Traditional Chinese Medicine Herb GardenCang Zhu (Atractylodes) This product is the dried rhizome of the Asteraceae plant, either Cang Zhu (Atractylodes lancea) or Bei Cang Zhu (Atractylodes macrocephala). The former is mainly produced in Jiangsu, Hubei, and Henan provinces, with the highest quality coming from the Maoshan area in Jiangsu, hence the name “Ma Cang … Read more
PinyinCānɡ Zhù AliasChì Zhù (Chi Atractylodes, by Tao Hongjing), Mǎ Jì (by Shuō Wén Xì Zhuàn), Qīng Zhù (by Zhang Gun in Shuǐ Nán Hàn Jì), Xiān Zhù (by Gāng Mù). Source《Zhèng Lèi Běn Cǎo》 OriginIt is the rhizome of the Asteraceae plant, either Nán Cāng Zhù or Běi Cāng Zhù. It can be harvested … Read more
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the Five Elements are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water, corresponding to the five organs: Liver, Heart, Spleen, Lung, and Kidney, and the seasons: Spring, Summer, Late Summer, Autumn, and Winter. Late Summer refers to the period from the Summer Solstice to the End of Heat, during which heat and … Read more
A healthy spleen and stomach lead to fewer illnesses; a good spleen and stomach can be nurtured through dietary therapy.Natural products are the best “tonics” for the spleen and stomach. Herbs, vegetables, fruits, and other natural foods, regardless of their value, can all benefit the spleen and stomach. By skillfully using readily available materials in … Read more
Editor’s Note Coix seed (Yi Yi Ren) is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and is also a food-medicine dual-purpose ingredient. It can strengthen the spleen and drain dampness, relieve pain and diarrhea, clear heat and expel pus, and promote urination without harming the body’s vital energy. It supplements spleen qi without being greasy, … Read more
【Properties】Sweet; bland, slightly cold 【Meridians】Spleen; Lung; Kidney (What does it mean to feel nostalgic about Coix Seed?)Coix Seed is a well-known medicinal and edible material. When Coix Seed is mentioned, one can easily envision its round and plump appearance, and even imagine the aroma of a soup made with coix, winter melon, and pork bones. … Read more
Coix Seed (Yi Yi Ren) Pronunciation: Yi Yi Ren Alias: Job’s tears, barley, coix seed. Functions: It promotes diuresis and dampness elimination, dispels dampness and alleviates pain, strengthens the spleen and stops diarrhea, clears heat and expels pus. It is indicated for urinary difficulties, edema, beriberi, dampness obstruction, initial stages of damp-heat, as well as … Read more
Properties and Channels Sweet, bland, and cool. It enters the Spleen, Stomach, and Lung channels. Functions and Indications Promotes diuresis and drains dampness, strengthens the Spleen and stops diarrhea, alleviates bi syndrome, expels pus, and detoxifies and disperses masses. It is used for edema, beriberi, difficulty in urination, Spleen deficiency diarrhea, damp bi syndrome with … Read more
Job’s Tears (Yi Yi Ren) 【Herb Name Explanation】 Job’s Tears, first recorded in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, is classified as a superior herb. It is also known by various names such as jie li (解蠡), hui hui mi (回回米), yi zhu zi (薏珠子), qi shi (芑实), pu ti zhu (菩提珠), jiao nian zhu … Read more
YI YI REN The Historical Legend of Yi Yi Ren Yi Yi Ren, also known as Coix Seed, is one of the earliest grains consumed in ancient China. There is a myth associated with it and Da Yu (Great Yu). Da Yu’s father, Su, married a girl named Nu Xi, but after many years of … Read more