Dietary Taboos for Women During Menstruation
Menstruation is a special period for women. Due to unique physiological conditions during this time, certain foods should be avoided, as consuming them may harm the body.
Caring for Women’s Health During Menstruation
The prohibited foods fall into three main categories:
1. Cold and raw foods: These are considered "cold-natured" in Traditional Chinese Medicine, such as pears, bananas, lotus root, stone ear fungus, sea lettuce, and earth ear fungus. While these foods generally benefit the body by clearing heat and reducing fire when consumed normally, they should be avoided or limited during menstruation, as they may trigger menstrual pain, irregular periods, and similar symptoms.
2. Spicy foods: Such as cinnamon, Sichuan pepper, cloves, and black pepper. These are typically used as seasonings to enhance flavor in cooking. However, women during menstruation should avoid spicy and stimulating foods, as they may lead to menstrual pain or excessive bleeding.
3. Foods affecting sexual function: Water chestnuts, bitter melon, winter melon, Chinese kale, fiddlehead ferns, rabbit meat, black fungus, and hemp seeds.