In our daily lives, “dampness” is often considered one of the main culprits for physical discomfort. Especially after the start of autumn, as the temperature gradually cools, but the humidity in the air does not completely dissipate, the human body becomes more susceptible to dampness. Excess dampness can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, heaviness in the limbs, gastrointestinal discomfort, and in severe cases, it can even affect spleen and stomach function.
Therefore, how to adjust the body through diet to remove dampness becomes particularly important. In this season, there are several vegetables that not only effectively dispel dampness but also strengthen the spleen and nourish the stomach, allowing you to enjoy delicious food while maintaining good health. Today, we will introduce four vegetables that are particularly feared by “dampness,” along with their recommended recipes.
1. Winter Melon
Winter melon is considered one of the best options for dispelling dampness due to its high water content and low calorie count, as well as its diuretic, anti-swelling, and heat-clearing properties. According to TCM theory, winter melon is cold in nature and sweet in taste, capable of clearing heat and detoxifying, making it especially suitable for consumption in humid and hot weather.
Recommended recipe: Winter Melon, Edamame, Mushroom, and Egg Soup
Method: Peel and cut the winter melon into chunks, shell the edamame for later use, and clean the crab mushrooms and white jade mushrooms by cutting off the root. Beat the eggs, season with a little salt, and pan-fry them into an omelet; let cool稍微放凉后切成小块; in a pot, add water and winter melon chunks, bring to a boil, then add edamame, crab mushrooms, and white jade mushrooms, cook until the winter melon is translucent and the edamame is cooked through. Finally, add the egg pieces, cook for another 3-5 minutes, season with salt, and sprinkle with chopped green onions and cilantro before serving.
This soup is light and refreshing, with the combination of winter melon and edamame enriching its nutritional value, while the addition of mushrooms enhances the umami flavor. Most importantly, this soup effectively clears heat and dispels dampness, helping to eliminate excess water from the body, especially suitable for consumption after the start of autumn.
2. Lentils
Lentils are a common vegetable that helps to strengthen the spleen and dispel dampness. They are sweet in flavor and neutral in nature, entering the spleen and stomach channels, which can help regulate spleen and stomach functions, particularly suitable for those with spleen deficiency and excess dampness.
Recommended recipe: Stir-fried Lentils with Pork Belly
Method: Wash the lentils and cut them into thin strips, slice the pork belly for later use. Heat a small amount of oil in a pan, add the pork belly slices and stir-fry until slightly golden, then add the lentil strips and stir-fry together. Season with a little soy sauce and salt, stir-frying until the lentil strips are soft and thoroughly cooked, then add minced garlic and quickly stir-fry evenly before serving.
The sweetness of lentils perfectly complements the rich aroma of pork belly, making this dish flavorful and rich in texture, with a delightful crunch from the vegetables and tenderness from the meat. Lentils not only help eliminate dampness but also strengthen the spleen, making them an excellent choice for a regular meal.
3. Fennel
Fennel is also an excellent vegetable for dispelling dampness, with its unique aroma being effective in awakening the spleen while also promoting digestion and regulating gastrointestinal functions. Fennel is warm in nature, with properties that help regulate qi, stimulate appetite, and dispel cold and dampness, making it very suitable for dumpling fillings.
Recommended recipe: Fennel and Egg Dumplings
Method: Wash and chop the fennel, scramble and chop the eggs in a pan for later use; mix the chopped fennel and egg, add a little salt, sesame oil, soy sauce, and cooking oil, and mix well. Use dumpling wrappers to pack the fennel and egg filling, pinching the edges tightly together to prevent leaking. Boil the dumplings in boiling water until they float, then cook for an additional 2-3 minutes before serving.
The unique aroma of fennel and the tenderness of the eggs complement each other, making these dumplings delicious and not only effective in dispelling dampness but also warming the stomach. The fragrance of fennel gives this dish a unique flair, making it ideal as a simple yet delightful home-cooked meal.
4. Yam
Yam is known as the “immortal’s…”
