Introduction
The Yin deficiency constitution is characterized by insufficient Yin essence and a predominance of Yang. Individuals with a Yin deficiency constitution typically present with symptoms such as emaciation, flushed cheeks, afternoon low-grade fever or night sweats, dry mouth and throat, thirst with a preference for cold drinks, heat in the palms and soles, irritability, night sweats, insomnia with vivid dreams, dry stools, short and red urine, nocturnal emissions in men, and early menstruation with bright red and profuse flow in women. The tongue is usually thin, red, and tender with little coating, and the pulse is thin and rapid. For those with a Yin deficiency constitution, it is advisable to primarily nourish Yin, lightly supplement Yin fluids, and utilize the natural Yin energy without harming Yang energy.
Dietary Nourishment for Yin Deficiency Constitution
Individuals with a Yin deficiency constitution should slightly incorporate foods that supplement Yang, reflecting the principle of “seeking Yin within Yang”.
Dietary Principles
1. The diet should primarily consist of sweet and cool foods to nourish with sweetness and dispel heat with coolness, such as duck meat, duck eggs, soft-shelled turtle meat, and Ejiao (Donkey-hide Gelatin).
2. Appropriate consumption of sour foods is recommended, as the combination of sour and sweet can generate Yin fluids, such as kiwi, grapes, and cheese.
3. Avoid warm, spicy foods, as they can easily deplete Yin fluids, such as ginger, scallions, garlic, chili, and star anise.
Food Selection
Individuals with a Yin deficiency constitution should choose foods such as: barley, wheat, japonica rice, millet, buckwheat, pork, pig brain, pig intestines, pig trotters, pork skin, water buffalo meat, beef liver, lamb liver, rabbit liver, chicken kidneys, egg yolks, black-boned chicken, duck meat, silkworm pupae, grass carp, stone frog, fish maw, eel, abalone, clams, oysters, sea conch, clams, squid, sea cucumber, soft-shelled turtle, river crab, jellyfish, razor clams, surf clams, mussels, eggs, duck eggs, century eggs, black beans, white beans, celery, shepherd’s purse, chrysanthemum, eggplant, asparagus, okra, cucumber, lily, fresh lotus root, malan head, napa cabbage, sesame, yam, mushrooms, black fungus, golden fungus, white fungus, straw mushrooms, chicken fat mushrooms, sesame oil, white sugar, grapes, plums, pears, watermelon, apricots, loquats, cherries, sugarcane, kiwi, dried persimmons, mangoes, figs, coconuts, mulberries, raspberries, walnuts, hazelnuts, pine nuts, bird’s nest, honey, and milk.
Recipe Compilation
1. Huangshan Stewed Pigeon
Ingredients: 2 cleaned pigeons, 100g yam, 2.5g rock sugar, 5g fine salt, 25g ginger, 25mL Shaoxing wine, 25g scallions, 750mL chicken broth, 10g cooked chicken fat.
Method: Peel and wash the yam, slice it into 0.1cm thick pieces, blanch in boiling water, and set aside; wash the scallions and ginger, tie the scallions into a knot, and crush the ginger; clean the pigeons, make a small incision near the anus to remove the innards, and wash; blanch the cleaned pigeons in boiling water, rinse again, and place in a soup bowl; add yam slices, scallion knots, ginger pieces, fine salt, rock sugar, Shaoxing wine, and 750mL chicken broth to the bowl, cover with a large plate, and steam until cooked, then drizzle with cooked chicken fat before serving.
Effects: Nourishes Yin and moistens the skin, benefits the spleen and stomach, tonifies Qi and nourishes blood. Suitable for individuals with Yin deficiency constitution, blood deficiency constitution, and Qi deficiency constitution.
2. Stir-fried Rabbit Liver with Spinach
Ingredients: 90g rabbit liver, 100g spinach, appropriate amounts of cornstarch, vegetable oil, cooking wine, sesame oil, and fine salt.
Method: Slice the rabbit liver and marinate in cooking wine and fine salt for 15 minutes; heat oil in a pan, stir-fry the rabbit liver until half-cooked, then add chopped spinach and stir-fry together, seasoning with fine salt and sesame oil.
Effects: Nourishes the liver and kidneys, supplements Yin and nourishes blood. Suitable for individuals with Yin deficiency constitution and blood deficiency constitution.
3. Longjing Shrimp
Ingredients: 1000g fresh river shrimp, 1.5g Longjing tea, 1 egg, 1.5mL Shaoxing wine, 3g fine salt, 40g cornstarch, appropriate amount of hot lard.
Method: Shell the shrimp, extract the shrimp meat, wash it again, and repeat three times until the shrimp meat is white; drain the water, place in a bowl, add salt and egg white, and mix until sticky, then coat with dry cornstarch; in a teacup, place the tea leaves and steep with 50mL boiling water (do not cover), steep for 1 minute, then strain out 40mL of tea soup, set aside the leaves and soup; heat a wok, lightly oil it, add the cooked lard, heat until moderately hot, add the shrimp meat, and quickly stir with chopsticks for about 15 seconds, then remove and drain; leave a little oil in the wok, add the shrimp meat back in, pour in the tea leaves and tea soup, add cooking wine, and stir-fry briefly before serving.
Effects: Nourishes Yin and clears heat, stimulates appetite. Suitable for individuals with Yin deficiency constitution and can be consumed by the general public.
4. Orchid Small Abalone
Ingredients: 10 fresh small abalones, 30g broccoli, appropriate amounts of abalone sauce, oyster sauce, salt, sugar, pepper, scallions, garlic, and Shaoxing wine.
Method: Clean the small abalones and remove the shells, chop the scallions and garlic, cut the broccoli into small florets, blanch the broccoli in salted water and set aside; blanch the small abalones in boiling water with Shaoxing wine to remove any odor, then set aside. In a pan, sauté the scallions and garlic until fragrant, add the abalone sauce and oyster sauce to release aroma, add a little broth, then add the abalones, season with salt, sugar, and pepper, simmer on low heat to absorb flavors, then increase heat to reduce the sauce before serving.
Effects: Nourishes Yin, calms the liver, and strengthens the kidneys. Suitable for individuals with Yin deficiency constitution, blood deficiency constitution, and can be consumed by the general public.
Featured Book
“Health Strategies – Constitution and Diet“
“Food is the heaven for the people.” The heavens have the manifestations of Yin and Yang, rain and snow, wind and frost, while food has the qualities of the four seasons and the five flavors. People have distinctions of gender and differences in body types. What determines what one should eat or not eat is solely based on individual constitution. Understanding what one should eat is equally important as knowing what one should avoid. The key to this book is to achieve a combination of constitution and the properties of food based on the four qualities and five flavors of food.
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