In daily life, many people eat snacks to satisfy their cravings during work or leisure time. However, if the snacks you eat are "Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) snacks," it's important to be mindful of moderation and适量 (shì liàng - appropriate amount).
Ejiao Jujubes: No more than 7 at a time
If you often visit supermarkets, you'll notice a particular type of jujube that is very popular, especially among women. The special feature of these jujubes is that they are made with Ejiao (donkey-hide gelatin). Since both Ejiao and red jujubes are known for nourishing the blood, and Ejiao also has the effects of strengthening the spleen and stomach, replenishing qi and calming the mind, and nourishing yin and moistening dryness, many female office workers keep a bag or two in their purses or offices as a nutritional snack.
Expert Opinion: People with a deficiency of qi (vital energy) or blood can benefit from eating Ejiao jujubes regularly, as it helps alleviate symptoms like mental fatigue, listlessness, and weak limbs.
However, eating too many jujubes, especially Ejiao jujubes, is not good for digestion and absorption. For those with stomach heat or indigestion, excessive consumption can easily lead to "internal heat" (上火 - shàng huǒ). Therefore, it's best not to eat more than 7 Ejiao jujubes at a time; moderation is key.
Guiling Jelly: Those with a cold stomach should eat less
Guiling jelly is a time-honored traditional health snack. Legend has it that it was originally a delicacy exclusively for the emperors of the Qing Dynasty.
Authentic Guiling jelly is primarily made from the precious Chinese soft-shelled turtle and Smilax glabra, and is refined with other medicinal herbs like Rehmannia root, dandelion, honeysuckle, and chrysanthemum. It has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, nourishing yin and tonifying the kidneys, eliminating acne, and moistening the intestines to promote bowel movements.
Therefore, it is very popular among young people and is also a favorite TCM health snack for some elderly friends.
Expert Opinion: Guiling jelly should not be eaten in excess. This is because it has the effect of clearing heat and expelling toxins, and its nature is on the cool side. Generally, people with a cold stomach or weak spleen and stomach should eat less. Some reports also suggest that the turtle shell can excite the uterus and promote blood circulation. From this perspective, pregnant women and those during their menstrual period should also avoid eating too much.
Mint Candy: Contraindicated for those with yin deficiency and blood dryness
Friends who often smoke usually carry some mint candy to relieve bad breath. Additionally, for office workers who need a mental boost, mint candy is a frequently consumed snack.
Expert Opinion: The mint in candy, commonly known as "silver grass," is widely used in medicines for expelling wind,防腐 (fáng fǔ - preventing spoilage), anti-inflammation, pain relief, relieving itching, and strengthening the stomach. Authentic mint candy contains a small amount of mint extract, which has effects such as expelling wind-heat, clearing the throat, promoting eruption of rashes and detoxification, soothing the liver and relieving depression, and stopping itching. It helps alleviate conditions like common cold with fever, headache, sore throat, anhidrosis (no sweating), wind-fire eye inflammation, urticaria (hives), itchy skin, hernia pain, diarrhea, and scrofula. However, it is contraindicated for those with yin deficiency and blood dryness, hyperactivity of liver yang, and those who sweat easily due to exterior deficiency.
Herbal Tea: Those with cold hands and feet should drink less
In winter, spicy hot pot and barbecue are very popular. To prevent "internal heat" (上火 - shàng huǒ), herbal tea with its heat-clearing properties naturally becomes the first choice of beverage for gatherings.
In addition, due to busy work, many friends have the habit of staying up late for overtime. After being a "night owl" for a long time, the "fire" (火 - huǒ, a concept in TCM referring to internal heat) in the body accumulates. At this point, herbal tea seems to become an emergency drink.
Expert Opinion: Herbal tea is ultimately a beverage with a relatively "strong" nature of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It cannot be drunk like water. Drinking too much or drinking it when it's not suitable for you can cause certain harm to your health.
Currently, the main ingredients of herbal tea on the market often include Chinese herbs like chrysanthemum, honeysuckle, Prunella vulgaris, and licorice. It has the effects of clearing heat and removing dampness, nourishing yin and reducing fire, and helps relieve symptoms like swollen gums, mouth ulcers, and constipation. However, people who often have cold hands and feet, a cold stomach, yang deficiency, or have loose stools should try to drink less herbal tea to avoid aggravating their existing symptoms.