Qian Shi is a commonly used Chinese medicinal herb with the functions of nourishing the kidneys and spleen, strengthening the essence, and stopping diarrhea. It has a mild nature and wide range of effects, making it popular among many people. Qian Shi sold in pharmacies comes in different sizes, so is it better to choose larger or smaller ones?
Are larger or smaller Qian Shi better?
It is better to have uniform sizes.
Qian Shi, also known as chicken rice, is the dried and mature seed of the water lily family plant, Euryale ferox. Most Qian Shi seeds are spherical with a diameter of 5-8mm. They have a reddish-brown inner seed coat, a hard texture, and a white cross-section with a slight odor. Due to differences in origin, climate, and cultivation conditions, the size of Qian Shi may vary. Therefore, Qian Shi with uniform sizes within the standard range has better quality.
Is it better to have whole or broken Qian Shi?
Both are fine as long as the quality is good.
Qian Shi can be intact or broken, with most being broken grains. As long as the quality of Qian Shi is good, whether it is whole or broken does not affect its medicinal effects. When choosing Qian Shi, there is no need to be concerned about its completeness. Instead, it is more important to observe its color, odor, and size.
How to select high-quality Qian Shi
1. Look at the color.
Qian Shi has a reddish-brown inner seed coat, with one end being yellowish-white, accounting for about 1/3 of the whole seed. There are concave seed scars. The best quality is when the color is pale white and the seed coat is light red. If the color is darker and the seed coat is brownish-red, the quality may be slightly inferior.
2. Bite it with your teeth.
Qian Shi has a hard texture and a white cross-section with a powdery nature. When biting Qian Shi with your teeth, those that are brittle and easily break indicate dryness, while those that are slightly resilient indicate moisture. It is advisable to choose Qian Shi that is dry, without wormholes, with uniform sizes, sufficient powdery nature, few impurities, and relatively dry.
3. Smell the odor.
When selecting Qian Shi, you can use your nose to smell it. Qian Shi has a faint taste and should have no unusual odor. It may have a slight herbal fragrance. If there is an irritating odor, it is likely to have undergone sulfur fumigation, and it is not recommended to purchase it.
How to eat Qian Shi in a better way
Lotus Seed and Qian Shi Lean Meat Soup
Ingredients:
Lotus seeds: 30g, Qian Shi: 30g, Lean pork: 100g.
Instructions:
1. Put the above ingredients in a clay pot and simmer the soup.
2. Add a little salt to taste when drinking and consume it with the residue.
Huai Shan and Qian Shi Stewed Fish Stomach
Ingredients:
Huai Shan: 50g, Qian Shi: 30g, Fish stomach: 1.
Instructions:
1. Wash the Huai Shan and Qian Shi, and soak them for half an hour.
2. Soak the fish stomach in boiling water for 20 minutes, wash it, and cut it into pieces.
3. Put all the ingredients into a stewing pot, add an appropriate amount of water, and cover the pot.
4. Stew over low heat with water for 1-2 hours, season, and consume as desired.
Qian Shi and Shan Yao Porridge
Ingredients:
Shan Yao: 1 root (about 300g), Coix seed: 50g, Qian Shi: 40g, Rice: 100g.
Instructions:
1. After washing the Coix seed and Qian Shi, soak them in water for 2 hours.
2. After washing the rice, soak it in water for half an hour.
3. Put the soaked Coix seed and Qian Shi into a pot and pour in 1500ml of water.
4. Bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for 30 minutes. Then add the rice and continue simmering for 20 minutes.
5. With rubber gloves, peel the Shan Yao and cut it into 3mm thick slices. Add it to the pot and continue cooking for 10 minutes.
Who should not eat Qian Shi
1. People with constipation.
Qian Shi has astringent and constricting effects, so it is not suitable for people with constipation as it may worsen their symptoms.
2. People with bloating.
Qian Shi contains a relatively large amount of starch, which is not easy to digest. Eating Qian Shi may cause discomfort for people with bloating.
3. People with indigestion.
Qian Shi is difficult to digest, and eating it may worsen symptoms for people with indigestion, so it is not advisable to consume it.
