During menstruation, immunity declines and moods become more volatile. Some individuals may experience symptoms such as poor appetite, lower back pain, and fatigue. Due to menstrual blood loss, especially in cases of heavy menstruation, each menstrual cycle depletes key blood components including plasma proteins, potassium, iron, calcium, and other nutrients.Menstrual blood loss, especially in cases of heavy flow, depletes key blood components like plasma proteins, potassium, iron, calcium, and magnesium with each cycle. Therefore, within 1 to 5 days after menstruation ends, it is advisable to replenish protein, minerals, and blood-nourishing foods. Choose foods and Chinese herbs that both enhance beauty and promote blood circulation.
During menstruation, incorporate foods that promote smooth blood flow, such as warming tonics like lamb, chicken, red dates, tofu skin, apples, coix seeds, milk, brown sugar, and longan.
For symptoms like poor appetite or lower back pain, opt for nutrient-rich, spleen-nourishing, and easily digestible foods like red dates, noodles, or coix seed porridge. Maintain nutritional balance by including fresh vegetables and fruits. Prioritize fresh ingredients—they taste better, are more easily absorbed, and retain more nutrients.
Three Principles for Blood Nourishment During Menstruation
1. Moderate Dietary Habits
During menstruation, opt for light yet nutritious foods. Avoid excessive consumption of pungent-hot or cold-natured items. Overly hot foods may cause excessive bleeding, while cold foods can obstruct blood flow in the meridians, leading to dysmenorrhea and irregular flow. Also, limit alcohol intake to prevent uterine stimulation and menstrual disruption.
2. Maintain a Balanced Lifestyle
Women should avoid damp, cold environments and excessive labor. Strive for a balance between work and rest, especially during menstruation. Minimize exposure to cold stimuli, rain, water, strenuous exercise, and intense emotional stress.
3. Practice Moderate Sexual Activity
Maintain genital hygiene and practice moderation in sexual activity to prevent bacterial invasion and reduce the risk of gynecological diseases.
Simple Sweet Soups for Warming Meridians and Nourishing Blood:
Ginger, Jujube, and Brown Sugar Decoction
Ingredients: 30g dried ginger, 30g jujubes, 30g brown sugar.
Method: Wash the first two ingredients. Finely chop the dried ginger. Remove pits from red dates. Simmer with brown sugar. Drink the broth and eat the dates.
Benefits: Warms the meridians and dispels cold. Suitable for cold-type dysmenorrhea and melasma.
Hawthorn and Cinnamon Brown Sugar Decoction
Ingredients: 15g hawthorn pulp, 5g cinnamon twig, 30g brown sugar.
Method: Place hawthorn pulp and cinnamon twig in an earthenware pot. Add 2 bowls of water and simmer over low heat until reduced to 1 bowl. Stir in brown sugar, mix well, and bring to a boil.
Benefits: Warms meridians, unblocks vessels, dissipates stasis, and alleviates pain. Suitable for women with cold-type dysmenorrhea and dull complexion.
Leek Juice with Brown Sugar Drink
Ingredients: 300g fresh leeks, 100g brown sugar.
Method: Wash fresh leeks, drain thoroughly, chop finely, then mash to extract juice. Reserve.Place brown sugar in an aluminum pot with a small amount of water. Bring to a boil until sugar dissolves, then mix with the leek juice. Drink immediately.
Benefits: Warms meridians and replenishes qi. Suitable for menstrual pain caused by deficiency of both qi and blood, and promotes a rosy, smooth complexion.