As people age, many gradually feel a lack of energy. At this time, brewing three types of herbal medicine can lead to noticeable improvements.
Yi Zhi Ren (Alpinia Oxyphylla)
Kidney Tonification and Memory Enhancement
Yi Zhi Ren is non-toxic, has a spicy flavor, and is warm in nature, entering the Heart, Spleen, and Kidney meridians. It has the effects of warming the kidneys, securing essence, and stimulating appetite.
Historical medical texts also state that Yi Zhi Ren can tonify the kidneys, strengthen yang, secure essence, reduce urination, warm the Spleen, stop diarrhea, and enhance memory.
Modern pharmacological studies confirm that Yi Zhi Ren contains various compounds that have significant strengthening and therapeutic effects on patients with kidney yang deficiency and cold intolerance.
◆ Combined with Yuan Zhi, Yi Zhi Ren can clear the mind, treat dizziness, enhance energy, and prevent dementia.
Shen Jin Cao (Stretching Muscle Grass)
Relaxing Muscles and Joints, Reducing Dampness and Swelling
Shen Jin Cao is named for its ability to relax muscles and joints.
It has a spicy and bitter taste, is warm in nature, and can relax muscles and joints, dispel wind and cold, reduce dampness and swelling. It is primarily used for wind-cold-damp bi syndrome, joint pain, numbness of the skin, limited movement, limb swelling, and injuries from falls.
As people age, joints may become deformed and less flexible, leading to frequent cramps.
For the elderly, Shen Jin Cao is a treasure; it can make the legs and feet nimble, dispel wind and cold, reduce dampness and swelling, and invigorate blood circulation.
◆ Brewing Three Herbal Medicines is Simple ◆
1. Take 5 grams each of Yuan Zhi, Yi Zhi Ren, and Shen Jin Cao and brew them in water.
2. After brewing, drink it all at once before adding more water, otherwise, it will lose its flavor.
When we gradually feel a lack of energy, buying these three herbal medicines and brewing them as tea will quickly make a noticeable difference.
Yuan Zhi and Yi Zhi Ren treat dizziness and lack of energy, while Shen Jin Cao focuses on joint issues.
A TCM orthopedic doctor said: “The joints of the elderly are not flexible; it is not due to deformation or bone hyperplasia, but rather due to stiff and hardened ligaments.”
His words refer to what we commonly call “muscle contraction.” Regular consumption of Shen Jin Cao can alleviate this symptom.
If you regularly brew these three herbs as tea, not only will your mind be as sharp as in your youth, but your legs will also be very agile. It is important to note that if you have other diseases or special constitutions, please consult a physician before consumption.
Four Herbal Teas for Summer Discomfort
In addition to these three herbal medicines, we can also alleviate some physical discomforts encountered in daily life through various herbal teas.
1. Stomach Upset
Ginger and Wu Mei Drink
Method: Chop 10 grams of fresh ginger and 30 grams of dried Wu Mei, and combine them with 6 grams of green tea in a thermos. Brew with boiling water for half an hour, then add a small amount of brown sugar. Let it sit for a while and drink it hot, three times a day.
Effect: The Ginger and Wu Mei Drink is derived from the classic medical text “Shi Yi De Xiao Fang” compiled by the Yuan dynasty physician Wei Yilin.
This tea can clear heat, generate fluids, stop diarrhea, and warm the middle, used for diarrhea and dysentery caused by unclean or irregular eating in autumn and winter.
Note: This tea is not suitable for those with weak Spleen and Stomach or those who experience cold-induced diarrhea.
2. Sore Throat
Gan Zhi Soup
Method: Cut 6 grams of Jie Geng and 3 grams of Gan Cao into small pieces or grind them into a coarse powder, brew with boiling water, and drink frequently as tea, twice a day.
Effect: Gan Zhi Soup first appeared in “Shang Han Lun” and was originally named Jie Geng Tang, used to treat sore throat in “Shaoyin disease” after two to three days. It was later cited in the Qing dynasty physician Wu Ju Tong’s “Wen Bing Tiao Bian” for treating sore throat in “Wen Bing Shaoyin”.
Historically, Gan Zhi Soup has been regarded by physicians as a universal remedy for sore throat, with effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, dispelling phlegm, relieving cough, alleviating pain, and harmonizing medicinal properties. This tea can be given in smaller amounts to minors, using 1/3 of the dosage, taken 3-4 times a day.
3. Excessive Sweating and Dry Mouth
Wu Wei Guo Drink
Method: Combine 6 grams of Wu Wei Zi and 8 grams of Goji Berries in a pot with 800 milliliters of clean water, simmer on low heat until boiling, strain the liquid, pour into a covered cup, add 5 grams of white sugar, stir well, and drink in several portions.
Effect: Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach, nourishes the Liver and Kidneys, enriches the heart blood, and quenches thirst.
Wu Wei Zi is sour and warm in nature, with multiple effects including tonifying qi, generating fluids, stopping diarrhea, and calming the mind. Especially when combined with Goji Berries, its liver and kidney tonifying effects are more pronounced. It is suitable for those with deficiency of the five organs, insufficient qi and blood, or symptoms of fatigue, pallor, weakness, and insomnia due to prolonged mental strain or irregular lifestyle.
4. Dizziness and Head Congestion
San Ye Tea
Method: Use a combination of lotus leaves, bamboo leaves, and mint leaves. You can brew all three together, using 5 grams of each, or choose any one of them to brew as tea, which has the effect of clearing heat and nourishing the spirit.
Effect: Lotus leaves are bitter and astringent, entering the Liver, Spleen, Stomach, and Heart meridians, with effects of lifting clear yang and cooling blood to stop bleeding. They are commonly used in traditional medicinal dishes. Modern studies show that lotus leaves have good effects on lowering lipids and weight loss.
Bamboo leaves are sweet and mild, effective for clearing heat and relieving irritability. Mint leaves are spicy and cool, entering the Lung and Liver meridians, effective for dispersing wind-heat, clearing the head, and relieving sore throat; used for external wind-heat, headaches, sore throat, food stagnation, abdominal distension, oral ulcers, and toothaches.