Dendrobium stem

石斛

nourishes yinclears heatbrightens the eyes養陰清熱益胃生津熬夜煙酒、口乾虛熱者恩物

The stem of the dendrobium orchid, dried and rolled into tight spirals known as fung dau, sold loose or in gift tins. Extremely hard, it releases a faint grassy sweetness only after long boiling or double-boiling, contributing a clean, cooling undertone rather than bulk.

TCM properties

Nature · cooling　Flavour · sweet　Meridians · stomach、kidney

Traditional food therapy

In the tradition it is the herb for late nights and parched throats, used to nourish yin, clear heat, benefit the stomach and brighten the eyes; a standby for those who smoke, drink or burn the midnight oil.

Cautions — read first

Take care in the early stage of a warm heat illness, or where damp heat has not yet turned dry
Take care if your spleen and stomach run cold
Do not take yin-nourishing tonics while you have a cold or fever

Preparation

楓斗, the tightly coiled dried form, is hard, so either soak it first or simply give it a long boil or double-boil.

Origin · Geo-authentic (道地) source

安徽霍山（霍山石斛）／雲南 — AU sells both grocer-tier dried stem and premium-tier herba dendrobii grades

Availability in Australia

Herbal shops / specialists · A$42.37–476 / 100g
grocer tier: Heng Hui Dendrobium Stem 37.5g $15.89 ($42.37/100g); premium tier: Fortune Herba Dendrobii 50g $123–238 ($246–476/100g) — wide grade spread

Pairs well with

American ginseng Ophiopogon tuber Lean pork Dried sea whelk slices Abalone (dried or canned)

Soups that use this ingredient · 3

Double-boiled lean pork with ginseng and dendrobiumA$12–66

人參石斛燉瘦肉

replenishes qinourishes yinmoistens the lungsAll year

百子櫃Korean red ginseng· 8 g百子櫃Dendrobium stem· 12 g街市Lean pork· 300 g百子櫃Candied honey date· 4街市Fresh ginger· 4 slices

“The pot she makes when someone needs looking after.”

Double-boiled conch with dendrobiumA$42–133

石斛燉螺頭

nourishes yinrelieves drynessbrightens the eyes3.5h slow fireAll yearSummerAutumn

百子櫃Dendrobium stem· 20 g (5 mace)百子櫃Dried conch / sea snail head· 2街市Lean pork· 200 g百子櫃Dried Chinese yam· 20 g (5 mace)百子櫃Goji berry / wolfberry· 8 g (2 mace)百子櫃Dried longan flesh· 8 g (2 mace)… +1

“The pot she makes when someone needs looking after.”

American ginseng, dendrobium and conch soupA$98–225

花旗參石斛螺頭湯

replenishes qinourishes yinclears heatAll yearSummer

百子櫃American ginseng· 20 g (5 mace)百子櫃Dendrobium stem· 20 g (5 mace)百子櫃Dried conch / sea snail head· 200 g百子櫃Solomon's seal rhizome· 20 g (5 mace)百子櫃Red jujube date· 4街市Lean pork· 300 g

“The pot she makes when someone needs looking after.”