Peppermint candy, tortoise jelly, Poria cake... Snacks with traditional Chinese medicine ingredients are popular in daily life. However, Chinese medicine experts remind everyone that although these snacks have certain health benefits, they are not suitable for everyone.
1. Peppermint Candy
Peppermint candy contains a small amount of peppermint extract, which has the effects of dispersing wind-heat and soothing the throat. It can help alleviate symptoms such as colds, fever, headache, and sore throat. However, peppermint candy is not suitable for people with indigestion, weak constitution, and frequent diarrhea. It should also be used with caution when symptoms such as night sweats and dry cough occur to avoid exacerbating the symptoms. It should be noted that the amount of peppermint ingredient in peppermint candy is very small, so it can only provide a slight soothing effect for the throat, and should not be expected to have significant medicinal effects.
2. Ginger Candy
Ginger is believed to have the warming and dispelling cold effects. For people with wind-cold colds or car sickness, eating ginger candy can provide good relief. However, due to the warm nature of ginger, it is not suitable for people with sore throat, dry eyes, dry stools, and those prone to getting angry. The same applies to ginseng candy. Although ginseng is good for Qi replenishment, it is not suitable for people with hot constitution and tendency to get angry.
3. Tortoise Jelly
Authentic tortoise jelly is mainly made from precious soft-shelled turtles and Poria cocos, combined with raw Rehmannia, dandelion, honeysuckle, chrysanthemum and other medicinal materials. It has the effects of clearing heat and detoxification, nourishing yin and tonifying kidneys, eliminating acne, and promoting bowel movements. Tortoise jelly is cool in nature, so it is better to eat less for people with weak spleen and stomach and loose stools.
4. Poria Cake
Poria cake is made from powdered Poria cocos, rice flour, and sugar. It has the effects of nourishing the spleen and stomach, promoting diuresis and eliminating dampness, calming the mind and soothing the nerves. Generally speaking, Poria cake is suitable for a wide range of people, regardless of gender or age. However, it is not suitable for people with symptoms such as dry stools, red tongue, and greasy coating. It is also not suitable for patients with colds, fever, and high blood sugar.
Jujube paste with donkey-hide gelatin. Donkey-hide gelatin is believed to have nourishing yin, nourishing blood, and replenishing blood effects. By adding osmanthus and tangerine peel, jujube paste with donkey-hide gelatin can improve symptoms such as pale complexion, lack of energy, and frequent drowsiness caused by Qi deficiency or blood deficiency. In general, most people can consume it, but it should not be consumed excessively each time, especially for people with indigestion. It should also not be consumed by patients with phlegm-damp cough, cold and fever, abdominal distension, and toothache.
5. Dried Longan
Dried longan has a sweet and warm taste, which can nourish the heart and spleen, nourish blood, and calm the mind. It is a relatively mild nourishing product. People with Qi and blood deficiency can choose 3-5 pieces each time, peel them and put them directly into a thermos cup to make a tea substitute. However, people with phlegm-damp cough, cold and fever, and excessive phlegm or heat in the body should not consume dried longan.
6. Herbal Tea
Currently, most herbal teas on the market contain herbs such as chrysanthemum, honeysuckle, selfheal, and licorice. They have certain effects of clearing heat and dampness, nourishing yin, and relieving fire. They can help alleviate symptoms such as gingival swelling and pain, oral ulcers, and dry stools. However, people with cold hands and feet, cold stomach, and frequent loose stools should drink less herbal tea to avoid worsening their symptoms. Herbal tea should not be used as a substitute for water, as it may deplete the body's yang energy.
7. Sour Plum Drink
Sour plum drink contains omei plum, which can generate fluids and relieve thirst, hawthorn, which can invigorate the stomach and aid digestion, and licorice, which can tonify the spleen and qi, clear heat, and detoxify. However, omei plum contains a lot of acidic components, so it is not suitable for people with excessive gastric acid. People with cold hands and feet, cold stomach, and frequent loose stools should also be cautious. Sour plum drink contains a lot of sugar, so it is not suitable for people with diabetes and obesity.
8. Tangerine Peel Tea
Tangerine peel has the effects of promoting digestion, relieving greasiness, regulating qi, and resolving phlegm, and is a "good medicine" for indigestion and overeating. However, tangerine peel tea is warm in nature. If accompanied by symptoms such as bitter taste in the mouth, as well as excessive fire due to yin deficiency, it is not suitable for consumption, as it may exacerbate the discomfort.
9. Sour Snacks such as Preserved Plums, Dried Plums, and Hawthorn Strips
These snacks have a sour taste and have the effects of generating fluids, aiding digestion, and resolving greasiness, making them especially suitable for people with indigestion. However, they should be consumed in moderation by people with excessive gastric acid and gastric ulcers, as it may worsen the discomfort. Sour snacks also have an astringent effect on the intestines, so they are not suitable for people with loose stools.
10. Black Sesame Paste
Black sesame paste is also a traditional health snack, which has the effects of nourishing the body, replenishing calories, and nourishing the hair. It is a must-have companion for office work and studying for many mental workers due to its health benefits and delicious taste. However, it should be avoided by patients with chronic enteritis and diarrhea.
According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, black sesame has the effects of nourishing the liver and kidneys, nourishing the five viscera, invigorating qi, promoting muscle growth, and nourishing the brain marrow. It can be used to treat symptoms such as dizziness, premature graying of hair, hair loss, weak waist and knees, general weakness, difficulty walking, deficiency of the five viscera, dry and withered skin, and constipation caused by deficiency of liver and kidney essence. In terms of hair care and beauty effects, it is especially loved by many women. The various essential amino acids in black sesame, with the participation of vitamin E and vitamin B1, can accelerate the body's metabolic functions. The iron and vitamin E in black sesame are important components for preventing anemia, activating brain cells, and eliminating cholesterol in blood vessels. Most of the fat in black sesame is unsaturated fatty acids, which have the effect of prolonging life. However, it should be avoided by patients with chronic enteritis and diarrhea.
