When considering comprehensively, the following types of Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) can be regarded as well-deserved "star" TCMs, each excelling in different aspects:
1. Highest Popularity & Cultural Symbol: Ginseng
• Why is it popular? Ginseng is the "king of qi-tonifying" herbs and is honored as the "King of All Herbs". It is not just a medicinal material but also a cultural symbol, representing health, longevity, and nobility. Its popularity is among the highest both in the East and the West.
• Main effects: Greatly tonifies primordial qi, restores the pulse and rescues from collapse, invigorates the spleen and replenishes the lung, promotes the production of body fluids and calms the mind. It is often used to treat conditions such as severe exhaustion due to deficiency, chronic illness-related weakness, palpitations, and insomnia.
• Characteristics: It is divided into garden ginseng (artificially cultivated) and wild ginseng (wild, extremely precious). American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) is also a type of ginseng, with a slightly cool nature, making it more suitable for people with yin deficiency and internal heat.
2. Most Widely Used & Representative of "Medicine-Food Homology": Wolfberry (Goji Berry)
• Why is it popular? Wolfberry is probably the TCM with the highest appearance rate in daily life. It has a sweet taste and a mild nature, making it suitable for almost everyone. It is a perfect example of "medicine-food homology". It can be used to make tea, stew soup, cook porridge, or eaten directly.
• Main effects: Nourishes the liver and kidneys, benefits essence and improves eyesight. In modern times, people spend a long time looking at mobile phones and computers, leading to excessive eye strain. The eyesight-improving effect of wolfberry makes it highly favored.
• Characteristics: It is affordable, easy to consume, and has a mild health-preserving effect, making it the first choice for many people to start their health-preserving journey.
3. Highest International Recognition & Research Hotspot: Astragalus Root
• Why is it popular? Astragalus Root is a key herb for "tonifying qi". Its effects of enhancing immunity and combating fatigue have been supported by a large number of modern studies, and it enjoys a high reputation in the international phytomedicine field. It is the principal herb (jun yao) in many TCM prescriptions for boosting immunity (such as "Yupingfeng Powder").
• Main effects: Tonifies qi and elevates yang, consolidates the exterior and stops sweating, promotes diuresis and reduces edema, generates body fluids and nourishes blood.
• Characteristics: It is often combined with Angelica Root (in "Danggui Buxue Decoction") to achieve the effect of "qi generating blood", which is very suitable for people with deficiency of both qi and blood.
4. Household Essential & with Outstanding Effects: Notoginseng (Sanqi)
• Why is it popular? Notoginseng is a "star" herb for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, especially famous for its characteristic of "stopping bleeding without causing blood stasis", and is honored as the "essential herb for traumatic injuries". In recent years, its effects in preventing and treating cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases have been widely promoted, making it a common household medicine for middle-aged and elderly people.
• Main effects: Dissipates blood stasis and stops bleeding, reduces swelling and relieves pain. It is used for hemoptysis, hematemesis, hematochezia, metrorrhagia, as well as traumatic injuries and pain caused by blood stasis.
• Characteristics: There is a saying that "raw Notoginseng promotes blood circulation, while cooked Notoginseng tonifies". That is, raw Notoginseng promotes blood circulation and removes blood stasis, while cooked Notoginseng (slightly fried in oil or stewed) has a certain tonic effect.
5. Core of Classic Prescriptions & Versatile in Application: Angelica Root (Danggui)
• Why is it popular? Angelica Root is known as the "sacred herb for blood disorders" and the "essential herb for gynecological diseases". It is an absolute core medicinal material in the treatment of gynecological diseases (such as "Sijunzi Decoction"). However, it is also used in many other fields, with an extremely wide range of applications.
• Main effects: Nourishes blood and promotes blood circulation, regulates menstruation and relieves pain, moistens the intestines and relieves constipation.
• Characteristics: Different parts of the whole herb are used as medicine, with slightly different effects (the head of Angelica Root stops bleeding, the body nourishes blood, and the tail promotes blood circulation), but they are usually used together.
Extremely Important Reminders
• Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment: The soul of TCM lies in its application based on an individual's constitution and symptoms. No single medicine is suitable for everyone. For example, although ginseng is good, its improper use by people with excessive heat syndrome or hypertension can lead to "internal heat" (a TCM term referring to symptoms like fever, dry mouth, etc.) or even more serious problems.
• Follow Medical Advice: Before using any TCM (especially for therapeutic purposes), be sure to consult a professional TCM practitioner or pharmacist. They can judge your constitution and guide you on the correct usage and dosage.
• Authentic Medicinal Materials: The origin and quality of medicinal materials are crucial. Purchase them through reputable channels.
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