Wen Bu (warming and replenishing)溫補 v.s. Ping Bu（mildly nourishing）平補

As winter is approaching, it's time to take good care of your body by nourishing Yin and strengthening kidney Qi (vital energy) . While cold hands and feet can be the symptoms of blood and qi deficiencies, it is crucial to identify which body constitution type (體質) you are according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

As we all know there are 9 types of body constitution types in TCM, the most common ones are

• Qi Deficient, characterized by the shortness of breath and easy lethargy.
• Yang Deficient, is manifested as chills and cold limbs, loose stools, proneness to catching colds and flus.
• Yin Deficient, as opposed to Yang Deficiency, featuring hot hand and feet, dry mouth and nose, constipation.
• Blood Stasis, marked by cold hand and feet, pale skin tone, dizziness.

Therefore, Wen Bu (warming and replenishing)溫補 suits best for those who are of Yang or Yin deficiency by using food and herbs with warming property to boost blood circulation and further the vital energy. For example, good choices in season are:

• Spices: ginger, garlic, curry
• Herbs: red dates, longan fruits
• Fruits: mangoes, cherries,
• Meat: beef, lamb

Or if you are a soup lover,  Sibut Tang / Si Wu Soup 四物湯  is another great option since its formula consists of:

Chinese Angelica Root (Dang Gui, 当归片)

Cooked Rehmannia Root (Shu Di Huang, 熟地)

Szechuan Lovage Rhizome (Chuan Xiong, 川芎)

White Peony Root (Bai Shao, 白芍)

However, as mildly replenishing as Ping Bu（mildly nourishing）平補 can be, it is a universal dietary therapy for everyone of different body constitution types and safe to go on a long term. Food and herbs with neutral properties are usually utilized such as:

Vegetables: spinach, beans

Herbs: Chinese yam, qian shi, yu zhu

Fruits: strawberries, guava, apples

Protein: fish, chicken, pork, tofu

Soup: Si Shen Tang Herbal Soup Packet 四神汤 / 四神湯

by Jingzi 2023-11-14