The summer solstice has arrived, marking the longest day and the peak of yang energy. After today, the heat will only intensify. Traditional Chinese medicine considers the summer solstice a crucial juncture of yin and yang transition. At this time, the focus of health preservation is on clearing heat and relieving summer heat, nourishing qi and yin, and maintaining a light diet with less oil and salt to allow the body to gracefully welcome the height of summer.

This season, we recommend the following three seasonal vegetables, which are fresh and affordable:

 Eggplant

Eggplant is cool in nature and is a good helper for clearing heat in summer. Rich in anthocyanins, it has a strong antioxidant effect that helps fight the wear and tear of summer UV rays on the body. Its high potassium content can help remove excess water, relieve heat and swelling.

 Vegan Recipes: Steamed Eggplant in Soy Sauce, Steamed Eggplant with Garlic Vermicelli, Eggplant with Cool Sesame Sauce

 Silk gourd

Silk gourd is sweet and juicy, cool in nature, can clear heat, reduce phlegm, and diuretic. It is one of the most seasonal melon vegetables during the summer solstice. Rich in vitamin B complex, it helps relieve summer mental fatigue, coupled with high water content, eating has a natural hydrating effect.

 Vegan recipe: fried silkworm with ginger and goji berries, boiled silkworm tofu with silkworm tofu, soaked silkworm in soup

 Gourd melon

The flesh of gourd melon is soft and glutinous, and its nature is flat and sweet. It can clear heat and water, moisten the lungs and stop coughing. It is especially suitable for the season when damp heat worsens after the summer solstice. Low in calories, easy to digest, suitable for the elderly and children, it is the gentlest home-cooked dish in summer.

 Vegan recipes: stewed gourd melon with fermented bean curd, gourd melon and mushroom vermicelli soup, garlic stir-fried gourd melon