Shu Di Huang, also known as Rehmannia glutinosa, is often used in soup, porridge, and wine. It has a sweet taste, so some people may wonder if it can be consumed directly.
Can Shu Di Huang be consumed directly?
It is not recommended to consume Shu Di Huang directly.
Shu Di Huang has a sweet taste and a slightly warm nature. It has the effects of nourishing blood and nourishing yin, invigorating the essence, and filling the marrow. It can be used to treat symptoms such as blood deficiency and yellowing, dizziness and palpitations, and irregular menstruation. It can also be used for symptoms such as kidney yin deficiency, steaming bones and tidal fever, and night sweats and nocturnal emissions. Although it has no obvious toxic side effects, it is still not recommended to consume it directly for the following reasons:
Reason 1:
Shu Di Huang is a nourishing medicinal material, and its medicinal effects are difficult to absorb when chewed directly. Generally, its medicinal ingredients are easier to be extracted and absorbed by the body after decoction, making it more effective and faster.
Reason 2:
Shu Di Huang has a sticky texture and a sweet and greasy taste, which is not easily digested by the body. Direct consumption can hinder digestion and may even cause discomfort such as abdominal distension and diarrhea.
How to consume Shu Di Huang properly?
Shu Di Huang can be consumed in various ways, such as stewing soup, cooking porridge, boiling water, and soaking in wine. Here are two common methods of consumption:
Shu Di Huang and Dang Gui Stewed Chicken
Ingredients: 1 chicken, 25 grams of Shu Di Huang, 15 grams of Dang Gui, 10 grams each of Chuan Xiong and Bai Shao, and appropriate amount of salt.
1. Clean and chop the chicken.
2. Put the chicken and medicinal materials into a stew pot.
3. Add about 1000 milliliters of water.
4. Bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer for about 40 minutes over low heat.
5. Add salt before serving.
Shu Di Huang Porridge
Ingredients: 15 grams of Shu Di Huang, 50 grams of glutinous rice, and appropriate amount of rock sugar.
1. Slice the Shu Di Huang and put it into a pot.
2. Add about 500 milliliters of water and bring to a boil over high heat.
3. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes, then strain to obtain the medicinal juice.
4. Wash the glutinous rice and cook it with the medicinal juice and an appropriate amount of water.
5. Add rock sugar when the porridge is ready and simmer for a while.
How much Shu Di Huang is appropriate to consume?
10-30 grams.
The usual dosage of Shu Di Huang is 10-30 grams. Under the guidance of a doctor, it can be adjusted according to the condition. However, it is not advisable to consume excessive amounts on your own. On the one hand, consuming too much will prevent the body from fully absorbing its medicinal effects. On the other hand, Shu Di Huang has a greasy nature, and excessive consumption can hinder the digestive function of the spleen and stomach, causing discomfort such as diarrhea and abdominal distension.
Can Shu Di Huang be consumed for a long period of time?
It is not recommended to consume large amounts of Shu Di Huang for a long period of time.
Shu Di Huang has a sticky texture and strong nourishing effects. It is generally not recommended to consume large amounts of it for a long period of time, as it may affect the digestive function of the spleen and stomach and be detrimental to their health. If long-term consumption is necessary due to the condition, it is recommended to take it under the guidance of a doctor and combine it with other spleen-tonifying herbs such as Sha Ren and Chen Pi.
Who should not consume Shu Di Huang?
1. People with weak spleen and stomach
People with symptoms such as abdominal distension, lack of appetite, pale complexion, and loose stools due to weak spleen and stomach should not consume Shu Di Huang. The greasy nature of Shu Di Huang hinders digestion, and consuming it can further burden the spleen and stomach, exacerbating the existing discomfort.
2. People with qi stagnation and phlegm accumulation
People with symptoms such as local lumps in the body, chest tightness, rib pain, and wiry and slippery pulse due to qi stagnation and phlegm accumulation should not consume Shu Di Huang. The greasy nature of Shu Di Huang is not easily digested, and consuming it can worsen the symptoms of phlegm dampness and exacerbate discomfort.
3. People with loose stools or diarrhea
People with symptoms of loose stools or diarrhea should not consume Shu Di Huang. The sticky nature of Shu Di Huang hinders the transformation and transportation functions of the spleen and stomach, leading to worsening of the symptoms.
4. People with cold or flu
In traditional Chinese medicine, it is not advisable to tonify the body during a cold or flu. Shu Di Huang is a nourishing herb, and consuming it during a cold or flu may cause the lingering of pathogenic factors in the body, exacerbating the symptoms or prolonging the duration of the illness.
