Xiaoman is the second solar term in summer. According to Chinese medicine, the diet can be more bitter at this time, because it is traditionally believed that May belongs to the "poisonous month", so we should reduce acid and increase bitterness, and eat more bitter food, which will help the human body to clear away damp heat, relieve summer heat and protect health.

1, bitter gourd

Momordica charantia is a good food in summer, and it is rich in nutrients, mainly containing protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and other nutrients. Immature tender fruits are used as vegetables, and ripe fruit pulp can be eaten raw, cold, fried meat and roasted fish, which is crisp and refreshing and has a unique flavor. Momordica charantia has the effects of stimulating appetite, helping digestion, removing heat and pathogenic factors, relieving fatigue, clearing away heart fire and improving eyesight, benefiting qi and strengthening yang. Momordica charantia contains protein in addition to bitter quinine. It is found that protein can stimulate immune cells and has anti-cancer effect.

2. Bitter vegetables

Also known as tea, tea grass, sowthistle and sonchus, it is the whole grass of sonchus compositae. Bitter vegetables mainly contain nutrients such as carbohydrates, B vitamins, vitamin C and minerals. Chinese medicine believes that bitter vegetables are bitter and cold, and have the functions of clearing away heat, cooling blood and detoxifying. Li Shizhen pointed out in the book Compendium of Materia Medica: "Bitter vegetables can adjust the twelve meridians, ease the mind and replenish qi, make people fit and resist old age, and improve their eyesight ..." Pickled bitter vegetables are a delicious food to accompany meals in summer, which has the functions of refreshing appetite, relieving summer heat and clearing the heart.

3. Dandelion

Taraxacum mongolicum, also known as Veronica, Dictyophora flavescens, etc., is a whole grass with roots of Taraxacum mongolicum, a compositae plant, which is widely distributed throughout the country. "Compendium of Materia Medica" said: "There are many places in the north and south of the river, and they are also found elsewhere, and there is nothing in Lingnan. Little Cobb land, scattered and born. The stem and leaf tidbits are like chicory, all small ears, and the young seedlings are edible. "

Dandelion is a nutritious vegetable, which mainly contains protein, fat, carotene, riboflavin, calcium, phosphorus, iron and other nutrients. In terms of eating, young leaves are often used for cold salad or cooking in summer. Eating more dandelion does not hurt people, and it can also be used as medicine to treat diseases. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that dandelion is sweet, bitter and cold, and enters the liver and stomach meridians, which has the functions of clearing away heat, detoxifying, stopping diarrhea, benefiting gallbladder, protecting liver, invigorating stomach and lowering blood pressure.

4. Bitter bamboo shoots

Chinese medicine believes that bitter bamboo shoots are sweet, cool but not cold, and have the effects of relieving summer heat and detoxifying, losing weight and fitness, strengthening stomach and resolving food stagnation. Bitter bamboo shoots are delicious dishes on the summer table. People usually use bitter bamboo shoots, ribs and pickles to make bitter bamboo shoots pot, which is bitter and delicious and memorable after eating.

5. Turnip

Turnip is also known as turnip. Originated in China, it is one of the ancient vegetables and cultivated all over the country. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that turnips are flat, bitter, pungent and sweet, and enter the stomach, liver and kidney meridians, which has the functions of appetizing, lowering qi, eliminating dampness and detoxifying. It is suitable for treating indigestion, thirst quenching, heat toxin and wind swelling. Turnip has a good flavor and can be used as a substitute for grain, as well as for cooking or salting.