Herbal Nourishment for a Healthy Life
Spring is the best season for liver nourishment, yet many often overlook the care of the gallbladder. According to TCM theory, the liver governs the smooth flow of Qi, and the secretion and excretion of bile depend on the liver’s ability to regulate. When the liver’s function is normal, bile can be excreted, thus promoting the spleen and stomach’s transformation and transportation of food. The gallbladder stores and excretes bile, which also aids the liver’s regulatory function. Therefore, the liver and gallbladder are interdependent and mutually influential. While nourishing the liver, we should also consider the gallbladder’s health.
When the liver and gallbladder are not in harmony, the liver’s inability to regulate can lead to poor bile excretion, resulting in conditions such as cholecystitis and gallstones. Conversely, damp-heat in the gallbladder can also affect the liver, leading to symptoms such as rib pain, fatty liver, alcoholic liver disease, and hepatitis. TCM believes that most of these conditions are related to damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder. When damp-heat obstructs the liver and gallbladder, it hinders the liver’s regulatory function, causing various issues. At this time, we can utilize a herb called Ji Gu Cao (Chicken Bone Grass), which has the effects of soothing the liver, alleviating pain, and eliminating dampness and jaundice.
The preparation is simple: we need 20g of Ji Gu Cao (Chicken Bone Grass), 10g of Fu Ling (Poria), half a carrot, 15g of Bian Dou (Hyacinth Bean), 2 pieces of honey dates, along with 200g of lean meat and 1 pig’s tongue. Cook them together to make a soup that can eliminate dampness, reduce jaundice, and soothe the liver while alleviating pain. It is sweet and delicious, beneficial for liver and gallbladder health.
Ji Gu Cao (Chicken Bone Grass) has a sweet flavor and a cool nature, with effects of soothing the liver, alleviating pain, and eliminating dampness and jaundice. Caution is advised for those with deficiency-cold conditions;
Fu Ling (Poria) is neutral in nature, with a sweet and bland taste, and has the effects of promoting urination, reducing swelling, and strengthening the spleen to eliminate dampness;
Bian Dou (Hyacinth Bean) has nourishing and strengthening properties, harmonizes the five organs, strengthens the spleen and boosts Qi, dispels summer heat, transforms dampness, and promotes urination.
This Ji Gu Cao (Chicken Bone Grass) soup is suitable for most people and can be consumed 1-2 times a week. It is especially beneficial for those who often feel fullness in the chest and ribs, experience dry mouth and bitter taste, have a yellowish complexion, and frequently suffer from insomnia. Friends with some free time might as well try it and share it with those in need.
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This article is for communication and sharing purposes only; please follow medical advice when using herbs.