Herbal Combinations

Medicinal Combinations are an important aspect of studying Traditional Herbal Medicine. By studying combinations that have been used long term we can learn the pairings that have shown synergistic or complementary activity. These combinations are also used in larger formulas.

Pairs
Agrimony & Camomile
Almond & Licorice
Aloe & Rose
Aloe & Myrrh
Angelica & Zedoary
Anise & Licorice
Anise & Thyme
Gum Arabic & Tragacanth
Asparagus root & Parsley root
Balm & St Johns wort
Barberry & Turmeric
Benzoin & Storax
Betony & Hyssop
Betony & Sage
Betony & Vervain
Bistort & Tormentil
Borage & Fumitory
Burdock root & Yarrow
Burdock seed & Coriander seed
Calamus & Galangal
Calamus & Peony
Calamus & Rue
Camphor & Saffron
Cinnamon & Licorice
Cinnamon twig Gui Zhi & Paeonia Bai Shao
Clove & Nutmeg
Coltsfoot & Licorice
Comfrey & Plantain
Dandelion & Violet
Dodder & Wormwood
Elecampane & Licorice
Ephedra Ma Huang & Apricot kernel Xing Ren
Galangal & Cyperus
Ground Pine & Germander
Guaiacum & Sarsaparilla
Hops & Fumitory
Lacca & Madder
Lavender & Rosemary
Licorice & Comfrey
Ligusticum Chuang Xiong & Angelica Dang Gui
Madder & Rhubarb
Mistletoe & Peony
Motherwort & Cyperus
Myrrh & Frankincense
Peach kernel / Bitter Almond & Saffron / Safflower
Peony & Licorice
Pinellia Ban Xia & Citrus Chen Pi
Radish seed & Mustard seed
Raisin & Licorice
Groups
Cinnamon, Clove & Nutmeg
Rose, Sandalwood & Licorice
'King and Minister Three' (Tabasheer, Camphor, Sandal)

Trikatu, 3 Pungents–Ginger, Long & Black Pepper
Triphala, 3 Fruits–3 Myrobalans
Three Cordial Flowers
Three Yellows (San Huang)

Four Greater Cold Seeds
Four Lesser Cold Seeds
Four Greater Hot Seeds
Four Lesser Hot Seeds
Four Heart Medicines
Four Excellent Medicines (Tibetan Medicine)

The Opening Roots
Pomegranate 5 (Tibetan Medicine)

Six Excellent Medicines (Tibetan Medicine)
See also:
Temperature of Medicines
Hot or Cold? The Temperature of Medicines
Directing Medicines
Tastes of Medicines
Doctrine of Signatures
Humoral Medicine
Medicines used in the Various Systems