The fruit of the ginger family plant, Yan Shan Jiang, is called Caokou. It can be used as medicine or as a spice for stewed meat. It has the functions of drying dampness, dispelling cold, invigorating the spleen, and warming the stomach. It can be used to treat diseases such as cold and pain in the abdomen, bloating in the chest and abdomen, indigestion, vomiting, and diarrhea. Let's learn about the efficacy and methods of using Caokou!
[The efficacy and functions of Caokou]
1. Invigorating the spleen and nourishing the stomach
Caokou contains natural aromatic substances and various amino acids. After consumption, it can invigorate and nourish the stomach, promote the secretion of digestive juices, and effectively improve the body's digestion ability. It can reduce symptoms such as indigestion, nausea, vomiting, and spleen and stomach deficiency and cold.
2. Increasing appetite
When people have poor appetite, they can also eat dishes made from Caokou. The aromatic substances in Caokou can stimulate the appetite and promote digestion.
In addition, Caokou has a mild nature and excellent ability to dispel cold. When people have stomach cold and pain, they can also eat a moderate amount of Caokou, which can quickly alleviate the symptoms of stomach pain.
[Identification of Caokou]
The medicinal part of Caokou is the mature fruit. It is a spherical cluster of seeds, with white membranes dividing the cluster into 3 sections, each section containing multiple seeds, tightly attached and slightly smooth.
Caokou capsule is oval, elliptical or olive-shaped, 1.5-3cm long, 1-2cm in diameter; yellowish-brown or reddish-brown, slightly pointed at both ends, thick skin without thorns, raised longitudinal ridges, dark brown cracking, exposing the seeds.
The seeds are irregularly polygonal, 3-5mm long, and about 3mm in diameter. They are covered with light brown membranous false seed coat. The seed ridge is a longitudinal groove, with a seed hilum at one end;
The texture is hard. The seeds can be split into two lobes along the seed ridge. The longitudinal section is obliquely heart-shaped, and the seed coat extends inward along the seed ridge, occupying about half of the surface area; the endosperm is grayish-white. The fruit skin is smooth, easy to break, and contains seed clusters. It has a fragrant aroma and a cool taste.
Caokou can not only be eaten, but also used as medicine. It is mainly used in decoction, and sometimes it can be ground into fine powder for direct oral administration.
[Methods of using Caokou]
1. Stewed Beef with Caokou and Sauerkraut
Stewed beef with Caokou and sauerkraut is a common method of using Caokou. Prepare sauerkraut, tofu, mushrooms, Caokou, and beef broth.
Heat the pan, add oil, ginger, and garlic, then add the meat and Caokou. When the pan is hot, add sauerkraut, mushrooms, and tofu. Bring to a boil, simmer over low heat for 20 minutes, and finally add salt and chicken essence.
2. Braised Beef
Another method of using Caokou is braised beef, which is suitable for those who like chewy beef.
Cut the beef into palm-sized pieces, blanch them in boiling water, and when the beef blood comes out, remove the beef and let it cool. Then pour water into the pot, add Caokou and cinnamon, and simmer until the beef is cooked. Finally, simmer in the pot for a few hours.
