
(Herbs from top left, clockwise: Gou QI Zi, Sheng Jiang, Feng Mi, Hong Zao)
Chinese herbs do not have to be scary or obscure. In fact, you can find some of the herbs in the pharmacopeia right in your kitchen. They are easily found at a market like Whole Foods, and can be a nice addition to your routine.
Gou Qi Zi, also known as goji berry or wolfberry, is a sweet, red dried fruit that tonifies the kidney and nourishes liver. It is a blood builder and a lung soother. It can help with cough, blurry vision, dizziness, and build the immune system. I like adding it to oatmeal.
Sheng Jiang is ginger. It is the spicy, warm herb herb that we all know in ginger-ale. It is excellent at soothing the tummy and reducing nausea and vomiting. It also warms the lungs so it helps reduce cough. This herb is so easy to cook with--just add it in where you'd use onion or garlic. I like to steep it in water for a few minutes to make tea.
Feng Mi is honey. It is sweet and moistening to the lungs, making it is very helpful for coughs and sore throats. It is also tonifies the Spleen and Stomach, aiding in digestion. Honey is so delicious and easily avaialble there is no reason not to try a little--just pour some into your tea.
Hong Zao is also known as the jujube. These little red dates are sweet and warm and are a digestive tonic. They may a little more difficult to find, but I've seen them at specialty stores and certainly online. If you should pass by these little sweet beauties, definitely pick them up and try them.