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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

Rose bud, brown sugar and ginger tea
Start of Spring · Tea break · Blood Stasis

Rose bud, brown sugar and ginger tea

Thinly sliced ginger and a little brown sugar steeped with rose buds — floral, gently fiery and warming for cold hands.

  • 15 min
  • Serves 2
  • Steep
  • Easy
WarmingMoves bloodWarms the channels

Why it suits you: Blood Stasis brings a dull complexion, cold hands and often painful periods, and Lichun's lingering chill slows the blood further. Ginger and brown sugar warm the channels and rose moves qi and blood — a warm cup instead of an iced drink.

Method

Prep 5 min · Cook 10 min
  1. 1Wash the ginger, skin on, and cut into thin slices or fine shreds. Give the rose buds a quick rinse in warm water.
  2. 2Put the ginger and sugar in a teapot or flask, pour in 500 ml boiling water, cover and steep for 5 minutes.
  3. 3Add the rose buds and steep for another 5 minutes until fragrant. You can top up with hot water once.

Cautions

  • Avoid during pregnancy or when your period is heavy.

Chef's tips

  • Choose whole, naturally coloured dried rose buds from a herbal shop or tea merchant, and store them in an airtight jar.

The TCM view

Rose buds are sweet, slightly bitter and warm; they move qi, ease the mood and harmonise the blood. Ginger is pungent and warm, warms the channels and helps yang rise; brown sugar is sweet and warm and gently moves blood. Pungent, sweet and warm in light amounts — right for cold that slows the blood.

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  • For Blood Stasis
  • Right for Start of Spring
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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.

Blood Stasis

Sluggish circulation, dull tone, easy bruising

Enjoy: Black wood-ear fungus · Onion · Black beans · Hawthorn · Aubergine

Go easy: Raw and cold food · Very rich, fatty food · Sitting still for hours

Not sure of your constitution?

Take the 4-minute test and meals will adjust automatically. Start

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.