For Back Pain, Try Dok-hwal (Aralia Cordata)! A Guide to the Joint Health Guardian for Middle Age

 Tired of nagging back and knee pain? Learn all about Aralia continentalis, a traditional herb that expels "Wind-Dampness" to protect joint health. Includes benefits, side effects, and uses.

Aralia Cordata

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1. What are the amazing benefits of Aralia Cordata (Dok-hwal)?
2. Precautions for Consuming Aralia Cordata (Are there any side effects?)
3. How Can We Use Aralia Cordata Healthily? (Usage Guide)
4. In Conclusion

Hello! I'm your health Blogger, here to support your vibrant middle years. Do you struggle with a creaky back when you wake up or aching knees when you climb the stairs? Joint pain can feel like an unwelcome guest that comes with age. 

This pain, which often worsens on rainy or gloomy days, can significantly lower your quality of life. Today, let's explore 'Aralia Cordata(Dok-hwal)' (獨活), a reliable medicinal herb that expels 'Wind-Dampness'—the root cause of this pervasive pain—and protects our joints.

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"Pain that seeps in like the wind, Aralia Cordata(Dok-hwal) blocks it from the root."

Aralia Cordata

What are the amazing benefits of Aralia Cordata (Dok-hwal)?

Aralia Cordata (Dok-hwal) is also known by its more familiar culinary name, 'Ttangdureup' (Land Aralia). The name Dok-hwal itself means "living alone," signifying its resilient life force. Its root, in particular, has been used in Traditional Korean Medicine for centuries as an important remedy for pain.

[Benefits Summary]

• Core Benefit: Alleviates back and knee pain by expelling "Wind-Dampness"
• Relaxes muscles and promotes blood circulation
• Powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects
• Aids in recovery from post-stroke symptoms and paralysis
  
  

• Expels Wind-Dampness (祛風濕), Stops Pain (止痛) This is the core function of Aralia Cordata(Dok-hwal). In traditional medicine, the primary cause of aching and throbbing joint pain is considered to be 'Wind' (風) and 'Dampness' (濕) invading the body from the outside.
  
  Aralia Cordata(Dok-hwal) excels at expelling this Wind-Dampness, addressing the root cause of the pain. This is why it is widely used to alleviate various musculoskeletal pains like lower back pain, sciatica, and knee arthritis.

• Muscle Relaxation and Blood Circulation When you're in pain, the surrounding muscles naturally tense up. Aralia Cordata helps to relax these stiff muscles and promotes blood circulation to the painful area, aiding recovery and relieving stiffness.

• Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Effects Modern pharmacological studies have also proven Aralia Cordata's efficacy. Extracts from Aralia continentalis have been found to inhibit inflammatory substances and reduce pain, suggesting it can have a positive impact on managing degenerative or rheumatoid arthritis.

• Alleviating Post-Stroke Symptoms The name 'Aralia Cordata' also implies "to stand up on one's own by fending off the wind (illness)." Because of this, it has historically been used as a key herb in treating after-effects of a stroke, such as hemiplegia, speech impediments, and joint stiffness.

Aralia Cordata

Precautions for Consuming Aralia Cordata (Are there any side effects?)

As a potent medicinal herb, it requires caution depending on your constitution and condition. Please review the following for safe use.

[Precautions Summary]

• Use with caution if you have a "Yin-Deficient" (陰虛) constitution.
• Excessive intake may cause headaches or nausea.
• It's best to consult a professional (like a TKM doctor) when using it as medicine.

• Caution for Yin-Deficient Constitutions Aralia Cordata (Dok-hwal) has a strong drying property due to its function of expelling dampness. Therefore, if someone with a "Yin-Deficient" constitution—characterized by a lack of bodily fluids, leading to symptoms like a dry cough, dry skin, or a tendency to feel hot—consumes it excessively, they may experience side effects like headaches, dizziness, or heart palpitations.

• Do Not Overdose Exceeding the recommended daily dosage can lead to indigestion or nausea. For best results, it is important to consume a moderate amount consistently.

• Consult a Professional If you plan to take the root (Dok-hwal) for medicinal purposes long-term, rather than just enjoying the young shoots (Ttangdureup) as food, it is essential to consult a Traditional Korean Medicine doctor to confirm if it suits your constitution and to determine the proper dosage.

Aralia Cordata

How Can We Use Aralia Cordata(Dok-hwal) Healthily? (Usage Guide)

Aralia Cordata (Dok-hwal) can be used in various ways, with its root for medicine and its young shoots for food.

• Aralia Cordata (Dok-hwal) Tea (Using the Medicinal Root)
1. Wash and prepare 20g of dried Aralia Cordata (Dok-hwal) root.
2. Place it in a kettle with 1.5 liters of water and bring to a boil over high heat.
3. Once boiling, reduce to a low simmer and let it decoct for 30-40 minutes.
4. Strain the solids and drink 2-3 warm cups throughout the day.
   
   

   

   Aralia Cordata Root

   
   
   
   

• Aralia Cordata (Dok-hwal) Infused Liquor (Using the Medicinal Root)
  • Place 300g of cleaned and dried Aralia Cordata (Dok-hwal) root in a large glass jar. Pour 1.8 liters of soju (at least 30% ABV) over it.
  • Seal the jar and let it mature in a cool, dark place for at least 3-6 months. Drink 1-2 small shot glasses daily.
    
    

    

    Dried Aralia Cordata Root

    
    
    
    
    
    

• Ttangdureup Side Dish/Pickle (Using the Edible Shoots)
  • The young shoots of Aralia Cordata(Dok-hwal) that sprout in early spring have a unique aroma and a pleasant bitterness.
  • You can blanch them lightly in boiling water and eat them with a gochujang-based sauce, or season them with soybean paste or soy sauce to make a 'namul' (seasoned side dish). Pickling them allows for long-term storage.

In Conclusion

Today, we've learned about Dok-hwal (Ttangdureup), a steadfast guardian for managing middle-aged back and joint pain. It's a remarkable herb that expels the Wind-Dampness causing pain and strengthens muscles and bones.

Don't resign yourself to living with chronic pain. While you can refer to the usage methods shared today, it's wise to first check if it suits your constitution. With consistent care and the help of Aralia Cordata (Dok-hwal), you may be able to enjoy a vibrant day without aches and pains, even when it rains.

References

• Donguibogam (Principles and Practice of Eastern Medicine)
• Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu)
• Journal of Ethnopharmacology, "Anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects of Aralia continentalis"

#AraliaContinentalis #DokHwal #BackPainRelief #KneePainRelief #ArthritisRelief #KoreanHerbs #JointHealth #NaturalPainRelief #HerbalRemedy #Ttangdureup