The Intriguing Naming of Chinese Herbs
The naming of Chinese herbs is extremely diverse, including names based on functions and indications, origin and distribution; color, shape, and odor; harvesting season; and legendary figures. Overall, the tendency leans toward imagery, resulting in many amusing discrepancies between name and reality.<pstyle="MARGIN-TOP:6px;MARGIN-LEFT:3px;MARGIN-RIGHT:3px;margin-botom:0">“Zi” not a seed: Stone clam shell (Walenzi) is actually the shell of a mud clam; Myrobalan (Moshi zi) is actually the larva of a gall insect living on myrobalan trees; Heavenly Water Seed (Tian Gui Zi) is actually the tuber of a Ranunculaceae plant; similarly, Yellow Medicine Root (Huang Yaozi) and White Medicine Root (Bai Yaozi) are both tubers of plants. These “zi” do not refer to seeds in the general sense.<pstyle="MARGIN-TOP:6px;MARGIN-LEFT:3px;MARGIN-RIGHT:3px;margin-botom:0">“Cao” not grass: Winter worm summer grass (Dongchong Xiazao) is actually the fruiting body and dead larva of a fungus parasitizing on insects; Phoenix Eye Grass (Fengyancao) is actually the fruit of Ailanthus; while Rush Stem (Dengxincao) and Tongcao are both derived from the stem of their respective plants.<pstyle="MARGIN-TOP:6px;MARGIN-LEFT:3px;MARGIN-RIGHT:3px;margin-botom:0">“Sha” not sand: Silkworm feces (Can Sha), Night Bright Sand (Yeming Sha), and Moon-Gazing Sand (Wangyue Sha) are actually droppings from silkworms (not spring silkworms), bats, and wild rabbits, respectively—completely different from mineral sands.<pstyle="MARGIN-TOP:6px;MARGIN-LEFT:3px;MARGIN-RIGHT:3px;margin-botom:0">“Shi” not stone: Fish Brain Stone (Yunao Shi) is the otolith inside the skull of a large yellow croaker; Salt-Season Stone (Xian Qiushi) is merely a replica of table salt; Light Season Stone (Dan Qiushi) is the surface crystallization formed after gypsum is soaked in urine for a long time; while Piercing Stone (Chuapo Shi) refers to roots of certain plants.<pstyle="MARGIN-TOP:6px;MARGIN-LEFT:3px;MARGIN-RIGHT:3px;margin-botom:0">“Shen” not kidney: Sea Dog Kidney (Haidou Shen), Yellow Dog Kidney (Huanggou Shen), and Deer Kidney (Lushen) are actually the reproductive organs of sea dogs, dogs, and deer, respectively; Vegetable Head Kidney (Caichou Shen) is merely a plant root; Lychee Kidney (Lizhi Shen) is a herbaceous plant unrelated to animal kidneys.