1. Radix Rehmannia Glutinosa

The Chinese have a famous riddle "I have visited a new place and returned to an old place simultaneously, what herb am I?"  Glutious Rehmannia in its raw form is called "new place" and processed Rehmannia is called "old place" (in their Chinese character).  Processed Rehmannia is derived from raw Rehmannia by steaming it for ten times and drying in the sun nine times.  The functions (clinical usage) of raw and processed Rehmannia are totally different altogether.  One herb plus steam and sun gives you two different herbs. That is the magical wonder of herbal science.  This knowledge has to be passed down from generation to generation.  It cannot be done using laboratory research. It is something that allopathic science cannot explain.

Applications:

• It is used for the treatment of thirst due to pathological heat

• It is used to nourish the vital essence for the treatment of its deficiency

• It is an effective blood tonic

Function of the herb:

• Replenish vital essence of the kidneys
• Protect the liver

Clinical research by western scientists have shown that Chinese Rehmanniae Radix can prevent an inducement of impediment in the peripheral microcirculation of various chronic diseases through the improvement of hemorheology (blood flow).  12826

2. Fructus Zanthii

Function of the herb:

• It is used as an antiallergic, antipruritic and antirheumatic herb

3. Radix Glycyrrhiza Glabra

Applications:

• Invigorates the function of the spleen
• It is used as an antitoxin

Function of the herb:

• Cleanse and protect the liver
• Promotes production of red blood cells
• Invigorates the function of the heart and the spleen
• Improves the vital energy
• Induce antimicrobial activity
• Improves cell functions of liver
• Improves the immune system

Licorice root extract has been used in Japan for more than twenty years as a treatment for chronic hepatitis. Results from randomized clinical trials using licorice root have shown a significant reduction of serum amino-transferase and a significant improvement in liver histology.^11,12

¹¹ Van Rossum TG, Vulto AG, de Man RA, Brouwer JT, Schalm SW. Review Article: glycyrrhizin as a potential treatment for chronic hepatitis C. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 1998 Mar; 12(3): 199-205.
¹² Yamamura Y, Kotaki H, Tanaka N, Aikawa T, Sawada Y, Iga T. The pharmacokinetics of glycyrrhizin and its restorative effect on hepatic function in patients with chronic hepatitis and chronically carbon-tetrachloride intoxicated rats. Biopharm Drug Dispos 1997 Nov;18(8):717-25.

This was part of the report sent by Dr. Minh-Tri Nguyen to Dr. Gueùnaešl Rodier, Director, Department of Communicable Disease Surveillance and Response (CSR), WHO Headquarter  "Viruses are chemical particles having the ability to replicate only inside a living cell. Each virus particle or viron consist of a core of a single nucleic acid DNA or RNA surrounding by a protein coat and some cases by carbohydrates or lipids. Since viruses have no cellular organization, they have not cellular organism, have no nucleus, no cytoplasm and no surrounding  membrane, they are not alive but rather obligate parasites at genetic level (require a host cell in order to replicate). That is why antibiotics (anti=against, bio life) cannot kill coronaryviruses and consequently there is no possible vaccine for colds, influenza or SARS. Coronaryvirus (virus from Latin = poison) can be only counter-acted or neutralized by specific antidote herbs, which are highly suitable for human body." In the report to WHO he sighted that Radix Glycyrrhizae can be used for detoxification: neutralizes the poison produce by viruses and bacteria by action of  Glycyrrhizic acid C₄₂ H₆₂ O₁₆

In another research a group of scientists wrote:

• Laboratory studies of glycyrrhizin in cell cultures suggest that it may have antiviral properties.²¹

• In a review of several randomized controlled trials, researchers reported that glycyrrhizin has potential for reducing long-term complications in chronic hepatitis C in those patients who may not respond to interferon.²² Several of the trials reviewed indicated improvements in liver tissue damaged by hepatitis. Some also showed improvements in how well the liver did its job after treatment.

• A 1997 study and a 2002 review suggest that long-term administration of glycyrrhizin might prevent liver cancer in patients with chronic hepatitis C.^23,24

21.   Shibata S. A drug over the millennia: pharmacognosy, chemistry, and pharmacology of licorice. Yakugaku Zasshi (Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan). 2000;120(10):849-862.

22.   van Rossum TG, Vulto AG, de Man RA, et al. Review article: glycyrrhizin as a potential treatment for chronic hepatitis C. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 1998;12(3):199-205.

23.   Arase Y, Ikeda K, Murashima N, et al. The long term efficacy of glycyrrhizin in chronic hepatitis C patients. Cancer. 1997;79(8):1494-1500.

24.   Kumada H. Long-term treatment of chronic hepatitis C with glycyrrhizin [stronger neo-minophagen C (SNMC)] for preventing liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncology. 2002;62(suppl 1):94-100.

Clinical research by western scientists have shown that glycyrrhizin has inhibitory effects on immune-mediated cytotoxicity against hepatocytes and on nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B, which activates genes encoding inflammatory cytokines in the liver and can be used to treat hepatitis. 87634

Clinical research by western scientists have shown that this herb has strong anticarcinogenic capability. Aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)) causes oxidative stress and ROS formation via metabolic activation of AFB(1). Glycyrrhizic acid (GA) has been reported to have antioxidative properties. 67692

Clinical research by western scientists have shown that the decrease of elevated transaminase levels by glycyrrhizin in patients with chronic viral hepatitis is mediated in part by inhibition of immune-mediated cytotoxicity against hepatocytes. 42643

Clinical research by western scientists have shown that glycyrrhizin suppressed the intracellular transport of HBsAg at the trans-Golgi area after O-linked glycosylation and before its sialylation. Glycyrrhizin, a major component of a herb (licorice), has been widely used to treat chronic hepatitis B in Japan. 14808

Clinical research by western scientists have shown that Glycyrrhizin, an aqueous extract of licorice root, has anti-inflammatory activity and can be used for the treatment of chronic viral hepatitis.  Research showed that glycyrrhizin may prevent tissue injury caused by MAC not only in chronic hepatitis but in many autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. 92245

4. Flos Lonicera Japonica

Applications:

• It is has antibacterial properties
• It is used as antipyretic and anti-inflammatory agent for pyogenic infections

Function of the herb:

• It is used to protect the liver
• It is used to reduce body fat
• It is used to counteract toxic effect
• It is used to cool down the blood

(This herb contains lonicerin, saponin and inositol and is found to be an effective antibacterial and antiviral herb for the treatment of contagious hepatitis) 

5. Radix Scutellaria Baicalensis

Applications:

• It is an important Chinese medicinal herb prescribed for fevers, colds, hypertension, insomnia, headaches, hepatitis, diphtheria, shingles, and other ailments.

Function of the herb:

• It is used to protect the liver
• It is used to induce liver regeneration.
• It is used for the treatment of pyogenic infection. It is used for febrile diseases

Scutellaria baicalensis, also known as Chinese skullcap or Huang Qin, is a widely used herb in traditional Chinese medicine with anticancer, antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Historically, Scutellaria baicalensis has been used to treat respiratory tract infection, diarrhea, jaundice, hepatitis, and cancer. Recent investigations have shown that Scutellaria baicalensis alone, or in combination with other herbs, can inhibit cancer cell growth or induce apoptosis in breast, hepatocellular, pancreatic, prostatic, and urothelial carcinoma cell lines.

Clinical research by western scientists have shown that saikosaponin-a, -d, baicalin from  Scutellaria baicalensis are potent antitumor components. 28;86(1):91-5

Clinical research by western scientists have shown that the flavones of Scutellaria baicalensis showed remarkable inhibitory effects on skin tumor. 40(2):531-3.

Clinical research by western scientists have shown that Scutellaria baicalensis' components, baicalein, baicalin, and wogonin, may become an attractive and promising treatment for bladder cancer because of its strong antioxidant effect.  55(6):951-5

Clinical research by western scientists have shown that Scutellaria baicalensis has anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Research showed that Scutellaria baicalensis selectively and effectively inhibits cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo and can be an effective chemotherapeutic agent for HNSCC. Inhibition of PGE₂ synthesis via suppression of COX-2 expression may be responsible for its anticancer activity.  4037-40

Western scientists has proven that Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi can be used to induce liver regeneration. Research showed that SbG stimulates hepatocyte growth via activation of the NF-B pathway and induces TGF-ß1 gene expression through the Kupffer cell–hepatocyte interaction, which subsequently results in the inhibition of SbG-stimulated hepatocyte growth. 231:444

Clinical research by western scientists have shown that this herb has strong anti-oxidant (anti-cancer) properties. Research showed that most of the anticancer activities of S. baicalensis can be recapitulated with four purified constituents that function in part through inhibition of the androgen receptor signaling pathway. 390539

Clinical research by western scientists has shown that Scutellaria baicalensis have anti-inflammatory functions, high scavenging activity and protects liver and red blood cells from lipid peroxidation. Research showed that extract of Scutellaria baicalensis showed inhibitory actions on aminopyrine N-demethylase and xanthine oxidase activities as well as an pro-oxidant effect observed in the Fe3+-EDTA-H2O2 system. 60151

6. Herba Artemisiae Scoparia

Applications:

• It is used to eliminate damp heat in the liver and gall bladder for the treatment of jaundice such as icteric hepatitis and cholecystitis

Function of the herb:

• It is used to eliminate damp heat in the liver and jaundice caused by hepatitis
• It is used to protect the liver
• It is used to promote liver bile production and excretion
• It is used as an antiviral herb
• It is used as an adjuvant herb to treat liver and gall bladder disease

Clinical research by western scientists have shown that this herb is effective for treating liver diseases. Research showed that scoparone decreases the production of the inflammatory mediators such as NO and PGE2 in macrophages by inhibiting iNOS and COX-2 expression. 203-8 

Another group of scientists wrote "these data indicate that the plant artemisia scoparia is hepatoprotective and validate the folkloric use of this plant in liver damage". The scientists wrote "the pretreatment of rats with plant extract (150 mg/kg) significantly lowered (P < 0.01), the respective serum GOT and GPT levels to 93 +/- 05 and 27 +/- 03 IU/l, indicating hepatoprotective action."