapse from chronic overwork or stress

    Common pairings:

  • Gān Cǎo /gahn tsao/

    most commonly used herbs as it helps ingredients work together more smoothly

    Primary Use:

    • harmonize formulas

    • tonify qi

    • soothe spasms and tension

    • moisten dryness

    • moderate harsher herbs

    Treats patterns associated with:

    • fatigue

    • weakness

    • digestive depletion

    • muscle tension or cramping

    • dryness

    • stress-related exhaustion

    Common pairings:

    • Xiao Yao San

    • Bái Sháo

  • Bò He /boh huh/

    Releases constrained Liver qi

    Primary Use:

    • disperse stagnant qi

    • clear heat

    • release tension

    • cool and move constrained energy

    Treats patterns associated with:

    • stress-related tension

    • irritability

    • headaches

    • red or irritated eyes

    • sore throat

    • emotional frustration

    • heat rising upward in the body

    Common pairings:

    • Xiao Yao San

  • Fú Líng /foo ling/

    Drains dampness, calms the mind

    Primary Use:

    • drain dampness

    • support digestion

    • calm the mind

    • gently strengthen the Spleen

    Treats patterns associated with:

    • fatigue

    • brain fog

    • puffiness or water retention

    • bloating

    • loose stools

    • heaviness

    • anxious overthinking

    • difficulty settling emotionally

    Common pairings:

    • Xiao Yao San

    • Gui Pi Tang

    • Si Jun Zi Tang

  • Jiāng Huáng/jee-ahng hwahng

    warm, pungent (acrid), associated primarily with the Liver and Spleen systems

    Primary Use:

    • Move qi

    • Invigorate blood circulation

    • Relieve stagnation

    • Ease discomfort associated with constrained qi and blood

    Treats patterns associated with:

    • PMS

    • Menstrual cramps

    • Breast tenderness

    • Irritability and mood changes

    • Stress-related bloating

    • Pelvic discomfort associated with stagnation

    • Tension in the neck, shoulders, or chest

    • Feelings of emotional frustration or constraint

    Common pairings:

    • Ginger

  • Bái Sháo /bye show/

    Softens the Liver, nourishes blood

    Primary Use:

    • nourish Blood

    • preserve yin and fluids

    • soften tension

    • calm and anchor Liver activity

    Treats patterns associated with:

    • irritability

    • emotional sensitivity

    • menstrual cramps

    • muscle tension

    • headaches

    • fatigue from overexertion

    • nervous system depletion

    • stress held tightly in the body

    Common pairings:

    • Dāng Guī for Blood nourishment

    • Chái Hú for Liver qi stagnation

    • licorice root (Gān Cǎo) to ease cramping and harmonize formulas

  • jī ròu/jee roh/

    Primary Use:

    • Nourish blood

    • Strengthen the Spleen and Stomach

    • Support digestion and nutrient absorption

    • Aid recovery after illness, childbirth, or periods of depletion

    • Promote overall strength and resilience

    Treats patterns associated with:

    • Fatigue and low energy

    • Postpartum recovery

    • Heavy menstrual blood loss

    • Dizziness or weakness associated with blood deficiency

    • Poor appetite

    • Feeling run down from chronic stress or overwork