I have been coughing for the past few days and I want to buy some Chuanbei to drink. Usually, Chuanbei is used to stew snow pear, but I don't really like eating it. Can I use Chuanbei to make porridge?
Can Chuanbei porridge be consumed?
Yes, it can.
Chuanbei is a common Chinese herbal medicine with a sweet taste and cool nature. It enters the heart and lung meridians and has the effects of moistening the lungs, resolving phlegm, and stopping cough. It can be used to treat various types of cough caused by heat. Many people like to stew snow pear with Chuanbei to relieve cough. In fact, making porridge with Chuanbei is also a good way to consume it. It allows the medicinal components of Chuanbei to be fully released and exert its therapeutic effects, while also providing a filling effect. Therefore, Chuanbei porridge can be consumed.
Recipe for Chuanbei porridge
Chuanbei and Snow Pear Porridge
Ingredients: 100g of rice, 15g of Chuanbei, 500g of snow pear, and some rock sugar.
Instructions:
1. Soak the rice in cold water for about 1 hour.
2. Wash the snow pear, slice it, and remove the core. Crush the Chuanbei.
3. Put all the ingredients into a clay pot and add an appropriate amount of water.
4. Bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer for about 20-30 minutes over low heat.
5. Add rock sugar for seasoning.
6. Serve in a bowl and it is ready to be consumed.
Benefits: Moistens the lungs, stops cough, and resolves phlegm.
Chuanbei and Millet Porridge
Ingredients: 10g of Chuanbei, 100g of millet, and some rock sugar.
Instructions:
1. Grind the Chuanbei into powder.
2. Rinse the millet and put it in a pot with the Chuanbei powder.
3. Add about 800ml of water and bring to a boil over high heat.
4. Reduce to low heat and simmer until the porridge is cooked.
5. Finally, add rock sugar for seasoning.
Benefits: Clears the lungs, moistens the lungs, and stops cough.
Precautions when consuming Chuanbei porridge
1. Do not use excessive amount
When making Chuanbei porridge, it is important not to use too much Chuanbei. Although Chuanbei does not have obvious toxic side effects, excessive consumption can stimulate the stomach and intestines due to the cool nature of Chuanbei, which may cause gastrointestinal discomfort.
2. Do not consume it for a long period of time
Because of the cool nature of Chuanbei, it is generally not recommended to consume it for a long period of time. Prolonged consumption of Chuanbei may damage the body's yang qi and be detrimental to overall health. It is advised to stop consuming Chuanbei porridge once the symptoms improve.
3. Do not consume it with Aconitum
For example, Caulis Aconiti, Radix Aconiti, etc. Chuanbei and Aconitum have opposite medicinal properties, and their combination may cause toxic side effects and be harmful to human health. Therefore, it is important to avoid taking Aconitum while consuming Chuanbei.
Who should not consume Chuanbei porridge?
1. People with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold
Since Chuanbei has a cool nature, it may stimulate the sensitive intestines and stomach of people with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold. Consumption of Chuanbei porridge may aggravate symptoms such as cold hands and feet, loose stools, and poor digestion.
2. People with cough caused by wind-cold
The treatment for cough caused by wind-cold should focus on warming the lungs and stopping cough. Chuanbei porridge is good for treating hot cough, but it may not relieve the symptoms of cough and phlegm in cases of cough caused by wind-cold. It may even worsen the cough and discomfort.
Can Chuanbei be brewed and consumed as tea?
Yes, it can.
The medicinal components of Chuanbei are easily absorbed by the body. In traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions, Chuanbei is often used for decoction. When using Chuanbei to make tea, it is recommended to grind it into fine powder and then dissolve it in a small amount of hot water. It is generally not recommended to directly brew whole pieces of Chuanbei, as the medicinal components may not be fully released and the therapeutic effects of Chuanbei may be reduced.
