Individuals with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold often experience cold extremities, a symptom that becomes particularly distressing during the frigid winter months.
Generally, spleen-stomach deficiency-cold arises from improper dietary habits. This is especially common among young people today, who frequently consume raw or cold foods, stay up late for various reasons leading to insufficient rest, or endure excessive stress and worry. These factors can disrupt gastrointestinal function, and over time, develop into spleen-stomach deficiency-cold.Spleen-Stomach Deficiency-Cold can be considered a chronic condition and is notoriously difficult to cure completely. To avoid discomfort this winter, those with this condition should prioritize warming foods like the following.
1. Lamb
Lamb is arguably the most suitable warming meat for winter consumption. From a medical perspective, lamb is inherently warming and has tonifying effects on the spleen, stomach, kidneys, and heart. It not only warms the stomach and strengthens the spleen but also nourishes deficiencies and replenishes blood. For those with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold, consuming lamb can alleviate symptoms like nausea, stomach pain, and sensitivity to cold.
2. Dried Tangerine Peel (Chenpi)
While commonly known for aiding digestion and resolving phlegm, dried tangerine peel also regulates qi and harmonizes the stomach. Adding a small amount when cooking meat or rich, greasy foods can reduce their impact on the spleen and stomach, making it suitable for those with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold who struggle with digestion.
3. Grass Carp
>Among various meats, fish is not only low in fat and calories but also gentler on the spleen and stomach. Many meats like pork and beef are harder to digest and can burden the digestive system with regular consumption. Fish avoids this concern, especially grass carp. It not only strengthens the spleen, benefits the lungs, and soothes the liver to relieve depression but also replenishes deficiencies and dispels cold. Eating grass carp in winter can warm the stomach.
4. Glutinous Rice
Glutinous rice is a qi-tonifying food that also fortifies the spleen and warms the stomach. Its warming nature makes it ideal for cold winter days. You can add half glutinous rice when cooking congee, or prepare it as glutinous rice dishes like sticky rice or glutinous rice chicken. However, those with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold should opt for lighter flavors and avoid overly salty or heavy seasonings.
5. Chestnuts
After autumn, chestnuts flood the market. Due to their easy preservation, they remain a common winter food.Warm in nature and sweet in taste, chestnuts promote blood circulation, strengthen tendons, and nourish the spleen and stomach. Those with weak spleen and stomach often suffer from diarrhea, which can be alleviated by consuming chestnuts. While chestnuts can be eaten raw, those with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold should avoid raw consumption. Preparing them as chestnut chicken or steaming them yields better results. It's important to note that moderation is key—avoid excessive intake.Ginger
Ginger's ability to dispel cold is widely recognized. For those with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold, ginger warms the stomach by warming the middle burner and dispersing cold. It effectively alleviates stomach pain and vomiting caused by this condition. When feeling abdominal coldness, boil ginger with brown sugar for consumption. Combining ginger with herbs like licorice, Atractylodes macrocephala, or Codonopsis pilosula enhances its qi-tonifying and spleen-nourishing effects.
All these foods are ideal for warming tonification during cold weather, especially recommended for those with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold symptoms.