🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Autumn tonification is also very important. Firstly, during the hot summer months, people's physical and mental energy are greatly depleted, making their bodies relatively weak. Secondly, autumn weather is dry, easily damaging the body's yin fluids. Therefore, attention should still be paid to tonification in autumn, with the basic principle being moistening and nourishing, avoiding depletion. Thus, "nourish yin in autumn and winter." Commonly used tonics include:
American ginseng: Also known as Panax quinquefolius, mainly produced in the United States and Canada. When transplanted into China, it is called "seed ginseng" or "seed American ginseng." The root is used medicinally and is a precious herb. Traditional Chinese medicine considers American ginseng to have a sweet, slightly bitter, and cool nature, entering the Heart, Lung, and Kidney meridians. Its function is to tonify qi and nourish yin, clear heat, and generate body fluids, making it an excellent choice for mild tonification. Since the Qing Dynasty, numerous medical texts have recorded its use, such as "Bencao Congxin," which states: "Tonifies the lungs, reduces fire, generates body fluids, relieves irritability and fatigue; suitable for those with deficiency and internal heat." Another source, "Bencao Congxin," notes that American ginseng "consolidates essence and calms the spirit." Modern pharmacological reference, "Zhong Yao Da Cidian," describes this herb as "benefiting lung yin and clearing lung fire."
From the above, the main functions of American ginseng are twofold: first, it can treat symptoms caused by qi and yin deficiency, such as shortness of breath, dry mouth and thirst, and fatigue, or lung yin deficiency symptoms like dry throat, hoarseness, and dry cough, due to its ability to tonify qi and nourish yin; second, it can be used for chronic low-grade fever in yin deficiency, persistent afternoon fevers, long-term coughing, hemoptysis, and scanty phlegm. It is also effective for conditions arising from qi and yin damage due to high fever, such as shortness of breath, fatigue, thirst, and weak pulse, because it nourishes yin and clears heat. Additionally, it should be noted that American ginseng has a cooling nature and is nourishing. Those who cannot tolerate the warmth of ginseng may use it instead, especially in autumn, when it is considered the best time to consume American ginseng.
Adenophora stricta (Northern Adenophora): There are southern and northern varieties, both having similar effects in clearing and nourishing the lungs and stomach. Northern Adenophora is sweet, bitter, bland, and cool, with strong yin-nourishing properties; Southern Adenophora is sweet, slightly bitter, and cool, with effects similar to Northern but slightly weaker.
Adenophora is a tonic for clearing and nourishing health. It is commonly used for tonification and health maintenance. For example, "Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing" records: "Nourishes the middle energizer and benefits qi"; "Ming Yi Bie Lu" states: "Stabilizes the five zang organs; long-term use benefits the body... promotes muscle growth." "Zhong Yao Da Cidian" summarizes Adenophora’s health benefits as "nourishing yin and clearing the lungs." Thus, it is frequently used for conditions of lung and stomach yin deficiency. In clinical practice, Adenophora is typically decocted and taken orally, 10–15 grams per dose.
Euryale ferox (Ginkgo nut): Also known as "chicken head rice," it is the mature seed of the water lily family plant Euryale ferox. Commonly oval-shaped, about the size of a cowpea, white and clean, easy to cook soft. Taste is sweet and astringent, nature is neutral. It has functions of strengthening the spleen and stomach, benefiting the kidneys, and consolidating essence. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that Euryale ferox helps delay aging and is particularly beneficial for the spleen and stomach. As stated in "Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing": "Nourishes the middle energizer... benefits essence and qi, strengthens willpower, makes ears and eyes sharp, long-term use lightens the body, prevents hunger, and delays aging." Modern research shows that Euryale ferox contains abundant sugars, proteins, fats, various vitamins, and trace elements, all of which play crucial roles in maintaining human health, confirming its status as an excellent health tonic. The great Song dynasty scholar Su Dongpo remained physically robust, had rosy complexion, and sharp intellect in old age. According to his own account, this was primarily due to consuming boiled Euryale ferox daily for decades, resulting in strong legs and powerful walking ability. The reason for recommending consumption of Euryale ferox in autumn lies in its ability to restore spleen and stomach function weakened by the summer heat. Once the spleen and stomach are strengthened, one can better tolerate more tonifying supplements or hard-to-digest tonics, thus benefiting the body without harm.
Polygonatum odoratum (Jade Bamboo): Sweet taste, neutral nature, functions to nourish yin and moisten the lungs, benefit the stomach, and generate body fluids—ideal for nourishing yin and generating fluids. This herb works effectively even when used alone; for instance, "Wai Tai Mi Yao" recommends boiling 150 grams of Jade Bamboo and drinking the juice to treat symptoms of yin deficiency with fever, dry mouth, and short,涩 urine.
Asparagus cochinchinensis (Tian Dong): Sweet and bitter taste, cold nature, functions to clear the lungs, reduce fire, nourish yin, and moisten dryness. "Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing" says: "Long-term use lightens the body, benefits qi, and prolongs life." "Ri Hua Zi Ben Cao" states: "Moistens the five zang organs, benefits skin and muscles, improves complexion, and treats five labors and seven injuries." This also indicates Tian Dong’s role in moisturizing skin and enhancing appearance, promoting health and longevity. Tian Dong is effective even when used alone; for example, "Yin Shan Zheng Chang" describes Tian Men Dong Gao—a paste made by crushing fresh Tian Dong and boiling it down—taken at one tablespoon each morning and evening on an empty stomach with warm wine, producing benefits of invigorating qi and prolonging life over time. Modern research shows that Tian Dong root contains asparagine (aspartic amide), mucilage, β-sitosterol, and 5-methoxy-2-furaldehyde, with bitter components being steroidal saponins. Pharmacologically, it exhibits antibacterial and antitumor effects.
Besides these herbs suitable for autumn tonification, certain Chinese patent medicines can also be consumed, including the following:
Huangjing Tangjiang: Main ingredients are Huangjing (Polygonatum), Coix seed, and Southern Adenophora. Function: tonifies the spleen, nourishes the lungs, generates fluids, strengthens the kidneys, and benefits the stomach. Effective for lung deficiency cough, spleen-kidney weakness with frequent lower back and knee soreness, and general fatigue. Take three times daily, 20 ml each time.
Fufang Fengru: Mainly composed of Tai Zi Shen, Dang Shen, Zhi Shou Wu, Goji berries, Mai Dong, and Dang Gui. An excellent nutritional tonic, it functions to tonify qi and blood, nourish yin and moisten the lungs, benefit the liver and strengthen the kidneys, and stimulate appetite. Indicated for qi deficiency and blood deficiency, pulmonary tuberculosis with cough, insufficient body fluids, lung-kidney deficiency, and conditions such as general weakness, poor appetite, neurasthenia, chronic hepatitis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Take 5 ml every morning on an empty stomach, mixed with warm water. Each milliliter contains 40 mg fresh royal jelly.
Xue Ha Shen Jing: Contains 30% snow frog, 50% ginseng, and 20% ginseng syrup. This product selects the essence of premium ginseng from Jilin’s Changbai Mountains, combined with the rare winter-hibernating, summer-active frog oil, refined using modern scientific extraction methods into a high-grade tonic oral liquid. Functions: nourish the lungs, tonify deficiency, enrich blood, improve complexion, increase muscle mass, and promote development. Indicated for neurasthenia, post-illness weakness, lung deficiency cough, general debility, and blood qi imbalance. Take one ampule (10 ml) upon waking and before bedtime.
Fufang Taidan Pian: Main ingredients include placenta powder (16 liang), Dang Shen and Huang Qi (each 200 grams), Chen Pi and Mai Ya (each 50 grams). Function: tonifies qi and blood. Suitable for symptoms such as blood deficiency dizziness and fatigue. Take three times daily, four tablets each time, with warm water.
Ren Shen Jian Pi Wan: Mainly composed of Dang Shen, Bai Zhu, Chen Pi, Mai Ya (each 100 grams), Zhi Shi, Liu Qu (each 150 grams), and Shan Zha (1.5 liang). Function: strengthens the spleen and aids digestion. Indicated for indigestion, fullness, bloating, and lack of appetite due to spleen-stomach weakness. Take twice daily, 15 grams each time, with warm water.
Sheng Mai Yin: Mainly composed of Ren Shen, Mai Dong, and Wu Wei Zi. Function: tonifies qi and generates fluids, treating symptoms such as fatigue, excessive sweating, shortness of breath, palpitations, dry mouth, and asthma due to qi deficiency and fluid injury. Oral ampoule form, 10 ml per ampoule, take three times daily.
Yu Ling Gao: Made from 30 grams dragon fruit meat, 3 grams American ginseng, and 3 grams sugar placed in a porcelain bowl and steamed into a paste. Function: greatly tonifies qi and blood, surpassing ginseng and astragalus. Suitable for all with heart-spleen deficiency, qi-blood insufficiency, and general weakness. Take one spoonful with warm water.
All the above patent medicines can be selected in autumn to eliminate the invasion of dry-heat pathogens on the body. Even if no symptoms of dryness or tongue dryness are present, small amounts may still be used. However, since most yin-nourishing herbs are thick and greasy, those with weak spleen-stomach function should first regulate their digestive system.