How Can Children with Qi Deficiency and Excessive Sweating Benefit from Dietary Therapy?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), general physical weakness is collectively termed “constitutional deficiency” — a chronic condition characterized by various subtypes, including Qi deficiency, Blood deficiency, Yin deficiency, and Yang deficiency. For children with constitutional deficiency accompanied by excessive sweating, the following dietary therapies may be considered:

① Yin-Nourishing Congee

Ingredients: rock sugar, glutinous rice, goji berries, red dates, lotus seeds, and silver ear fungus. Soak the silver ear fungus in warm water first. Then combine the goji berries, red dates, lotus seeds, and glutinous rice, and simmer slowly. Finally, add the soaked silver ear fungus and rock sugar, and continue cooking until fully tender. This congee effectively alleviates discomfort associated with constitutional deficiency in children.

② Exterior-Stabilizing and Qi-Tonifying Congee

Ingredients: brown sugar, glutinous rice, Ephedra root (Ephedrae Radix), Atractylodes macrocephala (Baizhu), and Codonopsis pilosula (Dangshen). Place the Ephedra root, Atractylodes, and Codonopsis in a pot with an appropriate amount of water and decoct gently for 30 minutes. Strain out the herb residue, retain the liquid, and cook it together with glutinous rice into a congee. Season with brown sugar before serving.

③ Astragalus-Red Date Decoction

Ingredients: red dates and Astragalus membranaceus (Huangqi). Combine both ingredients in a pot with an appropriate amount of water and simmer over low heat for approximately 60 minutes. Once prepared, divide the decoction into two or three doses per day. Continuous consumption for over 10 days yields favorable therapeutic effects.