Green Queen Living: Beautiful Skin Wisdom from The Annals of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
4 Mins Read
In Hong Kong, local culture relies greatly on the vast fount of knowledge that is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) when it comes to health and wellness. There is so much to learn and Green Queen is here to help. We have rounded up some ancient TCM beauty secrets with easy to follow recipes that are sure to make your skin glow from the inside out!
Rejuvenating Pearl Powder Beauty Mask
Pearl powder is rich in amino acids, which can soothe skin inflammation and redness, accelerate healing, stimulate new skin cells growth, detoxify the skin and slow down aging process. Pretty incredible ay? Chinese women have been using this miracle powder as part of their beauty regimen for hundreds of years. This ridiculously easy-to-make mask will give new life to your skin.
What You Need
- 1 tbsp pearl powder
- ½ tbsp raw honey
- 1 egg yolk
How To
- Whisk all the ingredients together in a bowl.
- Apply the mixture on your face and leave it on for 20 minutes.
- Rinse off with warm water.
Where to Buy
You can find this miracle powder at any TCM shop such as Eu Yan Sang and try local organic honey from Bee’s Nest Pure Honey.
Green Queen Tip: We suggest applying the mask 1-2 times a week. If you are not a mask fan, you can mix a spoonful of pearl powder with your favorite face moisturizer and apply as normal instead.
Skin Soothing Mung Bean Soup
The TCM philosophy is that the outside environment has a great influence on the human body’s internal wellbeing. For instance, our bodies absorb a great deal of heat during the summer. When this heat is not released, the result can be blotchy dry skin. Mung beans can help! They remove toxins from the skin and cool the body down, especially the blood. Consuming this mung bean soup below will help calm a variety of conditions such as acne, rashes, oral ulcers and cold sores.
What You Need
- 500 ml of filtered water
- 1 handful of dried mung beans
- 1 tbsp of honey (optional)
How To
- Rinse the beans.
- In a pan, bring the water and the beans to a boil.
- Simmer for 15 minutes until the beans have ‘opened’ up.
- If you have a sweet tooth, add the honey.
- Mix well. (Blend if you prefer a smooth consistency).
Usage Directions
This recipe makes enough for 1 bowl of soup. Enjoy it 1-2 times a week.
Where to Buy
You can purchase both organic mung beans at Culture Organics.
Green Queen Tip: Avoid consuming mung beans if you suffer from excessively cold extremities (hands or feet) or if you have diarrhea.
Get Your Healthy Pink Shine On with Red Date Tea
Red dates have been regarded as one of the five most important fruits in TCM since studies were first recorded. Red dates prevent women from looking all pale due to menstruation. Their high iron content can help to replenish red blood cells and cure anemia. There’s even a Chinese saying: “Three dates a day keep the wrinkles away.” Here’s a red date tea recipe to leave your skin smooth and shiny.
What You Need
- 6 dried red dates
- 300 ml filtered water
- 2 slices fresh ginger
How To
- Rinse and wash the red dates.
- In a pan, bring the dates to a boil in the water.
- Simmer for 15 additional minutes.
- Add 2 slices of fresh ginger when the drink is still hot.
- Once Leave it until it’s about room temperature, then drink the tea only.
Usage Directions
Drink this tea daily all month except during that special time of the month!
Where to Buy
Dried red dates are available at Green Dot Dot!
Green Queen Tip: Make sure to remove the dates’ inner seed before cooking them.
Cheek Firming Goji Berries
Goji berries are one of the most nutritionally dense fruits in the world. They contain polysaccharides that enhance antioxidant activity and defend against skin damaging free radicals. Believe it or not, goji berries actually contains more vitamin C than oranges! By a factor of thousands. Vitamin C protects the skin from harmful solar UV rays as well helping to maintain skin elasticity and collagen production- everything you need for a youthful face. Goji berries are also rich in zeathanthin, which protects the retina in our eyes.
No recipe needed here- dried goji berries make a great snack on the go. Put a little pack of them inside your bag so you can munch on them!
Where to Buy
Stock up on organic dried goji berries at i-Detox.
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