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  • This unknown herbal foodstuff

    Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 9:00PM / Standard Entry / food / Members only
    22 comments


    My mama. Every once in a while - like this past weekend - she'll bring over this food stuff for me to use in preparing a brew.

    This brew is supposed to help my skin in some way. Also to reduce the "heat" in me (cos I'm so hawt! haha).



    I have no idea what it's called, much less, what it IS.

    I just boil it in water for an hour and a half, throw in some brown sugar, and drink it. I've never gotten sick off of it nor has it ever given me an allergic reaction, thus, I continue to consume it.

    Mama doesn't realize I still have a small bag of this stuff she gave me a couple of years ago. I will try to use it all by summer's end. I will!

    The stuff we Chinese do with herbs, plants and roots amazes me. I should learn more about them.

    #

Entry comments (22)

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  • nobleterry
    nobleterry 
    posted on Friday, Aug 22, 2008 4:08PM [Report]
    I've had that before. I used to be skeptical about TCM...but after a few experiences...I cannot be without it. I, too, wish to know more about the herbs.
  • butter
    butter 
    posted on Thursday, Aug 21, 2008 5:12AM [Report]
    I like to refer to  the hotness  as "fire in the body"  I think I may've had  this before.  Why does this stuff always have to be bitter?!
  • AsianChick100
    AsianChick100 
    posted on Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008 11:50PM [Report]
    it looks like "doe chung"- my mom used to make it for me and my family too... hahaha. the herbs i prescribe are all in powder or tincture form, so i don't need to deal with this root (or whatever it is!)... =)

    well, if it helps... ;)
  • JoanneSanderson
    JoanneSanderson 
    posted on Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008 3:52PM [Report]
    I'm very much into herbalism and natural cures, although some of the traditional cures that used to be forced upon me as a child was vile, such as saltwater to make me throw up when I was ill. Or spit  for aiding a cut to heal..eww. Sometimes I think it's better not to know what is keeping us healthy!
  • amy_sycheng
    amy_sycheng 
    posted on Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008 2:59PM [Report]
    So what's it?  You don't want to find out?
  • Seeker-09
    Seeker-09 
    posted on Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008 1:46PM [Report]
    Lol@ the hawt reference.

    I've only used a couple of natural remedies..eucalyptus oil in boiling water makes a nice mist that helps clear the nasal passages, and I've found peppermint tea is great for settling the stomach. I guess it's how we individually react to things as well.
  • Dotcom
    Dotcom 
    posted on Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008 1:35PM [Report]
    If this is what I think it is (zhi gan cao). This is meant to harmonize and mitigate the action of the other herbs.

    If it is (zhi gan cao) then you need apricot kernel (xing ren) and other herbs to balance it. I think your right, It might be wise to read up on some herbs! I'm not sure about the modern mixture of (whatever it is in the picture) with brown sugar... humm.

    Just don't start chugging it down like it's Ginseng, I think i'll go and ask at a local Chinese pharmacy for you haha
  • peachey
    peachey 
    posted on Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008 10:46AM
    I drink the brew and then I need to immediately rinse my mouth out. These things stain the teeth really good. How do I know? By the look of the interior of my white mug after chugging it down.

    Think Empress Phoenix in "The Curse of the Golden Flower."
  • D.Y._Sao
    Official artist D.Y. Sao 
    posted on Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008 10:37AM [Report]
    i know whatyou mean

    it's like , who was crazy enuff to try this shit in the first place and how many people died until they found the cure hahhaha
  • RenRen
    RenRen 
    posted on Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008 9:19AM [Report]
    I'm always drinking these Chinese herb stuff. My grandma and mom (and aunts) give me this big lecture on how much effort they put into boiling it every time I say I don't want to drink it.
  • Jaine
    Jaine 
    posted on Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008 6:51AM [Report]
    I have always been interested in herbalism, though I must confess my interest lies more in western herbalism - only coz I think local grown food is good for one, often people get exotic herbs when some weed in their front garden has the same or similar properties.
  • sirendipity
    sirendipity 
    posted on Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008 3:38AM [Report]
    Is this something that's used in Chinese herb soup too?  It kinda looks familiar.
  • patrickchow
    Official artist Patrick Chow 
    posted on Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008 2:47AM [Report]
    looks like tree bark ....... TCM is amazing!
  • janechu
    janechu 
    posted on Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008 1:12AM [Report]
    *ack* it looks like it would taste bitter... does it?
  • Boon
    Boon 
    posted on Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 11:38PM [Report]
    Umm... I have too many things too say about this picture. I better be nice.
  • bleupluie
    bleupluie 
    posted on Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 11:24PM [Report]
    no idea what that is...hmm...not really into 'getting to know the herbs'...i just eat and drink them when they're served...haha!
  • peachey
    peachey 
    posted on Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 11:08PM
    I've drank/eaten deer antlers before. Never gave me an erection. lol ;) I used it for fertility!
  • wendycheng
    Official artist Wendy Cheng 
    posted on Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 10:45PM [Report]
    I was just reading Flagday's comments and don't deer antlers also give better erections?
  • wendycheng
    Official artist Wendy Cheng 
    posted on Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 10:44PM [Report]
    I have been identifying strange objects in my kitchen which I have eaten my whole life and not known the names of. I've happily found that googling their romanized names actually works - it's all on there. I suggest we start blogging these herbs and less known ingredients.
  • Flagday
    Flagday 
    posted on Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 10:29PM [Report]
    Yes, please do.  I'm too lazy to learn about it myself but I read your blogs anyway so YOU can do the work and teach ME!  Win Win, lol.  I think all that stuff is based in reality.  The ones I don't like is where you cut off a tiger's private parts and then that gives you a better erection.  Crap like that.  

    Are you talking about heat flashes when you say hot?
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