Working with Gayle, the Chinese Champion!

 

Yes I'm back sooner than you thought. But I may take a short break soon. Here is my collab. with Gayle Simmons. She has a blog dealing with all things to do with the Chinese language Mandarin and Chinese culture. I really found it interesting so I decided to work with her. She is also fun to work with and full of enrgy , only when in a good mood though… (just kidding Gayle!)

 Our idea is to discuss certain Chinese foods or remedies. While talking we got the idea to highlight the top ten Chinese herbal remedies, in our estimation anyway. We also discovered that some are very popular world-wide and well known. Do names like ginseng and liquorish and mushroom ring a bell? These are names we’ve known since childhood, well maybe some of us. these are some of the names you are about to see in our list. we also decided to name them with their Mandarin names as well.

Here is the list from ten to one.

 

 

TOP TEN CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINES

#10 CINNAMON  (Ròuguì)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The true benefits of cinnamon are unknown to many. The bark and root of this tropical tree helps with various circulatory disorders especially the peripheral circulation in the body. It helps regulates the temperature in the human body, treats menstrual disorders, abdominal pain, aids in digestion, numbness and arthritis.

#9 GOJI/WOLFBERRY (Gǒuqǐ)

 

 

 

 

These berries are quite high in antioxidants and fiber. They improve your vision, protect your liver, increase longevity, improve circulation and boost sperm production.




#8 LICORICE ROOT (Gāncǎo)

 

This root plant is well known for its many healing powers including detoxification. It is widely used to treat such ailments as asthma, heartburn, hepatitis, the cold & flu, sinus and even depression. 

 

 

#7 ASTRALAGUS  (Huang Qi)

This yellow root aids in digestive functions, boosting the immune system, increases metabolism rate and helps keep skin healthy. It is also used to make the medicines that help treats deadly diseases such as senility, cancer, hepatitis and AIDS.

#6 MA HUANG 

 

 

 

 

This herb has been made into a modern drug in the form of capsules. It stimulates the central nervous system helping it to function properly. It aids in asthma and sinus congestion, stimulated perspiration as well as open breathing passages. It assists in weight loss because it causes persons who are trying to lose weight to burn calories at a faster rate.

 

 

 

 

 

#5 MUSHROOM  (Mógū)

These vegetables are considered to be high in nutritional value. China has over 200 species of mushrooms. However, it only about 20% of them are known to have powerful medicinal effects on the human body. It helps flush out the urinary tract and help prevent infections as well as the capacity to aid in fighting tumors and help improves the immune system.  

 

 

 

 

#4 ANGELICA SINESIS (Dāng Guī)

 

 

 

This root has earned the reputation for being the ultimate herb for women and is one of the most widely consumed herbs in China. It aids in relieving symptoms of PMS, menstruation and menopause. It also helps in improving women's libido and increases fertility in women. It strengthens the heart, liver kidneys and spleen. It heals ailments such as high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, fatigue and anemia. 

 

#3 SALVIA  (Danshen)

 

 

 

 

This root herb serves as an important medicine to help heal and repair body tissues that have been damaged by various types of injuries. It also helps with infections and degenerative diseases. It reduces cholesterol, improves liver function and lowers blood pressure. It can be used to treat ulcers, headaches, anemia, rheumatism and all types of internal bleeding. 

 

 

 

#2 GINGER (Jiāng)

 

 

This fibrous aromatic herb is most popular for its flavour and taste and is mainly used as a spice. It helps remedy diarrhea, indigestion, nausea, the common cold, motion and morning sickness and improves blood circulation.

 

 

 #1 GINSENG (Cān)

 

 

This is by far the most famous of all the herbs and is often used worldwide. It has a variety of health benefits as well as healing properties. It aids in common ailments such as regulating blood sugar, high blood pressure, menopausal issues, menstrual cramps, erectile dysfunction, hepatitis and fatigue. It has also been known to help prevent certain diseases as well as calm the nerves. It is used mainly in capsule form or used to make tea.

 

 

I hope this was helpful to you. Just watch how much as a dosage you are taking. Go to a herbalist for advice when using any of them for your ailment.

 

Thank you again Gayle for your help.

 

 

 

 

 

Three ladies again… are we breaking up guys… ? :-(

 

Wow, all good things must come to an end, or so dey say… really, well just for now. These same three ladies from my last collab and I are doing our second and last for a while, discussing break-ups, no not ours but break-ups in general; what we could do to mitigate or lessen the hurt. Actually that's what Janiel's blog is about, relationships. As you will hear in the video, Lisa is describing foods that can help to that end, like chocolate, umm, is it healthy or not? Well it depends on what kind. No not the sweet one on the candy store or even grocery but the one made straight from the cocoa plant. Remember cocoa tea from the country or Tobago? Well if you don’t know it’s time to find out.

Veggies, yes the love hate relationship we have with our veggies. But as Lisa said there are fun ways to prepare them to taste and look good. The good fats omega 3 fats found in avocadoes, tuna, salmon, olive oil wheat germ and coconut in its many forms, liquid, jelly etc., no Janiel not ice-cream! I will scream! Well it’s up to you. But remember, in moderation, now and then I suppose. Yes, the all powerful GREEN TEA! Yes folk, all these foods can help ease the hurt.

I spoke about changing your regular routine, a holiday in a different environment for a while. Exercise will improve the mood by producing endorphins (feel good hormones). Or just do something fun, hiking, sports etc.

Check out our video.

 

 

So next time you experience some type of trauma, death of a friend or loved one, an accident or break-up, try these on for size.

Bye now… be back soon.