Winter is a good time to take care of the liver, and mental nourishment is especially important. Maintaining a happy mood can promote the generation of yang qi. Choose porridge and soups for diet, increase bitter foods moderately, reduce salt intake, which is beneficial for liver health.
As the weather turns colder in Guangdong, the yin energy in nature gradually increases, weakening yang qi. Liver energy in the human body may become relatively vigorous, leading to possible stagnation of qi and blood circulation. Therefore, in this season, besides strengthening the care of the lungs and stomach, special attention should be paid to the maintenance of the liver and kidneys, especially for patients with liver diseases. Properly caring for the liver in winter can prevent the deterioration of conditions in spring.
Warmth supplementation is a key principle of winter diet. In traditional Chinese medicine theory, the liver and kidneys are interrelated and work together to maintain the balance of the body’s essence and blood. It is recommended to consume meats such as lamb, beef, chicken, quail, certain seafood like cuttlefish, octopus, as well as Chinese herbs like astragalus, codonopsis, cooked rehmannia, polygonatum, medlar, etc., to achieve the purpose of nourishing the liver and kidneys, and enhancing the physique. It should be noted that although dog meat is warm in nature and can quickly replenish calories, it is not suitable for excessive consumption due to its overly warm and drying properties.
Here are several suitable porridges and soups for winter consumption that can nourish the liver and kidneys, enhance vitality:
1. Dodder Seed Porridge: Crush 30 grams of dodder seeds and decoct to extract juice, then cook with 150 grams of glutinous rice to make porridge. Add some white sugar according to taste. This porridge can nourish the kidneys, benefit essence, improve vision, and strengthen the spleen.
2. Ganoderma Astragalus Lean Pork Soup: Boil 15 grams of astragalus, 10 grams of ganoderma with 150 grams of lean pork. Add a little salt for seasoning after the pork is fully cooked. This soup can tonify qi, invigorate the spleen, and strengthen the body.
3. Honey Pine Nut Porridge: Crush 30 grams of pine nuts, cook with 150 grams of glutinous rice to make porridge. Before consumption, add an appropriate amount of honey. This porridge is beneficial for kidney health and spleen strengthening.
Through the above dietary methods, the liver and kidneys can be effectively nourished in the cold winter, promoting overall body health.
