30 Kidney-Nourishing and Blood-Conscious Recipes (Suitable for those with Liver and Kidney Yin and Blood Deficiency)

Understanding Liver and Kidney Yin and Blood Deficiency

existTraditional Chinese MedicineIn theory, the liver stores blood and the kidneys store essence, and the liver and kidneys share a common origin (also known as "the liver and kidneys share a common origin"). The nourishment of liver blood depends on the generation of kidney essence, and the abundance of kidney essence also requires the continuous replenishment and nourishment of liver blood. The two mutually support each other, jointly maintaining the balance of essence and blood in the body. When this balance is broken, a state of "deficiency of liver and kidney yin and blood" will occur.

I. Water nourishes wood: The mother-child relationship between the liver and kidneys.

The concepts of "the kidneys belong to water, the liver belongs to wood, water nourishes wood" and "water nourishes wood" are classic applications of the Five Elements theory in the relationships between the internal organs.

• Physiological (normal state)Kidney Yin (Kidney Water) is the foundation for the growth and free flow of Liver Wood. Just as a tree needs water to nourish it,Sufficient kidney water can nourish liver wood.This allows the liver's function of regulating the flow of qi to be smooth and harmonious, resulting in abundant liver blood and liver yin. This is the meaning of "water nourishes wood".
• Pathological (abnormal state):ifKidney Yin Deficiency (Insufficient Kidney Water)If the liver wood cannot be nourished, it will lead to the liver wood becoming "dry" and causing wind, or the liver yang becoming excessive and unrestrained. This is called... "Water does not nourish wood".
  • Typical manifestationsSymptoms include dizziness, tinnitus, and weakness in the lower back and knees (signs of kidney deficiency), accompanied by flushed face and red eyes, irritability, and even tremors in the limbs (signs of liver yang hyperactivity).

II. The liver and kidneys share a common origin (essence and blood share a common origin).

This is a more in-depth description of the relationship between the liver and kidneys, going beyond the generating and restraining relationships of the Five Elements, and delving into...Semen and BloodThe mutualization level.

• The liver stores blood, and the kidneys store essence.This is the core function of the liver and kidneys.
• Essence generates bloodThe essence of the kidneys is the original driving force and material basis for the generation of blood. When the kidney essence is sufficient, the liver blood will be abundant.
• Blood can transform into essenceBlood circulates throughout the body, returns to the liver, and nourishes and transforms into kidney essence, making kidney essence abundant.
• We share the glory, and we share the decline.Because essence and blood are mutually generative, liver blood deficiency and kidney essence deficiency often occur together, forming... "Liver and kidney yin deficiency" or "Deficiency of essence and blood" The symptoms.
  • Typical manifestationsIn addition to the above-mentioned symptoms of deficiency heat, you may also see...Scanty menstruation, premature graying of hair, weak bones, loose teethThese are signs of insufficient essence and blood.

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What is meant by deficiency of liver and kidney yin and blood?
This is a complex syndrome characterized by simultaneous deficiency of both essence and blood. It is usually caused by prolonged illness, overwork, excessive blood loss, or long-term mental stress and lack of sleep, leading to simultaneous occurrence of liver blood deficiency and kidney essence depletion, which influence each other.

Common symptoms include:

• LeaderSymptoms include dizziness, tinnitus, blurred vision, and dry eyes.
• Musculoskeletal aspectsSymptoms include: lower back and knee pain, numbness in the limbs, and difficulty in bending and straightening joints.
• Outer appearancePale or sallow complexion, light-colored, brittle, and easily broken nails, pale lips, and dry, itchy skin.
• hairPremature graying, dryness, and hair loss.
• Mental and emotional stateSymptoms include palpitations, insomnia, vivid dreams, easy startling, irritability, or mental dullness.
• GynecologyWomen with scanty, pale, delayed, or even amenorrhea menstruation may experience these symptoms.
• Tongue appearance and pulse appearanceThe tongue is pale with little coating; the pulse is deep and thready or wiry and thready.

Important Reminder:

1. Differentiation of syndromes and treatmentThe dietary therapy recipes in this article are mainly for the specific complex constitution of "deficiency of liver and kidney yin and blood". If you are unsure of your own constitution, please be sure to consult a qualified Chinese medicine practitioner for diagnosis.
2. Nourishing principlesThe core principle of conditioning this type of constitution is "nourishing water to nourish wood," which means nourishing liver blood by replenishing kidney essence, while directly supplementing the material basis—yin blood.
3. Pay attention to digestionFoods that nourish blood and yin tend to be rich and greasy, which can easily affect the spleen and stomach's digestive function. Therefore, they are often combined with spleen-strengthening and qi-regulating ingredients in dietary therapy.
4. Stay away from heat and drynessSpicy, grilled, fried, and excessively warming foods (such as excessive amounts of mutton, leeks, and cinnamon) should be avoided to prevent further depletion of yin and blood.

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The following will be divided into four categories: "Soups", "Porridges", "Medicinal Dishes", and "Medicinal Herbs and Teas".

I. Soup Recipes

Soup can gently extract the essence of ingredients, and is especially suitable for using animal ingredients and root and rhizome herbs to nourish yin and blood.

1. Stewed black-boned chicken with Siwu Decoction (basic blood-nourishing formula)

• Ingredient Analysis:
  • Angelica sinensisIt nourishes and invigorates blood, regulates menstruation, and relieves pain. It is a holy medicine for nourishing blood.
  • Rehmannia glutinosaIt nourishes Yin and replenishes blood, benefits essence and fills marrow. It tonifies the kidneys and replenishes essence to generate blood.
  • White peony rootIt nourishes blood and astringes yin, soothes the liver and relieves pain.
  • ChuanxiongIt invigorates blood circulation, promotes qi flow, dispels wind, and relieves pain. It nourishes blood without causing stagnation.
  • Silkie chickenIt nourishes the liver and kidneys, replenishes qi and blood. It has strong tonic effects.
• practice:
  1. Chop the black-boned chicken into pieces and blanch it to remove the blood.
  2. Wrap the four herbs (Angelica sinensis, Rehmannia glutinosa, Paeonia lactiflora, and Ligusticum chuanxiong) in a gauze bag.
  3. Place the black-boned chicken, herbal packet, and ginger slices into a stewing pot, and add enough water.
  4. Double-boil for 2.5 to 3 hours, then remove the herb packet and season with salt.
• effectThis formula replenishes and regulates blood, and nourishes the liver and kidneys. It is a basic formula for treating blood deficiency, and is especially suitable for women after menstruation.

2. Angelica and ginger mutton soup (warming and nourishing for blood)

• Ingredient Analysis:
  • Angelica sinensisIt nourishes and invigorates the blood.
  • muttonIt invigorates qi and replenishes deficiency, warms the middle and lower body. It is warm in nature, but when used with angelica, it warms and nourishes the blood.
  • GingerIt warms the middle and dispels cold, neutralizing the gamey smell of mutton.
• practice:
  1. Cut the mutton into chunks, blanch it, and then rinse it.
  2. Place the mutton, angelica root, and ginger slices into a clay pot, add cooking wine and enough water.
  3. Bring to a boil over high heat, skim off the foam, then reduce to a simmer and cook until the mutton is tender.
  4. Season with salt and pepper.
• effectIt warms the middle burner, replenishes blood, dispels cold, and relieves pain. It is suitable for those with blood deficiency and cold, cold hands and feet, and abdominal pain.

3. Mistletoe, Egg, and Red Date Tea (for nourishing blood and promoting fetal health)

• Ingredient Analysis:
  • MulberryIt nourishes the liver and kidneys, strengthens muscles and bones, dispels wind and dampness, and stabilizes the fetus.
  • eggIt nourishes Yin and moistens dryness, nourishes blood and calms the fetus.
  • red datesIt replenishes the middle energizer and invigorates qi, nourishes blood and calms the mind.
• practice:
  1. Wash the mulberry mistletoe and wrap it in a gauze bag. Remove the pits from the red dates.
  2. Put the medicine packet, red dates, and eggs in their shells into a pot, add water, and boil.
  3. After the eggs are cooked, remove them from the water, peel them, and put them back into the soup to continue cooking for 30 minutes.
  4. Drink the soup and eat the eggs; you can add brown sugar for flavor.
• effectIt nourishes blood, stabilizes pregnancy, and strengthens muscles and bones. Suitable for pregnant women or those with liver and kidney deficiency, blood deficiency, or restless fetal movement.

4. Goji Berry, Black Bean, and Pork Rib Soup

• Ingredient Analysis:
  • Goji berriesIt nourishes the liver and kidneys, and benefits the essence and improves eyesight.
  • Black beansIt invigorates blood circulation, promotes diuresis, dispels wind and detoxifies, and nourishes the kidneys and yin. Black foods are associated with the kidneys, making it an excellent choice for tonifying the kidneys and nourishing blood.
  • RibsIt provides basic nutrition and umami flavor.
• practice:
  1. Soak black beans in advance. Chop pork ribs into pieces and blanch them.
  2. Place the pork ribs, black beans, and ginger slices in a pot, add water, and simmer for 1.5 hours.
  3. Add goji berries and simmer for another 15 minutes, then season with salt.
• effectIt nourishes the kidneys and replenishes essence, nourishes blood and improves eyesight. It is suitable for those with liver and kidney yin deficiency, blurred vision, and premature graying of hair.

5. He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum) and Egg Soup

• Ingredient Analysis:
  • systemHe Shou WuIt nourishes the essence and blood, strengthens the kidneys, and darkens the hair. It is an essential medicine for blackening hair and nourishing blood.
  • eggNourishes Yin and blood.
• practice:
  1. Slice the prepared Polygonum multiflorum and put it in a pot with the eggs in their shells and add water to boil.
  2. After the eggs are cooked, remove them from the water, peel them, and put them back into the soup to continue cooking for 30-40 minutes, until the soup turns a darker color.
  3. Eat the eggs and drink the soup.
• effectIt nourishes the liver and kidneys, replenishes essence and blood, and darkens hair. It is specifically used to treat gray hair and hair loss caused by insufficient essence and blood.

6. Stewed Pig's Trotters with Polygonatum and Rehmannia

• Ingredient Analysis:
  • PolygonatumIt replenishes Qi and nourishes Yin, strengthens the spleen, moistens the lungs, and benefits the kidneys.
  • Rehmannia glutinosaIt nourishes Yin and replenishes blood, benefits essence and marrow.
  • Pig's trottersIt is rich in collagen, which can moisturize the skin and nourish yin and relieve dryness.
• practice:
  1. Clean the pig's trotters, chop them into pieces, and blanch them.
  2. Wash the Polygonatum and Rehmannia glutinosa.
  3. Place all ingredients into a stew pot, add water, and steam for 2.5 to 3 hours until the pig's trotters are tender. Season with salt.
• effectIt nourishes the kidneys and replenishes essence, nourishes yin and blood, and moisturizes the skin. It is suitable for those with deficiency of essence and blood, and dry, cracked skin.

7. Donkey-hide gelatin and egg yolk soup (nourishes yin and blood, calms the mind)

• Ingredient Analysis:
  • donkey-hide gelatinIt nourishes blood and yin, moistens dryness and stops bleeding.
  • Egg yolkIt nourishes yin and moistens dryness, nourishes blood and calms wind. It is an excellent product for nourishing yin fluids.
• practice:
  1. Melt the donkey-hide gelatin in rice wine (by steaming it over water) and set aside.
  2. Boil 2-3 eggs, remove the yolks, and mash them.
  3. Mix the melted donkey-hide gelatin with the egg yolk, pour in boiling water, stir well, and it's ready to drink.
• effectIt nourishes Yin and blood, calms wind and soothes the mind. It originates from "Treatise on Febrile Diseases" and is suitable for symptoms such as internal wind, convulsions of the hands and feet, irritability and insomnia caused by deficiency of Yin and blood in the later stages of febrile diseases.

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II. Congee Section

Porridge is soft and easy to digest, and it can effectively nourish the stomach and promote blood production, making it suitable for long-term conditioning.

8. Red Date and Longan Porridge

• Ingredient Analysis:
  • red datesIt replenishes the middle energizer and invigorates qi, nourishes blood and calms the mind.
  • Longan (dried longan pulp)It nourishes the heart and spleen, replenishes qi and blood, and calms the mind. It is an excellent product for nourishing blood and improving intelligence.
  • Japonica riceIt strengthens the spleen and stomach.
• practice:
  1. Wash the rice, remove the pits from the red dates, and wash the longan pulp.
  2. Put all the ingredients into a pot, add water, and cook into porridge.
  3. You can add some brown sugar for flavor.
• effectIt nourishes the heart and spleen, and replenishes qi and blood. It is a classic blood-nourishing and calming porridge.

9. Spinach and pork liver congee

• Ingredient Analysis:
  • spinachIt nourishes blood, stops bleeding, astringes yin, and moistens dryness. Rich in iron and vitamin C, it is an excellent vegetable for replenishing blood.
  • pig liverIt nourishes the liver and blood, and improves eyesight. Following the principle of "like cures like," it is an essential blood-nourishing product.
• practice:
  1. The rice is cooked into a porridge base.
  2. Slice the pork liver and marinate it with cooking wine, shredded ginger, and cornstarch. Wash and cut the spinach into sections.
  3. Add the sliced pork liver to the boiling porridge and cook until it changes color.
  4. Add the spinach pieces, cook until softened, then season with salt and pepper.
• effectIt nourishes the liver and blood, improves eyesight, and moisturizes dryness. Suitable for those with anemia, blurred vision, and night blindness.

10. Black sesame and red date porridge

• Ingredient Analysis:
  • Black sesameIt nourishes the liver and kidneys, replenishes essence and blood, and moistens dryness in the intestines.
  • red datesIt replenishes the middle energizer and invigorates qi, nourishes blood and calms the mind.
• practice:
  1. Black sesameStir-fry until fragrant, then grind into powder. Remove the pits from the red dates.
  2. Rice and red dates are cooked together into porridge.
  3. When the porridge is cooked, add black sesame powder, stir well, and cook for another 5 minutes.
• effectIt nourishes the kidneys and replenishes essence, nourishes blood and darkens hair. It is suitable for nourishing both essence and blood, and is especially beneficial for darkening hair.

11. Yam and pork bone congee

• Ingredient Analysis:
  • yamIt nourishes the spleen, lungs, and kidneys, strengthens the kidneys and replenishes essence. It invigorates the spleen to aid in the production of qi and blood.
  • Pork bonesIt is rich in nutrients and marrow, and can replenish essence and marrow.
• practice:
  1. After blanching the pork bones, add water and ginger slices to simmer into a rich broth.
  2. Remove the large bones, and use the broth to cook rice and yam chunks (peeled) into porridge.
  3. Season with salt and chopped green onions.
• effectIt strengthens the spleen and kidneys, nourishes essence and blood. It is suitable for blood deficiency caused by weak spleen and stomach and poor absorption.

12. Mulberry and Goji Berry Porridge

• Ingredient Analysis:
  • Mulberries(Dry)It nourishes yin and blood, and promotes the production of body fluids and moistens dryness.
  • Goji berriesIt nourishes the liver and kidneys.
• practice:
  1. Wash the rice and cook it into porridge.
  2. When the porridge is almost cooked, add dried mulberries and goji berries.
  3. Cook for another 5-10 minutes.
• effectIt nourishes the liver and kidneys, and replenishes yin and blood. It is suitable for tinnitus, blurred vision, and premature graying of hair caused by insufficient yin and blood in the liver and kidneys.

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III. Medicinal Cuisine

Incorporating kidney-tonifying and blood-nourishing ingredients into everyday dishes offers both deliciousness and health benefits.

13. Steamed Chicken with Goji Berries

• Ingredient Analysis:
  • Goji berriesIt nourishes the liver and kidneys.
  • chickenIt warms the middle jiao and replenishes qi, nourishes deficiency and replenishes essence.
• practice:
  1. Chop the chicken into pieces and marinate with cooking wine, soy sauce, shredded ginger, and cornstarch.
  2. Arrange the marinated chicken pieces on a plate and sprinkle goji berries evenly over them.
  3. Place in a steamer and steam over high heat for 15-20 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked.
• effectIt nourishes the liver and kidneys, replenishes essence and blood. It's simple to make and suitable for the whole family.

14. Stir-fried pork kidney with Eucommia ulmoides

• Ingredient Analysis:
  • EucommiaIt nourishes the liver and kidneys and strengthens muscles and bones.
  • Pork kidneyIt is said that using the principle of "like cures like" can replenish kidney qi and benefit essence.
• practice:
  1. Boil Eucommia bark in water to obtain a concentrated juice for later use.
  2. Cut the pork kidneys in half, remove the white membrane inside, score them, and marinate them with cooking wine and ginger slices.
  3. Stir-fry the pork kidneys in a hot wok until they change color, then remove them from the wok.
  4. Sauté scallions, ginger, and garlic until fragrant. Add wood ear mushrooms, carrot slices, and other side dishes and stir-fry. Then add pork kidney and eucommia ulmoides juice, stir-fry quickly, thicken with cornstarch slurry, and season to taste.
• effectIt tonifies the kidneys and strengthens the lower back, replenishes essence and blood. It has a good effect on kidney deficiency, lower back pain, and tinnitus.

15. Spinach and Egg Stir-fry

• Ingredient Analysis:
  • spinachNourishes blood and moisturizes dryness.
  • eggNourishes Yin and blood.
• practice:
  1. Wash and chop the spinach, blanch it (to remove oxalic acid), and drain. Beat the eggs.
  2. Heat a pan and fry the eggs until cooked, then set aside.
  3. Add a little more oil to the pan, sauté minced garlic until fragrant, then add spinach and stir-fry.
  4. Add the scrambled eggs, season with salt, and stir-fry until well combined.
• effectThis dish nourishes blood and yin, moistens dryness, and promotes bowel movements. It's a common stir-fry for nourishing blood.

16. Braised ribbonfish (nourishes blood and moisturizes skin)

• Ingredient Analysis:
  • ribbonfishIt invigorates the spleen and replenishes qi, nourishes the liver and replenishes blood, and moisturizes the skin and hair. It is rich in high-quality protein and unsaturated fatty acids.
• practice:
  1. Clean the ribbonfish, cut it into sections, marinate it with salt and cooking wine, and then pan-fry it until golden brown on both sides.
  2. Leave some oil in the pan, sauté scallions, ginger, garlic, and dried chili peppers until fragrant, then add soy sauce, cooking wine, sugar, vinegar, and a suitable amount of water.
  3. Add the pan-fried ribbonfish and simmer over medium-low heat until the flavors are absorbed and the sauce thickens.
• effectIt nourishes the liver and replenishes blood, moisturizes the skin and promotes healthy hair. Suitable for those with blood deficiency, dry skin, and brittle, yellow hair.

17. Stir-fried pork slices with wood ear mushrooms

• Ingredient Analysis:
  • Black fungusIt replenishes qi and blood, moistens the lungs and cools the blood. Known as "the meat of the vegetarian world," it has excellent blood-replenishing effects.
  • porkIt nourishes Yin and moistens dryness.
• practice:
  1. Soak the wood ear mushrooms until softened, then tear them into small pieces. Slice the pork and marinate it with soy sauce and cornstarch.
  2. Stir-fry the meat slices in a hot wok until they change color, then remove them from the wok.
  3. Sauté ginger and garlic until fragrant, then add wood ear mushrooms and stir-fry. Add sliced meat, season with salt and oyster sauce, and stir-fry until cooked.
• effectIt replenishes qi and blood, nourishes yin and moistens dryness.

18. Angelica Root Stewed Eggs

• Ingredient Analysis:
  • Angelica sinensisIt nourishes and invigorates the blood.
  • eggNourishes Yin and blood.
• practice:
  1. Wash the angelica root, add water and boil for 15 minutes, then extract the medicinal juice.
  2. Crack the eggs into a bowl (do not beat them), then pour in the boiling hot Angelica sinensis decoction.
  3. Add an appropriate amount of brown sugar, stir well, and it's ready to eat.
• effectThis recipe nourishes and invigorates blood, regulates menstruation, and relieves pain. It's a simple and quick way to replenish blood through dietary therapy.

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IV. Herbal Pastes and Tea Drinks

Both concentrated medicinal pastes and convenient, long-lasting teas are excellent methods for nourishing yin and blood.

19. Donkey-hide gelatin tonic paste

• Ingredient Analysis:
  • donkey-hide gelatinIt nourishes blood and yin, moistens dryness and stops bleeding.
  • Black sesame seeds, walnutsIt nourishes the kidneys and replenishes essence.
  • Red dates, longanIt replenishes qi and nourishes blood.
  • Shaoxing wineIt promotes blood circulation and menstruation, and helps the medicine to be absorbed.
• practice:
  1. Donkey-hide gelatin is soaked in rice wine for several days until it softens.
  2. Heat the soaked donkey-hide gelatin together with rice wine in a double boiler, stirring until melted.
  3. Add roasted walnuts, black sesame seeds, red dates, longan pulp, rock sugar, etc., and mix well.
  4. Pour into a mold, press firmly, refrigerate to set, then slice and serve.
• effectIt nourishes blood and yin, and replenishes kidney essence. Suitable for those with severe deficiency of essence and blood.(Use with caution if you have a weak spleen and stomach.)

20. Longan and Red Date Tea

• Ingredient Analysis:
  • LonganIt nourishes the heart and spleen, and benefits qi and blood.
  • red datesIt replenishes the middle energizer and invigorates qi, nourishes blood and calms the mind.
• practice:
  1. Place the dried longan pulp and pitted red dates into the teapot.
  2. Pour in boiling water, cover and steep for 10-15 minutes before drinking. It can be steeped repeatedly.
• effectIt warms and nourishes the heart and spleen, replenishes blood and calms the mind. Suitable for those with deficiency of both qi and blood, cold hands and feet, insomnia and forgetfulness.

21. Mulberry and Honey Drink

• Ingredient Analysis:
  • Mulberries (fresh or dried)It nourishes Yin and replenishes blood.
  • HoneyIt nourishes the middle and moistens dryness.
• practice:
  1. Soak dried mulberries in warm water until softened, or wash fresh mulberries.
  2. Place it in a cup, add an appropriate amount of warm water and honey, and stir well.
• effectIt nourishes yin and blood, and moistens the intestines to relieve constipation. It is suitable for those with yin and blood deficiency and constipation due to intestinal dryness.

22. Goji Berry and Chrysanthemum Tea

• Ingredient Analysis:
  • Goji berriesIt nourishes the liver and kidneys.
  • chrysanthemumIt dispels wind and clears heat, calms the liver and improves eyesight. It can clear liver fire and is effective for dry eyes and dizziness caused by liver and kidney yin deficiency.
• practice:
  1. Place goji berries and chrysanthemum (preferably Hangzhou white chrysanthemum) into a teacup.
  2. Pour in boiling water, cover and steep for 5-10 minutes before drinking.
• effectIt nourishes the liver and kidneys, and clears the liver and improves eyesight. It is an excellent daily health supplement for computer and mobile phone users.

23. Siwu Tang (Tea Version)

• Ingredient Analysis:
  • Angelica sinensis, Rehmannia glutinosa,White peony rootChuanxiong: Replenishes and regulates blood.
• practice:
  1. Place the four medicinal herbs into the pot according to the specified proportions (you can consult a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner).
  2. Boil in water for 30-40 minutes, remove the dregs and drink the liquid as a tea substitute.
• effectIt nourishes and invigorates the blood. It is easy to consume as a tea.

24. Shengmai Yin (tonifies Qi and nourishes Yin)

• Ingredient Analysis:
  • Ginseng (or American ginseng)It greatly replenishes vital energy, strengthens the spleen and benefits the lungs (American ginseng tends to replenish both qi and yin).
  • Ophiopogon japonicusIt nourishes Yin and generates fluids, clears the mind and relieves irritability.
  • Schisandra chinensisIt has the effects of astringing and consolidating, replenishing qi and promoting body fluid production, tonifying the kidneys and calming the mind.
• practice:
  1. Place the three medicinal herbs into a thermos.
  2. Steep in boiling water for 15-20 minutes before drinking.
• effectIt invigorates qi and generates fluids, astringes yin and stops sweating. It is suitable for those with deficiency of both qi and yin, fatigue, dry mouth and palpitations.

25. Black soybean milk

• Ingredient Analysis:
  • Black beansIt nourishes the kidneys and yin, strengthens the spleen and promotes diuresis.
• practice:
  1. Soak the black beans in advance.
  2. Put it into a soy milk maker, add water and blend into soy milk, then filter and drink.
  3. Sugar can be added for flavor.
• effectIt nourishes the kidneys and replenishes yin, nourishes blood and improves eyesight. As a daily breakfast drink, it works gradually.

26. Brown sugar and ginger tea

• Ingredient Analysis:
  • brown sugarIt invigorates qi and blood, strengthens the spleen and warms the stomach, and promotes blood circulation and removes blood stasis.
  • GingerIt warms the middle and dispels cold.
• practice:
  1. Slice or shred the ginger.
  2. Place the brown sugar and water in a cup, pour in boiling water, and stir until the brown sugar dissolves.
• effectIt warms the meridians and dispels cold, nourishes and invigorates the blood. It is especially suitable for women to drink before and after menstruation.

27. Lily Bulb, Lotus Seed, and White Fungus Soup

• Ingredient Analysis:
  • Silver ear fungusIt nourishes Yin and moistens the lungs, nourishes the stomach and promotes the production of body fluids.
  • lilyIt nourishes Yin and moistens the lungs, clears the heart and calms the mind.
  • lotus seedsIt tonifies the spleen and stops diarrhea, benefits the kidneys and astringes essence, and nourishes the heart and calms the mind.
• practice:
  1. Soak the white fungus until it expands, then tear it into small pieces. Wash the lotus seeds and lily bulbs.
  2. Put all the ingredients into a pot, add enough water and rock sugar.
  3. Simmer over low heat until the broth thickens and becomes a thick soup.
• effectIt nourishes yin and moistens the lungs, calms the mind and soothes the nerves, and tonifies the kidneys and strengthens essence. It is a dessert that nourishes yin and blood.

28. Wuji Baifeng Wan (Traditional Chinese Medicine, as a Dietary Therapy Supplement)

• Ingredient Analysis:
  • Black-boned chicken, ginseng, angelica, rehmannia root, deer antler glue, etc.This is a famous traditional Chinese medicine that combines the functions of replenishing qi, nourishing blood, regulating menstruation, and stopping leukorrhea. It is a model of nourishing both the liver and kidney qi and blood.
• practice:
  • Take as directed in the instructions or as prescribed by your doctor.
• effectIt replenishes qi and blood, regulates menstruation and stops leukorrhea. It is used for deficiency of both qi and blood, emaciation, soreness and weakness of the waist and knees, and irregular menstruation.(It is recommended to use this product under the guidance of a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner.)

29. Sea cucumber and millet porridge

• Ingredient Analysis:
  • sea cucumberIt nourishes the kidneys and replenishes essence, nourishes blood and moistens dryness.
  • MilletIt strengthens the spleen and stomach, and replenishes deficiencies.
• practice:
  1. Cut the soaked sea cucumber into small pieces.
  2. Cook millet into a porridge base.
  3. Add sea cucumber pieces and shredded ginger, and cook for another 10-15 minutes.
  4. Season with salt, pepper, sesame oil, and chopped green onions.
• effectIt nourishes the kidneys and replenishes essence, nourishes blood and moistens dryness, strengthens the spleen and stomach. It is suitable for nourishing the body after illness or childbirth.

30. Gui Pi Tang (Simplified Dietary Therapy Version)

• Ingredient Analysis:
  • Ginseng, Astragalus, Atractylodes macrocephalaIt replenishes qi and strengthens the spleen.
  • Angelica sinensis, longan pulpIt nourishes the blood and heart.
  • Sour jujube seed, Polygala tenuifoliaIt calms the mind and soothes the nerves.
  • This formula focuses on replenishing the spleen and boosting qi to nourish blood and guide blood back to the spleen.
• practice:
  1. Take the main medicinal ingredients in the recipe (such as ginseng, angelica, astragalus, longan pulp, etc.) and simmer them with black-boned chicken or pork ribs to make soup.
• effectIt invigorates qi and blood, strengthens the spleen and nourishes the heart. It is suitable for insomnia, palpitations, poor appetite and fatigue caused by deficiency of both heart and spleen and insufficient qi and blood.

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The key to nourishing both essence and blood lies in nurturing and preserving them.

Nourishing the liver and kidneys' yin and blood is a gradual and subtle process. It requires not only the replenishment of substances but also the reduction of unnecessary consumption.

• Sleeping at night nourishes bloodWhen a person lies down, blood returns to the liver. Making sure you fall asleep before 11 pm is the most effective way to nourish liver blood.
• Do not overwork your eyesProlonged staring can damage blood circulation. Reduce the time spent staring at electronic screens, take regular breaks, and do eye exercises.
• Regulate emotionsAnger injures the liver, and worry injures the spleen. Maintaining a cheerful mood and avoiding anger and excessive thinking are key to nourishing the liver and spleen and promoting the production of qi and blood.
• Work-life balanceAvoid overexertion, especially physical and mental exhaustion.

Further reading:

• 30 recipes to nourish the kidneys and strengthen muscles and bones (suitable for those with weak muscles and bones, and weak lower back and knees)
• 30 Kidney-Nourishing and Essence-Boosting Recipes (Suitable for Those with Kidney Essence Deficiency)
• 20 Kidney-Nourishing and Aphrodisiac Stew Recipes
• Did excessive use of kidney-tonifying and aphrodisiac supplements cause internal heat and insomnia?