ALIMENTOS SALUDABLES A BASE DE HIERBAS ORIENTALES

COCINA HIERBAS

 

 

 

 

He Shou Wu  Morinda Root Rabbit Tonic Soup

Shou Wu Ba Ji Rabbit Soup (首乌巴戟兔肉汤)

 

 

Basic Characteristics

This medicinal tonic soup nourishes the Liver and Kidneys (肝腎) and strengthens the tendons and bones (筋骨).

 

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Functions

✔ Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys, strengthens muscles and bones

Prepared He Shou Wu (制首乌) and Morinda Root (巴戟天) are two classic TCM herbs used to tonify Liver and Kidney deficiency, commonly indicated for:

• soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees
• weak muscles and bones
• chronic fatigue and deficiency-related pain

✔ Helps regulate blood pressure (as a supplementary dietary support)

Because it nourishes the Liver and Kidneys, this soup is especially beneficial for hypertension due to Liver–Kidney deficiency.

✔ Tonifies Essence and Blood, warms and supports Kidney Yang

• Prepared He Shou Wu replenishes jing (Essence) and blood
• Morinda Root warms and nourishes Kidney Yang
  Together they help with:
• dizziness
• blurred vision
• palpitations
• early graying of hair

✔ Strengthens the Spleen and boosts Qi

Peanuts in the formula support the Spleen, enhance digestion, and reinforce the overall tonic effect.

✔ Suitable For (Patterns):

• Hypertension due to Liver–Kidney deficiency
• Hyperlipidemia
• Post-stroke weakness due to deficiency of Liver and Kidney

 

Indications

This tonic soup is appropriate for individuals with:

• hypertension
• hyperlipidemia
• post-stroke sequelae
  who fall under the TCM pattern of Liver–Kidney deficiency (肝腎不足).

 

Typical Symptoms

• Lower back pain and knee weakness
• Pain or weakness in the lower limbs
• Dizziness and tinnitus
• Chronic fatigue, low vitality
• Early graying of scalp hair or beard

 

Ingredients

• Rabbit meat (兔肉) – 500 g
• Prepared He Shou Wu / Shu Shou Wu (制首乌) – 30 g
• Morinda Root / Ba Ji Tian (巴戟天, Morinda officinalis) – 30 g
• Peanuts (花生) – 30 g
• Fresh ginger (生姜) – 4 slices

 

Preparation

1. Wash the rabbit meat, cut into pieces, and blanch in boiling water.
2. Rinse the Shu Shou Wu, Morinda Root, peanuts, and ginger.
3. Place all ingredients into a clay pot, add an appropriate amount of water.
4. Bring to a boil on high heat, then simmer on low heat for about 3 hours.
5. Season to taste before serving.

 

Prepared He Shou Wu (制首乌)

Prepared He Shou Wu is made by processing the raw tuber root of Polygonum multiflorum (raw He Shou Wu, 生首乌).
It is also called Shu Shou Wu (熟首乌) or Steamed Shou Wu (蒸首乌).
Compared with the raw form, the processed version:

• has enhanced tonic effects
• has significantly reduced toxicity
• is safer for long-term tonic use

 

Functions

✔ Tonifies Liver and Kidneys; nourishes Essence and Blood
Used for:

• dizziness
• tinnitus
• insomnia
• forgetfulness
• soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees

✔ Darkens hair and beard
A classic herb used for early graying due to blood deficiency.

✔ Strengthens tendons and bones

✔ Helps lower blood lipids
Widely used as supplementary therapy for hyperlipidemia.

 

Processing (Traditional Method)

Traditionally processed with black bean juice through repeated steaming and drying cycles known as “Nine Steams and Nine Sun-dries” (九蒸九晒), which reduces toxicity and enhances tonifying properties.

???? For safety, it is recommended to purchase pre-processed He Shou Wu from a licensed herbal shop.

 

Side Effects & Contraindications

Even though the processed form is safer, caution is still required.

✔ Possible liver toxicity
Excessive or long-term intake may elevate liver enzymes or cause drug-induced hepatitis.
Avoid in patients with liver disease.

✔ Gastrointestinal discomfort
May cause nausea, abdominal pain, or diarrhea.

✔ Do not take long-term or high doses without medical supervision

✔ Food incompatibilities
Avoid consuming with:

• onions
• garlic
• pork
• scaleless fish

These may reduce its medicinal effect or cause discomfort.

 

Raw vs. Processed He Shou Wu

Feature	Processed He Shou Wu (制首乌)	Raw He Shou Wu (生首乌)
Processing	Steamed with black beans	Unprocessed
Main effects	Tonifies Liver–Kidney, nourishes blood, darkens hair, strengthens bones	Detoxifies, disperses nodules, moistens intestines
Toxicity	Lower	Higher

 

Morinda Root (巴戟天 Ba Ji Tian)

• Botanical name: Morinda officinalis
• Nature: warm, sweet, slightly acrid
• Meridians: Kidney

 

Functions

• Warms and tonifies Kidney Yang
• Strengthens tendons and bones
• Dispels wind-dampness
  Commonly used for:
• impotence
• cold-type lower limb pain
• lower back and knee weakness

Often processed with wine (酒炙) or salt water (盐炙) to enhance its tonifying properties.

 

Peanuts (花生)

Peanuts are called “the longevity food” or “meat from the fields” for their rich nutrition.

 

Health Benefits

• Improve cardiovascular health (high unsaturated fatty acids)
• Anti-aging, antioxidant
• Improve memory and support brain function
• Support digestion and bowel movements
• Contain anti-cancer compounds (resveratrol, polyphenols, genistein)

 

Precautions

• Calorie-dense → moderate consumption (25 g/day)
• Avoid if allergic
• Avoid heavily salted, sugared, or fried peanut products

 

Ginger (生姜)

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a warming herb widely used as both food and medicine.

 

Functions

• Warms the middle and dispels cold
• Promotes digestion
• Relieves nausea (motion sickness, pregnancy-related nausea)
• Improves circulation
• Antibacterial and antifungal effects

 

Precautions

Avoid excessive or long-term use in:

• yin deficiency with internal heat
• gastric ulcers
• cholecystitis
• inflammatory diseases

 

Avoid combining ginger with:

• celery
• Chinese chives
• rabbit meat (in TCM theory; may cause digestive discomfort)