Source Dendrobium Stern is the dried stem ofDendrobium nobile Lindi., D.chrysanthum Wall, ex LindL, D.loddigesii Rolfe andEphemerantha fimbriata (BI.) Hunt et Summerh., Fam. Orchidaceae).
Producing Areas Sichuan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Anhui, Yunnan, etc.
Properties Sweet, slightly Cold
Channels Stomach, Kidney
Action
Nourishesyin, clears away heat, benefits the stomach and promotes the production of body fluid
For febrile diseases with consumption ofyin manifested as dry throat, thirst, asthenic-heat, and vexation; insufficiency of stomach-yin and flaming-up of asthenic fire manifested as epigastric pain, thirst, retching, red tongue with little coating or uncoated and smooth tongue.
For deficiency of the liver and kidney causing weakness in feet and loins.
For insufficientyin of the liver and spleen causing blurred vision.
Usage and Dosage
6 – 15g is used in decoction for oral use. The fresh crude herb, 15 – 30g, is used for thirst due to seasonal febrile disease. The dried should be decocted for longer than the fresh.
Notes Contraindication: For loose stools due to asthenic coldness of the spleen and stomach, thick-coated tongue; not suitable for seasonal febrile disease, wet-warm syndrome without consumption of body fluids.
1.Jinchai Shihu: The surface is golden or green yellow and glossy. Jinchai is brittle and loose. The flavour is bitter.
2.Erhuan Shihu: It is spiral-shaped with yellow surface. It is solid.
3.Da Shihu: It is cone-shaped, 30 – 150cm long. The surface is yellow to dark yellow with deep longitudinal grooves. It is loose, with fibrous broken surface. The flavour is slightly bitter.
4.Xiao Shihu: Including Huancao Shihu and Huangcao Shihu. Huancao is shaped like a slender cylinder, 15 – 35cm long. Its surface is golden and glossy. It is soft, tough and solid.
Huangcao is 30 – 80cm long. The surface is golden to light yellow brown. It is solid and light in weight.
Storage
Keep the dried product in dry and well-ventilated place. Protect from moisture. Bury the fresh product in cool wet sand, and prevent it from freezing.
It is cylindrical and bends in a slight zigzag shape towards the top, 18 – 42cm long, 0.4 – 0.8cm in diameter. The base is round and tapers to thinness. The surface is yellow green, glossy, with apparent dark coloured joints. It is fleshy and easily broken. The flavour is slightly bitter with a sticky texture when chewed. It is light in nature.
Description of Quality Herb
Good dried Shihu is golden in colour, glossy, soft and tough.
Lean Pork Soup with Dendrobium and Lilyturf
Effects Clears up excessive heat and nourishes the stomach, promotes secretion of body fluid and quenches thirst. This soup is beneficial for those who suffer from diabetes due to insufficiency of the stomachyin.
Ingredients
Lean pork 60g, Dendrobium 10g, Dwarf lilyturf tuber 15g, red dates 4.
Preparation
1.Wash and cut lean pork; rinse herbs and remove pits from the dates.
2.Place all the ingredients in a pot with an adequate amount of water, bring to a rolling boil, then simmer over a low fire until cooked. Season to taste.
Green Bean Soup with Dendrobium
Effects Beneficial for those who are suffering from nasal discharge, bleeding, headaches due to nasopharyngeal darcinoma, or dryness in mouth due to radiotherapy. It moistens the throat, dispels phlegm, clears up toxic heat and promotes secretion of body fluids.
Ingredients
Dendrobium stem 12g, Rehmannia root 15g, green beans 100g, pollen 10g.
Preparation
1.Wrap rehmannia root in a gauze.
2.Place dendrobium stem, rehmannia root and green beans in a pot with an adequate amount of water, boil until the beans are thoroughly cooked.
3.Remove dregs, add rock sugar to taste. Add pollen and serve.