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TCM Treasures - Huo xiang 藿香
By Wing Tan |
November 4, 2012, Sunday
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Print Edition
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HUO xiang (wrinkled giant hyssop) is a easy-to-grow plant which usually lives in sunny, moist places. When made into a medicinal herb, huo xiang can cure vomiting, treat cholera, alleviate stomach inflation and relieve summer heat.
Its fruit, leaves and stalks can also be made into fragrance or essential oil, such as patchouli oil is made from a high-quality variety of huo xiang. In China, it is also a food material used in some folk dishes to enrich flavors. A slightly "warm" herb with a bitter taste, huo xiang travels to the lungs, spleen and stomach.
There is a poignant story behind this purple-blossomed plant. Legend goes that in ancient times there lived a man, his wife and his young sister, who was named Huo Xiang. The brother joined the army, leaving the women at home.
One day, the wife suffered sunstroke and the girl said she would collect mountain herbs to treat her. The girl didn't return until the next night, with the herb but having been bitten by a snake. Her sister-in-law offered to suck the venom out, but the girl refused, fearful she too would be poisoned.
The girl died, and in her memory villagers named the herb huo xiang.
Huo xiang tea
Boil 25g huo xiang leaves in water. Add 5g sugar.
Drink it three to four times a day.
Benefits: Improves digestion, reduces inflammation and kills bacteria.
Huo xiang cold dish
Boil 250g of huo xiang, cool and drain.
Cut the huo xiang into pieces, seasoning it with 2g salt, 5g soy sauce and 5g sesame oil.
Benefits: Dispels heat and dampness.
Huo xiang porridge
Boil 25 huo xiang leaves with water. Remove the leaves.
Cook 100g rice into porridge. When half done, add huo xiang water and 10g sugar.
Benefits: Cure vomiting and dispel dampness.
Its fruit, leaves and stalks can also be made into fragrance or essential oil, such as patchouli oil is made from a high-quality variety of huo xiang. In China, it is also a food material used in some folk dishes to enrich flavors. A slightly "warm" herb with a bitter taste, huo xiang travels to the lungs, spleen and stomach.
There is a poignant story behind this purple-blossomed plant. Legend goes that in ancient times there lived a man, his wife and his young sister, who was named Huo Xiang. The brother joined the army, leaving the women at home.
One day, the wife suffered sunstroke and the girl said she would collect mountain herbs to treat her. The girl didn't return until the next night, with the herb but having been bitten by a snake. Her sister-in-law offered to suck the venom out, but the girl refused, fearful she too would be poisoned.
The girl died, and in her memory villagers named the herb huo xiang.
Huo xiang tea
Boil 25g huo xiang leaves in water. Add 5g sugar.
Drink it three to four times a day.
Benefits: Improves digestion, reduces inflammation and kills bacteria.
Huo xiang cold dish
Boil 250g of huo xiang, cool and drain.
Cut the huo xiang into pieces, seasoning it with 2g salt, 5g soy sauce and 5g sesame oil.
Benefits: Dispels heat and dampness.
Huo xiang porridge
Boil 25 huo xiang leaves with water. Remove the leaves.
Cook 100g rice into porridge. When half done, add huo xiang water and 10g sugar.
Benefits: Cure vomiting and dispel dampness.
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