Many traditional Chinese medicinal herbs have dual functions as both medicine and food. They not only treat diseases but also nourish the body. The herb "Di Gu Niu" is one such example. So, what are the values of Di Gu Niu as both medicine and food?
Image of Di Gu Niu
【Alternative names of Di Gu Niu】
Sha Jian Zi, Dao Xing Gou Zi, Shui Chong, Sha Gu Niu, Sha Niu, Yi Shi, Sha Niu Chong, Jin Sha Niu, Di Gong.
【Medicinal formulas using Di Gu Niu】
①Treatment for malaria: Take eleven Di Gu Niu and swallow it with alcohol. Take it half an hour before the onset of malaria. For chronic malaria, take it for one week.
②Treatment for childhood malaria: Take seven Di Gu Niu, fry and grind into powder, then swallow it with boiling water.
③Treatment for carbuncle poison: Take seven Di Gu Niu, crush six of them and apply to the top of the carbuncle, and put the remaining one on the head of the carbuncle, wrap it with cloth.
(①Formulas from "Secret Formulas of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Guizhou Province")
④Treatment for swollen lymph nodes and ulcers: Mix Sha Gu Niu with borax and a little borneol, crush and apply to the ulcer, cover with adhesive plaster. (From "Essentials of Medicinal Properties of Chinese Medicinal Herbs")
⑤Treatment for bamboo or wood splinters and iron sand stuck in the flesh: Apply Di Gu Niu mixed with pumpkin pulp to the affected area.
Di Gu Niu
【Methods of consuming Di Gu Niu】
1. Di Gu Niu Pork Slices with Sichuan Pepper
Steps:
(1) Prepare ingredients: half a package of soaked Di Gu Niu, a small piece of pork belly, a little soy sauce, a little five-spice powder.
(2) Cut the pork belly into slices, marinate with a little soy sauce and five-spice powder for about 15 minutes.
(3) Heat the pan, add a little cooking oil, when the oil is hot, add the marinated pork slices, stir-fry until both sides are slightly brown.
(4) Then add the soaked Di Gu Niu, drizzle a little soy sauce, stir-fry evenly until the sour and spicy flavor comes out, then turn off the heat and serve.
(5) Finished product: A sour and slightly spicy appetizer is ready. It goes well with rice, crispy and refreshing.
2. Di Gu Niu and Pig Lung Soup
Take 1 pig lung, wash and cut into pieces, take 120g of Di Gu Niu, stew together with water, add a little pork fat and salt for seasoning.
This recipe directly nourishes the lungs with pig lung and enhances the effects of Di Gu Niu. It is used for lung deficiency cough and dry throat.
