Also known as black beans, they have a sweet taste and neutral nature, entering the spleen and kidney meridians. Traditional Chinese medicine holds that black beans aid anti-aging and possess unique medicinal properties. Rich in protein, fat, carbohydrates, carotene, vitamins B1, B2, niacin, and other nutrients, their estrogen content helps delay aging and enhance skin beauty.Black beans also aid in treating edema while promoting blood circulation and detoxification. Pharmacological studies indicate they nourish yin and replenish qi, making them a potent fortifying food.
Versatile in preparation, they suit stewing, porridge-making, soy milk production, or grinding into paste for desserts.
Black bean juice can be used to alleviate and treat food and drug poisoning.
Black Fungus
Black fungus is an excellent anti-cancer food. Its exceptionally high fiber content effectively clears debris and carcinogens from blood vessels, preventing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. It also dilutes carcinogens in the colon, helping to prevent colorectal cancer.They also regulate blood sugar, reduce blood viscosity, and lower cholesterol levels. Consuming black fungus increases satiety, aiding weight management and maintaining body shape. Regular consumption helps fade facial blemishes and promotes skin health.
Suitable for stir-frying, stewing, hot pot, and cold dishes.
Soak thoroughly before cooking and rinse multiple times to remove impurities.
Black Rice
From the Han Dynasty to the late Qing Dynasty, it was known as "tribute rice," the most valuable variety in the rice family.
Research reveals black rice contains 18 amino acids, trace elements like selenium, iron, and zinc, along with vitamins B1 and B2, offering exceptional nutritional value. It nourishes yin, strengthens kidneys, fortifies the spleen, warms the liver, improves vision, and promotes blood circulation. Long-term consumption aids sleep and may alleviate dizziness, vertigo, anemia, premature graying, eye disorders, and weakness in the waist and legs.Modern medicine recognizes black rice's efficacy in replenishing blood, alleviating pain, and treating both internal and external injuries. Postpartum women who consume black rice products recover more quickly. For bruises, fractures, or rheumatoid arthritis, eating black rice or applying a paste of crushed black rice externally accelerates healing.
Ideal for congee, it also works well in pastries, glutinous rice balls, zongzi, bread, and more.
Rinse with cold water without rubbing, and cook the soaking water together with the rice to fully preserve its nutrients.
Black Sesame Seeds
The Compendium of Materia Medica states that consuming black sesame seeds for one year brings radiant skin, two years restores black hair to graying, and three years promotes tooth regrowth. Traditional Chinese medicine holds that black sesame seeds nourish the liver, tonify the kidneys, enrich blood, moisturize dryness, darken hair, and enhance beauty, making them an excellent cosmetic food.Black sesame seeds are rich in nutrients, with iron and vitamin E being key components for preventing anemia and reducing cholesterol in blood vessels. Most of their fats are unsaturated fatty acids. Their reputation for darkening hair and enhancing beauty is well-established, as they also nourish the liver and kidneys, moisturize the five vital organs, and treat conditions like premature graying, hair loss, dry skin, brittle hair, and constipation caused by deficiency of liver and kidney essence and blood.Regular consumption helps prevent and treat gallstones while enhancing brain function and promoting longevity. Suitable for stir-frying, boiling into paste, or as filling in desserts. Avoid excessive intake—limit to one tablespoon daily, as overconsumption may paradoxically cause hair loss.