Jinshui Decoction

[Formula] Goji Berry(Lycium barbarum, wolfberry fruit, an unspecified amount, pick the red and ripe ones)

[Usage] Soak it in ash-free wine, for six days in winter and three days in summer. Grind it to an extremely fine consistency in a sand basin, then squeeze out the juice using a cloth bag. Combine this juice with the previously used soaking wine and simmer over a slow fire to form a paste. Store it sealed in a clean porcelain container and steam it over water. Take one spoonful each time, add a little ghee, and mix with warm wine before consumption.

[Efficacy] Long-term use turns white hair black and restores youthful vitality.

[Indications] Graying of hair.

[Commentary] Lycii Fructus (Goji Berry) is sweet in taste and neutral in nature, entering the Liver and Kidney meridians. It nourishes yin, replenishes blood, benefits essence, and improves eyesight, nourishing the Kidneys and replenishing the Liver. The Treatise on the Medicinal Properties of Herbs (Yao Xing Lun) states that it “can replenish all deficiencies of essence, and improve complexion.” The Dietetic Therapy Herbal (Shi Liao Ben Cao) says that Lycii Fructus “strengthens tendons, delays aging, dispels wind, and nourishes tendons and bones, benefiting people and relieving consumptive wellness.” The Compendium of Herbal Discourses (Ben Cao Hui Yan) states, “Little do people know that Lycii Fructus can replenish qi, nourish blood, generate yang, promote yin growth, reduce fire, and dispel wind and dampness, possessing ten perfect therapeutic effects.” For this reason, long-term use of this herb nourishes the Liver and Kidneys, replenishes qi and blood, strengthens tendons and bones, and makes one appear rejuvenated, with black hair naturally following suit.

Q1: How long to soak goji berry for jinshui decoction in summer?

A1: For jinshui decoction, the soak time for goji berries varies by season. In summer, soak the red ripe goji berries in ash-free wine for three days, whereas in winter, the soak duration is six days. This shorter summer period accounts for the warmer temperatures that accelerate extraction.

Q2: What is the jinshui decoction goji berry recipe?

A2: The jinshui decoction goji berry recipe involves soaking red ripe goji berries in ash-free wine for three days in summer (six in winter), then grinding them in a sand basin to an extremely fine consistency. The paste is squeezed through a cloth bag, and the resulting juice is combined with the soaking wine and simmered over slow fire into a paste. This paste is stored in a sealed porcelain container and steamed over water before use.

Q3: How to make jinshui decoction with lycium barbarum?

A3: To make jinshui decoction with lycium barbarum (goji berries), begin by selecting red ripe berries and soaking them in ash-free wine—three days in summer or six in winter. After soaking, grind the berries in a sand basin to an extremely fine consistency, squeeze out the juice through a cloth bag, and combine it with the reserved soaking wine. Simmer the mixture over slow fire to form a paste, then store it in a clean, sealed porcelain container and steam over water.

Q4: What is the process for making jinshui decoction?

A4: The process for making jinshui decoction starts with soaking red ripe goji berries in ash-free wine for a specified duration (three days in summer, six in winter). The soaked berries are ground to a fine paste in a sand basin, then squeezed through a cloth bag to extract juice. This juice is mixed with the original soaking wine and simmered over slow fire into a concentrated paste, which is stored in a sealed porcelain container and steamed for preservation.

Q5: Can I use any wine for soaking goji berries in jinshui decoction?

A5: No, jinshui decoction specifically requires ash-free wine for soaking goji berries. Ash-free wine is traditionally used to ensure purity and optimal extraction of the berries’ active compounds. Using other types of wine may alter the decoction’s medicinal properties and is not recommended per the classic formula.