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TCM Treasures Zao jiao 皂角
By Wing Tan |
February 17, 2013, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE zao jiao, or Chinese honey locust, is a deciduous tree that can grow to about 30 meters and it has many uses. Its fruit is a natural cleaning agent; its seeds can cure indigestion; the spines relive sores and remove pustules, while the gum zao jiao contains a natural food thickener, binder and volume enhancer used in flour, ice cream, jelly and yogurt.
The trees thrive in various sunny, warm and humid regions in China. Zao jiao grows very slowly, normally taking six to eight years to bloom and fruit, but they can live for 600 to 700 years.
There are about five different types of zao jiao. The water zao jiao, usually living by paddy fields and other moist areas in Zhejiang, Jiangxi and Sichuan provinces, are made into herbal medicines. The wild zao jiao, however, can cause death if handled improperly.
Chinese honey locust is neither a hot or cold plant and is used for problems associated with the lungs and large intestine. Traditional Chinese medicine doctors use it to treat coughs, epilepsy, constipation and asthma.
In ancient times, Chinese woman used it blended with others substances to promote lactation.
Homemade zao jiao shampoo
? Boil fresh zao jiao with water for about 20 minutes or until it foams.
? Remove zao jiao from water. Add rice water (the water used to wash rice) to the zao jiao water.
? Add a little beer.
? Alternatively, just boil zao jiao with water.
Benefits: The natural shampoo can clean and nourish hair, making it shiny.
Zao jiao toothpaste
? Ground zao jiao to powder and mix with salt.
? Apply to the teeth. Spit it out when the mouth is about to water.
Benefits: Treats toothaches caused by a fever.
The trees thrive in various sunny, warm and humid regions in China. Zao jiao grows very slowly, normally taking six to eight years to bloom and fruit, but they can live for 600 to 700 years.
There are about five different types of zao jiao. The water zao jiao, usually living by paddy fields and other moist areas in Zhejiang, Jiangxi and Sichuan provinces, are made into herbal medicines. The wild zao jiao, however, can cause death if handled improperly.
Chinese honey locust is neither a hot or cold plant and is used for problems associated with the lungs and large intestine. Traditional Chinese medicine doctors use it to treat coughs, epilepsy, constipation and asthma.
In ancient times, Chinese woman used it blended with others substances to promote lactation.
Homemade zao jiao shampoo
? Boil fresh zao jiao with water for about 20 minutes or until it foams.
? Remove zao jiao from water. Add rice water (the water used to wash rice) to the zao jiao water.
? Add a little beer.
? Alternatively, just boil zao jiao with water.
Benefits: The natural shampoo can clean and nourish hair, making it shiny.
Zao jiao toothpaste
? Ground zao jiao to powder and mix with salt.
? Apply to the teeth. Spit it out when the mouth is about to water.
Benefits: Treats toothaches caused by a fever.
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