🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Given that stroke pathogenesis relates to constitutional weakness, post-stroke patients should moderately supplement nutrition.
However, during acute stroke episodes, patients mainly suffer from phlegm-dampness and blood stasis, so indiscriminate supplementation is not advised. During hospitalization, individualized nutritional prescriptions are typically determined by hospital dietitians based on patient condition.
During recovery phase, phlegm-dampness and blood stasis symptoms have largely resolved, and physical weakness becomes prominent. At this stage, dietary regulation is crucial. Diet should be light, easy to digest, and rich in vitamins. Avoid fatty, sweet, and greasy foods. Quit smoking and drinking. Increase intake of coarse fiber foods like cabbage, radishes, etc., to ensure smooth bowel movements. As dietary fat decreases, protein intake should be appropriately increased. 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 and mixed well. To enhance appetite, vinegar, tomato sauce, sesame paste may be added when stir-frying. Vinegar not only enhances flavor but also accelerates fat breakdown, aiding digestion and absorption. Sesame paste is rich in calcium; regular consumption helps replenish calcium and may help prevent stroke recurrence. Also, drink plenty of water, especially in the morning and evening, to dilute blood.
Herbal soups complement drug therapy, alleviate symptoms, promote functional recovery, and help prevent recurrence. Two recommended nourishing herbal soups:
1. Astragalus Pork Broth
Astragalus 20g, 6 jujubes, Angelica sinensis 10g, Goji berries 15g, 50–100g lean pork sliced thinly, plus ginger slices and scallion whites. Boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat until meat is tender. Add appropriate salt and a small amount of monosodium glutamate. Optional additions include sesame oil or Sichuan pepper oil based on personal taste. Cool slightly before consuming. Efficacy and usage: Astragalus tonifies qi, goji berries enrich essence, Angelica nourishes blood and activates circulation, jujubes warm and tonify middle energizer, lean pork provides abundant protein and nourishes yin, moisturizes dryness. The formula collectively achieves tonifying essence and qi, activating blood circulation, resolving stasis. Divide each dose into two servings, take twice daily. Suitable for stroke patients with kidney deficiency and essence depletion. Clinical presentation includes hoarse voice or aphasia, palpitations, shortness of breath, sore waist and knees, limb paralysis, numbness, hemiplegia, enlarged tongue with tooth marks on edges, white coating, deep and weak pulse. Contraindicated in those with headache and sweating, restlessness, bitter mouth, irritability, flushed face, red eyes, abdominal distension, belching. Diabetic patients should use cautiously.
2. Vinegar Steam Pepper Pear
Appropriate amounts of aged vinegar and 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 in bamboo basket until pears are soft. Consume immediately. Efficacy and usage: White pepper (also called jade pepper) contains piperine, essential oils, proteins, capable of reducing fever, dispelling wind, and anticonvulsant effects. Pear (also called "quick fruit" or "jade milk") contains sugars, organic acids, and vitamins, able to generate body fluids, moisten dryness, clear heat, and resolve phlegm. Aged vinegar contains higher alcohols, succinic acid, etc., effective in activating blood circulation, resolving stasis, detoxifying, and killing parasites. The formula collectively achieves nourishing yin, clearing heat, activating blood, resolving stasis, dispelling wind, and stopping convulsions. Eat one pear each time, twice daily. Safe for long-term use. Suitable for stroke patients with liver yang hyperactivity and collateral stasis. Clinical presentation includes hemiplegia, stiff and contracted affected side, headache, dizziness, flushed face, tinnitus, dry mouth, red tongue with thin yellow coating, wiry and strong pulse. Contraindicated in diabetic patients with cerebrovascular accidents.