Yù zhú (Fragrant Solomonseal Rhizome; 玉竹) is commonly used in Chinese herbal soups to nourish the lungs and stomach. In TCM, it is considered mildly cold in nature and aids in replenishing fluids in the body to nourish the Yin.
Benefits:
● Moistens dryness and clears heat in the lungs, thereby alleviating dry cough with little phlegm, hoarse voice, and blood-streaked sputum
● Relieves stomach dryness, manifesting as dry mouth, thirst, lack of appetite, no desire for food when hungry, stomach pain, dry or hard stools, dry red tongue, etc.
● Clears heat, thereby relieving signs of Yin-deficiency such as constipation, fever, sore throat, and thirst
● Relieves excessive sweating, heart palpitations, restlessness, feelings of frustration, and anxiety due to Yin deficiency of the heart
Suitable for whom:
Recommended as a cooling herb to alleviate summer heat and signs of Yin deficiency.
Dosage:
6g to 12g
Storage:
Best kept refrigerated
Yù zhú (玉竹) is commonly combined with these herbs in everyday herbal soups:
● Calming herbs such as dried longans (龙眼肉), lotus seeds (莲子), lily bulbs (百合), and red dates (红枣)
● Yin-nourishing herbs such as huái shān (淮山) and wolfberries (枸杞)
● White fungus or fish maw/fish tube to improve skin complexion
● Qi tonifying herbs such as American ginseng (花旗参), dǎng shēn (党参), cordyceps (冬虫夏草), and cordyceps flower (虫草花)
How to make a pot of lung-nourishing soup:
Rinse herbs before use. Put 300-500g meat, 20g běi shā shēn (北沙参), 15g lotus seeds (莲子), 20g yù zhú (玉竹), 20g huái shān (淮山), 6 red dates (红枣), 6 pieces of dried longans (龙眼肉), and 2 dried figs (无花果) into a pot. Herbs such as Chuān bèi mǔ (川贝母), Nán xìng (南杏), and Běi xìng (北杏) can also be added to moisten the lungs and dispel phlegm. Add 2 litres of water. Bring to a boil and let it simmer for 1.5 hours. Add in a handful of wolfberries in the last five minutes of cooking before serving. (Serving size: 3 to 4)
In TCM, 'heatiness' suggests an excess of Yang energy or deficiency of Yin. Apart from the hot weather, poor diet and lifestyle can also cause 'heatiness' to manifest in the body. For instance, frequently staying up late, overworking without adequate rest, consuming excessive 'heaty' foods, etc.
Examples of 'heaty' foods:
● Deep-fried, greasy or spicy foods
● Chicken, beef, or lamb meats
● Fruits such as durian, mango, longan, or lychee
● Alcohol, coffee, red tea, or chocolate beverages
Some signs of 'heatiness' or Yin deficiency include:
● Warm, feverish palms and soles
● Sore throat, fever, or ulcers in the mouth
● Hard and dry stools or constipation
● Dark or yellow urine
● Dry or bloodshot eyes
● Skin issues such as acne, eczema, and hives
● Feelings of restlessness, irritability, vexation, agitation, or anxiety
● Dream-disturbed sleep or insomnia
● Dry cough or cough with thick yellow phlegm
Note:
The information above serves as a general guide only. Please consult a licensed TCM practitioner for a more accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Ingredients:
Yù zhú (Fragrant Solomonseal Rhizome; 玉竹)
Origin:
Hunan, China
