Chinese Materia Medica (Zhong Yao) is traditionally associated with the discipline of Chinese herbal medicine. However, it is not exclusively limited to purely clinical use, and many of the plant based ingredients are used within Chinese medicated diet or functional food therapy.
As many of the Chinese materia medica ingredients are already listed in the Herbs and Formulas section of our encyclopedia, they will be listed here with links to their relevant pages. Chinese materia medica ingredients are primarily included in medicated diet for their medicinal properties, with some being edible, and others not. As such, most are either prepared sperately or removed from dishes after cooking.
The following is the list of officially recognised Chinese materia medica already included in Chinese herbal medicine, which are used within Chinese medicated diet therapy.
- Bai Guo [Semen Ginkgo] – Ginkgo Seed
- Bai He [Bulbus Lilii] – Lily Bulb
- Bai Mao Gen [Rhizoma Imperatae] – Imperata Rhizome; White Grass
- Bai Zhi [Radix Angelicae Dahuricae] – Dahurican Angelica Root
- Bo He [Herba Menthae] – Field Mint
- Chen Pi [Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae] – Aged Tangerine Peel
- Da Zao [Fructus Jujubae] – Chinese Date
- Fu Ling [Poria] – Poria; China Root; Indian Root
- Gan Cao [Radix Glychyrrhizae] – Liquorice Root
- Gou Qi Zi [Fructus Lycii] – Lycium Fruit; Chinese Wolfberry
- Guang Huo Xiang [Herba Pogostemonis] – Patchouli
- He Ye [Folium Nelumbinis] – Lotus Leaf
- Hong Hua [Flos Carthami] – Safflower; Carthamus
- Hua Jiao [Pericarpium Zanthoxyli] – Sichuan Pepper; Chinese Prickly-Ash
- Huo Ma Ren [Semen Cannabis] – Hemp Seed
- Jue Ming Zi [Semen Cassiae] – Cassia Seed
- Ju Hua [Flos Chrysanthemi] – Chrysanthemum Flower
- Lai Fu Zi [Semen Raphani] – Radish Seed
- Lian Zi [Semen Nelumbinis] – Lotus Seed
- Long Yan Rou [Arrillus Longan] – Longan Fruit; Dragon’s Eye Fruit
- Lu Gen [Rhizoma Phragmitis] – Common Reed Rhizome
- Mu Li [Concha Ostreae] – Oyster Shell
- Qian Shi [Semen Euryales] – Euyale Seed
- Rou Dou Kou [Semen Myristicae] – Nutmeg Seed
- Rou Gui [Cortex Cinnamomi] – Cinnamon Bark
- Sang Ye [Folium Mori] – White Mulberry Leaf
- San Qi [Radix Notoginseng] – Notoginseng; Pseudoginseng
- Shan Yao [Rhizoma Dioscoreae] – Chinese Yam
- Sha Ren [Fructus Amomi] – Villous Amomum Fruit
- Sheng Jiang [Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens] – Fresh Ginger
- Suan Zao Ren [Semen Ziziphi Spinosae] – Sour Jujube Seed
- Tao Ren [Semen Persicae] – Peach Kernel
- Xiang Ru [Herba Moslae] – Chinese Mosla Herb; Aromatic Madder
- Xie Bai [Bulbus Allii Macrostemi] – Chinese Garlic; Garlic Chives
- Xing Ren [Semen Armeniacae Amarum] – Apricot Seed or Kernel
- Yi Yi Ren [Semen Coicis] – Coix Seed; Job’s Tears
- Yu Li Ren [Semen Pruni] – Bush Cherry Pit; Chinese Dwarf Cherry Seed
- Zhi Zi [Fructus Gardeniae] – Cape Jasmine Fruit
- Zi Su Ye [Folium Perillae] – Perilla Leaf