It's that time of year for winter lotus root to hit the market. A steaming, fragrant lotus root and pork rib soup is a household favorite enjoyed by all, and a staple on many restaurant menus. But many people may not know that "the lotus plant is a treasure, with winter lotus root being the most nourishing." Lotus root is one of the best foods for nourishing yin. Recently, Beijing Television's science and education channel featured a segment on lotus root on its "Health and Wellness" program, where experts detailed the specifics of eating it. Whether it's stewed with pork ribs, in a soup, or served cold in a salad or stir-fried. If children don't like it, we can change its form, for example, the famous southern dish of sticky rice stuffed lotus root. After soaking the sticky rice, stuff it into the holes, then steam it, and it's delicious. Stuffing it with meat filling is also great. Secure it, steam it, and slice it into pieces. Make it for children, change the shape, and they'll love it. It's also tasty and can boost their appetite.
Raw and Juiced:
Clears heat, reduces fire, and cools the blood
From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, autumn and winter are the seasons for nourishment, with a focus on nourishing yin. The inside of the lotus root is white, and in TCM, white foods correspond to the lung meridian. Winter often brings symptoms of lung heat and dryness, so eating some lotus root in winter has the effect of nourishing yin and moistening dryness.
While lotus root can be eaten both raw and cooked, the effects are completely different. Its nature and flavor, in particular, undergo opposite changes.
To harness the cooling nature of lotus root, it must be eaten raw. So, if you have "internal heat" and want to "reduce fire," raw lotus root is the way to go. For some young women who struggle with acne or oily skin, in addition to using suitable cosmetics, it's recommended to eat some raw lotus root. Freshly squeezed lotus root juice is particularly good to drink.
In addition, raw lotus root has the effects of clearing heat, quenching thirst, cooling the blood, and stopping bleeding. If you feel a lot of heat in your nose and mouth, as if you're about to get "heated up," or experience "internal heat from yin deficiency," you can eat cold-dressed lotus root or drink its juice. Stewed and Cooked:
Nourishes the stomach, strengthens the spleen, and increases appetite
If you want lotus root to have the effect of nourishing the stomach and strengthening the spleen, it must be cooked. When cooked, it's no longer cooling but becomes nourishing.
If your child doesn't like carrots, you can cut them into sticks and stuff them into the holes of the lotus root. Then you can either steam or stew it. When sliced, each piece will have a red dot, like a little flower, and children will love looking at it. Furthermore, carrots are considered "warming" while lotus root is slightly "cooling," so when steamed together, they are not only visually appealing but also balanced in nature.
When stewing lotus root, it's important to cook it until it turns reddish and the texture becomes very soft. At this point, its spleen-strengthening effect is the strongest. Soothing Recipe:
Lotus Root, Potato, and Millet Porridge
I know many people often cook porridge with lotus root. I'd like to suggest a "soothing and joyful porridge"—lotus root, potato, and millet porridge.
These three foods complement each other and are very helpful for improving sleep quality and regulating mood. Their individual effects aren't that remarkable, but when combined, their effects are maximized. Another benefit is when you feel a cold coming on—for example, your throat is starting to get sore, or you feel generally unwell but can't quite put your finger on it, wondering if you're getting sick. When this happens, use some potato, some lotus root, and some millet to cook a porridge to drink.
This porridge helps prevent colds because potatoes are rich in potassium. First, it can boost our body's immunity. More importantly, it improves your mood. When your mood improves, your body's circulation and metabolism will also change. So when you're in a good mood, your immunity should be at its best, naturally enabling you to fend off viruses.
Older people know that when selecting lotus root, you must choose one that is plugged at both ends. The pre-cut kind you see in the supermarket looks clean, but it's best not to buy it. This is because lotus root grows in mud. When it's harvested, the mud gets into the holes, and it's very difficult to get it all clean. Therefore, it's best to buy one that is plugged at both ends.