Can individuals with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold consume Portulaca oleracea (purslane)?
Generally, people with spleen-stomach deficiency cold should not eat purslane. The detailed explanation is as follows:
Purslane is a cold-natured food. Individuals with spleen-stomach deficiency cold inherently suffer from insufficient yang energy and excessive internal cold. The cold nature of purslane may further impair the yang energy of the spleen and stomach. When the yang energy of the spleen and stomach is damaged, their transformation and transportation functions weaken, leading to symptoms such as cold abdominal pain and indigestion. The cold nature of purslane may exacerbate these symptoms, causing more severe digestive problems in individuals with spleen-stomach deficiency cold.
In addition, purslane has a lubricating effect on the intestines and may stimulate the gastrointestinal tract, promoting intestinal peristalsis. For individuals with spleen-stomach deficiency cold, whose gastrointestinal functions are already relatively weak, this lubricating effect may further burden the digestive system, potentially triggering diarrhea or worsening existing chronic diarrhea caused by spleen deficiency. Diarrhea not only leads to the loss of nutrients but may also further impair spleen and stomach function, creating a vicious cycle.
In daily life, individuals should choose warm-natured and easily digestible foods, such as chicken, beef, fish, glutinous rice, Chinese yam, and jujube. These foods help warm and nourish the spleen and stomach, enhancing their functions.