Eucommia bark

杜仲

supports the kidneysstrengthens sinews and bones補肝腎安胎

The bark of the eucommia hardwood tree, sold by dispensaries as salt-fried strips; genuine bark shows fine silvery latex threads when snapped. Mildly sweet and woody, it simmers quietly in pork-bone pots without changing the flavour much, contributing body rather than aroma.

TCM properties

Nature · warming　Flavour · sweet　Meridians · liver、kidney

Traditional food therapy

In Cantonese food therapy it is the classic bark for the waist and knees, traditionally paired with morinda root in strengthening pots to nourish the liver and kidneys and firm sinew and bone; tradition also uses it to steady pregnancy under practitioner guidance.

Cautions — read first

Take care with yin deficiency and rising fire
Not while you have a cold

Preparation

Herbal shops mostly sell it shredded and salt-fried, the form held to support the kidney better. Just rinse it.

Origin · Geo-authentic (道地) source

貴州遵義（有「中國杜仲之鄉」之稱）及四川

Availability in Australia

Herbal shops / specialists

Pairs well with

Morinda root Chestnut Pork bones (femur / blade)Red jujube date Taxillus / mulberry mistletoe

Soups that use this ingredient · 2

Morinda root and eucommia bark soup with chestnuts and pork bonesNot yet surveyed (we say so honestly)

巴戟杜仲栗子豬骨湯

supports the kidneysstrengthens sinews and bonesWinter

百子櫃Morinda root· 20 g (5 mace)百子櫃Eucommia bark· 20 g (5 mace)百子櫃Chestnut· 150 g街市Pork bones (femur / blade)· 600 g (1 catty)百子櫃Red jujube date· 4街市Fresh ginger· 2 slices

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

Double-boiled pork tail with morinda root and eucommia barkNot yet surveyed (we say so honestly)

巴戟杜仲燉豬尾

supports the kidneysstrengthens sinews and bonesdispels dampness3h slow fireWinter

百子櫃Morinda root· 20 g (5 mace)百子櫃Eucommia bark· 20 g (5 mace)百子櫃Achyranthes root· 12 g (3 mace)百子櫃Black soybean· 40 g (1 tael)街市Pig tail· 1百子櫃Red jujube date· 4… +1

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