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Catalog · By medicine

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A small, hand-picked catalog of iconic 中成药. Each entry explains what it is, where it comes from, and how it is traditionally discussed.

69 entries

  • Formula · Huò Xiāng Zhèng Qì

    Agastache Qi-Correcting

    藿香正气水

    A traditional "summer-damp" formula, widely carried in Chinese households for travel and the hot, sticky season, typically reached for at the first sign of digestive unease or "summer cold".

  • Formula · Guī Pí Wán

    Spleen-Restoring

    归脾丸

    A "heart-and-spleen tonifying" formula with a strong reputation in Chinese households for two connected complaints: difficulty falling asleep due to overthinking, and the kind of tiredness that comes from working or worrying too hard.

  • Formula · Bǎo Hé Wán

    Harmony-Preserving

    保和丸

    A "food-digesting, dampness-transforming" formula used in Chinese households for the all-too-familiar consequences of overeating, rich food, or a holiday dinner gone slightly too far.

  • Formula · Xiǎo Chái Hú Piàn

    Minor Bupleurum

    小柴胡片

    A classic "half-interior, half-exterior" formula from the Han dynasty, one of the most frequently discussed shao-yang remedies in Chinese households and the ancestor of dozens of later variations.

  • Formula · Guì Zhī Fú Líng Wán

    Cinnamon and Poria

    桂枝茯苓丸

    A gentle, five-ingredient formula from the Han dynasty, originally used for "masses below the waist" in women, and now one of the most commonly prescribed gynecological formulas in both Chinese and Japanese kampo practice.

  • Formula · Jīn Guì Shèn Qì Wán

    Golden Cabinet Kidney Qi

    金匮肾气丸

    A "warm and tonify the kidney yang" formula from the Han dynasty, best understood as the six-ingredient Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six Flavor Rehmanni) with cinnamon and aconite added back in to address the "yang" rather than the "yin" aspect.

  • Formula · Zhī Bǎi Dì Huáng Wán

    Anemarrhena and Phellodendron Rehmanni

    知柏地黄丸

    A "yin-tonic with heat-clearing" variation of Liuwei Dihuang Wan, best understood as the six-ingredient base formula with two "draining fire" herbs added to address pronounced "yin deficiency with fire" patterns.

  • Formula · Qǐ Jú Dì Huáng Wán

    Lycium and Chrysanthemum Rehmanni

    杞菊地黄丸

    A "liver-kidney yin tonic for the eyes" variation of Liuwei Dihuang Wan, best understood as the six-ingredient base with lycium fruit and chrysanthemum flower added to address dryness and fatigue of the eyes.

  • Formula · Lóng Dǎn Xiè Gān Wán

    Gentian Liver-Draining

    龙胆泻肝丸

    A strong "drain fire from the liver and gallbladder" formula, bitter, cold, and one of the most frequently discussed prescriptions for pronounced "liver fire" patterns in the head, eyes, and lower body.

  • Formula · Huáng Lián Shàng Qīng Wán

    Coptis Upper-Clearing

    黄连上清丸

    A "bitter-cold fire-draining" formula targeting the head and face, one of the most heavily stocked "fire-draining" OTC pills in Chinese pharmacies, used for short courses of pronounced "upper burner heat".

  • Formula · Fáng Fēng Tōng Shèng Wán

    Saposhnikovia Unblocking

    防风通圣丸

    A "release the exterior, drain the interior, and clear heat" formula from the Jin dynasty, unusually comprehensive in that it covers exterior, interior, and heat in a single prescription.

  • Formula · Dà Chái Hú Kē Lì

    Major Bupleurum

    大柴胡颗粒

    A "harmonize shaoyang and drain yangming" formula from the Han dynasty, the natural counterpart to Xiao Chaihu Tang, but with rhubarb added to address simultaneous interior heat and constipation.

  • Formula · Wǔ Líng Sǎn

    Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria

    五苓散

    A "water metabolism" formula from the Han dynasty, best understood as a gentle regulator of how the body handles water, used for short-term patterns of thirst, reduced urine, and mild edema.

  • Formula · Míng Mù Dì Huáng Wán

    Eye-Brightening Rehmanni

    明目地黄丸

    A "liver-kidney yin tonic for the eyes" formula with broader effect than Qi Ju Di Huang Wan, built on the six-ingredient base with additional eye-targeted herbs, used for chronic eye fatigue and early visual decline.

  • Formula · Niú Huáng Qīng Xīn Wán

    Calculus Bovis Heart-Clearing

    牛黄清心丸(局方)

    A high-end "clear the heart, open the orifices, calm the spirit" formula from the Song dynasty, one of the most expensive OTC preparations in Chinese pharmacies, traditionally given as a household "rescue" remedy.

  • Formula · Fù Zǐ Lǐ Zhōng Wán

    Aconite Center-Regulating

    附子理中丸

    A "strongly warm the center" variation of the classical Lizhong Wan, the same base formula with aconite added to address pronounced "spleen-kidney yang deficiency" patterns.

  • Formula · Liù Jūn Zǐ Wán

    Six Gentlemen

    六君子丸

    A "tonify qi, strengthen the spleen, dry dampness, transform phlegm" formula from the Song dynasty, one of the most frequently prescribed "digestive tonic" formulas in TCM practice, especially for the post-illness or chronically weak patient.

  • Formula · Xiāng Shā Yǎng Wèi Wán

    Cyperus and Amomum Stomach-Nourishing

    香砂养胃丸

    A "warm the center, move qi, transform dampness" digestive formula from the Qing dynasty, the formula of choice in TCM practice for the "weak stomach with cold and damp stagnation" presentation.

  • Formula · Shēn Líng Bái Zhú Sǎn

    Ginseng and Atractylodes Powder

    参苓白术散

    A "tonify spleen qi, leach dampness, stop diarrhea" formula from the Song dynasty, the gentlest of the major spleen-tonifying formulas, often chosen for chronic digestive weakness in thin, tired patients.

  • Formula · Èr Chén Wán

    Two-Cured Decoction

    二陈丸

    A foundational "dry dampness, transform phlegm, regulate qi, harmonize the center" formula from the Song dynasty, the ancestor of nearly every later phlegm-damp formula in the tradition.

  • Formula · Shēn Sū Wán

    Ginseng and Perilla

    参苏丸

    A "tonify qi, release the exterior, transform phlegm" formula from the Song dynasty, the formula of choice for the common cold in a weak or qi-deficient patient who normally catches every cold that goes around.

  • Formula · Qǐ Pí Wán

    Spleen-Opening

    启脾丸

    A pediatric-oriented "open the spleen, harmonize the center, resolve food stagnation" formula from the Ming dynasty, one of the most commonly suggested TCM tonics for children with weak digestion.

  • Formula · Yuè Jū Wán

    Six Stagnations

    越鞠丸

    A "resolve the six stagnations" formula from the Yuan dynasty, qi, blood, phlegm, fire, dampness, and food, the classical TCM "regulate everything that gets stuck" formula.

  • Formula · Yù Píng Fēng Kē Lì

    Jade Windscreen Powder

    玉屏风颗粒

    A "tonify qi, secure the exterior, stop sweating" formula from the Yuan dynasty, the most frequently prescribed "prevent-catch-cold" formula in TCM pediatric and geriatric practice.

  • Formula · Qiáng Lì Pí Pá Gāo

    Strong Loquat Syrup

    强力枇杷膏(蜜炼)

    A honey-refined "runfei zhi-ke" (moisten the lung and stop cough) syrup from the 1969 Pharmacopoeia, widely sold over the counter in Chinese pharmacies for dry, tickling cough.

  • Formula · Chuān Bèi Pí Pá Gāo

    Chuanbei Loquat Syrup

    川贝枇杷膏

    A flagship "runfei zhi-ke" loquat-and-fritillaria syrup from the 1956 Pharmacopoeia, the more "classical" sibling of the modern honey-refined Strong Loquat Syrup.

  • Formula · Wū Jī Bái Fèng Wán

    Black-Bone Chicken Phoenix

    乌鸡白凤丸

    A signature gynecological "bu-qi yang-xue" (tonify qi and nourish blood) formula from Gong Tingxian's "Longevity and Life Preservation" (1549), built around black-bone chicken and a large herb list.

  • Formula · Diē Dǎ Wán

    Bone-Setting Pills

    跌打丸

    A trauma-oriented "huo-xue xiao-zhong" (invigorate blood and reduce swelling) formula associated with Lin Daoren's "Secret Treatise on Bone-Knitting", one of the standard Chinese household formulas for bruises and knocks.

  • Formula · Bā Zhēn Yì Mǔ Wán

    Eight-Treasure Motherwort

    八珍益母丸

    A gynecological "bu-qi yang-xue, tiao-jing" (tonify qi and blood, regulate menstruation) formula from the Qing-dynasty "Golden Mirror of Medicine", the motherwort-augmented form of the classic Eight-Treasure decoction.

  • Formula · Xiāo Yáo Piàn

    Free Wanderer Tablets

    逍遥片

    A flagship "tiao-he gan-pi" (harmonize liver and spleen) formula from the Song-dynasty "Formulary of the Bureau of Medicine" (1078), the most widely sold "liver-qi stagnation" formula in TCM.

  • Formula · Huáng Lián Sù Piàn

    Berberine Tablets

    黄连素片

    A modern "qing-re zao-shi" (clear heat and dry dampness) single-component preparation from the 1977 Pharmacopoeia, essentially the isolated alkaloid berberine HCl extracted from Coptis (huanglian).

  • Formula · Jiàn Pí Wán

    Spleen-Strengthening Pills

    健脾丸

    A "jian-pi xiao-shi" (strengthen the spleen and digest food) formula from Wang Kentang's "Standards for Diagnosis and Treatment", the classical TCM "weak digestion" formula.

  • Formula · Má Rén Wán

    Hemp Seed Pills

    麻仁丸

    A "run-chang tong-bian" (moisten the intestines and unblock the bowels) formula from Zhang Zhongjing's "Treatise on Cold Damage" (c. 200 CE), the canonical TCM "constipation from dryness" formula.

  • Formula · Huáng Qí Jiàn Zhōng Wán

    Astragalus Construct Center Pills

    黄芪建中丸

    A "wen-zhong bu-xu, yi-qi jian-zhong" (warm the middle, tonify deficiency, augment qi, and build the center) formula from Zhang Zhongjing's "Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet" (c. 220 CE), the Astragalus-augmented form of Xiao Jian Zhong Tang.

  • Formula · Wēn Jīng Tāng Kē Lì

    Warm the Menses Granules

    温经汤颗粒

    A "wen-jing san-han, yang-xue qu-yu" (warm the channels, disperse cold, nourish blood, dispel stasis) formula from Zhang Zhongjing's "Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet" (c. 220 CE), the canonical TCM "cold-stasis" gynecological formula.

  • Formula · Yīn Chén Wǔ Líng Wán

    Yinchen Five-Ingredient Pills

    茵陈五苓丸

    A "qing-re li-shi, tui-huang" (clear heat, drain dampness, and reduce jaundice) formula from Zhang Zhongjing's "Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet" (c. 220 CE), the canonical "damp-heat jaundice" formula.

  • Formula · Jiā Wèi Xiāo Yáo Wán

    Augmented Free Wanderer

    加味逍遥丸

    A "shu-gan qing-re, jian-pi yang-xue" (smooth the liver, clear heat, strengthen the spleen, nourish blood) formula from Li Chan's "Introduction to Medicine" (1575), the "cooled" form of the classical Xiao Yao San.

  • Formula · Dāng Guī Lóng Huì Wán

    Angelica Gentian Dragon

    当归龙荟丸

    A "qing-xie gan-dan shi-huo" (clear and drain excess fire from liver and gallbladder) formula from Liu Wansu's "Elucidations of Formulas" (1172), one of the most strongly purgative classical "liver-fire" formulas.

  • Formula · Ān Shén Bǔ Xīn Wán

    Calm-Spirit Heart-Tonifying

    安神补心丸

    A modern "yang-xin an-shen" (nourish the heart and calm the spirit) formula standardized in the 1977 Pharmacopoeia, the most widely sold TCM "insomnia + heart-flutter" formula in mainland China.

  • Formula · Rén Shēn Guī Pí Wán

    Ginseng Spleen-Returning

    人参归脾丸

    A "yi-qi bu-xue, jian-pi yang-xin" (augment qi, tonify blood, strengthen the spleen, nourish the heart) formula from Yan Yonghe's "Formulary to Aid the Living" (1253), the ginseng-substituted, stronger form of the classical Gui Pi Tang.

  • Formula · Bǎi Zǐ Yǎng Xīn Wán

    Biota Heart-Nourishing

    柏子养心丸

    A modern "yang-xin an-shen, zi-yin bu-shen" (nourish the heart and calm the spirit, enrich yin and tonify the kidney) formula standardized in the PRC Pharmacopoeia, the most widely sold "overworked heart-yin" formula in mainland China.

  • Formula · Zuǒ Guī Wán

    Left-Restoring

    左归丸

    A "pure tonification, no draining" (纯补无泻) kidney-yin formula from Zhang Jingyue's Ming-dynasty "Complete Works of Jingyue", the more potent, "no-draining" counterpart of the classic Liuwei Dihuang Wan.

  • Formula · Dà Huó Luò Wán

    Major Channel-Activating

    大活络丸

    A large, multi-action "qu-feng hua-tan huo-xue" (expel wind, transform phlegm, invigorate blood) formula from the Qing-dynasty "Standards of the Lantai", one of the most compound classical prescriptions in the TCM canon, with over forty ingredients.

  • Formula · Xiǎo Huó Luò Wán

    Minor Channel-Activating

    小活络丸

    A compact "qu-feng san-han hua-shi huo-xue" (expel wind, scatter cold, transform dampness, invigorate blood) formula from the Song-dynasty "Formulary of the Bureau of Medicine", the simpler, smaller-scale counterpart of Da Huo Luo Wan.

  • Formula · Sū Hé Xiāng Wán

    Liquidambar Opening

    苏合香丸

    A "wen-tong kai-qiao, pi-hui hua-zhuo" (warm and open the orifices, dispel turbidity) formula from the Song-dynasty "Formulary of the Bureau of Medicine", the most representative "warm-opening" prescription in the TCM canon, as opposed to the "cool-opening" An Gong Niu Huang Wan.

  • Formula · Suō Quán Wán

    Stream-Reducing

    缩泉丸

    A small, focused "wen-shen suo-niao" (warm the kidney and reduce urine) formula from the Song-dynasty "Wei's Family Formulary", the most prescribed classical OTC formula for frequent urination and childhood enuresis in East Asia.

  • Formula · Dān Zhī Xiāo Yáo Wán

    Moutan-Gardenia Free Wanderer

    丹栀逍遥丸

    A "shu-gan jie-yu, qing-re liang-xue" (spread the liver, resolve constraint, clear heat, cool blood) formula from the Ming-dynasty "Essentials of Internal Medicine", the "heat-clearing" expansion of the classic Xiao Yao San.

  • Formula · Jiā Wèi Zuǒ Jīn Wán

    Augmented Left-Metal

    加味左金丸

    An "qing-gan he-wei, jiang-ni zhi-ou" (clear the liver and harmonize the stomach, descend counterflow and stop vomiting) formula, the augmented expansion of the classical Zuo Jin Wan with additional qi-regulating and pain-stopping herbs.

  • Formula · Xiāng Shā Liù Jūn Wán

    Aucklandia-Amomum Six Gentlemen

    香砂六君丸

    A "jian-pi he-wei, li-qi zhi-tong" (strengthen the spleen, harmonize the stomach, regulate qi, stop pain) formula from the Qing-dynasty "Golden Mirror of Medicine", the "qi-regulating" expansion of the classical Liu Jun Zi Tang.

  • Formula · Zuǒ Jīn Wán

    Left-Metal

    左金丸

    A two-ingredient "qing-gan xie-huo, jiang-ni zhi-ou" (clear the liver and drain fire, descend counterflow and stop vomiting) formula from Zhu Danxi's Yuan-dynasty "Danxi's Experiential Therapy", perhaps the most distilled classical OTC formula for "liver-fire invading the stomach".

  • Formula · Chuān Xiōng Chá Tiáo Wán

    Chuanxiong Tea-Adjusting

    川芎茶调丸

    A "shu-feng zhi-tong" (spread wind and stop pain) formula from the Song-dynasty "Formulary of the Bureau of Medicine", the most prescribed classical OTC formula for "wind-cold" headache, traditionally taken with green tea.

  • Formula · Bā Zhèng Piàn

    Eight-Rectifying Tablet

    八正片

    A tablet form of the classical "qing-re xie-huo, li-niao tong-lin" (clear heat and drain fire, promote urine and unblock painful urination) formula from the Song-dynasty "Formulary of the Bureau of Medicine", the most prescribed classical OTC formula for "damp-heat" urinary discomfort.

  • Formula · Dǎo Chì Wán

    Heart-Draining Red

    导赤丸

    A pill form of the classical "qing-xin li-niao yang-yin" (clear the heart, promote urine, nourish yin) formula from the Song-dynasty "Key to Therapeutics of Children's Diseases", the foundational "heart-fire" formula in TCM pediatrics.