四神湯 Si Shen Tang, help your digestion system

四神湯 Si Shen Tang, Four spirit soup, or sometimes neamed 四臣湯Si Chen Tang, is very good for strengthening the digestion system, improving appetite. This soup is very mild and can be taken for long term (but not suitable for people with chronic constipation).

Traditionally the pig intestine is used as to emphasize the digestion function of this soup. However, for people who can't find or don't want to eat pig intestine, we can also use pork to cook this soup.

Ingredient:

1.伏苓Fu Ling, 30g

2.淮山Huai Shan/ Shan Yao, 30g

3.蓮子Lian Zi, 30g

4.芡實Qian Shi, 30g

5.薏仁Yi Yi Ren, 30g

6.當歸Dang Gui, 2 piece

7. 8cups of Stock(the original stock was made from pig bones, can be substituted by vegetable stock or chicken stock, or water).

8.Pig’s small intestine 300g(Intestine is used for helping with digestion, I sometimes use pork to substitute intestines.

9.Salt.

10.Rice wine.

Cooking method:

1. Boiled water, put the intestine/pork in boiled water, remove the turbid on the surface. Change water if needed. This step is to clean the blood from the intestine/pork, so don’t leave the intestine/pork in the water too long.

2.Bring the stock to boiled, put all the herbs and the intestine/pork, bring up to big fire until boiled again. When boiled, turn to small fire, cook for another 45 minutes, until the ingredients become tender.

3.Seasoning with some salt and a few drops of rice wine.

Function:

1.伏苓Fu Ling: Promotes urination and drains damp. Strengthen the spleen, harmonizes the middle jiao. Transforms phlegm. Quiets the heart and calms the spirit.

2.淮山Huai Shan/ Shan Yao:Spleen & Stomach tonic, Kidney tonic, Lung qi and Lung yin tonic.

3.蓮子Lian Zi: Strengthen the spleen, nourishes the heart, calms the shen and Kidney tonic.

4.芡實Qian Shi: Strengthen the spleen, stops diarrhea. Stabilizes Kidney, secures essence. Expels damp, stops discharge.

5.薏仁Yi Yi Ren: Resolves dampness. Strengthen the spleen. Eliminates painful obstruction. Clears the Heart and expel pus. Clears damp-heat.

6.當歸Dang Gui: Nourishes blood/regulates menses. Invigorates and harmonizes blood. Disperses cold. Moisten Intestines/unblocks bowels. Treats cough.