Traditional Chinese Medicine Health Preservation: Use Herbal Remedies When Frequently Working Late
Owing to work and lifestyle habits, many people now frequently stay up late. This "night owl" lifestyle often leads to daytime dizziness, headaches, poor appetite, lack of energy, and general fatigue. Professor Zhang Yingwen from the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Wuhan University Zhongnan Hospital said such habits easily lead to yin deficiency and yang hyperactivity, resulting in internal heat symptoms. It is advisable to use herbal remedies for adjustment. For example: Raw Rehmannia Stewed Duck Egg: Use 20 grams of raw rehmannia and 1–2 duck eggs, add appropriate water, steam them separately, remove the eggshells after cooking, then re-stew in the broth for 20 minutes, add rock sugar to taste. Consume the egg and drink the broth once daily or two to three times per week. It has effects of nourishing yin, clearing heat, generating body fluids, and quenching thirst, suitable for those experiencing dry mouth and throat, gum swelling after staying up late.
Pig Kidney Stewed with Eucommia: Use 25 grams of eucommia and 1 pig kidney, steam together with adequate water for 1 hour. Consume daily or every 2–3 days. It nourishes liver and kidneys, strengthens bones and tendons, suitable for those experiencing lower back pain, limb weakness after staying up late.
Lotus Seed and Lily Bulb Simmered with Lean Meat: Use 20 grams of lotus seeds (without hearts), 20 grams of lily bulbs, and 100 grams of lean pork. Boil together with appropriate water until meat is tender, add salt to taste. Consume once daily. It clears heart fire, moistens lungs, boosts qi, and calms the spirit, suitable for those experiencing dry cough, insomnia, restlessness, palpitations after staying up late.
Fresh Kudzu Root and Fresh Fish Soup: Use 250 grams of fresh kudzu root, cut into small pieces, and one fresh fish (remove gills and internal organs). Boil together with adequate water. Add ginger threads and salt/oil after fish is cooked. Eat fish and drink soup once daily or every other day. It relaxes tendons and meridians, tonifies qi, promotes blood circulation, relieves muscle pain, suitable for those experiencing muscle soreness or neck stiffness after overwork and late-night activities.
Prunella Vulgaris Simmered with Lean Meat: Use 10 grams of prunella vulgaris and 50–100 grams of lean pork. Boil together with adequate water until meat is cooked. Add a little salt to taste. Eat meat and drink broth once daily. It clears liver fire and lowers blood pressure, suitable for hypertensive patients experiencing headache, dizziness, and red eyes after staying up late.