Nourish in the Cold Season: Nourishing Medicinal Herbs to Tonify the Kidney
Introduction: With the year-end approaching, the weather is getting colder. For those who haven't started their winter nourishment, don't worry. Take advantage of the cold weather to incorporate medicinal herbs into your meals for excellent nourishing effects! Let us tell you what to eat in winter and recommend two medicinal dishes to help regulate your body. Come and learn, and catch the last train of winter nourishment!
The Winter Solstice has passed, and the Spring Festival is near. As yang energy begins to emerge, this is an opportune time to tonify it. Nourishing the body during this season and accumulating energy aligns with the principles of Chinese wellness. For winter nourishment, you can choose medicinal herbs that strengthen the bones and sinews, replacing traditional Winter Solstice tonics like sesame oil chicken and ginger duck. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the kidney is considered the foundation of innate constitution, and the spleen is the foundation of acquired constitution. After the Winter Solstice, you can use medicinal herbs that tonify the spleen and kidney yang to regulate the body and improve immunity.
For medicinal herb nourishment in winter, you might consider the "Growth-Promoting Formula," originally designed to promote the first stage of growth and development in children. The medicinal herbs in the formula, such as "Goat's Nipple" and "Foxtail Grass," both have the effect of strengthening the spleen and qi, and activating spleen yang. Therefore, they are also suitable for winter nourishment and body regulation.
The "Two Immortals Buddha Jumps Over the Wall" was originally for middle-aged and elderly people with kidney deficiency and weakness, soreness in the sinews and bones, to prevent the degeneration of the waist and knee joints. The medicinal ingredients, such as Gui Lu Er Xian Jiao (a gelatin made from tortoise and deer antler), Astragalus, and Angelica, primarily tonify kidney yang while also nourishing qi and blood. Thus, it is also suitable for regulating the body in winter, helping to boost yang, benefit qi, and strengthen the sinews and bones.
Winter nourishment is best taken during this still-cold season, as it is less likely to cause the discomfort of internal heat from rich foods. Following the laws of nature and the principle of harmony between humans and the universe, you can properly regulate your body to achieve the goal of wellness.
Growth-Promoting Soup
● The general ingredients for the Growth-Promoting Formula include: 5 qian of Chinese Yam, 5 qian of Codonopsis Root, 3 qian of Poria, 3 qian of Euryale Ferox Seed, 2 qian of Dried Tangerine Peel, 2 qian of Cinnamon Twig, 3 qian of Germinated Rice, 2 qian of Fresh Ginger, 5 qian of Goat's Nipple, 5 qian of Foxtail Grass, etc.
This formula is generally suitable for everyone, but there are modified versions for males and females in their developmental stages.
● Goat's Nipple (Tian Xian Guo): An alias for the fig. Its root is neutral and slightly astringent in nature, entering the liver, kidney, spleen, and stomach meridians. It strengthens the spleen and stomach, aids digestion, expels wind-dampness, and benefits the joints.
● Foxtail Grass: It is sweet and warm in nature, with effects of strengthening the spleen and stomach, killing parasites to resolve stagnation, invigorating blood to unblock the collaterals, moistening dryness, and stopping cough. It is often used to regulate developmental issues in children.
● Codonopsis Root, Poria, Euryale Ferox Seed, and Chinese Yam enhance spleen and stomach function, replenish qi, and boost the body's resistance.
● Cinnamon Twig, Dried Tangerine Peel, and Germinated stimulate the secretion of digestive fluids to promote digestion and absorption.
Two Immortals Buddha Jumps Over the Wall
● Effects
Angelica, Astragalus: Tonify qi and nourish blood.
Cistanche, Gui Lu Er Xian Jiao: Nourish kidney yin and tonify kidney yang, strengthen the sinews and bones.
● Ingredients
3 dried scallops, 2 liang of tendon, 4 liang of pig's trotter, 2 liang of shark's fin, 1/2 squid, 1/2 taro, 2 liang of red dates, 2 liang of lotus seeds, 1 large spoon of goji berries, 5 cups of broth, 1 large spoon each of salt and cooking wine.
● Medicinal Broth
5 qian of Gui Lu Er Xian Jiao, 6 qian of Astragalus, 2 qian of Angelica, 2 qian of Cistanche.
1. Dissolve the Gui Lu Er Xian Jiao in water.
2. Add Astragalus, Angelica, and Cistanche to 5 bowls of water and simmer for 20 minutes to extract the broth.
● Method
1. Soak the dried scallops, tendon, and shark's fin separately in water, remove impurities, and cut the tendon into smaller pieces if too large. Scald the pig's trotter in boiling water to remove blood, then rinse and set aside.
2. Peel and dice the taro. Wash the red dates and lotus seeds, and soak them briefly. Clean and cut the squid into small pieces.
3. Place all ingredients in a clay pot, add the broth and medicinal broth, then transfer to a steamer. Steam over medium heat until the ingredients are tender and flavorful.
Lotus Seed, Lily, and Red Bean Tangyuan
● Effects: Calms the mind, nourishes yin and moistens the lungs, promotes urination and reduces swelling.
Lily: Sweet and neutral in nature, moistens the lungs, and clears the mind to calm the spirit.
Lotus Seed: Nourishes the heart, strengthens the spleen, and tonifies the kidney.
Red Bean: Promotes urination.
● Ingredients
12 qian of lotus seeds, 5 qian of lily, 112.5 grams of red beans, tangyuan (glutinous rice balls), 150 grams rock sugar.