Entering the first month of the sanfu days, the dampness and heat are in conflict + prolonged exposure to air conditioning, indulging in cold drinks, inevitably attracting dampness evils!
The spleen and stomach are the “master keys” in regulating metabolic diseases. With spleen deficiency, the transformation of fluids deteriorates, making it easier for dampness evils to take hold.
Especially in the southern regions, during this period, it is the rainy season with constant rainfall, and everything around is humid, one can say it’s a stage of heavy “damp toxicity”!
At this time, diet is crucial, for individuals with spleen deficiency and dampness, it is not suitable to consume raw and cold fruits, like watermelon, as they can exacerbate coldness, phlegm, and dampness in the body.
Fortunately, in July, a certain fruit is in season, its greatest advantage compared to other fruits is that it does not induce coldness, heat, or humidity.
It’s this small fruit that looks somewhat like longan ⬇️
People from the northern regions might not be familiar with this fruit; it is a specialty fruit from Guangdong called the “yellow-skinned fruit,” with juicy and tender flesh, pleasantly balanced between sour and sweet, known as the “summer savior” for southerners!
The yellow-skinned fruit is mainly produced in the Lingnan region, alongside lychee and longan, known as the “three treasures of Guangdong in the summer,” also praised as the “treasure among fruits” and the “fruit of righteous qi.” Consuming a few yellow-skinned fruits after a summer meal, chewing the flesh and peel in the mouth, presents a taste that is sour with sweetness, juicy and delightful, leaving a fragrant aftertaste, refreshing and relieving, making one feel clear-minded and invigorated.
What are the benefits of eating yellow-skinned fruit in summer?
Speaking of the yellow-skinned fruit, this small fruit is truly a treasure, despite its small size, it is packed with nutrients.
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1. Aids in digestion and relieves greasiness
According to the famous Qing dynasty medical practitioner Zhao Xuemin in “Compendium of Materia Medica Supplement,” it states: “Yellow-skinned fruit helps digestion and smooths the flow of Qi, relieves summer heat. Its mild acidity is non-toxic, and it is effective for treating nausea, rebellious Qi, phlegm-dampness, fullness and pain in the chest and diaphragm, as well as heart troubles due to roundworms.” In Lingnan folklore, there is a saying “eat lychee when hungry, eat yellow-skinned fruit when full,” showing the well-known effectiveness of yellow-skinned fruit in aiding digestion and relieving greasiness.
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Rich in Vitamin C
Modern nutritional studies have shown that yellow-skinned fruit is rich in Vitamin C, even higher than tomatoes!
Eating yellow-skinned fruit daily can strengthen your immune system, enabling better defense against external bacterial invasions.
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Moisturizes and quenches thirst
Yellow-skinned fruit contains various fructose, organic acids, pectin, flavonoids, alkaloids, coumarins, and phenolic compounds in the leaves and roots. Organic acids can stimulate saliva secretion, assisting in moisturizing and quenching thirst. Especially in summer when appetite is poor, consuming some yellow-skinned fruit can open up your appetite and aid in smoother digestion.
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Promotes digestion
In the current damp weather, dampness evils easily obstruct the spleen and stomach. For those with weak spleen and stomach function, the inability to transform food properly may lead to bloating. Yellow-skinned fruit can stimulate gastric juice secretion, promote digestion, relieve bloating and pain caused by Qi stagnation, as well as reduce respiratory smooth muscle spasms, aiding in phlegm reduction, asthma relief, moisturizing the throat, and easing discomfort.
Recommended consumption methods
The season for yellow-skinned fruit is short, only lasting these two months, and it is prone to spoilage, so besides consuming fresh fruit, you can also make yellow-skinned fruit ginger water and yellow-skinned fruit jam, both of which are simple to prepare.
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Yellow-skinned fruit ginger water:
Ingredients: 200g fresh yellow-skinned fruit, suitable amount of rock sugar, and ginger juice.
Method: Mash the fresh yellow-skinned fruit with the skin, steep in hot water, cool down, add rock sugar and ginger juice to taste, then it’s ready to drink.
Effects: Clears heat, relieves summer heat, awakens the stomach, and aids in digestion.
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Yellow-skinned fruit jam:
Method: Mix the yellow-skinned fruit with cornstarch and salt, rinse well with water, remove the core by cutting crosses on the fruit, or it can be easily squeezed out by hand. Add rock sugar, mix well, marinate for 2 hours, then bring to a boil over high heat, simmer on medium-low heat, stir occasionally to prevent sticking to the bottom, cook until the fruit becomes semi-translucent, thick, and sticky.
However, individuals with diabetes, pregnant women, children, and those with weak spleen and stomach function should not consume it in excess.
