After the Spring Festival, people have gradually started to "consume" the New Year goods they received, with health foods being the largest category. Among these, a health food called Guyuan Gao has been all the rage this year. So, what exactly is Guyuan Gao good for? On this topic, a reporter interviewed Li Honghong, Vice President of Shijingshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Beijing.
Li Honghong explained that Guyuan Gao is derived from an ancient recipe and can be homemade or purchased as a finished product. The currently popular recipe on the market is mainly as follows: half a jin of donkey-hide gelatin, one jin of black sesame seeds, one jin of walnuts, one and a half jin of red dates, and half a jin of rock sugar. After grinding these into a powder and mixing them into a paste, add two jin of yellow rice wine and steam it into a paste over a water bath. Donkey-hide gelatin is the main ingredient, known for its effects of nourishing blood to stop bleeding, and nourishing yin to moisten the lungs. It is suitable for treating dizziness, palpitations, yin deficiency, insomnia, etc. During the dry winter and spring seasons in the north, consuming it can also moisten the lungs, enhance immunity, and help prevent colds. Black sesame seeds have the effect of nourishing blood, tonifying the liver and kidneys, and moistening the intestines. Walnuts have the effect of warming and tonifying the lungs and kidneys, and calming wheezing to moisten the bowels; they are suitable for symptoms such as wheezing and coughing due to deficiency-cold, and constipation. Red dates have the effect of tonifying the middle jiao to boost qi, nourishing blood, and calming the mind; they are suitable for symptoms such as qi deficiency in the spleen and stomach, sallow complexion due to blood deficiency, insomnia, and dream-disturbed sleep.
So, is Guyuan Gao really a panacea for all ills? Li Honghong warned that people with internal excess heat, phlegm-heat, damp-heat, or those whose illness is caused by qi stagnation should not take Guyuan Gao. Those with dampness obstructing the middle jiao, loose stools, or diarrhea; those with yin deficiency and blazing fire; those with phlegm-heat cough; those with internal stagnation fire; and those with an unresolved external pathogen should all avoid taking Guyuan Gao. When suffering from illnesses such as colds, coughs, diarrhea, or during menstruation, one should stop taking Guyuan Gao and resume it only after recovery or after the period has ended.
Furthermore, patients with chronic illnesses such as high blood pressure and diabetes should also not take Guyuan Gao. Children who are still in their growth and development period are also not suitable for taking it. Additionally, because Guyuan Gao has the effect of activating blood circulation, it may cause uterine contractions and lead to miscarriage. Therefore, it is recommended that pregnant women, especially those in good health, should avoid taking health supplements casually.