Introduction: As the temperature gradually rises, the hot weather can be quite unbearable. Some people also experience internal heat and "上火" (an excess of internal heat in traditional Chinese medicine), leading them to want to consume cold foods to cool down. However, this method can actually worsen one's condition. To reduce internal heat, you might want to try these 6 bitter vegetables.
1. Dandelion
Dandelion is a nutrient-rich vegetable, primarily containing protein, fat, carotene, riboflavin, and nutrients like calcium, phosphorus, and iron. In terms of consumption, its tender leaves are often eaten cold in summer or can be cooked. Eating dandelion is not harmful, and it can also be used medicinally. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes that dandelion is sweet, bitter, and cold in nature, and it affects the liver and stomach meridians. It has effects such as clearing heat, detoxifying, stopping diarrhea, promoting bile secretion, protecting the liver, invigorating the stomach, and lowering blood pressure.
2. Bitter Melon
Bitter melon is an excellent food for summer, rich in nutrients, mainly containing protein, fat, carbohydrates, and vitamins. Unripe young fruits are used as vegetables, while the ripe pulp can be eaten raw. It can be served cold as a salad, or stir-fried with meat, braised with fish, offering a crisp, refreshing taste with a unique flavor. Bitter melon has the effects of increasing appetite, aiding digestion, expelling pathogenic heat, relieving fatigue, clearing the mind and brightening the eyes, and replenishing qi and strengthening yang. In addition to the bitter quinine, bitter melon also contains protein. Research has found that protein can stimulate immune cells and has anti-cancer effects.
Bitter Melon and Pork Ribs Stew
3. Bitter Bamboo Shoots
TCM believes that bitter bamboo shoots are sweet in taste and cool in nature (but not cold), with effects of clearing summer heat, detoxifying, aiding weight loss, promoting fitness, invigorating the stomach, and resolving stagnation. Bitter bamboo shoots are a delicious dish on the summer dining table. People often cook them with pork ribs and pickled vegetables to make a "bitter bamboo shoot hot pot," which has a sweet and bitter taste, is delicious, and leaves a lasting aftertaste.
4. Sow Thistle
TCM believes that sow thistle is bitter and cold in nature, with effects of clearing heat and cooling the blood, and detoxifying. Li Shizhen pointed out in his book "Compendium of Materia Medica": "Sow thistle regulates the twelve meridians, calms the mind, replenishes qi, makes the body light, slows aging, strengthens the body, and brightens the eyes..." Pickled sow thistle is a delicious side dish for rice in summer, with effects of being refreshing and appetizing, clearing summer heat, and calming the mind and relieving vexation.
Sow Thistle and Intestine Soup
5. Turnip
TCM believes that turnip is neutral in nature, with a bitter, pungent, and sweet taste. It affects the stomach, liver, and kidney meridians, and has effects of stimulating appetite, promoting the descent of qi, removing dampness, and detoxifying. It is suitable for treating conditions such as indigestion, thirst, and toxic wind swelling. Turnip has a good flavor, can be used as a substitute for grain, can be cooked as a vegetable, or can be salted and processed.
6. Lettuce
TCM believes that lettuce is cool in nature, with a bitter and sweet taste. It affects the large intestine and stomach meridians, and has effects of promoting urination, opening the chest and diaphragm, regulating qi and harmonizing the middle, clearing heat, and quenching thirst. It is suitable for treating conditions such as difficult urination, qi stagnation in the spleen and stomach, poor appetite, and excessive thirst. Lettuce can be stir-fried or served as a salad. For stir-frying, use high heat and cook quickly. For salad, marinate it with a little fine salt, squeeze out the juice, and then eat.
Scented Oil Lettuce
Scorch soup
Hot wings
Barbecue