Hi friends!
We had the opportunity to taste some individual medicinal herbs that are well known in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Guess which ones we tried? We tasted Tu Si Zi, Hu Zhang, Xi Xin, and Wu Jia Pi. In TCM, these herbs are considered powerful and offer a variety of health benefits! Let’s dive into these herbs and explore how they can help us stay healthy and happy!
Tu Si Zi (Chinese Dodder Seed)
Scientific Name: Cuscutae Semen
Chinese and Korean Name: 兎絲子 (토사자)
Properties:
- Nature: Neutral
- Flavor: Acrid, Sweet
- Meridians: Kidney (KD), Liver (LV)
- Dosage: 6-15g
Abilities and Functions:
- Tonify Yang: Strengthens Yang energy, supporting overall vitality.
- Augment Yin: Enhances Yin to balance the body's cooling and nourishing forces.
- Secure Essence and Urine: Helps to retain bodily fluids and essence.
- Tonify Kidneys and Liver: Supports the health of the Kidneys and Liver.
- Improve Vision: Aids in enhancing visual functions.
- Benefit Spleen and Kidneys: Supports both the Spleen and Kidneys.
- Stop Diarrhea: Helps in treating and preventing diarrhea.
- Calm Fetus: Assists in maintaining pregnancy and preventing miscarriage.
Caution/Contraindication:
- Fire from Yin Deficiency: Avoid if you have symptoms of heat due to Yin deficiency.
- Constipation and Scanty, Dark Urine: Not suitable for individuals with constipation or scanty, dark urine.
Hu Zhang (Knotweed Rhizome)
Scientific Name: Polygoni Cuspidati Rhizoma
Chinese and Korean Name: 虎杖 (호장/호장근)
Properties:
- Nature: Cold
- Flavor: Bitter
- Meridians: Gallbladder (GB), Liver (LV), Lung (LU)
- Dosage: 9-15g
Abilities and Functions:
- Invigorate Blood: Stimulates blood flow and circulation.
- Unblock Channels: Helps to clear blockages in the body's channels.
- Clear Heat: Reduces excess heat in the body.
- Dispel Damp: Removes dampness from the body.
- Relieve Toxicity: Addresses toxic conditions and infections.
Caution/Contraindication:
- Pregnancy: Use with caution during pregnancy.
Taste and Feeling: Hu Zhang had a strong bitter taste, which immediately gave a cooling sensation. This herb is known for its ability to clear heat and invigorate blood, and after tasting it, we felt a refreshing coolness, especially in the chest area, as if it was working to cleanse and unblock channels within the body. It left a slight aftertaste that made us feel energized and light.
Xi Xin (Wild Ginger)
Scientific Name: Asari Radix et Rhizoma
Chinese and Korean Name: 細辛 (세신)
Properties:
- Nature: Warm
- Flavor: Acrid
- Meridians: Heart (HT), Kidney (KD), Lung (LU)
- Dosage: 1-3g
Abilities and Functions:
- Warm Lungs: Helps to alleviate lung conditions by providing warmth.
- Transform Thin Mucus: Aids in converting and removing thin mucus from the respiratory tract.
- Disperse Cold: Relieves cold symptoms by dispersing cold throughout the body.
- Stop Pain: Provides relief from pain, including headaches and body aches.
Caution/Contraindication:
- Profuse Sweating from Qi Deficiency: Avoid if experiencing excessive sweating due to a deficiency of Qi (vital energy).
- Headaches or Cough Due to Yin Deficiency: Not suitable for use if the headache or cough is caused by a deficiency of Yin in the body.
Taste and Feeling: Xi Xin had a sharp, acrid flavor, with a strong warming effect that we could feel almost instantly. Its function to disperse cold and warm the Lungs was clear as it seemed to clear our nasal passages and open up our chest. We also noticed a bit of tingling, as it is known to transform thin mucus and stop pain. This one felt powerful and stimulating.
Wu Jia Pi (Eleutherococcus Root Bark)
Scientific Name: Acanthopanacis Cortex
Chinese and Korean Name: 五加皮 (오가피)
Properties:
- Nature: Warm
- Flavor: Acrid, Bitter
- Meridians: Kidney (KD), Liver (LV)
- Dosage: 4.5-15g
Abilities and Functions:
- Dispel Wind Damp: Relieves dampness and wind in the body.
- Strengthen Sinews and Bones: Supports the health of muscles and bones.
- Transform Damp: Helps to remove excess dampness from the body.
- Reduce Swelling: Assists in reducing swelling and inflammation.
Taste and Feeling: Wu Jia Pi tasted bitter and slightly acrid, with a moderate warmth that spread slowly throughout the body. It felt soothing, especially in the muscles and joints, reflecting its ability to dispel wind damp and strengthen sinews and bones. After taking it, we felt a subtle boost of energy, and it left us feeling more grounded and stable.
Those were the four herbs we tasted! Have you ever tried individual herbs and felt their benefits? It’s a wonderful way to connect with the herbs. What’s your favorite herb? And which one do you like the least?
Please note: This is not medical advice. Herbal medicine can cause side effects or worsen health issues if taken without proper preparation, an understanding of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) principles, or in excessive amounts. Be sure to understand each herb’s actions and cautions/contraindications before using them. If you're unsure, it's always best to consult a TCM practitioner.
Be best friends with herbs!
Find these Boncho friends in our Herbology Deck (Tu Si Zi and Wu Jia Pi) and Ultimate Herbology Deck (Tu Si Zi, Wu Jia Pi, Hu Zhang, and Xi Xin)!
