Lotus Seed and Poria Decoction

Category: Herbal Tea

Herbal Tea Name: Lotus Seed and Poria Decoction

Chinese Name: 莲子茯苓饮

Formula

150 grams of lotus seed kernels, 50 grams of poria, 50 grams of ophiopogon, 50 grams of white sugar, 50 grams of brown sugar, 15 grams of osmanthus flowers

Main Ingredients

How To Make

Rinse the lotus seed kernels, Poria, and Ophiopogon; sun-dry or oven-dry them; grind them together into a fine powder; then add white sugar, brown sugar, and osmanthus flowers to a pot and simmer until it becomes a thick drink.

Efficacy

Strengthens the spleen and stimulates the appetite. Suitable for children with anorexia caused by spleen and stomach deficiency

Usage

Take twice daily, morning and evening, as desired; may also be enjoyed as a snack at any time

Commentary

Lotus seed kernels stand as the primary (chief) herb, setting the primary direction for the whole recipe. Poria (Fu-ling) acts as the deputy ingredient, sweet, bland-neutral in property, acting through the Heart, Lung, Spleen, Kidney meridians to drain dampness, strengthen the spleen and calm the spirit. Ophiopogon (Mai-dong) complements it, working to nourish yin and moisten the lung. Osmanthus flowers (Gui-hua) serve as a supporting (assistant) herb, acting to warm the lung, disperse cold and resolve phlegm, thus refining the overall action. White sugar (Bai-tang) functions as the harmonizing (envoy) ingredient, working to moisten and harmonize the formula and unite the separate actions into one. In sum, the prescription strengthen the spleen and stimulate the appetite, aimed squarely at the spleen and stomach pattern rather than at isolated symptoms.

Lotus Seed and Poria Decoction，From *Proven Tea, Decoction, and Soup Recipes for Common Ailments*,Strengthens the spleen and stimulates the appetite. Suitable for children with anorexia caused by spleen and stomach deficiency

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