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All things awaken with spring, and beauty is to be expected
🌿 Hello everyone, I am your food and drink expert. The Huangdi Neijing emphasizes the concept of “unity of heaven and man”, where diet and daily activities should be in harmony with natural laws. So, how should we nourish ourselves through diet in spring? Today, we will discuss the health benefits of eating duck in spring from the perspective of the Huangdi Neijing.🌿
1. The Secret of Eating Duck in Spring: Following the Yin-Yang Balance of Seasonal Changes
According to the Suwen: Discussion on the Four Qi and Spirit Regulation, “In the spring months, this is called ’emergence'”, at this time, the Yang energy of heaven and earth begins to rise, and the liver wood energy in the human body is at its peak. Duck meat is neutral and slightly cold, which aligns with the spring nourishment principle of the Neijing: “Use cold to counteract cold, and use cool to counteract cool”.
Its sweet flavor enters the spleen, harmonizing the excessive liver wood energy that can restrain the spleen and stomach, just as the Suwen states: “When the liver is bitter and urgent, eat sweet to alleviate it”. Compared to the warming and tonifying lamb, duck meat has a unique quality of “cooling nourishment”.
In spring, as the Yang energy in the body begins to rise, excessive consumption of warming tonics can generate internal heat, while duck meat can both replenish deficiencies and clear heat and generate fluids. Modern nutrition confirms that duck meat is rich in high-quality protein and B vitamins, and its fatty acid composition is closer to that of olive oil, making it a springtime tonic.
2. Recommended Medicinal Dish: Codonopsis and Solomon’s Seal Duck Soup
Health Benefits of Ingredients
✅ Nourishing Yin and Moistening Dryness: Codonopsis (Shashen) clears the lungs and nourishes Yin, Solomon’s Seal (Yuzhu) generates fluids and moistens dryness, alleviating dry mouth, dry skin, and itching in spring.
✅ Replenishing without Dryness: Old duck is neutral and slightly cool, low in fat and high in protein, paired with medicinal ingredients that warm without causing heat. Ingredients: Codonopsis 20g, Solomon’s Seal 15g, Lily Bulb 10g, Lotus Seed 15g, Red Dates 5 pieces, Goji Berries 5g.
✅ Strengthening the Spleen and Nourishing the Stomach: Solomon’s Seal harmonizes the spleen and stomach, while red dates and goji berries replenish Qi and blood, improving spring fatigue.
✅ Enhancing Immunity: Rich in amino acids and trace elements, helping to cope with the temperature changes in spring.
Ingredient Preparation (Serves 3-4)
Main Ingredient: Half an old duck (about 800g, skin removed for a lighter taste).
Medicinal Ingredients: Codonopsis 20g, Solomon’s Seal 15g, Lily Bulb 10g, Lotus Seed 15g, Red Dates 5 pieces, Goji Berries 5g.
Additional Ingredients: 3 slices of ginger, 1 tablespoon of cooking wine, salt to taste.
Detailed Cooking Method
01
Prepare the Duck Pieces
Cut the old duck into pieces, blanch in cold water with ginger slices and cooking wine, then rinse to remove blood foam (key to removing odor).
02
Soak the Medicinal Ingredients
Soak Codonopsis, Solomon’s Seal, Lily Bulb, and Lotus Seed in clean water for 20 minutes to reduce bitterness.
03
Simmer into Soup
In a clay pot, add duck pieces, medicinal ingredients (except goji berries), and ginger slices, then add enough clean water.
Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 1.5 hours. Add goji berries and red dates in the last 10 minutes.
Season with salt before turning off the heat, skimming off excess oil for a lighter taste.
Key Techniques
✅ Pairing Suggestions: You can add half a corn or carrot for sweetness, or pair with yam for enhanced health benefits.✅ Selection Tips: Choose a water duck (preferably Qingtou duck) for firm, non-greasy meat; for medicinal ingredients, select North Codonopsis for stronger Yin-nourishing properties.✅ Control of Cooking Time: Slow simmering on low heat extracts medicinal properties, avoiding high heat which can make the soup cloudy.
Precautions
⚠️ Pregnant women should omit Job’s Tears (if added) and reduce the amount of Solomon’s Seal.
⚠️ Those with a cold constitution should drink less, and can add 2 slices of fresh ginger to balance the cold nature.
⚠️ Not suitable for consumption during wind-cold colds or diarrhea. 
Eating duck in spring is, in fact, following the life wisdom of “unity of heaven and man”. In this season of rising Yang energy, let us use food as medicine, utilizing the properties and flavors of duck to harmonize Yin and Yang, allowing the energies of our organs to resonate with the seasonal energies. As stated in the Ling Shu: “Those who are wise in health preservation must follow the four seasons and adapt to the cold and heat”, experiencing the profound philosophy of “treating the unillness” in dietary practices. A visual feast.
—— Thank you for reading, please continue to follow “Food and Drink Expert, Health Preservation Wisdom” ❤️
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