Bitterness enters the heart meridian and the small intestine meridian, capable of purging heart fire and small intestine fire.Among the Five Elements, fire has the characteristics of warmth and rising. Bitterness belongs to fire, but it is also of the yin nature, thus it is yin fire. Therefore, bitter-tasting foods can be divided into two categories: one is warm and bitter, such as coffee and black tea, which have a stronger effect in removing dampness, which is what traditional Chinese medicine calls “drying dampness”; the other is cold and bitter, such as lotus seed cores and green tea, which have the effects of clearing heat and purging.
Modern scientific research has demonstrated that bitter-tasting foods are rich in alkaloids, amino acids, bitter principles, vitamins and minerals, and they have functions such as dispelling summer heat, reducing fever, relieving irritability, refreshing the mind and strengthening the stomach. Eating some bitter foods in summer can not only alleviate the negative emotions caused by fatigue and boredom, restore energy, but also relieve summer heat and reduce fever, stimulate gastric juice secretion and increase appetite. However, it should be noted that some people should not eat too much bitter food. People with insufficient gastric juice, such as those with atrophic gastritis, should be cautious. Even those without stomach problems may have insufficient gastric juice after severe vomiting and diarrhea or after consuming too much spicy food, which can lead to false heat in the stomach, causing a burning sensation in the stomach.
Some common bitter-tasting foods in daily life include the following:
- Bitter Gourd
It is cold in nature and non-toxic. It has the functions of clearing heat, improving vision, calming the mind, nourishing blood and tonifying the liver, as well as strengthening the spleen and regulating the stomach. Especially in summer, bitter gourd has the effects of clearing heat and eliminating summer heat, enhancing appetite and aiding digestion. It is effective for conditions such as red eyes, stomach heat, excessive heat and toxins, and can also alleviate fatigue. Bitter gourd contains a kind of bioactive protein, which can enhance the body’s immunity and has anti-cancer effects. Moreover, regularly consuming bitter gourd can have an auxiliary effect on diabetes.
- Celery
It has a sweet and bitter taste, with a slightly cold nature. It has the effects of clearing heat and eliminating dampness, as well as calming the liver and cooling the blood. Regular consumption can provide good auxiliary therapeutic effects for those with excessive phlegm from coughing, toothache, and swollen eyes. Celery also has the ability to lower cholesterol and blood pressure. By making a decoction with fresh celery and water, or by boiling fresh celery in hot water and then extracting its juice, it can have significant therapeutic effects for patients with hypertension, coronary artery sclerosis, and heart disease after consumption.
- Turnip
The edible part is its root and stem. The common way of consumption is to pickle it and then use it as a side dish for porridge. It has a sweet and bitter taste and is neutral in nature. It has the effects of warming the middle burner, promoting digestion, eliminating dampness and detoxifying. Those with cold accumulation in the abdomen or indigestion can eat it, as it can warm the stomach and stimulate appetite.
- Lettuce
Also known as lettuce, it has a bitter and sweet taste, with a slightly cold nature. It has the effects of clearing heat, eliminating phlegm, reducing fire, and detoxifying, as well as promoting qi circulation and relieving chest tightness. It is effective for conditions such as chest discomfort and heat, excessive coughing and phlegm production, abdominal distension and poor appetite, blocked milk flow, and impaired urination and defecation. Because lettuce also has the effect of clearing and reducing heat in the five internal organs, consuming it regularly can make one’s teeth whiter and eyes brighter.
- Alfalfa
The properties are bitter and sweet, with a neutral nature. By stir-frying the tender stems and leaves, it becomes a delicious dish. Lotus pod has the effects of clearing heat and promoting diuresis, as well as soothing the stomach. For patients with yellow urine, urinary tract stones, and night blindness, it has a good supplementary therapeutic effect after consumption.
The summer “three melons” – bitter gourd, luffa and gourd – are also typical bitter vegetables. These three melons have a bitter and sweet taste, are cool and slightly cold in nature. Their flesh is tender and can be used for making soup or stir-frying meat. They have the effects of clearing heat and eliminating phlegm, as well as strengthening the spleen and harmonizing the stomach. Especially the flesh of bitter gourd and luffa are a kind of detoxifying Chinese medicine. When dried in summer and stored, they can be boiled into soup and drunk during the “heat” season in autumn and winter to eliminate the toxins immediately.
In addition, foods with a bitter taste such as tea, beer and chocolate can also be used in moderation. However, consuming bitter foods in excessive amounts is not advisable as overly bitter flavors can easily cause nausea, vomiting and other discomforts.
* This is an affiliate link. After you register, I may receive a commission, and you won't be charged any additional fees.
No Responses