玉竹的功效与作用
1、抗衰老。玉竹养阴润燥，生津止渴，保健抗衰。玉竹里的多糖、维他命A与烟酸，能够增强人体抗病能力，推迟衰老。
2、滋阴养气。玉竹补而不腻，不寒不燥，故有补益五脏，滋养气血，平补而润，兼除风热之功，玉竹味甘，多脂，柔润可食，长于养阴，主要作用于脾胃，故久服不伤脾胃。
3、润燥润肺。玉竹主治肺阴虚所致的干咳少痰，咽舌燥和温热病后期，或因高烧耗伤津液而出现的津少口渴，食欲不振，胃部不适等症。
4、治疗慢性胃炎。可用玉竹、山药、扁豆、川楝子各12克，沙参10克，石斛、百合花各10克，麦冬15克，白芍9克，每日一剂分两次，用于胃阴不足治疗。
5、美容护肤。玉竹味甘多脂，质柔而润，是一味养阴生津的良药。玉竹富含维生素A类物质和粘液质，维生素A有改善干裂、粗糙的皮肤状况，使之柔软润滑。从而起到美容护肤的作用。经现代医学研究证实，还有润泽皮肤，消散皮肤慢性炎症和治疗跌伤扭伤的功效。
6、补脑补力气。可用玉竹30g，黄精30g，决明子9g，川芎3g，水煎，温服。用于脑力不足、记忆力衰退、头晕头疼、疲倦懒言等。
7、增强身体免疫力。玉竹中有抗氧化作用的成分，可调节人体免疫力，抑制肿瘤的生长。常服玉竹可提高身体素质，远离各类疾病。
玉竹怎么吃才好
玉竹是一味中药材，可入药，也可作为养生品食用。当玉竹作为养生品食用时，多是与其他食材搭配熬成养生汤；也有不少人会将它做成茶叶泡茶饮用。
说到入药，玉竹可与多种药材搭配，治疗多种疾病，包括上火、热咳、小便不畅、肺气肿、心绞痛等。
常见的玉竹汤品有：沙参玉竹瘦肉汤、沙参玉竹乌鸡汤、玉竹鱼头豆腐汤、玉竹白果排骨汤等，搭配不同的食材，可熬制出多种风味的美汤。
而用玉竹制成的茶叶，在市面上我们也能购买得到，单独冲泡饮用也能收到很好的保健效果。
What is Polygonatum?
Polygonatum, also known as Solomon’s Seal, is a member of the Liliaceae family along with lilies, onions, and garlic. The rhizome, the fleshy extension of the underground root, is used medicinally.
What are the health benefits of Polygonatum?
Polygonatum is used to alleviate symptoms of menopause and diabetes. It aids digestion, improving absorption of nutrients into the blood and body fluids. Polygonatum contains glucokinin, which aids the body in fighting nutritional hyperglycemia and enables a diabetic to maintain consistent insulin levels throughout the day. In addition, it aids the lungs in expectorating mucus during cases of the common cold. One way polygonatum is used internally is by decocting it in wine to heal broken bones; externally, it is used as a powdered poultice for cuts or bruises. Topically, it is applied for acne and inflamed skin irritations.