Historical uses for  Chinese Herbs 

Easy to read quick chart using historical actions and indications of herbs.
As always we suggest seeking the advise of a qualified Practitioner before using any herbs, or beginning any herbal activities. 

Terminology

Adoptogenic:  Works with the adrenal glands to combat stress. Adaptogens usually have no side effects.  
Panax Ren shen
Ganoderma Ling Zhi
Eleuthero Ginseng - Ci Wu Jia
Schisandra Berry Wu Wei Zi
Astragalus Huang Qi


Alterative:  Gradually restores the proper function of the body. They act to alter the body's processes of metabolism so tissues can best deal with everything from nutrition to elimination.
Bupleurum chinese  Chai Hu
Angelica sinensis Dong quai
Lycium chinensis  Gou Qi Zi

Analgesics:  Reduces and eliminates pain.
Boswellia Ru Xiang
Asarum Xi Xin
Bupleurum Chai Hu
Lovage Root Gao Be
Chastetree Berry Man Jing Zi
Daemonorops Xue Jie
Siegesbeckia Herb- Xi Xian Cao
Jiao Gu Lan Gynostemmatis Herba
Black Cohosh Sheng Ma
Prepared Aconite Chuan Wu
Angelica Root Bai Zhi
Eucommia Bark Du Zhong

Antibaterical:  Anything that destroys bacteria or suppresses their growth or their ability to reproduce.
Glycyrrhiza Gan Cao
Allium Da Suan
Coptis  Huang Lian
Scutellaria Huang Qin
Commiphora - Mo Yao
Vitex- Mu Jing Zi
Cordyceps - Dong Chong Xia Cao
Arctium Niu Bang Zi
Eriobotrya - Pi Pa Ye
Polygonum-He Shou Wu
Borneo Camphor - Bing Pian
Andrographis - Chuan Xin Lian
Forsythia Fruit Lian Qiao
Reishi Mushroom Ling Zhi
Codonopsis Dang Shen
Sophora Flower Huai Hua
Vitex Man Jing Zi
Aloe Vera Lu Hui
Poria Fu Ling

Anticatarrhal Nasal decongestants
Magnolia Bud- Xin Yi Hua
Siberian Cocklebur - Cang Er Zi
Perilla Leaf Zi Su Ye

Anti-inflammatory:  Reduce inflammation. They are good for the relief of aches and pains, but inflammation is usually only a symptom of an underlying problem.
Coptis - Huang Lian
Scutellaria - Huang Qin
Polygonum  - Quan Shen
Commiphora Mo Yao
Equisetum -  Mu Zei
Honey Licorice Zhi Gan Cao 
Chrysanthemum Flower- Ju Hua
Glossy Privet Berry - Ligustrum
Morinda Root Ba Ji Tian
White Peony Root Bai Shao 
Andrographis herb Chuan Xin Lian
Chrysanthemum Flower Ye Ju Hua
Astragalus Huang Qi

Antispasmodics: Eases muscle tension and spasms. Can help relieve cramps and sometime psychological tension as well.
Chastetree Berry Man Jing Berry
Angelica sinensis Dong quai
Caltrop Fruit Bai Ji Li
Cinnamon Twig Gui Zhi

Anti - Viral
Chrysanthemum Flower - Ju Hua
Isatis  Bang Lan Gen
Coptis Huang Lian
Turmeric Root Jiang Huang
Cinnamon Gui Zhi
Garlic Dan Suan
Epimedium Yin Yang Huo
Notoginseng San Qi

Aphrodisiacs:   are used to improve sexual potency
Horney Goat Weed - Yin Yang Huo
Tribulus terrestris - Bai Ji Li
Deer Antler Lu Jiao
Sea Cucumber Hai Shenlla
Actinolite - Hai Gou Shen
Morinda Root Ba Ji Tian

Astringents:  are herbs that constrict.
Schisandra  -  Wu Wei Zi
Coptis - Huang Lian
Vitex - Mu Jing Zi
Ophicalcitum - Hua Rui Shi 
Calamina - Lu Gan Shi

Carminatives:  are taken to relieve gas and pain in the bowels.
Evodia Berry- Wu Zhu Yu
Dried Ginger Root-  Gan Jiang
Gentain Root- Dang Yao
Cardamom Pod- Bai Dou Kou
Clove Bud- Ding Xiang
Galangal Root- Gao Liang Jiang

Cholagogues:  are used to promote the flow and discharge of bile into the small intestine
Scutellaria- Huang Qin
Ripe Citrus Peel- Chen Pi
Tumeric Tuber- Yu Jin
Bitter Orange - Zhi Shi
Wood Aromatic - Yun Mu Xiang
Downy Wormwood Herb- Yin Chen Hao

Diuretics:  are used to increase the flow of urine.
Astragalus Huang  Qi
Polygonum - Quan Shen
Equisetum -=Mu Zei
Poria cocos- Fu Ling
Atractylodes macrocephala-Bai shu
White Angelica Root- Bai Zhi
Imperta / Woolly Grass Rhizome Bai Mao Gen

Decongestant:  A herb that shrinks the swollen membranes in the nose and makes it easier to breath.
Allium - Da Sun
Angelica  Bai Zhi
Mulberry Leaf - Morus Sang Ye
Ephedra Ma Huang

Diaphoretics
Japanese Catnip Herb- Jing Jie
Fieldmint Herbs  - Bo He
Burdock Seed - Niu Bang Zi

Dumulcent:  Soothe and protect irritated and inflamed internal tissue. When a demulcent herb is used externally, it is called an emollient.
Ku Xing Ren
Pueraria lobata - Ge Gen
Mulberry Fruit -Morus Sang Shen
Black Sesame Seed - Hei Zhi Ma

Emollients:  are used to soften, sooth, and protect the skin.
Bletilla -Bai Ji
Stellaria media (water)  -Cha Si Wong
Elder Flowers
Comfrey
Marshmallow

Expectorants:  are used to expel mucus from the lungs and throat.
Asarum  Xi Xin
Ku Xing Ren
Citrus reticulata- Chen Pi
Plantago  - Che Qian Cao
Loquat Leaf - Pi Pa Ye
Cattail Pollen - Pu Huang
Rock Sweet Flag Root - Shi Chang Pu

Hemostatics:  are used to arrest hemorrhaging.
Astragalus - Huang Qi
Scutellaria Huang Qin
Cattail Pollen - Pu Huang
Field Lotus Herb- Han Lian Cao
Corydalis - Yan Hu Suo
Puffball Mushroom- Ma Bo
Artemisia Leaf Ai Ye
Rhubarb Root Da Huang
Dragon's Teeth Long Chi
Lotus Nodus Ou Jie

Immnune Enhancer
Gotu Kola Leaf - Ji Xue Cao
Astragalus - Huang Qi
Pau D Arco bark
Goldenseal Root

Laxatives:  are used to promote bowel movements.
Polygoum - Quan Shen
Arctium - Niu Bang Zi
Scutellaria baicalensis - Huang Chi
Senna Fan Xie Ye
Hemp Huo Ma Ren
Apricot Kernel Tao Ren

Nervines:  are used to calm nervous tension and nourish the nervous system.
Asarum - Xi Xin
Ziziphus jujuba 
Siegesbeckia - Xi Xian Cao

Nutritive:  nourishing to the body
Logan Fruit - Long Yan Rou

Reproductive Restorative: A medicine or other agent that helps to restore health, or strength
Tribulus Bai Ji Li 

Sedatives:  are used to quiet the nervous system.
Angelica - Bai Zhi
Eleutherococcus - Ci Wu Jia
Gambir Vine - Uncaria Gou Teng
Celestial Hemp Corn - Tian Ma

Stimulants:  are used to increases the energy of body, and warm the body.
Schisandra - Wu Wei Zi 
Ephedra - Ma Huang
Citrus reticulata - Chen Pi

Tonics:  Restores, refreshes and invigorates the body.
Codonopsis pilosula -Dang Shen
Rehmannia glutinosa - Sheng Di Huang

Vulnerary:  Any preparation, plant or drug used in the treatments of wounds.
Storax Resin Su He Xiang

References taken from:  
Jade Remedies by Peter Holmes
Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology by John Chen and Tina Chen

Books which may be helpful in understanding all of the dynamics of Herbal Medicine are: