No reason to read this article because you already know the answer? However, my answer is not Ginseng, nor Echinacea. My herbal ruler can do many things and do them well. In fact, my herbal ruler has a very unusual property up its sleeve. Let me explain why my picks aren’t the popular Chinese Ginseng or the Western Echinacea herb which are widely considered the king herbs globally and are in demand that also carry a high price tag.
Echinacea is a powerful herb from the west known as Echinacea Purpurea. Echinacea is a mild herb and has little side effects even in huge overdoses, and sometimes is recommended in large doses. Echinacea has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and impressive antibiotic properties to boot. Both of these properties make for its powerful properties it’s used for: Infections, Blood Cleaning, and Acute Inflammations and Sores. Upon first signs of infections or the body being invaded by about anything Echinacea can start to be taken in large doses and tapered off. Blood cleaning is a very popular thing to do now days and Echinacea is the staple in that regimen along with similar, but not as potent herbs. Cleaning out toxins, relieving swollen glands, and lowering fevers makes for a great monthly cleanse and a program for cancer patients as well. In the world of first aid Echinacea is a great remedy because you can use it internally and externally right on the sores, cuts, wounds, boils, or any skin condition and get treatment for both ends. I love my Echinacea, but it’s not the winner. Echinacea is not a tonic; it is used for acute conditions and loses any long term effectiveness after 10 days. It does not build up immunity as people believe, except for a short time where you would use it to actually treat a condition. Echinacea is endangered and considering the doses needed sometimes, can make it expensive. Because Echinacea is primarily to treat inflammation and acute conditions, it is most effective against coldness and deficiencies. Therefore, it must be used in combination with other herbs to make it work on those that aren’t suffering internal heat.
Ginseng, know as Ren Shen, is probably the most popular and well known of all herbs. In Chinese Medicine we classify this herb as a Qi Tonic. Ginseng warms, moves, and tonifies the Qi in the body and spreads it out through the body. For westerners this herb is known to increase energy, support an active lifestyle, and build up a healthy body. One thing I do give Ginseng is the fact that it not only does all of these things, it is useful in emergency situations including controlling blood and encouraging blood flow. It is used in China in I.V. form for hemorrhage, shock, and keeping consciousness. Ginseng is both powerful and one of the few herbs where it can be used by itself. So why isn’t this herb getting the credit of the king herb? Well you know I wouldn’t give you something this easy did you? Ginseng is also difficult to prepare when wanting to use it alone for tonifying. It requires a separate steamer and special preparation. Ginseng is very expensive and is often sold powdered from immature root and probably mixed with other herbs. Although this herb has these bleeding disorder qualities, it cannot be used in initial stages; it should not be used when there is an attack of sickness, and shouldn’t be used with caffeine. With the world hyped up on coffee and energy drinks how can I put this on top :).
And now for the moment you have been waiting for. My personal choice as the herb to rule them all is- San Qi. San Qi is known as Tien Qi, Notoginseng, and Pseudoginseng. What is this herb used for? San Qi stops bleeding, reduces swelling, alleviates pain, and breaks up blood stasis and clots. Yes, I said that this herb stops bleeding AND breaks up blood stasis and clots. San Qi can be used for one or the other or both. When used to stop bleeding you need not worry about thrombosis or stasis. For instance some women take herbs containing San Qi for heavy bleeding (menses), but they don’t have to worry about menstrual clotting. When used for stasis there isn’t a worry about thinning out the blood. This herb is great for injuries where there is swelling and bruises but it won’t result in thinning of blood. Topically San Qi can be found in almost every popular external herbal application for pain, swelling, and to move blood. Herbs like this are excellent because they are pretty specific on application, but are versatile at the same time. San Qi should be taken internally and externally for a dual action purpose by working on the problem from the inside and out.
This herb has a pretty celebrated history of its effectiveness on the battle field. Stories of soldiers injured in battle were able to stabilize themselves with the San Qi and then make their way home. I’m talking about some serious wounds that have supposedly been treated with San Qi. To this day this herb is specifically indicated for gun shot wounds in the Materia Medica.
Externally the herb works to clot wounds immediately and becomes part of scab and is the outside of it, and it won’t come off until the scab does. It should be applied as a paste moistened with a touch of water and it is because of this you need to take care in covering the wound. If you place direct loose gauze over this application the gauze will be permanent to the paste. Powdering over the paste will be effective in keeping the wound from bonding to your covering.
Want to see this herb in action?

http://www.dimmakherbs.com/wounddemo.html

I wrote about this herb here as well:
http://blogofherbs.com/herbs/deep-laceration-home-remedy-fix

Want to get some pills and powder for your First Aid needs? Visit Dimmak Herbs and look for their Dimmak Clot at www.dimmakherbs.com
San Qi should not be taken internally in pregnant women.

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I have gotten many emails about recipes for Congee and Kicharee. Although the generic recipes are posted here: http://blogofherbs.com/recepies/food-for-life-and-health-kicharee , http://blogofherbs.com/recepies/appetite-for-health-heres-a-recipe-congee .
Many people don’t want to figure out how to make recipes by adding in their own ingredients. Well, here is my favorite Congee recipe although I do make my Congee very similar to Kicharee. The difference to me is that I make congee with a little sweetness and dates/berries and Kicharee with vegetables and such.

Ok here is a list of what you need:
1/4 cup Adzuki Beans
1/4 cup Red Beans
1/4 cup Mung Beans
2.5 cups Brown Rice
1/2 cup Bob’s Red Mill 7grain hot cereal
1/2 cup Bob’s Red Mill Flax Seed
1/4 cup Bob’s Red Mill Wheat Germ
1 cup Organic Brown Sugar
40g Raisins
Pinch Kombuchu Sea Weed
1tsp Sea Salt
Herbs I-
20g Ginseng/ Ren Shen
20g Astragalus/ Huang Qi
10g Cassia Stick/ Rou Gui
10g Cascara Sagrada
Herbs II-
25g Goji Berries/ Lychii Berry/ Gou Qi Zi
30g Jujube Dates/ Da Zao
2g Dried Ginger/ Gan Jiang
20g Longan Berry/ Dragon Eyes/ Long Yan Rou
10g Cassia Stick/ Rou Gui
10g Rhubarb/ Da Huang

Ok, right now its night time so put all your beans in a large bowl with a large pinch of Kombuchu Seaweed. Cover with fresh water, cover and leave it alone until tomorrow.

Now that its tomorrow and approximately 6 hours you want this to be done and you are able to tend to the Congee in 4 hours, lets get started!
Strain our your beans and throw them in your super large Crockpot. Wash your rice under some water and put that in the Crockpot and cover with water. Fill it up to about 3/4 the way full and set to High for about 20-30 minutes and then set to Low Heat (this isn’t necessary). Let that cook for about 4 hours total stirring a few times to make sure the bottom isn’t cooking by itself.
Now, about the Herbs I and II. Herbs I need to be decocted so they are separated out. You can do this step anytime you like before its time to get back to the Congee after the 4 hours. Here is how you handle that:
Add 4 cups of water to a SS pot. Bring to boil and add herbs. Simmer for 30 minutes or until the water is reduced by half. Strain off herbs and save the liquid…
Back to the Congee, has it been 4 hours already? Great, lets first stir our pot and check the texture. Assuming everything is good lets move on.
Add decocted mixture of Herbs I in the pot, Add the HerbsII pile, raisins, and sugar. Now start stirring and slowly add your Bob’s powders in the pot to ensure no clumping.
I’m pretty sure I didn’t miss anything but everything should be in there by now. Top the crockpot off with water and cook this for another 2 hours or so stirring occasionally.

Now that everything is done pack up in Tupperware all your not going to eat now. The Congee shouldn’t be very sweet as is and it should be pretty good. You may sweeten it up a bit if you like. You may also add a little milk for breakfast eating.
This recipe is good for energy, energy regulation, bowel regulation, weight loss, weight management, immune system and brain/function through the day (alertness).

Enjoy Responsibly!

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My favorite healthy food is Congee. Congee is basically a porridge made of white rice cooked over several hours. Dispite what you think or what you have read white rice is quite good for you. The important part of white rice in this recipe is to have a soup that is as easy to digest as possible. Many things can be added to the simple medium of congee, its like a casserole add anything you want to it. Here is the basic recipe:

Add 2 cups white rice to 18 cups water in a crockpot and let slow cook for about 7 hours.  

If you are not sick in anyway, then brown rice may be substituted. Now for the additives-
Mung Beans- I always recommend these be in Congee as they are good for the entire body in any condition. Add 1/2 cup pre-soaked beans.
Immunity/Longevity/Health/Vitality: I recommend this combination be added to congee always as it is general health building and a tonic! 6g Ginseng, 12g Codonopsis/Dang Shen, 9g Dang Gui, 9g Goji Berries/Gou Qi Zi/Lychii Berries, 9g Huang Qi/Astragalus, 10-20 JuJube Dates/Da Zao, and 4g Ginger. That will make a very nice base for your congee!
Adzuki Beans: Use these beans for bladder or kidney problems including water retention. These are sometimes called small red beans.
Add barley, wheat germ, fennel, brewers yeast or anything else to get vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber!
Add any vegetable you like for vitamins, minerals, and their individual properties.

This is traditionally taken as a breakfast. Organic brown sugar may be added after the cooking process for extra energetic properties in the morning. If you are frail, weak, or sick you may take the congee through the day for several days until you feel better. You will be surprised how well you feel after you eat the congee and how easy it is to keep down. For degenerative diseases and after times of chemotherapy Add 9g of Chen Pi/Citrus Peel to the formula and take as all your meals for 7days (or as long as you can make it!)
This recipe will make a generous amount of congee for you and your family, so enjoy!

Feel free to ask any questions or get help on a congee recipe.

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