I am currently breastfeeding and my mother made me a soup with cooked Rehmannia glutinosa, but I am a little worried because Rehmannia glutinosa is a medicinal herb. Can I eat Rehmannia glutinosa during breastfeeding?
Can I Eat Rehmannia Glutinosa During Breastfeeding?
Yes, you can.
Breastfeeding is a special period where you need to take care of your own health as well as your baby's nutrition and physical development. Rehmannia glutinosa is a medicinal herb with both medicinal and food properties. It has a sweet taste and a mild warm nature, and it has the effects of nourishing and replenishing blood, nourishing the liver and kidneys, etc. It has no obvious toxic side effects. Eating Rehmannia glutinosa in moderation during breastfeeding will not affect your own health or your baby's health. Therefore, it is safe to eat Rehmannia glutinosa during breastfeeding.
Benefits of Eating Rehmannia Glutinosa During Breastfeeding
Blood Nourishment and Yin Nourishment
Rehmannia glutinosa is an essential herb for nourishing and replenishing blood. Its active ingredients can promote the recovery of red blood cells and hemoglobin in the body, promote the proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells, and help with blood nourishment. Eating Rehmannia glutinosa in moderation during breastfeeding can help improve symptoms such as pale complexion and insomnia caused by blood deficiency. It can also help alleviate insufficient milk production and inadequate milk secretion caused by blood deficiency.
Nourishing the Essence and Filling the Marrow
Rehmannia glutinosa has the effect of nourishing the liver and kidneys and can be used to treat symptoms of liver and kidney yin deficiency, such as hot flashes, night sweats, soreness and weakness of the waist and knees, dizziness, and tinnitus. If breastfeeding women have the above symptoms, they can also eat Rehmannia glutinosa in moderation to help alleviate them.
Improving Immunity
The extract of Rehmannia glutinosa can protect macrophages and help inhibit antibody-producing cells. Eating Rehmannia glutinosa in moderation during breastfeeding can to some extent improve the body's immune function and enhance the ability to resist diseases.
How to Eat Rehmannia Glutinosa During Breastfeeding
Stewed Pork Trotters with Rehmannia Glutinosa
Ingredients: 500g pork trotters, 20g Rehmannia glutinosa, 10g scallion, 10g cooking wine, 10g ginger slices, 3g salt, 1g monosodium glutamate.
1. Wash the pork trotters, cut into pieces, and blanch in boiling water until cooked. Remove from water.
2. Put the pork trotters, Rehmannia glutinosa, cooking wine, scallion, and ginger slices into a casserole, and add an appropriate amount of water.
3. Bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat until the pork trotters are tender.
4. Add monosodium glutamate and salt before serving.
Effect: Nourishes blood and essence, promotes milk secretion.
Stewed Chicken with Rehmannia Glutinosa and Angelica Sinensis
Ingredients: 1 chicken, 25g Rehmannia glutinosa, 15g Angelica Sinensis, 10g Ligusticum chuanxiong, 10g Paeonia lactiflora, appropriate amount of salt.
1. Clean and chop the chicken.
2. Put the chicken meat and medicinal herbs into a stewing pot.
3. Add about 1000ml of water.
4. Bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for about 40 minutes.
5. Add salt to taste before serving.
Precautions for Eating Rehmannia Glutinosa During Breastfeeding
1. Do not take too much
The general dosage of Rehmannia glutinosa is 10-30g, and it can be appropriately increased according to the condition. However, excessive intake should be avoided, as Rehmannia glutinosa is greasy in nature and excessive consumption can hinder digestion.
2. Avoid using iron utensils when cooking
The book "Medicine Mirror" states: "If it encounters ironware, it consumes the kidneys." Therefore, when cooking Rehmannia glutinosa, avoid using iron utensils, as the medicinal ingredients in Rehmannia glutinosa may react with iron, reducing its efficacy or producing substances that are harmful to the body.
3. Avoid eating with radishes and "Three Whites"
"Three Whites" refers to the white parts of scallions, leeks, and Chinese chives. Radishes have the effect of dispersing qi and are strong in dispersing effects. Taking Rehmannia glutinosa with them will reduce the nourishing effect of Rehmannia glutinosa.
Contraindications for Eating Rehmannia Glutinosa
1. Weakness of the Spleen and Stomach
People with weakness of the spleen and stomach, such as abdominal distension, loss of appetite, pale complexion, and loose stools, should not eat Rehmannia glutinosa. Rehmannia glutinosa is greasy in nature and can hinder digestion. Taking it may increase the burden on the spleen and stomach, worsening the symptoms of discomfort.
2. Stagnation of Qi and Phlegm Excess
People with localized masses, chest tightness, rib pain, and stringy and slippery pulse, caused by stagnation of qi and excess phlegm, should not eat Rehmannia glutinosa. Rehmannia glutinosa has a greasy nature and is not easily digested. Taking it may exacerbate symptoms of phlegm dampness and worsen discomfort.
3. Cold or Flu Patients
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that it is not advisable to tonify the body during a cold or flu. Rehmannia glutinosa is a tonic herb, and taking it during a cold or flu may worsen the symptoms or prolong the duration of the illness.
4. Diarrhea Patients
People with symptoms of loose stools or diarrhea should not eat Rehmannia glutinosa. Rehmannia glutinosa is greasy in nature, and taking it may further hinder the digestion and transformation of the spleen and stomach, exacerbating symptoms of loose stools or diarrhea.
