Spring has arrived, just having woken from hibernation, we've fallen into the vortex of spring drowsiness, highlighting one theme—drowsiness. In fact, the cause of spring drowsiness is the warming climate, which causes capillaries to dilate, leading to a relatively reduced blood supply to the brain and internal organs compared to winter. The body hasn't adjusted yet. Additionally, spring often involves staying up late and waking early, and the reduced sleep can always be hard to adapt to. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, spring is the season when Yang gradually flourishes. Our daily lives should also follow this natural rhythm, allowing the body's Yang to rise to the surface, thus resolving spring drowsiness. So, let's introduce which foods can help you fight off lethargy.
Braised Spring Bamboo Shoots
1. Chives. This is the "number one vegetable of spring"! The "Compendium of Materia Medica" mentioned long ago: "In the first lunar month, it's onions; in the second, it's chives." Of course, the Compendium follows the lunar calendar. In spring, the body's liver Qi tends to become excessive, which can affect the digestive and absorption functions of the spleen and stomach. The focus of spring wellness is on nourishing the liver. Eating more chives at this time can strengthen the spleen and stomach Qi and enhance liver function. After a harsh winter of "storing energy," the roots and stems of chives have stored a wealth of nutrients. At this time, the chive leaves are like jadeite, the roots are like white jade, crisp, tender, delicious, and fragrant.
2. Spring Bamboo Shoots. An ancient poem says: "In the markets of the southern mountains, bamboo shoots are as smooth as butter; their fresh flavor is pure, nothing can compare. No need to curse them for not becoming bamboo, just eat them at every meal instead of meat." Spring is the best time to taste fresh spring bamboo shoots. It is hailed as the "number one vegetarian food" and the "king of spring vegetables." Spring bamboo shoots have a light, fresh, and tender taste and are rich in nutrients, particularly high in fiber and amino acids. Spring bamboo shoots are not only a fine vegetable but also a good medicine. Clinical studies in Traditional Chinese Medicine have found that spring bamboo shoots are sweet and cold in nature, with effects such as benefiting the nine orifices, promoting blood circulation, resolving phlegm, and reducing food stagnation. However, although spring bamboo shoots are wonderful, they are not suitable for everyone. They contain insoluble calcium oxalate, so people with urinary tract, kidney, or gallstones should not eat too many. They also contain a significant amount of crude fiber, which can be a pathogenic factor for patients with gastrointestinal diseases and cirrhosis, easily causing stomach bleeding or worsening liver disease. Eating too many spring bamboo shoots can cause allergies; especially for the elderly and children, it's best not to eat more than half a shoot per meal.
3. Chinese Yam. It's simply a "little prince of sterilization." Spring is the season for the breeding and revival of various germs and microorganisms, making it easy for infectious diseases like the flu and meningitis to spread. The Chinese yam has the effect of strengthening the spleen and replenishing Qi. Regular consumption can improve the body's immunity, enhance the phagocytic action of macrophages, and promptly "eliminate" bacteria and viruses that invade the body, allowing infectious diseases like the flu to "go around." Therefore, doctors say that patients with Qi deficiency who often experience excessive sweating and recurrent colds should pay special attention to moderately increasing their intake of Chinese yam in the spring.
3. Milk. The calcium in milk can relieve nervous tension and is slowly absorbed into the blood, replenishing and maintaining blood calcium balance. Therefore, drinking milk is beneficial for people's rest and sleep. With sufficient sleep, a good mental state is guaranteed. When drinking milk, note that you should not drink it alone, otherwise you will become sleepier. You should add tea or coffee to the heated milk, or add refreshing mint leaves, as mint oil helps with blood circulation.
4. Oatmeal. Some have found that if your breakfast is high in fiber, you won't feel hungry. Nutritionists explain that fiber slows down the digestive process, continuously supplying carbohydrates to the bloodstream, allowing the body to get a steady stream of energy. Oatmeal is a fiber-rich food that releases energy slowly and steadily, keeping the body's blood sugar levels high for a long time, thus you won't feel hungry quickly and will remain energetic.
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