Two Traditional Chinese Medicine Recipes for Dampness-Dispelling and Warming the Stomach
This spring, thunder was absent at the Awakening of Insects festival, and only a few muffled rumbles were heard on the night of Spring Equinox—indicating frequent clashes between cold and warm air masses. This means prolonged periods of fluctuating temperatures, rainy and humid weather will persist in Guangzhou and the Pearl River Delta. This kind of weather makes elderly people prone to neck and back pain, limb numbness, especially those with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. Additionally, the unstable temperature can cause digestive issues, triggering relapses in those with pre-existing stomach problems. This article introduces two home-based health-preserving soups with auxiliary therapeutic effects.
Young Mulberry Branch Chicken Soup
Smells slightly herbal and tastes fresh and refreshing, beneficial for nourishing essence, dispelling wind-dampness, and relieving joint stiffness.
Ingredients: 40g winter mulberry branches, 1 whole chicken, 3 slices of ginger.
Preparation: Wash and soak the mulberry branches briefly; clean the chicken, remove internal organs and tail. Place all ingredients, including ginger, in a clay pot with 3000ml water (~12 bowls). Boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for 3 hours. Add salt and vegetable oil to taste. Serves 3–4 people.
White Pepper Pork Stomach Soup
Rich aroma, effective for dispelling cold-dampness and warming the gastrointestinal tract.
Ingredients: 15g white pepper, 1 pork stomach, 3 slices of ginger.
Preparation: Clean the pork stomach thoroughly with salt or baking powder. Crush the white pepper and stuff it inside the stomach, then tie the ends tightly with string. Place with ginger in a clay pot with 3000ml water. Boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for 3 hours. Add salt and vegetable oil to taste. The pork stomach can be removed, sliced, and enjoyed with soy sauce. Serves 3–4 people.