In menopause, the typical signs of kidney yin deficiency are hot flashes and night sweats as well as mouth dryness, insomnia, irritability, weakness and a red tongue. TCM believes that it is due to a relative excess of yang that develops into a hyperactive state, the following recipes will help bring relief.
1. Wolfberry, chrysanthemum and shrimp soup
Ingredients |
Wolfberry (12g), chrysanthemum (10g), fresh shrimp (250g) |
Method |
Wash the wolfberry and chrysanthemum; shelled and deveined the shrimps, then marinate the shrimps with egg white and cornstarch. Add some vegetable oil in a pot and heat up, put in the shrimps and stir-fry and put aside. Boil 2 cups low-salt chicken broth, add in the wolfberry and chrysanthemum, boil for 10 minutes, add shrimps and boil for a further 3 minutes more. Sprinkle green onion and pepper and serve hot. |
Benefits |
The ingredients nourish the liver and kidney, promote essence storage. |
2. Cornus fruit, rehmannia and turtle soup
Ingredients |
Cornus fruit (10g), rehmannia root (10g), America ginseng (5g), Chinese soft-shelled turtle (one piece about 200g) |
Method |
Chop the turtle, remove the outer membrane and wash; blanch in boiling water and drain, then marinate with salt, sesame oil, soy sauce, and ginger. Wash the other ingredients and cut into pieces. Put the turtle meat in a pot with 2000ml of water, bring to a boil quickly, discard the floating foam, add in the herbal ingredients, and cook on a low heat for about 1-2 hours. Season to taste. Serve hot, drink the soup and eat the meat. |
Benefits |
Cornus fruit and rehmannia root nourish the kidneys and replenish yin; America ginseng nourishes yin and promotes fluid production; the turtle meat and its shell enriches yin and the blood as well as cools the body. |
3. Lily bulb stuffed duck
Ingredients |
Fresh lily bulb (300g), dried mushroom (120g), duck (about 1000g) |
Method |
Wash the duck, sprinkle inside out with salt, millet wine and ginger evenly; stuff the duck with lily bulb and mushroom and tie legs together. Steam under high heat until the meat is fully tender. Divide the amount in several meals. |
Benefits |
The ingredients work together to nourish the liver and kidneys, and to clear hot flashes signs. |
4. Bird nest and white fungus dessert
Ingredients |
Bird's nest (6g), white fungus (9g), rock sugar |
Method |
Soak the bird's nest and white fungus separately, rinse them fully. Put the ingredients in a double-steam container; add in 200 ml of water. Steam for 3 hours, add rock sugar to taste. Eat half amount into the evening and another half in the morning. |
Benefits |
The ingredients work together to nourish yin and promote the storage of essence. |
5. Lily bulb and lotus root drink
Ingredients |
Dried lily bulb powder (1000g), dried lotus root powder (500g). |
Method |
Add one tablespoon of lily bulb powder and one tablespoon of lotus root powder in half glass of cold water; add rock sugar to taste. Drink once daily. |
Benefits |
The ingredients work together to nourish yin and clear heat. |
6. Rehmannia and Solomon's seal rhizome porridge
Ingredients |
Rehmannia root (10g), Solomon's seal rhizome (10g), rice (30g) |
Method |
Boil the herbal ingredients in 1000ml of water first, then discard the herbs and add in the rice to cook as porridge. |
Benefits |
The ingredients nourish yin, cool the blood and replenish qi. |
7. Jellyfish salad
Ingredients |
Dried salted whole jellyfish (200g), sesame seed (30g) |
Method |
Soak the jellyfish for several hours, drain and then blanch with boiling water; slice it and put in freezer to cool down. Toast the sesame seed slightly; add to the bowl with the jellyfish, then vinegar, sesame oil, pepper and soy sauce and mix well. Sprinkle on green onion and serve cool. |
Benefits |
The dish nourishes the liver and checks the yang elements of the body, which help alleviate hot flashes or feverish sensations due to yin deficiency. |
8. Wolfberry root-bark and tofu soup
Ingredients |
Bean curd (250g), wolfberry root-bark (15g). |
Method |
Boil the wolfberry root-bark with 3 cups of low-salt chicken broth for 15 minutes, discard the herb, then add in bean curd, sesame oil and pepper to taste. Sprinkle on green onion and serve hot. |
Benefits |
Wolfberry root-bark can eliminate virtual heat created by a yin deficiency; tofu is also cool in nature. The dish relieves feverish sensations or hot flashes. |
9. Cornstalk tea
Peel the hard coating of the cornstalk (2 pieces), and add the soft inner core to boiling water. Drinking this regularly helps alleviate sweating due to yin deficiency.
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