Solomon's seal rhizome

玉竹

nourishes yinrelieves dryness生津止渴入口清甜，秋冬口乾咽燥恩物

The rhizome of fragrant Solomon's seal, sold as pale amber, slightly sticky translucent slices. Clean and sweet on the palate, it melts softness into the broth over a long boil and is half of the classic sha shen yuk juk moistening pair.

TCM properties

Nature · cooling　Flavour · sweet　Meridians · lung、stomach

Traditional food therapy

In Cantonese food therapy it is the autumn moistener, used to nourish yin, ease dryness and generate fluids when mouth and throat feel parched.

Cautions — read first

Take care with phlegm damp and stuck qi, or a weak spleen with loose stools

Preparation

Soak and rinse. The slices stand up to long boiling.

Origin · Geo-authentic (道地) source

湖南邵東（湘玉竹） — an ordinary dried-goods line at AU Asian grocers (Henghui)

Availability in Australia

Common at Asian grocers · A$8.98–8.98 / 100g
Henghui Solomon's Seal 50g $4.49

Pairs well with

Glehnia root Dried longan flesh Dried lily bulb Lotus seed Job's tears / coix seed

Soups that use this ingredient · 6

Ching bo leung ("clear-nourishing-cooling") soup with pork shinA$8–14

清補涼豬展湯

strengthens the spleendispels dampnessreplenishes qiSummer

百子櫃Dried Chinese yam· 20 g (5 mace)百子櫃Lotus seed· 20 g (5 mace)百子櫃Dried lily bulb· 20 g (5 mace)百子櫃Job's tears / coix seed· 20 g (5 mace)百子櫃Euryale seed / foxnut· 20 g (5 mace)百子櫃Solomon's seal rhizome· 20 g (5 mace)… +4

“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.”

Double-boiled pork shin with two ginsengs and sweet apricot kernelsNot yet surveyed (we say so honestly)

雙蔘南杏燉豬展

replenishes qimoistens the lungssoothes cough3h slow fireWinter

百子櫃Korean red ginseng· 6 g百子櫃Transplanted mountain ginseng· 6 g百子櫃Sweet apricot kernel· 15 g百子櫃Solomon's seal rhizome· 30 g百子櫃Aged dried tangerine peel· a third of a piece街市Pork shin (shank)· 60 g

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

Dried conch slice soup with Solomon's seal and ophiopogonA$26–29

響螺片玉竹麥冬瘦肉湯

nourishes yinsupports the kidneyssoothes the liver3h slow fireAutumnWinter

百子櫃Dried sea whelk slices· 40 g (1 tael)百子櫃Solomon's seal rhizome· 40 g (1 tael)百子櫃Ophiopogon tuber· 20 g百子櫃Dried Chinese yam· 40 g (1 tael)百子櫃Goji berry / wolfberry· 12 g街市Lean pork· 300 g… +2

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

Fritillaria and sea coconut soup with figs and lean porkNot yet surveyed (we say so honestly)

川貝海底椰無花果瘦肉湯

moistens the lungssoothes coughresolves phlegmAutumn

百子櫃Sea coconut slices· 40 g (1 tael)百子櫃Tendrilleaf fritillary bulb· 12 to 20 g (3 to 5 mace)百子櫃Dried fig· 4百子櫃Sweet apricot kernel· 40 g (1 tael) of sweet and bitter apricot kernels combined百子櫃Bitter apricot kernel· 40 g (1 tael) of sweet and bitter apricot kernels combined百子櫃Dried lily bulb· 40 g (1 tael)… +2

“The pot Ah Ma keeps for her night owls.”

Glehnia root, Solomon's seal, pear and snow fungus soup with pork ribsA$18–21

沙參玉竹雪梨雪耳排骨湯

nourishes yinmoistens the lungsrelieves drynessAutumnSpring

百子櫃Glehnia root· 40 g (1 tael)百子櫃Solomon's seal rhizome· 40 g (1 tael)街市Asian pear / snow pear· 2街市Apple· 1百子櫃Snow fungus· 20 g (5 mace)百子櫃Sweet apricot kernel· 20 g (5 mace)… +2

“The pot Ah Ma keeps for her night owls.”