ShangMealsIn Chinese kitchens, the line between seasoning and medicine has always been blurry. The spices on the shelf do more than flavor a dish - many are traditionally used to warm digestion, clear dampness, or support the immune system. This quick reference gathers the herbs, spices, and tonic ingredients most commonly used in Chinese home cooking, along with what they are traditionally used for and their beneficial properties.
Type in the box below to filter the tables - try searching for garlic, ginger, or jujube.
Spices
| Name | Chinese | Used for / Good for | Properties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ginger | 姜 | Nausea, morning sickness, recovery from illness, dizziness | Warming digestion, anti-nauseant, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant |
| Onion | 葱（洋葱） | General health | Anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory sulfur compounds |
| Garlic | 蒜 | General health; particularly heart, vascular, and immune system | Lowers cholesterol, immune boosting, anti-microbial |
| Star anise | 八角 | Digestive, relieves colic and gut pain | Anti-viral, carminative, anti-oxidant |
| Szechuan pepper | 花椒 | Toothache, cold or slow digestion | Circulatory stimulant, heating, antimicrobial |
| Cinnamon | 肉桂 | Type 2 diabetes, general health, gut health | Anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, can lower blood sugar |
| Angelica dahurica | 白芷 | Digestive, relieves colic and gut pain | Anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, analgesic, digestive, carminative |
| Galanga | 山奈 | Nausea, morning sickness, recovery from illness, improves digestion | Warming digestive, circulatory stimulant, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant |
| Amomum tsaoko | 草果 | Malaria, diabetes, obesity, and other metabolic conditions | Clears heat and dampness, regulates qi, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial |
| Bay leaf | 香叶 | Savory aromatic, stimulates digestive juices | Anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, digestive stimulant |
| Cardamom | 白蔻 | Relieves gas and indigestion, improves health | Anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, carminative |
| Fennel seed | 小茴香 | Relieves nausea, cramps, and indigestion | Carminative, anti-oxidant, digestive aid |
| Nutmeg | 肉蔻 | Relieves gas and indigestion, improves circulation and health | Anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, carminative, warming circulatory stimulant |
| Black / white pepper | 胡椒 | Improves digestion and absorption of nutrients, warming | Anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, heating circulatory stimulant, increases absorption |
Herbs & healthy ingredients
| Name | Chinese | Used for / Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Perilla | 紫苏 | Anti-inflammatory, digestive aid |
| Wolfberry (goji berry) | 枸杞 | Liver and kidney, immune health, anti-oxidant |
| Huaishan | 淮山 | Diabetes; stomach; spleen |
| Job's tears | 薏仁 | Promotes urination and drains dampness |
| Chinese yam | 山药 | Reinforces the spleen and harmonizes the stomach |
| Angelica sinensis | 当归 | Blood tonic, digestive, anti-inflammatory |
| Astragalus | 黄芪 | Qi, builds lung health and improves energy |
| Adenophora | 沙参 | Lungs |
| Codonopsis pilosula | 党参 | Builds immune health |
| Ginseng | 人参 | Qi, adaptogen, reduces the effects of stress on the body |
| Ophiopogon japonicus | 麦冬 | Immune system |
| Polygonatum odoratum | 玉竹 | Lungs and throat, moistening, soothing and nourishing |
| Red dates (jujube) | 红枣 | Blood and qi, nourishing tonic, improves digestion |
| Hawthorn | 山楂 | Digestive, heart and vascular tonic |
Compiled by Deb Lucas, certified herbalist. This information is for general reference and traditional use only - it is not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional before using herbs or ingredients for medicinal purposes.