Tonifying the Spleen and Clearing Heat, Nourishing Yin and Moistening the Lungs: Herbal Dietary Practices Incorporating Yam, Lotus Seeds, North American Ginseng, and Prunella Vulgaris

Stir-fried Yam, Lotus Seed, and Snow Peas Recipe: 30g yam, 20g lotus seeds, 2g salt, 8g scallions, 150g snow peas, 35g peanut oil, 3g MSG, 3g cornstarch. Preparation: 1. Soak lotus seeds in warm water overnight, remove the bitter core, and cook until tender; soak yam thoroughly and slice; remove ends and strings from snow peas and cut into 3cm cubes; wash, peel, and slice ginger; wash and cut scallions into sections. 2. Heat a wok over high heat, add water and bring to a boil, then blanch snow peas, yam, salt, and peanut oil briefly. Drain. Heat the wok again until it reaches 60% heat, add scallions and ginger and stir-fry until fragrant. Add snow peas, yam slices, and lotus seeds, season with salt and MSG, stir-fry until cooked through and flavorful. Thicken with cornstarch slurry and serve. Efficacy: Clears heat, astringes the lungs, and aids weight loss. Suitable for obese patients. Consumption: Once daily, as a side dish. Dos and don'ts: Not suitable for people with constipation or pregnant women.

Recipe for Stir-fried Lettuce with Ginkgo and North American Ginseng: 15g North American ginseng, 250g lettuce, 5g ginger, 2g salt, 35g peanut oil, 30g ginkgo, 10g sesame oil, 2g scallions, 3g MSG. Preparation: 1. Remove the outer shell of the ginkgo, soak in water overnight, remove the skin, and cook until tender; wash the North American ginseng, soak thoroughly, and slice; wash the lettuce and cut into 4cm sections; wash the ginger, peel, and slice; wash the scallions and cut into sections. 2. Heat a wok over high heat, add peanut oil, and when it reaches 60% heat, add ginger and scallions and stir-fry until fragrant. Then add lettuce, ginkgo, and North American ginseng and stir-fry until cooked. Season with salt and MSG, drizzle with sesame oil, and serve. Efficacy: Clears lung heat and nourishes yin, eliminates phlegm and relieves cough, relieves irritability and fever. Suitable for those trying to lose weight. Consumption: Once daily, as a side dish.

Recipe for Braised Cucumber with Prunella vulgaris and Ophiopogon japonicus: 15g Prunella vulgaris, 250g cucumber, 2g salt, 35g peanut oil, 2g sesame oil, 20g Ophiopogon japonicus, 10g cooking wine, 3g MSG, 8g scallions, 5g sugar, 2g cornstarch. Preparation: 1. Wash the Ophiopogon japonicus and soak overnight, removing the inner stems; wash the Prunella vulgaris; peel and seed the cucumber, wash, and cut into 3cm square slices; wash, peel, and slice the ginger; wash and cut the scallions into sections. 2. Heat a wok over high heat, add peanut oil, and when it reaches 60% heat, add ginger and scallions and stir-fry until fragrant. Then add Ophiopogon japonicus, cucumber, and Prunella vulgaris and stir-fry until cooked. Season with cooking wine, sugar, salt, and MSG. Thicken with cornstarch slurry, drizzle with sesame oil, and serve. Efficacy: Clears liver heat and dissipates nodules, clears heat and detoxifies, nourishes yin and aids weight loss. Suitable for those trying to lose weight. Dosage: Once daily, as a side dish. Caution: Those with weak spleen and stomach should consume with caution.

Stir-fried Loofah with Winter Melon Peel and Asparagus: 15g winter melon peel, 250g loofah, 2g salt, 5g ginger, 35g peanut oil, 20g asparagus root, 10g cooking wine, 3g MSG, 10g scallions, 3g sesame oil. Preparation: 1. Soak asparagus root in water overnight, then slice. Peel and seed the loofah, wash, and cut into 3cm square slices. Wash, peel, and slice the ginger. Wash and cut the scallions into sections. Wash the winter melon peel, boil for 25 minutes, remove the peel, and keep the liquid. 2. Heat a wok over high heat, add peanut oil, and when it reaches 60% heat, add ginger and scallions and stir-fry until fragrant. Then add the winter melon peel liquid, asparagus root, and loofah, stir-fry until cooked, season with cooking wine, salt, and MSG, add sesame oil, stir-fry briefly, and it's ready to eat. Efficacy: Reduces swelling, clears heat and promotes diuresis, nourishes yin and aids weight loss. Suitable for obese people trying to lose weight. Dosage: Once daily. Suitable and unsuitable for: People with diabetes and obesity should eat this regularly.

Recipe for Braised White Lentils with Goji Berries and Lily Bulbs: 20g fresh lily bulbs, 250g fresh white lentils, 10g goji berries, 2g salt, 3g MSG, 5g ginger, 10g scallions, 35g peanut oil, 3g cornstarch. Preparation: 1. Wash the fresh lily bulbs; remove the ends and strings from the white lentils and cut into 3cm cubes; wash and soak the goji berries; slice the ginger and cut the scallions into sections. 2. Heat a wok over high heat, add peanut oil, and when it reaches 60% of its smoking point, add ginger and scallions and stir-fry until fragrant. Then add the fresh lily bulbs and white lentils and stir-fry until cooked. Add goji berries, salt, and MSG, stir-fry, and thicken with cornstarch slurry. Efficacy: Nourishes Yin, strengthens the spleen, and aids weight loss. Suitable for obese patients. Dosage: Once daily. Contraindications: Not suitable for those with cold-type spleen and loose stools.