Introduction: Stomach cold refers to a condition caused by frequent consumption of raw and cold foods or a deficiency of spleen and stomach yang energy, leading to the accumulation of yin cold in the stomach. Patients often experience epigastric pain, along with symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and a preference for warmth over cold. In addition to causing stomach pain, stomach cold can hinder the body's circulation and metabolism. Over time, it can also affect the skin, easily leading to dark circles, a sallow complexion, and a dull appearance. Regularly consuming foods that warm the stomach can help alleviate the condition of stomach cold and improve your complexion.
Ginger
Ginger can warm the middle jiao to dispel cold and treat cold syndromes of the spleen and stomach. It is effective for both excess cold syndromes caused by external cold invasion and deficient cold syndromes due to insufficient spleen and stomach yang energy. Since ancient times, there has been a saying, "Ginger can resist a hundred evils, hence it is called Jiang." Ginger not only stimulates sweating in the body but also has effects such as warming the stomach, expelling wind, and dispelling cold.
Peach Gum and Ginger Drink
Sweet Potato
"Compendium of Materia Medica: A Supplemental Record" states: "It tonifies the middle jiao, warms the stomach, and nourishes the five organs." It can be boiled into congee, as well as steamed or roasted. Chop sweet potatoes into small pieces to cook into congee. If you find it too plain, you can add an appropriate amount of red dates. This nutritional combination can nourish the blood and warm the stomach, and it is also more appetizing.
Lamb
Lamb is warm in nature and sweet in flavor. It is rich in essential nutrients such as fat, protein, carbohydrates, inorganic salts, and calcium, phosphorus, and iron. It is often considered an excellent food for warding off cold and nourishing the body, with effects of warming the middle jiao, tonifying the kidneys, stimulating the appetite, strengthening the spleen, and dispelling cold and dampness.
Braised Lamb with Radish
Peanut
Peanuts have the effect of warming the stomach to dispel cold, and this is frequently recorded in medical books for treating stomach ailments. "Compendium of Materia Medica" says: "Peanuts please the spleen and harmonize the stomach, moisten the lungs to transform phlegm, nourish to replenish qi, and clear the throat to stop itching." "The Nature of Herbs" states: "Eating peanuts nourishes the stomach and awakens the spleen, lubricates the intestines and moistens dryness." Eating a moderate amount of peanuts daily is beneficial for stomach health.
Napa Cabbage
Napa cabbage is warm in nature and sweet in flavor, entering the spleen and stomach meridians. It has the effect of warming the stomach and replenishing qi, as well as dispelling cold and preventing wind. It can improve symptoms such as epigastric cold pain, abdominal aversion to cold, and difficult bowel movements. When cooking napa cabbage, adding a little vinegar is necessary, both for taste and for preserving its nutritional value. Vinegar can help break down the calcium, phosphorus, and iron in napa cabbage, making them easier for the body to absorb.
Hot and Sour Cabbage