tonifying
Solomon's Seal Rhizome (Yu Zhu)
玉竹 · Yùzhú
Polygonatum odoratum
Nature
Cool
Saveur
Sweet
Meridian
Lung, Stomach
Yu Zhu — 'jade bamboo' — is the gentle yin-moistening rhizome of the autumn-dryness tradition. Sweet and cool, it generates fluids without cloying, making it the herb of choice for dry throats, dry coughs, and the parched aftermath of fevers. A staple in Cantonese slow-cooked soups for its mild sweetness.
🌿 Fonctions
- •Nourishes yin and moistens dryness
- •Generates fluids and quenches thirst
- •Gently tonifies without cloying
📖 Usage
9–15 g in decoction or 15–20 g slow-simmered in soups; pairs beautifully with lily bulb and snow fungus.
🔬 Recherche moderne
Polygonatum polysaccharides and steroidal saponins are studied for glycemic regulation, immune support, and skin hydration.
⚠️ Contre-indications
Avoid with phlegm-damp conditions and spleen deficiency with loose stools.
