Source Common Curculigo Rhizome is the dried rhizome ofCurculigo orchioides Gaertn., (Fam. Amaryllidaceae).
Producing Areas Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, etc.
Properties Spicy, Hot, Toxic
Channels Kidney, Liver, Spleen
Action
•Invigorates the kidney and strengthens yang
For deficiency of kidney- yang manifested as impotence, emission, enuresis and frequent micturition.
•Warms and strengthens spleen- yang
For deficiency of spleen- yang or of spleen- and kidney- yang manifested as cold pain of epigastrium and abdomen, poor appetite and diarrhoea.
•Expels cold and dampness, strengthens the tendons and bones
For yang-deficiency with cold pain of the loin and knees, and weakness of the extremities, or arthralgia and muscular spasm of cold-dampness type.
Usage and Dosage
3 – 10g is decocted for oral use, or soaked in spirit for drinking, or decocted as paste or used in pills and powder.
Notes It is not suitable to be taken for a long time and for the case with hyperactive fire due to deficiency of yin.
It is cylinder-shaped, slightly curved, 3 – 10cm long, 4 – 8mm in diameter. The surface is dark brown or brown, rough, with longitudinal grooves, crosswise wrinkles and small hole-like root marks. It is hard and easily broken. The broken surface is almost even, slightly keratin-like, and pale brown or brown in colour which is getting darker near the centre, with a dark colour ring. It is slightly fragrant. The flavour is slightly bitter and pungent.
Storage
Keep in a dry place. Protect it from mould and moths.
Description of Quality Herb
Good Xianmao should be thick and long in size and even, hard and crisp, with brown surface and pale brown broken surface.
Curculigo Prawns
Effects
This dish relieves indications such as impotence associated with deficiency of the kidneys, lethargy, and aches and weakness of the abdomen and knees.
Ingredients
Curculigo rhizome 20g, prawns 250g, fresh ginger 2 pieces.
Preparation
- Rinse the curculigo. Wash and peel the prawns, and remove the innards. Chop the ginger.
- Place the ingredients in a pot with an adequate amount of water, and cook over a low fire for 1 hour. Add salt and serve.
Black Chicken Stewed with Curculigo and Lotus Seeds
Effects
This dish is beneficial to those who are suffering from a deficiencyof yang in the spleen and kidneys. It helps to relieve leukorrhea, weakness of the limbs, tenesmus, bloating of the lower abdomen, loose stools, diarrhoea, swelling of the limbs, irregular appetite, etc.
Ingredients
Lotus seeds 50g, Black chicken fillet 100g, Curculigo 10g
Preparation
- Wash the ingredients separately. Cut the chicken meat into small slices.
- Place all the ingredients in a stewpot with an adequate amount of water and stew over a low fire for 3 hours.