Chinese Herbal Snacks generally refer to foods that contain traditional Chinese medicine. For example, black dates with donkey-hide gelatin is a commonly consumed Chinese herbal snack. However, Chinese herbal snacks should not be consumed in excess. For instance, consuming too many goji berries can cause indigestion.
【Benefits of Goji Berries】
Goji berries have a sweet and neutral taste. According to traditional Chinese medicine, they can nourish the liver and kidneys, improve vision, boost the immune system, and enhance blood circulation. For modern individuals, the most practical benefits of goji berries are their ability to combat fatigue and lower blood pressure.
In addition, goji berries can protect the liver, lower blood sugar levels, soften blood vessels, and reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels. They also have certain therapeutic effects on fatty liver and diabetes patients. Clinical studies have shown that goji berries can even treat chronic renal failure.
Goji berry polysaccharides have a protective effect on experimental liver damage. They can reduce serum alanine aminotransferase levels and promote liver repair. Research conducted by Wang Deshan on the relationship between goji berries and the treatment of experimental hyperlipidemia and liver fat content has shown that goji berries can inhibit fat deposition in liver cells and promote liver cell regeneration.
Eating goji berries regularly can also improve skin absorption of oxygen and have a whitening effect.
【People Who Should Not Consume Goji Berries】
People with a hot constitution should avoid consuming goji berries. Goji berries have a warming effect on the body, so they are not suitable for individuals with damp-heat or phlegm-dampness stagnation. This includes people with high blood pressure, those who are easily irritable and hot-tempered, individuals who consume a lot of meat and have a flushed complexion, as well as those with colds, fevers, inflammations, and diarrhea. Consuming goji berries in these cases may not have the desired health benefits and could potentially worsen the condition.
People with weak spleen and stomach functions should also avoid consuming goji berries, especially in the hot summer. Consuming goji berries may lead to a decreased appetite, bloating, or acid reflux in individuals with weak spleen and stomach functions.
People with hyperactive sexual desire should not consume goji berries. Goji berries have a significant kidney-tonifying and essence-boosting effect. There is a folk saying that goes, "A man who travels a thousand miles should not eat goji berries." Modern research has also shown that goji berries have a stimulating effect on the nervous system and can enhance sexual function. Therefore, individuals with excessive sexual desire should avoid taking goji berries.
【Chinese Herbal Snacks that Should Not Be Consumed Randomly】
1. Black Dates with Donkey-Hide Gelatin
The main ingredients of black dates with donkey-hide gelatin are jujubes and donkey-hide gelatin. Donkey-hide gelatin nourishes the blood and moisturizes dryness. Jujubes are sweet and warm in nature, which can invigorate the spleen and generate blood. This snack is suitable for individuals with deficiency in the body or blood, as well as postpartum women.
Consumption precautions: Donkey-hide gelatin is greasy and difficult to digest and absorb. People with poor spleen and stomach functions should consume it in moderation, not exceeding 10 pieces per day. Additionally, due to its high sugar content, individuals with diabetes should avoid consuming it.
2. Herbal Tea
The main ingredients of herbal tea are chrysanthemum, honeysuckle, prunella vulgaris, licorice, etc. It has the effects of clearing heat and dampness, nourishing yin, and reducing fire. It is suitable for individuals who frequently have red face and eyes, restlessness and talkativeness, swollen and painful gums, and mouth ulcers, as well as those with dry and constipated stools. Individuals with high blood pressure and heart disease who have symptoms of heat can also drink a moderate amount of herbal tea to reduce dryness.
Consumption precautions: Herbal tea should not be consumed excessively, and it should not be used as a substitute for water. Drinking too much herbal tea can deplete the body's yang energy. It is recommended to consume 200-400 milliliters per day. Individuals with pale complexion, shortness of breath, fatigue, cold hands and feet, and loose stools have a cold and cool constitution and should avoid drinking herbal tea.
3. Poria Cocos Cake
Poria cocos has a sweet and neutral nature. It can invigorate the spleen and promote digestion. Eating poria cocos cake can help improve appetite and promote digestion. It is suitable for picky eaters and weak individuals. Poria cocos can also stop diarrhea, so individuals who frequently have diarrhea can consume it in moderation.
Consumption precautions: Currently, poria cocos cakes on the market contain ingredients such as honey and white sugar, resulting in a high sugar content. Therefore, individuals with diabetes should avoid consuming them.
