Traditional Chinese Medicine Guide: How to Better Enjoy Sugarcane in Winter

Traditional Chinese Medicine Guide: How to Better Enjoy Sugarcane in Winter

Sugarcane, a seasonal winter fruit, is nature's gift and a delightful treat. Known as "winter's ginseng," sugarcane is considered a potent tonic in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

Why is Sugarcane Beneficial?

1. Moisturizing and Nourishing Yin
   Sugarcane is exceptionally juicy, making it ideal for relieving winter dryness. In regions with central heating, such as northern China, sugarcane serves as a "heavenly nectar," effectively soothing dryness and thirst. It is especially beneficial for those with yin deficiency, such as individuals who frequently feel thirsty and parched.

2. Strengthening the Spleen
   The sweet flavor of sugarcane benefits the spleen. It is particularly effective for addressing spleen and stomach yin deficiency, similar to the effects of lotus root. Children, who often exhibit symptoms of spleen and stomach yin deficiency—such as red lips and a reddish tongue coating—can benefit from drinking sugarcane water.

3. Relieving Pain and Inflammation
   Sugarcane’s sweetness also helps alleviate sudden pains caused by inflammation, such as sore throat, mouth ulcers, or dry and persistent coughs with little or sticky phlegm. Smokers, in particular, may find sugarcane helpful for easing dry cough.

4. Improving Blood Circulation
   Sugarcane also supports blood production, as it is the source of brown sugar, a well-known TCM remedy for nourishing blood.

Which Type of Sugarcane to Use?

• Green-Skinned Sugarcane: Juicier and less sweet than purple-skinned sugarcane, making it less likely to cause heat or phlegm production. It is the preferred choice for medicinal purposes.

• Purple-Skinned Sugarcane: Commonly used for sugar production and can lead to excess heat if consumed in large quantities.

A Recommended Medicinal Sugarcane Recipe

Ingredients:

• Green-skinned sugarcane: 300g

• Astragalus root: 15g

• Fresh ginger: 15g

• Cinnamon: 3g

• Dried longan: 15g

• Tangerine peel: 3g

• Red dates: 3

Benefits of Ingredients:

1. Astragalus: Enhances qi (vital energy). Since sugarcane nourishes blood, and qi and blood are interdependent in TCM (qi moves blood, and blood nourishes qi), combining astragalus boosts the blood-nourishing effects of sugarcane.

2. Dried Longan and Red Dates: Complement sugarcane to further nourish blood. Dried longan is particularly beneficial for women, especially those who experience worry, shallow sleep, or heart blood deficiency.

3. Fresh Ginger: Clears cold and dampness from the body, particularly beneficial for women who often retain cold and dampness.

4. Tangerine Peel: Prevents sugarcane and dried longan from creating excess dampness or phlegm in the body.

5. Cinnamon: Purely yang in nature, cinnamon replenishes yang energy without causing excessive heat. It strengthens the body’s yang, warms the extremities, and combats cold intolerance. In TCM, cinnamon is likened to a "little sun" or "portable heater" for women, providing warmth and restoring balance.

How to Prepare

1. Wash and chop the sugarcane into small sections.

2. Combine all ingredients in a pot with water and simmer for about an hour.

3. Serve warm.

Who Should Avoid This Drink?

• Not recommended for children.

• Pregnant women should avoid consuming it.