- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- South and East Asia
- Traditions
- Ayurveda, Chinese medical traditions
Asia · Food · № 646
Euryale ferox
Food · Asia
Fox nut (qian shi)
Euryale ferox
Traditionally attributed effects: a tonic for long life that according to tradition counters ageing and gives strength.
Safety notes
According to tradition not with constipation. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Preparation
Dried seeds, cooked along in soup or broth for 30–45 minutes.
Use in traditions
Seed of a large water lily-like plant; eaten popped in India as makhana.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Chinese food therapy
Attributed effects
A traditional tonic for long life and strength. The four-herb soup is regarded as warming, calms the mind and strengthens the life energy; the steamed egg is nourishing and warming.
Chinese materia medica
- Nature and taste
- sweet, astringent, neutral
- Meridians
- kidney, spleen
Attributed effects
Qian shi strengthens the spleen and curbs diarrhoea (also good for children), strengthens the kidneys and retains essence in seminal emission and involuntary urination, and dries dampness in clear or white discharge.
Preparation and amount
Traditional dosage: 9–15 g a day, usually in a decoction. Closely resembles lotus seed; they are often used together.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- DecoctionPowder and kitchen
- Formulas
- Jin suo gu jing wan