Summer Recipes

This recipe is suitable for those who often stay up late, work too much, and “burn the candle at both ends” which can result in a restless mind with sleep disturbance and possibly a difficult time focusing on the task at hand. In this recipe, Ling zhi is sweet and slightly bitter in taste, and slightly warm or neutral in temperature. It enters the Heart, Lung and Liver meridians and can replenish the Heart blood, calm the mind, and soothe the Liver. Ling zhi is helpful for restlessness, forgetfulness and physical and mental fatigue caused by Qi and Blood deficiency. Used long-term, it is supportive for the immune system and protects the body from everyday stress.

Here is a cooling and Yin nourishing soup to soothe the overheating effects of these long summer days with elevated temperatures in many parts of the country. Featured prominently in the recipe are fresh lemongrass (Xiang mao 香茅) and asparagus root (Tian men dong 天門冬) which perfectly complement each other. Lemongrass is said to have antifungal, diuretic and antimicrobial properties, and contains micronutrients such as copper, magnesium, potassium and zinc. Some sources say it calms the Shen.

Five Flowers Tea, or Wu hua cha 五花茶 is a traditional Chinese folk tea, enjoyed especially during the summer months by Cantonese people in the hot and humid south. Sweet and slightly cold, its’ main TCM functions are to clear heat and toxins, drain dampness, promote urination, cool blood, and alleviate summertime wind-heat.

Cool off from the inside out with this delicious and healthy twist on an old summer favorite! Making ice cream in a high-power blender is an easy way to incorporate more luscious seasonal fruits to enhance dessert, while using the whole fruit for the added nutrients and fiber.

Huang Bai Summer Soup is a simple and nourishing soup that is perfect to clear Summer Heat and strengthen the middle Jiao. Making use of the corn cob after cutting off the kernels, in combination with the sweet crispness of carrots and sharpness of dried ginger make for a balanced and nutrient-rich treat.

Homemade soda allows you to adjust the recipe to your tastes and create new variations depending on what fruits, herbs and spices you have on hand.

This chilled dessert soup is a family favorite made by Mrs. Meilin Lau, the mother of Mayway's four sibling owners. Mrs. Lau is Chinese, but grew up in Vietnam where her mother often prepared sweet Vietnamese soups or porridges known as chè for breakfast.

Drinking this slightly bitter tonic tea is a perfect way to cool down and nourish Qi, Blood and Yin in the summer heat. This trio of herbs promotes a healthy immune response, normal energy levels, mental clarity, and supports the body’s natural response to anxiety and irritability.

This combination of cod together with Gou Qi Zi/lycii berries, Long Yan Rou/logan berries and Sheng Jiang/fresh ginger makes this recipe sweet and tasty while being nourishing to the skin, eyes and Heart. This delicious, light mixture is known to have clearing properties for the whole system.

Summer is a time for barbeques with friends and family. More often than not we overdo the grilled meats and spicy sauces causing indigestion. Here is a tasty way to bring TCM into your summer fun. Skip the sugary soft drinks and iced tea and try a tea made of Shan Zha/hawthorn berries and Mai Ya/barley sprouts or malt.

This is a delicious soup, which can be made in a savory or sweet fashion. Either way it has valuable medicinal properties. This combination soothes and moistens the Lungs, cools Stomach heat and tonifies the Kidneys. It also drains dampness, nourishes Yin, calms the spirit and benefits digestion. Not for use during a cold or flu.