Yang Rou
Ovis aries Linnaeus / Capra hircus Linnaeus
☯ TCM Properties
Tonifies Deficiency and Strengthens the Body; Warms the Interior and Dispels Cold; Tonifies Kidney Yang; Nourishes Blood; Promotes Lactation; Strengthens the Spleen and Opens the Appetite
Botanical Description
Yang Rou refers to the flesh of the domestic sheep (Ovis aries) or domestic goat (Capra hircus), used as a tonic food-medicine in traditional Chinese dietary therapy. Both species are bovid ruminants long domesticated across Eurasia; sheep mutton and goat meat have been employed interchangeably in Chinese medicinal cookery since at least the Han dynasty. The lean red muscle tissue is the medicinal portion, typically simmered in long-cooked tonifying stews with herbs such as Dang Gui or Sheng Jiang. In TCM theory mutton is warm in nature, sweet in flavor, and tonifies Qi and Blood while warming the middle and lower jiao; it is the classic ingredient of Zhang Zhongjing’s Dang Gui Sheng Jiang Yang Rou Tang for postpartum cold-deficiency abdominal pain.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 3-9g | Daily | — | — | — |
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional Chinese Uses
Yang Rou (mutton or lamb) is recognized in Chinese medicine as a warm, sweet food-herb that fortifies Kidney Yang, warms the middle burner, and supplements Blood. It is used for constitutional weakness characterized by cold limbs, fatigue, post-illness deficiency, anemia, and reproductive weakness from deficiency cold. Its nourishing, warming properties make it a traditional tonic food consumed in autumn and winter, featuring in classical medicinal food recipes for Kidney Yang deficiency.
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.