When it comes to health, people used to think about the elderly, but now it’s different. The younger generation, born after 1995, is paying more attention to health.
Observations show that these young people generally believe that the choice of food and products they consume has an effect on their health.
Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes both internal nourishment and external adjustments, focusing on dietary health. However, due to the modern misunderstanding of traditional Chinese health practices, trends like “goji berries in the thermos,” “a cup of warm honey lemon water in the morning,” “birds’ nest with fruits,” are becoming popular among the younger generation.
But are these “supplements” really suitable for everyone? Are they truly “harmless with multiple benefits” after consumption?
Check out the following recommendations for everyone to consider!
Jujube: Three groups of people should avoid consumption
Jujube has a sweet and warm nature, which can invigorate the middle energize Qi, nourish blood, and calm the spirit.
However, for the following groups, consuming jujubes as a supplement not only does not have health benefits but may even be counterproductive.
1
Those prone to heatiness
Individuals with a tendency towards heatiness often experience symptoms like constipation, bad breath, or swelling and pain in the throat and gums. Jujubes are sweet and warm in nature, if consumed in large quantities, it may exacerbate the heatiness.
2
Those with phlegm-dampness excess
People with excess phlegm-dampness often have symptoms like thick greasy tongue coating, sweet taste or greasy sensation in the mouth, loss of appetite, bloating, and fullness in the stomach. The greasy nature of jujubes can worsen dampness and hinder its elimination from the body.
3
Patients in the early stages of a cold
In the initial stages of a cold, when external pathogenic factors like cold wind invade the body, consuming jujubes may lead to the retention of pathogenic factors, hindering recovery and making it difficult for the body to expel the pathogens.
Goji Berries: Caution for these individuals
Goji berries have the effect of nourishing yin and blood, tonifying the liver and kidneys, and benefiting essence and improving vision. However, when encountering the following situations, one must be cautious about consuming goji berries.
1
Individuals with damp-heat constitution
Goji berries have a warming effect while nourishing, so they are not suitable for individuals with internal damp-heat or phlegm-dampness.
Such individuals may exhibit high blood pressure, irritable temperament, redness of the face from excessive meat consumption.
2
Individuals with cold or fever
Goji berries are neutral to slightly warm; excessive consumption can lead to heatiness, hence those with internal heat, phlegm turbidity, or those currently experiencing a cold or fever should avoid them.
3
People with diarrhea
If the body is inflamed, it is best to avoid goji berries to prevent exacerbating the condition. Additionally, individuals with cold-deficient constitution may experience diarrhea from consuming goji berries.
Reminder: When using goji berries for health purposes, they should be consumed in small amounts over a long period; avoid consuming large quantities at once.
Ginseng: Avoid consumption for those without deficient conditions
Ginseng, known as the king of herbs, can invigorate vitality. The correct method is to start with small doses and gradually increase, taking 2 to 3 grams daily in sliced or powdered form, dissolved slowly in the saliva. It can also be brewed in water, soaked in alcohol, or consumed as powder.
However, ginseng also has contraindications!
1
Healthy children
Children should not take ginseng or ginseng-like supplements to avoid early maturation, which is not conducive to normal healthy development.
2
Individuals with excess heat
Individuals with symptoms of excess heat like high fever, dry stools, yellow urine, yellow tongue coating should avoid using ginseng.
3
Individuals with oral ulcers
Those with oral ulcers, dry mouth, feeling hot in hands and feet should not consume ginseng.
Donkey-Hide Gelatin: Stop consumption during periods
Donkey-hide gelatin, as a traditional Chinese medicine, has the functions of nourishing yin, invigorating blood, and securing the fetus. It can treat blood deficiency, asthenia and cough, hemoptysis, blood in the stool, and women’s irregular menstruation, among others.
Although donkey-hide gelatin is beneficial, it should not be consumed recklessly. Generally, the daily intake should range from 3 to 10 grams. However, in the following situations, donkey-hide gelatin should be stopped.
1
During colds or menstrual periods
If suffering from conditions like the common cold, cough, diarrhea, or menstruation, donkey-hide gelatin should be discontinued until recovery or the end of menstruation.
2
People with weak spleen and stomach
Individuals with weak spleen and stomach, loss of appetite, thick greasy tongue coating, and abdominal bloating should consume donkey-hide gelatin sparingly or avoid it.
3
Those prone to heatiness
Newly made donkey-hide gelatin may be heaty; hence individuals prone to heatiness should use it cautiously.
Coicis Semen: Avoid during pregnancy
Coicis Semen is rich in nutrients, excellent for dampness dispelling, known as the “friend of life and health,” but for the following individuals, it can be a hidden danger!
1
Not suitable for pregnant women
Those planning for pregnancy and pregnant women should avoid it, as it easily leads to miscarriage.
2
People with yin deficiency
Due to the dampness dispelling effect of Coicis Semen, it is not suitable for those with heat injury, yin deficiency, or excessive internal heat.
3
People sensitive to cold
Coicis Semen is cold in nature and can lead to coldness in the body; therefore, those who are sensitive to cold should not consume it regularly.
Sanchi: Stop consumption during menstrual and pregnancy periods
Sanchi, also known as “Tienchi,” has the effects of promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, reducing swelling and relieving pain. It is mainly used clinically to treat conditions like hemoptysis, blood in the stool, and trauma-related swelling and pain and also formulated into Chinese patent medicines to treat cerebrovascular diseases like stroke and its sequelae.
However, whether for treating diseases or as a medicinal diet, Sanchi is not suitable for everyone.
1
Women during menstruation
Using Sanchi during menstruation can lead to excessive bleeding; therefore, it should be avoided during this period.
2
Pregnant women
All blood-invigorating and blood-stasis dissolving medications can potentially cause miscarriage and may harm the fetus. In conclusion, no matter how good a supplement is, if it is not suitable for oneself, it should never be taken blindly, as it may not only have positive effects on the body but could also harm one’s health.
