Lifestyle
3 TCM Herbal Recipes for Summer: Eel Rice, Hawthorn Drink & Pseudostellaria Porridge to Soothe Your Stomach
Summer offers abundant delicious foods, but overindulgence in ice cream, popsicles, cold drinks, and chilled fruits can easily cause stomach discomfort. This article recommends three TCM herbal recipes: Eel Rice (tonifies kidneys and strengthens the stomach – eel is at its best in summer), Hawthorn and Malt Drink (clears the heart, aids digestion – a healthy alternative to cold beverages), and Pseudostellaria Porridge (clears heat, tonifies qi, nourishes yin). All three recipes use common ingredients and herbs, are simple to prepare, and help regulate digestion and prevent diarrhea during summer.
Summer brings an abundance of delicious foods, and people enjoy cold treats – ice cream, popsicles, chilled fruits, and cold drinks. However, overconsumption of these can easily cause stomach discomfort. TCM herbal dietary recipes can improve digestive function, prevent diarrhea, and avoid the inconvenience of frequent medication.
Eel Rice – Tonifies Kidneys and Strengthens the Stomach
Eels are most abundant in summer, with the tenderest flesh and the most delicious flavor. Cooking with eel provides both a sweet and savory seasonal delicacy and the benefits of strengthening the stomach, regulating the middle, and nourishing the liver and kidneys. The classic preparation for eel rice: prepare 150g of eel, remove the innards and bones, and cut into small pieces. Mix 10ml of ginger juice, salt, and oil evenly into the eel pieces. Cook 500g of rice; when the water has reduced by half, mix in the seasoned eel and continue cooking until the rice is done.
Hawthorn and Malt Drink – Clears the Heart and Aids Digestion
In summer, excessive consumption of cold drinks can severely irritate the stomach. This light and refreshing malt and hawthorn drink is an excellent alternative to frozen beverages. It also offers benefits such as strengthening the spleen, aiding digestion, clearing the heart, and tonifying qi. Combine raw malt, hawthorn, Pseudostellaria root (Taizishen), and lophatherum leaves (dàn zhú yè). Add boiling water, steep for 15 minutes, and drink as tea. It can be consumed freely in daily life as a substitute for other beverages.
Pseudostellaria Porridge – Nourishes the Heart and Tonifies Qi
A bowl of Pseudostellaria porridge in the height of summer is especially comforting, as it clears heat, tonifies qi, strengthens the spleen, and nourishes yin – providing overall health benefits. Cook Pseudostellaria root, lotus seeds, and Chinese yam together with rice to make porridge. Once the porridge is done, add a small amount of rock sugar and enjoy while warm.
Although summer offers many delicious foods, the diet should be light, and excessive cold drinks or overly cooling foods should be avoided. These TCM herbal dietary recipes are ideal for summer cooking and will help safeguard your health.