https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/A4PeQB2Vq1CW8xtc-5KQOA
Everyone is welcome to share their own experiences with the herbs in the replies, to facilitate other students’ search and learning.
Ligustrum fruit
- Ligustrum fruit
The base taste is sweet, slightly bitter, similar to burnt fairy grass (a herbal jelly); the taste is average but drinking it feels quite comfortable.
After drinking, it lowers the Governor Vessel (Dumai), the Penetrating Vessel (Chongmai), and the Conception Vessel (Renmai), firmly locking the energy back into the Dantian (energy center). The Governor Vessel descends from behind the occiput, the Penetrating Vessel descends from the chest, and the Conception Vessel descends from the middle of the chest (Shanzhong).
Besides lowering the qi circulation, it also has a relatively strong moistening and dryness-relieving effect.
Efficacy: Regulates and lowers qi circulation, nourishes yin fluids, moisturizes dryness.
Turtle shell
- Turtle shell
The turtle is so cute, but the water brewed from its shell has a somewhat fishy smell.
After drinking, the qi first gathers at the crown, then descends downward through the Governor Vessel and the right Bladder Meridian, finally going around the perineum to the lower abdomen, gathering into the Dantian. During this circulation, part of the energy flows towards the heart and right kidney, providing nourishment.
Efficacy: Lowers qi and submerges yang, nourishes heart and kidney, enriches and moistens the Dantian.
433. Soft-shelled turtle shell
Soft-shelled turtle soup surprisingly tastes a bit fresh and savory.
After drinking, the qi gathers at the lower jaw and front of the neck, encompassing the submandibular lymph nodes and thyroid gland; the face and back of the neck are also affected, but the qi there is relatively thin. The qi in the front of the body stays for about 3 minutes, then gradually descends along the Conception Vessel to the Dantian. The qi at the back of the neck descends along the Governor Vessel to the Jiaji points on the back, then to the tailbone, finally circulating around the perineum to reach the lower abdomen.
Efficacy: Lowers qi and submerges yang; nourishes the Dantian; softens hardness and disperses masses, treating various thyroid disorders as well as submandibular and anterior neck lymph node swellings.
Eating soft-shelled turtle meat directly can also nourish the Dantian, but the meat is more yang and can cause qi and blood to rise excessively, leading to nocturnal emissions, nosebleeds, acne, coughs, etc. The turtle shell is better in this regard and generally does not have these side effects.