In winter, the weather is cold and dry, and poor blood circulation and blood deficiency often occur in women. This is also the time when women need to supplement their bodies the most. So how can women determine if they have blood deficiency? What are some dietary therapies to nourish the blood and qi?
【Three Aspects to Determine】
1. Hair:
Hair is closely related to the liver and kidneys. If the liver is well-nourished, the hair will receive sufficient blood supply. The growth and health of hair is closely connected to the kidneys' essence. If the hair turns white, it is a sign of declining liver blood and kidney qi. If there is excessive hair loss and the hair becomes increasingly sparse, it may be a result of blood and qi deficiency.
2. Skin:
It mainly depends on whether the skin is glossy, elastic, and free of wrinkles. If the skin is rough, dull, pale, dark, bluish, red, yellow, or has spots, it indicates poor physical condition and blood and qi deficiency.
3. Sleep:
Women with sufficient blood and qi fall asleep quickly, have deep sleep, breathe evenly, and wake up naturally. If you have difficulty falling asleep, frequently wake up at night, need to urinate frequently, and have heavy breathing or snoring, it indicates blood and qi deficiency. Having a preference for sleeping is also a manifestation of blood and qi deficiency.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, blood and qi are derived from grains, so dietary therapy is the best choice for nourishing the body. Sweet foods are the best choice for nourishing blood and qi because they not only provide sufficient energy for our body, but also serve as the best energy source for blood and qi. Examples of sweet foods include red dates, pork liver, angelica, red beans, donkey-hide gelatin, and astragalus.
【Dietary Therapies to Nourish Blood and Qi】
1. American Ginseng and Bird's Nest Soup:
Take 3 grams of American ginseng and 3 grams of bird's nest, put them in a bowl, and cook them in a double boiler. Regular consumption can nourish qi and invigorate the middle, nourish yin, and moisten the lungs. It can be used for deficiency, dry cough, night sweats, and lung yin deficiency.
2. Astragalus and Poria Fish Soup:
Take 50 grams of astragalus, 30 grams of poria, and 1 carp. Clean the carp, remove the scales, and cut it open. Wrap the astragalus and poria in gauze, boil them together with water, and season with ginger and salt. Drink the soup and eat the fish. This recipe is characterized by tonifying the spleen and invigorating qi, diuresis, and reducing swelling; promoting dampness, tonifying the spleen, and nourishing yin; nourishing the fish, promoting dampness, and nourishing the spleen.
3. Black Glutinous Rice Blood-Nourishing Porridge:
Black glutinous rice, longan, and red dates are all blood-nourishing ingredients. If you add high-nutrient yam, the effect of nourishing blood and qi will be even more significant. Although longan can nourish blood and qi and promote blood circulation, it is not easy to digest, so it is sufficient to add seven or eight pieces to the porridge each time.
4. Black Sesame Porridge:
Take 1 ounce of black sesame seeds, 30-60 grams of polygonum multiflorum, 3 ounces of glutinous rice, and an appropriate amount of brown sugar. Cook the porridge and consume it. It has the effect of nourishing blood and moistening dryness.
Tang's secret reminder: For women with blood and qi deficiency, in addition to dietary adjustments, it is also important to exercise regularly. Activities such as yoga, Tai Chi, qigong, running, swimming, and dancing should be done for at least 30 minutes every day. This not only enhances physical strength, but also improves blood production function.
