Chinese Yam, Coix Seed, Soybean, and Jujube Decoction

Category: Herbal Tea

Herbal Tea Name: Chinese Yam, Coix Seed, Soybean, and Jujube Decoction

Chinese Name: 山药薏苡仁豆枣汁

Formula

30 grams of Chinese yam, 30 grams of coix seed, 50 grams of white mung beans, and 10 jujubes.

Main Ingredients

How To Make

Wash the Chinese yam, peel it, and slice it. Wash the coix seeds, white mung beans, and red dates; soak them in water for 1 hour. Place them in a clay pot with the Chinese yam slices, add an appropriate amount of water, bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer until a thick decoction forms.

Efficacy

Nourishes the lungs and spleen; relieves coughing and wheezing. Suitable for chronic pulmonary heart disease characterized by deficiency of both the lungs and spleen.

Usage

Take one dose in the morning and one in the evening.

Commentary

Chinese yam (Shan-yao) stands as the primary (chief) herb. Sweet-neutral in property, it travels through the Spleen, Lung, Kidney meridians, and works to tonify the spleen and lung, nourish the kidney and astringe essence. Coix seed (Yi-yi-ren) acts as the deputy ingredient; cool and sweet, bland in character, it travels through the Spleen, Stomach, Lung meridians to clear damp-heat and strengthen the spleen. White mung beans (Lu-dou) reinforce this deputy action, working to clear heat, remove toxins and relieve summer heat. Finally, jujubes (Da-zao) stand as the harmonizing envoy; its role is to tonify qi, nourish blood and calm the spirit, harmonize the formula and coordinate the herbs. The overall effect is to nourish the lungs and spleen, relieve coughing and wheezing, restoring balance within the cor pulmonale framework.

Chinese Yam, Coix Seed, Soybean, and Jujube Decoction，From *Proven Tea, Decoction, and Soup Recipes for Common Ailments*,Nourishes the lungs and spleen; relieves coughing and wheezing. Suitable for chronic pulmonary heart disease characterized by deficiency of both the lungs and spleen.

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