2 days Ago By Naiwen Hu
The medicinal benefits of garlic have been recognized for centuries. In the classical Chinese text “Essential Notes of Materia Medica (Ben Cao Bei Yao),” garlic is described as a remedy that stimulates appetite, strengthens the spleen, supports organ function, and wards off epidemics. Garlic is believed to help regulate the body’s energy flow, promoting healthy digestion and a stronger immune system.
People in ancient times also discovered its anti-inflammatory properties, using it to treat hemorrhoids and fistulas. Some even burned garlic stalks into ash and applied it to wounds to help reduce inflammation. Potential Risks of Excessive Garlic Consumption This is particularly relevant for people with poor vision.
I once had a patient who loved eating garlic but experienced red, irritated eyes afterward. I advised him to drink a cup of strong tea after eating garlic, which helped alleviate the issue. Getting Rid of Garlic Breath Additionally, green onions can help relieve constipation due to their pectin content, a type of soluble dietary fiber.
Pectin increases stool moisture, promoting healthy bowel movements. Stir-Fried Pork with Green Onions : Recipe A simple and flavorful dish made with tender pork and fragrant green onions. Ingredients: 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil or other cooking oil 200 grams (about 7 ounces) pork belly or pork shoulder, thinly sliced 1/2 tablespoon cooking wine (optional) 4–5 stalks green onions, cut into 2-inch pieces 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste) Pinch of white pepper (optional) Instructions: Heat the sesame oil in a skillet or wok over medium heat.
Add the pork slices and stir-fry until they begin to brown and the fat starts to render. Add the cooking wine, if using, and continue stir-frying for another minute. Add the green onions and stir-fry for 1–2 minutes, until they are tender but still bright green.
Season with soy sauce, salt, and white pepper. Stir well to combine. Serve hot with rice or as a side dish.
Green Onion Soup: Recipe A simple traditional remedy to support your immune system and ease early cold symptoms. Ingredients: 500 milliliters (16.9 fluid ounces) water 3 green onions (use the lower white part), finely chopped Instructions: Bring the water to a boil in a small pot.
Add the chopped green onions and let simmer for 1 minute. Turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let the soup steep for another minute. Strain out the green onions and drink the soup while it is warm.
Eating Ginger in Summer As the Chinese saying goes, “Eat radish in winter and ginger in summer, and you will stay healthy without a doctor.” Ginger has a warming nature, and eating it during the summer can help expel internal cold and warm the stomach. During hot weather, many people turn the air conditioning to its lowest setting and drink ice-cold beverages.
While this may feel refreshing, it can harm the digestive system. In TCM, the stomach and its corresponding organ, the spleen, function best in warmth and do not respond well to excessive cold. Overloading the body with cold foods and drinks is believed to increase cold energy in the stomach and spleen, potentially leading to digestive issues such as stomach pain and diarrhea.
Therefore, even in summer, it is important to keep the digestive system warm. A great way to do this is by adding ginger to meals and soups. Consider stir-frying shredded ginger with king oyster mushrooms and pork strips for a light yet flavorful dish, or add a few slices of ginger to mung bean soup to balance its cooling effect.
Strengthening the spleen and stomach helps eliminate excess cold and dampness from the body. According to TCM’s organ system theory, the spleen is more than an anatomical organ—it represents an energy system that also governs the pancreas and digestive tract. When the spleen is weakened by excessive cold, the body’s fluid metabolism slows down, leading to dampness.
This can result in symptoms such as bloating, fatigue, and joint pain. Once dampness is expelled, the body feels lighter and more energized. Ginger Black Tea: Recipe A warming, comforting drink that helps dispel cold and soothe the stomach.
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon freshly grated mature ginger (or 1–2 teaspoons ginger juice) 1 cup (240 milliliters) hot black tea 1–2 teaspoons brown sugar (adjust to taste) Instructions: Wash a piece of mature ginger thoroughly and grate it into a fine paste. Brew a cup of black tea. Stir in the grated ginger (or ginger juice) and add brown sugar to taste.
Mix well and enjoy while hot. Alternatively, you can buy brown sugar ginger cubes from the supermarket. Simply brew a cup of black tea and add a cube for an instant warming drink.
If you do not like the fibrous texture of grated ginger, you can substitute it with ginger juice. Drinking ginger black tea warms the stomach and helps dispel cold, leaving you feeling cozy and relaxed..
