Herbal Chicken Soup with Tian Qi & Pao Shen 田七泡参炖鸡汤...

This soup together with Herbal Chicken Soup with Ginseng 人参炖鸡汤, Herbal Black Chicken Soup with Ginseng & Cordyces 人参虫草乌鸡汤 and Herbal Chicken Soup with Ling Zhi & Song Rong 灵芝松茸炖鸡汤, etc are complimentary medicinal soups... and are some usual tonics that I brew for my family fortnightly to help promote health and longevity. This one uses Tian Qi 田七 and Pao Shen 泡参 and it enhances heart functions and is generally a good prescription for folks especially ladies who are too weak to have tonic 是虚不受补的良方. Here’s the recipe...

The main ingredients are: chicken legs, Tian Qi 田七, Pao Shen 泡参, wolfberries 枸杞, red dates 红枣, ginger and Benedictine D•O•M 法国廊酒. Please see picture below for the main herbs used. p.s. you may ask to have Tian Qi and Pao Shen sliced when you buy them from a Chinese medical hall. You may replace the D•O•M with Yomeshu 养命酒 or rice wine 米酒.

Tian Qi 田七 or San Qi 三七 is a tonic of the blood and it stops bleeding and pain, relieves swelling, disperses bruises, generates new muscles and eliminates abdominal flatulence and swelling. It also shortens the time for blood clotting and increases platelet and treats bleeding and it is most suitable for women after labour. Tian Qi is also known to promote physical strength, improve functions of the heart and regulate blood pressure. Healthy people can also consume this herb regularly for prevention of coronary heart diseases and to maintain general health. More of its medical uses are given on these Chinese websites 百度百科 and 百度知道. Excerpts from the websites: 据明代李时珍《本草纲目》，田七味微甘而苦，颇 似人参之味，有’金不换’之称。清代赵学敏著《本草纲目拾贵》称：人参补气第一，三七补血第一，味同而功亦 等，故人称人参三七，为中药之最珍贵者。田七含六种皂甙和谷甾醇、胡萝卜甙、黄酮类化合物。皂甙对增强体力，改善心肌氧代谢 ，提高动物缺氧的耐受力很有作用。谷甾醇和胡萝卜甙能降血脂，而黄酮类化合物是扩张冠状动脉、改善心肌供血 、增加血管弹性的有效成分，因而常食田七，不仅对冠心病、心绞痛有显著疗效，而且对冠心病、心绞痛有预防功 能。无病的人服用后可起预防冠心病和滋补强壮作用。

In Stewed Bird’s Nest with Red Ginseng and Rock Sugar 红参冰糖炖燕窝, we've used red ginseng 红参; Red ginseng and Pao Shen 泡参 are types of ginseng 人参 and this Chinese article 人参的分类及对应人参功效新定义 gives info on the various types of Ginseng and their uses. Ginseng in general, is one of the most widely used herbal TCM and many studies have shown that the herb is able to reduce levels of stress in both men and women. In addition to its traditional role as stress fighter, it is also effective in reducing fatigue, increasing memory and even fighting off colds, flu and other infections. Ginseng is also one of the few herbs that have shown to be useful in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome. More on its medicinal uses and benefits can be found on this Chinese website 百度百科. Pao Shen has similar uses as Ginseng in benefiting Qi 益气 and promoting general health and strength; however, they differ in their natures - Pao Shen is cold in nature 性寒, promotes Yin and relieves “heatiness” 补气养阴，清火生津, whereas Ginseng is mild warm in nature 微温 and benefits Qi, Spleen and Lungs 大补元气，补脾益肺.

The preparations... clean chicken legs, remove skin and excess fats and drain. Rinse herbs with water a couple of times and set aside.

You may prepare the soup in 2 ways…
1. Place herbs and chicken legs in a slow cooker, add hot water and let it brew for around 3-4 hours... add in a tbsp of D•O•M 法国廊酒 and a little salt and pepper to taste and serve; or
2. Double boil (隔水炖) the herbal chicken soup for 2-3 hours, add in a tbsp of D•O•M and a little salt and pepper to taste and serve.

Hope you try this easy recipe and bring health and longevity to your family and loved ones... Cheers!