Four Household Treasures for Autumn-Winter Tonicing
In winter, we often feel dryness in mouth, nose, and skin. The following four foods are treasures for autumn-winter tonics—both nourishing and moisturizing.
Dried Red Dates: Red dates are the top choice for autumn-winter tonics. They are nourishing for yin, moistening dryness, tonifying lung qi, and enriching energy. When stewed together with silver ear fungus, lilies, and yam, their therapeutic effects are enhanced.
Chinese Cabbage: Its vitamin C content is 3.5 times that of tomatoes, and its calcium content is twice that of cucumbers. It also contains abundant trace elements like molybdenum and manganese—essential raw materials for producing enzymes and hormones in the body. It promotes metabolism and is an ideal food for autumn and winter.
Sweet Potato: Especially yellow-fleshed sweet potatoes provide large amounts of mucilage protein, sugars, vitamin A, and vitamin C. They help replenish deficiency, boost energy, strengthen the spleen and stomach, fortify kidney yin, harmonize the stomach, warm the stomach, and benefit the lungs. Regular consumption prevents connective tissue atrophy in the liver and kidneys.
Lotus Root: Contains various nutrients including starch, protein, and vitamin C. Raw consumption cools blood and disperses stasis; cooked consumption nourishes the heart and stomach, providing nourishing and blood-enriching functions. Stewing with meat treats spleen and stomach deficiency.