Winter Skin Booster Dessert
In this dry, dry, and dry Ontario winter, there is a constant search for solutions to better skin. Why worry over which k-beauty moisturizer to use, when you can feast on a cozy warming dessert that will give you glow from within?
Snow Fungus Beauty soup, aka 'drinkable facial', or 'collagen dessert', has long been used as a natural beauty treatment to improve the skin. This is a sweet and warming dessert that must be prepared as a soup. These hand-picked herbs are naturally slightly sweet, but we do recommend adding your desired amount of sweetener, such as honey, to make it even more delectable. Below is a simple recipe you can prepare at home. Note, people experiencing pregnancy and/or diarrhea must be cautious and take with the advisement of a health practitioner, as ingredients in this recipe can greatly increase blood circulation, etc,. It is also not recommended to drink this everyday. Please take with moderation.
Peach Gum Snow fungus Date dessert
(桃胶银耳红枣糖水)
Ingredients: (4 servings)
- 1-2 full piece/approx. 30g-60g of Snow fungus (Zhangzhou YinEr)
- 1oz /28g peach gum (Tao Jiao)
- ~ 1 oz /28g red jujube dates (Da Zao - Hong)
- ~ 1oz /28g goji berry (Gou Qi Zi)
- ~ 1oz/28g Longan fruit (Long Yan Rou)
- 1.5L water
- honey/rock sugar/brown sugar to taste
Steps:
- Rinse Peach Gum and Snow fungus with water, then drain. Soak the cleansed peach gum with water overnight in a container, fill past the top of peach gum. The peach gum will expand greatly overnight, make sure to use a container at least 4 times the total mass peach gum. Snow fungus will only require 2-4 hours of soaking, use cold water.
- Wash all herbs again and drain.
- Cut away the bottom root center of the Snow fungus after it has been soaked until soft. Separate the whole snow fungus into smaller pieces.
- Boil water.
- Medium heat: put snow fungus into water, and let simmer for 10 minutes with the lid on. Then add peach gum into water, and let simmer for 20 minutes. Add in red dates and goji berries into water and let simmer for 20 minutes.
- Add your desired amount of honey/rock sugar/brown sugar to taste.
Herb Functions:
Snow fungus (Zhangzhou YinEr) 漳州银耳: Nourishes yin, moistens dryness, and supports lung and skin health. Also supports digestion and bowel regularity, its gentle fiber content soothes the stomach and can aid in relieving dry constipation by lubricating the intestines. Boosts immunity and recovery, as it contains polysaccharides that support immune health and recovery, particularly after fever, surgery, or respiratory infections.
Peach gum (Tao Jiao) 桃胶: Harmonizes spleen and the stomach, and helps activate and tonify the blood to make you less susceptible to illnesses. Also commonly used to alleviate pain since it is rich in amino acids.
Red jujube dates (Da Zao - Hong) 红枣: Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach and augments Qi, Nourishes the Blood and calms the Spirit, Moderates and harmonizes the harsh properties of other herbs
Goji berry (Gou Qi Zi) 枸杞子: Nourishes and tonifies Liver and Kidney Blood and Yin, Benefits Jing/vital essence and brightens the eyes, and moistens the Lungs
Longan Fruit (Long Yan Rou) 龙眼肉: Invigorates heart and spleen, nourishes blood and tranquilizes mind. Renowned for its calming properties, nourishing effects, as well as a gentle support for restful sleep.
Other herbs to consider:
(These can be added into step 5; 1 oz each)
Bai He 百合: nourishing herb used to moisten the lungs, calm the spirit, and replenish yin. Prized for its ability to soothe dry coughs, ease anxiety, and support emotional balance.
Lian Zi 莲子: lotus seeds are especially prized for their ability to support digestion, calm the mind, and strengthen the body.
Post-snowstorm, treat yourself!
