What are warming and tonic Chinese medicines?

Warm tonic Chinese medicine is quite common in our lives. We should choose warm tonic Chinese medicine according to our own physical constitution. For example, to replenish qi and benefit the kidney, we can use Chinese medicine such as wolfberry and angelica to boil water. To promote physical recovery, we can use codonopsis and ginseng for nourishment and promote the body's absorption of nutrients. Let’s learn about the types of warming and tonic Chinese medicine.

1. Angelica

Therapeutic effects: It is mainly produced in Minxian County, Gansu and Qinling Mountains in Shaanxi. It is divided into angelica head, tail and whole angelica. The "head" stops bleeding and moves upward; the "body" nourishes blood and stays in the middle;

"Tail" breaks blood but it does not flow, and "whole" activates blood but it does not move. For headaches caused by blood deficiency, the head of angelica can be used; for physical weakness, the body of angelica can be used; for muscle and bone pain, and numbness of hands and feet, the tail of angelica can be used.

2. Wolfberry

Therapeutic effect: The best wolfberries are produced in Yinchuan, Zhongning and Zhongwei in Ningxia. Wolfberry has ten good names: it can replenish qi, supplement blood, raise yang, increase yin, brighten eyes, calm the mind, nourish the liver, nourish the kidneys, reduce fire, and eliminate rheumatism.

Its main functions are to nourish the liver and kidneys, improve eyesight and calm the mind. For the elderly, wolfberry also has the effect of moisturizing the intestines and promoting bowel movements.

Usage: Soak in water, cook soup or eat a dozen pills a day.

3. Deer antler

Therapeutic effect: Deer antler is divided into sika deer antler and red deer antler, and its origin is Shuangyang County, Jilin Province. It has the effects of warming the kidney and strengthening yang, replenishing essence and blood, and calming the fetus.

It can treat symptoms such as cold limbs, dizziness, weakness in the waist and knees caused by yang deficiency. It has a good therapeutic effect on kidney yang deficiency.

Usage: soak in water, wine, stew meat or take directly.

4. Codonopsis pilosula

Therapeutic effect: Codonopsis has the functions of tonifying the middle and replenishing Qi, nourishing blood and calming the mind. For those with weak spleen and stomach, taking Codonopsis pilosula has a better effect.

The ancients had a very good summary of Codonopsis: it strengthens the spleen without drying out, moistens the lungs without causing coldness, nourishes the stomach without causing coldness, and nourishes the blood without drying out. It is both nourishing and blood-nourishing.

Usage: Cut Codonopsis pilosula into small pieces and make soup. It is also good to add Codonopsis pilosula to stewed lamb. The whole branch of Codonopsis pilosula can be placed in a bottle to soak in wine.

5. American Ginseng

Therapeutic effects: American ginseng, also known as Western ginseng, is mainly produced in Greenland, Canada, and France in the United States.

American ginseng is different from other ginsengs. It has the effects of replenishing qi and nourishing yin, and will not cause internal heat after taking it. Especially for middle-aged people, eating two or three tablets a day is very beneficial to the body.

Usage: soak in water, stew meat, or take directly.

6. Chrysanthemum

Therapeutic effects: There are many varieties of chrysanthemum, such as daisy, Hangzhou chrysanthemum, yellow chrysanthemum, white chrysanthemum, Qi chrysanthemum, etc. This is Gongju, which, as the name suggests, refers to the chrysanthemum that was presented to the emperor in the past.

It is produced in She County, Anhui Province. Gongju has the effects of improving eyesight, clearing away heat and dispersing wind. If the headache is caused by wind and cold, you can make some chrysanthemum tea to relieve the headache.

Usage: Make tea.

7. Panax notoginseng

Therapeutic effect: This medicinal material is harvested three to seven years ago, so it is called Panax notoginseng. Its shape is like a lion's head and its main production areas are Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan. Eating a small amount of Panax notoginseng can replenish blood, while a large amount can promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis.

Usage: Mash it when eating and stew it with chicken and meat. It can treat headaches, lumbar muscle soreness and weakness in the elderly.

8. Astragalus

Therapeutic effect: Huang means yellow in color; Qi means long. It is an ancient Chinese medicine. The origin is Inner Mongolia and Shanxi. The main therapeutic effects of Astragalus are tonifying the middle and replenishing Qi, consolidating the exterior and stopping sweating, expelling toxins and draining pus, and promoting diuresis and reducing swelling.

It is good for treating insufficient Qi in the middle body, such as a feeling of sinking in the stomach and shortness of breath. It can also strengthen the spleen and stomach, so it has the effect of stimulating appetite.

Usage: Soak in water or wine for drinking.

9. Eucommia ulmoides

Therapeutic effects: Eucommia ulmoides is mainly produced in Sichuan. It has the functions of nourishing the liver and kidneys, strengthening the tendons and bones, and calming the fetus.

It can be taken by men, women, young and old, and has a good therapeutic effect, especially for those with weak waist and knees.

Usage: soak in water, wine, and stew meat.

10. Gastrodia elata

Therapeutic effects: Mainly produced in Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan. Its functions are calming, dispersing wind and relieving pain.

If you catch a cold and have a headache or numbness in your hands and feet, taking Gastrodia elata can stop the symptoms, so it is also called wind-stabilizing grass.

Its therapeutic effect is fast and it can directly reach the lesion. It is as fast as an arrow, so it is also called "red arrow".

Usage: soak in water, wine, and stew meat.