Chinese Herbs

I am not a "qualified" Chinese herbalist. However I have known about the herb mix which the Chinese herbalists call a tonic for 12 years now, and I am again surprised each time that I have health conditions which I am almost powerless to reverse, and the Chinese herbs do actually work.

I am a bit old fashioned perhaps and I buy the raw herbs which I boil myself. Here is the list:

Dang Gui

Our first herb is angelica sinensis - the "women's herb" dong quai. My book tells me that dang gui enriches the blood, promotes blood circulation, regulates menstruation and pain. It is recommended for a range of skin conditions, infections, lesions, eczema, vitiligo and asthma.

Dang gui dilates the coronary artery, increasing coronary flow. It lowers the blood level of fats, protects the liver from damage and increases biliary secretion.

I love the smell of this herb.

Gou Qi Zi

Frustus Lycii, the fruit of Lycium Barbarum, enriches the blood and improves visual acuity. It is good for diabetes, and protects against liver damage. It was one of the anti aging herbs which was supposed to have enable Professor Li to live for 250 years, and he tells the story of an old man who ate these and walked so fast that Professor Li could not catch him. When he finally met him later he begged at his feet for the secret.

Gan Cao

Radix glycyrrhizae or chinese licorice Glycyrrhizae uralensis. It is used to sweeten a herb concoction. Also in cases of adrenal exhaustion where the stress hormone cortisol is depleted, licorice root imitates one of the steroids resulting in the conservation of the cortisol.

It is effective to treat loss of vital energy, heart palpitations and coughs. It has anti inflammatory properties like hydrocortisone and is used in detoxification, and protection from toxic herbs like aconite. It is an antiasthmatic.

Fu Ling

Fu Ling Poria cocos is used for edema (water retention). It calms the mind, and is effective against palpitations, insomnia and schizophrenia. It has diuretic properties, is effective for gastric ulcers and is liver protective.

Bai Shao

Bai shao or radix paeoniae alba is the root of the Chinese peony which has beautiful flowers.

Bai Shao nourishes the blood and is used for dizziness, irritability and insomnia. It dilates blood vessels and lowers blood pressure (as does arginine). It also inhibits the central nervous system similar to GABA.

Shu Di

Shu di is the root of Rehmannia glutinosa (Chinese foxglove) which has been cooked 9 times in wine. It is the source of the heart drug digitalis. Digitalis is a misnomer based on the false belief that Chinese foxglove is a real foxglove.

Shu di enriches the blood, and is effective for palpitations, fatigue and diabetes. It has anti-inflammatory properties, is a cardiotonic, and hypotensive. It also has diuretic properties.

The heart drug digitalis consists of a sugar, an ester and a steroid. Depending on how much of each is present, this drug can help heart patients. When a person suffers from heart failure, the heart beats faster - achieving less while overworking. What the digitalis does is slows down the whole action, while the heart fills much more blood into the lower chamber, and pumps more firmly.

The end result is that the heart works less while pumping more blood - saving the patient.

Bai Zhu

Bai Zhu is the root of atractylodis macrocephalae. It promotes the function of the adrenal cortex while protecting the liver and increasing the secretion of bile and gastric juices.

Ren Shen

Ren Shen is dried ginseng root. Good for skin infections, exhaustion and shock, palpitation, amnesia, insomnia and impotence. It decreases the blood sugar levels. It has a profound effect on the central nervous system and is a cardiotonic.

Preparation

Well what I do is I have as much as is shown in the picture of each herb (except the ginseng!) A piece of ginseng the size of a finger is enough, but they vary in strength.

I consider this a fairly large dose of all the Chinese herbs shown. I measured one scoop of Chinese herbs as 20 grams.

I have this only once a day, perhaps for a month. So I add all the Chinese herbs to an inch of water in a saucepan or enough to cover the dried Chinese herbs. I like to enjoy the Chinese herbs, so even though I am mainly a vegetarian, I lay two chicken drumsticks on top of the Chinese herbs, and perhaps a large sliced potato to steam.

I also add a spoon of extra virgin olive oil, some star anise, nutmeg salt and pepper.

I bring the Chinese herbs to a boil, then simmer on low. When the chicken and vegetables are cooked I eat them. Later I will drain the now reduced and concentrated liquid into a bowl, and drink it once it cools down. As soon as I have drained the liquid from the Chinese herbs, I add the same amount of water again, more salt and pepper and spices, and I repeat the process twice.

That way the Chinese herbs are extracted three times - then discarded.

I cannot put into words how you feel after taking these Chinese chinese herbs. Generally you will experience deep sleep, calm, and a focused mind. Health problems generally improve.