Do you know alcohol hangover can cause headaches, stress & anxiety? Kudzu root (Ge Gen in Chinese) is known to be beneficial for reducing headaches, alcoholism & alcohol hangover’s symptoms. In addition, Dan Sheng, in Chinese herbalogy is known for improving headaches and insomnia caused by rapid heartbeat & tight chest.
Serving size: 4 persons.
Benefits: Helps to improve alcoholism, dizziness, headaches, Pre-Menstrual Syndrome, menopause symptoms, upset stomach, weak uterus and strengthen heart, lung, kidney, liver, skin & spleen health, etc.
Ingredients
(1) Dan Sheng – 32 thin slices. (8 grams) or Dan Sheng powder – 1 teaspoon. (5 grams)
(2) Kudzu Root, 5-6 inches length – 1 piece. Wash & peel its skin and cut into 1 inch cube size, about 16-20 pieces.
(3) Carrot, 8 inches length – 1 no. Wash & scrub 1 teaspoon of salt on the Carrot’s skin with a clean toothbrush to remove its impurities. Then cut into 8 pieces.
(4) Dried Figs – 2 nos.
(5) Garlic – 4 cloves. (4 grams)
(6) Mung Fish – 4 nos or Dried Cuttlefish – 1 small piece.
(7) Pork Ribs, 1 inch x 2 inch size – 8 pieces. (You can replace with skinless chicken thigh & reduce meat stewing time from 3 hours to 2 hours)
(8) Red Dates, Seedless – 4 nos.
(9) Goji Berries – 12 nos. (2.4 grams)
(10) Olive Oil – 1 teaspoon. Alternative healthy oils eg: Chia seeds oil or Coconut oil, etc.
(11) Pepper to taste.
(12) Salt – 1 teaspoon.
(13) Water – 900-1000 ml. Healthy water choice: Purified, distilled or mineral water.
* Daily recommended dosage: Dan Sheng not more than 30 grams; Garlic 2-4 cloves; Goji Berries 15-30 grams & Red Dates 3-20 nos.
Preparation
(1) Parboil Pork Ribs in hot water for 1 minute to remove impurities. Discard the water and wash the Pork Ribs clear of excess fats.
(2) Put washed Pork Ribs, Mung fish or Cuttlefish & Kudzu root into a stewing pot (Healthier choice: glass, corning or clay pot) & pour water into the stewing pot then turn on high flame. Once the water start to boil, turn to low flame & stew for 3 hours.
(3) After 3 hours, discard soup’s surface excess oil, then put washed Dan Sheng slices if Dang Shen is not in powder form, Carrot, Dried Figs, Garlic & Red Dates into the stewing pot & stew for another hour.
(4) Once 1 hour is up, add Goji Berries, Olive Oil, Pepper & Salt and stir well. Turn off flame & let the soup steep for 10 minutes before serving.
Note
(1) Suitable for everyone especially those who are Alcoholics or have hormonal imbalance issues eg: Pre-menstrual Syndrome or menopause.
(2) Dan Sheng may cause some side effects including dizziness, low blood pressure, nausea, upset stomach & a blood condition called thrombocytopenia, etc so if you experience such symptoms, do take in moderation.
(3) Dan Sheng have not enough reliable information about the safety intake for pregnant or breastfeeding women if you are pregnant or breast feeding so take in moderation.
(4) Moderate intake of Dan Sheng for those who are on blood thinning medications or have bleeding disorders because Dan Sheng may slow down blood clotting.
(5) Dan Sheng might increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery. Stop taking them at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
(6) Moderate intake of Goji Berries if you are pregnant or breast-feeding because Goji Berries contain a chemical known as Betaine which may cause miscarriage.
(7) Kudzu root is not suitable for those who have cysts or fibroids related to breast & uterus because Kudzu root contains natural estrogen like isoflavones: daidzein & daidzin which may aggravate its condition.
(8) Kudzu root is not advisable for women who pregnant or breastfeeding because Kudzu root contains natural estrogen like isoflavones: daidzein & daidzin which may affect foetus’s growth.
(9) Kudzu root is not suitable for liver diseases such as hepatitis, because Kudzu root may aggravate their condition.
(10) Kudzu root might interfere the blood sugar levels during and after surgery. Stop taking Kudzu root at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
(11) For vegetarians: Remove the chicken and reduce the cooking time from 3 hours to 1 hour.
Caution: To drink this soup at an interval of ½ to 1 hour from medications. If you are pregnant or having any medical conditions, please seek your health expert before consuming this soup.
