5 Traditional Chinese Medicine Postpartum Meals

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) recommends that women eat warm, nourishing, soft and easy to digest foods during the postpartum period.  Here are traditional chinese medicine postpartum meals that you can prep ahead of time or have someone cook and bring to you!

1. Ginger and Pig's Trotter Soup:

Ingredients:

• 2 pig's trotters
• 50g ginger, sliced
• 3 red dates
• 1 tablespoon black vinegar
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Blanch the pig's trotters in boiling water for a few minutes to remove impurities.

2. In a large pot, add the pig's trotters, ginger slices, red dates, and enough water to cover the ingredients.

3. Bring the pot to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 2 hours until the pig's trotters are tender.

4. Add black vinegar and salt to taste.

5. Serve the soup hot. It is believed to nourish the blood and promote postpartum recovery.

2. Black Chicken Herbal Soup:

Ingredients:

• 1 black chicken, cut into pieces
• 30g Chinese yam
• 30g goji berries
• 10g red dates
• 10g dried longan
• 10g dried wolfberries (gouji)
• 10g dried Codonopsis pilosula (dangshen)
• 10g dried astragalus root (huangqi)
• 3 slices of ginger
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Rinse the black chicken and blanch in boiling water for a few minutes.

2. In a large pot, add the chicken, Chinese yam, goji berries, red dates, dried longan, dried wolfberries, Codonopsis pilosula, astragalus root, and ginger.

3. Add enough water to cover the ingredients and bring to a boil.

4. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for about 2 hours until the chicken is tender.

5. Add salt to taste and serve the soup hot. This soup is believed to replenish energy and strengthen the body after childbirth.

3. Sesame Oil Chicken:

Ingredients:

• 1 chicken, cut into pieces
• 50ml sesame oil
• 30g ginger, sliced
• 3 tablespoons rice wine
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat the sesame oil in a wok or large pan over medium heat.

2. Add the ginger slices and stir-fry for a minute until fragrant.

3. Add the chicken pieces and stir-fry until they are browned on all sides.

4. Add rice wine, soy sauce, and salt. Stir well to coat the chicken.

5. Cover the pan and simmer for about 30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.

6. Serve the sesame oil chicken hot. It is believed to nourish the body and improve blood circulation.

4. Fish Soup with Chinese Herbs:

Ingredients:

• 500g fish (such as cod or carp), sliced
• 30g dried white fungus
• 20g dried lily bulbs
• 20g dried longan
• 20g dried goji berries
• 10g dried tangerine peel
• 3 slices of ginger
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Soak the dried white fungus in water until soft. Cut into smaller pieces.

2. In a large pot, add the fish slices, dried white fungus, dried lily bulbs, dried longan, dried goji berries, dried tangerine peel, and ginger.

3. Add enough water to cover the ingredients and bring to a boil.

4. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for about 1 hour until the fish is tender.

5. Add salt to taste and serve the soup hot. This soup is believed to nourish the yin and improve overall wellness.

5. Red Date and Longan Tea:

Ingredients:

• 10 red dates
• 20g dried longan
• 1 liter water
• Honey (optional)

Instructions:

1. Rinse the red dates and dried longan.
2. In a pot, add the red dates, dried longan, and water.
3. Bring the pot to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 30 minutes.
4. Add honey to sweeten the tea, if desired.
5. Strain the tea and serve it warm. This tea is believed to replenish qi (energy) and promote relaxation.

Please note that these recipes are for informational purposes only. If you have specific dietary restrictions or health conditions, it's always best to consult with a healthcare professional or a qualified TCM practitioner.