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TCM Treasures - Leek
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Leek
Simplified Chinese: 韭菜 Pinyin: jiǔ cài
Jiu cai (leek), which is also called zhuang yang cao (strengthen yang energy herb) and xi chang cao (washing intestine herb), has a history of cultivation of more than 3,000 years in China. It is often used as a vegetable on the dinner table, but it can also serve as a healthful herb in TCM.
Legends suggest the herb got its name from Liu Xiu, the first emperor of the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25-220). With his army defeated, Liu escaped and finally, worn out, reached a humble home. The homeowner took him in and offered him a wild vegetable to eat. Liu felt much better after three bowls of the vegetable. Liu named it jiu cai (saving vegetable).
After winning the throne, Liu ordered cultivation of the vegetable particularly for royal cooking. The imperial physician found the vegetable have multiple health benefits like dispelling pathogenic heat, detoxification, nourishing yin, strengthening yang and improving appetite. That motivated Liu to create a Chinese character for the herb that sounds like “saving.”
Leek in TCM is a “warm” herb that helps reinforce the kidneys, warm the body, activate blood circulation, improve appetite and move the bowels. External application of smashed leek root and leaves can also help reduce inflammation, cease bleeding and relieve pain.
Too much leek at a time is not recommended and it is not for breast-feeding women since it will stop milk production.
Prescriptions & Usage:Leek and walnuts
• Pan fry 30g peeled walnuts until they turn a bit golden.
• Add 120g leek, keep frying; add salt to season. Eat as a course for meal.
Benefits: Helps warm the body and reinforce “yang” energy and kidneys. It can help relieve “yang”-deficiency problems like frequent urination and sore lower back.
Leek, ginger and milk soup
• Juice 250g leek and 30g ginger. Filter the juice and add 250g milk.
• Boil the mixture and set aside until warm.
• Drink the warm soup.
Benefits: Helps warm and benefit digestive system and remove stagnation. It can help relieve pathogenic cold-related issues like vomiting, poor appetite and stomachache.
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