We often say that people tend to lose weight after the "bitter summer," so it's time to nourish the body in autumn. Strictly speaking, every season has its own way of nourishment. Unlike the "warming nourishment" emphasized in spring and the "clearing nourishment" preferred in summer, autumn is about "moistening nourishment," and the most suitable food for this is Chinese yam.
Not only does Chinese yam have the reputation of "food of the immortals," but it also serves both as food and medicine. It is a traditional Chinese medicine itself and an important ingredient often used in medicinal cuisine.
Hawthorn Jelly with Honeyed Yam
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, eating yam in autumn has many benefits, such as nourishing the kidneys and essence, strengthening the spleen and stomach, and moistening the lungs to relieve coughs. This is because yam contains active substances like amylase and polyphenol oxidase that help promote digestion and absorption by the spleen and stomach. It is also rich in various proteases that can prevent blood lipids from depositing on blood vessel walls and forming thrombi, thus playing a significant role in preventing cardiovascular diseases. For the elderly, consuming yam for nourishment is particularly beneficial and is said to promote longevity.
There are many ways to eat yam. It can be steamed, stir-fried, or used in soups. For example, adding goji berries to make a goji berry and yam porridge allows the two ingredients to complement each other, enhancing their overall nourishing effects.