Discover the health benefits of Chinese red dates

Chinese red dates are one of the most popular foods used for health. Chinese people treat dates as a food, a health tonic, and a traditional herb.

Many traditional herbal formulas include dates as they are used for balancing the herbal formula, and the Qi and Blood for the body. Likewise, they are also used in cooking to balance the food. On special occasions many people buy quality dates and give these as gifts to their friends and relatives.

These dates are red, soft on the outside, with a sweet smell. The inside is soft and moist. They are readily available from a Chinese market or grocer, throughout the year, all around the world.

Unfortunately, many people don’t realise the amazing health benefits that Chinese dates have, and therefore, they’re not popular enough in Western food and diet therapy culture.

Hopefully, you may be encouraged to include them in your diet, after learning how they can benefit your health.

How Chinese red dates can help you?

Tonify Blood

An ancient traditional Chinese book called Ben Jin, along with other Chinese herbal text books all claim that Chinese dates can strengthen the Spleen and Stomach Qi (energy) which helps to digest food, tonify blood and calm the mind.

Chinese medicine believes that blood is formed through good digestion and absorption of food, which is mainly helped by the Spleen and Stomach. If Spleen and Stomach Qi are weakened, it will affect the blood supply and its function. This may lead to blood deficiency (iron deficiency) along with the following symptoms:

• poor appetite
• lack of energy
• pallor
• lack of muscle on the arm and legs
• overweight
• diarrhoea
• sluggish bowel movements or bowel movements straight after eating
• bloating after eating
• stomach cramps or diarrhoea from eating cold food
• light and shorter menstruation
• insomnia

Some people may also suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, under-active thyroid (hypothyroidism), miscarriages or infertility.

Balancing the Spleen and Stomach Qi function increases the blood and causes symptoms to subside. If you are currently receiving treatment for the above symptoms, or want to avoid them, add Chinese red dates to your diet. There is a recipe at the end of this article

CASE STUDY:

A female patient suffering from Qi and blood deficiency came to see me. She had pallor, lethargy, and light, short periods. I treated her, using acupuncture to balance the internal Qi and Blood. I also prescribed beef bone soup with red dates to drink. After a couple of months her energy increased. She had a healthy pink colour in her face, and she was having regular periods. Not long afterwards, she fell pregnant.

Improve insomnia

Chinese red dates can help people who have insomnia from lack of Qi and Blood. Chinese medicine considers Qi and blood deficiency one of the major causes of insomnia. This is due to the blood being unable to moisturise the Liver and Heart, causing a Ying and Yang disorder. This disorder causes sleep problems, including the following:

• light sleep (easily woken)
• lots of vivid dreams
• lack of energy from the beginning of the day.

These people may also experience dizziness, lower blood pressure, palpitations, pale skin, and shortness of breath, especially during activities. They may also notice tremoring hands when they become tired. Eating Chinese red dates whilst undergoing treatment, can be very helpful

Help protect the Liver, reduce cholesterol and prevent cancer

Modern scientific research confirms what was noted in the traditional Chinese medicine textbooks. That is, Chinese red dates contain high levels of Vitamin C, as well as having the function of protecting the Liver. They also help reduce cholesterol and increase the body’s immune system, and may help reduce the risk of cancer.

Source: Ping Ming Health