Gerhard Eisenbrand

Artemisia annua L.

Qinghao, Herba Artemisae annuae, is the dry aboveground part of Artemisia annua L. (Asteraceae) collected in fall after the flowers are in full bloom. This officially listed herbal medicine is used mainly as an antimalarial agent.

Crocus sativus L.

Xihonghua, Stigma Croci, is the dry stigmata of Crocus sativus L. (Iridaceae). It is officially listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and is used in traditional Chinese medicine for treatment of hematoma, menostasis, melancholia, and convulsion, and as a sedative.

Carthamus tinctorius L.

Honghua, Flos Carthami, is the dry flower of Carthamus tinctorius L. (Asteraceae) collected in summer when the flowers have turned red. It is listed officially in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and is used in traditional Chinese medicine as a hemokinetic and analgesic for treatment of menorrhalgia and traumatic diseases.

Allium sativum L.

Allium sativum L. (Liliaceae), garlic, is a well known spice and has been used worldwide as a folk medicine for treatment of various infectious diseases; prevention of coronary thrombosis, atherosclerosis, and stroke; and for treatment of hyperlipidemia and vascular disorders. It is included in the appendix of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia.

Gastrodia elata Bl.

Tianma, Rhizoma Gastrodiae, is the dry tuber of Gastrodia elata Bl. (Orehidaeeae). It has to be collected from late fall to early spring and dried at room temperature after heating in a steam bath. It is officially listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and used as an anticonvulsant, analgesic, and sedative against vertigo, general paralysis, epilepsy, and tetanus.

Eucommia ulmoides Oliv.

Duzhong, Cortex Eucommiae, is the dry stem bark of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. (Eucommiaceae) peeled in April to June. It is officially listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and is one of the oldest tonic herbs in traditional Chinese medicine and used in the treatment of hypertension.

Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi

Huangqin, Radix Scutellariae, is the dry roots of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (Lamiaceae), which is collected in spring and fall. It is officially listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and is one of the most widely used Chinese herbal medicines against bacterial infections of the respiratory and the gastrointestinal tract.

Evodia rutaecarpa (Juss.) Benth.

Wuzhuyu, Fructus Evodiae, is the dry, nearly ripe fruits of Evodia rutaecarpa (Juss.) Benth., E. rutaecarpa (Juss.) Benth. var. officinalis (Dode) Huang, or E. rutaecarpa (Juss.) Benth. var. bodinieri (Dode) Huang (Rutaeeae) collected in August to November before the fruits burst. It is officially Usted in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and is used as an analgesic, antiemetic, and astringent, and in the treatment of hypertension.

Sophora flavescens Ait.

Kushen, Radix Sophorae flavescentis, is the dry roots of Sophora flavescens Ait. (Fabaceae) collected in spring and fall. It is officially listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and is a well-known Chinese herbal medicine used as a diuretic and for the treatment of diarrhea, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and eczema.

Panax ginseng C.A. Mey.

Renshen, Radix Ginseng, is the dry root of Panax ginseng C.A. Mey. (Araliaceae), a worldwide well-known traditional Chinese medicine with the popular name “ginseng”. The wild-growing or cultivated ginseng root, which is collected in the fall, is officially listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and used as a tonic.