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Commonly Used Chinese Herbs List
This lists the most commonly used herbs as to how often they are used in the traditional Chinese Herbal Formulas.  We have over 200 formulas listed on our formulas list page.  The below list is sorted by every 25 herbs.  The list is approximately 287 herbs, very near to 300 herbs.  We hope and trust that all practitioners will find this list useful for knowing which herbs to have most on hand.

Blessings!
Dr. Robert Campbell, DOM

Chinese
English
Approximate number of times herb appears in formulas listed on website
Zhi Gan Cao
Dang Gui
Gan Cao
Fu Ling
Ren Shen
Bai Zhu
Ban Xia
Chuan Xiong
Chen Pi
Huang Qin
Sheng Di Huang
Bai Shao Yao
Huang Lian
Sheng Jiang
Jie Geng
Da Huang
Shao Yao / Bai Shao Yao / Chi Shao Yao
Chai Hu
Da ( Hong / Hei) Zao
Gui Zhi
Mai Men Dong
Fu Zi
Mu Xiang
Rou Gui
Shu Di Huang

 

Honey-fried Licorice Root
Angelica Sinensis Root
Licorice Root
Poria Cocus Sclerotium
Panax Ginseng Root
White Atractylodes
Pinellia - Treated
Ligusticum Wallichi Root
Tangerine / Citrus Peel
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root
Unprocessed Rehmannia Root
White Peony
Coptis
Fresh Ginger
Platycodon Root
Rhubarb Root
Peony / White Peony / Red Peony
Bupleurum Root
Dates (Red / Black)
Cinnamon Twigs
Ophiopogon Root
Aconite (Prepared)
Saussurea Root
Cinnamon Bark
Prepared Rehmannia Root

 

56
42
42
39
39
32
25
25
23
23
23
22
22
21
20
17
17
16
16
16
16
15
15
15
15

 

Zhi Zi / Zhi Zi Tan
Mu Dan Pi
Shan Yao
Shi Gao
Fang Feng
Hou Po
Huang Bai
Zhi Mu
Huang Qi
Lian Qiao
Qiang Huo
Xing Ren
Zhi Ke
Tao Ren
Bo He
Chi Shao Yao
E Jiao
Gan Jiang
Hua Shi
Ma Huang
Wu Wei Zi
Zhi Shi
Cang Zhu
Jing Jie
Shan Zhu Yu

 

Gardenia Fruit / Gardenia Fruit Charred
Moutan Root Bark
Dioscorea Opposita
Gypsum
Siler Root
Magnolia Bark
Phellodendron Bark
Anemarrhena Root
Astragalus Root
Forsythia Blossoms
Notopterygium
Apricot Kernel
Ripened Orange Peel
Peach Kernel
Field Mint
Red Peony Root
Donkey Hide Gelatin
Dried Ginger Root
Talcum
Ephedra Stem
Schisandra Fruit
Unripened Orange Peel
Black Atractylodes 
Schizonepeta 
Cornus Fruit

 

15
14
14
14
12
12
12
12
11
11
11
11
11
10
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
8
8
8

 

Xuan Shen
Ze Xie
Dan Zhu Ye
Gou Qi Zi
Niu Xi / Huai Niu Xi / Chuan Niu Xi
Xi Xin
Xiang Fu
Zhu Sha
Bai Zhi
Bing Lang
Du Huo
Mang Xiao
Pao (Hei) Jiang
Ru Xiang
Sheng Ma
Du Zhong
Ge Gen
Guo Lou
Mo Yao
Mu Tong
Niu Bang Zi
Shui Niu Jiao
Tu Su Zi
Wu Yao
Wu Zhu Yu

 

Scrophularia Root
Alisma Rhizome
Lophatherum Leaves
Lycium-Wolfberry Fruit
Achyranthes / Henan / Sichuan Root
Wild Ginger
Cyperus Rhizome
Cinnabar - Toxic
Angelica Sinensis Dahurica Root
Areca / Betel Nut - Toxic
Angelica Pubescent Root
Mirabilite
Ginger Root (Charred Black)
Frankincense Resin
Black Cohosh Root (Chinese)
Eucommia Bark
Kudzu / Pueraria Root
Trichosanthes Fruit
Myrrh Resin
Akebia Vine
Burdock Seed
Water Buffalo Horn
Cuscuta / Dodder Seed
Lindera 
Evodia Fruit

 

8
8
7
7
7
7
7
7
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5

 

Yi Yi Ren
Zhu Ru
Zi Su Ye
Bei Mu / Zhe Bie Mu / Chuan Bei Mu
Chuan Lian Zi
Da Fu Pi
Dan Dou Chi
Duan Mu Li
Fu Shen
Hong Hua
Jin Yin Hua
Jing Mi
Ju Hong Pi
Qian Hu
Qing Hao
Sang Ye
Sha Ren
Sha Ren
She Xiang
Shi Chang Pu
Yan Hu Suo
Yuan Zhi
Bing Pian
Che Qian Zi
Chen Xiang

 

Coix Seed
Bamboo Shavings
Perilla Leaf
Fritilarria Bulb / Zhejiang / Sichuan
Melia Toosandon Fruit - Toxic
Areca / Betel Husk (Peel)
Fermented Soybean
Oyster Shell (Calcined)
Poria Spirit
Red Safflower
Honeysuckle Flower
Rice Seed
Red Citrus Peel
Peucedanum 
Artemesia Apiacea
Mulberry Leaves
Cardamom
Cardamom
Musk
Acorus - Toxic
Corydalis Root
Polygala Root
Borneol - Toxic
Plantago Seeds
Aquilaria / Aloeswood

 

5
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3

 

Dan Shen
Di Gu Pi
Gao Liang Jiang
Huo Ma Ren
Ju Hua
Ling Yang Jiao
Lu Jiao Jiao
Qin Jiao
Qing Pi
Rou Cong Rong
Sang Ji Sheng
Sha Yuan Zi
Tian Hua Fen
Tian Me Dong
Xiao Hui Xiang
Yi Zhi Ren
Zhu Ling
Zi Su Zi
Ba Dou
Ba Ji Tian
Bai Bian Dou
Bai Dou Kou
Bai Fu Zi
Bai Guo
Bai Jie Zi

 

Red Salvia Root
Lycium-Wolfberry Bark
Galangal Root
Cannabis Seeds
Chrysanthemum Flower
Antelope Horn
Deer Antler Gelatin
Gentiana Macrophylla Root
Immature Citrus Peel (Green)
Cistanches
Mulberry Twigs (Stems)
Astragalus Seed
Trichosanthes Root
Asparagus Root
Fennel Seeds
Black Cardamom
Polyporus Sclerotium
Perilla Seeds
Croton Seed
Morinda Root
White Bean (Dolichos / Hyacinth)
White Cardamom
White Aconite Root / Typhonium
Ginkgo Nut
White Mustard Seed

 

3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2

 

Bai Jiu
Ban Lan Gen
Bie Jia
Ce Bai Ye - Reg or Tan
Chi Fu Ling
Chuan Bei Mu
Chuan Niu Xi
Chun Pi
Ci Shi
Cong Bai
Di Long
Ding Xiang
Dong Gua Zi
Duan Long Gu
Fu Ling Pi
Fu Xiao Mai
Gan Sui
Gou Teng
Gui Ban
Gui Ban Duan
Han Fang Ji
Han Shui Shi
Hei Zhi Ma
Hong Zao
Hua Jiao

 

White Wine
Isatis Root
Turtle Shell, Dorsal
Biota / Arborvitae Leaves - Reg or Charred
Red Poria Cocus
Fritillaria Bulb - Sichuan
Sichuan Achyranthes Root
Ailanthus Bark
Magnetite
Scallion Onion
Earthworm
Clove
Wintermelon Seed
Dragon Bone (Calcined)
Poria Bark
Wheat Grain
Kansui Root - Toxic
Uncaria Vine
Turtle Shell, Ventral - Uncalcined
Turtle Shell, Ventral - Calcined
Stephania Root (Han)
Red Gypsum
Black Sesame Seed
Red Date
Sichuan Pepper Fruit Peel

 

2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2

 

Huang Qi, Zhi
Huo Xiang
Ji Nei Jin
Lai Fu Zi
Long Dan Cao
Long Gu
Lu Gen
Ma Bo
Mai Ya
Mu Gua
Pu Huang
Qian Cao Gen
Qian Shi
Rou Dou Kou
Sang Bai Pi
Sang Piao Xiao
Shan Zha
She Gan
Shen Qu
Sheng Jiang Pi
Shi Hu
Shi Jun Zi
Tan Xiang
Tian Ma
Wu Ling Zhi

 

Honey-fried Astragalus Root
Agastaches
Chicken Gizzard Lining
Radish Seed
Gentiana (Chinese) Root
Dragon Bone
Phragmites Reed
Puffball Mushroom
Barley Sprout
Chaenomeles Fruit
Cattail Pollen
Red Rubia Root
Euryale Seed
Nutmeg Seed
Mulberry Bark
Mantis Egg Case
Hawthorn Fruit
Belamcanda Rhizome
Medicated Leaven
Ginger Bark
Dendrobium 
Quisqualis Fruit
Sandlewood
Gastrodia 
Flying Squirrel Feces

 

2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2

 

Wu Ling Zhi
Xian Mao
Xie Bai
Xue Jie
Yi Tang
Yin Chen Hao
Yin Yang Huo
Zi Wan
An Xi Xiang
Bai Bu
Bai He
Bai Ju Hua
Bai Mao Gen
Bai Qian
Bai Tou Weng
Bai Wei
Bai Ye
Bai Zi Ren
Bi Ba
Bi Xie
Bi Yu San
Bian Xu
Bu Gu Zhi
Can Sha
Cang Er Zi
Cao Guo

 

Flying Squirrel Feces
Curculigo Root
Chive, Bulb
Dragon Blood Resin
Maltose Syrup
Artemesia Capillaris
Epimedium Leaf
Aster (Purple) Root
Benzoin
Stemona Root
Lily Bulb
White Chrysanthemum Flower
Imperata - Wooly Grass
Cynanchum
Pulsatilla Root
Swallowwort Root, Cynanchum
Tofu
Biota Seeds
Piper Longum
Dioscorea Hypoglauca (Tokoro) Root
Jasper Powder
Polygonum Knotweed
Psoralea Seed
Silkworm Feces
Xanthium Fruit
Tsaoko Fruit

 

2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

 

Chan Tui
Chi Xiao Dou
Da Ji
Deng Xin Cao
Di Yu
E Zhu
Er Cha
Gao Ben
Geng Mi
Gua Di
Gui Ban Jiao
Hai Dai
Hai Feng Teng
Hai Piao Xiao
Hai Zao
He Ye
He Zi
Hu Huang Lian
Hu Lu Ba
Huai Hua
Huang Jing
Ji Zi Huang
Jiang Can
Jiang Huang
Jiu Zi

 

Cicada Shell
Red Aduki Bean
Knoxia / Peking Spurge
Rush Pith
Sanguisorba Root
Zedoaria Rhizome
Catechu
Ligusticum Sinensis Root
Rice (Hulled)
Melon Peduncle
Turtle Shell Gelatin
Zostera
Kadsura Stem
Cuttlefish Bone
Sargassum
Lotus Leaf
Chebula Fruit
Picrorhiza Root
Fenugreek Seed
Pagoda Flower
Polygonatum Sibericum
Egg Yolk
Silkworm
Turmeric Rhizome
Alium Seed

 

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

 

Jue Ming Zi
Ku Lian Pi
Ku Shen
Kun Bu
Lian Xu
Lian Zi
Long Yan Rou
Lu Rong
Ma Dou Ling
Ma Huang Gen
Man Jing Zi
Mu Li
Niu Huang
Nu Zhen Zi
Nuo Mi
Pi Pa Ye
Pu Gong Ying
Qian Dan
Qian Niu Zi
Qin Pi
Qing Xiang Zi
Qu Mai
Quan Xie
Rou Cong Rong
Sang Zhi

 

Cassia Seeds
Melia Root Bark - Toxic
Mountain (Bitter) Sophora Root
Kelp
Lotus Stamen
Lotus Seed
Longan Fruit
Deer Antler  
Birthworth Fruit
Ephedra Root
Vitex Fruit
Oyster Shell  
Cattle Gallstone
Ligustrum Lucidum Fruit
Mochi Rice
Loquat Leaves
Dandelion Herb
Lead - Toxic
Morning Glory Seeds - Toxic
Ash Bark
Celosia Seeds
Dianthus
Scorpion - Toxic
Cistanches
Mulberry Twigs  

 

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

 

Sha Shen
She Chuang Zi
Shi Jue Ming
Su He Xiang
Suan Zao Ren
Suan Zao Ren Chao
Tian Kui Zi
Tian Nan Xing
Tong Cao
Tu Bei Chong
Wei Ling Xian
Wu Bei Zi
Wu Jia Pi
Wu Mei
Xi Gua
Xi Jiao
Xi Yang Shen
Xiang Ru
Xiao Ji
Xin Yi Hua
Xiong Huang
Xu Duan
Yang Qi Shi
Ye Jiao Teng
Ye Ju Hua

 

Adenophora Root, Southern Glehnia Root
Cnidium Seeds
Abalone Shell
Styrax
Jujube / Zizyphus Seeds
Jujube / Zizyphus Seeds (Charred)
Semiaquilegia Root
Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Treated)
Rice Paper Pith
Cockroach Shell, Wingless
Clematis 
Gallnut of Sumac
Acanthopanax Root Bark
Sour Plum
Watermelon
Rhinoceros Horn
American Ginseng Root
Aromatic Madder 
Cephanoplos
Magnolia Flower
Realgar - Toxic
Dipsacus Root
Actinolite
Polygonum Stem (Vine)
Wild Chrysanthemum Flower 

 

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

 

Yi Mu Cao
Yin Chai Hu
Yu Jin
Yu Zhu
Yuan Hua
Zhe Bei Mu
Zhen Zhu
Zhi Cao Wu
Zhi Chuan Wu
Zi Hua Di Ding
Zi Ran Tong
Zong Lu Pi

 

Motherwort (Chinese)
Stellaria Root
Turmeric Tuber
Polygonatum, Solomon's Seal
Genkwa Flower - Toxic
Zhejiang Fritillaria Bulb
Margarita Pearl
Wild Aconite Root (Treated)
Aconite Carmichaeli (Treated)
Violet 
Pyrite
Windmill Palm

 

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1