Herbs for the Heart - Dang Gui （当归）

Dang gui has been used as a tonic for blood and for regulating the menses, lubricates bowels to correct constipation, reduces swelling, expels pus, relieves pain. Dang gui wei (tail) is being used in condition of blood stasis and clots.


Mutton Soup with Dang Gui (当归羊肉汤）

Ingredients:
19g of Dang Gui
10g of Fresh Ginger
450g of Mutton
1/4 Piece of Dried Tangerine Peel (陈皮）

Instructions:
1. Soak the dried tangerine peel until it's soft and scrape off the pith.
2. Place the mutton in boiling water for a minute and rinse.
3. Place all the ingredients into a pot. Add water and heat mixture until it boils. Reduce to low heat and cook for 2 hours. Season with salt and serve.

Benefits:
The medicinal functions include: nurturing the uterus; lowers blood lipids, anti-platelet coagulation, promotes production of red cells; dilates coronary arteries and improve circulation volume; anti oxidation and rid of free radicals; improves the immune system; serves as an anti-cancer agent; andanti-inflammatory.

Other Cooking Practices:
1. Blood-asthenia, pale and yellow complexion, palpitations and dizziness: add Shu Di (熟地） and Bai Shao (白芍） to the recipe.

2. Menoxenia, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhoea: add Shu Di (熟地） and Bai Shao(白芍） to the recipe. Those with blood stasis should add Xiang Fu （香附） and saffron flowers （红花） to the recipe.

3. Menoxenia and coldness with poor circulation: eat with Ai Ye （艾叶) and Yan Hu (延胡）.

4. Headache due to coldness and poor circulation: add Chuan Xiong （川芎）and Bai Zhi （白芷） to the recipe.

Warning:
People, with diarrhoea, should not drink this soup.