Chinese Yam and Coix Seed Decoction

Category: Herbal Tea

Herbal Tea Name: Chinese Yam and Coix Seed Decoction

Chinese Name: 山药苡仁饮

Formula

200 grams of Chinese yam, 50 grams of coix seeds, and 30 grams of lotus root starch.

Main Ingredients

How To Make

Wash the Chinese yam, peel off the outer skin, cut it into strips, then dice into small pieces. Place the diced yam and washed coix seeds in a pot, add an appropriate amount of water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for 30 minutes. When the yam and coix seeds have cooked to a thick, sticky consistency, stir in the moistened lotus root starch, mix thoroughly, and continue cooking until the mixture turns a bright yellow.

Efficacy

Nourishes the spleen and strengthens the kidneys. Suitable for chronic prostatitis caused by deficiency of both the spleen and kidneys.

Usage

Enjoy as a snack at any time, or divide the serving between morning and evening.

Commentary

Chinese yam (Shan-yao) holds the chief position in this formula. Sweet-neutral in property, it channels into the Spleen, Lung, Kidney meridians, and works to tonify the spleen and lung, nourish the kidney and astringe essence. Coix seeds (Yi-yi-ren) take the deputy (minister) role, sweet, bland-cool in property, acting through the Spleen, Stomach, Lung meridians to clear damp-heat, strengthen the spleen and relieve impediment. Lotus root starch (Ou-fen) reinforces this deputy action, working to nourish the spleen, calm the spirit and stop bleeding. Without a separate harmonizing herb, the herbal tea formula balance is achieved through the mutual tempering of its active ingredients. The overall effect is to nourish the spleen and strengthen the kidneys, restoring balance within the chronic prostatitis framework.

Chinese Yam and Coix Seed Decoction，From *Proven Tea, Decoction, and Soup Recipes for Common Ailments*,Nourishes the spleen and strengthens the kidneys. Suitable for chronic prostatitis caused by deficiency of both the spleen and kidneys.

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