Friday, February 25, 2011

Chinese Herbal Medicines, Mostly Black - PH

PhotoHunt theme : Mostly Black

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Lingzi Mushroom



A Chinese friend sent me these huge, dried mushrooms called Lingzi when she heard about my brush with breast cancer. The Chinese has used it as a herbal medicine for thousands of years and is known as the “Mushroom of Immortality”.


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Lingzhi mushrooms are particularly beneficial for individuals with asthma, cough and other respiratory complaints.

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I boil the Lingzi and drink it once a week. I don't eat the mushroom as it is too hard. The drink is tasteless. There are Lingzhi supplements in the market if one finds boiling Lingzi too troublesome.

Chinese herbal medicine in convenient packs all the way from China

Most Chinese herbal concoctions are black and some are quite bitter. I dislike the bitter taste but if it is beneficial for  health, I will force myself to drink it.
*hold my nose and gulp it down*






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34 comments:

  1. LuiFriday, February 25, 2011 at 9:50:00 AM GMT+8

    I had a bad bout of asthma last January and my Chinese mother in law gave that mushroom with some kind of dried fruit to boil and drink. And after days, the coughing just disappeared. Now I know the name..

    Thanks for returning my drop =)

    ReplyDelete
  2. linaFriday, February 25, 2011 at 11:06:00 AM GMT+8

    The black concoction sure look unappetizing.:D

    But I'll take them for the health benefits too.

    ReplyDelete
  3. TekkausFriday, February 25, 2011 at 11:23:00 AM GMT+8

    Yeah! How come everything is black, black one? :p

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownFriday, February 25, 2011 at 4:39:00 PM GMT+8

    I have never heard of this mushroom before. It is useful to learn as much as possible about herbs and concoctions that aid recovery, cure or prevent illnesses - so thank you for this wonderful addition.
    I have already tried Oolong tea although I read quite a lot of information before actually trying it out ... just in case. It is very expensive over here as it was priced at £3.99 for a small packet (20 cups).

    I wonder if you have perhaps ever tried Schisandra, I gather this herb (I think it may be Chinese)has many healing properties and is for a very wide variety of ailments - at least if all of the sources are correct?

    ReplyDelete
  5. LifeRamblingsFriday, February 25, 2011 at 5:40:00 PM GMT+8

    the concoction doesn't look very appealing at all. i find it so hard to drink something like this.

    ReplyDelete
  6. eastcoastlifeFriday, February 25, 2011 at 10:55:00 PM GMT+8

    Hi Lui,
    Thanks for stopping by.

    Happy to hear that Lingzi is helpful for your asthma. Boiling it with some dried fruits makes it more palatable. I shall try that. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. wennFriday, February 25, 2011 at 10:55:00 PM GMT+8

    chinese medicine is better..

    ReplyDelete
  8. eastcoastlifeFriday, February 25, 2011 at 10:55:00 PM GMT+8

    Lina,
    It looks yucky and doesn't taste good but force myself to drink lor. :D

    ReplyDelete
  9. eastcoastlifeFriday, February 25, 2011 at 10:57:00 PM GMT+8

    Tekkaus,
    Black black one, but good for health! :D

    ReplyDelete
  10. eastcoastlifeFriday, February 25, 2011 at 11:15:00 PM GMT+8

    Kloggers/Polly,
    There are many Chinese herbs and concoctions that are beneficial to our health. Let me know if you need more info.

    I love Oolong tea. It does cost a lot for good Oolong tea leaves. I usually buy my supply when I'm in China.

    Schisandra (五味子 in Chinese, "five flavor berry") - I have tried Schisandra tea, the Korean type is my favourite.

    Glad that you are interested in herbs.

    ReplyDelete
  11. eastcoastlifeFriday, February 25, 2011 at 11:21:00 PM GMT+8

    Life Ramblings,
    The blackish concoction tastes awful but faithfully drinking it over several months, it helps me get back on my feet. :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Susan DemeterFriday, February 25, 2011 at 11:36:00 PM GMT+8

    It sounds kinda nasty, but if it works that is the main thing! Happy weekend ECL :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnnieFriday, February 25, 2011 at 11:42:00 PM GMT+8

    A very cool looking black mushroom. I hope it brings you good health!

    ReplyDelete
  14. eastcoastlifeFriday, February 25, 2011 at 11:49:00 PM GMT+8

    wenn,
    Agree!

    ReplyDelete
  15. eastcoastlifeFriday, February 25, 2011 at 11:50:00 PM GMT+8

    Sue,
    It works for me so I believe in Chinese medicines. Medication is over a longer period but there are no side effects and sometimes cures the ailment completely!

    ReplyDelete
  16. eastcoastlifeFriday, February 25, 2011 at 11:51:00 PM GMT+8

    Annie,
    I'm still drinking the mushroom tea, I have enough to last me for months. :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. LizSaturday, February 26, 2011 at 12:54:00 AM GMT+8

    First time I've heard of this mushroom, at least it's tasteless. A friend gave mom a Kombucha mushroom for her high blood pressure, it doesn't taste good.

    Have a terrific weekend!

    Mostly Black

    ReplyDelete
  18. eastcoastlifeSaturday, February 26, 2011 at 1:10:00 AM GMT+8

    Liz,
    Thanks Goodness the Lingzi is tasteless. :D

    ReplyDelete
  19. MaRSaturday, February 26, 2011 at 1:22:00 AM GMT+8

    First time I hear about this...here's to your health ECL!!

    mostly black

    ReplyDelete
  20. CarverSaturday, February 26, 2011 at 2:19:00 AM GMT+8

    I took a dried form of mushrooms for a year or so after my cancer diagnosis but I don't think it was this one. I can't remember the name but the one I used (it is in liquid and tablet form for concentrated amounts) has been used in cancer clinical trials.

    ReplyDelete
  21. AnonymousSaturday, February 26, 2011 at 5:13:00 AM GMT+8

    this is really interesting. never seen nor heard one that is so huge and you make it as tea too. I'll keep my eyes peeled when I go to chinatown to get some tea.

    ReplyDelete
  22. YTSLSaturday, February 26, 2011 at 12:53:00 PM GMT+8

    Whenever I have a cold, I make myself drink some 24 herbs tea. Find that it makes the symptoms milder. Sometimes, when I worry that a cold might be on its way, I also make myself drink that bitter tea -- and there indeed have been times when I feel that it's warded off the ilness!

    ReplyDelete
  23. AnonymousSaturday, February 26, 2011 at 4:13:00 PM GMT+8

    An interesting mushroom. I won't go looking for it for a stirfry though :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. AnonymousSaturday, February 26, 2011 at 10:27:00 PM GMT+8

    Definately mostly black there! Great choice for this week's theme.

    Have a good weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  25. JeffSunday, February 27, 2011 at 12:12:00 AM GMT+8

    That is one weird looking mushroom. Does it really taste good?

    ReplyDelete
  26. eastcoastlifeSunday, February 27, 2011 at 2:34:00 AM GMT+8

    Thanks Mar!
    Happy weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  27. eastcoastlifeSunday, February 27, 2011 at 2:40:00 AM GMT+8

    Carver,
    There are different varieties of Lingzi based on its colour. This is black. There is red, purple, yellow etc. I guess yours is also a Lingzi.

    ReplyDelete
  28. eastcoastlifeSunday, February 27, 2011 at 2:41:00 AM GMT+8

    ewok 1993,
    It's pretty expensive to just make tea with it. :D

    But it is not tasty.

    ReplyDelete
  29. eastcoastlifeSunday, February 27, 2011 at 2:42:00 AM GMT+8

    YTSL,
    I drink 24-herbs tea too. Luckily I don't have to drink it often, it tastes awful! :D

    ReplyDelete
  30. eastcoastlifeSunday, February 27, 2011 at 2:44:00 AM GMT+8

    archiearchive,
    No, it is too expensive for a stirfry! :P

    ReplyDelete
  31. eastcoastlifeSunday, February 27, 2011 at 2:44:00 AM GMT+8

    JDeQ,
    Have a happy weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  32. eastcoastlifeSunday, February 27, 2011 at 2:53:00 AM GMT+8

    Jeff,
    It is hard and has a bitter taste. I don't eat it, I boil it to make Lingzi mushroom tea, said to wield powerful Cancer fighting capabilities!

    ReplyDelete
  33. peppylady (Dora)Sunday, February 27, 2011 at 10:53:00 AM GMT+8

    Never heard of these mushroom. My hubby and I gather mushroom out in our area.
    My photo is up and the coffee is on.

    ReplyDelete
  34. MartaMonday, February 28, 2011 at 4:40:00 AM GMT+8

    I hope it helps you - but it is a little too dark and unappealing in in taste for me.

    ReplyDelete

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