March 9, 2011

Chicken Soup with Ginseng, Angelica & Ginger (Ren Shen, Dang Gui & Sheng Jiang)

THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS:

This is a nutritious tonic to promote qi and blood, improve bodily functions and energy.  Overall blood tonic.

PER SERVING:

  • Angelica (dang-gui) head 當歸頭- 5-10gram  (too much will give the soup a bitter taste)
  • Ginseng 人參 - 8gm  (or substitute Codonopsis ‘Dang Shen’)
  • Small Whole Chicken  (about 1 lb., use black-meat chicken for best effects)
  • Pitted red dates  紅棗 - 12 pieces
  • Fresh Ginger 生薑 - 2 slices
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September 29, 2010

Astragalus Wine (Huáng Qí Jiŭ 黃耆)

Rice Wine'Huang Qi' 黃耆 Astragalus is one of the most helpful tonic herbs from the Asian materia medica.  This sweet and warm herbal medicine is categorized in the same category as Ginseng, and the two herbs have some similar properties.  Astragalus is used in many formulas and is good for people who show some weakness or signs of deficiency.  The strengthening properties of this plant will help to balance out and build up the person's weakness.  However, Astragalus is not particularly helpful for people who are prone to excess stagnation (thick tongue coating).

How to Use Astragalus:

Astragalus can be used in many ways.  The dried root slices are often cooked in water to extract the medicinal components.  The herb can also be taken internally in granular form, as a powder and in an alcohol extract (either as a tincture or as a wine).

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