The spleen and stomach are in good condition, with fewer illnesses; a good spleen and stomach lead to dietary nourishment. Natural products are the most suitable “supplements” for the spleen and stomach, whether they are plants, insects, fish, fruits, or vegetables, regardless of their value, can all be beneficial “herbs” for the spleen and stomach. Make good use of the readily available materials in life, learn and apply them actively, and become your own “nurturing specialist.”
Medical guidance: Professor Lu Chuanjian, a young expert highlighted for contributions in national health and family planning, and the academic leader of the Lingnan Earth Supplement Academic School at the Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
The saying goes, “Winter melon, Winter melon, a home in all four seas.” The winter melon is not actually grown in winter, but it can yield crops in summer and autumn. After harvesting in autumn and proper storage, it can be preserved for several months, allowing for consumption in winter, truly living up to its name of “winter melon.” However, people mostly enjoy winter melon in summer when the weather is hot. Winter melon soup and winter melon tea are appetizing and cooling seasonal dishes.
01
Appetizing and heat-relieving
There is a legend in the Ningbo region of Zhejiang Province about “Qin Hui and the Stinky Winter Melon.” It is said that after the treacherous official Qin Hui caused the death of a loyal subject, he was plagued by worry and developed “hiccup indigestion,” feeling chest tightness and unable to eat. Despite seeking medical treatment to no avail, Qin Hui went to Ningbo to worship the Buddha at the Tiantong Temple. It was midsummer, and the locals were eating “stinky winter melon” as a side dish. Qin Hui couldn’t resist tasting it and unexpectedly found his appetite restored and his discomfort alleviated. He then instructed the household chef to prepare this dish regularly. Hence, the folk saying “Qin Hui eats stinky winter melon, the foul smell is harmonious.”
This story is not entirely baseless. In hot summers, frequent sweating can deplete one’s body fluids and lead to a loss of appetite. In cases of dual deficiency of qi and yin, the individual may only feel like drinking soup and cannot eat a full meal. Winter melon, with its refreshing properties, is the best option to hydrate and nourish the spleen and stomach during the dry days of summer, improving appetite.
02
Diuretic and reducing swelling
In addition to being appetizing, winter melon also has a diuretic and anti-swelling effect. In hot summer weather, people can easily drink excessive water when feeling thirsty, combined with sweating profusely and urinating less, urine retention in the bladder can lead to discomfort and irritability. Sweet winter melon juice, cool and refreshing, can increase urine output, helping to alleviate the effects of heat along with the increased frequency of urination.
In terms of different parts of the winter melon, the flesh is slightly cool and sweet to quench thirst, while the rind has a more pronounced diuretic effect. Even the discarded winter melon seeds, usually considered kitchen waste, are actually a type of traditional Chinese medicine known for clearing heat and resolving phlegm. In cases of lung heat-induced cough with yellowish phlegm and constipation, doctors often include winter melon seeds in the prescription to moisten the lungs and promote bowel movements.
Recruitment notice for clinical research volunteers on chronic urticaria reduction
Hello! We are conducting a study on “Consolidating the foundation against sensitivity to reduce the relapse of chronic spontaneous urticaria.” This study has been reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of the Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine and is being carried out by the hospital. We are currently recruiting volunteers with chronic urticaria for this clinical research.
【Basic requirements】
① Patients with chronic urticaria (duration ≥6 weeks, recurring in the last 2 weeks).
② Age between 18-65 years.
③ Those who have signed an informed consent form.
If you or someone you know meets the above criteria and is willing to participate in this trial, please contact us as soon as possible.
Contact person: Dr. He Ziqing
Contact information: You can visit the 12th dermatology clinic on the 7th floor of the East District during working hours for consultation, or contact us by calling 18520496633 (you can also add the WeChat below directly, indicating your interest in understanding the research as a urticaria patient).
Note: Volunteers participating in the trial should be able to visit our hospital for at least two follow-up appointments per month. Patients with cholinergic/inducible urticaria are temporarily not suitable for participation.
Talk about Earth Nourishment | It is a good food material for “cooling off” health in summer, both the flesh and juice can be consumed!
Talk about Earth Nourishment | The key to doubling the deliciousness lies in “moisture permeation,” especially suitable during the humid and rainy season.
Talk about Earth Nourishment | The “detoxification flower” that can be grown on the balcony, essential for relieving itchy skin.
Highlights of “Talk about Earth Nourishment”
The “Nourishing the Spleen and Stomach” series is now reprinted! Also, the 90th anniversary edition of “Medicinal Recipes in the Kitchen,” with new and more vivid content!
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Expert Introduction: Lu Chuanjian, Professor, Chief Physician, Doctoral Supervisor. A disciple of the grand master of Chinese medicine, Professor Xuan Guowei, and a national leader in the inheritance of academic experience of outstanding elderly experts in traditional Chinese medicine nationwide, a leading figure in the national talent training project “Qihuang Scholar” in traditional Chinese medicine, an object of talent training for the “Thousand, Hundred, Ten” project in Guangdong Province, and the academic leader of the Lingnan Earth Supplement Academic School at the Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, as well as the leader of the clinical and basic research innovation team for psoriasis. Currently serving as the Vice President of the Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. He also holds positions as the Chairman of the Immunology Branch of the Chinese Society of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Vice President of the Immunology Professional Committee of the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies, Member of the Psoriasis Special Committee of the Dermatology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, Deputy Director of the Psoriasis Study Group of the Dermatology Branch of the Guangdong Medical Association, Director of the Technical Committee on Standardization of TCM in Guangdong Province, Chairman of the specialized committee on standardization in the Guangdong TCM Association, Chairman of the specialized committee on standardization in the Guangdong Society of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, and Group Leader of the TCM group in the Organ and Biological Sample Library Branch of the China Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Association, among others.
He has led and completed many national and provincial-level projects, edited and published 20 professional books (6 in English), authored and co-authored over 150 academic papers (more than 60 included in SCI), obtained 9 national invention patents and software copyrights, 1 clinical approval for a new Chinese medicine, successfully transferred the research and development of 2 new Chinese medicines, and won 12 awards for teaching and research achievements at the provincial and ministerial levels. He has been honored with titles such as “Outstanding Young Expert for Contributions to National Health and Family Planning,” “National Outstanding Scientific and Technological Worker,” “First Outstanding Female Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctor in China,” “Five Continents Female Scientist Award of the Chinese Female Doctors Association,” “Top Ten Female Innovators in Southern Guangdong,” and “Model Citizen with the Red Banner for Women’s Day in Guangdong Province,” among others.
Contributed by: Lingnan Earth Supplement School of the Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Executive Editor: Zhang Liangwen Jin Hui
Reviewed by: Wang Junfei
Managing Editor: Chen Jiajia
