Archive for September, 2011

Herbs for Autumn

Autumn will soon be here and so will be the dry weather. Chinese foods and herbs can help you stay moisturized.

Autumn’s dry weather can severely dry out your skin, your nose and your throat. Try these delicious and useful foods and herbs to protect yourself from the ravages of dryness.

  1. Lotus Root. Popular in Southeastern Asia and especially good for the elderly and children, lotus root is no only one of the best foods for moisturizing the body but also one that is rich in iron, antioxidants, polysaccharides, polyphenols and vitamin C. It is also believed to have powerful cancer fighting properties. They’re great in soups or stir fried. But be careful if you have IBS. The fiber in lotus root may be too much for you!
  2. Black Sesame Seeds. 90% of a black sesame seed is made up of unsaturated fatty acids and linoleic acid, both of which promote heart health. The sesamin in the seeds can even help to lower bad cholesterol and prevent skin cancer. Just make sure the seeds are ground well before eating!