Dangshen is a commonly used Chinese medicinal herb for nourishing qi and blood. Many people think that qi and blood-tonifying herbs are only suitable for women. Can men eat Dangshen? What are the benefits of men eating Dangshen?
Can men eat Dangshen?
Yes, they can.
Dangshen has a neutral nature and sweet taste. It has the effects of nourishing blood and body fluids, invigorating the spleen and benefiting the lungs, and nourishing qi and calming the mind. It is suitable for those with deficient qi and blood, weak spleen and lungs, limb weakness, and dry wounds. Dangshen is a nourishing herb, and it can also be taken by men. Traditional Chinese medicine has the saying "liver and kidney have the same origin", and Dangshen has the effect of protecting and nourishing the liver. Men can take it to tonify the liver and kidney.
What are the benefits of men eating Dangshen?
Nourishing the heart and calming the mind
Dangshen has the effects of invigorating the middle burner and replenishing qi, invigorating the spleen and benefiting the lungs, and nourishing body fluids and blood. It contains effective ingredients such as saponins, sugars, amino acids, trace alkaloids, and vitamins. It has sedative, tranquilizing, and anticonvulsant effects, so Dangshen can nourish the heart and calm the mind.
Tonifying the spleen and stomach
Dangshen has the functions of replenishing qi, invigorating the spleen, nourishing blood, and producing body fluids. It is not dry for invigorating the spleen, not cold for moistening the lungs, and not cool for nourishing the stomach. It has good therapeutic effects for those with spleen and stomach deficiency and cold. Dangshen is a good tonic for regulating the spleen and stomach and replenishing qi, suitable for those with deficiency of spleen and lung qi.
Tonifying the middle burner and replenishing qi
Dangshen is a commonly used qi-tonifying herb. The effect of nourishing the lungs and replenishing yin is enhanced when Dangshen is honey-fried. Dangshen is often used in combination with astragalus, white atractylodes, poria cocos, and dioscorea opposita to enhance the spleen-tonifying and qi-tonifying effects. It can be combined with cooked rehmannia and angelica sinensis to tonify blood for those with deficiency of both qi and blood.
Improving memory
Dangshen has the effects of replenishing the middle burner, invigorating the spleen and stomach, and nourishing the heart and mind. It can be used for symptoms such as spleen and stomach deficiency, deficiency of both qi and blood, reduced appetite, and thirst. The effective ingredients in Dangshen have the function of improving memory and are suitable for those with forgetfulness and palpitations.
Tonifying the spleen and nourishing the stomach
Dangshen invigorates the spleen and nourishes the stomach. Stir-fried Dangshen has a stronger effect. It is suitable for those with spleen deficiency and reduced appetite, poor digestion of spleen deficiency, and discomfort in the stomach. Stir-fried Dangshen can be combined with stir-fried white atractylodes, stir-fried malt, and stir-fried tangerine peel for consumption throughout the year.
Enhancing immunity
Dangshen contains active ingredients such as Dangshen polysaccharides, saponins, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, and trace alkaloids, which can increase the number and enhance the phagocytic function of phagocytes. Therefore, Dangshen can improve immunity.
Benefiting intelligence and brain health
Dangshen has the effects of replenishing the middle burner, replenishing qi, nourishing blood, and producing body fluids. Due to its mild nature, it is often used instead of ginseng for the conditioning of spleen and lung qi and chronic diseases. It is also effective for deficiency of both qi and blood and deficiency of both qi and body fluids. Pharmacological studies have shown that ethanol extract of Dangshen can improve memory and brain function.
Precautions for men eating Dangshen
1. Avoid eating with radishes
Dangshen is a commonly used qi-tonifying herb with the effects of invigorating the middle burner and replenishing qi, and radishes are qi-reducing foods. Eating them together can affect the absorption of the medicinal effects.
2. Avoid taking with Lycium barbarum
Taking Dangshen with Lycium barbarum may cause reactions between the effective ingredients of the two, leading to toxic side effects and affecting the efficacy.
3. Avoid excessive consumption
Dangshen is a qi-tonifying herb that can replenish the middle burner and nourish qi, as well as nourish blood and produce body fluids. Excessive consumption can easily lead to excessive internal heat.
How to take Dangshen for men
Dangshen and mutton soup
Main ingredients:
250g mutton, 10g Dangshen, 15g onion, 3g ginger, 5g yellow wine, 15g lard, 2g salt, 1g monosodium glutamate.
Instructions:
1. Wash the mutton and slice it;
2. Soak the Dangshen until soft and slice it;
3. Slice the onion and ginger;
4. Add lard to the pot, add the mutton soup, bring to a boil, and add the mutton and Dangshen;
5. Add the onion, ginger, and yellow wine, and cook until the meat is tender; 6. Season with salt and monosodium glutamate.
Astragalus and Dangshen wolfberry wine
Ingredients:
2 liters of yellow wine, 60g astragalus, 30g Dangshen, 60g poria cocos, 60g wolfberry, 30g dried jujube, 30g rock sugar.
Instructions:
1. Remove impurities from all ingredients and blend them in a food processor;
2. Put the mixture in a clean, water-free, and oil-free glass or ceramic container wrapped in gauze;
3. Pour in the yellow wine, seal it, and store it away from light;
4. Shake the bottle every 5 days or so, and it can be consumed after one month.
Contraindications for taking Dangshen
1. Avoid use for those with qi stagnation and excessive fire
Qi stagnation refers to the obstruction of qi in the viscera, meridians, and collaterals, with the main symptoms of distension and pain in the sides. Excessive fire refers to the hyperactivity of liver fire, with common symptoms of insomnia, dreaminess, irritability, and mental restlessness. Dangshen has a strong tonic effect, and taking it may worsen the condition of these patients.
2. Avoid use for those with excess and heat syndrome
Excess syndrome is manifested by sinking and rapid pulses, constipation, and mental excitement, while heat syndrome is manifested by fever, restlessness, and redness of the face and ears. Dangshen is a qi-tonifying herb, and taking it may cause discomfort in these patients.
