Latin name: Ginkgo biloba Family: Ginkgoaceae or ginkgo family. Folk Names: Maidenhair Tree DESCRIPTIVE CHARACTERISTICS Part of the Plant Used Seed kernel is used extensively in TCM, Leaf in western indications. Dating back over 200 million years, the fruits and seeds have traditionally been used as medicine in the east; however, use of the leaves…
Latin name: Astragalus membranaceus Family: Fabaceae or legume family. Folk/Alternative Names: Huang Qi, Milk-vetch Root, Yellow Leader, Young Man’s Ginseng DESCRIPTIVE CHARACTERISTICS Part of the Plant Used Root, harvested from 4+ year old plants, sliced. Resembles a tongue depressor. Better quality roots have a yellow color. Native to northeastern China, it’s long fibrous roots are…
Latin name: Calendula officinalis Family: Asteraceae Folk Names: Marigold, pot marigold, orange button DESCRIPTIVE CHARACTERISTICS Part of the Plant Used Petals, flower head just prior to opening Native to Northern Africa and southern to central portions of Europe, calendula is often identified as marigold. The plant often gives off a strong, unpleasant aroma (although some…
Latin name: Mahonia aquifolium Family: Berberidaceae family (Barberry family) Folk Names: Mountain Grape, Holly mahonia. DESCRIPTIVE CHARACTERISTICS Part of the Plant Used Root and rhizome. Attractive green ornamental originally planted as a hardy shrub in the western United States. Has a yellowish inner bark, yellowish flowers, and purple, grape-shaped edible fruit. This fruit, which is…
Latin name: Schisandra chinensis Family: Schisandraceae Folk Names: Magnolia berry, Five flavor fruit. Sometimes spelled Schizandra. DESCRIPTIVE CHARACTERISTICS Part of the Plant Used Berries/Fruit Traditional Chinese physicians recommend schisandra much the same way they recommend ginseng, as a general tonic and adaptogen. Lignans in the plant encourage the revival of liver cells damaged by alcohol,…