PHOTOGRAPH: 123rf.com
Your mood is deeply connected to how balanced your bod is, says TCM physician Liu Xing of Eu Yan Sang Premier TCM Centre @ Camden. She shares three recipes that help you restore balance for a better mood. Each recipe makes one serving.
1 Calming tea
This tea helps to reduce irritability and promotes a positive mood by nourishing the heart and calming the mind. Drink one cup, three times a day for 10 days.
Ingredients
10g da zao (red dates)
10g gan cao (licorice)
30g fu xiao mai (wheat grain)
10g bai he (dried lily bulbs)
10g bo zi ren (arborvitae seeds)
6 cups water
Directions
1. Rinse all the herbs and soak them in water for 15min.
2. Drain the ingredients and add them to a pot with the 6 cupts of water. Cook over medium-low heat until the liquid has reduced by half.
3. Strain and serve warm.
Read more: Simple ways to control your emotions when someone makes you angry
2 Congee with lily bulbs, lotus seeds and dried longans
This dish replenishes the spleen and heart, and rejuvenates qi and blood to improve sleep. You’ll feel perked up the next day.
Ingredients
20g bai he (dried lily bulbs)
10g lian zi (lotus seeds)
10g dried longans
100g white rice
0.8 to 1.5l water, depending on desired consistency
30g honey
Directions
1. Rinse the dried lily bulbs, lotus seeds, dried longans and rice, then add them with the water to a pot. Bring it to the boil.
2. Let the congee simmer for 20min, then remove from the heat.
3. Sweeten with honey and serve warm.
Read more: 4 ways to pamper yourself when you are tired
3 Stress-relieving tea
This tea promotes the flow of qi to leave your mind refreshed.
Ingredients
3g he huan hua (silk-tree flower)
3g mei gui hua (rose hip)
3g bo he (mint leaves)
1 cup hot water
Directions
1. Rinse all ingredients and place in a pot with the hot water.
2. Simmer for 15min and serve warm.
Read more: 5 ways being mindful can reduce stress and anxiety
