What are the main categories of commonly used Chinese medicines? What are the characteristics?

At present, most of the Chinese medicinal materials used in Taiwan Province Province (also called decoction pieces, that is, processed medicinal materials) come from Chinese mainland, and some of them come from abroad, such as American ginseng, Korean ginseng and storax. Generally speaking, Chinese herbal medicine can be divided into plants, animals, minerals and so on. Its characteristics are briefly described as follows: ● Plant Chinese herbal medicines account for the highest proportion and are widely used in clinic. Generally, they are herbs, branches, flowers, fruits, seeds, roots, barks and so on of medicinal plants. There are many kinds of these drugs, such as Astragalus, Dendrobium, Ophiopogon japonicus, Almond, Pericarpium Citri Tangerinae, Lotus Seed, Bupleurum and Angelica. , widely used, is the main medicinal material of traditional Chinese medicine decoction. ● Animals account for a small proportion in Chinese herbal medicines, but they play an outstanding role. Usually taken from animal organs, such as genitals, secretory glands, placenta or bile, colloid, crustaceans and so on. Some are pathological substances in animals, such as bezoar and Ma Bao. In addition, there are many insect drugs, such as scorpions, centipedes, Eupolyphaga, etc. Most animal medicinal materials have strong medicinal effects. If used properly, they will make outstanding achievements every time. The example of ore is not high. Generally, it is taken from natural ores, and some of them are processed mineral crystals, inorganic salts or other metal compounds. Some can be fried, such as actinolite and ochre. Some will decompose toxic substances after heating, for example, cinnabar will precipitate mercury after being calcined with fire; Some of them contain serious toxicity and are only suitable for external use, such as calomel, mercury and Lithuania. If the prescription contains minerals, it must be broken in strict accordance with the doctor's advice, wrapped in cloth, and fried first or for a long time to get the effective ingredients.