Many consumers consider turtle jelly, donkey-hide gelatin with jujube, Poria cocos cake, peppermint candy, sour plum juice, and herbal tea as their daily health snacks. "Medicated snacks" as a type of food are objectively beneficial to the human body. However, consumers should also analyze their specific situations when purchasing and consuming them.
For example, herbal tea is suitable for people with a warm constitution, such as those who are often irritable, have tooth or eye swelling and pain, ulcers, or constipation. However, it is not suitable for people with a cold constitution. Turtle jelly is suitable for people with dry mouth and irritability, facial acne, and habitual constipation. However, it is not suitable for those with a weak spleen and stomach, women during their menstrual period, and pregnant women due to its cold nature. Donkey-hide gelatin can replenish blood and is suitable for people with a qi deficiency or blood deficiency constitution. However, it is sweet and greasy, difficult to digest, and can cause excessive internal heat if consumed in large quantities. Therefore, the daily consumption should not exceed 10 pieces. Poria cocos cake can strengthen the spleen and stomach, but the commercially available ones usually have a high sugar content, so they are not suitable for people with high blood sugar levels. Peppermint candy can clear the throat, remove odors, but it is not suitable for those with yin deficiency and blood dryness or excessive sweating. Sour plum juice can not only relieve fatigue but also stop diarrhea and malaria. It is used to treat lung deficiency and chronic cough. However, it is not suitable for patients with fever and early stage of enteritis, as well as women during their menstrual period and pregnant women who should not consume it.
Common precautions for consuming traditional Chinese medicine snacks
1. Donkey-hide gelatin with jujube. It is red dates with added donkey-hide gelatin. Both donkey-hide gelatin and red dates have the functions of nourishing yin, nourishing blood, and replenishing blood, which are very popular among female friends. Luo Weifang, a health expert at the Chinese Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, said that donkey-hide gelatin with jujube does have a beneficial effect and is helpful for people with qi deficiency or blood deficiency, improving symptoms such as pale complexion, lack of energy, and frequent drowsiness. However, donkey-hide gelatin with jujube is warm in nature and is not suitable for people with internal damp-heat. Luo Weifang said that if the tongue coating is thick, greasy, and yellow, and the stool is dry, and tends to get hot, then you should consume less donkey-hide gelatin with jujube.
2. Turtle jelly. It contains turtle shell and Poria cocos. It is popular due to its health benefits of clearing heat, detoxifying, and dispelling dampness, as well as its smooth texture. However, turtle shell is cold in nature and should be consumed in moderation by those with weak spleen and stomach and women with dysmenorrhea. Pregnant women should use it with caution. In addition, do not drink tea immediately after eating turtle jelly.
3. Herbal tea. Nowadays, urban people are under a lot of mental stress, coupled with a diet that includes a lot of meat and spicy food. This makes a kind of herbal tea beverage with the selling point of "removing heat" very popular. The Chinese herbal ingredients added to this type of beverage, such as chrysanthemum, honeysuckle, prunella, licorice, etc., basically have the functions of clearing heat and detoxifying. Luo Weifang said that for people with high blood pressure and dry eyes, herbal tea is very suitable. However, people with weak stomach and intestines, poor appetite, and loose stools should not drink it, otherwise, it will aggravate the symptoms.
4. Ginger candy. Originally a snack from the southern region, it has gradually been accepted by people in the northern regions in recent years. The medicinal value of ginger is highly respected in traditional Chinese medicine, as it has the function of warming the stomach and dispelling coldness. People who have a cold or are prone to motion sickness should have ginger candy on hand, as it can provide good relief. Luo Weifang pointed out that because ginger is warm in nature, it is not suitable for people with a sore throat, dry eyes, dry stools, or excessive internal heat. This principle also applies to ginseng candy. Although ginseng is good for replenishing qi, it is not suitable for people with a hot constitution or excessive internal heat due to its warm nature.
