These types of Chinese herbal snacks should not be eaten in excess
Core tip: As snacks for leisure time, they should not be eaten in excess to begin with. Snacks containing Chinese herbal ingredients require even more caution: E-jiao (donkey-hide gelatin) jujubes nourish yin and blood; those with stomach heat or indigestion should eat less. Gui Ling Gao (tortoise jelly) clears heat and detoxifies; those with a cold stomach, pregnant women, and women during their menstrual period should eat less. Herbal tea drinks remove dampness and reduce fire; those with a cold constitution or yang deficiency should drink less.
As people pay more attention to health preservation, many snacks have become associated with health-benefiting Chinese herbs, such as E-jiao jujubes, Gui Ling Gao, herbal tea drinks, Poria cakes, mint candies, etc. Due to their appealing taste, nutritional value, and packaging, these snacks are very popular among consumers. However, experts point out that as snacks for leisure time, they should not be eaten in excess to begin with. Snacks containing Chinese herbal ingredients require even more caution and cannot be eaten too casually, so as not to pose hidden risks to health.
E-jiao jujubes nourish yin and blood; those with stomach heat or indigestion should eat less
In supermarkets, there is a type of jujube that is particularly popular, especially among women. The special feature of this jujube is that it is made with E-jiao. Since both E-jiao and red jujubes have the effect of nourishing blood, and E-jiao in particular also tonifies the spleen and stomach, replenishes qi and calms the mind, and nourishes yin and moistens dryness, many office ladies keep a bag or two in their bags or offices as a nutritional snack. Experts point out that for people with qi deficiency or blood deficiency constitution, eating E-jiao jujubes regularly can be beneficial and help improve symptoms such as listlessness and fatigue. However, although jujubes are good, they should not be eaten in excess. Especially E-jiao jujubes, eating too much is not good for digestion and absorption. If you have stomach heat or indigestion, eating too much of this rich and greasy food can hinder stomach function, affect appetite, and easily lead to internal heat over time. Therefore, it is best not to eat more than 7 E-jiao jujubes at a time.
Gui Ling Gao clears heat and detoxifies; those with a cold stomach, pregnant women, and those during their menstrual period should eat less
Gui Ling Gao is a traditional health-preserving snack with a long history. Legend has it that it was originally exclusively for the emperor in the Qing Palace. Authentic Gui Ling Gao is mainly made from precious ingredients like the snail-shell turtle and Poria cocos, and is refined with other medicinal herbs such as Rehmannia root, dandelion, honeysuckle, and chrysanthemum. It has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, nourishing yin and tonifying the kidneys, eliminating acne, and moistening the bowels. Gui Ling Gao is very popular among young people and is also one of the favorite Chinese health snacks for some elderly friends.
Some office workers are busy with work all day, especially those with sedentary jobs, lack exercise, and neglect scientific dietary regulation. They may easily develop symptoms such as dry mouth, irritability, and constipation. For friends who care about their appearance, the most distressing thing is that it can also cause "face problems"—acne. This type of person is more suitable for eating Gui Ling Gao, but generally eating two or three boxes a week is about enough, and it should not be eaten in excess.
Experts explain that because Gui Ling Gao has the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying, it is relatively cold in nature. Therefore, people with a cold stomach and a weak spleen and stomach should eat less. Some reports say that tortoise shell has the effect of stimulating the uterus and promoting blood circulation, so pregnant women and women during their menstrual period should also not eat too much.
Herbal tea drinks remove dampness and reduce fire; those with a cold constitution or yang deficiency should drink less
In ancient times, herbal tea was generally a summer delicacy for relieving heat, but now it has almost become a year-round Chinese herbal health beverage. Why? It is mainly related to people's eating habits and physical constitution changes. For example, many friends like to eat spicy and grilled food but are afraid of getting "internal heat." What should they do? Herbal tea with a heat-reducing effect has naturally become their first choice for gatherings. In addition, due to busy work, many friends have the habit of staying up late to work. After being a "night owl" for a long time, the "internal heat" in the body increases. At this time, herbal tea seems to have become an emergency beverage.
However, herbal tea is still a tea beverage with a relatively "strong" Chinese herbal nature and cannot be drunk like water. Drinking too much or drinking it if it's not suitable for you can cause some damage to your health. Experts explain that the main ingredients of herbal tea on the market mostly contain Chinese herbs such as chrysanthemum, honeysuckle, prunella, and licorice. It has the effects of clearing heat and removing dampness, and nourishing yin to reduce fire, which helps relieve symptoms such as swollen gums, mouth ulcers, and dry stools. However, people who often have cold hands and feet, a cold stomach, yang deficiency, or frequently loose stools should try to drink less herbal tea so as not to aggravate their existing symptoms.