Dingkun Dan
Dingkun Dan is a preparation used in traditional Chinese medicine. It was originally an imperial family secret. It is said that several of the women in Emperor Qianlong court suffered from menstrual problems so he ordered the Imperial Academy of Medicine to find a cure. The royal physicians combined 28 different ingredients that were known to improve women’s health.[1][dead link]
The most famous royal to use Dingkun Dan was the Empress Dowager Cixi who was known to suffer from menstrual issues. Although she was the Xianfeng Emperor’s favorite concubine she had difficulties getting pregnant. In the sixth year she finally gave birth to her only son. Experts believe that according to Qing Dynasty records, the reason she had difficulty conceiving was because she suffered from a gynecological disease.[1]
It is said that when she traveled to Taigu, Shanxi in 1900 when she was on the run she had a flair up.[2] After taking Dingkun Dan she was cured and felt so grateful she had a plaque created in her handwriting praising Dingkun Dan.
Ingredients[edit]
Traditional methods and ingredients are still used in the production of Dingkun Dan:
Carbonized ginger[edit]
In accordance with ancient traditions, the carbonized ginger (姜炭) used in Dingkun Dan is precisely created to ensure effectiveness. If it is cooked too long it will turn into coal and the medicinal properties will be altered and it will not be able to warm the blood. The carbonized ginger pot is an ancient vessel made from carbonized ginger that is used during the production of some traditional Chinese medicine. It is created by placing dried ginger inside of two clay pots, wrapping them in metal wire and then coating them in special soil and mud. It is then put into a hot kiln where it is cooked for 24 hours so the ginger maintains its shape, carbonizes and doesn’t turn to ash.
Shanxi vinegar[edit]
Shanxi vinegar (山西陈醋) is made in Shanxi Province. The vinegar is placed in the sun for 3 years to increase its potency. By the time is it ready for use, 20 kilograms of vinegar have evaporated down to 1 kilogram. The aromatic fragrance is the result of the addition of corydalis, bupleurum and other raw materials. Vinegar enhances the effects of certain ingredients in the medicine and enhances liver function. [3][4]
Bai Da Chui[edit]
Bai Da Chui (打百锤) can be literally translated to mean “pounded 100 times”. This is a special process that incorporates medicine that has been made into powder with honey.
Chuan Bai Ri[edit]
Chuan Bai Ri (圈百日) which means “Circle for 100 days” is when the medicine is placed in a porcelain container for 100 days so that the moisture may be evenly distributed.
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "National Treasure Files-Dingkun Dan". Tencent. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
- ↑ "Cixi, Empress Dowager of Qing China". thoughtco.com. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
- ↑ "Sour Story - Shanxi Mature Vinegar". english.cri.cn. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
- ↑ "The Use of Vinegar in Chinese Medicine". anaturalcure.com. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
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