Introduction: In daily life, we often suffer from "internal heat," especially during the dry and cold winter. This internal heat can bring along various ailments; for instance, stomach heat can manifest as stomach pain, constipation, and bad breath. Below, we introduce 10 foods that help reduce internal heat and moisten the lungs to keep you wonderfully hydrated this winter.
1. Lily bulb regulates the stomach and invigorates the spleen
Heat-relief keyword: Slight dry cough
"In the warm spring, the long day lengthens, and in the pond, beautiful mandarin ducks lie." This describes the beauty of blooming lilies. "Even more so, the fragrant lily gives two benefits, an old man of seventy still has a child's heart." This speaks to the health benefits of lily for people. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that lily bulb is sweet, slightly bitter, and slightly cold in nature. It enters the heart and lung meridians and is considered a nourishing food. It has the effects of nourishing yin and moistening the lungs, clearing the heart and calming the spirit, relieving heat and promoting urination, stopping cough and relieving asthma, and regulating the stomach and invigorating the spleen.
Snack: Sweet rice and lily bulb porridge with apricot kernels. Wash 100g of sweet rice, 30g of lily bulb, and 20g of sweet apricot kernels and cook them together into a porridge.
Powerful dietary supplement: Stir-fry lily bulb with green vegetables. The fresh aroma of the lily bulb and green vegetables can stimulate the appetite.
White fungus and red date lily bulb soup
2. Lotus seeds promote longevity
Heat-relief keyword: Mental restlessness
Lotus seeds have a long history, and many ancient herbal texts believe they can promote longevity. The "Shennong Ben Cao Jing" (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica Classic) lists lotus seeds as a superior-grade herb that can nourish one's destiny. The effects of lotus seeds include tonifying the kidneys, invigorating the spleen, nourishing the heart, calming the spirit, and anti-aging. When combined with Poria cocos, Chinese yam, sweet rice, aged rice, and white sugar, and steamed into a cake, daily consumption is said to be most effective for promoting longevity.
Snack: Buy some lotus seed cakes, lotus seed paste-filled cakes, lotus seed paste mooncakes, or fresh milk and coconut lotus seed pastries from a pastry shop.
Powerful dietary supplement: Steam lotus seeds into steamed buns and use them as a delightful filling.
White fungus and snow lotus seed soup
3. White fungus improves a sallow complexion
Heat-relief keyword: Sallow complexion
Every 100g of dried white fungus contains 5-6g of protein, 0.6g-3.1g of fat, 79g of carbohydrates, 2.6g of crude fiber, 380mg of calcium, 250mg of phosphorus, 30mg of iron, as well as other essential nutrients like vitamin B2, carotene, and gelatin protein. It can moisten the lungs and stop coughing, promote fluid production and nourish yin. It also has the effects of relieving muscle fatigue, benefiting the brain, and preventing aging.
Snack: First, cook white fungus in a clay pot until it is thick and soft. Then, wash and peel a tomato, mash it, and add it to the white fungus soup to bring to a boil. Add rock sugar to taste.
Powerful dietary supplement: Eat white fungus (Tremella fungus) and black fungus together with mustard soy sauce for a very fresh taste.
Peach gum and white fungus sweet soup
4. Autumn pear syrup moistens the lungs and clears phlegm
Heat-relief keyword: Mild phlegm-heat
"Oh! Autumn pear syrup! Autumn pear syrup! The fat will become thin after eating it, the thin will become fat, those who eat it for an exam will surely pass, and those who don't want to pass will never pass." This is how autumn pear syrup was sold in the southern provinces before liberation. Autumn pears are hailed as the "king of all fruits," possessing properties to moisten the lungs and clear phlegm, reduce fire and eliminate heat, calm the spirit, lower blood pressure, and reduce inflammation and pain.
Snack: Buy a couple of bottles of autumn pear syrup. This syrup contains medicinal ingredients but not a medicinal taste; it has a fragrant pear aroma, is sweet and smooth, and moistens the lungs and stops coughing.
Powerful dietary supplement: Cut pears into small pieces and mix with honey for a sweet and delicious treat.
Autumn pear syrup
5. American ginseng combats fatigue
Heat-relief keyword: Physical weakness
American ginseng, also known as flower flag ginseng. The saponins it contains have significant anti-fatigue, anti-diuretic, and anti-hypoxia abilities. Especially when people experience symptoms like yin deficiency with little qi, dry mouth and thirst, and listlessness and fatigue, adding some American ginseng to congee or stewed meat can not only calm the autumn dryness but also provide a gentle nourishment.
Snack: The market has a honeyed American ginseng snack, which is American ginseng coated in honey, crispy and delicious to eat.
Powerful dietary supplement: Add American ginseng when eating hot pot to effectively supplement your nutrition.
American ginseng stewed with sea cucumber