Chinese Classification of the Materia Medica
Essential to the study and understanding of Materia Medica is a form of classification. This makes it easier to learn and apply clinically and also helps to find substitute medicines. For example, in the Chinese classification, the order of listing herbs within a category aims at putting similar herbs together, so that if one herb is unavailable the herb next to it will make a reliable substitute. Thus, this is how herbs are sorted in Chinese Dispensatories.Despite the fact that there are several methods of categorising Materia Medica, the best method are function-based. For example, ‘Anti-tussives’ or ‘Anti-Arthritics’. The Chinese system is function-based, but also energetic-based. For example, ‘Herbs that clear Wind and Damp’ are Anti-arthritic, as Arthritis and Rheumatism is most commonly associated with Wind and Damp.
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a. Clear the Exterior Diaphoretics, Sudorifics–medicines to open the skin i. Warm herbs for Exterior Cold ii. Cold herbs for Exterior Heat b. Clear Heat Anti-bacterial, Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-pyretic i. Herbs that Clear Strong Heat or Fire ii. Herbs to Clear Heat iii. Herbs that Clear Heat and Damp iv. Herbs that Clear Heat, Cool the Blood v. Herbs that Clear Heat and Toxin c. Clear Damp and Promote Urine Diuretics–medicines that activate the Kidneys d. Clear Wind and Damp Anti-arthritics, Anti-rheumatics–medicines that treat Joint Disease e. Laxatives, Purgative and Cathartics Laxative, Purgatives and Cathartics–medicines that active the Bowels i. Laxatives ii. Purgatives iii. Cathartics iv. Purgatives of the Humors f. Emetics Medicines that cleanse the Stomach and Purge Phlegm upwards g. Sedate the Heart, Mind and Spirit Sedatives–medicines that sedate the Mind h. Nourish the Heart Sedatives–medicines that benefit the Heart and calm the Mind and Nerves i. Settle Internal Wind Antispasmodics, Anticonvulsants, Anti-hypertensives–medicines that calm the Nerves and stop Spasms. |
j. Regulate the Qi Carminatives–medicines that soothe the Muscles and regulate the Nerves i. Move the Qi ii. Aromatics that Resolve Dampness iii. Aromatics that Open the Orifices iv. Nerve Stimulants k. Medicines which Move the Blood Anti-coagulants–medicines that promote Blood circulation and remove Blood obstructions l. Medicines which Stop Bleeding Hemostatics–medicines that stop Bleeding m. Medicines to Warm to Expel Cold Metabolic and Circulatory Stimulants n. Tonics Restortatives–medicines that strengthen weakness and restore in deficiency i. Chinese Tonics: Qi, Blood, Yin, Yang ii. Western Tonics: Heart, Brain, Liver, Semen iii. Ayurvedic Tonics: Rasayana o. Medicines which Promote Digestion Digestives–medicines that increase Digestion p. Clear Phlegm Mucolytics–medicines which dispel Phlegm i. Warm Herbs that Clear Cold Phlegm ii. Cold Herbs which Clear Hot Phlegm q. Medicines for Cough and Wheezing Anti-tussives, Anti-asthmatics r. Astringents Astringent–medicines to prevent excess leakage s. Medicines for Worms & Parasites Anthelmintic–medicines for Worms & Parasites t. External Medicines Medicines primarily for external use |