Embark on a Delicious Health Journey in Linqi

As the Chinese saying goes, "If you take tonics in autumn and winter, you will be strong enough to kill a tiger in the coming year." Naturally, the Linqi medicinal diet is a tonic not to be missed. Linqi’s herbs already nourish the town. How about embarking on a delicious health journey this autumn and winter in Linqi Town?

Linqi Town is in the northern part of Chun'an County. It is an ancient yet vibrant characteristic town. Founded during the Zhen'guan period of the Tang Dynasty, it is the only system town in the county that has not been flooded after the formation of the Xin'an River Reservoir. Located in a mountainous area at latitude 30 degrees north, Linqi has a long tradition of growing and selling traditional Chinese medicinal materials since ancient times. There are more than 400 kinds of common traditional Chinese medicinal materials in the town.

01Qiandao Lake Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine

The China Qiandao Lake Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is located in the core area of Linqi Town. It is currently the only museum in the county dedicated to TCM materials.

It is a multi-functional scientific, teaching and research base, integrating traditional Chinese medicine, specimens and classics, with a TCM museum and a Sanghuangporus exhibition hall. Here you can trace back the development process of "Xin'an Medicine"; you can learn the basic theory of Eight Principal Syndrome Differentiation of TCM; you can explore the medicinal properties and pharmacology of TCM's four properties and five tastes, as well as the ascending-descending-floating-sinking; and you can feel the unique charm of the authentic traditional Chinese medicinal materials "Six Chun’an Flavors" on the tip of your tongue…

02Li Shizhen Square

In the center of Li Shizhen Square is a statue of Li Shizhen's Materia Medica. Follow the Materia Medica engraved on the stone slips and look back at the time and effort spent by the "Medicine Sage" Li Shizhen in compiling the "Compendium of Materia Medica".

Li Shizhen went to various mountains in Sichuan Province to collect TCM specimens and prescriptions, referenced more than 800 books, corrected errors in ancient medical classics, and finally wrote the "Compendium of Materia Medica" after 30 years, which had a profound impact on the development of Chinese herbal medicine.

03Taste Medicinal Diet

Food therapy is based on food, which not only protects and strengthens the body, prevents and cures diseases, but also gives people spiritual and sensual enjoyment. Medicinal diet is a special form of therapeutic food that has gradually differentiated itself from dietary therapy in recent years. By appropriately adjusting the proportion of TCM materials and with the help of fine culinary skills, special dishes with certain healthcare effects and featuring a perfect combination of color, aroma and taste are then produced.

①Fish Head Stewed with Gastrodia Elata

The dish is prepared with organic fish from Qiandao Lake, the head of which is stewed for soup, and the flesh is made into snow-white fish balls, which are stuffed with minced gastrodia elata. Coupled with ingredients such as isinglass and bamboo fungus, it is stewed. The moment you lift the lid of the pot, you feel the freshness and sweetness. The delicacy from nature comes to you and makes it unforgettable.

②Chunwei Shiquan Healthy Hot Pot

Chunwei Shiquan Healthy Hot Pot uses chicken, tripe, fish, meat, cauliflower fungus and other ingredients and is paired with polygonatum sibiricum, dogwood, raspberry and other TCM materials. It is not only a delicious and fragrant delicacy, but also a nutritious medicinal dish.

③Sishen Soup

Sishen (Four Magic Ingredients) Soup is a famous spleen-strengthening food therapy recipe in TCM. The "Four Magic Ingredients" refer to poria, Chinese yam, lotus seeds, and gordon euryale (or Chinese pearl barley). These seemingly ordinary TCM materials, when combined to make soup, complement one another and offer many benefits, such as strengthening the spleen, removing dampness, nourishing the skin and reducing dryness.

④Stewed Pork Trotters with Polygonatum Sibiricum

Taking tonics in autumn and winter should mainly focus on "moistening dryness, strengthening the exterior, and replenishing qi". Jiuzhi Polygonatum Sibiricum is the first tonic choice for autumn. Pig trotters are also rich in collagen, which can be used to maintain beauty and keep young.

This delicacy, made from polygonatum sibiricum and pig trotters, is not only delicious, but also has the function of nourishing yin and promoting body fluid, strengthening the body, beautifying the skin, and strengthening the muscles and bones.