In traditional Chinese medicine, if the functions of the organs such as the heart, liver, kidneys, and spleen are imbalanced, and there is excessive stress and overthinking, it can directly harm the spleen and liver. The most direct symptom is irritability and anger, leading to various mental and emotional problems. This is commonly known as neurasthenia. Therefore, to treat neurasthenia, it is important to focus on the heart while also considering the spleen, liver, and kidneys. The key is to calm the mind and spirit. Below, we will introduce four medicinal diets that can calm the mind and spirit, helping you stay away from the troubles of neurasthenia.
Medicinal Diet 1: Longan and Euryale Seed Congee
Take 20g of longan flesh, 20g of Euryale seeds, and 10g of glutinous rice, along with 15g of sour jujube kernel. Cook them together into congee. When eating, add honey for flavoring. Have it as breakfast every morning for one month.
Effect: Longan nourishes the heart and lungs, while sour jujube kernel calms the mind and spirit. This combination has the effects of nourishing the brain, replenishing potassium, nourishing the kidneys, and strengthening essence, making it effective in treating neurasthenia, mental decline, and liver and kidney deficiencies. It is especially good for treating mental fatigue and neurasthenia caused by stress in middle-aged people.
Medicinal Diet 2: Walnut and Red Date Congee
Take 15g of walnuts, 10g of white atractylodes, 5 red dates, and 80g of rice. Wash the walnuts, white atractylodes, and red dates separately. Cook them in water to make a decoction, then remove the residue. Add the washed rice and cook it into a thin congee.
Effect: Nourishes Qi and calms the mind, tonifies Qi and nourishes blood.
Medicinal Diet 3: Sour Jujube Kernel and Polygala Root Congee
Take 10g of polygala root, 8g of roasted sour jujube kernel, and 80g of rice. Put the polygala root and roasted sour jujube kernel into a pot with 4 bowls of water and cook them into a decoction. Remove the residue. Wash the rice and put it into the decoction. Bring it to a boil on high heat, then simmer on low heat for about 30 minutes. After the congee is ready, let it cool and then consume.
Effect: Calms the mind, expels phlegm, invigorates the mind, and tonifies the middle burner.
Medicinal Diet 4: Arborvitae Kernel Stewed Pig Heart
Take 1 pig heart, 10g of arborvitae kernel, ginger slices, chopped green onions, salt, chicken essence, and cooking wine as needed. Clean the pig heart and slice it horizontally into thick slices. Blanch it in boiling water for a moment to remove the blood. Remove from the water and put it into a clay pot. Add ginger slices, chopped green onions, cooking wine, and arborvitae kernel, along with an appropriate amount of water. Bring to a boil, then simmer on low heat for about 30 minutes. When the pig heart is tender, add salt and chicken essence to season.
Effect: Calms the mind, nourishes blood, nourishes the heart, and lubricates the intestines to promote bowel movements.
Of course, diet is only part of the treatment for neurasthenia. The most important thing is to regulate daily life. It is best to always maintain a pleasant mood. Especially in the hot summer weather, people are prone to restlessness. If necessary, you can drink some nourishing soups that can calm the mind and relieve summer heat, helping to regulate the mind and spirit.
