Seasonal Dietary Therapy: Removing Dampness and Arthralgia at the Start of Spring
Two days from now marks the solar term "Awakening of Insects." According to *The Collection of the Seventy-Two Hou of Monthly Ordinances*: "...All things emerge from the East, where thunder resides. Hence, it is called 'Awakening of Insects,' meaning hibernating insects awaken and begin moving about." This signifies that spring thunder awakens all life. Last week was still chilly, but now we approach the time of full renewal. Weather is often foggy and lightly rainy. People commonly experience numbness in limbs and difficulty moving joints. We therefore recommend the following:
Old Mulberry Twig Chicken Soup
This traditional Chinese medicine soup made with old mulberry twigs and chicken has the effects of nourishing essence, removing wind-dampness, and benefiting joints. In Guangdong folk practices, it is commonly used to assist in treating rheumatoid arthritis, limb cramps and paralysis, neck and back pain, and chronic lower back strain.
[Ingredients] Old mulberry twig 60 g, female chicken (about 500 g, cleaned and gutted), ginger 3 slices.
Old mulberry twig is neutral in nature and bitter in taste, entering the liver meridian. It dispels wind-dampness, benefits joints, and promotes water metabolism. *Compendium of Materia Medica* states it "relieves wind-induced muscle spasms"; *Essential Notes on Medicinal Herbs* claims it "benefits joints, nourishes body fluids, and expels wind-dampness"; *Lingnan Herbal Records* notes its ability to "treat bone-joint wind disorders and elderly knee deformities." Chicken is warm in nature and sweet in taste, entering the spleen, stomach, and liver meridians. It warms the middle burner, tonifies qi, enriches essence, and nourishes marrow. *Materia Medica Supplement* says it "tonifies the five zang organs, repairs injuries, treats fatigue, and boosts qi"; *Food Therapy Materia Medica* believes it treats "bone fractures and joint pain"; *Daily Value of Herbal Medicine* records it "stops fatigue, nourishes marrow, enriches essence, and supports yang qi." Combined, these ingredients greatly enhance their effects in removing wind-dampness, benefiting joints, and nourishing essence.
[Cooking Method] Rinse the old mulberry twig with water and soak briefly. Clean the female chicken, remove feathers and internal organs, wash thoroughly. Place with ginger in a clay pot, add 2500 ml water (~10 bowls), bring to boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for about 2 hours. Add salt to taste. This serves 3–4 people. Remove the chicken, serve with soy sauce as a condiment.