🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Given that stroke pathogenesis relates to constitutional weakness, stroke patients should moderately supplement nutrition.
However, during acute phase, patients mainly present with phlegm-dampness and blood stasis, so indiscriminate supplementation is not advised. Hospitalized patients usually receive individualized nutritional prescriptions from hospital dietitians based on specific conditions.
During recovery, phlegm-dampness and blood stasis symptoms subside, while physical weakness becomes prominent. Attention should be paid to dietary regulation: food should be light, easy to digest, rich in vitamins; avoid fatty, sweet, and greasy foods; abstain from smoking and drinking; increase intake of coarse fiber vegetables like Chinese cabbage and radishes to ensure smooth bowel movements. With reduced fat intake, protein intake should be increased appropriately. Sources include lean meats, skinless poultry, and fish—especially marine fish. Daily consumption of soy products like tofu and bean curd helps lower blood cholesterol and improve blood viscosity. Salt intake should be limited to about 3 grams per day, added after cooking. To stimulate appetite, add vinegar, tomato sauce, or sesame paste when stir-frying. Vinegar enhances flavor, accelerates fat breakdown, aids digestion and absorption. Sesame paste is high in calcium; regular consumption helps prevent stroke. Also, drink plenty of water, especially in the morning and evening, to dilute blood.
Tonic recipes complement drug therapy, alleviate symptoms, promote functional recovery, and help prevent recurrence. Two recommended tonic recipes:
1. Astragalus and Pork Soup
Astragalus 20g, 6 jujubes, Angelica sinensis 10g, Goji berries 15g, 50–100g lean pork sliced, ginger slices, scallion whites. Boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat until meat is tender. Add appropriate salt and a little monosodium glutamate. Optional: add sesame oil or Sichuan pepper oil according to preference. Cool slightly before consuming. Efficacy and usage: Astragalus tonifies qi; goji berries enrich essence; Angelica nourishes blood and activates circulation; jujubes warm and tonify qi; lean pork provides abundant protein and nourishes yin, moisturizes dryness. The formula collectively strengthens essence and qi, activates blood, and resolves stasis. Divide one dose into two servings, twice daily. Suitable for stroke patients with kidney deficiency and essence depletion. Clinical presentation includes hoarse voice, aphasia, palpitations, shortness of breath, weak waist and knees, limb paralysis, numbness, hemiplegia, enlarged tongue with tooth marks, white coating, deep and weak pulse. Contraindicated for headache with sweating, irritability, bitter mouth, easily angered, flushed face, red eyes, abdominal distension, belching. Diabetic patients should use cautiously.
2. Vinegar-steamed Pepper Pear
Appropriate amount of aged vinegar, white pepper grains, 2 pears. Grind white pepper into fine powder, split each pear in half, insert pepper powder between halves, place in dish, add vinegar, steam until pears are soft. Consume immediately. Efficacy and usage: White pepper (also called jade pepper) contains piperine, essential oils, proteins, effective for reducing fever, dispelling wind, and anticonvulsant effects. Pear (known as "quick fruit" or "jade milk") contains sugars, organic acids, and vitamins, capable of generating body fluids and moistening dryness, clearing heat, resolving phlegm. Aged vinegar contains higher alcohols, succinic acid, promoting blood circulation, resolving stasis, detoxifying, killing parasites. The formula collectively nourishes yin, clears heat, activates blood, resolves stasis, dispels wind, and stops convulsions. Eat one pear per serving, twice daily. Safe for long-term use. Suitable for stroke patients with liver yang hyperactivity and collateral stasis. Clinical features include hemiplegia, stiff and contracted affected side, headache, dizziness, flushed face, ringing ears, dry mouth, red tongue, thin yellow coating, strong, wiry pulse. Contraindicated for diabetic patients with cerebrovascular accidents.