Historical records indicate that the cultivation of Rehmannia has a history of nearly three thousand years. In the Compendium of Materia Medica, Rehmannia is described as follows: “The Rehmannia from Jiangsu and Zhejiang receives the Yang energy of the south; although its quality is smooth and shiny, its potency is weak; while that from Huaiqing Prefecture, which is characterized by pure Yin from the north, has a bumpy skin and great potency. Today, people regard Huaiqing Rehmannia as the best.”
According to the Essentials of Materia Medica: “Rehmannia, the Huaiqing variety is superior.”
In the Compendium of Materia Medica, it is recorded: “When tested in water, the floating one is called Tian Huang, the half-floating and half-sinking one is called Ren Huang, and the sinking one is called Di Huang.” Therefore, people consider the sinking variety to be precious, and over time, it has been named Rehmannia.
According to the New Materia Medica: “Huaiqing Rehmannia is best when it is large and short, with a glutinous texture and a chrysanthemum heart.”
Thus, people throughout history have valued “Huai goods”. The name comes from the ancient Huaiqing Prefecture, located in present-day Jiaozuo, Henan Province. So what benefits does Huai Rehmannia actually have? How does it contribute to our health?
According to the Compendium of Materia Medica, Nine Steams and Nine Sun Dried Rehmannia can: nourish the bone marrow, promote muscle growth, generate essence and blood, replenish the five organs, address internal injuries and deficiencies; promote blood circulation, benefit the ears and eyes, and darken hair; it can be used for men’s five labors and seven injuries, women’s uterine bleeding, menstrual irregularities, and various pregnancy-related ailments.。
Fresh Rehmannia about to be harvested
My main business is cultivating Huai yam, and I often have friends asking me if I can help them buy Nine Steams and Nine Sun Dried Rehmannia. After nearly half a year of searching, I found that in our local area and even throughout the entire Jiaozuo region, no one possesses the skill to make Nine Steams and Nine Sun Dried Rehmannia!
Since then, I have thought that such a valuable technique left by our ancestors has been lost in the original production area of Huai Rehmannia! It is indeed a tragedy. Later, I asked friends, sought connections, and visited many TCM researchers and scholars in Shanghai and Beijing, including university professors and renowned TCM experts. They all expressed that they had only seen records in ancient medical texts but had never encountered real Nine Steams and Nine Sun Dried Rehmannia.
I thought that since this technique has been lost, it might never be replicated. After returning home, I got busy, and this matter was set aside.
In March 2016, several old customers came to ask me about Rehmannia again, still inquiring if I could help them buy Nine Steams and Nine Sun Dried Rehmannia. I could only tell my clients the truth. Is the technique of Nine Steams and Nine Sun Dried Rehmannia truly irreproducible? Since then, I began to search for information, trying to find traces of the records on how to make Nine Steams and Nine Sun Dried Rehmannia.
Referring to the records in medical texts, I continuously experimented, from roasting fresh Rehmannia to steaming and drying raw Rehmannia in a small wooden basket. Due to the lack of any reference experience, by the time the first batch of experimental products was completed, it was already June. I mustered the courage to taste the Rehmannia I made, and the flavor was far from what was described in the Compendium of Materia Medica. Originally, I planned to invite an old TCM doctor to taste and evaluate it, but I had to give up and look for the reasons for the failure.
During the second experiment, the flavor improved significantly, but it still could not reach the recorded state and color. Reflecting on the processes of the previous two experiments, I continued to research and began the third and fourth experiments, constantly asking people to taste my samples. The number of experiments reached dozens! Either the taste was wrong, or the color and texture did not meet the requirements. During this time, two old TCM friends I had known for many years advised me to give up. I thought, having failed so many times, it didn’t matter anymore. Since there are records in ancient texts, I would take my time, and I would eventually succeed. So during that period, whenever I had free time, I began experimenting.
Roasted raw Rehmannia
Efforts do not betray the diligent; finally, last year, I managed to produce Rehmannia that met the characteristics described in the Compendium of Materia Medica: “black as lacquer, shiny as oil, sweet as honey”. However, I was still not completely confident, so I sought out old TCM doctors to taste it, and the results surprised me; they all gave high praise, and one even expressed a desire to purchase my experimental product.
After returning home, I reflected on the process and methods of the last experiment, made some more, and sent them to a testing agency to check the effective component content of Nine Steams and Nine Sun Dried Rehmannia. Huai Rehmannia itself has a higher effective component content than Rehmannia from other regions. After waiting nearly a month, the test results came out, and all effective component contents met the standards!
Excited, I immediately shared this good news with the old TCM doctors who had been guiding me technically. I could hear their excitement over the phone. More than two years of effort had not been in vain; finally, there was a good result. At that moment, I felt that all the hard work was worth it…
We sell Rehmannia made from premium raw materials, completely following the preparation methods recorded in the Compendium of Materia Medica, using wooden baskets, earthen pots, burning wood, and bamboo baskets for drying. Each batch takes about a month and a half to produce, and in bad weather, the production time may increase.
Selection of Raw Materials: Li Shizhen mentioned in the Compendium of Materia Medica that large, heavy Rehmannia has higher medicinal value after processing. Therefore, we follow the records and search for the best Huai Rehmannia in the main production area of Jiaozuo. Large specimens are rare; it takes about 450 pounds to select 1 pound of premium heavy Rehmannia. (For example, the initial raw material for cooked Rehmannia is fresh Rehmannia. Fresh Rehmannia is roasted to become raw Rehmannia, and raw Rehmannia must undergo Nine Steams and Nine Sun Dried to be considered true cooked Rehmannia. 1000 pounds of fresh Rehmannia can yield about 200 pounds of raw Rehmannia, and among those 200 pounds, only 0.44 pounds are premium raw Rehmannia. After Nine Steams and Nine Sun Dried, the final product yields 0.22 pounds of cooked Rehmannia.)
Washed raw Rehmannia
Washing: Freshly dug Rehmannia contains moisture and soil. Before roasting, the skin is relatively fragile and thin, making it easy to peel. However, after roasting, the skin has many wrinkles, and soil can remain in the creases. If not cleaned properly, it can have a sandy texture when consumed, making it difficult to swallow. Therefore, washing raw Rehmannia is very time-consuming, requiring manual brushing with small brushes to remove surface soil, and care must be taken not to apply too much force, or the skin will peel off, affecting the efficacy.
Steaming: Raw Rehmannia is a cooling blood medicine, while cooked Rehmannia can nourish blood and generate essence. Therefore, Rehmannia must be steamed and dried for sufficient time. Nine Steams and Nine Sun Dried is the best preparation method to bring out the medicinal properties of Rehmannia. The steaming process is not simply placing it in a steamer with water; it also requires pairing with other medicinal materials and precious ingredients. After nine steams and nine sun dries, the appearance changes from yellow-brown to pitch black, the taste changes from bitter to sweet, and it transforms from a cooling blood medicine to a blood-nourishing medicine. The ratio of raw materials and the control of steaming time will affect the properties of Rehmannia, which is the core of the Nine Steams and Nine Sun Dried technique.
Rehmannia being dried
Drying: After each steaming, Rehmannia must be dried promptly, preferably on sunny days, placed in bamboo baskets, spread evenly, and turned every few hours to avoid uneven heating.
Storage: The unique medicinal properties of cooked Rehmannia require that it does not come into contact with metal utensils during the steaming, drying, transportation, and consumption processes. Therefore, after the production of cooked Rehmannia, we choose ceramic jars for storage, which are more convenient for transportation and preservation.
Rehmannia being dried
The Effects and Nutritional Value of Nine Steams and Nine Sun Dried Rehmannia
Cooked Rehmannia: sweet in nature, slightly warm, enters the liver and kidney meridians. Its effects include nourishing Yin, replenishing blood, and benefiting essence and marrow. Cooked Rehmannia is rich in glucose, vitamins, and other beneficial substances, which can stimulate hematopoietic cells in the bone marrow, increase blood cell production, and has immune-regulating effects, as well as functions such as lowering blood sugar, strengthening the heart, and protecting the liver, making it an excellent health food for wellness.
1. Cooked Rehmannia can replenish blood and is commonly used for blood deficiency, sallow complexion, dizziness, palpitations, insomnia, menstrual irregularities, and excessive bleeding.
2. It can be used for tidal fever, night sweats, nocturnal emissions, and excessive thirst caused by liver and kidney Yin deficiency.
3. Suitable for symptoms of lower back and knee weakness, dizziness, tinnitus, and premature graying of hair due to deficiency of essence and blood.
4. It has anti-aging effects; essence and blood are the material basis for life activities, and aging is caused by deficiency of essence and blood. Cooked Rehmannia can replenish blood and essence, making it a key medicine for anti-aging and can be used for the prevention and treatment of various diseases in middle-aged and elderly people.
The Shennong Bencao Jing even lists Nine Steams and Nine Sun Dried Rehmannia as a superior product. In daily life, people often use cooked Rehmannia with various foods to make health-preserving medicinal dishes that are both nutritious and delicious.
Stored in ceramic jars
Recommended Methods of Consumption: Cooked Rehmannia should be cut into cubes with a ceramic knife and boiled in water for drinking (boil for 50 minutes). For daily health maintenance, 12-15 grams is sufficient. If used for medicinal purposes, 15-90 grams is needed (please use under the guidance of a physician). It can also be soaked in liquor or added to soups and stews for nourishment.
Precautions: Cooked Rehmannia should not come into contact with iron utensils, as contact with iron will alter its properties, such as copper, aluminum, and iron containers or tools. When taking it, use a ceramic knife to cut it, and when boiling, use glass or ceramic containers.
Usage Notes: This product is sticky in nature; those with Qi stagnation, phlegm, abdominal distension, poor appetite, or loose stools should avoid it, or use it under the guidance of a physician. It is not recommended for women during their menstrual period.
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Nine Steams and Nine Sun Dried Rehmannia has a long production cycle, complex and meticulous craftsmanship, and extremely limited output. However, I will continue to provide authentic Nine Steams and Nine Sun Dried Rehmannia with quality assurance, just like Huai yam, so that more people can benefit. You can also add WeChat for inquiries: 158 3829 6386