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PANguin

Winter · from 5 Jan

Minor Cold

小寒

Warm Spleen and Kidneys, dispel cold.

Next: Major Cold on 20 Jan — 15 days

Tailor to a constitution

Chicken strips with tea tree mushrooms
Minor Cold · Dinner · Phlegm-Dampness

Chicken strips with tea tree mushrooms

Crunchy tea tree mushrooms and chicken stir-fried quickly with little oil — tasty and never heavy.

  • 25 min
  • Serves 2
  • Stir-fry
  • Easy
NeutralDrains dampResolves phlegm

Why it suits you: Phlegm-damp types feel heavy with a poor appetite in winter. Tea tree mushrooms drain damp, chicken is lean and tangerine peel resolves phlegm.

Method

Prep 15 min · Cook 10 min
  1. 1Trim, soak and cut the mushrooms; slice the chicken and marinate with soy and cornflour.
  2. 2Soak and shred the peel; cut the pepper into strips.
  3. 3Stir-fry the chicken until mostly cooked, then lift out.
  4. 4Fry the ginger and peel, add the mushrooms for 3 minutes, then return the chicken with the pepper.

Chef's tips

  • Give the mushrooms time in the pan to bring out their aroma.

The TCM view

Chicken is sweet and warm, boosting qi; tea tree mushrooms are sweet and neutral, draining damp; tangerine peel resolves phlegm.

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Seasonal principle

One of the coldest periods. Focus on warming the Kidneys and strengthening the Spleen to maintain energy. Consume hearty, mixed-grain porridges (like Laba congee) to provide sustained warmth and nutrition. Avoid cold drinks and raw foods entirely during this deep freeze.

In season now

In season around Minor Cold: Glutinous Rice, Red Bean, Peanut, Chestnut, Pork Ribs

Tap an ingredient for its nature, uses and nutrition.

Phlegm-Dampness

Heaviness, sluggishness and a full belly

Enjoy: Job's tears (coix seed) · Adzuki beans · Winter melon · White radish · Aged tangerine peel

Go easy: Sweets and sugary drinks · Greasy food and late-night snacks · Lots of dairy and cold drinks

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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.