Tuesday, July 7, 2009

The Elixir

I've had a cough for about a week now...pretty annoying really.
So this is what Cindy came home with from the Chinese Pharmacy.
You have to boil it for half a day.
It smelled like hell and didn't taste any better.
I'd like to say it was the elixir I needed, but it didn't seem to do a thing.
That's not to say I wouldn't try it again or some other tonic.



Here's the recipe for those interested.

8 grams Panax ginseng
8 grams White attractylodes rhizome
8 grams Poria
8 grams Licorice
8 grams Rehmannia root
8 grams Ligusticum
8 grams Angelica sinensis
8 grams White peony root
4 grams Cinnamomum
4 grams Astragalas

Put the herbs in a glass or ceramic heatproof vessel with 4 cups of spring water. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer until the liquid is reduced by half. Strain the broth and reserve. Add 2 more cups of spring water to the herbs, boil, and simmer again until reduced by half. Strain the broth, add it to the first brew, and discard the herbs. Divide the broth into 3 equal doses and drink warm on an empty stomach in the early morning, in the afternoon, and in at bedtime.