Botanical Name: Rehmanniae Radix
Latin: Rehmannia
glutinosa
PinYin: Di Huang
Steamed
(“Prepared”) Rehmannia is said to be the “Kidney’s own food.” It is
renowned as a Kidney tonic herb and is found in many traditional and
modern formulations for longevity and rejuvenation. Traditionally it was
a very common lead herb in formulations to promote healthy aging and to
preserve one’s youth. It is a premium blood tonic and is said to benefit
sexual functions in men and women. Rehmannia is not a tonic herb when it
is consumed raw (un-cooked).
It must be
steamed in wine vapor to modulate its chemistry and action into that of
a “tonic.” The steamed variety is said to be warm in nature. Raw
(not-steamed) Rehmannia is also used in Chinese herbalism, but it is not
a tonic herb
— it is used remedially in formulations used to detoxify the body and to
promote the functions of the lymph glands. Both raw and prepared
Rehmannia are elite herbal substances, but must be carefully chosen.
