Wet-heat constitution is a physical state characterized by the predominance of internal dampness and heat. It is often caused by long-term alcohol consumption and a preference for fatty, sweet, spicy foods. In addition to medication, patients can also use diet therapy to assist in the treatment of clearing heat and eliminating dampness. Below, I will introduce several diet therapy recipes for liver and gallbladder damp-heat.
1. Pork and Daylily Soup
Daylily (30g) and lean pork (60g) are cooked together to make the soup. It can treat acute jaundice-type hepatitis and chronic hepatitis B, which are identified as liver and gallbladder damp-heat in traditional Chinese medicine.
2. Corn Silk Tea
Fresh corn silk (30g, or 10g dried) is cleaned and boiled in 250ml of water for a short time. The resulting tea is consumed. Corn silk has a strong diuretic function and can treat urinary system infections and edema. It can also clear heat, promote bile secretion, and remove gallstones, making it suitable for gallstone disease caused by liver and gallbladder damp-heat.
3. Daylily Porridge
Daylily (30g), minced lean meat (15g), glutinous rice, and white sugar are cooked together to make the porridge. It is consumed 1-2 times a day and can clear heat, cool blood, reduce swelling, promote diuresis, relieve pain, and improve eyesight. It is suitable for acute jaundice-type hepatitis and chronic hepatitis caused by liver and gallbladder damp-heat.
4. Yincheng Salad
Yincheng stems and leaves and seasonings are used in appropriate amounts. Yincheng is cleaned, blanched in boiling water, drained, and chopped. It is then mixed with refined salt, monosodium glutamate, sugar, and sesame oil. It is consumed once a day. This dish can eliminate dampness, relieve jaundice, dispel wind, and improve eyesight. It is suitable for damp-heat jaundice, difficult urination, itchy skin, blurred vision, and night blindness.
5. Daylily Drink
Daylily (15g, dried) is boiled in water to make a tea substitute. It has the effects of clearing heat, promoting diuresis, and reducing jaundice. It is suitable for chronic hepatitis, liver and gallbladder damp-heat, and acute jaundice-type hepatitis.
6. Yincheng Sticky Rice Porridge
Yincheng (30g), glutinous rice (50g), and a little rock sugar are used to make the porridge. First, boil the Yincheng in water to extract the juice, strain out the residue, and then cook the glutinous rice with the juice. Add rock sugar when eating. This recipe has the function of clearing and benefiting the liver and gallbladder damp-heat.
7. Five Juice Drink
Pear, water chestnut (or lotus root), fresh lotus root, and Ophiopogon japonicus are used in equal amounts (100g each), and Ophiopogon japonicus is used in a lesser amount (50g). After washing and peeling the five ingredients, use a machine or container to grind and juice them. This drink has the effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, moistening the mouth, and stopping diarrhea. It is suitable for chronic liver and gallbladder damp-heat.
8. Dandelion Stir-Fried Pork Strips
Pork (100g) and fresh dandelion leaves or flower stalks (250g) are used. Clean and drain the dandelion leaves or flower stalks, and cut them into sections. Clean the pork and cut it into thin strips. Heat the oil in a wok, stir-fry the pork strips, add the sauce, and continue stir-frying until the meat is cooked. Finally, add the dandelion leaves or flower stalks and stir-fry until they are seasoned. Dandelion has the functions of diuresis, laxative, reducing jaundice, and promoting bile secretion.
9. Isatis Root and Chrysanthemum Drink
Use 30g of Isatis root and 2 spoons of chrysanthemum crystal. Boil the Isatis root in water to make a decoction, then add the chrysanthemum crystal and drink once a day. It has the effects of clearing heat, dispersing wind, improving eyesight, and detoxification. It is suitable for chronic hepatitis and liver and gallbladder damp-heat.
10. White Imperata Stewed Meat
Fresh white Imperata (50g) and lean pork (500g) are used. Wash the white Imperata and pork, cut the pork into slices, cut the white Imperata into small sections, put them in a clay pot together with scallions, ginger, and an appropriate amount of water. Boil them over high heat, then simmer over low heat until the meat is tender. Remove the scallions, ginger, and white Imperata, add refined salt and monosodium glutamate, and eat the meat with the soup. This recipe can clear heat and eliminate dampness. It is suitable for liver and gallbladder damp-heat, gallstone disease, and dull pain in the hypochondrium.
11. Xihuangcao Mud Loach Soup
Use 30g of Xihuangcao, 250g of mud loach, and 4 slices of ginger. Clean the mud loach by removing the slime and blood, and put it in a pot with Xihuangcao and ginger. Add an appropriate amount of water and bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for 1-2 hours. Season to taste. This recipe can clear and eliminate damp-heat.
12. Coin Grass Porridge
Use 60g of fresh coin grass, 50g of glutinous rice, and 15g of rock sugar. Clean the coin grass and extract the juice by boiling it in water. Clean the glutinous rice and pour it into the juice along with an appropriate amount of water. Simmer until it becomes porridge, then add the rock sugar and mix well. Consume as desired. This recipe can clear heat, eliminate dampness, promote bile secretion, and reduce jaundice. It is suitable for liver and gallbladder damp-heat, gallstone disease, dull pain in the hypochondrium, and aversion to oily food.
Patients can also choose to consume some cooling fruits to effectively reduce liver fire, such as watermelon, grapefruit, apple, pear, grape, and strawberry. These fruits are rich in various vitamins and minerals needed by the body and have the effects of clearing heat, calming the mind, and reducing fire.
