Introduction: Red lips and white teeth are very beautiful, but in winter, people of all ages encounter the problem of dry lips. In daily life, we use lip balm to prevent chapping, but this is just a temporary solution. The following introduces ten foods from daily life that can moisturize our lips; they are natural, edible lip balms.
1. Honey
Honey is a delicacy that serves as both a health product and a beauty product. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the lungs govern the skin and body hair, and dry lips in autumn are closely related to dry lungs. According to the "Compendium of Materia Medica," raw honey is sweet and cool in nature, while cooked honey is sweet and warm. It enters the Large Intestine, Spleen, and Lung meridians. It has effects such as moistening the lungs, tonifying the middle jiao, lubricating the intestines, and detoxifying. Therefore, consuming honey can moisten lung dryness, achieving the effect of beautifying the skin and moisturizing the lips. At the same time, it also tonifies the middle jiao and nourishes the blood, making the lip color ruddy. Lubricating the intestines can detoxify and reduce the formation of facial spots. From a dietary perspective, it can improve blood circulation, protect liver cells, nourish yin and moisten the lungs. It is also a natural sleeping aid. From a topical perspective, it can treat skin damage and inhibit bacterial growth. Therefore, in winter, by making full use of honey, you can nourish your body from the inside out.
Honey, Egg, and Milk Mini Buns
2. Olive Oil
Although not many of us consume olive oil directly, it is integrated into our lives. Many of our cosmetics contain olive oil. However, our lip balms are mostly made of petroleum jelly and wax. Although new formulas are constantly being developed, pure natural olive oil is healthier.
First, olive oil has a moisturizing effect on the skin. As an oily substance, it can alleviate dryness caused by reduced sebum secretion and reduce damage to the lips from dry air. Second, olive oil also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It contains a large amount of monounsaturated fatty acids and phenolic substances, which can provide antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, olive oil can also be used as a lip protectant. Furthermore, the various vitamins in olive oil can promote cell growth and accelerate wound healing, delaying the aging of the lips. Substances like vitamins A, D, E, and K in olive oil can act as antioxidants, increase skin elasticity, and provide a moisturizing effect for the lips.
Olive Oil and Scallion Savory Biscuits
3. Lotus Root
Lotus root is a must-try delicacy in autumn and winter. It contains large amounts of vitamin C, phenolic substances, and peroxidase, which can detoxify and act as antioxidants, providing an anti-aging effect. Lotus root is also a plant with very high medicinal value. Its roots, leaves, flowers, stamens, and fruits are all treasures and can be used for nourishment and medicine. When made into powder, it can aid digestion and stop diarrhea, whet the appetite and clear heat, nourish the nature, and prevent internal bleeding. It is an excellent liquid food and nourishing treasure for women, children, the elderly, and those who are weak and frequently ill. Lotus root is rich in vitamin C and minerals, has medicinal effects, is beneficial for the heart, promotes metabolism, and prevents rough skin. Moreover, lotus root can also nourish yin and blood, promote the production of body fluids to quench thirst, and has the effect of benefiting blood and generating muscle, which helps the lips maintain their elasticity.
Lotus Root Soup
4. Mint
Mint is one of the commonly used traditional Chinese medicines. It is a pungent and cool herb that induces sweating to relieve fever, and is used to treat influenza, headaches, red eyes, fever, sore throat, swollen gums, etc. Externally, it can be used to treat neuralgia, skin itching, rashes, and eczema. Drinking mint tea as a daily habit can clear the mind and brighten the eyes. The tender tips of its young stems can be eaten as a vegetable, and the whole plant can be used as medicine to treat colds, fever, sore throat, eye pain, and muscle pain. It is also effective against carbuncles, sores, scabies, ringworm, and poison ivy rash. Furthermore, mint contains menthol, which can freshen breath and has various medicinal properties, such as relieving abdominal pain and gallbladder issues like spasms. It also has preservative, antibacterial, diuretic, expectorant, stomach-strengthening, and digestion-aiding effects. Because of its cool and refreshing sensation, people often use mint in lip balms. However, it is worth noting that large amounts of mint can cause insomnia, while small doses can help with sleep.
Mint Shredded Chicken
5. Chinese Yam
Chinese yam has a tender texture and contains extremely rich nutritional and health-promoting substances. Since ancient times, it has been a great remedy for tonifying deficiency. The "Compendium of Materia Medica" states that Chinese yam can "benefit kidney qi, strengthen the spleen and stomach, stop diarrhea and dysentery, transform phlegm, and moisten the skin and hair." Recent studies have shown that Chinese yam can induce interferon production and enhance the body's immune function. The choline and lecithin it contains help improve human memory. Regular consumption can strengthen the body and delay aging, making it a popular health food. Moreover, Chinese yam contains substances such as free amino acids and polyphenol oxidase, which have nourishing effects. Stewing Chinese yam with goose meat has the effects of replenishing qi, clearing heat, and promoting the production of body fluids, which is beneficial for treating chapped lips.
Chinese Yam and Rose Cake