The importance of having quality blood during this time of year is essential to preventing common signs of blood deficiency. The symptoms of blood deficiency can include, feelings of dissatisfaction, poor memory, irritability(from yin deficiency leading to yang rising), floaters in vision, feelings of overwhelm and stress, constipation, weakness and fatigue, and scanty menstruation. Blood is the most yin substance in the body, and without it the organs cannot be nourished. A long-term lack of blood or quality blood within the body will result in our bodies drying up faster, and us aging more quickly. Think of blood as lubrication for our body, and something that makes things run smoothly. I wanted to share a nourishing recipe which will ensure you are building quality blood and nourishing the most yin substance of the body, so you can lower stress, feel satisfied emotionally, and age gracefully. This is excellent post child birth to regain blood and qi, and will prevent you from being a pale, barely existing, dried up zombie, ready to bite off someones head;) This wonderful recipe is taken from Terry Tan’s book Cooking with Chinese Herbs. It is simple, easy, and extremely effective. Lastly this is also excellent for those who have been on a long term vegetarian or vegan diet and are looking to regain vital nutrients unable to be obtained on those specific dietary models.
Spare Ribs with Chinese Yam, Angelica, and Wolf berries
Actions of Recipe: Tonifies Qi, Builds Blood.
Cooking Time: 1-2 hours depending on method.
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
Pork Spare Ribs 500 grams cut into large pieces (Local, and Organic)
Chinese Yam (Shao Yao) 8 grams
Chinese Angelica (Dang Gui) 8 grams
Chinese Wolfberries(Gou Qi Zi) 2 tablespoons
Water- 1 liter
Sea Salt 2 Tablespoons
Method: Combine all ingredients in a double boiler. Cook over medium heat for 2 hours. Discard herbs. Serve with rice.
*Recipe can also be prepared through conventional stove-top cooking. In covered pot, simmer over medium heat for 1 hour.
Serve with Organic Rice.
Chinese yam aids the lungs and kidneys and generally nourishes the whole body. All cuts of pork, including spare ribs, are deemed ‘neutral‘ and could become Yin or Yang in energy, depending on the herbs used. This is a ‘warming‘ or Yang dish and is especially good for women after giving birth.-. –Terry Tan
This can also be used for anyone who feels they need to build blood for memory, color, and quality nails and hair
An excellent, optional addition to this soup is mushrooms of most any kind!
Individual breakdown of herbs in recipe:
Pin Yin: Dang Gui
Latin: Angelicae Sinesis Radix
Cateogory: Tonify Blood
Meridians Entered: Heart, Liver Spleen
Properties: Sweet, Spicy
Temperature: Warm.
Actions:
1. Tonifies blood and regulates menstruation:
2. Invigorates blood circulation and disperses cold
3. Moistens the intestines and unblocks bowels
4. Reduces swelling of abscesses and sores, generates flesh and calms pain.
Indications: For a pale complexion, lusterless nails, blurred vision, palpitations. (due to not enough blood or quality blood.)
General Functions: Activates and nourishes blood, expels pus, moistens the intestines, moves blood, promotes healing and generates flesh, stops cough.
Pin Yin: Shan Yao,
Latin: Dioscorea Rhizome, (Chinese Yam)
Category: Tonify Qi
Meridians Entered: Kidney, Lung, Spleen
Properties: Sweet,
Temperature: Neutral
Actions:
- Tonifies and augments spleen and stomach
- Tonifies the lung qi and augments the lung yin
- Tonifies the kidneys and also stabilizes and binds.
Indications: Diarrhea, fatigue, spontaneous sweating, and lack of appetite
Also good for treating diabetes, chronic cough or wheezing, wasting and thirsting disorder,
Pin Yin: Gou Qi Zi,
Latin: Lycii Fructus, (Chinese Wolfberry) (Goji Berry)
Meridians Entered: Liver Lung, Kidney,
Properties: Sweet,
Temperature: Neutral
Actions:
- Enriches the liver and kidney yin.
- Benefits the essence and brightens the eyes
- Moistens lung yin.
Indications: Sore back and legs, low grade abdominal pain,. Impotence, nocturnal emission, wasting and thirsting disorder and consumption:
Dizziness, blurred vision, and diminished visual acuity;
Consumptive cough and wasting and thirsting disorder.
Extra Notes: Perfect to nourish the yin. Slightly yang tonic action.
Hopefully you have found this recipe an amazing addition to your collection of winter health resources.
Talk soon,
Brandon
References:
TCM Clinic Aid
Page 101 Terry Tan Cooking with Chinese Herbs.