Insomnia can be said to be a common problem for people nowadays. Regular insomnia can have a great impact on our physical and mental health. Symptoms of insomnia include difficulty falling asleep, decreased sleep quality, and reduced sleep time. It can also lead to decreased memory and attention. People who often suffer from insomnia can use the method of diet therapy to help improve sleep. Below, I will recommend several medicinal diets that can help promote sleep and calm the mind.
Medicinal Diet 1: Lotus Seed and Lily Lean Meat Soup
Ingredients: 50g lotus seeds, 50g lilies, 250g lean pork (cut into pieces), water for boiling soup.
Method: Soak the lotus seeds in hot water until they expand and remove the core. Remove impurities from the lilies and wash them. Blanch the lean pork in boiling water to remove blood and then wash it. Heat the pot and add oil. Stir-fry the scallion and ginger until fragrant, then add the pork and stir-fry. Add Shaoxing wine and stir-fry until the water dries up. Pour in the pork soup, add salt, monosodium glutamate, lotus seeds, and lilies. Bring to a boil over high heat, skim off the foam, and simmer over low heat until the meat is tender. Remove the scallion and ginger and it's ready to serve.
Effect: This soup can nourish qi, regulate the middle, tonify deficiencies, nourish the heart and kidneys, calm the mind, improve intelligence, and clear the mind. It is suitable for people with neurasthenia, palpitations, insomnia, and post-illness weakness. Lotus seeds have a sweet, astringent, and neutral taste. They enter the heart, spleen, and kidney meridians and can nourish the heart, tonify the kidneys, strengthen the spleen, and astringe the intestines. Lilies have a sweet, slightly bitter, and neutral taste. They enter the heart and lung meridians and have the effects of moistening the lungs, stopping coughs, nourishing yin, clearing the mind, and regulating qi.
Medicinal Diet 2: Arborvitae Seed Stewed Pig Heart
Ingredients: Arborvitae seeds, pig heart.
Method: Take an appropriate amount of arborvitae seeds and put them into the pig heart. Stew them together with water and consume.
Effect: This dish can nourish the heart, calm the mind, nourish the blood, and moisturize the intestines. It is suitable for people with palpitations, absent-mindedness, insomnia, and dry stools. Arborvitae seeds have a sweet, spicy, and neutral taste. They can calm the mind, moisturize the intestines, stop sweating, and pig hearts have a sweet, salty, and neutral taste. They enter the heart meridian and can nourish the liver, nourish the blood, and improve vision.
Medicinal Diet 3: Mimosa Flower Steamed Pig Liver
Ingredients: 12g dried mimosa flowers, 150g pig liver.
Method: Soak the mimosa flowers in a plate with a little water for 6 hours. Cut the pig liver into slices and place them in the plate. Season with a little salt and steam until cooked.
Effect: This dish can clear wind, improve vision, relieve depression, nourish the liver, and calm the mind. It is suitable for people with insomnia, rib pain, and other symptoms. Mimosa flowers have a sweet and neutral taste. They enter the heart, liver, and spleen meridians and can relieve depression, regulate qi, calm the mind, and promote blood circulation. Pig liver has a sweet, bitter, and warm taste. It enters the liver meridian and can nourish the liver, nourish the blood, and improve vision.
Medicinal Diet 4: Licorice Wheat Red Date Soup
Ingredients: 10g licorice, 30g wheat, 5 red dates.
Method: Take 10g licorice, 30g wheat, and 5 red dates. Add 2 bowls of water and simmer until reduced to 1 bowl. Strain the residue and drink the soup.
Effect: This soup can harmonize the middle, nourish the heart, calm the mind, and strengthen the spleen and stomach. It is suitable for people with hysteria, neurasthenia, insomnia, and night sweats. Licorice has a sweet and neutral taste. It enters the spleen and lung meridians and can harmonize the middle, moisturize the lungs, and detoxify. Wheat has a sweet and cool taste. It enters the heart, spleen, and kidney meridians and can nourish the heart, tonify the kidneys, clear heat, and relieve thirst. Red dates have a sweet and warm taste. They enter the spleen and stomach meridians and can nourish the spleen and stomach, replenish qi, and harmonize ying and wei.
