Everyday plant formulas for colds, headache, cough, wheezing asthma, chronic bronchitis, hiccups (cold/heat/stagnation/yin deficiency patterns), digestion, kidneys, sleep, qi-blood support, and cardiovascular care.

For general wellness without a clear complaint, see Everyday remedies

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275 formulas

Abrus and Red Jujube Soup

Gallstones · Clear damp-heat

Food & drinkInternal medicineGallstonesClear damp-heat

Abrus and Red Jujube Soup

For cholecystitis and gallstones; sources also mention jaundice and non-jaundice hepatitis patterns (syndrome differentiation required).

Adenophora and Lily Drink

Pulmonary tuberculosis · Yin deficiency with hemoptysis

Food & drinkInternal medicinePulmonary tuberculosisYin deficiency with hemoptysis

Adenophora and Lily Drink

Nourishes yin, moistens lung, and moistens throat—suited to yin-deficiency dry cough without sputum, hemoptysis, scant sputum, dry mouth and throat; pulmonary consumption with dry cough, scant sputum, blood-streaked sputum, or afternoon fever (syndrome differentiation required). Suitable in autumn and winter.

Adenophora and Ophiopogon Tea

Pneumonia · Yin deficiency with lung dryness

Food & drinkInternal medicinePneumoniaYin deficiency with lung dryness

Adenophora and Ophiopogon Tea

Suitable for cough, night sweats, fatigue, and dry mouth during pneumonia recovery (syndrome differentiation required).

Adzuki & Mung Bean Soup

Urethritis · Heat lin

Food & drinkInternal medicineLin syndrome (dysuria)Heat lin

Adzuki & Mung Bean Soup

For heat lin: frequent scant burning urination (syndrome differentiation required).

Adzuki, Winter Melon & Crucian Carp Soup

Joint effusion · Drain water & reduce swelling

Food & drinkInternal medicineJoint effusionDrain water & reduce swelling

Adzuki, Winter Melon & Crucian Carp Soup

Adjunct soup when joint effusion is in the acute phase and swelling is the main complaint. Aligns with popular-science staging for joint injury (acute phase, water-drain and reduce swelling). Effusion is a symptom; treat synovitis and the underlying cause medically.

Angelica Lean Meat Soup

Anemia (blood deficiency) · Blood deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineAnemia (blood deficiency)Blood deficiency

Angelica Lean Meat Soup

Suitable for anemia, blood deficiency, dizziness, fatigue, fatigue, and postpartum weaning (syndrome differentiation required).

Antitussive Tea

Cough · Chronic cough

Daily careInternal medicineCoughChronic cough

Antitussive Tea

For phlegm-heavy cough from chronic bronchitis (public empirical records).

Apple and Vegetable Juice

Sciatica · Free collaterals & stop pain

Food & drinkInternal medicineSciaticaFree collaterals & stop pain

Apple and Vegetable Juice

Daily support, especially if constipation coexists.

Apricot Kernel and Platycodon Tea

Wheezing (xiào) · Remission care

Food & drinkInternal medicineWheezing (xiào)Remission care

Apricot Kernel and Platycodon Tea

Adjunct for patterns with wind-cold constraining lung and reversed qi with wheezing cough (syndrome differentiation required).

Astragalus and Chinese Yam Congee

Hepatitis · Qi deficiency with fatigue

Food & drinkInternal medicineHepatitisQi deficiency with fatigue

Astragalus and Chinese Yam Congee

For chronic hepatitis with fatigue, short breath, poor appetite, and loose-tending stools (syndrome differentiation required).

Astragalus and Codonopsis Drink

Coronary heart disease · Lung & spleen qi deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineCoronary heart diseaseLung & spleen qi deficiency

Astragalus and Codonopsis Drink

Daily tea when qi and blood are insufficient with lung–spleen qi deficiency—fatigue, short breath, lazy speech, poor appetite with bloating, frequent colds, and profuse sweating. Public sources also mention immune support and hematopoietic adjunct for the weak and cold-prone (syndrome differentiation required). Coronary disease and similar conditions require standard treatment—this drink is adjunct only.

Astragalus and Danggui Stewed Chicken

Frozen shoulder · Qi & blood deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineVertigo & dizzinessQi & blood deficiency

Astragalus and Danggui Stewed Chicken

Chronic weak aching shoulder with fatigue (pattern required).

Astragalus and Dried Shrimp Soup

Osteoporosis · Spleen–kidney yang deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineOsteoporosisSpleen–kidney yang deficiency

Astragalus and Dried Shrimp Soup

Yang-deficiency pattern support (differentiation required).

Astragalus and Goji Berry Tea

Hypertension · Tonify qi & nourish yin

Food & drinkInternal medicineHypertensionTonify qi & nourish yin

Astragalus and Goji Berry Tea

For weakness with qi deficiency plus liver–kidney insufficiency—fatigue, pale face, dizziness, mental exhaustion, palpitations, insomnia, dry eyes, sore weak lower back; also cited for adjunct immune support, lipids and glucose, and fatigue relief (syndrome differentiation required).

Astragalus and Goji Tea

Wheezing (xiào) · Remission care

Food & drinkInternal medicineWheezing (xiào)Remission care

Astragalus and Goji Tea

Daily adjunct for qi-type asthma in remission.

Astragalus and Red Jujube Congee

Vertigo & dizziness · Qi & blood deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineVertigo & dizzinessQi & blood deficiency

Astragalus and Red Jujube Congee

For vertigo from qi and blood deficiency, often in women or after surgery, with palpitations, insomnia, pale face, worse with exertion (syndrome differentiation required).

Astragalus and Yam Congee

Gastric ulcer · Cold deficiency recovery

Food & drinkInternal medicineGastric ulcerCold deficiency recovery

Astragalus and Yam Congee

For spleen-stomach deficiency cold or ulcer recovery with vague stomach pain, preference for warmth and pressure, fatigue, poor appetite (syndrome differentiation required). Clinical observations note TCM dietary support for deficiency-cold gastric ulcer.

Astragalus, Angelica, and Lean Pork Soup

Cerebral infarction · Qi deficiency with blood stasis

Food & drinkInternal medicineCerebral infarctionQi deficiency with blood stasis

Astragalus, Angelica, and Lean Pork Soup

For sequelae of qi deficiency and blood stasis—hemiplegia with weakness, pale tired face, shortness of breath, numb cold limbs, pale tongue with petechiae (syndrome differentiation required). Public clinical materials note improved rehabilitation metrics with astragalus–angelica medicated diets combined with nursing care—not a substitute for standard stroke treatment.

Astragalus, Codonopsis, and Silkie Chicken Stew

Cerebral infarction · Qi deficiency with blood stasis

Food & drinkInternal medicineCerebral infarctionQi deficiency with blood stasis

Astragalus, Codonopsis, and Silkie Chicken Stew

For post-stroke recovery with qi deficiency and blood stasis—limb weakness, shortness of breath, fatigue, sallow complexion (syndrome differentiation required). Stroke dietary guidelines often recommend astragalus, codonopsis, and similar food-medicine substances for qi deficiency with blood stasis patterns.

Atractylodes macrocephala tea

Wheezing (xiào) · Remission care

Food & drinkInternal medicineWheezing (xiào)Remission care

Atractylodes macrocephala tea

It is suitable for the adjuvant treatment of spleen deficiency and dampness in the remission period of asthma.

Autumn Pear Honey Paste

Cough · Chronic cough

Food & drinkInternal medicineCoughChronic cough

Autumn Pear Honey Paste

Suitable when cough has lasted a long time, with sore throat and yellow sputum (dry-heat, chronic cough background).

Bai Wei Yin

Pulmonary tuberculosis · Yin deficiency with tidal fever

Food & drinkInternal medicinePulmonary tuberculosisYin deficiency with tidal fever

Bai Wei Yin

Suitable for night sweats, coughs, or hemoptysis caused by hot flushes in the lungs, and belongs to those with yin deficiency and internal heat syndrome (syndrome differentiation required).

Baimai Anshen Drink

Neurasthenia · Qi & yin deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineNeurastheniaQi & yin deficiency

Baimai Anshen Drink

It is suitable for insufficiency of heart and yin, deficiency of heat and internal disturbance or deficiency of both qi and yin, restlessness due to mental nervousness, irritability, sadness and crying, insomnia and dreaminess, palpitation and shortness of breath, and excessive sweating; it is common in neurasthenia, neurosis is deficiency of heart and yin and heat, or deficiency of heart and qi and yin (it is necessary to distinguish between syndrome, red tongue and less moss, fine pulse count is appropriate).

Bamboo Leaf and Imperata Root Tea

Urethritis · Hematuria support

Food & drinkInternal medicineUrethritisHematuria support

Bamboo Leaf and Imperata Root Tea

For urinary tract infection with red cells in urine—burning urination, reddish urine (syndrome differentiation required).

Bamboo Shavings and Reed Root Tea

Hiccups (è nì) · Stomach heat

Food & drinkInternal medicineHiccups (è nì)Stomach heat

Bamboo Shavings and Reed Root Tea

Suitable for stomach-heat hiccups with loud hiccups, bad breath, thirst for cold drinks, red tongue with yellow coating (syndrome differentiation required).

Baoyuan Qiangxin Soup

Angina pectoris · Qi deficiency pattern

Food & drinkInternal medicineAngina pectorisQi deficiency pattern

Baoyuan Qiangxin Soup

Suitable for qi deficiency type coronary heart disease angina: chest tightness, shortness of breath, fatigue, exacerbation after exertion (must be differentiated).

Barley and Luffa Congee

Rheumatic disorders (bì) · Damp-heat obstruction

Food & drinkInternal medicineRheumatic disorders (bì)Damp-heat obstruction

Barley and Luffa Congee

Guang'anmen rheumatology—heavy body, poor appetite, swollen joints without redness (pattern required).

Barley and Red Bean Soup

Cervical spondylosis · Phlegm-damp blocking collaterals

Food & drinkInternal medicineCervical spondylosisPhlegm-damp blocking collaterals

Barley and Red Bean Soup

Phlegm-damp obstruction—heavy neck, dizziness, chest tightness, thick greasy tongue coat (pattern differentiation required).

Bitter Apricot Kernel and Honey Tea

Bronchitis · Dry throat, little phlegm

Food & drinkInternal medicineBronchitisDry throat, little phlegm

Bitter Apricot Kernel and Honey Tea

For chronic bronchitis with upward-rushing cough, scant phlegm, dry throat and tongue; may ease elderly asthmatic cough (syndrome differentiation required).

Bitter Melon Green Tea

Diabetes (táng niào bìng) · Internal damp-heat

Food & drinkInternal medicineDiabetes (táng niào bìng)Internal damp-heat

Bitter Melon Green Tea

For mild diabetes with thirst, heat, and polydipsia; also daily care when diabetes tends toward internal damp-heat (syndrome differentiation required).

Black auricular porridge

Pneumonia · Recovery phase

Food & drinkInternal medicinePneumoniaRecovery phase

Black auricular porridge

Suitable for patients with chest tightness, shortness of breath, pale complexion, dry cough and low phlegm during the recovery period of pneumonia (syndrome differentiation required).

Black Bean and Eucommia Bone-Nourishing Soup

Low back pain · Kidney deficiency back pain

Food & drinkInternal medicineLow back painKidney deficiency back pain

Black Bean and Eucommia Bone-Nourishing Soup

Liver–kidney deficiency with sore weak lower back and limbs; adjunct daily care for bone health—not a substitute for osteoporosis treatment.

Black Fungus and Red Jujube Soup

Anemia (blood deficiency) · Nourish blood & tonify deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineAnemia (blood deficiency)Nourish blood & tonify deficiency

Black Fungus and Red Jujube Soup

Adjunct care for iron-deficiency anemia; public sources also mention hypertension, arteriosclerosis, bleeding stools, and heavy menstruation (syndrome differentiation required).

Black Sesame and Walnut Powder

Osteoporosis · Kidney yin deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineOsteoporosisKidney yin deficiency

Black Sesame and Walnut Powder

Kidney yin pattern adjunct (differentiation required).

Black sesame porridge

Constipation · General tonifying care

Food & drinkInternal medicineConstipationGeneral tonifying care

Black sesame porridge

Suitable for mild functional constipation, habitual constipation daily aids (must be differentiated).

Bran and Vinegar Compress

Acute stiff neck · Simple daily support

External careInternal medicineAcute stiff neckSimple daily support

Bran and Vinegar Compress

Simple home compress for early stiff neck.

Bupleurum Curcuma Drink

Gallstones · Soothe liver & relieve stagnation

Food & drinkInternal medicineGallstonesSoothe liver & relieve stagnation

Bupleurum Curcuma Drink

Suitable for cholelithiasis or cholecystitis with disturbed mood and swollen chest; the information contained in Curcuma can be used for the adjuvant treatment of cholelithiasis (gallbladder ≠ excluded stone, syndrome differentiation is required).

Cassia Seed and Wild Chrysanthemum Tea

Headache

Food & drinkInternal medicineHeadache

Cassia Seed and Wild Chrysanthemum Tea

For headache and head distension associated with elevated blood pressure (liver yang rising pattern).

Celery and Red Jujube Soup

Hypertension · Heart blood deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineNeurastheniaHeart blood deficiency

Celery and Red Jujube Soup

Suitable for headache, dizziness, insomnia, irritability, palpitations, fatigue, and poor appetite from yang hyperactivity of the liver, heart-blood insufficiency, or qi-blood deficiency; also used before exams to nourish blood, calm the heart, and soothe the spirit (syndrome differentiation required).

Celery and Spiny Jujube Seed Soup

Neurasthenia · Liver yang rising

Food & drinkInternal medicineVertigo & dizzinessLiver yang rising

Celery and Spiny Jujube Seed Soup

Suitable for restless insomnia and forgetfulness from neurasthenia, and dizziness when blood pressure is elevated (syndrome differentiation required).

Celery Congee

Hypertension · Liver yang rising

Food & drinkInternal medicineVertigo & dizzinessLiver yang rising

Celery Congee

Suitable for hypertension, liver-fire headache, dizziness, flushed face and red eyes; also for hypertension with constipation and irritability (syndrome differentiation required).

Celery Congee for Diabetes

Diabetes (táng niào bìng) · With hypertension

Food & drinkInternal medicineDiabetes (táng niào bìng)With hypertension

Celery Congee for Diabetes

Suitable for diabetes with hypertension—dizziness, headache, elevated blood pressure; also adjunct care for liver yang hyperactivity in diabetes (syndrome differentiation required).

Chen Pi Sheng Ginger Soup

Hiccups (è nì) · Stomach cold

Food & drinkInternal medicineHiccups (è nì)Stomach cold

Chen Pi Sheng Ginger Soup

Suitable for cold guests in the stomach, stomach qi does not fall, see cold in the stomach, dry vomiting and hiccups, cold hands and feet, white tongue moss (must be differentiated); also suitable for cold after stomach qi mild.

Chinese Chive Congee

Angina pectoris · Cold congealing & phlegm obstruction

Food & drinkInternal medicineAngina pectorisCold congealing & phlegm obstruction

Chinese Chive Congee

Suitable for stable angina in coronary heart disease, especially cold congealing heart vessel or phlegm obstructing heart: chest oppression and pain worse with cold, copious phlegm, white greasy coating (syndrome differentiation required).

Chinese Goji Berry Soup

Cerebral infarction · Qi deficiency with blood stasis

Food & drinkInternal medicineCerebral infarctionQi deficiency with blood stasis

Chinese Goji Berry Soup

Suitable for qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome during the recovery period of cerebral infarction Assistance: yellow complexion, mental fatigue, lack of qi and laziness, palpitations and spontaneous sweating, swelling of hands and feet, mauve tongue or bruises, etc. See also Blood Deficiency and Yellow Face, Dizziness and Dizziness, Palpitation, Insomnia, and Nutrition Information (to be differentiated). Acute phase requires medical attention and is not a substitute for rehabilitation and standardized treatment .

Chinese Goji Berry Tea

Anemia (blood deficiency) · Blood deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineAnemia (blood deficiency)Blood deficiency

Chinese Goji Berry Tea

It is suitable for blood deficiency, yellowing of the face, dizziness, palpitations, asthenia, insomnia, and dreams; it is also suitable for auxiliary conditioning and postmenstrual care in people with qi and blood deficiency and anemia (syndrome differentiation is required).

Chives with Walnuts

Low back pain · Kidney yang deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineLow back painKidney yang deficiency

Chives with Walnuts

Kidney yang deficiency back pain—cold ache, aversion to cold (pattern differentiation required).

Choshi sesame porridge

Constipation · General tonifying care

Food & drinkInternal medicineConstipationGeneral tonifying care

Choshi sesame porridge

Suitable for people with dry bowel, dry stool, asthenia and constipation (syndrome differentiation required).

Chrysanthemum and Cassia Seed Drink

Cerebral hypoperfusion · Liver yang rising

Food & drinkInternal medicineVertigo & dizzinessLiver yang rising

Chrysanthemum and Cassia Seed Drink

For red painful eyes, blurred vision, headache and dizziness with dry stools; also daily eye care with eye strain, and adjunct references for phlegm-turbidity hyperlipidemia (syndrome differentiation required). Not a substitute for standard treatment.

Chrysanthemum Congee

Hypertension · Liver yang rising

Food & drinkInternal medicineVertigo & dizzinessLiver yang rising

Chrysanthemum Congee

For liver yang rising hypertension with dizziness, irritable insomnia, bitter taste, tinnitus, flushed face and red eyes (syndrome differentiation required).

Chuanbei stewed pears

Pneumonia · Dry cough with scant sputum

Food & drinkInternal medicinePneumoniaDry cough with scant sputum

Chuanbei stewed pears

Suitable for dry cough with little phlegm and difficult to get sticky, and also for dry-heat cough (syndrome differentiation required).

Chuanbei Sydney stewed pork lungs

Pulmonary tuberculosis · Yin deficiency with hemoptysis

Food & drinkInternal medicinePulmonary tuberculosisYin deficiency with hemoptysis

Chuanbei Sydney stewed pork lungs

Suitable for pulmonary tuberculosis cough, hemoptysis, and the elderly without phlegm, dry cough, dry heat, etc. (must be differentiated).

Chuanxiong and Baizhi Stewed Fish Head

Cervical spondylosis · Wind-cold-damp obstruction

Food & drinkInternal medicineCervical spondylosisWind-cold-damp obstruction

Chuanxiong and Baizhi Stewed Fish Head

Wind-cold-damp cervical pattern—stiff painful neck worse with cold, better with warmth (pattern differentiation required).

Cinnamon, Morinda, and Lamb Stew

Low back pain · Kidney yang deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineLow back painKidney yang deficiency

Cinnamon, Morinda, and Lamb Stew

Kidney yang deficiency—cold aching back, aversion to cold, pale tongue (pattern differentiation required).

Clear-Stewed Beef and Radish Soup

Cirrhosis · Spleen–stomach deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineCirrhosisSpleen–stomach deficiency

Clear-Stewed Beef and Radish Soup

Suitable for early cirrhotic ascites with spleen-stomach weakness and abdominal distension (syndrome differentiation required).

Codonopsis lily porridge

Pneumonia · Qi deficiency with low fever

Food & drinkInternal medicinePneumoniaQi deficiency with low fever

Codonopsis lily porridge

Suitable for physical weakness with hypothermia type pneumonia, see dry cough less phlegm, mental fatigue, loss of appetite (must be differentiated).

Coix & Mung Bean Drink

Joint effusion · Damp-heat obstruction

Food & drinkInternal medicineJoint effusionDamp-heat obstruction

Coix & Mung Bean Drink

Adjunct drink for effusion with damp-heat obstruction. Mashed dregs may be applied externally to the joint for added swelling relief. Does not replace urate-lowering drugs, antibiotics, or other cause-specific treatment.

Coix & Mung Bean Soup

Urethritis · Heat lin

Food & drinkInternal medicineLin syndrome (dysuria)Heat lin

Coix & Mung Bean Soup

For heat lin with damp-heat: short yellow painful urination, body heaviness (syndrome differentiation required).

Coix and Adzuki Bean Congee

Fatty liver · Spleen deficiency with damp obstruction

Food & drinkInternal medicineFatty liverSpleen deficiency with damp obstruction

Coix and Adzuki Bean Congee

Suitable for phlegm-damp constitution fatty liver with heaviness, thick greasy tongue coating, and sticky stools (syndrome differentiation required).

Coix and Adzuki Bean Soup

Vertigo & dizziness · Phlegm-damp obstruction

Food & drinkInternal medicineVertigo & dizzinessPhlegm-damp obstruction

Coix and Adzuki Bean Soup

Suitable for phlegm-damp middle obstruction vertigo with chest oppression, nausea, head heavy as if wrapped, white greasy coating—often from greasy diet (syndrome differentiation required).

Coix, Hyacinth Bean, and Radish Congee

Cerebral infarction · Wind-phlegm blocking collaterals

Food & drinkInternal medicineCerebral infarctionWind-phlegm blocking collaterals

Coix, Hyacinth Bean, and Radish Congee

Suitable for heavy limbs, thick greasy coating, chest oppression, poor appetite (syndrome differentiation required). Dietary materials from Quzhou Hospital of TCM for wind-phlegm collateral obstruction. Not a substitute for medication or rehabilitation.

Consumption-Relief White Fungus Congee

Pulmonary tuberculosis · Consumptive lung nourishment

Food & drinkInternal medicinePulmonary tuberculosisConsumptive lung nourishment

Consumption-Relief White Fungus Congee

Suitable for consumptive cough with blood-streaked sputum in chronic pulmonary tuberculosis (syndrome differentiation required).

Corn Beard Tea

Cholecystitis · Choleretic tea

Food & drinkInternal medicineCholecystitisCholeretic tea

Corn Beard Tea

Suitable for chronic cholecystitis daily gallbladder tea drink; with mild moisture internal stop (must be syndrome differentiation).

Corn Silk and Lotus Plumule Drink

Hypertension · With neurasthenia

Food & drinkInternal medicineHypertensionWith neurasthenia

Corn Silk and Lotus Plumule Drink

Suitable for hypertension with neurasthenia—elevated pressure, irritability, insomnia, difficult urination (syndrome differentiation required).

Corn Silk and Mulberry Leaf Tea

Diabetes (táng niào bìng) · Liver heat excess

Food & drinkInternal medicineDiabetes (táng niào bìng)Liver heat excess

Corn Silk and Mulberry Leaf Tea

Daily adjunct for damp-heat constitution or liver heat bias—dry mouth and polydipsia, yellow scanty urine, mild limb swelling; mainly adjunct tea for prediabetes or mild diabetes (syndrome differentiation required; cannot replace hypoglycemic drugs). Also consider comprehensive differentiation if blood pressure or lipids are elevated.

Corn Silk and Plantain Seed Drink

Kidney stones · Clear heat & promote urination

Food & drinkInternal medicineKidney stonesClear heat & promote urination

Corn Silk and Plantain Seed Drink

Suitable as adjunct expelling-stone tea in early kidney stones when stones are small (syndrome differentiation required).

Corn Silk Tea

Gallstones · Daily choleretic care

Food & drinkInternal medicineGallstonesDaily choleretic care

Corn Silk Tea

Daily gallbladder-support tea for gallstones, helping dilute bile and promote excretion; also seen for mild damp with cholecystitis (syndrome differentiation required).

Cranberry Juice

Urethritis · Recurrence prevention

Food & drinkInternal medicineUrethritisRecurrence prevention

Cranberry Juice

Daily prevention of recurrent urethritis; not treatment of acute infection.

Crucian Carp and Adzuki Bean Soup

Edema (shuǐ zhǒng) · Spleen deficiency with damp excess

Food & drinkInternal medicineEdema (shuǐ zhǒng)Spleen deficiency with damp excess

Crucian Carp and Adzuki Bean Soup

For leg swelling in older adults from declining spleen–kidney water metabolism; may also assist edema related to nephritis (syndrome differentiation required).

Dan Shen Yin

Angina pectoris · Qi stagnation with blood stasis

Food & drinkInternal medicineAngina pectorisQi stagnation with blood stasis

Dan Shen Yin

Suitable for qi stagnation and blood stasis type angina pectoris, cardiothorax, stomach pain (must be differentiated). Palliative support is not a substitute for first aid.

Dandelion and Licorice Decoction

Hepatitis · Liver–gallbladder heat

Food & drinkInternal medicineHepatitisLiver–gallbladder heat

Dandelion and Licorice Decoction

Suitable as a daily tea when liver-gallbladder heat tendency is present—bitter taste, yellowish urine, dry eyes; traditional and clinical sources also describe adjunct use in hepatitis and cholecystitis (syndrome differentiation required). Not a substitute for medication.

Dandelion Licorice Tea

Cholecystitis · Damp-heat in liver & gallbladder

Food & drinkInternal medicineCholecystitisDamp-heat in liver & gallbladder

Dandelion Licorice Tea

Suitable for chronic cholecystitis with dampness and heat in the liver and gallbladder: bitter mouth, concealed pain in the right upper abdomen, yellowish urine, yellow and greasy tongue coating (must be differentiated).

Danggui Guiyuan Chicken Soup

Anemia (blood deficiency) · Heart–spleen deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineAnemia (blood deficiency)Heart–spleen deficiency

Danggui Guiyuan Chicken Soup

Suitable for mild to moderate anemia, deficiency of both heart and spleen, poor sleep, palpitation, dizziness, tiredness and fatigue (to be differentiated).

Danggui, Ginger and Lamb Soup

Rheumatic disorders (bì) · Wind-cold-damp obstruction

Food & drinkInternal medicineRheumatic disorders (bì)Wind-cold-damp obstruction

Danggui, Ginger and Lamb Soup

Wind-cold-damp pattern—cold joints better with warmth, heaviness, pale face (pattern differentiation required).

Danggui, Turmeric and Qianghuo Tea

Frozen shoulder · Qi stagnation with blood stasis

Food & drinkInternal medicineFrozen shoulderQi stagnation with blood stasis

Danggui, Turmeric and Qianghuo Tea

Shoulder–neck pain and stiffness (pattern required).

Dark Plum and Ginger Tea

Diarrhea · Chronic diarrhea astringing

Food & drinkInternal medicineDiarrheaChronic diarrhea astringing

Dark Plum and Ginger Tea

Daily tea substitute for long-standing diarrhea with middle-jiao deficiency-cold (syndrome differentiation required); materials note good antidiarrheal effect.

Daylily and Silk Tree Flower Tea

Depression (yù) · Liver qi stagnation

Food & drinkInternal medicineDepression (yù)Liver qi stagnation

Daylily and Silk Tree Flower Tea

Suitable for liver qi stagnation with low mood—fullness in chest and hypochondrium, frequent sighing, irritability, poor sleep (syndrome differentiation required).

Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang

Hiccups (è nì) · Stomach cold

Food & drinkInternal medicineHiccups (è nì)Stomach cold

Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang

It is suitable for stomach-cold type, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh,

Dried Ginger and Lily Bulb Drink

Hiccups (è nì) · Stomach cold

Food & drinkInternal medicineHiccups (è nì)Stomach cold

Dried Ginger and Lily Bulb Drink

Suited to persistent hiccups with aversion to cold, cold limbs, and sore weak lower back and knees (syndrome differentiation required).

Duhuo and Niuxi Combination

Sciatica · Liver–kidney deficiency with stasis

Food & drinkInternal medicineSciaticaLiver–kidney deficiency with stasis

Duhuo and Niuxi Combination

Chronic sciatica with deficiency and stasis (prescription required).

Earth Dragon Fang

Wheezing (xiào) · Heat wheezing

Daily careInternal medicineWheezing (xiào)Heat wheezing

Earth Dragon Fang

An auxiliary reference party (to be differentiated) for the background of hot wheezing such as phlegm yellow, high-pitched breath surge, etc.

Ephedra–Apricot Tofu Formula

Wheezing (xiào) · Cold wheezing

Daily careInternal medicineWheezing (xiào)Cold wheezing

Ephedra–Apricot Tofu Formula

For cold asthma with thin white frothy phlegm, aversion to cold, no sweating, cold limbs (syndrome differentiation required).

Eucommia and Pork Bone Soup

Osteoporosis · Tonify kidney & strengthen bone

Food & drinkInternal medicineOsteoporosisTonify kidney & strengthen bone

Eucommia and Pork Bone Soup

Adjunct food care for osteoporosis patterns (differentiation required).

Eucommia and Pork Kidney Soup

Low back pain · Kidney deficiency back pain

Food & drinkInternal medicineLow back painKidney deficiency back pain

Eucommia and Pork Kidney Soup

Kidney deficiency low back pain—dull ache, weakness worse with exertion, better with rest (pattern differentiation required).

Eucommia, Achyranthes & Black Bean Bone Soup

Knee osteoarthritis · Liver–kidney deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineKnee osteoarthritisLiver–kidney deficiency

Eucommia, Achyranthes & Black Bean Bone Soup

Adjunct food care for weak knees, stiffness, or bone-loss tendency (pattern differentiation required).

Ex-Lao Gong Point Massage

Acute stiff neck · Acupoint self-care

Daily careInternal medicineAcute stiff neckAcupoint self-care

Ex-Lao Gong Point Massage

On-the-spot self-care when heat or herbs are impractical.

Fig and Honey Congee

Constipation · General tonifying care

Food & drinkInternal medicineConstipationGeneral tonifying care

Fig and Honey Congee

Suitable as daily adjunct for mild constipation and intestinal dryness (syndrome differentiation required).

Fig Congee

Enteritis · Chronic diarrhea

Food & drinkInternal medicineEnteritisChronic diarrhea

Fig Congee

Suitable for people with indigestion, persistent diarrhea, chronic enteritis, and dysentery (syndrome differentiation required).

Five-Nut Congee

Constipation · Deficiency constipation

Food & drinkInternal medicineConstipationDeficiency constipation

Five-Nut Congee

Suitable for deficient constipation (qi-blood insufficiency with urge but weak expulsion) (syndrome differentiation required).

Five-Red Soup

Edema (shuǐ zhǒng) · Qi & blood deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineAnemia (blood deficiency)Qi & blood deficiency

Five-Red Soup

Suitable for edema in heart-spleen qi deficiency or heart-blood deficiency with poor complexion and fatigue; also adjunct for postpartum swelling or anemia-related edema (syndrome differentiation required).

Four-Seed Egg Custard

Bronchitis · Lung–kidney remission

Food & drinkInternal medicineBronchitisLung–kidney remission

Four-Seed Egg Custard

Suitable during remission of chronic bronchitis with shortness of breath, fatigue, prolonged cough with wheezing, and scant thin white sputum (syndrome differentiation required).

Fresh Cabbage Sugar Sauce

Gastric ulcer · Early ulcer care

Food & drinkInternal medicineGastric ulcerEarly ulcer care

Fresh Cabbage Sugar Sauce

Suitable for adjunctive management of gastric and duodenal ulcers, especially at an early stage (syndrome differentiation required).

Garlic Iced Sugar Water

Cough · Wind-cold cough

Food & drinkInternal medicineCoughWind-cold cough

Garlic Iced Sugar Water

Suitable for cough caused by wind-cold cold (fear of cold, phlegm white and thin); wind-heat cough (sore throat, yellow phlegm) is not appropriate.

Gastrodia and Goji Berry Drink

Cerebral hypoperfusion · Liver–kidney yin deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineVertigo & dizzinessLiver–kidney yin deficiency

Gastrodia and Goji Berry Drink

Suitable for dizziness, dry eyes, insomnia with many dreams, and restlessness; Hunan Provincial Hospital of TCM materials note possible sleep and liver-kidney support. Also cited for hypertension with liver-kidney yin deficiency (syndrome differentiation required). “Cerebral hypoperfusion” is a lay term—underlying cause must be clarified. Not a substitute for drug therapy.

Gastrodia and Pigeon Soup

Headache

Food & drinkInternal medicineHeadache

Gastrodia and Pigeon Soup

Suitable for dizziness and fatigue from qi-blood insufficiency or mild headache and head distension from liver yang bias; also as dietary adjunct for dizziness and headache with cerebral hypoperfusion—not a drug substitute.

Gastrodia Chicken Stew

Vertigo & dizziness · Liver yang rising

Food & drinkInternal medicineVertigo & dizzinessLiver yang rising

Gastrodia Chicken Stew

Suitable for liver-yang-rising vertigo with headache and red face and eyes, or hypertension with dizziness (syndrome differentiation required).

Gastrodia Poached Fish Slices

Cerebral infarction · Calm wind & stop vertigo

Food & drinkInternal medicineCerebral infarctionCalm wind & stop vertigo

Gastrodia Poached Fish Slices

Suitable as dietary support in post–cerebral infarction sequelae with dizziness and limb numbness; aligns with light meals and quality protein (syndrome differentiation required).

Gastrodia Stewed Fish Head

Cervical spondylosis · Liver–kidney deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineCervical spondylosisLiver–kidney deficiency

Gastrodia Stewed Fish Head

Liver–kidney deficiency—dizziness, tinnitus, neck discomfort (pattern differentiation required).

Gastrodia Stewed Pig Brain

Cerebral infarction · Liver–kidney deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineCerebral infarctionLiver–kidney deficiency

Gastrodia Stewed Pig Brain

Suitable for liver-kidney deficiency patterns—dizziness, tinnitus, limb numbness, sore weak lower back and knees (syndrome differentiation required). Not a substitute for standard treatment or rehabilitation.

Gastrodia with Pig Brain

Cerebral infarction · Tonify brain & dispel wind

Food & drinkInternal medicineCerebral infarctionTonify brain & dispel wind

Gastrodia with Pig Brain

Dietary adjunct in cerebral infarction recovery; public materials note some relief of dizziness, headache, and limb numbness (syndrome differentiation required).

Generate Pulse Decoction (Sheng Mai Yin)

Pulmonary tuberculosis · Qi and yin deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicinePulmonary tuberculosisQi and yin deficiency

Generate Pulse Decoction (Sheng Mai Yin)

Suitable for dual qi-yin injury—fatigue, shortness of breath, reluctance to speak, profuse sweating with spirit weakness, dry throat and thirst; or prolonged cough with weak qi, thirst, and spontaneous sweating (syndrome differentiation required).

Food & drinkInternal medicineWind-cold & exterior

Ginger and Brown Sugar Tea

Supportive care for early wind-cold—chills, fever, headache and body ache, clear runny nose, little sweating. Also used for stomach cold after catching chill and for warming during cold-type menstrual discomfort.

Ginger and Jujube Tea

Gastritis · Spleen–stomach cold deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineGastritisSpleen–stomach cold deficiency

Ginger and Jujube Tea

For chronic gastritis with spleen–stomach cold deficiency—stomach prefers warmth, pain worsens when cold (syndrome differentiation required).

Daily careInternal medicineWind-cold & exterior

Ginger and Red Date Tea

For early wind-cold with fatigue and poor appetite.

Ginger, Jujube, and Brown Sugar Drink

Hiccups (è nì) · Stomach cold

Food & drinkInternal medicineHiccups (è nì)Stomach cold

Ginger, Jujube, and Brown Sugar Drink

Suitable for mild stomach-cold patterns at the start of hiccups after catching cold—cold epigastric pain (syndrome differentiation required).

Gizzard Lining and Corn Silk Decoction

Kidney stones · Resolve stones & unblock urine

Food & drinkInternal medicineKidney stonesResolve stones & unblock urine

Gizzard Lining and Corn Silk Decoction

Adjunct for kidney stones smaller than about 0.5 cm (syndrome differentiation required).

Goji and Chrysanthemum Drink

Cerebral infarction · Liver–kidney deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineCerebral infarctionLiver–kidney deficiency

Goji and Chrysanthemum Drink

For dizziness, tinnitus, and sore weak lower back and knees (syndrome differentiation required). Medicated diet formula class from Yibin Second People’s Hospital (Qi Ju drink type). Not a substitute for standard stroke care.

Goji and Glossy Privet Fruit Drink

Dementia · Liver–kidney yin deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineVertigo & dizzinessLiver–kidney yin deficiency

Goji and Glossy Privet Fruit Drink

For liver–kidney yin deficiency with dizziness, tinnitus, sore weak lower back, early gray hair, dry mouth and throat, and five-center heat; also for middle-aged and older daily care when kidney yin is insufficient and for adjunct hair care. Alzheimer’s and similar conditions require standard treatment—this drink is adjunct only (syndrome differentiation required). Not a substitute for medication or cognitive rehabilitation.

Goji Berry and Cassia Seed Tea

Vertigo & dizziness · Liver–kidney yin deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineVertigo & dizzinessLiver–kidney yin deficiency

Goji Berry and Cassia Seed Tea

For liver fire or liver–kidney yin deficiency with dry eyes, blurred vision, dizziness, and constipation; public sources also mention adjunct support when blood lipids or pressure run high (syndrome differentiation required).

Goji Berry and Chinese Yam Soup

Hepatitis · Liver–kidney deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineHepatitisLiver–kidney deficiency

Goji Berry and Chinese Yam Soup

For deficiency fatigue with essence depletion, sore weak back, and blurred vision from liver–kidney insufficiency; also for daily care when spleen–stomach is weak with frequent bloating and diarrhea (syndrome differentiation required). Food-medicine tonics are not a substitute for medication.

Goji, Jujube, and Egg Soup

Hepatitis · Liver–kidney deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineHepatitisLiver–kidney deficiency

Goji, Jujube, and Egg Soup

For chronic hepatitis with liver–kidney depletion and spleen–stomach weakness—fatigue, dizziness, poor appetite (syndrome differentiation required).

Hawthorn and Cassia Seed Tea

Hypertension · With high blood lipids

Food & drinkInternal medicineHypertensionWith high blood lipids

Hawthorn and Cassia Seed Tea

Suitable for hypertension; also for dry eyes, poor appetite, and dry stools—adjunct care when lipids are high with constipation (syndrome differentiation required).

Hawthorn and Goji Berry Drink

Dementia · Kidney deficiency with stasis

Food & drinkInternal medicineDementiaKidney deficiency with stasis

Hawthorn and Goji Berry Drink

Suitable for senile dementia with liver-kidney deficiency and stasis—memory decline, dizziness, sore weak lower back and knees; also cited as daily brain-health tea for middle-aged and older adults (syndrome differentiation required). Does not replace medication or cognitive rehabilitation.

Hawthorn and Lotus Leaf Decoction

Fatty liver · Greasy food stagnation

Food & drinkInternal medicineFatty liverGreasy food stagnation

Hawthorn and Lotus Leaf Decoction

Also called “Hawthorn Lotus Leaf Drink.” Suitable as daily adjunct after greasy meals with elevated lipids and fatty liver; also epigastric distension, rib-side distension, poor digestion (syndrome differentiation required). Institutional sources also describe adjunct use in hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and simple obesity—requires overall pattern differentiation.

Hawthorn and Lotus Leaf Tea

Hypertension · With high blood lipids

Food & drinkInternal medicineHypertensionWith high blood lipids

Hawthorn and Lotus Leaf Tea

Suitable for hypertension with hyperlipidemia—especially in summer heat—with head heaviness, chest tightness, and elevated lipids (syndrome differentiation required).

Hawthorn and Malt Tea

Gastritis · Food stagnation with qi stagnation

Food & drinkInternal medicineGastritisFood stagnation with qi stagnation

Hawthorn and Malt Tea

Suitable for gastritis with food stagnation and qi stagnation—distension after overeating, belching, poor appetite; drinking after meals aids digestion and eases epigastric fullness (syndrome differentiation required).

Hawthorn and Tangerine Peel Drink

Fatty liver · Greasy food stagnation

Food & drinkInternal medicineFatty liverGreasy food stagnation

Hawthorn and Tangerine Peel Drink

Suitable for fatty liver after greasy meals—epigastric distension, poor appetite, sluggish bowels (syndrome differentiation required).

Hawthorn and Tangerine Peel Tea

Gallstones · Digest & move qi

Food & drinkInternal medicineGallstonesDigest & move qi

Hawthorn and Tangerine Peel Tea

For gallstones with poor digestion and abdominal distension; may help prevent discomfort after rich, greasy food (syndrome differentiation required).

Hawthorn and Wood Ear Soup

Cerebral hypoperfusion · Brain collateral stasis

Food & drinkInternal medicineCerebral hypoperfusionBrain collateral stasis

Hawthorn and Wood Ear Soup

Suitable for blood-stasis pattern of insufficient cerebral blood supply—dizziness, fixed headache, purple tongue or stasis spots; also as gentle daily cerebrovascular care (syndrome differentiation required). “Insufficient cerebral blood supply” is a lay term—underlying causes must be evaluated. Does not replace standard treatment.

Hawthorn, Ginger, and Tangerine Peel Drink

Cholecystitis · Food stagnation

Food & drinkInternal medicineCholecystitisFood stagnation

Hawthorn, Ginger, and Tangerine Peel Drink

Suitable for chronic cholecystitis with right upper abdominal discomfort, epigastric distension, and nausea after greasy food or poor digestion (syndrome differentiation required).

Heat-Clearing and Gallbladder-Benefiting Tea

Gallstones · Clear heat & benefit gallbladder

Food & drinkInternal medicineGallstonesClear heat & benefit gallbladder

Heat-Clearing and Gallbladder-Benefiting Tea

Daily adjunct for cholecystitis or gallstones with fever and pain (syndrome differentiation required); corn silk is also used as a gallstone tea substitute (syndrome differentiation required).

Hedyotis Diffusa Decoction Tea

Urethritis · Heat lin

Food & drinkInternal medicineLin syndrome (dysuria)Heat lin

Hedyotis Diffusa Decoction Tea

For heat toxin or damp–heat excess: sore throat, sores, scant burning dark urine (heat lin). Cantonese folk use as adjunct for heat-type urinary frequency and pain. Not a substitute for antibiotics, stone treatment, or oncology care.

Herbal Salt Pack Compress

Acute stiff neck · Wind-cold with stasis

External careInternal medicineAcute stiff neckWind-cold with stasis

Herbal Salt Pack Compress

Neck stiffness that eases with warmth (external use only).

Honey-Preserved Hawthorn

Angina pectoris · Food stasis support

Food & drinkInternal medicineAngina pectorisFood stasis support

Honey-Preserved Hawthorn

Daily adjunct in angina remission with food stagnation or elevated lipids (syndrome differentiation required). Food care in remission, not acute rescue.

Honey-Steamed Lily Bulb

Cough · Dry cough

Food & drinkInternal medicineCoughDry cough

Honey-Steamed Lily Bulb

Nourishes yin and moistens lung; for vacuity-fire consumptive cough, dry cough with little phlegm, dry throat.

Honeysuckle and Barley Congee

Rheumatic disorders (bì) · Heat outweighs damp

Food & drinkInternal medicineRheumatic disorders (bì)Heat outweighs damp

Honeysuckle and Barley Congee

Red hot swollen painful joints, irritability, bitter taste (pattern required).

Honeysuckle and Dandelion Drink

Urethritis · Damp-heat with painful urination

Food & drinkInternal medicineUrethritisDamp-heat with painful urination

Honeysuckle and Dandelion Drink

Adjunct for damp-heat urethritis; also cited for sore throat and mouth sores with heat-toxin (syndrome differentiation required). Acute urethritis should be treated primarily with antibiotics.

Hundred Ginger Juice

Cough · Wind-cold cough

Daily careInternal medicineCoughWind-cold cough

Hundred Ginger Juice

Suitable for coughing, asthma, chest tightness, light mouth, night cough, white tongue.

Hyakuba Honey Cream

Bronchitis · Lingering cough

Food & drinkInternal medicineBronchitisLingering cough

Hyakuba Honey Cream

It has an auxiliary remission effect on chronic cough caused by chronic bronchitis (syndrome differentiation required).

Imperata Root and Adzuki Bean Congee

Diarrhea · Damp-heat diarrhea

Food & drinkInternal medicineDiarrheaDamp-heat diarrhea

Imperata Root and Adzuki Bean Congee

For spleen-stomach damp-heat with poor appetite, distension, loose stools; also enteritis with internal damp-heat (syndrome differentiation required).

Japanese Knotweed External Application

Wheezing (xiào) · Heat wheezing

External careInternal medicineWheezing (xiào)Heat wheezing

Japanese Knotweed External Application

External adjunct reference for heat-type wheezing (syndrome differentiation required).

Job's Tears Congee

Rheumatic disorders (bì) · Strengthen spleen & drain damp

Food & drinkInternal medicineRheumatic disorders (bì)Strengthen spleen & drain damp

Job's Tears Congee

Daily damp-reducing support during remission (pattern required).

Jujube osmanthus root porridge

Depression (yù) · Qi & blood deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineAnemia (blood deficiency)Qi & blood deficiency

Jujube osmanthus root porridge

Suitable for low mood with deficiency of qi and blood, poor color, easy fatigue, irritable insomnia, palpitations and amnesia (need to be differentiated).

Kelp and Tofu Soup

Hypertension · With high blood lipids

Food & drinkInternal medicineHypertensionWith high blood lipids

Kelp and Tofu Soup

For hypertension with elevated lipids and vascular sclerosis; also for daily prevention of hyperlipidemia and coronary disease (syndrome differentiation required).

Kelp, Sargassum and Soybean Stew

Cirrhosis · Phlegm-damp stagnation

Food & drinkInternal medicineCirrhosisPhlegm-damp stagnation

Kelp, Sargassum and Soybean Stew

For early cirrhosis with phlegm-damp stagnation; also goiter and scrofula with phlegm binding (syndrome differentiation required).

Kidney-Tonifying Bone-Strengthening Decoction

Sciatica · Kidney deficiency with cold pain

Food & drinkInternal medicineSciaticaKidney deficiency with cold pain

Kidney-Tonifying Bone-Strengthening Decoction

Sciatica with cold pain worse in cold (physician supervision required).

Knee Steam Wash (Speranskia Pair)

Knee osteoarthritis · Wind-damp obstruction

External careInternal medicineKnee osteoarthritisWind-damp obstruction

Knee Steam Wash (Speranskia Pair)

Adjunct steam-wash for knee OA with cold-damp pattern.

Kudzu & Mulberry Twig Collateral Tea

Cervical spondylosis · Channel stagnation

Food & drinkInternal medicineCervical spondylosisChannel stagnation

Kudzu & Mulberry Twig Collateral Tea

Daily adjunct for stiff neck and shoulders; not equivalent to full clinical Ge Gen Sang Zhi decoctions with ephedra etc.

Kudzu and Pork Spine Soup

Cervical spondylosis · Channel stagnation

Food & drinkInternal medicineCervical spondylosisChannel stagnation

Kudzu and Pork Spine Soup

Channel stagnation pattern—neck pain, arm numbness, headache or dizziness (pattern differentiation required).

Kudzu Decoction (Stiff Neck)

Acute stiff neck · Wind-cold blocking collaterals

Food & drinkInternal medicineAcute stiff neckWind-cold blocking collaterals

Kudzu Decoction (Stiff Neck)

Morning neck stiffness with aversion to cold and no sweat (pattern differentiation required).

Kudzu Starch Congee

Diabetes (táng niào bìng) · Lung heat with fluid damage

Food & drinkInternal medicineDiabetes (táng niào bìng)Lung heat with fluid damage

Kudzu Starch Congee

For lung-heat with fluid injury (upper wasting) diabetes with polydipsia and dry mouth; also cited for older patients with diabetes plus hypertension or coronary disease (syndrome differentiation required).

Kudzu, Cinnamon Twig and Barley Congee

Frozen shoulder · Wind-cold-damp pattern

Food & drinkInternal medicineFrozen shoulderWind-cold-damp pattern

Kudzu, Cinnamon Twig and Barley Congee

Cold shoulder pain better with warmth (pattern required).

Kudzu, Eucommia, and Pork Spine Soup

Low back pain · Damp stagnation & strain

Food & drinkInternal medicineLow back painDamp stagnation & strain

Kudzu, Eucommia, and Pork Spine Soup

Sore weak back worse after work, fear of cold (pattern differentiation required).

Lamb and Radish Soup

Hiccups (è nì) · Food stagnation

Food & drinkInternal medicineHiccups (è nì)Food stagnation

Lamb and Radish Soup

Suitable for food-stagnation hiccups with epigastric distension, sour belching, poor appetite (syndrome differentiation required).

Ledebouriella Root Congee

Knee osteoarthritis · Wind-damp obstruction

Food & drinkInternal medicineKnee osteoarthritisWind-damp obstruction

Ledebouriella Root Congee

For wandering joint pain and limited flexion (differentiation required).

Licorice, Wheat, and Jujube Decoction

Anxiety · Heart yin deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineAnxietyHeart yin deficiency

Licorice, Wheat, and Jujube Decoction

For insufficient heart yin with disharmony of liver qi—visceral agitation, restlessness, mental fog, insomnia, irritability, and tendency to weep (syndrome differentiation required). Also cited for anxiety, depression, menopause, and neurasthenia when this pattern fits. Not a substitute for psychological counseling or drug therapy.

Ligustrum, Eucommia, and Pork Spine Soup

Low back pain · Kidney yin deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineLow back painKidney yin deficiency

Ligustrum, Eucommia, and Pork Spine Soup

Kidney yin deficiency back pain—fluctuating soreness, dry mouth, red tongue with little coat (pattern differentiation required).

Lily Almond Soup

Wheezing (xiào) · Remission care

Food & drinkInternal medicineWheezing (xiào)Remission care

Lily Almond Soup

It can be used for dry cough caused by lung dryness or lung yin deficiency, less phlegm, dry throat, and weak cough; it can also be used as a daily diet (auxiliary, non-therapeutic) for spring moisturizing and tranquilizing.

Lily and Lotus Seed Congee

Gastric ulcer · Cold deficiency recovery

Food & drinkInternal medicineGastric ulcerCold deficiency recovery

Lily and Lotus Seed Congee

For peptic ulcer recovery and weak spleen-stomach with vacuity vexation: vague stomach pain, poor appetite, loose or dry stools, restless sleep (syndrome differentiation required). Listed among suitable congees for gastric ulcer in multiple sources.

Lily Ear Spoon

Anxiety · Restless heart–mind

Food & drinkInternal medicineDepression (yù)Restless heart–mind

Lily Ear Spoon

It is suitable for people who are restless and dreamy and easy to wake up. (It must be differentiated). It is not a substitute for standard treatment.

Lily Lotus Dragon Eye Broth

Anxiety · Heart fire excess

Food & drinkInternal medicineAnxietyHeart fire excess

Lily Lotus Dragon Eye Broth

Suitable for anxious people with red tongue and light sleep (to be differentiated). It is not a substitute for professional psychological and medical treatment.

Lily Lotus Soup

Insomnia (bù miè) · Yin deficiency with fire

Food & drinkInternal medicineInsomnia (bù miè)Yin deficiency with fire

Lily Lotus Soup

It is suitable for insomnia due to yin deficiency and fire exuberance, such as anxiety, difficulty falling asleep, hot hands and feet, and dry mouth; it is also suitable for menopause, irritability, and insomnia (to be differentiated).

Lily porridge

Neurasthenia · Yin deficiency with fire

Food & drinkInternal medicineInsomnia (bù miè)Yin deficiency with fire

Lily porridge

Suitable for people with nervous weakness, weakness, and high fire, see insomnia, dreaminess, forgetfulness, distraction, and sentimentality (to be differentiated).

Lily soup

Cough · Dry cough

Food & drinkInternal medicineCoughDry cough

Lily soup

Nourishing yin and moisturizing the lungs to relieve cough, suitable for dry-heat cough, bloody phlegm, and lung deficiency cough in lung yin deficiency.

Lion’s Mane Mushroom and Red Jujube Soup

Gastritis · Spleen–stomach deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineGastritisSpleen–stomach deficiency

Lion’s Mane Mushroom and Red Jujube Soup

For chronic gastritis with spleen–stomach weakness as a daily stomach-care soup (syndrome differentiation required).

Longan and Lotus Seed Soup

Vertigo & dizziness

Food & drinkInternal medicineAnemia (blood deficiency)Heart–spleen deficiency

Longan and Lotus Seed Soup

For heart–spleen deficiency and blood insufficiency—insomnia, palpitations, forgetfulness, dizziness, fatigue; also for daily care in anemia, fatigue, and neurasthenia (syndrome differentiation required).

Longan and Ophiopogon Tonic Tea

Anxiety · Heart yin deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineAnxietyHeart yin deficiency

Longan and Ophiopogon Tonic Tea

For insufficient heart yin with blood deficiency—insomnia, vivid dreams, palpitations, forgetfulness, vexation, dry mouth and throat (syndrome differentiation required). Also cited for seasonal heart calming or dry mouth and throat after chemo/radiotherapy as adjunct care. Not a substitute for psychological counseling or drug therapy.

Longan and Rock Sugar Tea

Depression (yù) · Heart–spleen deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineAnemia (blood deficiency)Heart–spleen deficiency

Longan and Rock Sugar Tea

For heart-spleen deficiency low mood with overthinking, insomnia, forgetfulness, palpitations, sallow complexion (syndrome differentiation required).

Longan Rice Congee

Dementia · Qi & blood deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineVertigo & dizzinessQi & blood deficiency

Longan Rice Congee

For senile dementia with qi-blood deficiency: forgetfulness, fatigue, confused spirit, palpitations, insomnia, dull complexion (syndrome differentiation required).

Longan, Ginger and Jujube Soup

Neurasthenia · Heart blood deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineNeurastheniaHeart blood deficiency

Longan, Ginger and Jujube Soup

For middle-aged and older heart blood deficiency, insomnia, forgetfulness, neurasthenia, anemia (syndrome differentiation required).

Longan, Red Jujube, and Goji Tea

Insomnia (bù miè) · Heart–spleen deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineAnemia (blood deficiency)Heart–spleen deficiency

Longan, Red Jujube, and Goji Tea

For insomnia from heart–spleen dual deficiency—frequent vivid dreams, easy waking, fatigue, pale complexion, palpitations, forgetfulness (syndrome differentiation required).

Lophatherum Leaf Tea

Urethritis · Heat lin

Food & drinkInternal medicineLin syndrome (dysuria)Heat lin

Lophatherum Leaf Tea

For heart fire or damp–heat excess: summer irritability and thirst, mouth sores, scant burning dark urine; may assist heat lin with painful urination (syndrome differentiation required). Not a substitute for antibiotics or standard care.

Loquat Leaf Congee

Bronchitis · Phlegm-heat

Food & drinkInternal medicineBronchitisPhlegm-heat

Loquat Leaf Congee

Suitable for chronic bronchitis with internal phlegm-heat pattern—cough with yellow sputum or mild fever (syndrome differentiation required).

Lotus Leaf and Cassia Seed Tea

Fatty liver · Liver heat excess

Food & drinkInternal medicineDiabetes (táng niào bìng)Liver heat excess

Lotus Leaf and Cassia Seed Tea

For fatty liver with liver heat tendency, bitter taste, dry eyes, and elevated lipids (syndrome differentiation required).

Lotus Seed and Longan Soup

Anemia (blood deficiency) · Anemia with fatigue

Food & drinkInternal medicineAnemia (blood deficiency)Anemia with fatigue

Lotus Seed and Longan Soup

For anemia with fatigue, neurasthenia with dizziness, insomnia, palpitations, overthinking (syndrome differentiation required).

Lotus Seed, Poria and Euryale Longan Soup

Neurasthenia · Heart–spleen deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineAnemia (blood deficiency)Heart–spleen deficiency

Lotus Seed, Poria and Euryale Longan Soup

For palpitations, insomnia, forgetfulness, fatigue, anemia, neurasthenia (syndrome differentiation required).

Lysimachia Decoction (Daily Stone-Expelling Tea)

Kidney stones · Clear heat & promote urination

Food & drinkInternal medicineKidney stonesClear heat & promote urination

Lysimachia Decoction (Daily Stone-Expelling Tea)

For **damp-heat in the lower jiao** with **stone stranguria**, painful urination, hematuria, or flank colic; conservative adjunct for **small urate stones** (syndrome differentiation required). **Large calcium-rich stones need standard care such as surgery**; colic or hydronephrosis requires prompt medical attention.

Mint Red Jujube Recipe

Anxiety · Liver qi stagnation

Food & drinkInternal medicineAnxietyLiver qi stagnation

Mint Red Jujube Recipe

It is suitable for dizziness, insomnia, emotional distress, and throat discomfort (to be differentiated) due to insufficient qi and blood and mild wind-heat or liver qi stagnation. It is also used as a daily tea to soothe the liver and relieve depression in spring and summer. It is not a substitute for counselling and medication.

Mugwort Decoction Neck Compress

Acute stiff neck · Wind-cold with stasis

External careInternal medicineAcute stiff neckWind-cold with stasis

Mugwort Decoction Neck Compress

Home adjunct for stiff, heavy neck and shoulders after desk work; not a cure for disc disease or bone spurs.

Mulberry & Glutinous Rice Porridge

Vertigo & dizziness · Liver–kidney yin deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineAnemia (blood deficiency)Qi & blood deficiency

Mulberry & Glutinous Rice Porridge

For liver–kidney yin deficiency with qi–blood insufficiency—dizziness, tinnitus, sore weak back/knees, early graying, dry constipation; also mild convalescence or postpartum blood deficiency care (syndrome differentiation required). Not a substitute for medication.

Mulberry & Goji Berry Drink

Vertigo & dizziness · Liver–kidney yin deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineVertigo & dizzinessLiver–kidney yin deficiency

Mulberry & Goji Berry Drink

For liver–kidney yin deficiency: dizziness, sore weak back/knees, early gray hair, blurred vision, dry constipation; also daily care for night shifts, eye strain, or liver blood deficiency (syndrome differentiation required).

Mulberry and Beef Bone Soup

Osteoporosis · Nourish yin & blood

Food & drinkInternal medicineOsteoporosisNourish yin & blood

Mulberry and Beef Bone Soup

Yin–blood deficiency with dizziness or insomnia support (differentiation required).

Mulberry Leaf, Chrysanthemum, and Apricot Kernel Tea

Pneumonia · Wind-heat cough

Food & drinkInternal medicinePneumoniaWind-heat cough

Mulberry Leaf, Chrysanthemum, and Apricot Kernel Tea

Suitable for wind-heat cough during pneumonia—fever, red throat, yellow sputum (syndrome differentiation required).

Mulberry Mistletoe, Angelica & Pork Hock Soup

Joint effusion · Liver–kidney deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineJoint effusionLiver–kidney deficiency

Mulberry Mistletoe, Angelica & Pork Hock Soup

Recovery-phase soup when joint pain flares on and off with sore, weak knees and lower back, tinnitus, or dry mouth—patterns leaning toward root deficiency.

Mulberry Twig and Chicken Soup

Frozen shoulder · Wind-cold-damp pattern

Food & drinkInternal medicineFrozen shoulderWind-cold-damp pattern

Mulberry Twig and Chicken Soup

Shoulder pain with fatigue and cold sensitivity (pattern required).

Mulberry Twig and Chicken Soup

Cervical spondylosis · Qi & blood deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineVertigo & dizzinessQi & blood deficiency

Mulberry Twig and Chicken Soup

Qi–blood deficiency with obstruction—aching numb neck/shoulder/arm, fatigue (pattern differentiation required).

Mulberry Twig Decoction

Frozen shoulder · Early-stage collaterals

Food & drinkInternal medicineFrozen shoulderEarly-stage collaterals

Mulberry Twig Decoction

Early shoulder bi with limited movement (pattern required).

Mung Bean Sprout Juice

Urethritis · Hot, dark urine

Food & drinkInternal medicineUrethritisHot, dark urine

Mung Bean Sprout Juice

For urethritis with scanty hot urination and frequency (syndrome differentiation required).

Notoginseng and Longan Heart-Calming Soup

Coronary heart disease · Blood deficiency with stasis

Food & drinkInternal medicineCoronary heart diseaseBlood deficiency with stasis

Notoginseng and Longan Heart-Calming Soup

Suitable as daily adjunct when heart blood stasis combines with qi-blood deficiency: palpitations, insomnia, forgetfulness, dull or stabbing chest pain, sallow complexion, darkish tongue—blood deficiency with stasis (syndrome differentiation required). Does not replace standard treatment; severe chest pain not relieved by nitroglycerin requires emergency care.

Notoginseng and Salvia Congee

Cerebral infarction · Blood stasis blocking collaterals

Food & drinkInternal medicineCerebral infarctionBlood stasis blocking collaterals

Notoginseng and Salvia Congee

Suitable for numbness and stabbing pain in limbs, purple tongue with stasis spots; soft congee texture suits those with poor swallowing (adjust texture per medical advice). Does not replace antiplatelet agents, statins, secondary prevention, or rehabilitation training.

Notoginseng Steamed Black-Bone Chicken

Knee osteoarthritis · Yang qi deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineKnee osteoarthritisYang qi deficiency

Notoginseng Steamed Black-Bone Chicken

For cold aching knees, aversion to cold, and fatigue (differentiation required).

Notoginseng, Salvia & Spatholobus Congee

Knee osteoarthritis · Blood stasis obstruction

Food & drinkInternal medicineKnee osteoarthritisBlood stasis obstruction

Notoginseng, Salvia & Spatholobus Congee

For stabbing fixed joint pain and dusky tongue (differentiation required).

Notoginseng, Tangerine Peel & Lean Pork Soup

Joint effusion · Move blood & reduce swelling

Food & drinkInternal medicineJoint effusionMove blood & reduce swelling

Notoginseng, Tangerine Peel & Lean Pork Soup

Adjunct soup in the acute effusion phase when pain and effusion are prominent. Popular-science acute joint-injury diet cites quick relief of knee swelling and effusion without overly damaging upright qi (pattern required).

Nourishing Earth and Harmonizing Qi Congee (Pan-fried Rice Congee)

Diarrhea · General support

Food & drinkInternal medicineDiarrheaGeneral support

Nourishing Earth and Harmonizing Qi Congee (Pan-fried Rice Congee)

Suitable as a supportive staple during mild diarrhea recovery or when appetite is poor (syndrome differentiation required); aligns with the Yunnan Provincial Health Commission convalescent food-care approach “Nourishing Earth and Harmonizing Qi Congee.”

Ophiopogon and Bamboo Shavings Tea

Hiccups (è nì) · Stomach heat

Food & drinkInternal medicineHiccups (è nì)Stomach heat

Ophiopogon and Bamboo Shavings Tea

For stomach-heat counterflow hiccup with vexation: loud hiccups, thirst for cold drinks, red tongue with yellow coat, burning in stomach (syndrome differentiation required).

Ophiopogon and Goji Berry Congee

Cerebral hypoperfusion · Liver–kidney yin deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineVertigo & dizzinessLiver–kidney yin deficiency

Ophiopogon and Goji Berry Congee

For insufficient cerebral blood supply with yin deficiency heat: dizziness, dry mouth, vexation, insomnia (syndrome differentiation required). Not a substitute for treating hypertension, hyperlipidemia, arteriosclerosis, or other root causes.

Peppermint Essential Oil (Topical Headache)

Headache

External careInternal medicineHeadache

Peppermint Essential Oil (Topical Headache)

Used to relieve tension headaches; applied on the forehead, temples, neck, and earlobes for about 15 minutes for sensory relief (see source for who endorsement in public literature).

Perilla and Apricot Kernel Congee

Bronchitis · Cold retained in lung

Food & drinkInternal medicineBronchitisCold retained in lung

Perilla and Apricot Kernel Congee

Suitable for cold fluid retention in lung type chronic bronchitis—cough with copious white sputum, worse in cold, chest tightness and shortness of breath (syndrome differentiation required).

Daily careInternal medicineWind-cold & exterior

Perilla and Tangerine Peel Tea

For early external contraction with chest tightness and white phlegm.

Food & drinkInternal medicineWind-cold & exterior

Perilla Congee

For early wind-cold with poor appetite.

Daily careInternal medicineWind-cold & exterior

Perilla Ginger Tea

For early wind-cold with chills, no sweat, and stuffy nose.

Perilla Leaf and Peppermint Tea

Wheezing (xiào) · Remission care

Food & drinkInternal medicineWheezing (xiào)Remission care

Perilla Leaf and Peppermint Tea

Relieves asthma discomfort and chest oppression triggered by common cold (adjunct; syndrome differentiation required).

Perilla Seed and Hemp Seed Congee

Constipation · Qi stagnation constipation

Food & drinkInternal medicineConstipationQi stagnation constipation

Perilla Seed and Hemp Seed Congee

Suitable for qi-type constipation—urge to defecate but difficulty, distension, belching (syndrome differentiation required).

Perilla Seed and Tangerine Peel Decoction

Wheezing (xiào) · Cold wheezing

Food & drinkInternal medicineWheezing (xiào)Cold wheezing

Perilla Seed and Tangerine Peel Decoction

Suitable for wind-cold with copious phlegm, chest oppression, cough and wheezing, white copious sputum; adjunct for phlegm-damp obstructing lung asthma and chronic bronchitis with phlegm (syndrome differentiation required).

Perilla Seed Congee

Gastric ulcer · Qi stagnation

Food & drinkInternal medicineGastric ulcerQi stagnation

Perilla Seed Congee

Adjunct for gastric ulcer with qi stagnation, distension, and tendency to dry stools (syndrome differentiation required).

Perilla Seed, Tangerine Peel, and Almond Drink

Cough · Wind-cold cough

Daily careInternal medicineCoughWind-cold cough

Perilla Seed, Tangerine Peel, and Almond Drink

Suitable for wind-cold with copious phlegm, chest oppression, cough and wheezing, white copious sputum.

Persimmon Calyx and Brown Sugar Water

Hiccups (è nì) · Food stagnation

Food & drinkInternal medicineHiccups (è nì)Food stagnation

Persimmon Calyx and Brown Sugar Water

Suitable for qi counterflow hiccups—often loud belching after overeating, distension, slight relief after eructation (syndrome differentiation required).

Plantain Herb Clearing Tea (Daily Diuretic Care)

Urethritis · Damp-heat with painful urination

Food & drinkInternal medicineLin syndrome (dysuria)Damp-heat with painful urination

Plantain Herb Clearing Tea (Daily Diuretic Care)

For **damp-heat descending**: scanty hot urine, frequency, urgency, burning pain (heat stranguria); edema with reduced urine; **gout/hyperuricemia** as adjunct only (not a substitute for urate-lowering drugs). Sedentary habits related **prostatitis** frequency/urgency as supportive care (syndrome differentiation required). **Does not replace antibiotics**.

Plantain Light Bamboo Leaf Tea

Urethritis · Damp-heat with painful urination

Food & drinkInternal medicineUrethritisDamp-heat with painful urination

Plantain Light Bamboo Leaf Tea

Suitable for acute urethritis, urinary tract infection at the beginning: burning urine, dripping pain, yellowish red urine (must be differentiated).

Plantain Lin-Unbinding Decoction Tea

Urethritis · Heat lin

Food & drinkInternal medicineLin syndrome (dysuria)Heat lin

Plantain Lin-Unbinding Decoction Tea

For heat lin (acute UTI): frequency, urgency, pain, burning scant urine. May assist damp–heat prostate patterns with painful urination (syndrome differentiation required). Life Times / Pu Zhaohe commentary notes supportive effect on acute symptoms—not a substitute for antibiotics.

Plantain Piglet Belly Soup

Urethritis · Soup for urinary flow

Food & drinkInternal medicineUrethritisSoup for urinary flow

Plantain Piglet Belly Soup

It is effective for cystitis and urethritis; suitable for poor urination and frequent urination (with syndrome differentiation).

Poria & Coix Congee

Joint effusion · Strengthen spleen & drain damp

Food & drinkInternal medicineJoint effusionStrengthen spleen & drain damp

Poria & Coix Congee

For the recovery phase when the body feels heavy, the tongue coating is white and greasy, and effusion keeps returning without fully clearing.

Poria and Chinese Yam Porridge Paste

Gastric ulcer · Spleen deficiency with damp excess

Food & drinkInternal medicineEdema (shuǐ zhǒng)Spleen deficiency with damp excess

Poria and Chinese Yam Porridge Paste

Appropriate for damp-heavy spleen deficiency peptic ulcer with dull epigastric pain, heaviness in the body, loose stools, and a thick greasy tongue coating (syndrome differentiation required).

Poria Tangerine Peel Soup

Edema (shuǐ zhǒng) · Spleen deficiency with damp excess

Food & drinkInternal medicineEdema (shuǐ zhǒng)Spleen deficiency with damp excess

Poria Tangerine Peel Soup

It is suitable for edema due to dampness due to spleen deficiency. It can be seen that the body is drowsy, the limbs are swollen, the stool is thin, the urine is not smooth, and the tongue coating is white and thick. It is also used for daily auxiliary treatment of invigorating the spleen and removing dampness (need to be differentiated).

Pork heart stewed with cypress kernel

Depression (yù) · Restless heart–mind

Food & drinkInternal medicineDepression (yù)Restless heart–mind

Pork heart stewed with cypress kernel

Suitable for disturbed mood depression, such as severe insomnia, difficulty falling asleep, anxiety, and palpitation (to be differentiated).

Pork Kidney & Ginseng Congee

Knee osteoarthritis · Kidney qi deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineKnee osteoarthritisKidney qi deficiency

Pork Kidney & Ginseng Congee

For weak sore knees and fatigue on exertion (differentiation required).

Porridge with horse teeth

Diarrhea · Damp-heat diarrhea

Food & drinkInternal medicineDiarrheaDamp-heat diarrhea

Porridge with horse teeth

Suitable for people who have diarrhea after feeling epidemic poison, or acute enteritis is hot and poisonous, see diarrhea, stool viscosity, abdominal pain, acute posterior severe, anal burning (need to be differentiated).

Radish, Ginger, Apricot Kernel and Pear Decoction

Cough · Chronic cough

Food & drinkInternal medicineCoughChronic cough

Radish, Ginger, Apricot Kernel and Pear Decoction

For cough with abundant phlegm (syndrome differentiation required; use cautiously if cold-heat is mixed).

Radix Angelicae Dahuricae Windproof Asparag

Headache

Daily careInternal medicineHeadache

Radix Angelicae Dahuricae Windproof Asparag

It is used for migraine (referred to as "head wind" in Chinese medicine), and also has certain effects on wind-cold cold headache, rhinitis headache, and toothache.

Raw Hawthorn and Safflower Tea

Cerebral infarction · Blood stasis blocking collaterals

Food & drinkInternal medicineCerebral infarctionBlood stasis blocking collaterals

Raw Hawthorn and Safflower Tea

Suitable for blood stasis with purple tongue and chest tightness; also cited for blood-stasis dysmenorrhea, stabbing abdominal pain, and trauma (syndrome differentiation required). The 2026 stroke food care guidelines recommend hawthorn but not safflower; for daily care after cerebral infarction, [Notoginseng and Salvia Congee](/en/remedies/sanqi-danshen-zhou/) (without safflower) is often safer. Does not replace standard treatment.

Red Bean Braised Carp

Hepatitis · Internal water retention

Food & drinkInternal medicineHepatitisInternal water retention

Red Bean Braised Carp

For chronic hepatitis or cirrhotic ascites with leg edema, scanty urination, and abdominal distension (syndrome differentiation required; severe cases need medical care).

Red Bean Carp Soup

Edema (shuǐ zhǒng) · Spleen–kidney deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineEdema (shuǐ zhǒng)Spleen–kidney deficiency

Red Bean Carp Soup

It is suitable for lower limb edema, nephritic edema, gestational edema, and dystrophic edema caused by deficiency of both the spleen and the kidneys; it has an auxiliary conditioning effect on those with short urine, dysphoria, and fatigue (syndrome differentiation required).

Red bean porridge

Edema (shuǐ zhǒng) · Strengthen spleen & drain water

Food & drinkInternal medicineEdema (shuǐ zhǒng)Strengthen spleen & drain water

Red bean porridge

It is suitable for unfavorable urination, postpartum edema and milk, and is also used for daily moisture removal and diuresis (to be differentiated).

Red Jujube and Longan Soup

Qi & blood

Food & drinkInternal medicineQi & blood

Red Jujube and Longan Soup

Daily adjunct for dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, dull complexion, palpitations, insomnia, and forgetfulness from insufficient qi and blood. Not a dedicated headache formula—food care when deficiency underlies symptoms.

Red Jujube and Longan Tea

Anemia (blood deficiency) · Qi & blood deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineAnemia (blood deficiency)Qi & blood deficiency

Red Jujube and Longan Tea

For anemia, insomnia, palpitations, dizziness, and dull complexion from insufficient qi and blood; also for post-menstrual recovery (syndrome differentiation required).

Red Jujube and Peanut Soup

Hepatitis · Qi & blood deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineVertigo & dizzinessQi & blood deficiency

Red Jujube and Peanut Soup

For chronic hepatitis recovery with fatigue, poor complexion, and poor appetite (syndrome differentiation required).

Rice Wine Neck Rub

Acute stiff neck · Simple daily support

External careInternal medicineAcute stiff neckSimple daily support

Rice Wine Neck Rub

Trial home adjunct for tight painful neck; does not fix cervical structure.

Rose and Chrysanthemum Congee

Depression (yù) · Liver stagnation & spleen deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineDepression (yù)Liver stagnation & spleen deficiency

Rose and Chrysanthemum Congee

For liver depression and spleen deficiency low mood with chest tightness, irritability, poor appetite, fatigue, thinness, overthinking (syndrome differentiation required).

Safflower and Mugwort Foot Bath

Rheumatic disorders (bì) · Wind-cold-damp obstruction

External careInternal medicineRheumatic disorders (bì)Wind-cold-damp obstruction

Safflower and Mugwort Foot Bath

Adjunct foot soak; **not for varicose veins**.

Safflower, Goji, and Longan Tea

Coronary heart disease · Blood deficiency with stasis

Food & drinkInternal medicineCoronary heart diseaseBlood deficiency with stasis

Safflower, Goji, and Longan Tea

For qi and blood deficiency with stasis: scant menses, amenorrhea, postpartum stasis pain, and daily adjunct in coronary heart disease. Sources also mention cold uterus with scant or painful menses, sallow complexion, and cold hands and feet. Some materials claim regular use may support sleep, skin, and fading facial dark spots (syndrome differentiation required). Pure qi–blood deficiency (pale flow without clots) fits tonifying formulas without safflower—see [Red Jujube and Longan Qi-Boosting Formula](/remedies/hongzao-guiyuan-yiqi-fang/).

Safflower, Hawthorn, and Tangerine Peel Tea

Fatty liver · Blood stasis

Food & drinkInternal medicineFatty liverBlood stasis

Safflower, Hawthorn, and Tangerine Peel Tea

For blood-stasis fatty liver with stabbing pain in the liver region, purple dark tongue, or petechiae and ecchymoses (syndrome differentiation required). Not a substitute for lifestyle change or standard medical care.

Salvia Miltiorrhiza

Coronary heart disease · Heart blood stasis

Food & drinkInternal medicineCoronary heart diseaseHeart blood stasis

Salvia Miltiorrhiza

Suitable for cardiovascular stasis type coronary heart disease, angina pectoris remission period : chest tingling, pain fixation, purple and dark tongue, deep pulse, etc. See also ancillary data on hyperlipidemia and fatty liver (syndrome differentiation required). Food and nutrition in the palliative period, episodes of nitroglycerin and medical treatment .

Salvia miltiorrhiza safflower hawth

Diabetes (táng niào bìng) · With vascular complications

Food & drinkInternal medicineDiabetes (táng niào bìng)With vascular complications

Salvia miltiorrhiza safflower hawth

It is suitable for daily supplementation (syndrome differentiation required) in patients with long course of diabetes or complicated with vascular complications. It is not a substitute for hypoglycemia and standard treatment.

Salvia Miltiorrhiza Soy

Hepatitis · Blood stasis

Food & drinkInternal medicineFatty liverBlood stasis

Salvia Miltiorrhiza Soy

Suitable for patients with chronic hepatitis accompanied by liver discomfort and poor qi and blood function (must be differentiated).

Scallion White Rubbing Compress

Acute stiff neck · Wind-cold blocking collaterals

External careInternal medicineAcute stiff neckWind-cold blocking collaterals

Scallion White Rubbing Compress

Home adjunct after cold exposure with stiff neck or achy joints; most citations focus on belly cold or common cold—neck use is largely folk practice.

Schisandra Tea

Cough · Chronic cough

Daily careInternal medicineCoughChronic cough

Schisandra Tea

For wheezing cough and chronic bronchitis (public records; syndrome differentiation required).

Sesame Congee

Constipation · General tonifying care

Food & drinkInternal medicineConstipationGeneral tonifying care

Sesame Congee

Suitable for daily constipation conditioning (to be differentiated).

Shepherd’s Purse and Egg Soup

Kidney stones · 利水祛湿

Food & drinkInternal medicineKidney stones利水祛湿

Shepherd’s Purse and Egg Soup

For kidney stones and renal tuberculosis; also adjunct food care for frequent, urgent, or bloody urination (syndrome differentiation required).

Sichuan Pepper as Warming Seasoning

Sciatica · Cold-damp blocking collaterals

Food & drinkInternal medicineSciaticaCold-damp blocking collaterals

Sichuan Pepper as Warming Seasoning

Pain better with warmth (pattern required).

Smilax Glabra Formula for Stubborn Headache

Headache

Daily careInternal medicineHeadache

Smilax Glabra Formula for Stubborn Headache

For stubborn, persistent headache.

Soothing Liver and Relieving Stagnation Tea

Anxiety · Liver qi stagnation

Food & drinkInternal medicineAnxietyLiver qi stagnation

Soothing Liver and Relieving Stagnation Tea

Suitable for emotional suppression, frequent sighing, chest tightness, and rib-side distension (syndrome differentiation required). Does not replace counseling or medication.

Spinach Pork Liver Soup

Anemia (blood deficiency) · Iron-deficiency anemia

Food & drinkInternal medicineAnemia (blood deficiency)Iron-deficiency anemia

Spinach Pork Liver Soup

It is suitable for anemia, night blindness due to liver deficiency, and unclear vision (to be differentiated).

Spinach with Sesame Oil

Constipation · Heat-type constipation

Food & drinkInternal medicineConstipationHeat-type constipation

Spinach with Sesame Oil

Daily food-care adjunct for heat constipation (dry stools, dry mouth, foul breath) (syndrome differentiation required).

Spiny Jujube Seed Decoction (Suan Zao Ren Tang)

Insomnia (bù miè) · Heart–liver blood deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineInsomnia (bù miè)Heart–liver blood deficiency

Spiny Jujube Seed Decoction (Suan Zao Ren Tang)

Suitable for blood-deficiency insomnia with restlessness, palpitations, dizziness, many dreams and easy waking, general weakness; also shallow sleep that fails to refresh (syndrome differentiation required).

Stewed black fish with red beans and winter melon

Cirrhosis · Ascites

Food & drinkInternal medicineCirrhosisAscites

Stewed black fish with red beans and winter melon

Suitable for cirrhotic ascites, see abdominal enlargement, unfavorable urination, lower limb edema (syndrome differentiation required; medical management required).

Stewed Pear with Houttuynia

Cough · Wind-heat cough

Food & drinkInternal medicineCoughWind-heat cough

Stewed Pear with Houttuynia

Suitable for phlegm-heat cough with copious yellow thick phlegm that is hard to expectorate.

Stewed Pigeon with Gastrodia

Cerebral hypoperfusion · Liver yang rising

Food & drinkInternal medicineVertigo & dizzinessLiver yang rising

Stewed Pigeon with Gastrodia

Daily adjunct for cerebral hypoperfusion with liver yang rising—dizziness, head distension (syndrome differentiation required). Neurologist Zhu Yicheng of Peking Union Medical College Hospital notes moderate intake is acceptable, but food cannot replace drugs and effects are usually limited. Not a substitute for standard treatment.

Sugarcane, Imperata & Carrot Drink

Urethritis · Heat lin

Food & drinkInternal medicineLin syndrome (dysuria)Heat lin

Sugarcane, Imperata & Carrot Drink

For heat lin: short yellow painful urination with dry mouth (syndrome differentiation required).

Sunflower Stalk Pith Tea

Bronchitis · Cough

Food & drinkInternal medicineBronchitisCough

Sunflower Stalk Pith Tea

Suitable for cough with phlegm and wheezing; adjunct for chronic bronchitis cough and dyspnea (public records; syndrome differentiation required).

Talc & Rice Congee

Urethritis · Heat lin

Food & drinkInternal medicineLin syndrome (dysuria)Heat lin

Talc & Rice Congee

For heat lin: urinary tract/bladder infection pattern with frequent scant burning urination and dark yellow urine (syndrome differentiation required). Not a substitute for antibiotics or standard care.

Tangerine Peel, Hawthorn and Osmanthus Soup

Cerebral infarction · Phlegm-stasis blocking collaterals

Food & drinkInternal medicineCerebral infarctionPhlegm-stasis blocking collaterals

Tangerine Peel, Hawthorn and Osmanthus Soup

For phlegm-stasis obstructing collaterals in cerebral infarction recovery: heavy limbs, dark tongue, greasy coating, often with elevated blood pressure (syndrome differentiation required).

Three-Gold Lin Decoction (Tea)

Urethritis · Stone lin

Food & drinkInternal medicineLin syndrome (dysuria)Stone lin

Three-Gold Lin Decoction (Tea)

For stone lin (urinary stones): scant yellow painful urination, sandy sediment, occasional blood threads, with back pain (syndrome differentiation required). Colic or large stones need medical care.

Three-Ingredient Calming Spirit Soup

Insomnia (bù miè) · Heart–kidney disharmony

Food & drinkInternal medicineInsomnia (bù miè)Heart–kidney disharmony

Three-Ingredient Calming Spirit Soup

Suitable for yin-deficiency insomnia with restlessness, dry mouth, difficulty falling asleep, and many dreams (syndrome differentiation required).

Three-Seed Paste

Constipation · Intestinal dryness

Food & drinkInternal medicineConstipationIntestinal dryness

Three-Seed Paste

Suitable for intestinal dryness constipation (dry hard stools, deficient body with fluid depletion) and the elderly, postpartum women, or the weak with insufficient fluids and blood (syndrome differentiation required).

Trichosanthes Root and Honey Drink

Hiccups (è nì) · Stomach yin deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineHiccups (è nì)Stomach yin deficiency

Trichosanthes Root and Honey Drink

Suitable for hiccups with dry mouth and throat, red tongue with little coating, and dry stools (syndrome differentiation required).

Trichosanthes Root Congee

Diabetes (táng niào bìng) · Lung heat with fluid damage

Food & drinkInternal medicineDiabetes (táng niào bìng)Lung heat with fluid damage

Trichosanthes Root Congee

Suitable for diabetes with polydipsia, dry mouth, and frequent urination; also for lung-heat fluid injury patterns of wasting thirst (syndrome differentiation required).

Two Vines, Chuanxiong and Egg Soup

Frozen shoulder · Qi stagnation with blood stasis

Food & drinkInternal medicineFrozen shoulderQi stagnation with blood stasis

Two Vines, Chuanxiong and Egg Soup

Distending fixed shoulder pain (pattern required).

Two-Grass Two-Bark Fumigation Wash

Rheumatic disorders (bì) · Wind-cold-damp obstruction

External careInternal medicineRheumatic disorders (bì)Wind-cold-damp obstruction

Two-Grass Two-Bark Fumigation Wash

Active-phase joint pain and limited motion; cold/dark sites, heat, or stasis patterns need professional modification.

Vinegar-Soaked Egg Liquid

Rheumatic disorders (bì) · Folk remedies (unverified)

Food & drinkInternal medicineRheumatic disorders (bì)Folk remedies (unverified)

Vinegar-Soaked Egg Liquid

Folk claims for arthritis or frozen shoulder lack rigorous trials; perceived benefit may be placebo or natural fluctuation. For information only.

Walnut and Black Sesame Paste

Vertigo & dizziness · Kidney essence deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineVertigo & dizzinessKidney essence deficiency

Walnut and Black Sesame Paste

For vertigo from kidney essence deficiency, often in middle age and older, with sore weak lower back, tinnitus, and forgetfulness (syndrome differentiation required).

Walnut and Black Sesame Paste

Dementia · Tonify kidney & marrow

Food & drinkInternal medicineDementiaTonify kidney & marrow

Walnut and Black Sesame Paste

Daily adjunct for cognitive decline, especially with deficiency constipation (dry, weak stools) (syndrome differentiation required). Not a substitute for medication or cognitive rehabilitation.

Walnut and Ginger Soup

Wheezing (xiào) · Remission care

Food & drinkInternal medicineWheezing (xiào)Remission care

Walnut and Ginger Soup

For cold-deficiency asthma in remission—shortness of breath, fatigue, aversion to cold, cold limbs, thin clear sputum; also adjunct for chronic cough and wheezing with lung–kidney dual deficiency.

Walnut and Longan Congee

Rheumatic disorders (bì) · Qi & blood deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineAnemia (blood deficiency)Qi & blood deficiency

Walnut and Longan Congee

Weak aching joints, sore lower back and knees, dizziness, pale face (pattern required).

Walnut and Prepared Fleeceflower Root Drink

Dementia · Kidney essence deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineVertigo & dizzinessKidney essence deficiency

Walnut and Prepared Fleeceflower Root Drink

For liver–kidney deficiency and blood–essence insufficiency—dizziness, forgetfulness, sore weak lower back, early gray hair; daily adjunct when dementia fits kidney essence deficiency (syndrome differentiation required). Not a substitute for standard treatment or cognitive rehabilitation.

Walnut, Chicken Gizzard Lining, and Lygodium Spore Powder

Kidney stones · Resolve stones & unblock urine

Food & drinkInternal medicineKidney stonesResolve stones & unblock urine

Walnut, Chicken Gizzard Lining, and Lygodium Spore Powder

For various urinary tract stones, especially under 1 cm diameter (syndrome differentiation required).

Water Chestnut Grass Cold-Dispelling Formula

Wheezing (xiào) · Cold wheezing

Daily careInternal medicineWheezing (xiào)Cold wheezing

Water Chestnut Grass Cold-Dispelling Formula

For cold asthma and cold-phlegm cough per published folk formulas (syndrome differentiation required).

White Fruit Winter Melon Seed Almond Fang

Wheezing (xiào) · Heat wheezing

Food & drinkInternal medicineWheezing (xiào)Heat wheezing

White Fruit Winter Melon Seed Almond Fang

It is used for auxiliary conditioning of hot asthma, phlegm and other backgrounds (to be differentiated).

White Fungus and Lean Pork Congee

Dementia · Kidney essence deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineVertigo & dizzinessKidney essence deficiency

White Fungus and Lean Pork Congee

Suitable as staple dietary care for senile dementia with kidney essence deficiency—tinnitus, fuzzy memory, sore back, slow responses (syndrome differentiation required).

White Peony and Peach Kernel Congee

Frozen shoulder · Blood stasis obstruction

Food & drinkInternal medicineFrozen shoulderBlood stasis obstruction

White Peony and Peach Kernel Congee

Fixed shoulder pain worse at night (pattern required).

Winter Melon and Carp Soup

Cirrhosis · Internal water retention

Food & drinkInternal medicineCirrhosisInternal water retention

Winter Melon and Carp Soup

For cirrhosis with mild internal water retention—dry bitter mouth and bloating; also used as adjunct food care in icteric hepatitis (syndrome differentiation required).

Winter melon and mushroom soup

Fatty liver · Spleen deficiency with damp obstruction

Food & drinkInternal medicineFatty liverSpleen deficiency with damp obstruction

Winter melon and mushroom soup

Suitable for people with fatty liver disease with spleen deficiency and dampness retention, as part of the daily diet, to help reduce oily intake (syndrome differentiation required).

Winter melon corn beard lean broth

Cholecystitis · Drain damp & benefit gallbladder

Food & drinkInternal medicineCholecystitisDrain damp & benefit gallbladder

Winter melon corn beard lean broth

Suitable for chronic cholecystitis with mild water and moisture, for daily light soup (must be differentiated).

Winter melon corn beard soup

Edema (shuǐ zhǒng) · Internal damp excess

Food & drinkInternal medicineEdema (shuǐ zhǒng)Internal damp excess

Winter melon corn beard soup

It is suitable for edema with water and moisture, and it can be seen that the whole body is tired and fatigued, the urine is not smooth, the limbs are swollen, and the tongue coating is white and thick; it also has an auxiliary conditioning effect on those who are hot and humid in summer and urinate yellow and young (syndrome differentiation is required).

Winter melon rib soup

Edema (shuǐ zhǒng) · Kidney deficiency edema

Food & drinkInternal medicineEdema (shuǐ zhǒng)Kidney deficiency edema

Winter melon rib soup

It is suitable for daily auxiliary conditioning of lower limbs with edema and unfavorable urination; it is also used for edema and fatigue (to be differentiated) in summer in humid and hot weather.

Yam and Coix Seed Congee

Gastritis · Spleen–stomach deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineGastritisSpleen–stomach deficiency

Yam and Coix Seed Congee

Suitable for gastritis with spleen-stomach weakness—poor appetite, post-meal distension, body heaviness, tending toward loose stools (syndrome differentiation required).

Yam and Glutinous Rice Congee

Gastric ulcer · Cold deficiency recovery

Food & drinkInternal medicineGastric ulcerCold deficiency recovery

Yam and Glutinous Rice Congee

For deficiency-cold gastric ulcer recovery with cold stomach pain, cold limbs, poor appetite (syndrome differentiation required).

Yam and Glutinous Rice Congee

Gastritis · Spleen–stomach cold deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineGastritisSpleen–stomach cold deficiency

Yam and Glutinous Rice Congee

Suitable for gastritis with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold—cold pain in the stomach, cold hands and feet, poor appetite (syndrome differentiation required).

Yam and Red Bean Congee

Fatty liver · Spleen deficiency with damp excess

Food & drinkInternal medicineEdema (shuǐ zhǒng)Spleen deficiency with damp excess

Yam and Red Bean Congee

Suitable for fatty liver with spleen deficiency and damp excess—fatigue, heaviness, poor appetite (syndrome differentiation required).

Yam and Soft-Shelled Turtle Soup

Cirrhosis · Liver–kidney yin deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineVertigo & dizzinessLiver–kidney yin deficiency

Yam and Soft-Shelled Turtle Soup

Suitable for cirrhosis with sore weak lower back and knees, dry mouth with red tongue, fatigue, night sweats, and liver-spleen enlargement (syndrome differentiation required).

Yam barley rice porridge

Cholecystitis · Spleen tonifying recovery

Food & drinkInternal medicineCholecystitisSpleen tonifying recovery

Yam barley rice porridge

Suitable for the recovery period of chronic cholecystitis: weakness of the spleen and stomach, loss of appetite, and heavy physical sleepiness (to be differentiated).

Yam Congee with Clarified Butter and Honey

Diabetes (táng niào bìng) · Qi & yin deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineNeurastheniaQi & yin deficiency

Yam Congee with Clarified Butter and Honey

Suitable for diabetes with qi-yin or yin-yang deficiency—thirst, fatigue, sore weak lower back and knees, loose stools; also as a staple substitute when spleen-kidney qi is weak (syndrome differentiation required).

Yam lotus seed porridge

Diarrhea · Cold deficiency diarrhea

Food & drinkInternal medicineEdema (shuǐ zhǒng)Spleen deficiency with damp excess

Yam lotus seed porridge

Suitable for people with enteritis due to weakness of the spleen and stomach or usually prone to diarrhea and diarrhea, diarrhea when seeing stools, loss of appetite, drowsiness, and yellow complexion (need to be differentiated).

Yam Tea

Pulmonary tuberculosis · Spleen & lung deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicinePulmonary tuberculosisSpleen & lung deficiency

Yam Tea

Suitable for tuberculosis hot flashes, cough, spontaneous sweating, palpitations (must be differentiated).

山药黑豆粥

Vertigo & dizziness · Liver–kidney yin deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineVertigo & dizzinessLiver–kidney yin deficiency

山药黑豆粥

适合肝肾阴虚:须发早白、腰膝酸软;有助滋养肾精、乌发明目(须辨证)。

补肾乌发粥

Vertigo & dizziness · Liver–kidney yin deficiency

Food & drinkInternal medicineVertigo & dizzinessLiver–kidney yin deficiency

补肾乌发粥

适合肾虚见脱发、须发早白;日常滋补肝肾、健脾开胃(须辨证)。