What foods are good to eat in spring when Yin deficiency and excessive fire occur?

Yin deficiency and hyperactivity of fire is a common term in traditional Chinese medicine. Especially in spring, it is easy to cause symptoms of Yin deficiency and hyperactivity of fire, which often lead to dry skin, colds, sore throat and other symptoms. During this period, you should pay attention to diet conditioning and eat more foods that help clear away heat, detoxify and reduce fire. For example, bamboo shoots, toon sprouts, cherries, leeks, honey and other foods have a good effect in treating Yin deficiency and hyperactivity of fire.

1. Spring Bamboo Shoots

Spring bamboo shoots, known as the "first vegetarian dish", have been loved by people since ancient times as a delicious delicacy. Literati and gourmets have praised it highly, and there is a saying that "everyone who tastes fresh food will talk about spring bamboo shoots." Spring bamboo shoots are thick, delicious, refreshing, nutritious, and can be eaten with either meat or vegetables. Different cooking methods have different flavors. Stir-frying, stewing, boiling and simmering can all make delicious dishes. Spring bamboo shoots occupy a place in all local specialties, such as Shanghai's "Spring Bamboo Shoots with Wolfberries", Nanjing's "Spring Bamboo Shoots with Chicken", and Zhejiang's "Spring Bamboo Shoots with Southern Meat". However, it is difficult to eat fresh spring bamboo shoots in the north, so if they have been soaked in formalin, forget it.

2. Cherry

It is known as the "first branch of spring fruit" and is currently cultivated in various parts of my country. Cherries are thick, juicy, brightly colored, and rich in nutrients. Their iron content is particularly high, more than 20 times that of citrus, pears, and apples, ranking first among fruits. Cherries are warm in nature, sweet and slightly sour in taste, and have the effects of tonifying the middle and replenishing Qi, regulating the middle and improving the complexion, and strengthening the spleen and appetite. Eating cherries in spring can induce sweating, replenish qi, dispel wind and relieve rashes. It should be noted that cherries belong to the element of fire and should not be eaten too much. People with yin deficiency and excess fire in the body should avoid eating cherries or eat less. If you can’t eat cherries, strawberries are also a good choice.

3. Spring Buds

Eat spring buds in spring. Confucius said, "Don't eat if it's not in season." This means don't eat if it's not in season. The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, a classic work of traditional Chinese medicine, also says that we should "eat seasonal grains". In spring, all plants sprout fresh green sprouts. There are many edible spring sprouts, such as toon, bean sprouts, garlic sprouts, bean sprouts, lettuce, etc.

4. Leek

The climate in spring varies in temperature, so it is necessary to maintain the yang energy, and leeks are most suitable for the human body's yang energy. Chives contain nutrients such as volatile oil, protein, fat and various vitamins, and have the effects of strengthening the stomach, refreshing the mind and strengthening the kidneys. Spring chives are the best among leeks and are particularly delicious. Its roots are white like jade, its leaves are green like emerald, and it has a rich fragrance. Spring chives can be eaten in a variety of ways. They can be used as a side dish for meat, eggs, shrimp, cuttlefish, etc., and can also be used as fillings for steamed dumplings. Adding some spring chives when stir-frying mung bean sprouts or dried tofu will make them extra fragrant and delicious.

5. Honey

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that honey is sweet in taste, enters the spleen and stomach meridians, and can nourish the middle and replenish qi, moisten the intestines and promote bowel movements. The climate in spring is changeable, with sudden changes from cold to warm, making it easy for people to catch colds. Because honey contains a variety of minerals, vitamins, and has the function of clearing the lungs and detoxifying, it can enhance human immunity and is the most ideal tonic in spring. Therefore, in the spring, if you can drink 1-2 spoons of honey every day with a cup of warm water or milk, it will have a nourishing effect on the body.

6. Spinach

Spinach is a vegetable available all year round, but it is best in spring, not the "autumn spinach" mentioned by Zhao Benshan and Song Dandan. "Spring spinach" has red roots and green leaves, is extremely tender and delicious. Spinach, which comes on the market in spring, is very beneficial for detoxification and preventing spring dryness. Traditional Chinese medicine also believes that spinach is sweet and cool in nature, and can nourish blood, stop bleeding, restrain yin, and moisten dryness. Because spinach contains a lot of oxalic acid, which hinders the absorption of calcium and iron, it is best to blanch the spinach in boiling water until it is softened, then remove it and stir-fry it.