Some individuals experience various issues due to insufficient qi (气) and blood (血), such as fatigue, pale complexion, and menstrual irregularities in women. Therefore, improving qi and blood is particularly necessary. A healthy complexion is a primary indicator of physical health, and conditions like qi and blood deficiency are often improved through dietary supplementation. Let’s explore what to eat for the best and fastest results in nourishing qi and blood.
1. Five Red Soup (五红汤)
Friends suffering from both qi and blood deficiency often wonder what Chinese patent medicine to take. However, qi and blood deficiency is a condition caused by long-term insufficiency of qi and blood, and while medication can help stabilize the condition, long-term dietary supplementation is more effective. The Five Red Soup is primarily made from an appropriate amount of brown sugar, 10g of peanuts, 5g of goji berries (枸杞, gǒuqǐ), 10g of red dates (红枣, hóngzǎo), 10g of red beans (红豆, hóngdòu), and 500ml of water, starting with the red beans. These five ingredients are excellent for nourishing qi and blood. Drinking a bowl every morning can yield noticeable results within a month.
2. Angelica and Brown Sugar Soup (当归红糖汤)
Angelica (当归, dāngguī) has the effect of nourishing blood and invigorating circulation. Combining angelica with brown sugar and adding an egg provides excellent benefits for nourishing qi and invigorating blood. This is especially effective for women after menstruation, as it helps eliminate blood stasis and assists with dysmenorrhea and low menstrual flow. For patients with long-term qi and blood deficiency who do not have time to prepare the more complex Five Red Soup in the morning, they can simply use one piece of angelica, two tablespoons of brown sugar, and one and a half bowls of water, boil it, and then add the egg until cooked.
3. Tremella and Red Date Soup (银耳红枣汤)
Tremella and red date soup is also a very simple and convenient food for nourishing qi and blood. Red dates nourish the stomach and replenish qi and blood, while tremella (银耳, yín’ěr) can nourish yin and strengthen the spleen. The preparation is straightforward: soak the tremella and red dates for 20 minutes, then boil them together. For those with severe qi and blood deficiency, adding two longan (桂圆, guìyuán) can enhance the nourishing effects.
4. Ejiao (阿胶)
Ejiao has been regarded as a holy product for nourishing blood and enhancing beauty since ancient times, once reserved for the elite. Nowadays, there are many products made from ejiao, such as the classic Gu Yuan Gao (固元膏) and ejiao paste. Each has its unique benefits, and there are even specially formulated ejiao products for men and women, making them more practical and effective.
5. Pigeon Soup (鸽子汤)
Pigeon soup is one of the best recipes for nourishing qi and blood. Pigeon meat itself has health benefits and can replenish qi and blood. When making pigeon soup, it is common to add ingredients like red dates, goji berries, and astragalus (黄芪, huángqí) to enhance the nourishing effects. Pigeon soup is particularly suitable for patients with qi and blood deficiency, those recovering from serious illness, and postpartum women for body recovery.
6. Black Chicken Soup (乌鸡汤)
Black chicken soup is excellent for nourishing yin and blood. Black chicken meat has the effect of tonifying deficiency and strengthening bones. Adding red dates to the black chicken soup helps nourish qi and blood and regulate the spleen and stomach, while polygonatum (黄精, huángjīng) nourishes yin and strengthens the spleen, and goji berries nourish yin and support the liver. Patients with qi and blood deficiency can drink a bowl of black chicken soup at noon, and persistence for a week will yield results. Additionally, postpartum women can use black chicken soup for warming and nourishing, which also aids in lactation.
Furthermore, it is recommended that patients engage in moderate exercise, as traditional Chinese medicine believes that prolonged lying down can harm qi. Therefore, patients should avoid lying down for extended periods, maintain a regular schedule, and eat healthily.
