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Chinese medical traditions →

Brown rice with bamboo shoots and Chinese dodder

Rice cooked together with tu si zi seeds.

Traditional use

Time
Preparation 5 min, cooking 50 min
Makes
4 people
Chinese dodder (tu si zi)

Chinese dodder is a traditional kidney tonic, among other things for infertility and lower back pain. The seed tastes savoury; because it cooks with the rice, tradition holds that its action is best preserved.

Ingredients

  • 200 g brown rice, washed
  • 200 g fresh bamboo shoot, peeled and diced
  • 625 ml water
  • 10 g Chinese dodder seed (tu si zi), rinsed, in a herb bag
  • 2 tsp soy sauce
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp rice wine
  • 1 tsp sugar

Step by step

  1. Bring all the ingredients to the boil together.
  2. Turn the heat down, put a tight-fitting lid on the pan and simmer for about 45 minutes until the rice is cooked and the liquid absorbed.
  3. Remove the herb bag and divide the rice among bowls.

Tips

  • Put sesame oil, Sichuan pepper salt, chilli paste and finely chopped spring onion on the table.

Registry

Herbs in this recipe

Read more about effects and safety on each herb’s page.

  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 641

    Chinese dodder (tu si zi)

    Cuscuta chinensis

    Traditionally attributed effects: a remedy for male infertility and urinary complaints; a tonic that strengthens bones and tendons, soothes lower back pain and balances the female reproductive system.

    Chinese medical traditions

Cultures and traditions

Where the herbs come from

The herbs in this recipe also appear in these traditions.