According to traditional Chinese medicine, the liver is very active in the spring. Detoxifying and nourishing the liver during this season can yield twice the result with half the effort. And among detoxification methods, dietary therapy is undoubtedly the most suitable. The following foods can help with spring detoxification.
Cucumber — Clears Heat and Promotes Metabolism
The "Compendium of Materia Medica" records that cucumber is sweet in taste and cool in nature, with the effects of clearing heat, relieving thirst, promoting urination, and reducing swelling. It helps with common spring symptoms like irritability and sore throat. Modern medicine believes that cucumber contains fiber, which promotes intestinal peristalsis and speeds up excretion. The cucumber acid in cucumber can promote human metabolism and expel toxins. The diuretic effect of cucumber can clean the urethra and help the kidneys expel toxins from the urinary system. Fresh cucumber also contains malic acid, which can inhibit the conversion of carbohydrates into fat. However, cucumber is considered cooling, so people with weak spleen and stomach, or those with chronic illnesses, should eat less of it. Cucumber is very suitable for cold salads, such as cucumber with black fungus or garlic-flavored cucumber. People with a weak and cold spleen and stomach can stir-fry cucumber or make cucumber dumplings.
Chopped Chilli Cucumber
Black Fungus — The Blood Vascular Scavenger
Black fungus is sweet and neutral in nature, with effects of detoxifying, promoting bowel movements, cleansing the stomach and intestines, and regulating blood and stopping bleeding. Modern medicine believes that a type of plant gum contained in fungus has strong adsorption capacity, which can concentrate and adsorb residual dust and impurities in the human digestive system and then expel them, thus playing a detoxifying and stomach-cleansing role. At the same time, due to its rich nutritional components such as iron, it can make the skin ruddy and can prevent and treat iron-deficiency anemia. Fungus can be stir-fried, cold-dressed, or used in soups.
Kelp — Absorbs Fat and Reduces Bloating
Kelp contains a substance called fucoidan, which can absorb cholesterol in the blood and excrete it, keeping the cholesterol level in the blood normal. In addition, there is a slightly sweet white powder on the surface of kelp, which is mannitol with great medical value. It has a good diuretic effect and can treat poisoning, edema and other symptoms. Kelp is an ideal detoxifying and beautifying food. Cold dressing and making soup are common ways to eat it, but people with a weak and cold spleen and stomach and pregnant women should not eat too much.
Asparagus — Clears Heat and Prevents Dry Mouth
Asparagus is sweet and cold in nature, with the effects of clearing heat and promoting urination. It can relieve common spring symptoms like dry mouth and vexation. The asparagine in asparagus has a diuretic effect, which can expel excess water from the body and is beneficial for detoxification. Asparagus is rich in water-soluble vitamins, but overcooking can easily cause these vitamins to be lost, and it also affects the unique crisp texture of asparagus. The suitable cooking method is to blanch it and then stir-fry or eat it cold.
Black Pepper Roasted Asparagus
White Radish — Aids Digestion and Prevents Constipation
Radish is pungent in taste and cool in nature, with the effects of clearing heat and promoting fluid production, aiding digestion and resolving stagnation, and regulating qi and resolving phlegm. Modern medicine believes that radish has a good diuretic effect, and the fiber it contains can also promote bowel movements, which is beneficial for weight loss. If you want to use radish for detoxification, you can eat it raw, juiced, or in cold salads or pickles.
Precious cucumber
Soy eggplant