What Foods Should Be Consumed for Yang Deficiency Constitution?
It is important for people with Yang deficiency constitution to maintain a regular sleep schedule of early to bed and early to rise, and to maintain a pleasant and relaxed mood every day. This can help improve their constitution. In addition, they should also adjust their diet to nourish their bodies. Eating foods such as mutton and sword beans can help warm and nourish the body, which has many benefits. Especially mutton is suitable for nourishing the body in winter and can help improve symptoms of Yang deficiency. Here are some specific food recommendations:
Sword beans can warm the spleen and nourish the kidneys, providing a warm and nourishing effect for people with Yang deficiency. They are like "planting" warm red beans for people with Yang deficiency.
Ginger has a good effect on replenishing Yang for people with Yang deficiency who have insufficient energy, fatigue, and aversion to cold. Ginger can appropriately supplement Yang and maintaining sufficient Yang in the body is important for good health.
Mutton is warm in nature and sweet in taste, making it an excellent choice for nourishing the body. It has the effect of warming the middle and lower abdomen, invigorating Qi, and tonifying deficiencies. People with Yang deficiency should consume mutton regularly after autumn and winter to achieve the effects of strengthening Yuan Yang, nourishing essence and blood, and relieving asthenia.
Consuming spicy foods can help warm the body and replenish Yang. Pepper is hot in nature and pungent in taste. Li Shizhen, a famous Chinese pharmacist in the Ming Dynasty, described pepper as a "pure Yang substance that warms the stomach and intestines." The theory of traditional Chinese medicine suggests that fire decline refers to the decrease of Yang Qi in the body, while cold invasion refers to the invasion of cold pathogens. Pepper has strong dispersing cold and warming Yang effects, but its warming Yang effect is slightly weaker compared to other herbs. However, for people with Yang deficiency who are susceptible to cold invasion, consuming pepper is still beneficial.
Chinese chives, also known as Yang-lifting grass, are considered a tonic food especially beneficial for men. People with Yang deficiency, who may experience some sexual dysfunction, can find significant improvement by consuming Chinese chives. In addition to its warming and strengthening kidney Yang effects, Chinese chives also promote blood circulation. Moreover, it can help with constipation due to its lubricating properties. However, its primary health-promoting function remains its warming effect.