Chinese Herbs used in cooking Flashcards
Lubricates lungs and large intestines, stops cough
Apricot seed (Xing Ren)
Energy tonic, invigorates spleen and strengthens outer protective Qi, deep immune enhancer
Astragalus (Huang Qi)
Relieves exterior symptoms and restlessness
Black soy bean (Dan Dou Chi)
Cleans and strengthens the lungs; removes stagnation; nourishes stomach, calms spirit; cleanses the small and large intestines; lubricates; promotes circulation. Do not use when pregnant.
Black fungus (Mu Er)
Clears heat and detoxifies; cleans blood; strengthens lungs and improves skin; dispels wind; brightens vision; high in iron and other minerals. Called “gobo”. Do not use with diarrhea.
Burdock root (Niu Bang Zi)
Warms digestion and sexual functions; anti-toxin; removes dampness. Flat in appearance.
Chinese chive (Xie Bai)
This blend is often used for flavoring meat and tofu dishes. The herbs warm up digestion for the concentrated proteins. Fennel seed, star anise, cloves, cinnamon, pepper.
Chinese five spice
Clears wind heat; soothes liver; benefits eyes; high blood pressure and coronary heart disease
Chrysanthemum (Ju Hua)
Promotes sweating; strengthens digestion; dispels wind; promotes energy flow
Cilantro/Coriander leaf (Yan Shi)
Strengthens stomach; warm interior; warms kidney and helps with coldness
Cinnamon bark (Rou Gui)
Tonifies energy; strengthens spleen; similar to ginseng but milder
Codonopsis (Dang Shen)
Strengthens weakness, benefits vital essence: relieves cough and dissolves phlegm; ventilates lung Qi. Often cooked with ginseng in soup.
Dong Chong Xia Cao (Cordyceps)
Tonifies and moves blood, warms inner organs; benefits irregular menses; moistens. This is traditionally cooked with chicken after childbirth or blood loss.
Dang Gui
Invigorates spleen; astringent; strengthens lung and kidney; stops diarrhea; tonifies Qi
Shan Yao (Dioscorea/Chinese yam)
Tonifies spleen; consolidates kidney; binds
Qian Shi (Euryales/Fox Nut Barley)
Unblocks and regulates flow of energy; strengthens digestion; dispels cold; stimulates peristalsis
Xiao Hui Xiang (Fennel seed)
Detoxifies; removes food and blood stagnation; very warming; anti-viral/bacterial; detoxifies meat and seafood
Da Suan (Garlic)
Detoxifies; promotes sweating; warming to digestion; stops nausea
Sheng Jiang (Ginger)
Consolidates lung and benefits chronic cough and asthma; toxic-raw. This is one of the most ancient plants on the Earth. The leaves are used to regenerate the brain in the old with senility.
Bai Guo (Ginko nuts)
Tonifies energy; warms body; strengthens spleen and lungs. This a strong tonic that is contraindicated in heat conditions, infections and hypertension.
Ren Shen (Ginseng)
Benefits digestion, particularly of meats; lowers blood pressure
Shan Zha (Hawthorn berries)
Benefits joints; clears heat; improves skin; removes dampness; tonifies lungs; invigorates spleen. Contraindicated in pregnancy.
Yi Yi Ren (Job’s tears/Coix)
Strengthens spleen and stomach; calms the mind
Da Zao (Ju Ju Be Date)
Soothes muscle tension; purges heat; asorbs toxins; useful in colds, stiff neck, alcohol intoxication. this can be used as a thickening agent, similar to arrowroot. Post diarrhea and mild nausea.
Ge Gen (Kudzu/Pueria root)
Detoxifies; soothes lungs and throat; tonifies spleen; the great “harmonizer” of herbs
Gan Cao (Licorice)
Lubricates lungs; nourish yin, COOLS THE HEART calms the mind
Bai He (Lily bulbs)
Clears heat; anodyne; contain iron.
Lily flowers
Nourish heart and spleen; tonic for blood; calms the mind. “Student herb”
Long Yan Rou (Longans)
Very healing; clears heat; relieves irritability; cools the blood; stops bleeding; strengthens stomach and lung; benefits hypertension
Sheng Di Huang (Lotus root)
Tonifies spleen; anstringent; strengthens kidneys; nutritive tonic
Lian Zi (Lotus seed)
Replenishes liver and kidney yin; nourishes blood; Improves Eyesight
Gou Qi Zi (Lych berries)
Tonify yin; moistens lungs
Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogonis Tubers)
Soothes and unblocks energy; dries dampness; relieves mucus conditions
Chen Pi (Orange/tangerine peel)
Dissipates coldness; moves energy; soothes stomach; detoxifier; stops vomiting
Zi Su Ye (Perilla/beefsteak leaf)
Removes dampness; strengthens spleen; calms the mind
Fu Ling (Poria cocos)
Expels external pathogens; dispels wind and cold; induces sweating; antiviral/bacterial
Cong Bai (Scallion)
Promotes diuresis; softens hardenings; detoxifies; benefits glands; benefits lymphatics; alkalinizes blood; neutralizes radioactive material; contains many minerals
Kun Bu (Seaweed)
Raw-lubricates intestines; purges boil-poison. Cooked- tonic for liver and kidneys; nourishes blood and sperm; strengthens bones and tendons
Shou wu / He shou wu
Strengthens kidney and stomach; promotes healing; lowers blood pressure; anti-tumor; detoxifies; cleans intestines
Shitake mushroom/Chinese black mushroom
Nourishes yin; soothes dryness
Yu Zhu (Solomon’s seal/Polygonati Offinalis
Raw-disperses bruises; stops bleeding; disperses swelling; relieves shock and pain. Cooked-used for anemia and loss of blood
Sanchi (Tienchi/Panax Notoginseng)
Diuretic. This makes a dark, rich, broth
Dong Gui Pi (Wax Gourd Peel)
Invigorates circulation; clears lung heat; strengthens digestion; promotes body fluids; lubricates; nourishes yin
Bai Mu Er (White Fungus)
