🌿 Folk Prescriptions

TCM holds that winter is the time to nourish yin. During the severe winter months, the body enters a state of "energy crisis," requiring increased thermal energy to sustain all physiological activities, energy expenditure, and basal metabolism. This makes winter the ideal time for tonification.
Bacon and Onion Soup
Nutritional Rationale: Boosts Metabolism
Onions are not only nutritionally rich but also enhance human metabolic rate and immunity.
Ingredients: 2 slices bacon, 1 onion, 1 small spoon soy sauce, 1.5 bowls water
Preparation Method:
1. Cut bacon into thin strips
2. Remove outer layer of onion, slice into thin strips
3. Fry bacon over low heat until fragrant
4. Add onions and stir continuously
5. Add soy sauce and salt, stir over low heat until onions soften completely
6. Add 1.5 bowls of water, simmer gently for about 15 minutes, done
Garlic-Stewed Chicken Thighs
Nutritional Rationale: Promotes Sweating and Warms Body
Packed with garlic flavor! Prevents colds, alleviates cold hands and feet, and helps relieve menstrual pain. Garlic, known for its nourishing properties, is excellent for inducing sweating and reducing fever. Though pungent, it easily binds with proteins, so pairing it with protein-rich foods (eggs, fish, meat) minimizes strong aftertaste concerns. Additionally, garlic should not be cooked for more than 20 minutes, or nutrients may degrade.
Ingredients: 10 cloves garlic, 5 chicken thighs, 2 large spoons soy sauce, 1 teaspoon salt, half bowl water
Preparation Method:
1. Peel garlic cloves
2. Place chicken thighs, garlic, water, and all seasonings into a pot, bring to boil over high heat
3. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, serve
Sesame and Walnut Porridge
Nutritional Rationale: Enhances Skin Luster
Ideal as a snack; both ingredients nourish the kidneys and darken hair. Sesame and walnuts improve skin luster and help manage high cholesterol and fatigue recovery. However, both are high in calories—do not prepare in excess.
Ingredients: 100g walnuts, 1 large spoon black sesame, 2 large spoons flour, 1 large spoon sugar
Preparation Method:
1. Crush walnuts, fry lightly in a pan over low heat, set aside
2. Similarly, lightly fry black sesame to increase crispness
3. Mix walnuts, black sesame, flour, sugar, and water, stir well
Cold-Mixed Yam and Goji Berries
Nutritional Rationale: Strengthens Stomach and Intestines
Refreshing with a subtle sweetness, this dish improves winter-related sensitivities like nasal congestion, wheezing, and allergies. Extending the soaking time in ice water preserves nutrients and enhances crispness and texture. Its enduring benefits for strengthening digestion and improving constitution remain unchanged.
Ingredients: 200g yam, 6g goji berries
Preparation Method:
1. Peel yam, cut into strips
2. Soak in ice water briefly to increase crispness
3. Soak goji berries in water until softened
4. Mix yam and goji berries, or drizzle with coconut milk for enhanced flavor
Sesame Oil Stir-Fried Chicken Gizzards
Nutritional Rationale: Regulates Menstrual Cycle
Chicken gizzards can reduce common menstrual discomforts such as lower back pain, abdominal pain, and backache! Chicken gizzards must be repeatedly soaked in water to fully eliminate odor, and cooking time should not be excessive—overcooking makes them shrink, harden, and lose texture. Also, chicken gizzards have relatively high cholesterol levels, which may contribute to hyperlipidemia and obesity—so consume in moderation!
Ingredients: 1 chicken gizzard, 2 large spoons sesame oil
Preparation Method:
1. Remove membranes and tendons, soak in water repeatedly, drain
2. Cut gizzard into flower-shaped pieces
3. Blanch in hot water to remove blood residue, drain and dry
4. Heat sesame oil, add gizzard and a little cooking wine, stir-fry for several minutes, done
Deer Antler and Goji Berry Wine-Shrimp
Nutritional Rationale: Strengthens Tendons and Blood
A delicately flavored dish with a hint of wine, this nourishes yin and strengthens yang, offering benefits such as warming the body, improving eyesight, and treating sexual dysfunction. Deer antler contains rich calcium, helping strengthen tendons and bones and improving anemia. Cooking time depends on shrimp size—wait until the medicinal aroma infuses into the broth for full flavor penetration.
Ingredients: 0.5g deer antler, 1g goji berries, 250g shrimp, 1 large spoon cooking wine
Preparation Method:
1. Remove heads, clean intestinal tract, wash shrimp
2. Combine deer antler with 2 bowls water and 1 large spoon cooking wine, simmer over low heat for 5 minutes until medicinal aroma emerges
3. Add shrimp, cook over medium heat for 3–5 minutes
4. Finally add goji berries, simmer gently for 2 minutes, done
General Benefits of Common Tonifying Medicinal Foods
Donkey-hide Gelatin (E Jiao): Nourishes yin, moistens dryness, enriches blood, stops bleeding, beautifies skin and complexion. Do not exceed 15g per serving—excess may cause internal heat.
Chrysanthemum: Nourishes liver and brightens eyes, clears heart fire, supplements kidney, strengthens spleen and stomach, moistens throat, quenches thirst, regulates lipids, and promotes beauty and anti-aging.
Winter Jujube: Contains 19 essential amino acids and multiple trace elements. Beneficial for hypertension, arteriosclerosis, and cancer prevention.
Licorice Root: Sweet taste, neutral nature. Tonifies middle energizer, boosts qi, protects liver, fights cancer, clears heat and toxins, expels phlegm, stops cough, and relieves pain.
Ophiopogon japonicus (McD): Sweet, slightly bitter, slightly cold. Improves myocardial metabolism, clears heart fire, reduces dryness, calms asthma, soothes cough, moisturizes skin, enhances beauty, and prolongs life.
Longan (Dragon Eye): Contains glucose, sucrose, vitamin A, vitamin B, and tartaric acid. Tonifies heart and calms spirit, nourishes blood and spleen. Pregnant women should avoid—it may trigger miscarriage.