As the Dragon Boat Festival approaches, a wide variety of zongzi (glutinous rice dumplings) once again become the focus of dining. With fillings like meat, fruit, jam, red dates, and chestnuts, the options are dazzling, making it hard to decide which to eat or how many to eat. In a recent interview with Professor Zhang Changfu, a pharmacology professor at the School of Chinese Pharmacy at Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, it was discovered that there are many considerations to eating zongzi, all closely related to daily health.
Professor Zhang explained that in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the reed and lotus leaves used to wrap zongzi are excellent remedies for clearing heat and relieving summer heat. Even the glutinous rice, which we see every day, has medicinal effects in TCM, such as replenishing qi, generating body fluids, and clearing heat. TCM holds that after the Dragon Boat Festival, the hottest months of summer begin. As the summer heat is difficult to endure, people commonly experience symptoms like "internal heat" (shang huo) and heatstroke. At this time, regularly eating zongzi is truly an excellent "medicine" for both food and therapy to combat the summer heat.
Although the fillings for zongzi on the market are numerous, Professor Zhang offers advice based on the TCM perspective of dietetic therapy. Because red dates are sweet and warm in nature, with effects of tonifying the middle jiao, replenishing qi, nourishing blood, and calming the spirit, and chestnuts have the effects of tonifying qi, strengthening the spleen, and benefiting the kidneys, choosing zongzi with red date and chestnut fillings can be considered the "premium" among all zongzi.
Although zongzi are a festive delicacy, improper consumption can be harmful. Professor Zhang stated that zongzi, made primarily of glutinous rice, are difficult to digest. Overeating can damage the spleen and stomach, leading to symptoms like bloating and diarrhea. Therefore, the elderly, children, and people with poor digestive function should not overindulge. Even for those with strong digestive systems, the principle of "eating small meals frequently" should be followed. If you make zongzi at home during the festival, you should adhere to the principle of "wrapping and eating them fresh." For frozen zongzi bought from the supermarket, they should be steamed or thoroughly cooked before eating.
Furthermore, on the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, many places have the custom of drinking realgar wine to kill intestinal parasites. However, Professor Zhang believes this custom should be abandoned! Although realgar can kill insects, remove dampness, and relieve itching, it is highly toxic. A daily dose of 0.3 grams can cause poisoning in a person. Mild symptoms include vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, and difficulty urinating or defecating, which can be followed by laryngitis and headaches. In severe cases, it can damage the heart, liver, kidneys, and intestines.