Introduction: Eat a melon in July, no need for Chinese medicine! Eat more after the beginning of the Heat, one dispels dampness, two nourishes the skin, three reduces swelling.
In the hot July of summer, nature bestows countless coolness and nourishment on humanity in its unique way. Among them, the loofah, a seemingly ordinary but nutritionally rich vegetable, quietly becomes a favorite on people’s dining tables.
There is a saying: “Eat a melon in July, no need for Chinese medicine.” This vividly describes the eating value of loofah and is a high recognition of its ability to dispel dampness, detoxify, and reduce swelling. As summer progresses, especially after the beginning of the Heat, increasing the intake of loofah is undoubtedly a gentle care for the body.
Loofah, the envoy of coolness
Loofah, also known as sponge gourd, Chinese okra, belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family, a vine annual plant of the Luffa genus. Its fruit is slender, with smooth or finely ridged skin, tender flesh inside, and a refreshing taste, making it a great dish on the summer dining table. Loofah is not only delicious but also highly esteemed for its unique medicinal value.
In traditional beliefs, loofah has a cool and sweet taste, attributed to the lung, liver, stomach, and large intestine meridians, known for its heat-clearing, detoxifying, blood-cooling, and diuretic properties. In the hot summer, consuming loofah in moderation can effectively relieve restlessness and discomfort caused by high temperatures, bringing a cool feeling like a clear spring flowing into the heart.
1. A good product for dispelling dampness, safeguarding health
In summer, with abundant rainfall and high humidity, the body is prone to dampness invasion, leading to heaviness, limb weakness, loss of appetite, sticky stools, etc. Loofah, as a natural product for dispelling dampness, with its rich dietary fiber, promotes intestinal peristalsis, helping eliminate excess dampness and toxins from the body, reducing the body’s burden. Enhancing the body’s resistance to dampness, keeping the body cool and vibrant even in the damp summer.
2. Detoxification and beauty, rejuvenating skin radiance
Modern fast-paced life, severe environmental pollution, coupled with unhealthy lifestyle habits, lead to toxin accumulation in the body, affecting the skin. Active ingredients in loofah have antioxidant properties, capable of eliminating free radicals in the body, reducing cell damage, promoting skin metabolism, thus detoxifying and beautifying the skin.
Moreover, the mucilage and polysaccharides in loofah provide skin with an abundance of moisture and nutrients, keeping the skin hydrated, smooth, and elastic. Regular consumption of loofah allows you to have silky smooth skin even in the summer.
3. A tool for reducing swelling, easing physical discomfort
In the high temperatures of summer, the body easily sweats, leading to rapid loss of body fluids. Failure to replenish water and electrolytes in time may result in edema. The rich potassium content and low sodium content in loofah help maintain the body’s electrolyte balance, promote the excretion of excess water, thus relieving edema.
Loofah delicacies, a summer feast for taste buds
Loofah can be cooked in various ways, whether stir-fried, used in soup, or cold dressed, all preserving its original fragrance and nutrition, catering to different tastes.
For example, stir-fried loofah, with simple seasoning, highlights its crisp and refreshing taste; loofah and egg soup is a cool drink in summer, refreshing and nutritious; while cold-dressed loofah, with its sour and spicy appetizing taste, becomes a bright scenery on the summer dining table.
Furthermore, loofah can be combined with various ingredients to create more delicious dishes, such as stir-fried loofah with shrimp, braised tofu with loofah, allowing people to enjoy not only delicious food but also health and happiness.
Conclusion
Eat a melon in July, and health will naturally come. In this vibrant summer, let us approach loofah, a natural gift, more often. Whether from the perspective of dispelling dampness, detoxifying, reducing swelling, nourishing the skin, or enjoying delicious food, loofah is an indispensable good ingredient. Let us savor the delicious taste of loofah and feel the happiness bestowed upon us by nature. This summer, let’s use loofah to protect our beauty together!
