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*






First Commenter -

34 comments:

  1. 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 =)

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  2. The black concoction sure look unappetizing.:D

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

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

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  4. 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?

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

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  6. 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. :)

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

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

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  9. 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.

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

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

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

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  13. 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!

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

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  15. 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

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

    mostly black

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  17. 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.

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  18. 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.

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  19. 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!

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

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

    Have a good weekend.

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

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  23. 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.

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

    But it is not tasty.

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

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

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  27. 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!

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

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

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