Life is composed of joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness. Every day, we encounter different things and people, and it's inevitable to encounter situations that make us feel down. Especially in spring, the season of growth and renewal, it's common to experience symptoms of stagnant liver qi, such as frequent sighing and pain in the ribs. What should you do when you're feeling down? Today, let's chat about how to feel a bit better this spring.
Spring is the beginning of the four seasons, a time of renewal for all things, yet the human body can easily feel drowsy and fatigued, a phenomenon known as "spring sleepiness." Tea is sweet, cool, and has a fragrant, pungent, and dispersing nature. It can not only refresh the mind and dispel sleepiness, naturally alleviating spring sleepiness, but also help expel the pathogenic cold accumulated in the body during winter, leaving one feeling clear-headed and refreshed.
1. Honey Lemongrass Tea
Method: Wash fresh lemongrass and mint leaves, place them in a teapot, pour in hot water, let it steep for a few minutes until it's slightly cool, then add honey and enjoy.
Effects: Lemongrass helps harmonize the stomach and qi, and refreshes the mind. Mint expels pathogenic factors, relieves fatigue, soothes the liver, and alleviates depression, while also freshening the breath. Honey clears heat, tonifies the middle jiao, relieves vexation and toxicity, moistens dryness, and alleviates pain. Drinking this tea can refresh the mind, relieve fatigue, and improve mood. It is suitable for emotional depression and pessimism caused by liver qi stagnation.
2. Sweet Cherry Soup
Method: Wash the cherries, add water and simmer for 20 minutes, then add sugar and continue to cook for another 5 minutes.
Effects: Cherries replenish qi and beautify the complexion, expel wind and transform dampness, and have the highest iron content among fruits. Their vitamin A content is four to five times higher than that of grapes, apples, and oranges. Cherries contain a substance called anthocyanin, which can create happiness. According to a study at the University of Michigan, eating 20 cherries when feeling down is more effective than any medication. This soup is suitable for emotional depression and pessimism caused by lung qi deficiency and liver qi stagnation.
3. Dual Flower Rose Qi-Regulating Tea
Preparation: Double-petaled red rose, chrysanthemum, dried tangerine peel, hawthorn, goji berries, rock sugar. Place all ingredients in a cup, pour in 200ml of boiling water, cover and steep for 15 minutes.
Effects: Dried tangerine peel fortifies the spleen and regulates qi; hawthorn invigorates qi and blood circulation; chrysanthemum clears liver heat; rose flower soothes the liver and regulates qi; goji berries nourish liver blood and nourish kidney yin. Drinking it regularly can soothe the liver and regulate qi, strengthen the spleen and transform phlegm, and invigorate qi and blood. Drinking this when you're feeling down can help your qi and blood flow more smoothly and lift your mood. (Suitable for both men and women)
4. Tremella Goji Berry Syrup
Method: Soak the tremella fungus in water for two hours until it softens, remove any impurities, and rinse it clean. Set aside. Wash the goji berries. Place the tremella in a clay pot, add water, bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a gentle simmer and cook for two hours. Add the goji berries and rock sugar, and cook for another 20 minutes. Finally, add the beaten egg white, stir, and cook for a short while longer.
Effects: Tremella fungus nourishes yin and qi, nourishes the stomach and moistens the lungs, and is beneficial for the brain and heart. Goji berries nourish the liver and kidneys, replenish essence, and improve vision. This formula supports the body's foundation, with effects of nourishing blood, strengthening the body, preventing disease, and resisting aging. It is suitable for emotional depression and pessimism caused by lung qi deficiency.
In closing, life is your own, and your body is your own. Do more of the things that make you happy, and less of the things that don't. Good tea is one way to regulate your mood, but you can also seek support from friends, take a walk, or listen to music—all are excellent methods. Just remember one thing: you are your own master, and your body deserves your gentle care!