https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/A4PeQB2Vq1CW8xtc-5KQOA
Everyone is welcome to share their own experiences with the medicine in the replies, which will help other students to search and learn.
155. Houpu
The taste and the name feel quite different. The name gives an impression of tea fragrance and woody aroma, generally sounding quite pleasant to drink.
The actual taste can only be described as something resembling Huangbo (Phellodendron), somewhat bitter to some extent.
After drinking, the qi is drawn downwards with heaviness; the distribution of qi in the torso shifts towards the middle and lower Burner. During this process, phlegm dampness and fluid retention in the upper body are also driven downward; the Shen (spirit) is also reined in inwardly.
Effects: descending qi to resolve phlegm, calming and tranquilizing the spirit, stopping nausea and vomiting, relieving lung distension, gastric distension, abdominal bloating, and reducing edema above the diaphragm.
155.1 Houpu Flower
Looks like a plastic flower, with a bit of a cyberpunk feeling, like “Holographic Rose Fragments.”
Somewhat pleasant to drink, with sweetness mixed with sourness, slightly bitter and astringent.
It has certain effects in relieving depression and stimulating appetite, along with a mild clearing of turbidity. The overall qi movement is similar to Houpu, descending but not completely, with the “center of qi” remaining between the diaphragm and the Jvque (middle of the upper abdomen).
156. Sharen (Amomum Fruit)
The variety of Sharen used is “Chun Sharen (Yangchun Sharen),” supplied by Shengshi Baicao, from Guangdong province, which is a major variety similar to the “Jinhua Keng Yangchun Sharen” tried initially, but not the absolute most authentic producing area.
Smelling the raw spice is much weaker than Yangchun Sharen, but when cracked open with a hammer, the aroma is immediately released and is comparable to Yangchun Sharen (though the price is much cheaper) — all premium-grade medicinal materials consider both quality and price during selection; the current Chun Sharen can basically reach about 70% of Yangchun Sharen’s quality, but costs less than one-eighth the price.
In taste, compared to the authentic Yangchun Sharen, it is sweeter, less bitter, and the penetrating ability is somewhat weaker, appearing somewhat bland, but the cooling sensation is consistent.
For details, please refer to the previous “Jinhua Keng Yangchun Sharen.”
If you want to try the common type of Guangxi Sharen, you might need to get some from hospitals or street herbal pharmacies yourself~