Harvest for the Hungry Garden: Chinese Medicinal Plants

Balloon Flower

Leopard Lily

Hare's Ear

Chameleon Plant

Tiger Lily

Licorice Root
Glycyrrhiza uralensis
Gan Zao

Chinese Medicinal Herbs

Lycium chinensis (Chinese Wolfberry) Gou Qi Zi is known for its fruit's nutritive and medicinal properties. It is used to strengthen the eyes since it contains high levels of beta-carotene.

Aster tartaricus - Zi Wan (above)

Belamcanda chinensis - She Gan (below)


Astragalus membranaceus - Huang Qi
Astragalus root is a blood-building herb and has been used to boost energy and stamina, treat anemia and liver disease, and immune enhance the immune system. It also helps lessen the side effects of chemotherapy. It is often added to soups or ground into a powder and added to many strengthening herbal formulas.

Atractylodes macrocephala - Bai Zhu
Atractylodes is an important energy (Qi) tonic famous for regulating the digestive functions and acting as a powerful energy booster. This variety of Atractylodes is widely used in China by athletes and martial artists and in weight control programs.