As spring arrives, many people experience an excess of "spring fire," leading to irritability and agitation. This is because the temperature fluctuates greatly during this season, which can easily lead to colds and other illnesses, and cause some infections in the liver. Therefore, in spring, nourishing and protecting the liver, and clearing liver fire, is beneficial for your health throughout the year. So, what should you eat to nourish your liver in spring?
Three types of dried fruits that are essential for liver nourishment in spring
1. Raisins
Eating grapes can nourish yin and benefit the liver, giving you a healthy complexion. They also have a tonic effect for people who are weak. If it's not grape season, eating raisins can also be very effective for liver nourishment. The fruit acid in grapes can also aid digestion, increase appetite, and prevent the occurrence of fatty liver after hepatitis. Raisins are an important source of iron for hepatitis patients.
For daily dietary therapy, you can cook raisins with glutinous rice to make a porridge, which has excellent therapeutic effects. However, because of their high sugar content, those who are afraid of gaining weight, diabetics, and people who are prone to diarrhea should eat them in moderation. It is recommended not to eat more than half a handful per day.
2. Mulberries
Dried mulberries can be used both as food and as medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that mulberries are sweet and sour in taste, slightly cold in nature, and enter the heart, liver, and kidney meridians. They are considered an excellent fruit for nourishment, strengthening the body, nourishing the heart, and improving intelligence. Dried mulberries have the effect of nourishing yin and enriching blood, and can supplement the yin of the liver and kidneys, making them suitable for people with a liver and kidney yin deficiency constitution. They are most suitable for patients with high blood pressure.
It is generally recommended to eat dried mulberries in porridge. Use 30 grams of mulberries, 60 grams of glutinous rice, and an appropriate amount of rock sugar. First, wash the mulberries and cook them with the glutinous rice. After they are cooked, add the rock sugar. This porridge can nourish liver yin, nourish blood, and improve vision. Eating a bowl of mulberry porridge daily not only replenishes blood but also beautifies the skin. It is suitable for dizziness, blurred vision, insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, tinnitus, soreness in the lower back, and premature graying of hair caused by liver and kidney deficiency. However, it should be used with caution by pregnant women.
3. Walnuts
Walnuts are rich in protein, fat, minerals, and vitamins, making them the most nutritious food. They have the effect of nourishing the liver and kidneys, moistening the intestines, and promoting bowel movements. Walnuts are high in phospholipids, which can maintain normal cell metabolism and prevent the decline of brain cells, making them a good brain-healthy food. The choline in phospholipids can promote fat metabolism in liver cells, thereby reducing the severity of fatty liver.
Walnuts contain a relatively high amount of fat, and eating too much can affect digestion, so it is not advisable to eat too much at once. Excessive consumption can cause diarrhea. Additionally, to preserve the nutrients, the thin brown skin on the surface of the walnut kernels should not be removed when eating them.