Bazhen Gao, derived from "Selected Collection of Traditional Chinese Medicine Formulas in Beijing", is divided into "Male Bazhen" and "Female Bazhen". The Bazhen Gao used by Empress Dowager Cixi is "Female Bazhen", which evolved from the "Male Bazhen" used by Emperor Qianlong. As a traditional nourishing medicinal food, Bazhen Gao has the functions of invigorating the spleen, eliminating stagnation, and replenishing vitality. Let's take a look at its recipe and effects below.
[Historical Origin]
As we all know, Emperor Qianlong was a very knowledgeable and health-conscious person. This Bazhen Gao is actually a daily tonic. The basic ingredients are Poria cocos, white lentils, lotus seed meat, coix seed, Chinese yam, and Euryale ferox. The Bazhen Gao that Emperor Qianlong consumed in his youth also included hawthorn and malt, aiming to aid digestion; in his old age, hawthorn and malt were replaced with ginseng and Codonopsis pilosula to strengthen the body.
In the sixth year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty, Empress Dowager Cixi fell ill due to her excessive consumption of greasy and fatty foods. She had no appetite, suffered from indigestion, bloating, nausea, vomiting, loose stools, and was in a depressed state. The imperial physicians were anxious. Dr. Li Desheng, a court physician, led a group of physicians to diagnose the "Old Buddha". They believed that her illness was caused by weakness of the spleen and stomach. After discussing, they concluded that she needed to tonify the spleen and benefit the stomach. They prescribed a formula consisting of eight ingredients, which were both food and medicine:
Poria cocos, Euryale ferox, lotus seed, coix seed, Chinese yam, white lentils, malt, and lotus root powder, each weighing two liang (about 60 grams). These ingredients were finely ground into powder and mixed with seven liang (about 210 grams) of white sugar. The mixture was then used to make cakes, which were named "Jianpi Gao" (Spleen-Strengthening Cake). After eating this cake for a few days, the symptoms of the "Old Buddha" completely disappeared, her appetite increased, and she regained strength. Delighted, the "Old Buddha" changed the name of the cake to "Bazhen Gao". Since then, "Bazhen Gao" became Empress Dowager Cixi's favorite food. Regardless of whether she was sick or not, she always had the Imperial Kitchen make "Bazhen Gao" for her consumption.
[Composition]
Codonopsis pilosula (processed) 60g, Poria cocos 60g, Atractylodes macrocephala (processed) 60g, white lentils 60g, lotus seed meat 60g, coix seed 60g, Chinese yam 60g, Euryale ferox 60g, glutinous rice flour 3kg, white sugar 2.4kg, and rice flour 3kg.
[Preparation Method]
First, grind these herbs into powder. Then, grind the glutinous rice and rice into powder. Mix the rice flour and herb powder in water according to the prescribed amount. The weight of the glutinous rice and rice flour should be 200g each. Add a little white sugar to the mixture. Then, steam the mixture in a steaming tray. After it is cooked, cut it into cakes and dry them for storage. Alternatively, you can directly cook the herb powder in water to make a paste and drink it.
[Usage and Dosage]
Grind the mixture into fine powder and sift it. Stir well and steam it into cakes. Each cake weighs 30g. Take 15g each time, twice a day, and swallow it with warm water.
[Functions and Indications]
It is used for weakness of the spleen and stomach, reduced appetite, physical fatigue, pale complexion, and has the functions of invigorating the spleen, nourishing the stomach, reinforcing the kidney, nourishing essence, calming the mind, and strengthening the body.
[Pharmacological Analysis]
Why does "Bazhen Gao" have such miraculous effects? Mainly because of the eight traditional Chinese medicine ingredients with both medicinal and food properties. Poria cocos can invigorate the spleen, calm the mind, promote diuresis, and eliminate dampness. It is one of the main ingredients in the Si Jun Zi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction). Euryale ferox can tonify the spleen, stop diarrhea, nourish the heart and kidneys, tonify the middle, invigorate qi, nourish and strengthen the body, and aid digestion. Coix seed can invigorate the middle, nourish the spleen and kidneys, and aid digestion. Chinese yam can invigorate the spleen and stomach, nourish the lungs and kidneys, tonify deficiency and relieve fatigue, and dispel wind and dampness. White lentils can regulate the middle, invigorate qi, tonify the kidneys, and nourish the stomach. Lotus seed can invigorate the spleen, nourish the heart, invigorate qi, strengthen the will, strengthen the bones and tendons, nourish the intestines and stomach.
[Clinical Applications]
1. Beauty and skin care
The inventor of Bazhen Gao, Chen Shigong, a physician in the Ming Dynasty, said from personal experience that after taking it for a hundred days, one can feel lighter and more resistant to aging. In her later years, Empress Dowager Cixi consumed Bazhen Gao daily. For young women, Bazhen Gao can eliminate pigmentation, acne, and improve skin complexion, making the skin radiant and delicate.
2. Stomach and spleen nourishment
Bazhen Gao is a classic formula for nourishing the spleen and stomach. Many experts recommend other similar formulas such as Chinese yam, coix seed, lotus seed, and Euryale ferox porridge, which are derived from Bazhen Gao. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the spleen and stomach are the foundation of postnatal health and the source of qi and blood production. Therefore, in order to maintain good health, the spleen and stomach must be well-nourished.
3. Health preservation and intelligence enhancement
Chinese yam, coix seed, and Euryale ferox are all regarded as top-grade ingredients in the "Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica". Regular consumption of these ingredients has health benefits such as disease prevention, intelligence enhancement, and anti-aging effects.
4. Tonifying the kidneys and nourishing essence
Chinese yam is known for "reinforcing the spleen, nourishing deficiency, nourishing essence, and strengthening the kidneys". Coix seed is an excellent choice for invigorating the spleen and kidneys. People with symptoms of kidney deficiency, such as lower back and knee pain and frequent nighttime urination, are suitable for using Bazhen Gao for tonification.
5. Lowering blood sugar
Bazhen Gao does not contain any added sugar. Chinese yam and coix seed are both excellent dietary ingredients for lowering blood sugar. Long-term consumption has a significant effect on reducing blood sugar levels.
6. Blood and qi tonification
Bazhen Gao nourishes blood and replenishes qi, which is essential for resisting diseases.
[Precautions]
Pregnant women should not consume Bazhen Gao, and pregnant women should avoid eating coix seed.
