Lotus seed

With the recent spell of high temperatures, the air has become stiflingly hot. Have you turned on your electric fan or perhaps the air conditioner to cool off in this sultry weather? The humid climate brought about by such heat can lead to an accumulation of dampness within the body. When dampness accumulates in the body, it can cause a lack of appetite and other issues. Excessive dampness can also lead to digestive problems, which are typically addressed through dietary adjustments. Chenpi is particularly helpful for those suffering from poor digestion and loss of appetite. The Benefits of Chenpi Chenpi is a type of Chinese medicinal herb that has a pungent and slightly bitter taste and is warm in nature. It can effectively dry dampness and transform phlegm, helping to remove excess dampness from the body. It is known for its ability to regulate qi and relieve pain, as well as to strengthen the spleen and harmonize the middle energizer. These properties make it useful for improving spleen and stomach weakness. For those who frequently consume greasy or cold foods or live in cold and damp environments, leading to excessive dampness in the body, chenpi can help regulate the spleen…

The four types of pots—Lotus Seed, Drum Imitation, Duetsphere, and Duet—are very similar and often confused. Let's clarify these four pot styles: As shown above, the Drum Imitation is generally the shortest among these four pots, with a handle that may have an inverted ear (a small ear-like protrusion at the end). The Lotus Seed pot is slightly taller than the Drum Imitation and also has an inverted ear on its handle. The Duetsphere pot is the tallest of the four, and its handle does not have an ear-like protrusion. The bottoms of the first three pots—Drum Imitation, Lotus Seed, and Duetsphere—are all fitted with a false bottom; looking straight down, there is no visible "foot," as the body curves directly to the bottom. The last style, the Duet pot, easily reveals its bottom, which features a "line" or "foot." This makes it relatively easy to distinguish. Its handle also lacks an ear-like protrusion. Lotus Seed The "Lotus Seed" pot shape consists of circles stacked from small to large, symbolizing the Chinese traditional meaning of "successive generations of noble offspring." Ancestral customs often use homophones for auspiciousness. The basic characteristics of the Lotus Seed pot are: overall fullness, broad shoulders…

In previous articles, we've expressed some viewpoints: slipcast and wheel-thrown pots, in a strict sense, do not qualify as genuine purple clay teapots. This is because the most important characteristic of purple clay is its sandy texture and breathability, which fundamentally distinguishes it from other ceramics and glassware when used for brewing tea. Slipcast and wheel-thrown pots lack these properties, as they are made from slurries with over 200 mesh fineness and added glass water, losing the breathability that characterizes genuine purple clay teapots. These two types are typical examples of fake purple clay, and yet many people still buy slipcast or wheel-thrown purple clay teapots today. The fundamental reason is that they have seen too little of the real clay. Due to their high mesh fineness, slipcast and wheel-thrown pots have very smooth surfaces without any sandy texture. In contrast, the texture of original mine clay has noticeable granules, appearing rough but actually being smooth and warm. Details of Original Mine Purple Clay Let's take a look at some details of original mine clay today to appreciate authentic purple clay. Texture Details of Gu Jingzhou's Lotus Seed Teapot with Cow Cover Texture Details of Gu Jingzhou's Bamboo Drum Teapot…