Thinking of trying your hand at making some chinese herbal soups?
Want to use some chinese herbs in your soups but feel intimidated by them?
Find out more about these special ingredients here.
Astragalus (黄芪 huang qi)
Astragalus is a type of root. It is yellow-brownish in colour, with a mild licorice-like taste.
Its effectiveness in promoting blood circulation is legendary in traditional chinese medicine. It is reputed to alleviate vasodilation and reduce blood pressure.
Astragalus possesses manifold benefits for a wide range of illnesses, which is why it is featured frequently in chinese soups and gentle tonic drinks. Modern alternative healthcare has caught on.
Scientific research has found that astragalus is effective in checking diabetes. Astragalus extracts and supplements are now quite common in the drug stores. But nothing beats preparing the real thing in a chinese soup.
Chinese angelica root (当归 dang gui)
The Chinese angelica root has a very important place in women's health. It is highly valued for the treatment for a host of women's illnesses.
It is supposed to strengthen the blood, nourish the female reproductive organs, regulate menstruation and alleviate period pains.
Chinese medicinal shops sell chinese angelica root as dried unprocessed pieces of root. Some health shops also sell them in capsule form.
In its dried state, chinese angelica root emits a certain woody aroma that develops into a strong flavour when cooked.
It is usually steamed or simmered with a combination of chicken, mutton, pork and some other herbs, depending on the nature of the ailments to be addressed.
The angelica root requires no preparation before cooking.
Chinese wolfberries (枸杞子 gou ji zi)
Chinese wolfberries or boxthorn fruit and is more commonly known as dried goji berries. They are small bright red fleshy fruits.
Goji berries sold in dried form in many Asian grocery stores or chinese medicinal halls.
Dried goji berries are known as gou ji zi in mandarin and kei chi in cantonese. They are quite sweet and are found as an ingredient in many chinese soups, sweet teas and tonic drinks. It is one of the most popular chinese herbs. Not very expensive either.
It is a natural supplement for improving eyesight especially if poor eyesight is caused by malnutrition, vessel expansion and inflammation. Consuming goji berries may help if you experience eye strain from staring at computer screens and documents for long periods of time.
Goji berries are also beneficial for the liver. A healthy liver manifests in better looking eyes and vision. Traditional chinese medicine taught that any sickness in the liver can be observed from the eyes. For instance, people suffering from hepatitis or jaundice have very yellowish eyes.
In recent years goji juice has been marketed widely as a natural remedy, like some wonder drug. However, it is not a panacea. In fact, people who have diabetes should take it in moderation.
Dietary therapy emphasizes balance, moderation and combination in the use of chinese herbs in soups and other foods. This goes the same for goji berries.
Chinese yam (淮山 huai shan)
Also known as huai shan (medicinal name), dried chinese yam has a modest appearance ... it looks like chalk. It is also tasteless.
Extolled for its wide-ranging health benefits, chinese yam has been recorded as having the ability to enhance vigour, promote muscle growth and repair worn-out tissue, and alleviate bodily weakness after a long-term illness.
The herb has also been used to counter diabetes, diarrhoea, kidney defects, coughing and dehydration. It can, however, cause frequent urination and perspiration. So be careful not to over-use.
Chinese yam is usually used in conjunction with meats and other herbs to aid digestion, regulate body's sugar level and control inflammation of the uterus.
Chinese yam can also be found in its fresh form. It is known as shan yao (山药) in mandarin. Prepare as you would potato.
Codonopsis root (党参 dang shen)
Codonopsis root has many tonic uses.
- Promotes salivation and aid digestion
- Relieves diarrhoea and severe coughing
- Reduces nausea and weakness after severe bleeding
- Activates metabolism and improves blood circulation
- Stabilizes nervousness
- Counters extreme mental and physical fatigue
The root is usually cooked with meats in soups and stews to promote general good health. To use, cut pieces of the root into 3-cm length if they are too long and add to the pot.
Dried lily bulbs (百合 bai he)
Dried lily bulbs, also known as bai he, are the scales of the bulbs of the tiger lily flower.
It is believed to be good for the lungs and it appears in many anti-flu recipes.
It is most commonly found in sweet congee and sweet soupy desserts.
The fresh version is also quite popular amongst chinese but they are not that easy to find. If you do find some, make sure you parboil them to get rid of the bitterness / spiciness before adding to your dishes.
The dried lily bulbs should not be mistaken with the dried lily buds which is a different part of the tiger lily plant.
dried tangerine peel (陈皮 chen pi)
Dried tangerine peel is simply the peels of tangerines (not oranges) that are dried in the sun.
It aids digestion and absorption and soothes the tummy.
It is especially good with feeling of bloatedness and nausea. Many chinese pregrant ladies like to buy and eat the preserved version (that is, more salty) to ease their morning sickness.
If you are feeling nauseous or bloated, you can steep 2 small pieces of dried tangerine peels in hot water and drink it like tea.
The preserved version is also a great remedy for motion sickness. Some of my friends always pack a few packets when they travel.
I should try to remember to do that. (^-_^)
Euryale seeds / fox nuts (芡实 qian shi)
Euryale seeds or fox nuts or gorgon or qian shi in mandarin. So many name variations.
It is the seed of a certain water lily plant. The plant grows in water and have bright purple flowers.
Euryale seeds are mostly used in soups or roasted so that they pop (like pop corn).
They are very hard and requires long simmering to soften them. Not that they are that tasty.
Fox nuts are believed to strengthen the kidneys and enhance sperm production.
Gingko nuts (白果 bai guo)
Gingko nuts are known to be good for women who experience excessive white discharge and children with weak bladders.
It seems to have an effect on the regulation of urination.
I used to help my mother to de-shell the nuts. It is not easy as it is a delicate balance between breaking the shells and smashing the soft flesh within.
There is also a thin layer of brown skin covering the yellow flesh. Peel the layer off carefully.
Alternatively, buy them de-shelled.
The pith is bitter and should be removed before cooking.
Ginseng
Ginseng is a very valued chinese herb but it is also quite expensive.
The tiny ginseng "beards" growing on the surface of the herb can be used an a cheaper alternative to make soup tonics.
He shou wu / fo-ti (何首乌 he shou wu)
He shou wu, which means black hair Mr Wu, is known as fo-ti in english.
It is most commonly used to treat greying hair.
A lot of chinese ladies prepare he shou wu soups for their husbands (^_^).
Please note that fo-ti will react with metal, please do not cook it in metal pots, including thermal cookers.
Indian bread / Poria (茯苓 fu ling)
Indian bread is actually a solid fungus which grows on the roots of pine trees. It is dried and sliced into thin white slices.
It is the key ingredient in the Poria sandwich cake, a famous imperial cake, invented by Empress Dowager Ci Xi.
It is mildly diuretic and sedative and is a mild tonic.
It has significant immune enhancing ability and is considered highly nourishing.
Poria is not expensive but some are better than the others.
Try to find large and white pieces, slightly moist and not too dry and brittle.
Red dates (红枣 hong zao)
Also known as jujubes, red dates are widely considered as the "living vitamin pill" by the Chinese. It contains Vitamin B, C, E, P, phosphorus, calcium, iron and more.
Scientists have also found that cyclic adenosine monophosphate found in red jujubes can slow down the growth of cancer cells.
Tonic soups made from a combination of red dates, astragalus, dried goji berries, ginseng, and dang gui were fed to those recovering from surgery to improve immunity, strengthen the body and prevent relapses.
Red dates must be cored before cooking.
Solomon's seal (玉竹 yu zhu)
Solomon's seal is sold in thin curly slices in most chinese medicinal halls.
It is light yellowish in colour.
It contains Vitamin A and is believed to be moisturizing and therefore an excellent herb for use in dry winters where skin tends to become very dry.
It is also used in the lowering of blood sugar levels and prevention of hardening of the arteries.
Solomon's seal is believed to be excellent for alleviating a host of ills, including throat, and lungs ailments.
