Solomonseal Rhizome


Source Solomonseal Rhizome is the dried rhizome ofPolygonatum sibiricum Red.,P cyrtonema Hua or the other species of the same genus, (Fam. Liliaceae).

Producing Areas Hebei, Inner Mongolia and Shanxi.Dian Huangjing is mainly produced in Yunnan, Guizhou and Guangxi. Duohua Huangjing is mainly produced in Guizhou, Hunan, Yunnan, Anhui, and Zhejiang.

Properties Sweet, Neutral

Channels Spleen, Lung, Kidney

Action

  • Nourishesyin and moisturises the lungs
    For dry cough with less sputum due toyin-deficiency with lung-dryness, and pulmonary tuberculosis with cough, haemoptysis and hectic fever.
  • Strengthens the middle-jiao and benefits vital energy
    Foryin and vital energy deficiency of spleen and stomach manifested as poor appetite, fatigue, dry and uncoated tongue; deficiency of lung and spleen with susceptibility to common cold, or susceptibility to skin infection due to general debility.
  • Supplements sperm and enriches blood
    For insufficiency of sperm and blood with dizziness and weakness of the loins and knees.
    For cough due to insufficientyin of the lungs.
    For asthenic heat in the spleen and stomach causing shortness ofqi and energy, poor appetite, yellow and dull complexion.

Usage and Dosage
9 – 18g is used in decoction for oral use, or in pills, powder or paste.

Notes Contraindicated in patient with obstruction of phlegm-dampness, loose stools due to cold in the spleen and stomach, fullness in stomach due to blockedqi and indigestion.


It is irregularly cone-shaped, with big head and small tail, like a chicken head, 3 – 10cm long, 0.5 – 1.5cm in diameter. The surface is yellowish white to yellow brown, translucent, with thin wrinkles and joints slightly sticking out. The broken surface is pale brown yellow, slightly keratin-like and granular, with yellowish white spot-like fibrous tube clusters. It is light in nature. The flavour is sweet, with sticky texture.



It has a ginger-like shape, 2 – 18cm long. Its surface is rough with obvious wart-like marks of fibrous roots.

The shape is like a massive block or stringed beads, above 10cm long, 3 – 6cm wide, 2 – 3cm thick.

Storage
Keep in cool, dry and well-ventilated place. Protect it from mould, moths, oil seeping and colour changing.

Description of Quality Herb
Good Huangjing is massive in size, moist, yellow and translucent.

Spare Ribs Congee with Solomonseal Rhizome and Dates

Effects
Regulates and nourishes body and mind, relieves tiredness and stress, reduces restlessness and increases energy and stamina.

Ingredients
Solomonseal Rhizome 25g, wolfberry 25g, red dates 25g, Dwarf lilyturf tuber (with pits removed) 25g, rice 200g, spare ribs (small) 500g.

Preparation

  1. Wash rice; remove pits from dates, and cut them into slices. Cut the Solomonseal rhizome into small cubes.
  2. Put all the ingredients together with an adequate amount of water (covering the ingredients), bring to a rolling boil and simmer to make congee. 

Egg Soup with Solomonseal Rhizome and Rehmannia Root

Effects
This soup is beneficial to those whose complexion is dull, haggard, rough and wrinkled. It also helps those who suffers from hair loss and withered hair.

Ingredients
Solomonseal Rhizome 50g, Rehmannia root 50g, eggs 3, rock sugar 20g.

Preparation

  1. Rinse and slice herbs. Boil and shell eggs.
  2. Place ingredients in a pot with an adequate amount of water. Bring to a rolling boil, add in rock sugar and simmer for half an hour.