3 amazing foods to benefit your post-partum healing.

After giving birth, your body needs time to heal and regain strength. One important aspect of postpartum recovery is nutrition. In TCM, certain foods are recommended for their healing properties and ability to nourish the body. Among them are eggplant, pumpkin, and sweet potato.

Let's take a closer look at these three vegetables and their benefits for women postpartum.

Eggplant (茄子)

In TCM, eggplant is believed to nourish yin, clear heat, and promote urination. Yin is a concept in TCM that refers to the body's cooling and nourishing aspects. Postpartum women are often deficient in yin, as the process of childbirth and breastfeeding can deplete the body's fluids. Consuming eggplant can help replenish yin and reduce inflammation in the body.

When preparing eggplant, it is best to cook it thoroughly to aid digestion. You can sauté it with olive oil or bake it in the oven. Avoid consuming eggplant raw or in large amounts, as it may cause indigestion.

Pumpkin (南瓜)

Pumpkin is another food recommended for postpartum women in TCM. It is believed to nourish blood, resolve dampness, and promote bowel movements. Blood is essential for postpartum recovery, as it provides the nutrients and energy necessary for healing and breastfeeding. Dampness, on the other hand, can accumulate in the body and cause fatigue, bloating, and other discomforts. Pumpkin's ability to resolve dampness and promote bowel movements can aid in the elimination of toxins and waste products.

When preparing pumpkin, it is best to cook it thoroughly and consume it in moderation. Pumpkin can be roasted, steamed, or boiled and used in soups, stews, or porridges.

Sweet Potato (番薯)

Sweet potato is a staple in many cultures and cuisines, including TCM. It is believed to tonify spleen qi, nourish yin, and promote digestion. Spleen qi is an important concept in TCM, as it refers to the body's ability to transform food into energy and blood. Postpartum women are often deficient in spleen qi, as the process of childbirth and breastfeeding can weaken the digestive system. Consuming sweet potato can help tonify spleen qi and aid in digestion.

When preparing sweet potato, it is best to cook it thoroughly and consume it in moderation. Sweet potato can be roasted, boiled, or mashed and used in various dishes, such as soups, stews, or desserts.

I recommend incorporating these three vegetables into your postpartum diet to support your body's healing process.

When preparing these vegetables, it is important to cook them thoroughly and consume them in moderation. For women who have had a C-section, it is also essential to support the body's healing process through rest, self-care, and TCM practices such as acupuncture and moxibustion.