Bitter Bamboo Shoots, also known as Bitter Shoots, are the tender shoots of the bamboo plant from the Poaceae family. They have the effects of clearing heat, promoting diuresis, and relieving thirst. They are commonly used to treat symptoms such as irritability, excessive thirst, athlete's foot, and alcohol poisoning.
[Taste and Nature]
1. "Compendium of Materia Medica": "Bitter, sweet, cold."
2. "Origin of Materia Medica": "Bitter, cold."
[Functions and Indications]
Bitter Bamboo Shoots have the effects of clearing heat, removing dampness, promoting diuresis, and improving eyesight. They are mainly used to treat symptoms such as excessive thirst, yellowing of the face, athlete's foot, stroke-induced loss of voice, etc.
1. "Supplement to Materia Medica": "Used for insomnia, reducing heat on the face and tongue, relieving excessive thirst, improving eyesight, detoxifying, and reducing internal heat."
2. "Dietary Therapy Materia Medica": "Used for rebellious qi."
3. "Mirror of Food and Medicine": "Relieves restlessness and depression, enhances energy, relieves thirst, treats excessive thirst, promotes diuresis, relieves flatulence, treats wind-heat, athlete's foot, and can be cooked by steaming or boiling."
4. Wang Ying's "Food Materia Medica": "Used for excessive sweating, stroke-induced loss of voice."
[Methods to Remove Bitterness]
There are generally two methods to remove the bitter taste of Bitter Bamboo Shoots: boiling in water and soaking.
1. Boiling: Soak the shoots in water first (soaking time is relatively long) to reduce the cooking time, save firewood and labor. Then boil them in clear water for about half an hour, take them out and soak them in fresh water, changing the water every three to four hours. If you are in a hurry, you can change the water every two hours. Generally, soaking for one to two days can completely remove the bitterness, but the specific soaking time depends on the variety of Bitter Bamboo Shoots.
2. Soaking: Put the dried shoots directly into a pot and boil them until they become completely soft. It usually takes one to two hours for the water to boil. Then take them out and soak them in fresh water, following the same process as above.
[Dosage]
Orally: Decoction of 30-60g; or used as an ingredient in cooking.
[Precautions]
"Essentials of Materia Medica": "Can cause qi disturbance, should not be consumed in large quantities."
[Comments from Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners]
Li Shizhen said: "Bamboo shoots from Xuzhou, Yibin, and Changning in Sichuan are highly valued by the locals."
Song Dynasty's Huang Shangu wrote in his poem about Bitter Bamboo Shoots: "Bitter shoots from Bozhou, admired by both regions. Sweet and crisp, satisfying when consumed. Not too bitter, yet flavorful; warm and moist, not crunchy. It enlightens the dishes, making guests salivate. Such is the charm of Bitter Bamboo Shoots."
Since most Bitter Bamboo Shoots are cultivated, they need regular care, timely weeding, and fertilization to increase the yield. Bitter Bamboo Shoots can be used for both medicinal and culinary purposes. When used medicinally, they are often combined with other medicinal herbs to make decoctions. When used as a food ingredient, they are mainly used for cooking or boiling, with the effects of clearing heat, relieving thirst, improving eyesight, and detoxification.
[Bitter Bamboo Shoots Image]
