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Embrace the East with a Chinese detox for the New Year

10th January 2013 Print
Look to the East for detoxing this January

Lethargic from the festive season? Too much food and not enough exercise? Perhaps it’s time to look to the East.

The Chinese have eaten foods known to expel toxins and restore balance to the body for centuries and, in fact, many of the detox methods now embraced by Western culture such as drinking green tea or starting the day with hot lemon water have a long history in Chinese medicine.

Wing Yip, the UK’s leading Oriental grocery supplier, has put together five rules for an effective Chinese detox. Rather than a strict regime these tips could offer a much needed quick fix to spring clean your body and mind. They can easily be incorporated into your daily routine to achieve long lasting results throughout the year. These handy hints and tips have been known to lead to a flatter tummy, improve sleep, clear skin and boost energy levels.

Your Chinese Detox

1 Detox Drinks

Ho Yan Hor Herbal tea is considered somewhat of a miracle worker in China, and is known for its ability to cure the common cold and sooth headaches. Made of a soothing mix of 24 carefully selected Chinese herbs, each with unique medicinal and nutritional properties, this 65 year old recipe is perfect for a morning detox. It is packed full of antioxidants and has mild diuretic qualities which have been known to cleanse your digestive system of toxins, and lead to glowing skin and a peak in energy levels.

Oolong tea is said to increase fat burning ability by 10% and drinking two cups a day during your detox could help cleanse the system. Green tea is understood to flush toxins out of the system through its liquid content, and contains a special type of antioxidant called catechins, which is known to increase liver function.

2 Balance your Yin and Yang

Ancient Chinese dieticians categorised all foods as either yin or yang depending on whether they generate heating (yang foods) or cooling (yin foods) sensations in our bodies. These terms often have nothing to do with the food’s taste, nor how it is cooked, but relate to deeper essences of the foods nature.

Heating foods tend to be sweet, grow under the hot sun or contain lots of fats like apricots, grapefruits or walnuts. Cooling foods grow in little sunshine, are salty, lean, rich in potassium and have a soft and wet texture like corgettes, bananas, oysters, and seaweed.

With turkey, chocolate, wine, walnuts and smoked salmon all being yang foods, it is no wonder we Westerners experience symptoms associated with eating too many healthy foods after the festive period! These symptoms include indigestion, bad complexions, and feelings of irritability, all common side effects of the post-Christmas blues. So to get yourself back on track, a healthy balanced meal should contain three parts yang and two parts yin.

3 Drink Chinese detox soups

Watercress Soup

Watercress is a fantastic for any detox as this leafy green is high in both vitamins C and A and is considered a detox food since it has a diuretic effects, perfect for clearing out junk and helps energise cleansing enzymes liver cells.

Ingredients 
2tbsp olive oil 
1 onion, finely chopped 
2 garlic cloves, chopped 
200g new potatoes 
100g watercress, stalks and leaves separated 
1½ tsp ground ginger 
600ml milk 
Sea salt and pepper, to season 
1½ tbsp flat leaf parsley

Preparation
1. Heat 1tbsp of the olive oil in a saucepan, add the onion and gently fry until softened
2. Add the garlic and fry for a further minute.
3. Part boil the potatoes for 15 mins until soft. Chop them roughly and add to the pan with the watercress stalks, ginger and milk and boil for 3-4 mins.
4. Season with salt and pepper, add the watercress leaves and half of the parsley, then stir. Pour into a blender and blend until smooth, then divide between 4 bowls.
5. Mix the remaining olive oil with the rest of the parsley and drizzle over the soup to serve.

Mung Bean Soup
The mighty mung bean has been used by Chinese doctors for thousands of years. It is incredibly easy to digest, and absorbs toxic residue on the sides of the intestinal walls.

Ingredients 
60g (2oz) mung beans 
1.4 litres water 
Brown sugar to taste

Preparations
1. Soak beans overnight, or least for 4 hours, in plenty of water.
2. Place beans in a large pot, add water.
3. Bring to a boil, stir, and simmer for 20 minutes (do not cover).
4. Turn heat off, cover, steep for 30 minutes. Add sugar, stir.
5. Let cool, then refrigerate for 1 hour, and serve.

4 Chinese Super Foods

Vermicelli noodles are made from the starch of the mighty mung bean so are packed full of antioxidants. Add to any stir fry as a low calorie, gluten free alternative to heavier wheat based noodles.

Pak Choi this leafy green is among some of the richest detox diet foods, can aid digestion and is high in vitamins A and C and powerful anti-oxidants.

Sesame seeds, known to actually protect livers cells from the damaging effects of alcohol and other chemicals, sesame seeds are a fantastic choice for a body clean up. Tahini is a staple in Asian cooking, made from ground sesame seeds; a gem for everyday detoxing!

Ginger is a powerful digestive aide and beyond settling tummy troubles, it is said to be a natural anti-inflammatory packed with antioxidants. Brew it in a tea, spice up your stir fry, or just munch some pickled slices out of the jar.

Garlic is native to Asia and considered a super food as it works wonders for the human body and luckily it also tastes fantastic in Chinese cuisine! Garlic has been known to regulate blood sugar, aid the natural detoxification of nicotine and other toxins and can even help to reduce stress. Use freshly crushed garlic in all dishes and add to cooked dishes just before serving to preserve its anti-bacterial benefits.

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Look to the East for detoxing this January