What are the methods for spring health preservation? Traditional Chinese Medicine holds that spring is the season when liver energy prevails. The liver's heightened function can impair the spleen, affecting its digestive and absorptive capabilities. Congee, made by simmering grains with ample water or broth, fully gelatinizes the starch within the grains, offering excellent nourishing effects. Thus, spring is indeed an ideal season for consuming congee. So, what are the methods for spring health preservation?
Opt for warm or neutral main ingredients.For main ingredients, prioritize neutral or warm-natured foods like millet, rice, glutinous rice, or corn to nourish the spleen and stomach, laying a foundation for year-round health. Minimize cold-natured ingredients such as mung beans or buckwheat to avoid harming the body's yang energy and impeding the elimination of lingering cold within the body during spring.Sun Simiao further noted in his Thousand Gold Prescriptions that spring diets should reduce sour flavors and increase sweet ones to nourish spleen qi. This means people should consume less sour foods and more sweet foods to strengthen the spleen and stomach qi. Therefore, when cooking porridge in spring, it's best to add sweet ingredients like yam and red dates. After the porridge is cooked, honey or brown sugar can be stirred in according to personal taste.(Not suitable for diabetics). Yam and jujube porridge is an excellent choice. Use 80 grams of rice (half regular rice, half glutinous rice), 50 grams of yam, and 20 grams of jujubes. Rinse the rice and glutinous rice, then place them in a pot with the yam and jujubes. Add an appropriate amount of water and simmer until the porridge thickens. Consume once daily.
Consider adding spleen-tonifying and dampness-resolving ingredients. Southern regions experience heavy spring rainfall, so those living there may incorporate spleen-strengthening and dampness-dispelling foods like white kidney beans, coix seeds, or adzuki beans into their porridge. Individuals with spleen deficiency and dampness accumulation may benefit from kidney bean porridge to prevent dampness-related ailments: Combine 50g rice, 20g coix seeds,winter melon seeds (shelled) 10g, red adzuki beans 20g, white kidney beans 15g. Cook into porridge. Take one serving daily for one week.
Add ingredients that nourish the liver. According to traditional Chinese medicine's seasonal health principles, spring focuses on liver nourishment.Since the liver is connected to the eyes, vision health is closely tied to liver function. Those with sallow complexions, declining eyesight, or blurred vision may benefit from regular consumption of pork liver congee: Take 100 grams of fresh pork liver and 100 grams of rice. Soak the liver in water for half an hour, then mince it. Mix with an appropriate amount of cornstarch, minced ginger, and salad oil until well combined.Once the rice is 80% cooked, add the liver mixture along with salt, white pepper, and MSG. Drizzle with sesame oil before serving for enhanced flavor. However, as liver is rich in cholesterol, those with high blood lipids should consume it in moderation.
What are the methods for spring health preservation? Through the above introduction, I believe everyone now has a better understanding. Finally, I wish everyone good health.