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PANguin

Spring · from 4 Feb

Start of Spring

立春

Nourish Liver Yang, protect against wind-cold.

Next: Rain Water on 18 Feb — 14 days

Tailor to a constitution

Pork liver and Chinese chive rice noodle soup
Start of Spring · Breakfast · Yang Deficiency

Pork liver and Chinese chive rice noodle soup

Silky pork liver with chives and ginger in a hot rice noodle soup that warms you to your fingertips on a Start of Spring morning.

  • 25 min
  • Serves 2
  • Simmer
  • Easy
WarmingWarms kidney yangNourishes liver blood

Why it suits you: Yang Deficiency means feeling the cold, with cold hands and feet, and the Start of Spring still brings cold winds. Chinese chives, the 'yang-raising herb', warm the kidneys, while pork liver nourishes the liver and blood, just what the season asks.

Method

Prep 15 min · Cook 10 min
  1. 1Soak the sliced liver in cold water for 10 minutes to draw out the blood, drain and toss with the cornflour and wine.
  2. 2Cook the rice noodles in boiling water until soft and divide between bowls.
  3. 3Bring the stock and ginger to the boil, add the liver for 1 minute until just cooked, add the chives and salt, then pour over the noodles.

Cautions

  • Liver is high in cholesterol: once or twice a week is plenty, and pregnant women should not eat much animal liver.

The TCM view

Chinese chives are pungent and warm, warming the middle and supporting kidney yang. Pork liver is sweet, bitter and warm, nourishing liver blood and the eyes; ginger disperses cold. As liver qi rises in spring, liver nourishes liver and pungent warmth supports yang.

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Seasonal principle

Spring is the time of the Liver. Focus on gentle movement and eating foods that help the Liver Qi rise. Avoid heavy, greasy foods that can stagnate Qi. It is important to dress warmly to protect against the lingering winter cold, especially around the neck and joints. Engage in light stretching exercises to promote the smooth flow of Qi and blood throughout the body.

In season now

In season around Start of Spring: Chives, Coriander, Ginger, Dates, Honey

Tap an ingredient for its nature, uses and nutrition.

Yang Deficiency

Feels the cold, with cold hands and feet

Enjoy: Fresh ginger · Lamb · Chinese chives · Walnuts and chestnuts · Longan

Go easy: Iced drinks · Cooling foods like watermelon and bitter melon · Too much green tea or herbal "cooling" tea

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Based on traditional Chinese medicine for general wellness education — not a medical diagnosis or treatment. If symptoms persist, are severe or unusual, please see a doctor or registered Chinese medicine practitioner.