AKA: huáng qí (“yellow leader” in Chinese)
Family ties: related to other medicinal legumes.
Origins: Used for over 2,000 years as a prestigious foundational herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a tonic to boost stamina, protect the liver, and stimulate the immune system.
Popularity: Sought out to help with seasonal allergies and to help fight bacteria and viruses.
Reputation: known as the “young person’s ginseng” for energizing, but attracting lots of attention as an adaptogen used to normalize the body’s complex systems.
Best feature: Roots, which atypically harvested after 4 years, then dried and shredded or sliced diagonally to look a bit like the reeds of a wind instrument.
Vibe: Sweet2, nourishing, protective.
Walk on Song: Lizzo “Juice”.