Dang Shen Tea II - (黨參茶)

Dang Shen or Codonopsis root is generally used to improve "Qi" and blood circulation. This is another version of  tea to improve my blood circulation and accordingly has also proven to reduce fatigue and enable the lungs to inhale better. It kind of moisten the lungs a bit. This tea can be consume every day or once in a week.

For more information about this tea do refer to this website: http://alternativehealing.org/dang_shen.htm

Dang Shen Tea II -黨參茶(serves 2)

3 sticks  Codonopsis root (Dang Shen/ Dong sam)

6 pcs     Astalagus root (Huang Qi)

1 tbsp    Chinese Wolfberries (Gei chi)

8            Red Dates

2 bowls Water

1. First wash all ingredients and put into a pot.
2. Add in the water and bring to boil; then turn the heat down to simmer for half an hour.
3. Now you can pour out the tea and drink it.
4. Again pour in 2 bowls of water and bring it to boil again; this time simmer it longer, drink it after.
5. If you are using a double boiler, set the time for 1 hour for the first, then 2 hours for the second time. You can drink this tea for two times in a day.

Huang Jing Tea (黄精茶)

I drink this tea occasionally as my body is not used to the heat and the weather is here does not permit me to drink this everyday; it is summer throughout the year. If you drink this tea in cold days like autumn or winter it would be just perfect. I only drink this tea once in a week or for some choose to drink it once every fortnight. It all depends on how your body works with the herbs. As this drink will warm up your body. It has the properties to boost your energy, improves 'Qi' and improves blood circulation. Accordingly to Chinese medicine practitioner, he drinks this tea everyday and now he is nearly 70 years old and he as healthy as ever and his energy level can be compete with a 40 year old person. Well, the ingredients such as Astralagus root does improves 'Qi' in the body while Solomon seal's root (Siberian Solomon Seal Rhizome) improves the blood circulation.

http://tcm.health-info.org/Herbology.Materia.Medica/huangjing-properties.htm

Huang Jing Tea 黄精茶 (serve 1-2)

5g     American Ginseng 西洋参

10g   Chinese Wolfberries 枸杞子

15g   Astralagus root 黄芪

10g   Solomon seal's root 黄精

1. Place all ingredients in a mug/ cup with a lid.
2. Pour hot water in it and cover the mug.
3. Let it stand for 5-10 minutes before drinking it.
4. After finish drinking it, you can keep on pouring hot water and let it stand and drink it again and again.
5. You may drink it for at least 2-3 times.

Alternatively, you may boil all the ingredients in a pot with 4-5 cups of water for 15 minutes. 

Ginseng Tea (洋参茶)

Now here's the simplest ginseng tea ever. You can consume this if you feel fatigue or drink it daily like coffee or tea. This tea is mild and does not interfere with your other food diet at all. I recommend that you  drink this early in the morning so it will boost your energy level; if you drink this tea before sleep, some might not sleep during the night.

Ginseng Tea 洋参茶

6pcs     Shredded American Ginseng
One mug of hot warm water

1. Place the ginseng pieces on the mug and pour in the hot/ warm water.
2. Cover the mug with a lid and let it stand for 5-10 minutes.
3. Drink the tea while it is warm.

One can also repeat the process and have a second drink later after the first but the effects will be reduced same like teabags, if you pour a second cup whatever taste in it will be reduced.
Some may choose to chew and eat the rest of the ginseng or just plain suck the ginseng till it is dry.

Black Date Longan tea (大枣圓肉茶)

Well, there are lots of versions for this tea. My recipe here is the easiest one I guess with the same effect'; as in to keep the body warm. This tea is usually drink during confinement month as you know the Chinese are not allow to drink plain water during this confinement month. It is said that the stomach is full of 'wind'. Basically, this tea would serve as a lovely dessert as well with an egg in it. Drink it in the morning or late at night before sleep. Please remember that this tea is not advisable for Men to drink. It is strictly for Women only, as there is Dong Gui in it.

Black Date Longan Tea 大枣圓肉茶 (serves 4)

20         Black dates (pitted)大枣

20         Dried Longans

30g       Dong gui 当归

1.5litres Water

4           Eggs (shelled)

1. Wash and rinse all ingredients.
2. Combine all into a slow cooker or otherwise in a double boil pot for at least 4 hours.
3. Alternatively, you can cook this in low heat for at least 3 hours.
4. If you are adding eggs please remember to pre-cooked it and peel off the shell before you combine it into the pot to cook.

Dang Shen Tea (黨參茶)

This Dang Shen tea has the abilty to rejuvinate your 'Qi' in your body. Dang Shen is considered as a poor's man ginseng, accordingly it is considered as a weaker version of ginseng. Do remember that if you consume Dang Shen it is best to avoid carrots as these 2 are opposites. If you feel a little fatigue and has no appetite this tea does help. It has also been proven to rejenerate red blood cells as well. For me myself I just drink this tea so that my body blood circulation will improve.

This tea can be consume during confinement, after birth.

For more information about this tea do refer to this website:  http://alternativehealing.org/dang_shen.htm

Dang Shen Tea 黨參茶(serves 4)

150g     Dang Shen 黨參
12         Red dates
20         Dried longan
1.5litres Water
2           Eggs (optional)

1. If adding eggs, do boil the eggs and peel off the shell and set aside
2. Rinse the dang shen, red dates and longan with water. Flatten the red dates and core the seeds.
3. Bring water to boil then combine all ingredients into the pot.
4. Simmer for at least 3 hours in low heat.

Favourite Red dates & Longan Tea (桂圓紅棗茶)

Every year during the First day of Chinese New Year, my family would brew this tea early in the morning and the fragrant is just so ever pleasing to me. I love this tea as a young child because we only have this tea during Chinese New Year and it really meant something special. We will normally drink this tea early in the morning for breakfast, all the younger members of the family would offer a cup of Longan Tea for the elders first before they would consume one for themselves. This is what we still practice till today and as usual we only have it during the first day of Chinese New Year.

Red dates & Longan Tea 桂圓紅棗茶(serves 4)

150g     Dried Longan flesh

40         Red dates

4pcs      Dry White fungus 白木耳 (Bai Mu Er)

             Soaked

16-20    Gingko Nuts

2 litres   Water

100g     Rock sugar (add to taste) or Brown sugar

1. Wash longan flesh remove grit. Rinse the gingko nuts and red dates.
2. Soaked the white fungus, if it is too big do not worry as when it cooked will dissolved a little.
3. Combine all ingredients into a deep pot and simmer for about an hour.
4. You can serve this hot or ice cold. 

Please do note that this tea has a warming effect. If you feel there's heat in your body, I do not advise you to consume this tea.

Chrysanthemum Tea (菊花茶)

Simple tea such as Chrysanthemum Tea can be consume daily, but for me I only drink this tea when I feel the weather is really hot or when I feel my body is heating up as it is said to have some 'cooling' effect. Some people like to drink it by simply pour hot water over it but I like to drink it with some sugary taste.

2 litres Water
30g     Dry Chrysanthemum flowers
100g   Rock sugar (add to taste)

Boil the water then add in the dry flowers.
Cook for about 5 minutes till the water turn a bit yellowish then add in the rock sugar.
Continue to simmer for about another 20 minutes then leave to cool for another 10 minutes in the pot.
Pour out the tea and set aside till a bit cooler then drink.

You must strained off the flowers before drinking. I do not consume the flowers.
Additional tea can be placed in a jug  or store in a refrigerator if you like it cold.