Step 1: Hydration Starts with a Healthy Spleen
The spleen is the foundation of acquired constitution and the source of qi and blood production. Only when spleen and stomach function normally, with abundant qi and blood, can the body maintain sufficient fluids and the skin receive proper nourishment. Impaired spleen function leads to insufficient fluid production—like a reservoir without a water source—leaving the skin undernourished, dry, and sallow.Therefore, hydration must begin with strengthening the spleen. Only by fortifying the spleen and boosting qi can body fluids be generated and yang qi circulated. This ensures abundant fluids are distributed by yang qi, laying a solid foundation for skin hydration.
Representative herbs: Angelica sinensis (Danggui), Poria cocos (Fuling)
Angelica sinensis: Nourishes blood, promotes blood circulation, removes stasis, and generates new blood. Historically regarded as a key herb in gynecology.Modern research indicates: Angelica sinensis contains volatile oils and multiple essential trace elements for the human body. Long-term use nourishes the skin, prevents roughness, and restores a rosy complexion. By dilating scalp capillaries, promoting blood circulation, and providing rich trace elements, it also prevents hair loss and graying while promoting lustrous, dark hair!
Poria: Calms the mind and soothes the spirit, benefits the spleen and kidneys, drains dampness and promotes diuresis. Modern research confirms Poria contains triterpenoids, polysaccharides, choline, fats, lecithin, potassium, magnesium, and other elements. It significantly enhances immune function while enabling oxygenated hemoglobin in the blood to release more oxygen to supply tissue cells.Simultaneously, it enhances the vitality and activity of cellular tissues (including skin, mucous membranes, and hair), maintaining them in a healthy state. This results in more nourished skin and hair, achieving beautifying effects.
Dietary Delight:
Poria Cake is a renowned traditional tonic delicacy from Beijing, with Daoxiangcun producing the finest version.
Turtle Jelly: A time-honored medicinal dish from Wuzhou, turtle jelly alleviates itching, clears acne, and revitalizes the complexion. Legend has it this precious remedy was originally reserved for the emperor in the Qing Palace, made with wild poria which detoxifies and expels dampness.Just buy it and enjoy!
Angelica Chicken Soup: Simmer 50g angelica root, one black chicken, and a piece of ginger in water over low heat until meat is tender and broth is rich. Season to taste and serve.
Step 2: Nourish Skin by Moisturizing Lungs
After strengthening the spleen to deliver ample fluids and replenish bodily hydration, how do we distribute this moisture throughout the skin?Qing Dynasty physician Tang Zonghai termed the lungs the "upper source of water." Like a fountain, the lungs disperse fluids evenly throughout the body to nourish the organs, muscles, and skin. If lung function fails, the body loses its ability to distribute fluids and cannot receive proper nourishment.
Representative Medicinal Herbs: Luo Han Guo (Monk Fruit), Apricot Kernel
Luo Han Guo: Clears the lungs and moistens the intestines. Modern research indicates it also purifies lipid peroxides in the blood, improving skin metabolism throughout the body to achieve hydrating and beautifying effects.
Apricot Kernel: Generates fluids to quench thirst, moistens the lungs, and calms wheezing.Modern research confirms: Almonds are rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E. Both substances significantly aid in controlling or even lowering blood cholesterol levels while providing antioxidant benefits that nourish the skin.Rinse and briefly soak herbs. Cut chicken into chunks. Wash lean pork and add to clay pot with ginger. Cover with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for 2 hours. Season to taste.Sweet almonds are commonly used and can be eaten as snacks, used for flavoring, made into almond milk, or incorporated into cakes, cookies, and dishes.
Step 3: Preserving Body Fluids Requires Kidney Strength
The kidneys govern fluids. Fluids distributed throughout the body by the lungs nourish the body and then gather back to the kidneys. Under the kidneys' influence, they are separated into clear and turbid components.Clear fluids are returned to the lungs through the vaporizing action of kidney yang qi, then redistributed throughout the body to maintain normal fluid levels. Turbid fluids are transformed into urine for excretion. Therefore, hydration involves not only replenishing water but also ensuring its proper distribution. More crucially, it requires strengthening the vaporizing function of kidney yang to retain fluids! Otherwise, no matter how much you replenish, the cold wind will ruthlessly carry it away.
Representative herbs: Chinese yam, Polygonum multiflorum
Chinese yam: Nourishes both lung and spleen qi while benefiting lung and kidney yin. It also consolidates and restrains kidney essence, making it suitable for both spleen yang deficiency and lung-kidney yin deficiency.
Polygonum multiflorum: Nourishes essence and blood, strengthens tendons and bones, darkens hair, and lightens the body. Modern research indicates it contains emodin, rhein, and lecithin, which promote superoxide dismutase activity. This significantly dilates blood vessels, accelerates circulation, delays cellular aging, and inhibits premature aging that affects beauty.
Dietary Therapy Tips:
Yam is typically peeled before consumption to avoid abnormal textures like numbness or prickliness. It is commonly stewed with meat, used in soups, or cooked into congee. Stewed Yam with Beef Brisket: Wash and peel the yam, then cut into chunks. Cut the beef brisket into small pieces and blanch to remove scum.Fry star anise in a pot until fragrant, then stir-fry scallions and ginger chunks. Add cooking wine and water, then add beef brisket. Stir-fry briefly before transferring to a pressure cooker and cooking for 20 minutes. Remove and transfer beef brisket to a wok. Add yam, sugar, salt, and chicken bouillon for seasoning. Simmer together until tender and flavorful.
He Shou Wu can be prepared in many ways—stir-fried, boiled, or stewed.He Shou Wu Chicken Soup: One black chicken (approx. 800g), 50g prepared He Shou Wu, one piece ginger, sufficient water. Simmer over low heat until meat is tender and broth is rich. Season to taste and serve. Consume both broth and meat. Alternatively, add angelica root and stew with the chicken for excellent hair and skin nourishment.
TIP: Hydrating Elixir—Honey
Honey, the essence of a hundred flowers, nourishes yin, moistens dryness, soothes the lungs, replenishes deficiencies, harmonizes herbs, neutralizes drug toxicity, strengthens the spleen, brightens complexion, and regulates digestion. It is hailed as a sacred beauty elixir for women. Modern research confirms that honey's abundant bioactive compounds alleviate winter skin dryness and dehydration, enhance skin nutrition, and maintain softness and smoothness.Notably, honey contains 47 trace elements—including zinc, iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium—essential for both health and beauty.
Dietary Remedies:
Simplest method: Boil 250g milk, add 30g honey, and drink warm on an empty stomach. This nourishes the body, enhances vitality, and beautifies the skin.
External applications like washing your face with fresh honey, using it as a face mask, or substituting it for essential oils in body massage can all moisturize your skin, brighten its tone, and restore elasticity.
Important Note: Honey has a laxative effect. Those prone to loose stools should avoid it, and it should not be consumed with raw onions.