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TCM Treasures - Wan nian qing 万年青
By Wing Tan |
April 7, 2013, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
WAN nian qing - literally "green all year round" - is a common landscaping plant in China. Known by a number of English names, including sacred lily, wan nian qing originates in China and Japan and has been developed into many varieties.
It likes high temperatures and water, so needs regular watering to retain humidity in summer. A small pot of wan nian qing is good for decorating a living room. The plant is a strong air cleaner that removes nicotine and the formaldehyde found in some furniture and home decorating materials.
In traditional Chinese medicine, the plant is used to dispel inner heat, detoxify the body, improve the heart function, treat inflamed heart muscles, enhance diuresis and soothe sore throats.
Applied externally, wan nian qing can treat snake bites, burns, bruises, mastitis and boils.
The juice is poisonous and can cause an allergic reaction on the skin. Ingestion might cause stomachache, diarrhea, numbness and irregular heartbeat.
To detoxify, boil 9g ginseng, 9g mai dong (tuber of dwarf lilyturf) and 6g wu wei zi (the fruit of Chinese magnolia vine) twice. Drink the concoctions together.
Prescriptions & Usage:
Wan nian qing paste
Prepare 15-25g rhizome of wan nian qing and 5-10g leaves.
Mash and apply on injured skin.
Benefits: Treats burns, bruises and boils.
Wan nian qing tea
Boil a tiny amount of wan nian qing.
Drink for no longer than one to two days.
Benefit: Treats dry lips.
Cold and dressed wan nian qing
Prepare 50g dried wan nian qing and 10g dried gou qi (Chinese wolfberry).
Boil the wan nian qing and gou qi for two minutes. Remove the dregs.
Make a dressing with 20g sesame oil, 1g salt, 15g vinegar and 0.5g chicken essence.
Drizzle the sauce on the wan nian qing.
Benefits: A cold dish to dispel inner heat.
It likes high temperatures and water, so needs regular watering to retain humidity in summer. A small pot of wan nian qing is good for decorating a living room. The plant is a strong air cleaner that removes nicotine and the formaldehyde found in some furniture and home decorating materials.
In traditional Chinese medicine, the plant is used to dispel inner heat, detoxify the body, improve the heart function, treat inflamed heart muscles, enhance diuresis and soothe sore throats.
Applied externally, wan nian qing can treat snake bites, burns, bruises, mastitis and boils.
The juice is poisonous and can cause an allergic reaction on the skin. Ingestion might cause stomachache, diarrhea, numbness and irregular heartbeat.
To detoxify, boil 9g ginseng, 9g mai dong (tuber of dwarf lilyturf) and 6g wu wei zi (the fruit of Chinese magnolia vine) twice. Drink the concoctions together.
Prescriptions & Usage:
Wan nian qing paste
Prepare 15-25g rhizome of wan nian qing and 5-10g leaves.
Mash and apply on injured skin.
Benefits: Treats burns, bruises and boils.
Wan nian qing tea
Boil a tiny amount of wan nian qing.
Drink for no longer than one to two days.
Benefit: Treats dry lips.
Cold and dressed wan nian qing
Prepare 50g dried wan nian qing and 10g dried gou qi (Chinese wolfberry).
Boil the wan nian qing and gou qi for two minutes. Remove the dregs.
Make a dressing with 20g sesame oil, 1g salt, 15g vinegar and 0.5g chicken essence.
Drizzle the sauce on the wan nian qing.
Benefits: A cold dish to dispel inner heat.
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