🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Autumn marks the arrival of the golden season for tonification, but improper methods can not only fail to achieve desired results but may also harm health. What to eat for autumn tonification?
Ginseng, bird's nest, lotus seeds, sesame... Facing various tonics, some consumers feel confused—what should one actually eat for autumn tonification? Here are recommended foods for ordinary individuals:
Lily: has effects of nourishing the lungs, moistening dryness, clearing the heart, calming the spirit, and relieving fatigue. Lotus seeds: help eliminate residual summer heat and strengthen the body. Yam: widely applicable regardless of age, gender, or physical condition. White kidney beans: cook into porridge or decoction for strengthening the spleen and boosting appetite. Lotus root: cooked lotus root helps strengthen the spleen and stimulate appetite, suitable for autumn tonification. Beef and mutton: consuming beef and mutton in autumn provides warm tonification for blood and qi. Chestnuts: benefit the spleen and stomach, nourish the kidneys, and strengthen bones. Red dates: nourish yin, moisturize dryness, benefit the lungs, and replenish qi.
High-end tonics such as ginseng and bird’s nest are not suitable for everyone; it is best to take them under medical guidance. It is advisable to consume more foods that nourish yin and moisten dryness during autumn. Examples include silver ear fungus, sesame, black-boned chicken, pork lung, soy milk, honey, etc. Regular consumption of these foods can prevent autumn dryness from harming the body. Additionally, dairy products, legumes, fresh vegetables, and fruits should be eaten more often—they contain abundant carbohydrates, proteins, and various vitamins, making them excellent tonics.
For the elderly and those with weak constitutions, tonification methods should be determined based on individual physical conditions; blind tonification must be avoided. Before selecting food or medicine, consult a professional physician.
Due to excessive consumption of cold foods during summer, the spleen and stomach have not fully recovered at the beginning of autumn, so overly greasy foods should be avoided. With dry autumn weather, people are prone to internal heat, thus spicy foods like scallions, ginger, garlic, and chili peppers should be limited.
Four Taboos in Tonification
Avoid Excessive Intake
Overconsumption of any tonic medicine is harmful. Believing "more tonics are better, curing illness when sick, strengthening health when well" is unscientific. Excessive tonification increases burden on the spleen and liver. During summer, due to frequent intake of cold drinks and frozen foods, many people experience weakened spleen and stomach function. Sudden large-scale tonification then imposes abrupt strain on already weakened digestive organs, leading to functional disorders.
Avoid Substituting Medicines for Food
Prioritizing medicines over food is unscientific. Many foods are also excellent tonics. For example, eating more shepherd’s purse can treat hypertension; more radishes aid digestion and relieve bloating; more yam strengthens the spleen and stomach. Daily foods like walnuts, sesame, peanuts, red dates, and broad beans are also excellent tonics.
Avoid Assuming Higher Price Equals Better Quality
Each person’s constitution differs, so suitable tonics vary accordingly. Expensive tonics like bird’s nest and ginseng are not necessarily suitable for everyone. Each tonic has specific indications and target groups; the principle should be practical effectiveness—supplement what is lacking.
Avoid Focusing Only on Meat
After summer, the spleen and stomach have not fully recovered their normal function, so overly greasy foods are difficult to digest and absorb. Excess fat and sugar accumulation may trigger cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. While moderately consuming beef and mutton for tonification, do not neglect vegetables and fruits, which provide essential vitamins and trace elements.