Health & Life

The Ultimate Guide to Seasonal Eating: Supercharge Your Health with These Affordable Foods (Just 1,000 VND!) That Many Vietnamese Overlook.

The changing seasons bring about a need for a shift in our dietary habits. While there are numerous familiar foods that can boost our immunity during this transitional weather, they are often overlooked or underutilized, leading to a potential decline in our overall health.

Administrator

3 December, 2024

“Spices and herbs are abundant and affordable in Vietnam, but locals typically only use them when cooking other dishes,” said Associate Professor Lam. According to her, herbs such as lemongrass, basil, ginger, onions, and garlic are inexpensive, often costing just 1,000 VND to a few thousand VND. These herbs are packed with natural antibiotics, offering numerous health benefits.

Associate Professor Lam further emphasized that these natural antibiotics not only protect the body but also prevent seasonal illnesses. However, many individuals fail to incorporate them into their diets.

Associate Professor Lam suggested that during seasonal changes, one should consume more of these herbs and spices to create a protective barrier for their health. While these foods are typically categorized as spices and herbs, they can be prepared and consumed in a variety of ways beyond just seasoning. When incorporated into our daily diets in moderate amounts, they can have numerous beneficial effects on our health.

For instance, lemongrass can be combined with other spices to make drinks such as peach, orange, and lemongrass tea. Ginger can be made into ginger tea or combined with honey, which has excellent antibacterial properties. Basil, known for its high essential oil content, can be consumed raw after thorough washing, or its leaves can be boiled for a drink. Even without consuming them directly, spices such as ginger, basil, shiso, and lemongrass can be combined and boiled to create a foot bath, offering an effective way to protect one’s health.

The following is a list of affordable spices and herbs that are rich in natural antibiotics and are particularly beneficial during seasonal changes:

– Lemongrass: This familiar herb is extremely affordable, typically costing around 1,000 VND per stalk. Lemongrass is valued in modern medicine for its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as its ability to reduce stress. It is an effective remedy for inflammatory conditions, especially gastrointestinal issues.

Lemong瓦解rass and other affordable spices should be incorporated into daily diets to prevent seasonal illnesses.

In traditional medicine, lemongrass is used to prevent and treat respiratory conditions during seasonal transitions. Fresh lemongrass or its essential oil can be used for room and nasal steaming, helping to relieve coughs, colds, and congestion, as well as repel insects. It is recommended to use 2-3 stalks of lemongrass daily. However, it should not be consumed by pregnant women. If using the essential oil, do not ingest or inhale it directly.

– Ginger: This root is often considered a “treasure” during winter due to its warming properties and its ability to prevent illnesses and boost immunity. Notably, its warming effect is excellent for treating colds and fever. When combined with warm water to make ginger tea, it helps dilate blood vessels and promote sweating, aiding blood circulation. Therefore, consuming fresh ginger during cold weather can help warm the body and prevent respiratory illnesses caused by the respiratory syncytial virus. Given its warming nature, ginger should be consumed in moderation, with a daily intake of no more than 5g for adults, whether used as a spice or directly.

– Basil: Basil is also readily available in Vietnamese markets, and if grown safely and cleaned thoroughly, it is best consumed raw. Eating it raw ensures the retention of nutrients, vitamins, and the natural antibiotics that basil is known for. Basil contains penicillin, an antibiotic that helps eliminate certain bacteria and viruses in the body and is commonly used when one is sick with a cold, fever, or infection. It has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties and may even help ward off cancer cells.

Basil has numerous health benefits, including boosting immunity and inhibiting bacteria.

– Garlic: Garlic contains over 200 beneficial compounds, including allicin, which acts as a natural antibiotic and has anti-parasitic properties, helping eliminate gut parasites. Therefore, it is recommended to consume garlic daily, especially during seasonal changes, in moderate amounts. The ideal intake is 2-3 cloves per day, as excessive consumption may lead to undesirable side effects.