Chinese Herb Safety Index
Read this first
This page is an index, not medical advice, and it has not been medically reviewed. It reproduces the caution statements that already appear on this site’s own herb entries. Nothing has been added, ranked, or interpreted — each line is quoted from the entry it links to.
Chinese herbs are not harmless because they are natural. Some are toxic, some interact with prescription medicines, and some are contraindicated in pregnancy. Several require professional processing and dosing before they are safe to use at all. Do not start, stop, combine or dose any herb on the basis of this page. Speak to a licensed practitioner — and tell them about every medicine you already take.
If you think you have taken something harmful, contact your local poison control centre or emergency services immediately.
What this index is
Every herb entry on this site records its classical properties, its traditional actions, and any cautions attached to it. This page collects those cautions in one place so that a reader can check an entry before relying on it. The three sections below cover, in order: entries whose properties record a toxicity, entries recorded as contraindicated in pregnancy, and every other entry carrying a caution statement.
How to read the vocabulary
The cautions use two different vocabularies and it matters which is which:
- TCM pattern terms — “deficiency-cold”, “yin deficiency with effulgent fire”, “blood deficiency”. These describe a pattern in traditional theory. They are not diagnoses and they are not the same as a medical condition.
- Modern safety statements — blood pressure, warfarin, bleeding disorders, restricted substances. These are the ones a practitioner or pharmacist needs to see.
A single entry often carries both. Where an entry says a herb is contraindicated, it means the classical literature advises against that combination or situation.
1. Herbs whose properties record a toxicity 128 entries
These entries state a toxicity in the herb’s own property line — the traditional classification of “toxic” or “slightly toxic”. It is not a ranking of how dangerous each one is, and it does not include herbs whose action is described as “removing toxicity”, which is a therapeutic function rather than a warning.
| Entry | Latin name | Chinese | Recorded on that entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alocasia Macrorrhiza (Common Alocasia Rhizome) | — | 海芋 | toxic It is contraindicated to pregnant women and weak people. |
| Ba Dou: Chinese Herb Guide | Fructus Crotonis | 巴豆 | toxic It is contraindicated to the pregnant women and valetudinarian, and is incompatible with Qian Niu Zi. |
| Ba Jiao Feng Gen (Chinese Alangium Root) | — | 八角枫根 | slightly toxic It is contraindicated to pregnant women, children, old man and weak people. Avoid eating fish when taking this medicine. |
| Ba Jiao Lian: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 八角莲 | toxic It is contraindicated to pregnant women and weak people. |
| Bai Guo: Chinese Herb Guide | Semen Ginkgo | 白果 | slightly toxic It is contraindicated for raw use because this unprocessed herb is toxic. Take overdose of stir-baked herb can also induce toxication, especially for infants. Being astringe property, it should be used with cautions for cough and dyspnea with thick phlegm and… |
| Bai Hua Dan: Chinese Herb Guide | Radix Plumbaginis Zeylanicae | 白花丹 | toxic It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Bai Shu Lang (白薯莨): Chinese Herb Guide | — | 白薯莨 | toxic It is for external use only. Avoid taking orally. |
| Bai Ying (Herba Solani Lyrati) | Herba Solani Lyrati | — | slightly toxic It is contraindicated to weak people without damp-heat. |
| Ban Mao: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 斑蝥 | toxic It is contraindicated to weak people and pregnant women. Because of its strong toxicity, it should be used cautiously when taken orally. |
| Bi Ma Zi: Chinese Herb Guide | Semen Ricini | — | toxic It is contraindicated to pregnant women and people with loose stool. |
| Bunge pricklyash seed | — | 椒目 | slightly toxic It is contraindicated in case of yin deficiency with effulgent fire. |
| Camphor: Chinese Herb Guide | — | — | slightly toxic It is contraindicated for qi deficiency and pregnant women. It should be used very carefully for people with skin allergy. It should not be overdose for qi deficiency when taking orally. |
| Cang Er Zi: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 苍耳子 | toxic Not suitable for headache due to blood deficiency. Overdose will lead to toxication. |
| Cao Wu Ye: Chinese Herb Guide | Folium Aconiti Kusnezoffii | — | slightly toxic It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Ce Zi: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 侧子 | toxic it is contraindicated in case of yin deficiency with overabundance of yangand pregnant women. |
| Chalcanthite: Chinese Herb Guide | — | — | toxic It is contraindicated in the case of the weak constitution. Internal use of the herb could impair the mucosa of mouth or stomach, therefore, it is better for external use. |
| Chan Chu: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 蟾蜍 | toxic It is contraindicated in case of prostration and exterior heat. |
| Chong Lou (Chinese Paris Rhizome) | — | 重楼 | slightly toxic It is contraindicated to the pregnant women. |
| Chuan Lian Zi (Toosendan Fruit) | — | — | toxic It is bitter, cold and mildly toxic in property, so it can easily induce nausea, vomiting, etc. when overtaken. |
| Chuan She Gan: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 川射干 | toxic It is contraindicated to pregnant women and weak people with loose stool. |
| Chuan Wu (Common Monkshood Mother Root) | — | — | toxic It is contraindicated to pregnancy, and antagonistic to Ban Xia, Gua Lou, Bei Mu, Bai Lian and Bai Ji. It should be processed for oral administration; and cautions should be paid when the crude products are taken orally or it is used in wine soak and decocted… |
| Da Bai Yao: Chinese Herb Guide | Herba Marsdeniae Griffithii | 大白药 | toxic It is forbidden using with Bai Cao Shuang. |
| Da Feng Zi: Chinese Herb Guide | Semen Hydnocarpi | 大风子 | toxic It should be used very carefully for oral administration and it is contraindicated for yin deficiency with blood-heat. |
| Devilstongue (Rivier Giantarum Rhizome) | Rhizoma Amorphophalli | 魔芋 | toxic It is contraindicated to eat the raw drug. Don’t take overdose. |
| Di Bu Rong: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 地不容 | toxic Be careful when taking orally. |
| Dog Cystolith: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 狗宝 | slightly toxic It is contraindicated for weakness of the spleen and the stomach and deficiency of qi and blood. |
| Entada phaseoloides (Semen Entadae) | Semen Entadae | 榼藤子 | toxic It is contraindicated to use the raw product. |
| Epigeal Srephaia Root | — | 地不容 | toxic Be careful when taking orally. |
| Ergota: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 麦角 | toxic Avoid using it during period of dilation. |
| Euphorbia Kansui (Gansui Root) | Radix Kansui | 甘遂 | toxic It is contraindicated to the pregnant women and valetudinarian, and antagonistic to Gan Cao. |
| Fen Shuang: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 粉霜 | toxic It is contraindicated to pregnant women and weak people. Be careful for oral taking. |
| Fu Pian (Radix Aconiti Lateralis Praeparata) | Radix Aconiti Lateralis Praeparata | 附子 | toxic It is contraindicated for heat syndrome, yin-deficiency leading to hyperactivity of yang and the pregnant because of its pungent, hot, dry and drastic properties. It must be soaked for oral use. Over-dosage, incorrect processing and decoction must be avoided. |
| Fu Shui Cao: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 腹水草 | slightly toxic It is contraindicated to pregnant women and weak people. |
| Gadfly (Tabanus) in TCM | — | 虻虫 | toxic It is contraindicated for qi and blood deficiency, menstrual period and pregnant women. |
| Gan Qi: Chinese Herb Guide | Resina Toxicodendri | 干漆 | toxic It is contraindicated to pregnant women and weak people without blood stasis. |
| Garden balsam seed (Seed of Garden Balsam) | — | 急性子 | slightly toxic It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Gryllus Chinensis: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 蟋蟀 | toxic It is contraindicated to pregnant women and weak people. |
| Guan Zhong: Chinese Herb Guide | Rhizoma Cyrtomii | 贯众 | slightly toxic Since it is slightly poisonous, overdosage should be avoided. Oily food is prohibited while taking this herb. It should be used cautiously to pregnant women. |
| Hai Yu (Alocasia Macrorrhiza) | — | 海芋 | toxic It is contraindicated to pregnant women and weak people. |
| He Shi: Chinese Herb Guide | Fructus Carpesii | 鹤虱 | slightly toxic Prohibited for pregnant women. |
| Hei Gu Tou (Forrest Silkvine Stem or Root) | — | 黑骨头 | slightly toxic Do not take overdose. It is contraindicated in case of hepatitis and peptic ulcer. |
| Hei Mian Ye (Fruticose Breyniae Leaf and Twig) | Folium Et Cacumen Breyniae Fruticosae | 黑面叶 | slightly toxic It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Hong Da Ji (Knoxia Root) in TCM | — | — | slightly toxic It is contraindicated to the weak and pregnant women. |
| Hong Niang Chong: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 红娘虫 | toxic It is contraindicated to pregnant women and weak people. |
| House Lizard: Chinese Herb Guide | — | — | slightly toxic It should be used cautiously for patients with blood and qi deficiency. |
| Hu Zhang Cao: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 虎掌草 | slightly toxic Avoid contacting with skin for a long time. |
| Hua Shan Shen (Radix Physochlainae) | Radix Physochlainae | 华山参 | toxic It is toxic, so it cann’t be taken overdosage. It is contraindicated to pregnant women, glaucoma and severely prostatic hypertrophy. |
| Huang Fan: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 黄矾 | toxic It is toxic so it should not be used overdose or for a long time. Be careful for oral taking. |
| Huang Yao Zi (Rhizoma Dioscoreae Bulbiferae) | Rhizoma Dioscoreae Bulbiferae | — | slightly toxic It shouldn’t be taken overdosage. |
| Indian Iphigenia Bulb (Rhizoma Pleionis) | Rhizoma Pleionis | 山慈姑 | slightly toxic It is contraindicated for weak people. |
| Ji Yu Dan: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 鲫鱼胆 | toxic It is toxic, so avoid taking directly。 It is contraindicated in case of hepatic and renal insufficiency. |
| Jin Tie Suo (Radix Psammosilenes) | Radix Psammosilenes | 金铁锁 | slightly toxic It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Jing Da Ji (Radix Euphorbiae Pekinensis) | Radix Euphorbiae Pekinensis | 京大戟 | toxic It is contraindicated to pregnancy and valetudinarian, and antagonistic to Gan Cao. |
| Ku Lian Gen Pi (Chinaberry Bark and Root-bark) | Cortex Meliae | 苦楝皮 | toxic Do not take in an excessive dose or long because of its toxicity. Decoct it long on a slow fire because the curative ingredients are difficult in dissolving. |
| Ku Mu: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 苦木 | slightly toxic It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Lang Du (Langdu Root) in TCM | — | — | toxic It is contraindicated to pregnant women and weak people. |
| Lei Gong Teng (Common Threewingnut Root) | — | — | toxic It should be used very carefully for oral taking because it is with strong toxicity. It must be less than half an hour for external application, or it will cause blister. |
| Lei Wan (Omphalia) in TCM | — | — | toxic Do not decoct this herb because it contains protease that will be easily broken at 60℃. Take with cautions if the patients suffer deficiency-cold of spleen and stomach with helminthic accumulation. |
| Li Lu (Black False Hellebore) | — | — | toxic It is contraindicated for weak people and pregnant women. Antagonizing to Ren Shen, Sha Shen, Dan Shen, Xuan Shen, Ku Shen, Xi Xin and Bai Shao. |
| Liang Mian Zhen: Chinese Herb Guide | Radix Zanthoxyli | 两面针 | slightly toxic It cann’t be taken overdosage. It is contraindicated to eat with sour food. |
| Liang Tou Jian (Radde Anemone Rhizome) | — | — | toxic It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Liu Huang: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 硫黄 · 硫黃 | toxic It is contraindicated for pregnant women because of its toxin. It should not be combined with Mang Xiao, according to nineteen incompatibilities. |
| Liu Zhou Zi (Chinese Azalea Fruit) | — | 六轴子 | toxic It shouldn’t be taken overdose or for a long time. It is contraindicated to pregnant women, weak people and people without stasis. |
| Lv Song Guo (Semen Strychni Ignatii) | Semen Strychni Ignatii | 吕宋果 | toxic It is contraindicated to weak people and aeipathia. |
| Ma Lu: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 马陆 | toxic It is toxic, so be careful for oral taking. |
| Ma Qian Zi Fen: Chinese Herb Guide | Semen Strychni Pulveratum | — | toxic It is contraindicated to pregnant women, weak people and athletes. It cann’t be taken too much or taken for a long time. Do not use the raw product. |
| Ma Qian Zi: Chinese Herb Guide | Semen Strychni | — | toxic It is with strong toxicity. Do not use unprocessed, overuse or use for a long time orally. Do not apply on large region externally. It is prohibited for the pregnant and weak. |
| Man Tuo Luo Zi: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 曼陀罗子 | toxic It is toxic, so it should be used very carefully. |
| Mao Gen (毛茛): Chinese Herb Guide | Herba Ranunculi Jponici | 毛茛 | toxic It is toxic, so it is for external application. It is contraindicated in case of injured skin, dermal hypersensitivity and pregnant women. |
| Mi Tuo Seng: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 密陀僧 | toxic It is incompatible with Lang Du and it is contraindicated to weak people with deficiency cold. |
| Mole Cricket: Chinese Herb Guide | — | — | slightly toxic It is contraindicated to weak people and pregnant women. |
| Mu Shu: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 木薯 | slightly toxic It is for external use only. |
| Nan Xing (Pedate Pinallia Jackinthepulpit Rhizome) | — | 天南星 | toxic Prohibited for yin deficiency with dry phlegm and the pregnant women. |
| Nao Sha: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 硇砂 | toxic It is contraindicated to pregnant women and weak people without excessive pathogen. |
| Obtuseleaf erycibe stem | — | — | slightly toxic It is contraindicated to pregnant women and frail person. |
| Oleander (Folium seu Cortex Nerii) | Folium seu Cortex Nerii | 白色夹竹桃 · 红色夹竹桃 | toxic It is contraindicated to pregnant women. Avoid taking for a long time or overdose. |
| Orpimentum: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 雌黄 | toxic It is contraindicated to pregnant women and people with yin and blood deficiency. |
| Pi Shi: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 砒石 | toxic With strong toxicity, the dose should be strictly controlled for internal application. For external application, attention should also be paid to prevent local poisoning. It is contraindicated for the pregnant women. It should not be used in alcoholic… |
| Pyrolusitum: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 无名异 | slightly toxic It is contraindicated to people without stasis and stagnation. Avoid taking for a long time. |
| Qi Cao: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 蛴螬 | slightly toxic It is contraindicated to pregnant women and weak people. |
| Qian Dan: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 铅丹 | toxic It is toxic so it should not be used overdose or for a long time to prevent cumulative toxication. |
| Qian Fen: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 铅粉 · 铅白粉 | toxic It is contraindicated to pregnant women and deficiency cold in internal organs. |
| Qian Jin Zi (Caper Euphorbia Seed) | — | — | slightly toxic It is contraindicated for loose stool and pregnant women. |
| Qian Jin Zi Shuang (Semen Euporbiae Pulveraqtum) | Semen Euporbiae Pulveraqtum | 千金子霜 | toxic It is contraindicated to pregnant women and weak people with loose stool. |
| Qian Nian Jian: Chinese Herb Guide | Rhizoma Homalomenae | 千年健 | slightly toxic It is contraindicated for yin-deficiency with excessive heat. Avoid eating raddish when using it. |
| Qian Niu Zi (Pharbitis Seed) | — | — | toxic It is contraindicated to pregnancy, and incompatible with Ba Dou. |
| Qing Fen: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 轻粉 · 輕粉 | toxic Being toxic (It can induce hydrargyrism), it should be used with cautions for internal application, and gargled after administration. It is contraindicated for weak people and pregnant women. For external application, it should never be overdosed or for… |
| Qing Mu Xiang: Chinese Herb Guide | Radix Aristolochiae | 青木香 | toxic Overtaking should be avoided for the side effect of nausea and vomiting, etc. |
| Quan Xie (Scorpion) in TCM | — | — | toxic It is toxic, so large dose of it should not be used. It is contraindicated for pregnant women. |
| San Ke Zhen (Barberry Root) | — | — | toxic It is contraindicated for deficiency-cold in spleen and stomach. |
| Saxifrage (Herba Saxifragae) | Herba Saxifragae | 虎耳草 | slightly toxic This product is toxic, so it cann’t be used overdosage. |
| Shan Dou Gen: Chinese Herb Guide | Radix Sophorae Tonkinensis | 山豆根 | toxic It is extremely bitter and cold, and poisonous; overdosage should be avoided since that may easily cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, weakness of four extremities, palpitation, and oppression in chest, even deadly cold… |
| Sheng Yao: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 升药 · 升藥 | toxic Being strong toxic, it can only be indicated externally. For external application, it should not be used for overdose or persistent use. The poisoning manifestations of this herb are similar to Qing Fen. |
| Shi Long Zi: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 石龙子 · 蓝尾石龙子 | slightly toxic It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Shi Nan Ye (Chinese Photinia Leaf) | — | — | slightly toxic It is contraindicated in case of yin deficiency with effulgent fire. |
| Shui Yin: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 水银 | toxic It is contraindicated to pregnant women. It is toxic so it should not be used overdose or for a long time to prevent cumulative toxication |
| Shui Zhi: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 水蛭 | toxic Prohibited for pregnant women and patients with excessive menstruation. |
| Tao Ren (Peach Seed) in TCM | — | — | toxic Prohibited for pregnant women. Use with cautions for loose stool. Not overuse because of its toxicity. |
| Teng Huang: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 藤黄 | toxic It is contraindicated to weak people. Never take it overdose. |
| Tian Xian Zi (Henbane Seed) | — | — | toxic It is contraindicated in case of heart disease, glaucoma, tachycardia and pregnant women. |
| Tian Zhu Zi: Chinese Herb Guide | Fructus Nandinae | 天竺子 | slightly toxic It is contraindicated in case of cough due to wind-cold. |
| Toad Skin: Chinese Herb Guide | — | — | toxic It is contraindicated in case of exterior heat and false flatulence. |
| Tou Gu Cao (Tuberculate Speranskia Herb) | — | — | slightly toxic It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Tu Jing Pi (Golden Larch Bark) | — | — | toxic It should be used externally only, not for internal use. |
| Venenum Bufonis: Chinese Herb Guide | — | — | toxic Do not take overdose for external take. Do not use in eyes for external application. Prohibited to pregnant women. |
| Verdigris: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 铜绿 | toxic It is contraindicated to weak people with blood deficiency. |
| Wan Nian Qing: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 万年青 | slightly toxic It is contraindicated to pregnant women. Overdosage can cause side effect. |
| Wu Gong (Centipede): Chinese Herb Guide | — | — | toxic It is toxic, so it should not be used in large dose. It is contraindicated for pregnant women. |
| Wu Huan Zi: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 无患子 | slightly toxic It is contraindicated in case of deficiency cold in spleen and stomach. |
| Wu Tou (Prepared Common Monkshood Daughter Root) | Radix Aconiti Agrestis | 草乌 | toxic The raw products should be used cautiously. It is antagonistic to Ban Xia, Gua Lou, Bei Mu, Bai Lian and Bai Ji. |
| Wu Zhu Yu: Chinese Herb Guide | Fructus Evodiae | — | toxic It is not suitable to be taken in large dosage for a long time, and contraindicated for yin deficiency with internal heat. |
| Xi Xin (Manchurian Wildginger) | Herba Asari | — | slightly toxic Prohibited for headache due to hyperactivity of yang caused by yin deficiency and dry cough caused by lung dryness hurting yin. It is not allowed to use it together with Li Lu. |
| Xiang Jia Pi (Chinese Silkvine Root-bark) | — | — | toxic Overdosage should be avoided because it is poisonous. |
| Xing Ren (Bitter Apricot Seed) | Semen Armeniacae Amarae | 苦杏仁 | slightly toxic It should not be overused for its slight toxicity. It should be used with cautions for infants and patients with diarrhea. The herb contains the amygdaloside and synaptase, which can generate cyanhydric acid after hydrolysis. So overdose can depress… |
| Xiong Huang: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 雄黄 · 雄黃 | toxic This herb is toxic, so it should be used with cautions. It should be refined with water, and just for temporary use. For external application, it's not suitable for a large scale use or for a long time. It is contraindicated for the pregnant women. Avoid… |
| Ya Dan Zi (Java Brucea Fruit) | — | — | toxic It is harmful to gastro-intestinal tract, liver and kidney, so it should not be taken for a long time; it is contraindicated to patients with gastro-intestinal bleeding, liver and kidney disorder. Attention should be paid to protect the normal skin around the… |
| Yang Jin Hua: Chinese Herb Guide | Flos Daturae | 洋金花 | toxic It is toxic, so its dosage should be controlled. It is contraindicated for wind-cold contraction and heat-phlegm cough and dyspnea, glaucoma, hypertension and tachycardia. It should be used with cautions for the pregnant women or weakling people. |
| Yang Ti (Radix Rumicis Japonici) | Radix Rumicis Japonici | — | slightly toxic It is contraindicated for diarrhea with eating less food and deficiency-cold in spleen and stomach. |
| Yang Ti Gen (Japanese Dock Root) | — | 羊蹄 | slightly toxic It is contraindicated for diarrhea with eating less food and deficiency-cold in spleen and stomach. |
| Yin Zhu: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 银朱 · 銀朱 | toxic It is toxic, so be careful when taking orally. |
| Ying Su Qiao: Chinese Herb Guide | Pericarpium Papaveris | — | slightly toxic With a tendency of addiction, it is contraindicated in case of early stage of cough, diarrhea and dysentery of excess heat. |
| Yu Bai Fu (Giant Typhonium Rhizome) | — | — | toxic This herb is pungent, warm, dry and drastic. So it is not suitable for yin deficiency and blood deficiency or exuberant heat with stirring of wind and the pregnant women. Unprocessed herb should not be taken orally. |
| Yuan Hua (Lilac Daphne Flower Bud) | — | 芫花 | toxic It is contraindicated to pregnancy and valetudinarian, and antagonistic to Gan Cao. |
| Ze Qi: Chinese Herb Guide | Herba Euphorbiae Helioscopiae | 泽漆 | toxic It is contraindicated for qi and blood deficiency. |
| Zhang Liu (Pokeberry Root) | Radix Phytolaccae | 商陆 | toxic It is contraindicated to pregnancy. |
| Zhu Sha: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 朱砂 · 辰砂 | toxic Prohibited for overdose and taking for a long period of time. Prohibited for calcined. |
| Zhu Ya Zao (Chinese Honeylocust Abnormal Fruit) | — | — | slightly toxic Do not overuse orally to avoid vomiting and diarrhea. It has drastic pungent, strong property of pungent, distracting and moving and use with cautions for stubborn syndrome and strong body. Prohibited for pregnant women, qi and yin deficiency and who tends to… |
| Zui Yu Cao (Lindley Butterflybush Herb) | — | 醉鱼草 | toxic It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
2. Recorded as contraindicated in pregnancy 110 entries
Entries whose own caution statement names pregnancy, lactation or breastfeeding. This is the wording used in the classical sources; it is not a complete list of everything unsafe in pregnancy.
| Entry | Latin name | Chinese | Recorded on that entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Achyranthes Aspera: Chinese Herb Guide | — | — | It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Ai Pian: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 艾片 | It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Areca-Nut (Areca Seed) in TCM | Semen Arecae | 槟榔 | It is contraindicated for loose stool due to spleen insufficiency or qi sinking. Use with caution for pregnant women. |
| Armadillidium: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 鼠妇虫 | It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Ba Yue Zha (Fruit of Fiverleaf Akebia) | — | — | It is contraindicated to people with diarrhea due to spleen deficiency and pregnant women. |
| Ban Zhi Lian: Chinese Herb Guide | Herba Scutellariae Barbatae | 半枝莲 | It should be given with great care to patients with blood deficiency and the pregnant women. |
| Bei Liu Ji Nu: Chinese Herb Guide | Herba Siphonostegiae | — | It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Bie Rou: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 鳖肉 | It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Borneol (Borneolum) in TCM | — | 冰片 | It should be used with cautions for pregnant women. |
| Chi Shi Zhi: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 赤石脂 | It is contraindicated in cases of diarrhea or dysentery of damp-heat type. Use with caution for pregnant women. It is incompatible to Guan Gui (Rou Gui). |
| Chinese Asafoetida: Chinese Herb Guide | — | — | It is contraindicated to people with spleen and stomach deficiency and pregnant women. |
| Chong Wei Zi (Fructus Leonuri) | Fructus Leonuri | — | It is contraindicated to liver-blood deficiency, corectasis and pregnant women. |
| Chuan Mu Tong: Chinese Herb Guide | Caulis Clematidis Armandii | 川木通 | It is contraindicated for qi deficiency, fluid impairment, diuresis and pregnant woman. |
| Chuan Niu Xi: Chinese Herb Guide | Radix Cyathulae | 川牛膝 | It is contraindicated for menorrhagia, pregnancy and spermatorrhea. |
| Chuan Shan Jia: Chinese Herb Guide | Squama Manitis | 穿山甲 | Use with cautions for the pregnant women. |
| Cluster Mallow Fruit (Chingma Abutilon Seed) | — | 冬葵子 | Used with caution for loose stool due to spleen deficiency and pregnant women. |
| Da Hu Ma (Semen Lini) in TCM | Semen Lini | 亚麻子 | It is contraindicated to pregnant women, dyspepsia and excessive diarrhea. |
| Da Xue Teng (Sargentgloryvine Stem) | — | — | It should be used cautiously for pregnant women. |
| Dan Pi (Tree Peony Bark) in TCM | Cortex Moutan | 牡丹皮 | It is contraindicated in cases of profuse menstruation and pregnant women. |
| Dan Shen (Danshen Root) in TCM | — | 丹参 | Use with cautions for pregnant women. Contraindicated to Li Lu. |
| Di Nie (Twelvestamen melastoma herb) | — | 地菍 | It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Du Yi Wei (Herba Lamiophlomis) | Herba Lamiophlomis | 独一味 | It is contraindicated to pregnant women and people without stasis. |
| E Zhu (Rhizoma Curcumae) in TCM | Rhizoma Curcumae | 莪术 | This herb is drastic in property with the disadvantage of consuming qi and impairing blood. Do not overtake long. Prohibited for pregnant women and during menstrual periods. |
| European Verbena (Herba Verbenae) | Herba Verbenae | 马鞭草 | It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Faeces Passeris: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 白丁香 | It is contraindicated in case of kidney deficiency with fire and pregnant women. |
| Fan Xie Ye: Chinese Herb Guide | Folium Sennae | 番泻叶 | It is contraindicated to women during pregnant, menstruation and lactation for the substances from purgation can be discharged when following the secretion of milk. |
| Feng Xiang Zhi (Sweetgum Resin) | — | — | It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Fossilia Spiriferis (Spirifer’s fossil shell) | — | 石燕 · 食盐 | It is contraindicated to pregnant women and weak people without damp-heat. |
| Fruticose Dracaena Leaf | — | — | It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Fu Rong Ye: Chinese Herb Guide | Folium Hibisci Mutabilis | 芙蓉叶 | It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Gui Jian Yu (Ramulus Euonymi) | Ramulus Euonymi | — | It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Gui Zhen Cao: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 鬼针草 | It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Gui Zhi: Chinese Herb Guide | Ramulus Cinnamomi | 桂枝 | This herb induces heat, damages the yin and moves blood. It is prohibited for those with warm pathogens, yin deficiency with effulgent fire, or reckless movement of the blood due to heat in the blood. Use with caution in pregnant women. |
| Haematitum: Chinese Herb Guide | — | — | It should be used with cautions for the pregnant women. It should not be used for a long time for it contains a microamount of arsenicum. |
| Hai Ma: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 海马 | It is contraindicated in case of yin deficiency with effulgent fire and it is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| He Huan Pi: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 合欢皮 | It should be used with cautions for pregnant women. |
| Hedgehog Skin: Chinese Herb Guide | — | — | It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Hei Zhong Cao Zi: Chinese Herb Guide | Semen Nigellae | — | It is contraindicated to pregnant women and people with heat disease. |
| Hong Mu Xiang: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 红木香 | It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Hou Po (Officinal Magnolia Bark) | — | 厚朴 | Use with caution in patterns of qi deficiency with fluid consumption, and in pregnancy. |
| Hou Po: Chinese Herb Guide | Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis | 厚朴 · 厚樸 | It should be used with cautions for the syndrome of qi deficiency and fluid consumption, and the pregnant women. |
| Hu Zhang: Chinese Herb Guide | Rhizoma Polygoni Cuspidati | 虎杖 | It is contraindicated for pregnant women. |
| Huang Shu Kui Gen (Root of Sunset Abelmoschus) | — | — | It is contraindicated to pregnant women. Proper dosage is for external application, pounded for applying or decocted for washing. |
| Huang Shu Kui Hua: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 黄蜀葵花 | It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Huang Shu Kui Zi: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 黄蜀葵子 | It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| In vitro cultivated calculus bovis | — | 体外培育牛黄 | It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Jatamans valeriana rhizome | — | — | It is contraindicated to pregnant women and people with yang deficiency and qi deficiency. |
| Jia Ju Gen (Root of sarmentose pepper) | — | — | It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Jie Gu Mu (Elderberry) | — | 接骨木 | It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Juan Bai: Chinese Herb Guide | Herba Selaginellae | 卷柏 | It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Kadsura Root-bark (Bark of Chinese Redbud) | — | 紫荆皮 | It is contraindicated to pregnant women. Proper dosage is for external application. Pounded into powder for applying. |
| Ligum Cinnamomi Camphorae | — | 樟木 | It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Limonitum: Chinese Herb Guide | — | — | Use with caution for pregnant women. |
| Ling Xiao Hua (Flos Campsis) | Flos Campsis | — | It is contraindicated for qi and blood deficiency and pregnant women. |
| Lou Lu: Chinese Herb Guide | Radix Rhapontici | 漏芦 | It is contraindicated to patients with qi deficiency, sores and ulcers in flat shape, and the pregnant women. |
| Lu Ci Rou: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 鸬鹚肉 | It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Lu Hui: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 芦荟 | It is contraindicated in cases of patients with hypo-function of stomach and spleen, poor appetite, diarrhea as well as pregnant women. |
| Lu Lu Tong: Chinese Herb Guide | Fructus Liquidambaris | 路路通 | It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Ma Lan: Chinese Herb Guide | Herba Kalimeridis | 马兰 | It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Malt (Fructus Hordei Germinatus) | Fructus Hordei Germinatus | — | Avoid during breastfeeding. |
| Mang Xiao: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 芒硝 | Use with caution for women during lactation for its milk regurgitation action. It's contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Massage: TCM Therapy Guide | — | 推拿 | Vigorous massage should be avoided by people with bleeding disorders or low blood platelet counts, and by people taking blood-thinning medications such as warfarin. Massage should not be done in any area of the body with blood clots, fractures, open or… |
| Melanteritum: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 皂矾 | It is contraindicated to pregnant women and people with dyspepsia. |
| Meng Shi: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 礞石 | Prohibited for deficiency of stomach and spleen, chronic infantile convulsive disease and the pregnant women. |
| Ming Dang Shen: Chinese Herb Guide | Radix Changii | 明党参 | It is contraindicated for spermatorrhea, enuresis, collapse from qi deficiency and pregnant women. |
| Mo Pan Cao: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 磨盘草 | It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Mu Hao (Japanese Wormwood Herb) | — | 牡蒿 | It is contraindicated to pregnant women and weak people with deficiency-cold. |
| Mu Tong: Chinese Herb Guide | Caulis Akebiae | 木通 | It is contraindicated for qi deficiency, spermatorrhea and pregnant women. |
| Ophicalcitum: Chinese Herb Guide | — | — | Use with cautions for pregnant women. |
| Pian Jiang Huang (Rhizoma Wenyujin Concisum) | Rhizoma Wenyujin Concisum | 片姜黄 | It is contraindicated to pregnant women and blood deficiency without qi stagnation and blood stasis. |
| Pinellia Tuber (Rhizoma Pinelliae) | Rhizoma Pinelliae | — | Contraindicated with Wu Tou. Use with caution during pregnancy. |
| Pipe fish: Chinese Herb Guide | — | — | It is contraindicated for yin deficiency with effulgent fire, external pathogens and pregnant women. |
| Pollen Typhae: Chinese Herb Guide | — | — | Use with cautions for pregnant women. |
| Qu Mai: Chinese Herb Guide | Herba Dianthi | — | It is cold and descending in property and can cause abortion, so it is contraindicated for pregnant women. |
| Ren Gong Niu Huang: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 人工牛黄 · 人工牛黃 | It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Rhubarb (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei) | Radix et Rhizoma Rhei | 大黄 | It should be used with caution in case of spleen and stomach deficiency for its bitter and cold property which is easily to damage stomach qi. It is contraindicated to women during pregnancy, menstruation or lactation for it has actions of activating blood… |
| Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark) in TCM | — | — | It is contraindicated for syndrome of yin deficiency with fire effulgent, hemorrhage due to blood heat and pregnant women. It is incompatible with Chi Shi Zhi (nineteen incompatibilities). |
| Ru Xiang: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 乳香 | This herb is drasticly pungent with strong stimulation to stomach and easily causes nausea and vomiting. So it should not be taken by large dose or for a long time. Use with cautions for patients with weak stomach; prohibited for pregnant women. |
| Saffron (Stigma Croci) in TCM | Stigma Croci | — | It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| San Jiao Pao: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 三角泡 | It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| San Leng (Common Burreed Rhizome) | — | — | Same as E Zhu. This herb is drastic in property with the disadvantage of consuming qi and impairing blood. Do not overtake long. Prohibited for pregnant women and during menstrual periods. |
| She Gan (Blackberrykiky Rhizome) | — | — | It should be used cautiously to patients with loose stool due to spleen deficiency. It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| She Tui (Periostracum Serpentis) | Periostracum Serpentis | — | It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Shen Jin Cao: Chinese Herb Guide | Herba Lycopodii | 伸筋草 | It should be used cautiously to the pregnant women. |
| Shi Diao Lan: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 石吊兰 | It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Si Gua Zi: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 丝瓜子 | It is contraindicated to pregnant woman and spleen deficiency. |
| Sparrow: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 麻雀 | It is contraindicated in case of yin deficiency with effulgent fire and pregnant women. |
| Tian Hua Fen (Trichosanthes Root) | — | — | Not for pregnancy. Trichosanthin-containing root has a traditional and pharmacological abortifacient action. This page is a TCM monograph, not a reason to take the herb for any gynecological purpose. |
| Tian Qi (Pseudoginseng Root) | Radix Notoginseng | 三七 | Use with cautions for pregnant women. |
| Tong Cao (Medulla Tetrapanacis) | Medulla Tetrapanacis | — | Used with caution for pregnant women. |
| Tu Gua Gen (Japanese Snakegourd Root) | Radix Trichosanthis Cucumeroidis | 王瓜根 | It is contraindicated in case of deficiency cold in the spleen ans stomach and pregnant women. |
| Turtle blood: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 龟血 | It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Turtle Carapace Glue | — | — | It should be used carefully for people with deficiency-cold in spleen and stomach, and those who eat less and have loose stool or pregnant women. |
| Wang Bu Liu Xing: Chinese Herb Guide | Semen Vaccariae | 王不留行 | It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Wang Yue Sha: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 望月砂 | Contraindicated in pregnancy. |
| Wu Ling Zhi: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 五灵脂 | It shouldn’t be used with Ren Shen and it is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Xian Tao Cao (Purslane Speedwell Herb) | — | 仙桃草 | It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Xiao Tong Cao: Chinese Herb Guide | Medulla Stachyuri | 小通草 | It is contraindicated to pregnant women and qi deficiency without damp-heat. |
| Xuan Ming Fen: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 玄明粉 | It is contraindicated to pregnant women and deficiency-cold in spleen and stomach. |
| Xue Lian Hua (Snow Lotus Herb) | — | — | It is contraindicated to pregnant women.Overdosage can cause profuse perspiration. |
| Ye Ming Sha: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 夜明砂 | It is contraindicated for eye disease without stasis and pregnant women. |
| Yi Yu: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 衣鱼 | It is contraindicated to pregnant women. Proper dosage is for external application, pounded for applying or used as eye drops. |
| Yi Zhi Huang Hua (Common Goldenrod Herb) | — | 一枝黄花 | It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Yu Jin: Chinese Herb Guide | Radix Curcumae | 郁金 | Use with cautions for pregnant women because this herb can activate blood and resolve stasis leading to uterine excitation. Do not combine with Ding Xiang. |
| Yue Ji (Flos Rosae Chinensis) | Flos Rosae Chinensis | — | It is contraindicated for deficiency-cold in spleen and stomach and pregnant women. It shouldn’t be taken for a long time. |
| Zhi Qiao (Fructus Aurantii) | Fructus Aurantii | 枳壳 | Used with caution for pregnant women. |
| Zhi Shi: Chinese Herb Guide | Fructus Aurantii Immaturus | — | It should be used with cautions for pregnant women. |
| Zhong Jie Feng (Glabrous Sarcandra Herb) | — | — | It is contraindicated in case of yin deficiency with effulgent fire and pregnant women. |
| Zhu Jie Shen (Japanese Ginseng) | — | 竹节参 | It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
| Zi Wei Gen (Chinese Trumpetcreeper Root) | — | 凌霄根 | It is contraindicated to pregnant women. |
3. Every other entry carrying a caution 286 entries
The remaining entries on this site that record a caution of any kind.
| Entry | Latin name | Chinese | Recorded on that entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Actinolite: Chinese Herb Guide | — | — | It is contraindicated in case of yin deficiency with effulgent fire. |
| An Xi Xiang: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 安息香 | Prohibited to yin deficiency with effulgent fire. |
| An Ye: Chinese Herb Guide | Folium Eucalypti | 桉叶 | It is contraindicated in case of allergic dermatitis. |
| Ba Jiao Gen (Root of Japanese Banana) | — | 芭蕉根 | It is contraindicated in case of weakness in the stomach. Do not take too much. |
| Ba Leng Mu: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 八楞木 | It is contraindicated in case of qi and blood deficiency. |
| Ba Qi: Chinese Herb Guide | Rhizoma Smilacis Chinensis | 菝葜 | It is contraindicated to tea and vinegar. |
| Bai Jie Zi (White Mustard Seed) | — | — | This herb has strong stimulation to the skin mucosa and will easily cause red and swollen and blister, so it is prohibited for those with digestive tract ulcer and bleeding, skin allergy as well. Do not use overdose. |
| Bai Lian: Chinese Herb Guide | Radix Ampelopsis | 白蔹 | It should be avoided using in treating patients with deficiency cold of spleen and stomach. It is antagonistic to Wu Tou. |
| Bai Liang Jin (Crispateleaf Ardisia Root) | — | 百两金 | It is contraindicated in case of damp-heat accumulation in the spleen and stomach. |
| Bai Qian (Willowleaf Swallowwort Rhizome) | — | — | This herb stimulates stomach mucosa and is used with cautions for those with stomach diseases or tendency of bleeding. Use with cautions for cough and dyspnea due to lung deficiency. |
| Bai Wei (Blackend Swallowwort Root) | — | — | It is contraindicated in cases of poor appetite and diarrhea due to deficient cold of spleen and stomach. |
| Bai Xian Pi (Densefruit Pittany Root-bark) | — | — | Not suitable for deficiency cold syndrome. |
| Bai Yu: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 白鱼 | Do not eat too much. |
| Bai Zhi (Dahurian Angelica): Headache, Nose and Leukorrhea | Radix Angelicae Dahuricae | — | Use carefully in yin deficiency with blood heat: the herb is acrid, aromatic, warm and dry. |
| Bai Zhu: Chinese Herb Guide | Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae | 白术 · 白術 | Use with cautions in cases of yin deficiency with fluid injury by dryness-heat pathogen. |
| Bai Zi Ren (Platycladi Seed) | — | — | It should be used with cautions for patients with loose stool or profuse phlegm. |
| Ban Bian Lian (Chinese Lobelia Herb) | — | — | It should be avoided using in treating patients with edema due to deficiency. |
| Bear Gall: Chinese Herb Guide | — | — | Its effect can be weakened by Fang Ji, Di Huang. |
| Beef: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 牛肉 | It is contraindicated in case of eating the dead and the sick. |
| Bei Qi (Membranous Milkvetch Root) | — | — | It is contraindicated in cases of exterior excess with excessive pathogen, internal obstruction, yin deficiency with yang hyperactivity, early stage of sores and ulcers of excessive pathogen and no deficiency of heathy qi, because it can tonify qi, raise yang… |
| Bi Qi: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 荸荠 | It is contraindicated in case of deficiency cold and blood deficiency. |
| Bian Dou (Semen Lablab Album) | Semen Lablab Album | 白扁豆 | Raw material is toxic. It should be stir baked for use. |
| Black Lotus Seed: Chinese Herb Guide | — | — | It is contraindicated for protracted dysentery with deficiency-cold. |
| Blumea Balsamifera (Balsamiferou Blumea Herb) | — | 艾纳香 | It is contraindicated for yin deficiency with blood-heat. |
| Bryozoatum: Chinese Herb Guide | — | — | It is contraindicated in case of cold with insufficiency-cold. |
| Can Yong: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 蚕蛹 | It is contraindicated in case of barbiers. |
| Cang Er Zi (Xanthium Fruit) | — | — | Not for headache from blood deficiency. Overdose can poison. This is a toxic herb; do not self-dose above the monograph range. |
| Cao Shi Can: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 草石蚕 | It cann’t be taken overdose. |
| Chai Hu (Bupleurum): Shaoyang, Liver Qi and Sinking Qi | Radix Bupleuri | — | Use carefully in yin deficiency with yang hyperactivity, stirring liver wind, yin deficiency with vigorous fire, or qi rebelling upward. Chai Hu can raise and disperse; those pictures do not want that. |
| Chang Yu: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 鲳鱼 | Avoild eating the pomfret fish roe. |
| Cheng Rou: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 蛏肉 | Avoid eating the raw. |
| Chestnut: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 栗子 · 板栗 | Don’t take overdose. |
| Chi Shao: Chinese Herb Guide | Radix Paeoniae Rubra | 赤芍 | It is antagonistic to Li Lu. |
| Chinese sturgeon: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 鲟鱼 | Avoid taking for a long time. |
| Chinese Tamarisk Twing | — | — | It is contraindicated to those who have complete eruption of measles, and weak people with hyperhidrosis. |
| Chu Shi Zi (Papermulberry Fruit) | — | 楮实子 | It is contraindicated for deficiency-cold in spleen and stomach. |
| Chuan Bei Mu (Unibract Fritillary Bulb) | Bulbus Fritillariae Cirrhosae | — | Contraindicated with Wu Tou. |
| Chuan Huang Lian (Rhizome of Chinese goldthread) | Rhizoma Coptidis | 黄连 | It is contraindicated for deficiency-cold syndrome. Because its taste is extremly bitter and dryness, overdosage and long-time taking will impair spleen and stomach, yin and fluids. |
| Chuan Xin Lian: Chinese Herb Guide | Herba Andrographis | 穿心莲 | It is contraindicated to patients with deficiency cold syndrome. |
| Chui Pen Cao: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 垂盆草 | It is contraindicated for deficiency-cold in spleen and stomach. |
| Chun Gen Pi (Tree-of-heaven Ailanthus Bark) | Cortex Ailanthi | 椿皮 | It is contraindicated in case of the beginning of diarrhea, dysentery and deficiency-cold in spleen and stomach. |
| Chun Ye (Leaf of Chinese Toona) | — | 椿叶 | Do not eat too much. |
| Chun: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 莼 | Don’t take overdose. |
| Ci Wu Jia (Manyprickle Acanto-Panax Root) | — | — | It is contraindicated in case of yin deficiency with effulgent fire. |
| Clove (Flos Caryophylli) in TCM | Flos Caryophylli; Flos syzygii aromatici | 丁香 | It is incompatible with Yu Jin (nineteen incompatibilities). It should be used with cautions for heat syndrome and yin deficiency with interior heat. |
| Colophonium: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 松香 | It is contraindicated to people with endogenous heat and excess fire. |
| Common Bletilla Pseudobulb (Rhizoma Bletillae) | Rhizoma Bletillae | 白芨 | It shouldn't be used with Wu Tou (eighteen antagonisms). |
| Cortex Phellodendri (Amur Corktree Bark): Pharmacognosy | — | — | Contraindicated in deficiency-cold patterns. Overdosage or long-term use impairs the spleen and stomach. |
| Crinis Trachycarpi: Chinese Herb Guide | — | — | Use with cautions for bleeding accompanied by stasis and damp-heat induced dysentery. |
| Da Qing Yan: Chinese Herb Guide | Halitum | 大青盐 | It is contraindicated to people with edema. |
| Da Zao: Chinese Herb Guide | Fructus Jujubae | — | It is used with cautions in cases of damp-phlegm or food stagnation because it can help dampness produce heat, and induce distention in middle energizer. |
| Dahurian Angelica Root (Lemonfragrant Angelica Root) | — | 白芷 | It should be used with cautions for blood heat induced by yin deficiency because of its pungent, fragrant, warm, dry property. |
| Dai Mao: Chinese Herb Guide | Carapax Eretmochelyos | 玳瑁 | It is contraindicated for deficiency-cold without fire-toxin. |
| Dai Yu: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 带鱼 | Do not eat too much. |
| Dang Gui (Chinese Angelica) | — | — | Contraindicated when damp-heat stagnates in the middle, in lung heat with phlegm fire, and in yin deficiency with effulgent yang, because it is sweet and warm. Use carefully with loose stool, since it moistens the intestines and smooths the stool. |
| Dao Dou Zi (Sword Jackbean Seed) | Semen Canavaliae | 刀豆 | It is contraindicated in case of excessive stomach heat. |
| Deng Xin Cao: Chinese Herb Guide | Medulla Junci | — | It is contraindicated in case of urinary incontinence or deficiency-cold in lower energizer. |
| Desertliving Cistanche (Herba Cistanche) | Herba Cistanche | 肉苁蓉 | It is contraindicated in cases of yin deficiency with effulgent fire, stagnation of excess heat, and loose stool because it can tonify yang and smooth stool. |
| Di Tao Hua (Root or herb of Rose Mallow) | — | 地桃花 | It is contraindicated in case of deficiency cold. |
| Di Yu (Garden Burnet Root) | — | — | It is cool, sour and astringent in property. Take with cautions when applying it to cold-deficiency hematochezia, alv. laxat, metrorrhagia and metrostaxis, and bleeding with blood stasis. It is better not to be applied externally for those who suffer from… |
| Di Yu: Chinese Herb Guide | — | — | It is cool, sour and astringent. Use with care in cold conditions with deficiency of spleen and kidney. |
| Dian Qie Cao (Belladonna Herb) | — | 颠茄草 | It is contraindicated to patients with glaucoma. |
| Dong Gua (Fruit of Chinese Waxgourd) | — | 冬瓜 | It is contraindicated in case of loose stool and deficiency cold in the kidney. |
| Du Huo (Pubescent Angelica Root) | — | — | Being pungent, fragrant, bitter and dry, it can easily damage yin and body fluid, so it should be used cautiously to treat patients with usual constitution of yin deficiency and blood dryness. |
| E Guan Shi: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 鹅管石 | It is contraindicated in case of excess heat and yin deficiency with effulgent fire. |
| E Jiao: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 阿胶 | It should be used with cautions for spleen and stomach deficiency, poor appetite, loose stool due to spleen deficiency because it is greasy and will produce indigestion. |
| Fan Bai Cao: Chinese Herb Guide | Herba Potentillae Discoloris | 翻白草 | It is contraindicated in case of yang-deficiency with cold or cold-deficiency in spleen and stomach. |
| Fang Feng (Siler Root) | — | — | Use carefully when there is blood deficiency or interior wind from heat: the herb is still warm. |
| Fang Feng: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 防风 | It should be used with caution for blood deficiency and internal wind induced by heat because of its warm property. |
| Fang Jie Shi: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 方解石 | Avoild using it with Ba Dou. |
| Fei Zao Jia (Fruit of Chinese Coffeetree) | — | 肥皂荚 | It is contraindicated in case of dyspepsia. |
| Fei Zi (Grand Torreya Seed) | — | — | It is prohibited in cases of loose stool and cough due to lung heat. |
| Fen Fang Ji (Fourstamen Stephania Root) | Radix Stephaniae Tetrandrae | 防己 | Being bitter and cold, it can easily damage stomach qi, so it should be used cautiously to treat patients with anorexia and weak constitution due to yin deficiency. |
| Feng Fang: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 蜂房 | It is contraindicated in case of renal insufficiency or qi deficiency. |
| Feng Huang Yi: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 凤凰衣 | It is contraindicated in case of weakness of the spleen and the stomach with dampness stagnation. |
| Feng Wei Cao (Chinese Brake Herb) | — | 凤尾草 | It is contraindicated in case of deficiency-cold. |
| Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang) | — | — | Use carefully in yin deficiency with interior heat, or in exuberant heat: ginger can fan fire and further injure yin. |
| Fu Ping: Chinese Herb Guide | Herba Spirodelae | 浮萍 | Not suitable for spontaneous sweating due to exterior deficiency. |
| Fuligo Plantae: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 百草霜 | It is contraindicated in case of yin deficiency with pyretic dryness and lung injury with cough. |
| Furnace Soil: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 灶心土 · 伏龙肝 · 竈心土 | It is contraindicated for yin and blood deficiency and vomiting and regurgitation due to heat syndrome. |
| Gan Cao (Liquorice): Chinese Herb Guide | — | — | It is contraindicated for combining with Hai Zao, Da Ji, Gan Sui and Yuan Hua because of “eighteen antagonisms”. It is also contraindicated in cases of dampness obstruction in middle energizer and edema because it can help dampness obstruct qi, and it is… |
| Gan Jiang: Chinese Herb Guide | Rhizoma Zingiberis | 干姜 | It is contraindicated for yin deficiency with internal heat, hemorrhage due to blood heat. |
| Gan Lan (Stem and leaf of Cabbage) | — | 甘蓝 | It is contraindicated in case of indigestion. |
| Gan Song (Radix et Rhizoma Nardostachyos) | Radix et Rhizoma Nardostachyos | — | It is contraindicated in case of qi deficiency with blood-heat. |
| Gan Zhe: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 甘蔗 | It is contraindicated in case of deficiency cold in spleen and stomach. |
| Gao Ben (Chinese Ligusticum Rhizome) | — | — | Being warm and dry, it is prohibited for strong heat and yin and blood deficiency. |
| Geng Tong Cao: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 梗通草 | It is contraindicated in case of excessive urine. |
| Gong Lao Mu (Leatherleaf Mahonia Stem) | — | 功劳木 | It is contraindicated in case of deficiency cold. |
| Goose meat: Chinese Herb Guide | — | — | It is contraindicated in case of retention of damp-heat in the interior. |
| Gou Gan Cai: Chinese Herb Guide | Herba Diclipterae Chinensis | 狗肝菜 | It is contraindicated in case of deficiency cold in the spleen and stomach. |
| Gou Ji (East Asian Tree Fern Rhizome) | — | — | It should be used cautiously to patients with kidney deficiency accompanied with heat, difficulty in micturition or scanty deep-colored urine with pain. |
| Gu Sui Bu: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 骨碎补 | This herb is warm that can invigorate yang. Use with cautions for the yin deficiency and internal heat. |
| Gua Lou Pi (Pericarpium Trichosanthis) | Pericarpium Trichosanthis | 瓜蒌皮 | It is contraindicated in case of damp phlegm due to spleen deficiency. It is contraindicated for combining with Wu Tou. |
| Gua Lou Zi (Snakegourd Seed) | — | — | It is incompatible with Niu Xi and it is contraindicated for combining with Wu Tou. |
| Gua Lou: Chinese Herb Guide | Fructus Trichosanthis | — | Prohibited for loose stool from spleen deficiency, because of its sweet, cold and slick nature. Contraindicated with Wu Tou. |
| Gui Ban Jiao: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 龟板胶 | It is contraindicated in case of cold and dampness in stomach. |
| Gui Yu: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 鳜鱼 | It is contraindicated in case of damp-cold. |
| Ha Ma You: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 蛤蟆油 | It is contraindicated in case of early exogenous evils and poor appetite with loose stool. |
| Hai Zao: Chinese Herb Guide | — | — | Contraindicated with Gan Cao. |
| Han Cai: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 蔊菜 | It is incompatible with Huang Jing Ye. |
| Han Shui Shi: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 寒水石 | It is contraindicated in case of insufficiency-cold in spleen and stomach. |
| Honey: Chinese Herb Guide | — | — | Use cautiously with damp obstruction, phlegm stagnation, loose stool or diarrhea, because it assists damp and can cause fullness in the abdomen. |
| Hong Dou Kou: Chinese Herb Guide | Fructus Galangae | 红豆蔻 | It is contraindicated for internal heat due to yin deficiency. |
| Hong Shen (Red Ginseng) in TCM | — | 红参 | Antagonizing to Li Lu. |
| Horse Bezoar (Calculus Equi) | Calculus Equi | 马宝 | It is contraindicated for phlegm-damp with cold stroke. |
| Hou Po Hua (Flower of Official Magnolia) | — | 厚朴花 | It is contraindicated for inadequate body fluid due to yin-deficiency. |
| Hou Rou: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 鲎肉 · 马蹄蟹 · 馬蹄蟹 | Do not eat too much. |
| Hu Bei Bei Mu (Hupeh Fritillary Bulb) | Bulbus Fritillariae Hupehensis | — | Contraindicated to Chuan Wu, Cao Wu, Fu Zi. |
| Hu Lu Ba: Chinese Herb Guide | Semen Trigonellae | 葫芦巴 | It is contraindicated in case of yin deficiency with effulgent fire. |
| Hu Luo Bo: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 胡萝卜 | Do not take too much. Better take the cooked than the raw. |
| Hu Ma Ren (Semen Sesami Nigrum) | Semen Sesami Nigrum | 黑芝麻 | It is contraindicated in case of spleen deficiency with loose stool. |
| Hu Sui (Coriander herb with root) | — | — | It is contraindicated for adequate eruption. |
| Hu Tao Rou (English Walnut Seed) | Semen Juglandis | — | Contraindicated in yin deficiency with effulgent fire, and in cough and loose stool from phlegm-heat. |
| Hu Tong Lei: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 胡桐泪 | Don’t take overdose. It is contraindicated in case of deficiency cold of stomach. |
| Hua Tou Cao (Whiteflower violet herb with root) | — | 铧头草 | It is contraindicated in case of deficiency cold. |
| Huang Bai (Amur Corktree Bark): Traditional Uses and Safety | — | 黄柏 | It is contraindicated for deficiency-cold syndrome. Overdosage and long-time taking will impair spleen and stomach. |
| Huang Da Dou: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 黄大豆 | Do not take too much. |
| Huang Teng (Common Fibraurea Stem) | — | — | It is contraindicated for deficiency-cold in spleen and stomach. |
| Huang Teng: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 黄藤 | It is contraindicated for deficiency-cold in spleen and stomach. |
| Huang Ya Bai Cai: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 黄芽菜 | It is contraindicated in case of deficiency cold in the spleen and stomach. |
| Ji Gu Cao: Chinese Herb Guide | Herba Abri | 鸡骨草 | It is contraindicated for weak people with deficiency-cold. |
| Ji Rou: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 鸡肉 | Do not eat too much. |
| Ji Xue Cao: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 积雪草 | It is contraindicated for deficiency-cold. |
| Jin Guo Lan: Chinese Herb Guide | Radix Tinosporae | 金果榄 | It is contraindicated for weakness of the spleen and the stomach. |
| Jin Lian Hua (Trollflower) | — | 金莲花 | It is contraindicated for deficiency-cold in spleen and stomach. |
| Jiu Cai Zi (Tuber Onion Seed) | — | — | It is contraindicated in case of yin deficiency with effulgent fire. |
| Jiu Cai: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 韭菜 | It is contraindicated in case of eye disease, sores, yin deficiency with interior heat. |
| Jiu Jie Chang Pu (Irkutsk Anemone Rhizome) | — | — | It is contraindicated for yin-deficiency leading to hyperactivity of yang, dysphoria, hidrosis and spermatorrhea. |
| Jiu Xiang Chong (Aspongopus) | — | — | It is contraindicated for internal heat due to yin deficiency. |
| Ju Hong: Chinese Herb Guide | Exocarpium Citri Rubrum | 橘红 | It is contraindicated for yin deficiency with dry cough and qi deficiency. |
| Ju: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 橘 | It is contraindicated in case of wind-cold cough, phlegm and retained fluid. |
| Jue Chuang: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 爵床 | Do not take overdose. It is contraindicated in case of qi and blood deficiency and deficiency cold in spleen and stomach. |
| Jue Ming Zi (Sickle senna seed) | — | 决明子 | It is contraindicated for deficiency-cold syndrome, especially in case of loose stool due to spleen deficiency. |
| King Solomonseal Rhizome (Manyflower Solomonseal Rhizome) | Rhizoma Polygonati | 黄精 | It should be used with cautions for dampness accumulation due to spleen deficiency, damp-phlegm stagnation and distending abdomen due to qi stagnation because of sticky and greasy properties. |
| Ku Ding Cha (Folium Ilicis Latifoliae) | Folium Ilicis Latifoliae | — | It is contraindicated for deficiency-cold in spleen and stomach. |
| Ku Shen (Lightyellow Sophora Root) | — | 苦参 | It is contraindicated for deficiency cold syndrome. Overdosage will weaken appetite and consume fluids. This herb can not be used together with Li Lu being listed in the eighteen antagonisms. |
| La Jiao (Fructus Capsici) | Fructus Capsici | — | It is contraindicated in case of yin deficiency with effulgent fire and people with cough and eye disease. |
| La Mei Hua: Chinese Herb Guide | Flos Chimonanthi Praecocis | 蜡梅花 | It is contraindicated in case of excessiveness of dampness pathogen. |
| Lai Fu Ye: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 莱菔叶 | It is contraindicated for qi and blood deficiency. |
| Lai Fu Zi: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 莱菔子 | It is contraindicated with Ren Shen. It should be used with cautions for qi deficiency without food stagnation and /or phlegm accumulation. |
| Lai Fu: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 莱菔 | Avoid taking Di Huang and He Shou Wu when using the drug. It is contraindicated in case of deficiency cold in spleen and stomach. |
| Lard: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 猪脂膏 | It is contraindicated in case of loose stool and exogenous disease. Avoid eating with plum. |
| Li Zi: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 栗子 | Don’t take overdose. |
| Limulus meat: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 鲎肉 | Do not eat too much. |
| Ling: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 菱 · 菱角果肉 | It is contraindicated in case of dysentery and malaria. |
| Liu Ji Nu (Diverse Wormwood Herb) | — | — | It is contraindicated for qi and blood deficiency and spleen deficiency with diarrhea. |
| Long Dan: Chinese Herb Guide | Radix Gentianae | — | It is contraindicated for deficiency cold syndrome. |
| Long Kui (Herba Solani Nigri) | Herba Solani Nigri | — | It is contraindicated for deficiency of spleen and stomach. |
| Long Xu Cao (Devil's Rush Herb) | — | 龙须草 | It is contraindicated in case of excessive urine. |
| Lotus Stamen: Chinese Herb Guide | — | — | It is contraindicated for difficult urination and using with Di Huang, shallot, Da Suan. |
| Lu Jiao Jiao: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 鹿角胶 | It is contraindicated for yin-deficiency leading to hyperactivity of yang. |
| Lu Jiao Shuang: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 鹿角霜 | It is contraindicated in case of yin deficiency with effulgent fire. |
| Lu Jiao: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 鹿角 | It is contraindicated in case of yin deficiency with effulgent fire. |
| Lu Rong (Cornu Cervi Pantotrichum) | Cornu Cervi Pantotrichum | — | It is contraindicated m cases of yin deficiency with effulgent fire, heat in blood system excessive stomach-fire, phlegm heat in lung and attacking by external pathogen; and it should be used from small dosage to treatmental dosage because of its warm,… |
| Lu Sun: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 芦笋 | It is contraindicated in case of deficiency cold in spleen and stomach. |
| Lu Yu: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 鲈鱼 | Do not take too much. |
| Luo Bu Ma Ye: Chinese Herb Guide | Folium Apocyni Veneti | 罗布麻叶 | It is contraindicated for chronic convulsion with spleen deficiency. |
| Luo Fu Mu (Devilpepper Root) | — | 萝芙木 | It is contraindicated in case of qi and blood deficiency and stomach illness. |
| Luo Fu Mu: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 萝芙木 | It is contraindicated in case of qi and blood deficiency and stomach illness. |
| Luo Le: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 罗勒 | It is contraindicated in case of qi deficiency and blood dryness. |
| Luo Si: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 螺蛳 | Do not eat too much. |
| Lv Cao (Herba Humuli Scandentis) | Herba Humuli Scandentis | — | It is used for heat diseases only. |
| Lv Dou Ya: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 绿豆芽 | Do not take for a long time in case of deficiency cold in spleen and stomach. |
| Lysimachia foenum-graecum Hance | — | — | It cann’t be taken overdosage because it can cause asthma. |
| Ma Dou Ling: Chinese Herb Guide | Fructus Aristolochiae | 马兜铃 | Being bitter and cold, it should be used with cautions for cough and dyspnea due to cold deficiency or diarrhea due to spleen deficiency. Proper dose should be used to prevent vomiting. Recent year's research showed that aristolochic acid has strong renal… |
| Ma Huang (Ephedra): Uses, Forms, Dose and Safety | Herba Ephedrae | — | Do not use for deficient wheeze without lung obstruction. Use extreme caution in high blood pressure and insomnia: ephedrine can stimulate the central nervous system and raise blood pressure. In many countries ephedra products are restricted. This page is a… |
| Ma Huang: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 麻黄 | It is prohibited to be used for patients with deficient dyspnea without blockage of the lung qi, it should be used with caution for patients with hypertension and insomnia because ephedrine can stimulate central nerve system and raise blood pressure. |
| Ma Lin Zi (Chinese Iris Seed) | — | 马蔺子 | It is contraindicated in case of dry heat. Donn’t take it overdose. |
| Ma Rou: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 马肉 | It is contraindicated in case of diarrhea. |
| Ma Wei Lian: Chinese Herb Guide | Radix Et Rhizoma Thalictri | 马尾连 | It is contraindicated for deficiency-cold in spleen and stomach. |
| Male silkworm moth: Chinese Herb Guide | — | — | It is contraindicated in case of yin deficiency with effulgent fire. |
| Mao Dong Qing: Chinese Herb Guide | Radix Ilicis Pubescentis | 毛冬青 | It is toxic，so avoid taking for a long time or overdose. |
| Mao Sun: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 毛笋 | It is contraindicated in case of deficiency in spleen and stomach. |
| Mei Gui Hua (Flos Rosae Rugosae) | Flos Rosae Rugosae | — | It is contraindicated in case of yin deficiency with effulgent fire. |
| Mei Yao (没药): Chinese Herb Guide | — | 没药 | As same as Ru Xiang. |
| Mi Hou Gu: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 猕猴骨 | It is contraindicated to people without yin deficiency and damp-heat. |
| Mo Shi Zi: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 没食子 | It is contraindicated in case of early stage of diarrhea, stagnation of damp-heat. |
| Mu Jin Pi: Chinese Herb Guide | Cortex Hibisci | 木槿皮 | It is contraindicated in case of deficiency of spleen and stomach, and people without damp-heat. |
| Mulberry (Mulberry Fruit) | — | — | It is contraindicated for deficiency-cold in spleen and stomach with loose stool. |
| Mung Bean: Chinese Herb Guide | — | — | It is contraindicated for deficiency-cold of spleen and stomach. |
| Nan Sha Shen (Ladybell Root) | — | 南沙参 | Antagonizing Li Lu. |
| Niu Bang Zi (Burdock Fruit) | — | — | Avoid in deficiency-cold loose stool: it is cold and it lubricates the intestines. |
| Peng Sha: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 硼砂 | It is mostly indicated for external application. Ir should be used with cautions for internal application. |
| Ping Bei Mu (Ussuriensis Fritillary Bulb) | Bulbus Fritillariae Ussuriensis | — | Contraindicated to Chuan Wu, Cao Wu, Fu Zi. |
| Pork: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 猪肉 | It is contraindicated in case of damp-heat with phlegm stagnation. |
| Prepared Salt: Chinese Herb Guide | — | — | It is contraindicated for deficiency-cold in spleen and stomach. |
| Propolis: Chinese Herb Guide | — | — | It is contraindicated to those who suffer from allergies. |
| Pu Gong Ying (Mongolian Dandelion Herb) | — | — | Overdosage may cause laxness. |
| Pu Tao: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 索索葡萄 | Donn’t eat too much a time. |
| Qiang Huo (Incised notopterygium rhizome and root) | — | 羌活 | It should be used with cautions for blood deficiency because of its strong pungent, fragrant, warm and dry property. It is not appropriate for weakness of spleen and stomach because large dose of this herb induces vomiting. |
| Qiang Huo (Notopterygium) | — | — | Use carefully in blood deficiency: the herb is strongly acrid, aromatic, warm and drying. Large amounts can provoke vomiting, so it is a poor fit when the spleen and stomach are already weak. |
| Qing Guo: Chinese Herb Guide | Fructus Canarii | — | It is contraindicated for early stage of exterior syndrome. |
| Qing Ye Dan (Mile Swertia Herb) | — | — | It is contraindicated for deficiency-cold. |
| Quan Shen (Bistort Rhizome) | Rhizoma Bistortae | 拳参 | It is contraindicated for external sores due to yin syndrome. It cann’t be used without excess fire and heat-toxin. |
| Radices Hemerocallis (Daylily Root) | — | 萱草根 | It can not be taken overdose. |
| Red Thorowax Root (Chinese Thorowax Root) | — | 柴胡 | Anyone who has syndromes of yin deficiency with yang hyperactivity, stirring of liver wind, yin deficiency with effulgent fire and qi going upward adversely, this herb should be used with cautions. |
| Red Yeast Rice: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 红曲 | It is contraindicated for spleen-yin deficiency and people without food stagnation and blood stasis. |
| Ren Dong Teng (Honeysuckle Stem) | — | — | It is contraindicated for frequent diarrhea and deficiency-cold in spleen and stomach. |
| Ren Shen (Radix Ginseng) in TCM | Radix Ginseng | 人参 | Antagonizing to Li Lu; the warm nature of sun-dried raw Ren Shen is weaker than that of Hong Shen. |
| Ren Shen Ye: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 人参叶 | Contraindicated to Li Lu and Wu Ling Zhi. |
| Sang Pi (White Mulberry Root-bark) | Cortex Mori | 桑白皮 | It is contraindicated for lung cold and wind-cold cough patients for its cold and descending property. It should be used with cautions for patients with much urine. |
| Sang Piao Shao (桑螵蛸): Chinese Herb Guide | — | 桑螵蛸 | Because it tonifies yang and astringes, it is contraindicated in yin deficiency with effulgent fire, and in heat in the bladder. |
| Shan Hai Luo (Radix Codonopsis Lanceolatae) | Radix Codonopsis Lanceolatae | — | It is contraindicated for the early stage of external pathogens and people without sweat. It is antagonistic to Li Lu. |
| Shan Nai: Chinese Herb Guide | Rhizoma Kaempferiae | 山奈 | It is contraindicated for yin deficiency with anemia and stomach fire. |
| She Xiang Ke: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 麝香壳 | It is contraindicated in case of qi and blood deficiency. |
| Sheng Cai (Garden lettuce stem and leaf) | — | 白苣 | It is forbidden eating after birth. |
| Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia Root) | Radix Rehmanniae | 地黄 | It's contraindicated in cases of diarrhea, abdomen distention due to spleen deficiency. |
| Sheng Jiang: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 生姜 | It should be used with cautions for yin deficiency with internal heat and heat exuberance because it helps promote fire and injure yin. |
| Sheng Ma (Black Cohosh Rhizome) | — | — | Do not use once measles have fully erupted, or in yin deficiency with exuberant heat, or yin deficiency with yang rising. |
| Sheng Ma: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 升麻 | The patients whose measles have come out or have yin deficiency and heat excess, or yin deficiency and yang going upward adversely are forbidden to use this herb. |
| Sheng Tie Luo: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 生铁落 | It is contraindicated for liver deficiency. |
| Shi Bing: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 柿饼 | It is contraindicated in case of phlegm-dampness and deficiency cold in spleen and stomach. |
| Shi Jun Zi (Rangooncreeper Fruit) | — | — | Large dosage or taking with hot tea can cause hiccup, vertigo, vomiting and diarrhea. Therefore it should not be taken with hot tea. |
| Shi Yu: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 鲥鱼 | Do not take too much. Avoid taking for a long time. |
| Shu Di (Radix Rehmanniae Preparata) | Radix Rehmanniae Preparata | 熟地黄 | It should be used with cautions for spleen and stomach deficiency, loose stool due to fullness in abdomen and qi stagnation with excessive phlegm because it is greasy and will produce indigestion. |
| Shu Nian Zi (Great Burdock Achene) | — | 牛蒡子 | It is not suitable for deficiency-cold loose stool because of its cold property and the action of lubricating the intestines. |
| Shui Hong Hua Zi (Prince’s-Feather Fruit) | — | — | It is contraindicated for deficiency-cold in spleen and stomach. |
| Shui Jing Yu: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 水晶鱼 | Do not eat too much. |
| Si Gua: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 丝瓜 | Do not take too much. |
| Silver carp: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 鲢鱼 | It is contraindicated to dysentery, pox, eye disease, malaria, sores and ulcers. |
| Song Jie: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 松节 · 松節 · 油松节 | It should be used cautiously in patients with yin deficiency and blood dryness. |
| Stalactitum: Chinese Herb Guide | — | — | It is contraindicated in case of yin deficiency with effulgent fire and cough with lung-heat. |
| Su Mi: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 粟米 | It is incompatible to Xing Ren. |
| Suo Luo Zi (Chinese Buckeye Seed) | — | — | It is contraindicated for qi and yin deficiency. |
| Suo Yang (Songaria Cynomorium Herb) | — | — | It is contraindicated in cases of yin deficiency with effulgent fire, diarrhea due to spleen deficiency, constipation of excess heat type. |
| Sweet Almond: Chinese Herb Guide | — | — | Constipation due to intestine dryness, cough and asthma due to asthenic disease. |
| Tan Xiang (Sandalwood) | — | — | Used with cautions for the case of yin deficiency and effulgent fire or hemorrhage due to excess heat. |
| Tian Dong (Cochinchnese Asparagus Root) | — | — | It shoutd be used with cautions for cough due to wind-cold invasion and diarrhea due to deficiency cold because of its cold and smooth properties. |
| Tian Gua Zi (Semen Melo) in TCM | Semen Melo | — | It is contraindicated in case of diarrhea and deficiency cold in spleen and stomach. |
| Tian Gua Zi: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 甜瓜子 | It is contraindicated in case of diarrhea and deficiency cold in spleen and stomach. |
| Tian Kui Zi (Radix Semiaquilegiae) | Radix Semiaquilegiae | — | It is contraindicated for loose stool and spleen deficiency. |
| Tian Xian Teng (Dutchmanspipe Vine) | Herba Aristolochiae | — | It is contraindicated to weak people. |
| Ting Li Zi: Chinese Herb Guide | Semen Lepidii | — | With strong action it can damage healthy qi, so it is fit for excess syndromes. It should be used with cautions for lung qi deficiency cough and spleen deficiency edema. |
| Tu Si Zi: Chinese Herb Guide | — | — | It is contraindicated in cases of yin deficiency with effulgent fire and difficult urination because of its warm property and tonifying and astringing actions. |
| White Fungus: Chinese Herb Guide | — | — | It is contraindicated for cough due to wind-cold and phlegm due to damp-heat. |
| White granulated sugar | — | 白沙糖 | It is contraindicated in case of stagnation of phlegm. Do not take too much for children. |
| Wild groundnut seed: Chinese Herb Guide | — | — | It is contraindicated for deficiency of spleen and stomach. |
| Wo Ju: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 莴苣 | Do not eat too mach or for a long time. |
| Wu Bei Zi (Chinese Gall) in TCM | — | — | Use with caution for diarrhea or dysentery of damp-heat type. |
| Wu Gu Chong: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 五谷虫 | It is contraindicated for deficiency cold. |
| Wu Jing: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 芜菁 | Do not take overdose. |
| Wu Wei Zi: Chinese Herb Guide | Fructus Schisandrae | — | Contraindicated when an external pathogen is present, with internal excess heat, in acute cough, and in the early stage of measles. |
| Wu Yi (Fructus Ulmi) in TCM | Fructus Ulmi | 芜荑 | Prohibited in case of spleen deficiency and lung heat. |
| Wu Zei Yu Rou: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 乌贼鱼肉 | Do not take for a long time. |
| Xian Mao: Chinese Herb Guide | Rhizoma Curculiginis | 仙茅 | It is contraindicated in cases of yin deficiency with effulgent fire, and long term usage, because it is toxic. |
| Xian Ren Zhang (Prickly Pear) | — | 仙人掌 | It is contraindicated in case of deficiency cold. |
| Xian Rou: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 蚬肉 | Do not take too much. |
| Xie Cao (Radix Valerianae) | Radix Valerianae | — | It is contraindicated to weak people with yin deficiency. |
| Xu Chang Qing (Radix Cynanchi Paniculati) | Radix Cynanchi Paniculati | 徐长卿 | It is contraindicated to weak people. |
| Xuan Fu Hua (Inula Flower) | — | — | This herb has villi that stimulates throat and causes bucking and vomiting. So it should be decocted with wrapping. |
| Xuan Jing Shi: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 玄精石 | It is contraindicated in case of deficiency cold in spleen and stomach. |
| Xuan Shen (Figwort Root) in TCM | — | 玄参 | It's contraindicated in cases of diarrhea due to spleen deficiency. It is antagonistic to Li Lu. |
| Xun Gu Feng (Herba Aristolochiae Mollissimae) | Herba Aristolochiae Mollissimae | — | It is contraindicated for yin deficiency with endogenous heat and nephritic patients. It should not be used overdose or for a long time. |
| Ya Hu Nu: Chinese Herb Guide | Herba Cissampelotis | 亚乎奴 | It is contraindicated in case of myasthesia gravis. |
| Ya Luan: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 鸭卵 | Do not eat too much. |
| Ya Zhi Cao (Herba Commelinae) | Herba Commelinae | — | It is contraindicated for deficiency-cold in spleen and stomach. |
| Yan Wo: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 燕窝 | It is contraindicated for deficiency-cold in lung and stomach, exterior pathogen and damp phlegm. |
| Yang Mei: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 杨梅 | Do not take too much. |
| Yang Tao (Fruit of Carambola) | — | 阳桃 | Do not take too much. |
| Yi Bei Mu (Sinkiang Fritillary Bulb) | Bulbus Fritillariae Pallidiflorae | 伊贝母 | Contraindicated to Chuan Wu, Cao Wu, Fu Zi. |
| Yi Tang: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 饴糖 | It is contraindicated in case of damp-heat accumulation with vomiting. |
| Yin Chen Hao (Capillary Wormwood Herb) | Herba Artemisiae Scopariae | 茵陈 | It is contraindicated for jaundice with yellowish skin due to accumulation of blood or sallow yellow due to blood deficiency. |
| Yin Di Jue: Chinese Herb Guide | Herba Botrychii | 阴地蕨 | It is contraindicated to weak people or people with deficiency cold and diarrhea. |
| Yin Yu: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 银鱼 | Do not eat too much. |
| Ying Tao: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 樱桃 | Do not eat too much. |
| Yu Bai Pi: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 榆白皮 | It is contraindicated in case of deficiency cold in the stomach. |
| Yu Biao: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 鱼鳔 | It is contraindicated for poor appetite with excessive phlegm. |
| Yu Gan Zi: Chinese Herb Guide | Fructus Phyllanthi | 余甘子 | It is contraindicated for deficiency-cold in spleen and stomach. |
| Yu Mi Xu (Stigma Maydis) in TCM | Stigma Maydis; Corn Stigma | — | Don’t take it for healthy people. |
| Yu Tou (Fruit of Dasheen) | — | 芋头 | Do not eat too much. Avoid taking the raw. |
| Yu Xing Cao: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 鱼腥草 | Long time decocting is not proper because it contains essential oil. |
| Yuan Zhi (polygala root) | — | 炙远志 | It should be used with cautions for excess fire or phlegm-heat because of its warm nature. It should be used with cautions for gastritis and duodenal ulcer because it will stimulate stomach and intestine. |
| Zao Bin Lang (枣槟榔): Chinese Herb Guide | — | 枣槟榔 | It is contraindicated in case of qi deficiency. |
| Ze Lan: Chinese Herb Guide | Herba Lycopi | 泽兰 | It is contraindicated to people without blood stasis. |
| Zhang Yu: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 章鱼 | It is contraindicated in case of medical history of urticaria. |
| Zhe Bei Mu: Chinese Herb Guide | Bulbus Fritillariae Thunbergii | — | Contraindicated to Wu Tou. |
| Zhi Ju Zi (Raisin Tree Seed) | — | — | It is contraindicated to people with deficiency-cold in spleen and stomach. |
| Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena): Qi-Level Heat, Dry Cough and Yin Fire | Rhizoma Anemarrhenae | — | Do not use in deficiency-cold. Cold and moistening: forbidden in spleen-deficiency diarrhea. |
| Zhi Mu: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 知母 | It is not suitable for deficiency cold syndrome. Being cold and moist in property, it is prohibited to be used for those who have a spleen-deficiency diarrhea. |
| Zhi Zi (Cape Jasmine Fruit) | — | 焦栀子 | Being strongly bitter in flavor and cold in nature, it is not good for deficiency-cold syndrome because it can easily impair spleen and stomach. It is contraindicated in case of loose stool due to spleen deficiency. |
| Zhu Li: Chinese Herb Guide | Succus Bambusae | 竹沥 | This herb is cold and slick in property, so prohibited for cold-phlegm and loose stool. |
| Zhu Sha Lian (Kaempfer dutchmanspipe root) | — | 朱砂莲 | It is contraindicated to weak people. |
| Zhu Zai Li: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 猪仔笠 | It is contraindicated in case of deficiency cold. |
| Zi Cao: Chinese Herb Guide | Radix Lithospermi | 紫草 | It's contraindicated in cases of diarrhea due to spleen deficiency, for its defecation-promoting action. |
| Zi Shi Ying: Chinese Herb Guide | — | 紫石英 | It is contraindicated in case of yin deficiency with effulgent fire. |
| Zi Su Zi (Perilla Fruit) in TCM | Fructus Perillae | — | Use carefully for cough and wheezing from yin deficiency, or loose stool from spleen deficiency. |
Where these statements come from
The cautions are reproduced from the classical materia medica and from modern reference monographs, as recorded on each individual entry. The site names its sources on every page and publishes its corrections policy in the editorial policy. If you spot a statement that looks wrong, or a herb that should be listed here and is not, tell us — corrections are logged.
Health education only. Not medical advice. Not medically reviewed. See the medical disclaimer.