3 Dishes and Herbal Remedies to Prevent Internal Heat and Constipation During Tet

Dishes and remedies to prevent internal heat and constipation during Tet

Roasted black bean water has cooling and detoxifying effects, helping to prevent internal heat and constipation during Tet.

1. Why are internal heat and constipation common during Tet?

Internal heat and constipation are very common during the Tet holiday due to multiple compounding factors from eating habits to daily routines.

- Overeating and unbalanced diets: During Tet, people often consume a lot of meat, fried foods, foods high in protein and fat, and sweets, while lacking green vegetables and fruits; insufficient fiber intake fails to soften stools and stimulate bowel motility, overloading the digestive system, generating internal heat, and easily causing constipation.

- Drinking a lot of alcohol and soft drinks: Alcohol causes dehydration, leading to dry stool and constipation; soft drinks and sugary beverages aggravate internal heat and digestive disorders.

- Inadequate water intake: Caught up in Tet celebrations and hosting guests, many people forget to drink enough water; dehydration causes the intestines to reabsorb water from stool, resulting in hard, difficult-to-pass stools.

- Irregular daily routine: Staying up late, lack of sleep, and disruptions to daily routines impair the function of the spleen, stomach, and colon. The habit of holding back bowel movements while going out or making New Year visits also weakens the defecation reflex.

- Physical inactivity: Tet holidays mostly involve eating, sitting, and hosting guests, reducing physical activity. Bowel motility slows down, causing stool to remain longer in the intestines.

Tet is a time when irregular eating habits are common, easily causing spleen and stomach stagnation and damp-heat accumulation. Heat accumulating in the intestines and stomach depletes body fluids, leading to intestinal dryness, constipation, and feelings of internal heat. Overeating, drinking too little water, sleeping poorly, and exercising minimally make up the "quartet" that triggers internal heat and constipation during Tet.

2. Some medicinal dishes to help prevent internal heat and constipation

2.1. Roasted black bean water – reduces internal heat, prevents constipation

Black beans nourish Kidney Water, resolve damp-turbidity, and clear Fire toxicity in the Foot Shao Yin meridian; they detoxify the body, boost beneficial gut bacteria for easier digestion, cool the body, act as a mild diuretic, and contain potent antioxidants.

In terms of medicinal nature and flavor, black bean water has a mildly sweet taste and a cooling property. Its sweetness nourishes, its mildness promotes fluid drainage and clears turbidity; and thanks to its cooling property, it clears heat, detoxifies, and reduces internal heat.

Black beans generally come in two varieties: white-kernel and green-kernel, with green-kernel black beans being the variety most commonly used in traditional medicine.

Ứng dụng:

- Painful, burning, or bloody urination (nourishes kidney yin, clears pathogenic heat): 100 g black beans; in severe cases, add 15 g cogon grass rhizome, 30 g eclipta, and 20 g corn silk to brew a decoction for drinking.

- Detoxification (toxic heat causing dermatitis, sores, or food poisoning): Decoct and drink 30g of black beans and 6g of raw licorice root.

Black beans are suitable for people with an excess of yang and a deficiency of yin, characterized by symptoms such as: body heat, lean build, warm skin, frequent sweating, flushed cheeks, thirst, red tongue, dry throat, and burning urination...

Notes: People with excess Yin, Yang deficiency, and Spleen-Stomach deficiency-cold should limit its use or need to process and combine it with suitable supporting medicinal herbs.

2. 2. Kudzu root drink – cools the body, reduces internal heat

According to Traditional Medicine, kudzu root starch has cooling properties and a sweet taste, helps generate body fluids, quenches thirst, clears heat, and is effective in:

– Cools the body and reduces internal heat.

– Relieves hangovers, helps soothe the body, and reduces fatigue and headaches after drinking alcohol.

– Supports digestion and reduces bloating, indigestion, and a burning sensation in the stomach (when used correctly).

– Relieves mild constipation thanks to its natural starch and fiber content.

Usage: Mix raw 1–2 teaspoons of kudzu root powder with 200–250 ml of cooled boiled water, add sugar (to taste), and optionally add a few drops of lemon juice; drink immediately after mixing.

Note: People with weak digestion or a cold stomach, women in their first trimester of pregnancy, and young children should not consume this.

2. 3. Chinese yam and red date porridge – strengthens the Spleen, prevents constipation

Ingredients (2–3 servings): 100 g regular white rice; 30 g dried Chinese yam (or 50 g fresh Chinese yam); 10 red dates; 30 g lotus seeds (optional); rock sugar (for a sweet taste) or a pinch of salt.

Instructions:

- Step 1: Soak dried Chinese yam for about 30 minutes until softened; if using fresh Chinese yam, peel, wash, and finely chop it.

- Step 2: Rinse the rice; you may lightly toast it beforehand to make the porridge more fragrant.

- Step 3: Place the rice and 1 liter of water in a pot, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes.

– Step 4: Add the Chinese yam, red dates, and lotus seeds, and cook for another 20–30 minutes until the porridge is soft.

- Step 5: Add rock sugar if you prefer it sweet, or season with a pinch of salt for a lighter, savory flavor.

Uses: Tonifies the Spleen and nourishes the Stomach; Chinese yam strengthens the Spleen, boosts digestion, and supports nutrient absorption. Red dates nourish the middle burner and benefit qi, promoting better stomach function. Consume 1–2 times a week.

Note: People with abdominal bloating, excessive phlegm, fever, or constipation should not consume this frequently; diabetics should reduce the amount of jujubes or consult a physician.

3. Preventing internal heat and constipation during Tet

- Adjusting your diet properly:Eat plenty of green vegetables and fruits every day (Malabar spinach, sweet potato leaves, mustard greens; oranges, pomelos, dragon fruits, papayas...) to supply fiber and promote bowel regularity; reduce fried, spicy, and high-protein foods such as fatty meat, Chinese sausages, and sweet confections—foods that generate internal heat and cause constipation; cut down on glutinous rice dishes and dairy products; limit processed foods; restrict alcohol and carbonated soft drinks, as they dehydrate the body and increase heat and dryness in the intestines; prioritize boiled, steamed dishes, soups, and porridge, which are easy to digest.

- Drink enough water: Drink 1.5–2 liters of water per day, divided evenly throughout the day; warm water in the morning, pennywort juice, artichoke tea, and lightly roasted black bean water can also be used to clear body heat.

- Maintain a balanced daily routine:Maintain a regular daily rhythm with consistent meal and sleep times; no matter how delicious the food is, practice moderation and avoid overeating; avoid staying up late for extended periods and aim for adequate sleep despite a busy Tet schedule; use the restroom at set times without holding it in to help maintain regular bowel habits.

- Increase gentle physical activity:Spend time walking, doing light exercises, and massaging the abdomen daily to stimulate bowel movements; avoid prolonged sitting and inactivity after large meals.

Constipation and internal heat during Tet are often caused by stagnation in the Spleen and Stomach and internal heat, requiring a light diet and regulation of Qi and blood. The elderly, young children, and individuals with underlying digestive conditions should pay special attention to diet and hydration. If constipation persists with severe abdominal pain and bloating, do not self-medicate with laxatives; consult a doctor for examination and advice.