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TCM Treasures - Fructus amomi

SIMPLIFIED Chinese: 鐮備粊 Pinyin: sh膩 r茅n

sha ren (fructus amomi), is a common aromatic herb in TCM, refreshing the digestive system.

The sha ren for medical use is usually from Zingiberaceae, the ginger family, and found in Guangdong or Hainan province or Southeastern Asia. Guangdong's is named chun sha and has a reputation for effectiveness.

It is said that there was a cattle plague in the Yangchun County in the west of Guangdong Province that killed almost all cattle except for those near Jinhuakeng. Farmers asked shepherd boys where they pastured the cattle, and they took them to Jinhuakeng where aromatic herbs grew. They found the herbs refreshing and good for stomach distension and ache and poor appetite.

Sha ren is a "warm" herb that travels through the spleen, stomach and kidney meridians. It can help remove pathogenic dampness and relieve diarrhea, indigestion and vomiting.

Orange peel, hou pu (officinal magnolia bark) and zhi shi (immature bitter orange) are often prescribed together with sha ren for removing energy stagnation in the digestive system.

Dang shen (codonopsis pilosula), bai shu (bighead atractylodes rhizome) and fu ling (tuckahoe) often work with sha ren in treating poor digestive system due to energy deficiency.

Prescriptions & Usage:

Steamed sha ren and crucian fish

? Put 3g sha ren powder into fish belly with oil and salt. Seal belly with bean powder.

? Steam above water for 15 minutes.

Benefits: Refreshes digestive system, dispels pathogenic dampness and relieves vomiting.

Steamed sha ren and chicken

? Prepare about 400g chicken with a spoon of yellow wine and starch. Pan fry 15g sha ren, three garlic pieces and green onion.

? Add soybean sauce, sugar and pepper powder to season. Spread the dressing on the chicken and steam above water for 20 minutes.

Benefits: Helps benefit the spleen, stomach and kidney, reinforces energy and helps prevent miscarriage.




 

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