Ginseng

The more information I try to find about ginseng the more confused I am with all the different names given to this herb. There are American ginseng, Korean ginseng, Chinese ginseng and Siberian ginseng. To make matters worse, some of the information is written in the Chinese language and as I do not read Chinese text, whatever is written makes no sense at all to me.

Therefore, I think it is best that I share with you what my mother and the herbalist at my local medical hall taught me. I call all the various types of ginseng the ‘sams’ i.e. yan sam, kolei sam, tong sam and pau sam.

‘Yan sam’ in Cantonese

Description: sweet, cool and slightly bitter; affects the heart, lungs and kidneys

Due to its’ shape of a human, it is believed to be the cure for all ailments. Taken in low doses, it acts as a mild sedative but in large doses, it is a stimulant. Its’ properties are to promote a good appetite and is helpful for rheumatism, headaches, colds, coughs, bronchitis, constipation and cystitis. Its anti-inflammatory properties may be useful in reducing fevers and lung problems.






The body is the part called ‘yan sam’ and is the most expensive. It may be used to treat infertility in women, as it stimulates the pituitary gland, which in turn stimulates growth of the uterine lining. The herb may be useful in relieving the symptoms of menopause but, the amount should be prescribed by a Chinese medical practitioner or ‘sinseh’.

Contraindications:
• It is not recommended for people with hypoglycemia, high blood pressure, heart disorders, asthma or insomnia.
• Pregnant or nursing mothers should not take this product as it may interfere with oestrogen production.
• Women should not take this in the first week after starting any new brand of oral contraceptives.
• Do not give to young children especially during an infection or if the child’s growth is slow and does not eat well.


‘Pau sam’ in Cantonese







The legs and arms are called ‘pau sam’ and is normally used to increase internal energy. This is suitable for children, especially when they are teething or starting to walk as it can give them a boost in energy.


Ginseng roots







The roots have no nutritional value but cooling properties therefore is useful for reducing internal body heat. It can either be infused with boiling water and drank on its own or cooked as soup. I cook this soup once a month for the whole family and more frequently during very hot weather. The soup is suitable for children above 2 years old.


‘Kolei sam’ in Cantonese








It is commonly taken to enhance physical performance, prolong life and increase sexual potency. Chinese herbalists prescribed it to normalize blood pressure, improve blood circulation and prevent heart disease. It can be used during confinement but only if the mother is not breast-feeding.
With regard to cognitive ability, it is believed to significantly improve abstract thinking. Several studies have found that treatment with Ginseng improved the ability to complete detailed tasks, perform mental arithmetic and improve memory, attention, concentration and a general ability to cope. Furthermore, it is said to improve reaction to visual and auditory stimuli, as well as visual and motor co-ordination.


‘Tong sam’








This is used primarily to increase energy in the lungs, especially combined with red dates and kei chi. It can be combined with other herbs as a nourishing and energizing soup as in the famous Song Kee Soup. You can now buy the pre-packed ingredients in most super markets.

Cordyceps

Description: sweet, warm; affects the lungs and kidneys

Cordyceps sinensis also called the "caterpillar fungus" is highly regarded in China as a tonic for those who are recovering from an illness or an operation, or after giving birth. In these cases, the Cordyceps helps the patient recover their physical power, to improve their appetite, and to protect the body from infection. Cordyceps belongs to the family of mushrooms, which are actually parasitic organisms, growing wildly on the caterpillars in the high plateaus of China, Nepal, and Tibet. The fruiting body of Cordyceps looks like grass, which is why the Chinese call it Winter Worm - Summer Grass. Because it contains both Yin and Yang properties, it apparently is safe for use by anyone and even for a long period.

Among the numerous species, Cordyceps sinensis is the most famous and expensive due to its curing properties. It is a type of "super-ginseng" for rejuvenation and stamina amongst the elderly.
Dr. Georges Halpern, the author of several books about this fungus, and other scientists and herbalists confirm that the mushroom can:
• stimulate the immune system
• cure sexual dysfunction in both men and women
• maximize body oxygen uptake
• build muscles
• improve kidney, liver, and lung function
• provide anti-aging and rejuvenation effect
• strengthen the skeletal structure, and specifically benefits the lower back region, the knees and ankles
• help the body resist a wide range of pathogenic bacteria, fungi and viruses.

Although, wild Cordyceps are the most powerful in effects, they are quite expensive and difficult to buy in many parts of the world. Therefore, many manufacturers do not use Cordyceps sinensis, but the cultivated forms of the fungus (C. ophioglossoides, C. capita, and C. militaris) in their commercial preparations.
Several institutions in China and Japan are currently researching the potential use of Cordyceps to treat certain varieties of cancer.




This is a cheap variety of cordyceps that we use for cooking soup.

Alcohol

Description: warm, sweet, bitter and pungent; affects the heart, liver, lungs and stomach

Rice wine is fermented pulut rice, which is rich in iron, low in fat and free of cholesterol with high dietary fibre to reduce risk of heart attack and diabetes. It promotes blood circulation, expels cold energy and speeds up the effects of herbs. It contains 10 to 20 percent alcohol. The commercial name is Shaoxing wine. The recommendation is that you should consume about 12 bottles of rice wine during the confinement month. This is not difficult to achieve because almost every dish will have the wine in it. I personally prefer to use rice wine made by my mother (bottle on the right). It is slightly sweeter and smoother compared to commercially prepared wine.


Brandy, Dom and Yomeishu are the recommended alcohol for consumption during the confinement month because they are ‘yang’. Guinness Malta which is non-alcoholic has high iron content therefore is suitable if you are anaemic and breast-feeding.

If you are a non-drinker, this sudden consumption may cause alcohol rash, redness in the face and heart palpitations, so do take it easy. Alcohol does go to the baby through breast milk, so if you want a good night’s sleep, drink the alcohol after your dinner. The content of alcohol is reduced during cooking therefore you might consider adding it to your food during cooking instead of drinking it neat.

Boxthorn fruit (kei chi) 杞 子

Description: sweet, warm affects the liver, lung and kidneys

Boxthorn fruit or Chinese wolfberry is the fruit of the Chinese boxthorn or matrimony vine. It is a very rich source of vitamins and minerals, especially in vitamins A, C and E, flavonoids and other bioactive compounds. It is also a good source of essential fatty acids, which is unusual for a fruit. In Chinese, it is called kei chi or gouqi therefore the name goji is probably a westernized version of this.

In European folklore, boxthorn planted near a home would cause discord between a husband and wife, thus the name ‘Matrimony Vine’.

Best known to correct poor eyesight and eye strain therefore drinking soup or a drink made with wolfberries would benefit people who read or stare at computer screens for long periods of time. When used in conjunction with other herbs it is effective for improving energy and strength to alleviate aching back and legs, diabetes, premature white hair and improve sexual function and fertility. You can even eat the dried fruit, uncooked, as a health snack.
Currently there is research to find out if it is capable of reducing the incidence of cancer and as a means of halting or reversing the growth of cancers.




Known as 'gau kei choy' in Cantonese; the tender, slightly bitter leaves are stir fried or used in soups. It is useful for relief of hot flushes, pain in the joints and skin in addition to removing toxins from boils.





Contraindications
As with many other natural health food products, there is evidence that goji berries may interact with anticoagulant drugs such as warfarin and if taken together may cause dangerous bleeding. Do not use if having loose stools or diarrhoea.

Wai san 淮山

Description: Cool, sweet, neutral affects the spleen, pancreas, kidneys and lungs

Chinese yam (wai san) is traditionally used as a food and a herb to increase yin energy in the body. Used in conjunction with meat and other herbs aids digestion, it regulates sugar level and control inflammation of the uterus. The dried variety must be soaked for at least 15 minutes before use to remove the powder. it is a relatively mild herb (safe for long-term use).

It is used mainly for:
• Diabetes
• Pulmonary tuberculosis
• Chronic diarrhoea
• Premature ejaculation
• Chronic cough and asthma
• Morning sickness during pregnancy
• Vaginal yeast infection
• Anti aging





fresh wai san









dried wai san

Sesame oil

Sesame oil made from roasted sesame seeds, is called dark sesame or toasted sesame oil and has a strong, distinctive flavor. It is dark brown in color has a thick consistency and cloudy appearance. Sesame oil, besides being rich in iron, magnesium, copper, calcium, iron, zinc and vitamins B6 & E, helps heal the womb and rid it of "dirty residual blood". Copper provides relief for rheumatoid arthritis. Sesame oil is unique in that it has one of the highest concentrations of omega-6 fatty acids help reduce high blood pressure. Consuming sesame oil can also relieve lethargy, fatigue and insomnia, while promoting strength and vitality, enhancing blood circulation. There are claims that it has relaxing properties that eases pain and muscle spasm, such as sciatica, dysmenorrhoea, colic, backache and joint pain. In addition, it has antioxidants that are supposed to slow down the aging process and promote longevity.

Contraindications

Sesame oil is not known to be harmful when taken in recommended dosages, though the long-term effects of taking sesame-derived remedies (in any amount) have not been investigated. Due to lack of sufficient medical study, sesame oil should be used with caution in small children, women who are pregnant or breast-feeding and people with liver or kidney disease.


"Cancer-Causing Material Found in Cooking Oil"

2007-09-06
By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter

"Benzopyrene is generated by heating or cooking oils. In sesame oil, the hydrocarbon is present in smoke generated during the sesame frying or squeezing process. Benzopyrene is a designated carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. In the United States, there were studies that indicated eating too much of these oils can cause birth defects.
However, there is little chance of people actually getting cancer by eating these oils and the possibility of people eating these oils all their lives and getting cancer is only about one in a million,'' the administration's researcher Lee Dong-ha said.

www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2007/09/117_9680.html - 82k


According to my mother Ghee Hiang sesame oil is the best but personally I find them all the same having tried all the different brands. Maybe it is beacuse I do not have a discerning taste bud.

Chinese Dates

Description: warm, sweet; affects the stomach and spleen

Chinese dates is most widely employed in the Chinese pharmacopoeia by adding to herbal formulas to prolong, enhance, and harmonize the effect of the other ingredients; and to circulate the herbal essences in the bloodstream and in the meridian. It nourishes the blood and calms the mind for insomnia and restlessness; invigorates the spleen and stomach with poor appetite; promotes secretions of vital fluids; retard aging; moderates the toxicity of potent drugs. It is best for fatigue, hypertension, physical exhaustion and malnutrition. It is also rich in Vitamin C therefore helps those with allergies. Red dates are also used in herbal formulas for men to improve their blood flow, and thus their athletic and sexual performance.

Black date - The ripe fruit is first smoked and dried. As a result, it is black in color. Amongst the three types of dates, it has the most medicinal value.
Red date – The medicinal fruit is oblong in shape and turn dark reddish brown when ripe. The fruit comes with or without kernels. The kernels are hot in nature therefore during confinement, it is best to use the pitted dates as the stones can create phlegm.
Brown date – this has the least medicinal value. It is added to soups for sweetness and can be taken as candies and sweetmeat.

Ginger

Description: warm, pungent; affects the lungs, stomach and spleen

Ginger is a natural and effective mouth freshener and aids digestion. It is helpful with easing of menstrual cramps and associated with alleviation of the feeling of nausea, even for pregnant women. Ginger has anti-cancer properties and helps lower cholesterol. It is supposed to strengthen the function of the kidneys, bladder, uterus and liver (increasing bile production). Ginger is used to cleanse the body of toxins through the skin by stimulating and increasing perspiration and to help increase blood circulation, including peripheral circulation (hands, feet, etc.). The anti-inflammatory properties of ginger make it effective in alleviation of the pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis therefore is used during confinement to prevent arthritis. Old ginger is very heaty and therefore is preferred for use during confinement.

Contraindications

Breast feeding mothers should avoid taking ginger during the first ten days after delivery as ginger can interfere with the breakdown of bilirubin therefore causes any jaundice in the baby to become worse.
Pregnant women who use ginger for morning sickness should not take large amounts (many times the recommended dose) nor use it for prolonged periods without consulting a physician.
People with gallstones or gallbladder disease or taking blood thinners (Coumadin, aspirin, etc.) should avoid ginger unless supervised by a doctor.

Dong Guai

Dong guai or Chinese angelica root (or "Female Ginseng," as it is sometimes called) is an age-old, natural way to support a woman's health and reproductive system. It has been used to relieve the discomforts of PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome), dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), amenorrhea (absence of menstruation), menorrhagia (abnormal menstruation), and may help in cases of infertility. It can re-establish and regulate the menstrual cycles in women after giving birth or when ending the use of birth control pills.

Chemical constituents of Dong Quai include coumarins, essential oils, vitamins B-1, B-2, B-5 and vitamin C, beta-carotene, acids, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, zinc, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, flavonoids and phytoestrogens.

Chinese Angelica Root is said to possess significant blood pressure-lowering action, due to its ability to dilate blood vessels, and it is also reported to possess calcium channel blockers, which help a wide variety of cardiovascular conditions, including hypertension, arteriosclerosis and angina. By inhibiting platelet aggregation, Chinese Angelica Root increases blood flow to the heart, brain and extremities, thereby helping to guard against stroke and heart attack. This improved circulation may also relieve tinnitus, blurred vision, palpitations and migraine headaches. Studies claim that it acts as a tranquilizer and will calm the nerves. It is also said to have pain relieving effects, and its analgesic activity, combined with its smooth-muscle relaxing properties, support its historical use in easing the discomforts in conditions such as trauma, arthritis, abdominal pain, cramps and headaches.

Contraindications

Chinese Angelica Root should not be used by pregnant or lactating women nor by women with a typically heavy menstrual flow. It is not recommended for diabetics, those who are taking anti-coagulants (Coumadin, aspirin, etc.) or people who are using medication for high blood pressure. Chinese Angelica Root may increase photosensitivity in sunlight.