Ingridient , Major Chinese Medicine in Chinese Confinement Diet

Major Chinese Herbs in Traditional Chinese  Confinement Diet

Angelica root,  (Dong Quai)  當歸

Scientific Name: Angelica Archangelica

Family: Umbelliferae, Angelica Sinensis, Carrot
AKA: Angelica, Dong-Quai, Dong-Quei, Archangelica Officinalis, Dang-Qui, Dong-Quai, Tang-Huei, Garden Angelica

Parts Used: From the hip to the head of the roots, leaves, and seeds.

Active Compounds: Bergapten, Borneol, Coumarins, Linalool. Contains 1% volatile oil, angelic acid, sugar, resin, valeric acid, and bitter principle. Oil of the seeds contains methyl-ethylacetic acid and hydroxymyristic acid. Angelica balsam is derived from the roots.
Used traditionally to aid in the female hormone system, but currently regarded as a treatment for the symptoms accompanying menstrual periods such as cramping.

Background: Used primarily in China for thousands of years on women who suffer abnormal or severe menstrual problems. During menopause, women were often given Angelica to relieve hot flashes and other associated symptoms.
Additionally, Angelica is used on men and women to prevent or treat cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and circulation.  It is rumored in legend to have been revealed to humans by an angel in a dream as a cure for the bubonic plague.
It is highly revered in Chinese traditional medicine as second only to Ginseng and is commonly known as the "female ginseng."

Applications: Menstrual/Internal/Blood/Colds
Known primarily as a female treatment, Angelica has many other uses aside from aiding in the relief of menstrual difficulties.  The stems and leaves are also used as a flavor ingredient in liqueur.
Menstrual: Given to women suffering extreme pain or bleeding during their period. Corrects hot flashes during menopause.
Colds: Used as a remedy for colds, coughs, colic, fevers, and as an expectorant. It is known as a warming agent.
Blood Treatment: Considered an effective aid in building the blood. Given to people in accidents to help the blood clot and prevent an even more dire loss of blood. As a warming agent, it helps increase circulation in the system.
Internal: Helps treat high blood pressure and assists in relieving edema.  Also helpful to treat psoriasis and arthritis. When boiled and infused, it can aid in the digestive tract preventing flatulence and indigestion.

Description:
Angelica can either be biennial or perennial and is grown in wet areas such as riverbanks or damp ravines in the United Kingdom, Finland, and Iceland.  It grows up to 7 feet tall, with bright green leaves that surround the entire reddish-purple stem, which is hollow.
It blooms greenish-white flowers from June to August and then creates an oblong fruit that has two yellow winged seeds.
Dosage:
Powder: Derived from the root, is is taken in capsules, tablets, tinctures, or tea. You should take 3-4 grams per day or two capsules 2-3 times a day if suffering from severe menstrual symptoms.
Safety:
Do not take Angelica Root if you are pregnant or nursing.
Can cause sensitivity to the sunlight.

 Parts Used: From the hip to the head of the roots, leaves, and seeds.

Angelica is an herb that’s been used for thousands of years, but isn’t utilized as much as it could be today.  It got its name from links to Christianity in Europe.  It was once called “the root of the Holy Ghost” and people believed that it could cure almost any ailment. In fact, it was even believed to cure alcoholism by making liquor taste bad after someone ingested angelica powder.  Today we know that it’s not a cure for everything, but there are many uses for the plant. In particular, angelica is thought to be good for the circulation and the heart.  It’s especially good for people who have circulation problems in the limbs.  Angelica can help bring blood to those parts of the body that are far away from the heart, such as the hands and feet. Some recent research has found chemicals in angelica that are similar to chemicals used in modern day pharmaceuticals for treating high blood pressure and other problems related to heart disease.  Its ability to strengthen the heart makes angelica a good tonic herb for people of all ages, but especially women and the elderly.  It helps to provide good overall health.  However, it does have other properties that make it a useful herb. Angelica can work to fight bacteria.  That makes it an excellent herb for preventing infections and treating mild bacterial infections.  An infusion of angelica can be just what you need to fight bronchitis or other respiratory infections.  It’s also a good treatment for cough when used as syrup. If you have arthritis, angelica can help to soothe inflamed joints.  Try drinking a cup of angelica infused tea twice a day.  You can add honey or maple syrup to the tea in order to sweeten it, which will make it a little tastier. In addition to helping reduce inflammation in your body, angelica tea can also aid your digestion after a big meal.  If you’re suffering from heartburn or indigestion, you may want to finish your dinner with a cup of angelica tea.  This will help you to rest comfortably and sleep better. Angelica also can be used for aromatherapy.  You can make a bath sachet of angelica by placing it in old nylons or cheesecloth and adding it to your bath.  The warm water will infuse the scent into the air and help you to relax. Angelica is truly a useful herb.  It can be used to treat a variety of ailments.  One word of caution, angelica can make the skin sensitive to sunlight.

the rhizome of Chuanxiong  芎藭, 川芎

licorice 甘草


Licorice Root Benefits

Licorice root has an impressive list of well documented uses and is probably one of the most over-looked of all herbal remedies. It is used for many ailments including asthma, athlete's foot, baldness, body odour, bursitis, canker sores, chronic fatigue, depression, colds and flu, coughs, dandruff, emphysema, gingivitis and tooth decay, gout, heartburn, HIV, viral infections, fungal infections, ulcers, liver problems, Lyme disease, menopause, psoriasis, shingles, sore throat, tendinitis, tuberculosis, ulcers, yeast infections, prostate enlargement and arthritis.
Licorice root contains many anti-depressant compounds and is an excellent alternative to St. John's Wort. As a herbal medicine it has an impressive list of well documented uses and is probably one of the most over-looked of all herbal wonders. Licorice is useful for many ailments including asthma, athlete's foot, baldness, body odor, bursitis, canker sores, chronic fatigue, depression, colds and flu, coughs, dandruff, emphysema, gingivitis and tooth decay, gout, heartburn, HIV, viral infections, fungal infections, ulcers, liver problems, Lyme disease, menopause, psoriasis, shingles, sore throat, tendinitis, tuberculosis, ulcers, yeast infections, prostate enlargement and arthritis.
Hundreds of potentially healing substances have been identified in licorice as well, including compounds called flavonoids and various plant estrogens (phytoestrogens). The herb's key therapeutic compound, glycyrrhizin (which is 50 times sweeter than sugar) exerts numerous beneficial effects on the body, making licorice a valuable herb for treating a host of ailments. It seems to prevent the breakdown of adrenal hormones such as cortisol (the body's primary stress-fighting adrenal hormone), making these hormones more available to the body.
It has a well-documented reputation for healing ulcers. It can lower stomach acid levels, relieve heartburn and indigestion and acts as a mild laxative.
It can also be used for irritation, inflammation and spasm in the digestive tract. Through its beneficial action on the liver, it increases bile flow and lowers cholesterol levels.
Licorice also appears to enhance immunity by boosting levels of interferon, a key immune system chemical that fights off attacking viruses. It also contains powerful antioxidants as well as certain phytoestrogens that can perform some of the functions of the body's natural estrogens; very helpful during the menopause. Glycyrrhizinic acid also seems to stop the growth of many bacteria and of viruses such as influenza A.
In the respiratory system it has a similarly soothing and healing action, reducing irritation and inflammation and has an expectorant effect, useful in irritating coughs, asthma and chest infections.
It has an aspirin-like action and is helpful in relieving fevers and soothing pain such as headaches. Its anti-allergenic effect is very useful for hay fever, allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis and bronchial asthma. Possibly by its action on the adrenal glands, licorice has the ability to improve resistance to stress. It should be thought of during times of both physical and emotional stress, after surgery or during convalescence, or when feeling tired and run down.

Licorice with glycyrrhizin may help to:
Control respiratory problems and sore throat. Licorice eases congestion and coughing by helping to loosen and thin mucus in airways; this makes a cough more "productive," bringing up phlegm and other mucus bits. Licorice also helps to relax bronchial spasms. The herb also soothes soreness in the throat and fights viruses that cause respiratory illnesses and an overproduction of mucus.
Lessen symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. By enhancing cortisol activity, glycyrrhizin helps to increase energy, ease stress and reduce the symptoms of ailments sensitive to cortisol levels, such as chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromylagia.
Combat hepatitis. Licorice both protects the liver and promotes healing in this vital organ. The herb's anti-inflammatory properties help calm hepatitis-associated liver inflammation. Licorice also fights the virus commonly responsible for hepatitis and supplies valuable antioxidant compounds that help maintain the overall health of the liver.
Treat PMS and menstrual problems. The phytoestrogens in licorice have a mild estrogenic effect, making the herb potentially useful in easing certain symptoms of PMS (premenstrual syndrome), such as irritability, bloating and breast tenderness. Although the glycyrrhizin in licorice actually inhibits the effect of the body's own estrogens, the mild estrogenic effect produced by licorice's phytoestrogens manages to override this inhibiting action.
Prevent heart disease. Recent studies have found that by limiting the damage from LDL ("bad") cholesterol, licorice may discourage artery-clogging plaque formation and contribute to the healthy functioning of the heart. Research indicates that modest doses of licorice (100 mg a day) have this effect.

Peach Kernel,   桃仁

Blast fried Ginger 黑薑, 炮薑

當 歸為君藥，可以補血活血，化瘀生新；川芎活血行氣與桃仁活血去瘀，共為臣藥；炮薑用量輕，能入血散寒、溫經止痛，為佐藥；炙甘草調和諸藥，為使藥。整個方 雖然簡單，但架構嚴謹，具有生新血、除瘀血之效，主治產後惡露不行，小腹冷痛，因此常用在生產、人工或藥物流產後，調理子宮收縮功能，以加速惡露排除，產 後婦女可能出現許多不同的症狀，因此生化湯的組成必須因應產婦個人的情況來調整。 

在 現代藥理研究中，以生化湯煎劑對家兔進行實驗，發現可增強子宮收縮的頻率、振幅與波寬，又因方中的君藥「當歸」含有興奮子宮和抑制子宮平滑肌兩種成分，所 以也常被用於治療痛經與月經不調。產後使用生化湯，不僅能促進子宮修復，有補益之效，且能預防產褥熱，增強血循與促進乳汁分泌。當歸、川芎、桃仁均屬活血 化瘀藥物，可抗血栓形成和改善微循環障礙。 

生化湯的歷史到底有多久了呢？

有人考證最早見於明朝張景岳在《景岳全書．婦人規古方》中記載的「錢氏生化湯」，另一種說法為出現於清代《竹林寺女科二種》一書，生化湯至少在350年前就存在了。 

歷經數百年演變，坊間出現許多劑量不同或加減不同藥物的生化湯，生化湯主要量由5味藥所組成：當歸、川芎、桃仁、炙甘草、黑薑。

生化湯5味 藥中，當歸為君藥，可以補血活血，化瘀生新；川芎活血行氣與桃仁活血去瘀，共為臣藥；炮薑用量輕，能入血散寒、溫經止痛，為佐藥；炙甘草調和諸藥，為使 藥。整個方雖然簡單，但架構嚴謹，具有生新血、除瘀血之效，主治產後惡露不行，小腹冷痛，因此常用在生產、人工或藥物流產後，調理子宮收縮功能，以加速惡 露排除，產後婦女可能出現許多不同的症狀，因此生化湯的組成必須因應產婦個人的情況來調整。

在 現代藥理研究中，以生化湯煎劑對家兔進行實驗，發現可增強子宮收縮的頻率、振幅與波寬，又因方中的君藥「當歸」含有興奮子宮和抑制子宮平滑肌兩種成分，所 以也常被用於治療痛經與月經不調。產後使用生化湯，不僅能促進子宮修復，有補益之效，且能預防產褥熱，增強血循與促進乳汁分泌。當歸、川芎、桃仁均屬活血 化瘀藥物，可抗血栓形成和改善微循環障礙。

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