Chinese Medicine: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 552: Chapter 552: Kudzu Root

The hangover-curing properties of kudzu root were recorded long ago in the *Compendium of Materia Medica*: "Kudzu root: primarily treats excessive thirst, high fever, vomiting, all forms of stiffness, replenishes yin qi, and detoxifies the body."

Modern pharmacological research has also shown that the isoflavones in kudzu root can lower the concentration of ethanol in the blood.

There’s also a little story behind its name.

Legend has it that during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the physician Ge Hong was leading his disciples in refining elixirs on Baopu Peak of Mount Mao. Two of his disciples fell ill from elixir poisoning, showing symptoms such as restlessness, feverish thirst, bad breath, and toothaches.

Ge Hong tried treating them with many medicinal herbs, but none were very effective.

One night, Ge Hong dreamed that the Three Pure Ones instructed him that there was a green vine on the mountain with a thick root, purple on the outside and white on the inside. A white liquid could be extracted from it that could clear heat, detoxify, relieve dryness, and eliminate rashes.

After Ge Hong woke up, he went up the mountain, found that green vine, sliced its root, and squeezed out the sap for his disciples to drink. They quickly recovered.

Because Ge Hong discovered this green vine, people named it "Ge" to commemorate him, and its root became known as "Ge’s root."

As for Pearl, it’s not just a prized beauty product, but also an excellent hangover remedy.

An old saying goes: "Taking 1-1.5 grams of Pearl Powder before drinking can prevent intoxication, and taking it after drinking can cure the hangover and clear the mind."

However, just like most traditional Chinese medicinal ingredients, although they are effective in theory, the actual results often vary from person to person and are slow to take effect.

For example, isatis root can clear heat and detoxify, but if you really have a cold with a fever of 39 degrees, just drinking isatis root tea definitely won’t cut it. You’ll need a fast-acting Western medicine like Ibuprofen.

By the same logic, the so-called kudzu root hangover teas on the market might be somewhat useful for mild intoxication, but if you’re truly dead drunk with a splitting headache, they’re just a placebo. You’ll still feel just as awful.

But...

Li Xu’s eyes lit up.

’Based on past experience, the information the system gave me is never that simple.’

’Those seemingly ordinary combinations of herbs often concealed an astonishing "chemical reaction."’

It was just like last year, when Professor Wang Tao’s team developed the "Clearing Qi and Stabilizing Blood Formula." They used just five common Chinese herbs to solve the global medical challenge of tick-borne poisoning.

’Could this "Kudzu Pearl Tea" have some kind of miraculous effect?’

At this thought, Li Xu was eager to give it a try.

After breakfast, he immediately ducked into the dispensary.

For the kudzu root, he chose wild, aged roots, sliced and sun-dried, with a clear texture and a high starch content.

For the Pearl, he naturally used the "leftovers" he had brought back from the Philippine Sea.

Although they weren’t quite good enough for jewelry, when ground into powder for medicine, they were the absolute best of the best, having absorbed the essence of the sun and moon in the deep sea.

He added supplementary ingredients like Persimmon Seed and Dried Tangerine Peel, then finally seasoned it with high-quality acacia honey.

Following the special process from the intel, he first decocted, then steeped, then mixed in the Pearl Powder...

After a series of steps, a pot of pale yellow tea was ready, emitting an elegant medicinal and honeyed aroma.

Li Xu poured a cup and took a sip.

The texture was smooth, with a slight sweet aftertaste and a hint of the unique coolness of kudzu root.

"Tastes pretty good."

Li Xu nodded. "I wonder how effective it is."

He hadn’t been drinking, so naturally, he couldn’t test its hangover-curing effect.

’Should I have a drink now to test it?’

Li Xu shook his head.

’It’s the middle of the day, and I still have to see patients. How could I show up reeking of alcohol?’

’But then I remembered the dinner party tonight. There will definitely be drinking involved.’

’Perfect. I’ll test it tonight.’

Li Xu found a large 2-liter mineral water bottle and poured the prepared Kudzu Pearl Tea into it, filling it to the brim.

...

The busy day passed quickly.

As evening fell and the sun began to set, Li Xu packed up his things and said to Song Sisi, who was organizing herbs, "Sisi, come to dinner with me tonight? Hu Qiming is treating. It’s at the Feng City Restaurant."

Song Sisi shook her head. "You go ahead, I’ll skip it. Xiao Yu just asked me to go check out the floor plans and amenities of a new property development. She said she has a friend in real estate who can get us some inside information."

Li Xu’s heart warmed at her words.

’This girl... she’s more invested in this house-hunting than I am.’

"Alright, then you do your research and vet it carefully. We’ll go together to finalize it later," Li Xu said with a smile.

"Mhm."

Song Sisi nodded, her eyes full of anticipation.

Li Xu, carrying the large mineral water bottle full of pale yellow Kudzu Pearl Tea, took a taxi to the Feng City Restaurant.

He pushed open the door to the private room. Hu Qiming, Miaoli, Jiang Peng, Li Baojie, and the others had already arrived and were chatting animatedly.

"Well, well, if it isn’t the great Doctor Li!"

Everyone stood to greet him, the atmosphere immediately becoming lively.

Miaoli, with her sharp eyes, immediately spotted the large bottle in Li Xu’s hand. "Whoa, Doctor Li, you’re so refined!" she exclaimed in surprise. "Bringing your own drink to a restaurant? You think their tea isn’t good enough?"

Jiang Peng also leaned in for a look and shook his head. "This color doesn’t look like normal tea to me. Could it be some fine liquor?"

Li Xu placed the bottle on the table and gave a mysterious smile. "It’s not liquor, and it’s not ordinary water. As for what it is, I’m keeping it a secret for now. You’ll find out after we have a few drinks."

No one thought much of it, assuming it was some kind of health tea or something.

After all, he was a TCM doctor, so it was normal for him to have some health-conscious habits.

Soon, the dishes were all served, filling the large table with an array of hearty dishes.

Li Baojie, as the "alcohol commander," skillfully opened a bottle of baijiu and filled the glass in front of everyone to the brim.

Miaoli looked at Hu Qiming with a mischievous grin. "Hu Qiming, you still dare to drink today? Don’t get caught by the police again, or that’ll be your second time in the slammer."

The group roared with laughter.

Hu Qiming’s face turned red, and he immediately thumped his chest loudly. "Why wouldn’t I dare? I took a taxi here today, and I’m in a great mood tonight, so we’re drinking until we drop! Whoever chickens out is a chicken!"

"Alright, that’s the spirit!"

Everyone raised their glasses and clinked them together.

"Cheers! To Old Hu getting his permanent position!"

Li Xu also raised his glass, but he didn’t rush to drink. Instead, he first poured himself a glass of "Kudzu Pearl Tea" and drank it all in one go.

The intel stated that the tea had a dual effect:

First, drinking it before alcohol can form a protective layer on the stomach lining, activate the liver’s alcohol-degrading enzymes, accelerate the breakdown of alcohol, and make a person less likely to get drunk—the so-called "drink a thousand cups without getting drunk" buff.

Second, drinking it after alcohol can quickly metabolize the residual acetaldehyde in the body, alleviate hangover symptoms like headaches and nausea, and help a person sober up quickly.

Li Xu decided to give himself this buff first to see if it was really that miraculous.

As the tea entered his stomach, a warm current instantly spread through him, and his stomach felt pleasantly warm and comfortable.

"Drink up!"

Li Xu didn’t hesitate, tilting his head back and downing the liquor in his glass.

The spicy baijiu went down his throat, but strangely, the burning sensation wasn’t as strong as usual. Instead, it felt as if it were enveloped by a warm, gentle membrane, becoming much milder.

"Huh?"

Li Xu’s interest was piqued. "Interesting."

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