Toxic Endangered Herbs

Toxic Endangered Herbs

Chinese herbs that are illegal or considered toxic in the United States

These herbs are either illegal or considered toxic in the United States and are replaced by other medicinal herbs with similar properties in preparations. These Herbs are not on the California Acupuncture Licensing Exam.

  • Cao Wu Prepared Wild Aconite (Radix Aconiti Kusnezoffii Preparata)
  • Chuan Wu Prepared Sichuan Aconite (Radix Aconiti Preparata)
  • Fu Zi Processed Aconite (Radix Lateralis Praeparatus Aconiti Carmichaeli)
  • Gan Sui Kansui Root (Radix Euphorbiae Kansui)
  • Ge Jie Gecko (Gecko)
  • Hong Da Ji Peking Spurge Root or Euphorbia (Radix Euphorbiae seu Knoxiae)
  • Hu Gu Tiger Bone (Os Tigris)
  • Hu Lu Ba Fenugreek Seed (Semen Trigonellae Foeni-graeci)
  • Hu Po Amber (Succinum)
  • Huo Ma Ren Hemp Seeds or Cannabis Seeds (Semen Cannabis Sativae)
  • Jiang Can Body of Sick Silkworm (Bombyx Batryticatus)
  • Liu Huang Sulpher (Sulphur)
  • Lu Jiao Deer Horn (Cornu Cervi)
  • Lu Jiao Jiao Deer Horn Gelatin (Gelatinum Cornu Cervi)
  • Ma Huang Ephedra Stem (Herba Ephedrae)
  • Qian Niu Zi Morning Glory Seeds or Pharbitis (Semen Pharbiditis)
  • Quan Xie Scorpion, Buthus (Buthus Martensis)
  • She Xiang Deer Musk (Secretio Moschi Moschifeni)
  • Shi Chang Pu Sweetflag Rhizome (Rhizoma Acori Graminei)
  • Shi Jun Zi Rangoon Creeper Fruit with Seeds (Fructus Quisqualis)
  • Su He Xiang Rose Maloes Resin (Styrax Liquidis)
  • Tan Xiang Sandalwood (Heartwood) (Lignum Santali Albi)
  • Wu Gong Centipede (Scolopendra Subspinipes)
  • Wu Ling Zhi Flying Squirrel Feces (Feces Trogopterori Seu Pteromi)
  • Xi Jiao Rhinoceros Horn (Cornu Rhinoceri)
  • Xiong Dan Bear Gallbladder (Vesica Fellea Ursi)
  • Zao Jiao Chinese Honeylocust Fruit (Gleditsiae Sinensis Fructus)
  • Zhu Sha Cinnabar (Cinnabar)
  • Zi He Che Human Placenta (Placenta Hominis)

References Used

The TCM information presented here has been referenced from numerous sources; including teachers, practitioners, class notes from Five Branches University, the following books, as well as other sources. If you have benefited from this information, please consider supporting the authors and their works by purchasing the books below.

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