As snacks for leisure time, they should not be overconsumed in the first place. Snacks containing traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) ingredients require even more caution: E-jiao jujubes nourish yin and enrich the blood, so those with stomach heat or indigestion should eat them sparingly; Guilinggao clears heat and expels toxins, so those with a cold stomach, pregnant women, and women during their menstrual period should eat it sparingly; Liangcha (herbal tea) drinks remove dampness and reduce internal heat, so people with a cold body constitution or yang deficiency should drink it sparingly. As people pay more attention to health preservation, many snacks have become associated with TCM ingredients that have health benefits, such as E-jiao jujubes, Guilinggao, Liangcha drinks, Poria cakes, mint candies, etc. With their appealing taste, nutritional value, and packaging, these snacks are very popular among consumers.
E-jiao jujubes nourish yin and enrich the blood, so those with stomach heat or indigestion should eat them sparingly
In supermarkets, there is a type of jujube that is particularly popular, especially among women. What makes these jujubes special is that they are paired with E-jiao. Since both E-jiao and red jujubes have the effect of nourishing the blood, and E-jiao in particular can tonify the spleen and stomach, replenish qi and calm the mind, and nourish yin and moisten dryness, many office ladies keep a bag or two in their purse or office to eat as a nutritional snack. Experts point out that for people with a qi or blood deficiency constitution, regularly eating E-jiao jujubes can be beneficial, helping to improve symptoms like listlessness and fatigue in the limbs. However, although jujubes are good, you should not eat too many, especially E-jiao jujubes. Eating too many is not good for digestion and absorption. If you have stomach heat or indigestion, eating too many of these rich and greasy snacks can hinder stomach function, affect your appetite, and over time, can easily lead to internal heat. Therefore, it is best not to eat more than 7 E-jiao jujubes at a time.
Guilinggao clears heat and expels toxins, so those with a cold stomach, pregnant women, and women during their menstrual period should eat it sparingly
Guilinggao is a traditional health snack with a long history, and legend has it that it was originally a special delicacy for the emperor in the Qing court. Authentic Guilinggao is mainly made from precious ingredients like the snail-shell turtle and Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma, and is refined with other medicinal herbs such as Rehmannia root, dandelion, honeysuckle, and chrysanthemum. It has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, nourishing yin and tonifying the kidneys, eliminating acne, and moisturizing the intestines to promote bowel movements. Guilinggao is very popular among young people and is also one of the favorite TCM health snacks for some elderly friends.
Some office workers are busy with work all day, especially those who have sedentary jobs. They lack exercise and their diet is often not scientifically managed, which can easily lead to symptoms like a dry mouth, irritability, and constipation. For friends who are concerned about their appearance, the most distressing thing is that it can also cause "face problems" like acne. This type of person is more suitable for eating Guilinggao, but generally eating two or three boxes a week is enough; it should not be eaten excessively.
Experts explain that precisely because Guilinggao has the effect of clearing heat and expelling toxins, it is rather cooling in nature. Therefore, people with a cold stomach or a weak spleen and stomach should eat it sparingly. Some reports say that the tortoise shell in Guilinggao can stimulate the uterus and promote blood circulation, so pregnant women and women during their menstrual period should also avoid eating too much of it.
Liangcha drinks remove dampness and reduce internal heat, so people with a cold body constitution or yang deficiency should drink it sparingly
In ancient times, Liangcha (herbal tea) was generally a popular summer drink for relieving summer heat, but now it has almost become a year-round TCM health beverage. Why? This is mainly related to people's eating habits and changes in their body constitution. For example, many friends like to eat spicy and grilled foods but are afraid of getting "internal heat." What should they do? Naturally, Liangcha, which has the effect of reducing heat, becomes their first choice of drink for gatherings. In addition, due to busy work, many friends have the habit of staying up late to work overtime. After being a "night owl" for a long time, there is more "internal heat" in the body. At this time, Liangcha seems to become an emergency drink.
However, Liangcha is ultimately a tea beverage with a relatively "strong" TCM nature and cannot be used as drinking water. Drinking too much of it, or drinking it if it's not suitable for you, can cause certain damage to your health. Experts explain that the main ingredients of Liangcha on the market today often contain Chinese medicinal herbs such as chrysanthemum, honeysuckle, Prunella spike, and licorice. It has the effects of clearing heat and removing dampness, and nourishing yin to reduce internal heat, which can help relieve symptoms like swollen gums, mouth sores, and dry stools. However, people who often have cold hands and feet, a cold stomach, yang deficiency, or frequently loose stools should try to drink less Liangcha to avoid aggravating their existing symptoms.