Dendrobium (Shi Hu) - A Traditional Yin Jing & Kidney Tonic

Pharmaceutical / Botanical name: Dendrobium nobile, D. officinale, D. candidum

Treasures: Yin Jing

Taste: Sweet and salty

Organ associations: Kidneys, Lungs and stomach - Also helps nourish skin

Contraindication: Traditionally considered gentle for long-term use; consult your practitioner if pregnant, nursing or on medication. Use caution if your prone or sensitive to "damp" conditions.

Dendrobium is a type of orchid… Its been used for thousands of years in Traditional Chinese medicine as a Tonic Herb. It was used by Taoist Masters to promote longevity, replenish the raw life force “essence” (yin jing).

For this reason it is used in a popular formula called “healers tea” and “honeymooner’s tea”. It is one of the 50 fundamental herbs in Chinese Medicine. It is the First Taoist Celestial Herb. This means it has profound spiritual benefits, helping practitioners to connect with the heavens.

Traditionally used in Chinese medicine as a Yin tonic to moisten and nourish the lungs, stomach and skin. It is also traditionally said to brighten the spirits.

The Benefits of Dendrobium include:

• Replenishing spent yin jing
• Kidney tonic
• Lung tonic
• Stomach tonic
• Traditionally used to moisten the skin
• Adaptogenic qualities
• Traditional longevity herb

The True power of Dendrobium was discovered by the Taoist sages (the Immortals). They were the masters of longevity, as they lived extraordinarily long lives (some were reported to be hundreds of years old). This longevity in part was due to the power of tonic herbs. Their true mastery was that of liberation & enlightenment.

The Taoist discovered that dendrobium replenishes spent “yin jing.” This is the most precious substance for longevity and overall health. It is stored in the kidneys, thus dendrobium is known as a potent kidney tonic. This is the same essence that is “spent” when we are on a path of service. This is why dendrobium is one of the primary ingredients in our Restored Essence (“Healer’s Tea”).

In Taoist texts, Dendrobium is called the fastest Jing restorative. This herb is a MUST for healers, caregivers, empaths and those that “give too much” of themselves…

It is also known to nourish the saliva, which in Taoism is considered the “precious fluid”. A powerful taoist meditation is to slowly move the tongue in circles in the mouth. Once saliva is produced, you can charge it with Qi, intention, and awareness. When swallowed, it is said to nourish your whole body with whatever you “charge” it with.

Another example that makes dendrobium a popular herb in China, is that it is traditionally treasured as a beauty tonic!! It is traditionally used to moisten the skin, for a natural “glow”.

In other parts of Asia, especially Thailand, Dendrobium is actually used in cooking. It is often fried and eat liken a “chip”. It is also added to soups and stews for flavour and to promote health. In fact in much of Asia and China, tonic herbs like dendrobium, goji, reishi and ginseng are used in cooking. They were traditional ingredients in broth, to help build vitality and health.

As with most herbs, quality is everything. Not all dendrobium is going to yield the same results. Generally, the price reflects the quality. With this herb it is important to pay the premium so you can get the best results!

The best dendrobium is sold as small wound-up balls. This is a wild variety that is very potent. The most common but still potent variety is found as gold stems and leaves. They should be pulpy and slightly moist. If they are dry or brittle, don’t bother buying them!

Technically, “true” dendrobium is the wild variety. It is called Shi Hu, or “True Shi Hu”. The more common variety is You Hua Shi Hu. It is illegal to wild craft Shi Hu due to its risk of becoming endangered. That being said, the best quality dendrobium is cultivated Shi Hu.

Our Restored Essence is packed with the highest quality 10:1 Di Tao organic dendrobium extract. If you want the full benefits of dendrobium this is a great place to start!