Goji Berry (Lycium chinense)

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) is a distinctive, long-lived deciduous tree that can grow up to about 100 ft (30 m). It has fan-shaped leaves with radiating veins, often turning bright yellow in autumn. Ginkgo is widely promoted for cognitive impairment and dementia, and with claims that it can enhance cognitive performance in healthy people. NCCIH says ginkgo has not been shown to be effective for any condition studied, including preventing dementia.

Ju hua (Chrysanthemum x morifolium), commonly called the florists’ chrysanthemum, is a perennial reaching about 5 ft (1.5 m), producing clusters of white or yellow daisy-like flowers.

Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) is a tall herbaceous perennial, growing up to about 8 ft (2.5 m) with creamy-white flower spikes. Its thick, knobby root has a bitter, acrid taste and a distinctive odor. Native Americans used the root for a variety of conditions, including menstrual cramps, kidney ailments and sore throat; NCCIH says research has focused on menopause symptoms, and there aren't enough reliable data on other uses.

White peony is an upright perennial growing to 6.5 feet with large white flowers and divided, dark green leaves. Its history of use in China stretches back at least 1,500 years, and it is one of the herbs in 'Four Things Soup.' The plant is cultivated throughout northeastern China and Inner Mongolia, propagated from seed in spring or from root cuttings in winter. The root of 4- or 5-year-old plants is harvested in spring or autumn.

Codonopsis is a small twining perennial growing to 5 feet with oval leaves and pendulous green and purple bell-shaped flowers marked with purple in summer. Native to northeastern China and growing throughout the region, especially in the Shanxi and Szechuan provinces, it is propagated from seed in spring or autumn, and the root is harvested in autumn once the aerial parts have died down. Codonopsis holds a central place in Chinese herbal medicine.

Fo ti (Polygonum multiflorum), also known as he shou wu, is a perennial vine used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

Garlic (Allium sativum) is a bulbous perennial in the onion family, recognized for its sharp flavor and characteristic odor. It is widely used in cooking, and crushed fresh garlic contains allicin. NCCIH says garlic supplements may lower cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar to a small extent, but very little research has tested claims that they boost immunity.

Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) is a deciduous, thorny tree reaching up to about 26 ft (8 m), adorned with small lobed leaves, clusters of white blossoms, and bright red berries. Hawthorn has a long history in European medicine as a heart tonic and was traditionally used for heart disease, digestion and blood circulation. NCCIH says there is little or no quality evidence on hawthorn for most conditions, and conflicting evidence in heart failure.