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Reed rhizome
By Zhang Qian |
July 24, 2011, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
EDITOR'S Note:
In this biweekly column, we introduce a medicinal ingredient used in traditional Chinese medicine, along with prescription and usage instructions. By providing basic knowledge of TCM, we aim to acquaint readers with China's profound heritage of traditional and natural healing.
Reeds growing along the shores of lakes and ponds may seem useless, but in traditional Chinese medicine almost all plants have a use. The rhizome (horizontal underground stem) is a cheap and effective way to bring down fever.
The common reed (phragmatis) is a "cold" (yin energy) herb used to treat ailments related to what is called pathogenic internal heat. These include vomiting, thirst, ulcers and irritation. It also promotes production of fluids and acts as a diuretic.
According to legend, a poor boy suffered a high fever, and the pharmacist suggested costly antelope horn. The boy's father could not afford it and begged for help.
"If you cannot afford it, then don't treat him," said the pharmacist.
The man was taking his son home when a beggar, who heard the story, said antelope horn wasn't the only cure.
"Is there any cheap medicine?" the father asked. The beggar told him the herb was free - just dig up some reed rhizomes nearby and prepare a decoction.
The boy's fever came down and the father and beggar became friends. Since then, people in the area no longer went to the pharmacy for fever herbs - they used the reed rhizome.
Prescriptions & Usage:
? Reed rhizome and liquorice soup
Ingredients: Reed rhizome (10g), liquorice (10g)
Benefits: Helps dispel pathogenic heat and promote production of fluids, treats bad breath and hiccups.
? Pear, pearl barley, and reed rhizome soup
Ingredients: 2 pears, pearl barley (20g), reed rhizome and rock sugar
Benefits: Helps dispel pathogenic heat, nourishes lungs, relieves fever and thirst.
In this biweekly column, we introduce a medicinal ingredient used in traditional Chinese medicine, along with prescription and usage instructions. By providing basic knowledge of TCM, we aim to acquaint readers with China's profound heritage of traditional and natural healing.
Reeds growing along the shores of lakes and ponds may seem useless, but in traditional Chinese medicine almost all plants have a use. The rhizome (horizontal underground stem) is a cheap and effective way to bring down fever.
The common reed (phragmatis) is a "cold" (yin energy) herb used to treat ailments related to what is called pathogenic internal heat. These include vomiting, thirst, ulcers and irritation. It also promotes production of fluids and acts as a diuretic.
According to legend, a poor boy suffered a high fever, and the pharmacist suggested costly antelope horn. The boy's father could not afford it and begged for help.
"If you cannot afford it, then don't treat him," said the pharmacist.
The man was taking his son home when a beggar, who heard the story, said antelope horn wasn't the only cure.
"Is there any cheap medicine?" the father asked. The beggar told him the herb was free - just dig up some reed rhizomes nearby and prepare a decoction.
The boy's fever came down and the father and beggar became friends. Since then, people in the area no longer went to the pharmacy for fever herbs - they used the reed rhizome.
Prescriptions & Usage:
? Reed rhizome and liquorice soup
Ingredients: Reed rhizome (10g), liquorice (10g)
Benefits: Helps dispel pathogenic heat and promote production of fluids, treats bad breath and hiccups.
? Pear, pearl barley, and reed rhizome soup
Ingredients: 2 pears, pearl barley (20g), reed rhizome and rock sugar
Benefits: Helps dispel pathogenic heat, nourishes lungs, relieves fever and thirst.
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