As the saying goes, "A summer without illness leaves one a third deficient." After the Start of Autumn, while the mornings and evenings are cool, the "autumn tiger" still rages during the day. At this time, it is even more important to follow the eight-character principle of autumn health preservation: moisten dryness, nourish the lungs, nourish yin, and increase sourness.
1. For moistening dryness, lotus root is the top choice
The lotus plant is a treasure in its entirety, and the autumn lotus root is the most nourishing for people. After the Start of Autumn, the air is dry, and people are prone to irritability and restlessness. It is then necessary to eat more foods that clear the heart and moisten dryness to eliminate autumn dryness, such as: pears, sugarcane, tremella, chrysanthemums, duck, and rabbit. Among these, lotus root is the top choice. Lotus root whets the appetite, clears heat, moistens dryness, quenches thirst, and also calms the mind. It is rich in trace elements like iron and calcium, plant protein, vitamins, and starch. It has a significant effect of nourishing blood and qi, and can also enhance the body's immunity.
The lotus root is "suitable for both raw and cooked" consumption. Eaten raw as a fruit, its taste is sweet and cool, and it benefits the lungs. Steamed with glutinous rice and honey, it becomes pink, translucent, soft, and moist, a delicious autumn dish. When stewed with pork ribs, it strengthens the spleen and whets the appetite, is nutritious, and is suitable for nourishing those with a weak spleen and stomach.
Pork Rib and Lotus Root Soup
2. For nourishing yin, honey is the top choice
Upon entering autumn, the primary task should be to nourish the body's "yin." There are many foods that nourish yin, such as loach, sesame, walnuts, glutinous rice, milk, peanuts, fresh Chinese yam, ginkgo nuts, pears, and red dates. Among them, honey is the most representative. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes that honey has the effects of nourishing yin and moistening dryness, moistening the lungs and replenishing deficiency, lubricating the intestines to relieve constipation, neutralizing drug toxicity, nourishing the spleen-qi, and improving complexion, hence earning the name "essence of a hundred flowers." Honey is an excellent energy supplement and is remarkably effective in relieving fatigue. Honey can be directly mixed into warm water to drink or blended with fresh fruit juice. Scooping out the core of a snow pear, pouring in honey, sealing it, and steaming it can replenish lung yin deficiency.
3. For nourishing the lungs, almonds are the top choice
Radish, almond, dried ginger, and pear, an effective cough remedy that needs no doctor. According to TCM theory, the season corresponds to an organ, and autumn corresponds to the lungs. After the Start of Autumn is the best time to nourish, replenish, or treat lung ailments. Foods that nourish the lungs include tremella, lily, pig lung, dried persimmon, loquat, and water chestnut. Among these, the best in-season choice is none other than almonds. It is best to cook almonds with coix seed in a 1:5 ratio to make a porridge, and drink it while warm. Stewing it with pig lung also has a nourishing and soothing effect.
Two-Color Almond Cookies
4. For increasing sourness, grapes are the top choice
"Less pungent, more sour" is one of the most important principles in TCM nutrition for autumn diet. To eat more sour in autumn means to eat more sour fruits, such as oranges, hawthorn, and green apples, and to eat less sweet watermelons and muskmelons. The grapes currently in abundance are an excellent "sour" fruit. Grains replenish qi and blood, promote the production of fluids to quench thirst, strengthen the spleen, and promote urination. Eating more in early autumn can also help the body detoxify and relieve internal heat. Red grapes can soften blood vessels and invigorate blood circulation, so cardiovascular patients may want to eat more. White grapes have a moistening effect on the lungs, suitable for those with coughs or poor respiratory systems. Green grapes are better for clearing heat and detoxifying. Purple grapes are rich in anthocyanins and can be beautifying and anti-aging. Black grapes have a more prominent effect of nourishing yin and nourishing the kidneys.
Grape Juice
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