Nuzhenzi is a highly valuable traditional Chinese medicine with a wide range of medicinal uses. It not only nourishes the liver and kidneys but also has anti-aging effects, providing great benefits to the human body. So, how should we choose Nuzhenzi? And what are its functions and effects?
【How to Choose Nuzhenzi】
To choose high-quality Nuzhenzi, one needs to learn how to distinguish it based on its overall morphological characteristics.
First, let's look at the appearance. Good Nuzhenzi is oval, elliptical, or kidney-shaped, with a black-purple or gray-black surface that is wrinkled and uneven. It has a fruit stalk scar or a short pedicel with persistent sepals. The herb is light, with a thin outer fruit skin and a relatively soft middle fruit skin that is easy to peel off.
The inner fruit skin is woody, yellow-brown, and has longitudinal ridges. When peeled, the seed is usually kidney-shaped, dark purple, and oily.
Then, smell and taste. Good Nuzhenzi has a weak and slightly sweet smell, with a slightly bitter and astringent taste. In general, larger, fuller, fleshy, black-purple grains without impurities are of better quality.
【Functions and Effects of Nuzhenzi】
1. Nourishes the kidneys and liver:
It can be used to treat bone steaming and heat exhaustion in combination with Shengdi, Digupi, Qinghao, and Gouqizi. It can also be used to treat dizziness, tinnitus, and hearing loss in combination with Juhua, Tianma, Gouqizi, and Zhi Shouwu. In addition, it can be used to treat aching and weak lower back and knees in combination with Shudi, Tusizi, Chao Duzhong, and Chuanduan.
2. Promotes hair growth and improves vision:
It is used for liver and kidney yin deficiency, when essence and blood cannot nourish the head and hair, resulting in premature graying of hair or blurred vision. To promote hair growth, it can be used in combination with Hanliancao, Xuanshen, and Heizhima. To improve vision, it can be used in combination with Shengdi, Gouqizi, Juhua, and Shayuanzi.
3. Delays aging:
Nuzhenzi contains not only rich natural polysaccharides but also flavonoids and phenolic compounds, which are natural antioxidants. It not only delays aging but also prolongs life.
【Methods of Consuming Nuzhenzi】
1. Stewed pork with Nuzhenzi:
100g each of sea cucumber and lean pork, 6g Wuweizi, 5g Nuzhenzi, 5g longan meat, 3 dates, 2 slices of ginger, and salt to taste.
Put ginger, pork, sea cucumber, Wuweizi, Nuzhenzi, longan meat, and dates into a pot. Add water as needed. Simmer over low heat until the meat is cooked and the soup is dry. Season with salt. This dish nourishes the liver and kidneys.
2. Nuzhenzi and mulberry cake:
200g flour, 300g sugar, 20g Nuzhenzi, 30g mulberries, 30g Hanliancao, 10 eggs, yeast, and alkaline water as needed.
Boil Nuzhenzi, mulberries, and Hanliancao to extract their juice. Mix flour, yeast, egg liquid, and sugar with the herbal juice to form a dough. After fermentation, add alkaline water and knead well to make the cake. It can be eaten as a dessert. This cake delays aging and strengthens bones and tendons.
