Also Known As: Reishi, Ganoderma Lucidum
Chinese Name: 灵芝
Thermal Nature: Neutral
Flavor: Sweet
Organ Meridian: Heart, lung, liver, kidney
Properties: Boost Qi, calm the mind, relieve cough
Best Use For: Relieving insomnia, relieving cough due to Qi deficiency in the lungs, improving appetite
Serving Per Day For One Person: 6 to 12g
Dietary Caution: People with flu symptoms should avoid consuming ling zhi
Suitable For: Qi deficiency body constitution
Also Known As: Glycyrrhiza Uralensis
Chinese Name: 甘草
Thermal Nature: Neutral
Flavor: Sweet
Organ Meridian: Heart, lung, spleen, stomach
Properties: Boosts Qi and strengthens the spleen, cools the body and helps with detoxification, dissolves phlegm and stops coughing, relieves pain and harmonizes other herbs
Best Use For: Gancao is commonly used in Chinese medicine and herbal soups as its sweet taste can be accepted by most people. Alone, it can be used for strengthening the spleen and boosting Qi for the heart. It can also be used to relieve cough due to phlegm.
Serving Per Day For One Person: 2 to 10g
Dietary Caution: Avoid consuming gan cao above the recommended dosage as it will lead to water retention in the body. It has a clashing effect with seaweed, so avoid consuming them together.
Suitable For: Qi deficiency body constitution
Also Known As: Acanthopanax Senticosus
Chinese Name: 刺五加
Thermal Nature: Warm
Flavor: Sweet, bitter (slight)
Organ Meridian: Spleen, lung, kidney, heart
Properties: Boost Qi and strengthen the spleen, strengthen kidney and calm the mind
Best Use For: Ciwujia is used for treating weakness (Qi deficiency) in both the spleen and lungs or kidney and lungs. It is also used to treat insomnia caused by Qi deficiency in the heart and spleen. Nowadays, it is more commonly used to treat deficiencies in the kidney.
Serving Per Day For One Person: 9 to 20g
Dietary caution: People with Yin deficiency body constitution should avoid consuming ci wu jia
Suitable For: Qi deficiency body constitution
Also Known As: Rhodiola Crenulata
Chinese Name: 红景天
Thermal Nature: Neutral
Flavor: Sweet, bitter
Organ Meridian: Spleen, lung, heart
Properties: Boost Qi and promotes blood flow, relieves cough
Best Use For: Very potent herb to strengthen the lungs and protect it against inflammation and virus, suitable for people who want to improve their immunity against cold and flu
Serving Per Day For One Person: 3 to 6g
Dietary Caution: Not known
Suitable For: Qi deficiency body constitution
Name: Gynoacemma Pentaphllum
Chinese Name: 绞股蓝
Thermal Nature: Cold
Flavor: Sweet, bitter
Organ Meridian: Spleen, lung
Properties: Strengthen the spleen and boost energy, dissolves phlegm and stops coughing, cools the body and helps with detoxification
Best Use For: Jiao gu lan is an excellent herb and food to relieve cough that arise due to weakness in the lungs. It is also used for strengthening the spleen. During the Covid-19 period, jiao gu lan is a very common herb used to relieve covid symptoms because it has detoxifying and strong cooling properties.
Serving Per Day For One Person: 10 to 15g
Dietary Caution: People with weak spleen should avoid consuming jiao gu lan alone as it is very cooling for the body
Also Known As: Atractyodes Macrocephala
Chinese Name: 白术
Thermal Nature: Warm
Flavor: Sweet, bitter
Organ Meridian: Spleen, stomach
Properties: Strengthen the spleen and boost energy, reduce dampness in body, stops excessive sweating
Best Use For: Bai zhu is the number one effective medicine known to strengthen the spleen and promote energy at the same time. It is commonly used to strengthen the spleen and vitalize people with weak or low energy or poor appetite.
Serving Per Day For One Person: 6 to 12g
Dietary Caution: Avoid consuming bai zhu if you have Yin deficiency body constitution or if you are experiencing flu symptoms
Suitable For: Qi deficiency body constitution, Yang deficiency body constitution
Name: Astragalus Membranaceus
Chinese Name: 黄芪
Thermal Nature: Warm
Flavor: Sweet
Organ Meridian: Spleen, lung
Properties: Strengthen Qi, stop excessive sweating, reduce swelling, nourish the blood
Best Use For: Huang qi can help to strengthen the body’s immunity and strengthen the lungs at the same time. It is also very commonly used for people with Qi and blood deficiency.
Serving Per Day For One Person: 9 to 15g
Dietary Caution: Avoid consuming bai zhu if you have Yin deficiency body constitution or if you are experiencing flu symptoms
Suitable For: Qi deficiency body constitution, Yang deficiency body constitution
Also Known As: Pseeudostellaria Heterophylla
Chinese Name: 太子参
Thermal Nature: Neutral
Flavor: Sweet, bitter (slight)
Organ Meridian: Spleen, lung
Properties: Strengthen the spleen and lungs, nourish the lungs
Best Use For: People with weak spleen and poor appetite, people who are recovering from illness and are lacking in Yin (Yin Deficiency) and Qi (Qi deficiency), for treating dry cough
Serving Per Day For One Person: 9 to 15g
Dietary Caution: For people who are heaty, it is recommended to reduce the dosage of tai zi shen
Suitable For: Qi deficiency body constitution
Also Known As: Codonopsis Pilosula
Chinese Name: 党参
Thermal Nature: Neutral
Flavor: Sweet
Organ Meridian: Spleen, lung
Properties: Strengthens the spleen and lungs, boosts energy and nourishes the body’s Yin and blood
Best Use For: People with low energy and weak body constitution, also ideal for people who catch a cold/flu easily as it will help to boost immunity
Serving Per Day For One Person: 9 to 15g
Dietary Caution: People with flu symptoms should avoid eating dang shen for the time being. Never eat dang shen with hellebore as they have clashing effects on each other.
Suitable For: Qi deficiency body constitution
Also Known As: Panax Ginseng
Chinese Name: 人参
Thermal Nature: Warm
Flavor: Bitter (mild), sweet
Organ Meridian: Spleen, lung, heart, kidney
Properties: Greatly replenishes energy (Qi), stops excessive bleeding and sweating, vitalizes spleen, strengthen lungs and nourishes blood.
Best Use For: Elderly or people with very weak body constitution
Serving Per Day For One Person: 3 to 9g
Dietary Caution: People with flu symptoms should avoid consuming ginseng for the time being. Never consume ginseng with hellebore as they have clashing effects on each other.
Suitable For: Qi deficiency body constitution