“Let food be thy medicine, and let medicine be thy food.” ~Hippocrates

Fast forward about 1600 years from Hippocrates' time in a land miles away, The Treatise on the Spleen and Stomach by Pi Wei Lun was written to discuss the important functions of the stomach and spleen and how what we eat could affect our whole body through the stomach.

An over generalized explanation of how food can play a role in medicine is that when an organ is deficient in body fluid or energy, certain herbs can be cooked as a soup and eaten to replenish those deficiencies. For example, in some Asian countries, women commonly cook a Si Wu Tang (Four Substance Decoction) soup after their monthly menstrual cycle. It is comprised of Shu Di Huang (processed Rehmannia Root, Radix Rehmanniae Preparata), Bai Shao (White Peony Root, Radix Paeoniae Alba ), Dang Gui (Chinese Angelica Root, Radix Angelicae Sinensis) and Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong). A note on Chuan Xiong is that in excess can lead to side effects and, more importantly, is contraindicated in those who are pregnant.

Coix seeds also known as Job's Tears, or Yi Yi Ren, have damp draining properties, promote urination and are considered safe for daily consumption. Therefore, it is commonly added in herbal formulas when these herbal action are desired. They may be included in formulas for obesity or high cholesterol. Being gentle, they may be included in some herbal teas packaged for making soups, but keep in mind that there are contraindications in those who are pregnant, have hemorrhoids or are already frequently urinating. Therefore, it is important to choose the right herbal soup with discretion.

Generally speaking, when the herbal teas are cooked as a soup, the combination of flavors are delicious and, with moderation, safe for consumption. Some recipes are included below. For those who are vegetarian or vegan, you should be able to leave out anything not vegetarian or vegan.

References:

Bensky, D., & Bensky, L. L. (2004). Chinese herbal medicine: Materia medica. Estland Press.

Scott, J., Monda, L., & Heuertz, J. (2014). Clinical guide to commonly used Chinese herbal formulas. Herbal Medicine Press.