Thanks to Confinement Nanny Wat Lew for sharing this amazing tea! This is a traditional confinement drink called – Rice Tea. It is usually made for mommies who have a “heaty” body constitution in replacement of the Red Date Tea. Or suitable for breastfeeding mommies whose babies have very high jaundice.
Methods
Wash and dry the uncooked rice and put into the frying wok. Stir-fried it till light golden, put in some orange peel (陈皮) and ginger. When cooled, store into a tight container. Add hot water when you’re ready to drink!
Confinement Herbal Bath
Nowadays, most Chinese Herbal Bath comes conveniently pre-packed in 30 sachets. If you are thinking of doing your own confinement bath, here is what you need to prepare:
Ingredients : Artemesia argyi (艾叶) 30g Eucommia ulmooides (杜仲) 20g Ledebouriella divaricata (防风) 20g Perilla frutescens (紫苏叶) 20g
Function is to improve blood circulation in new mothers
- Put the first 3 herbs in a muslin bag and seal
- Then put the herbs in a water kettle and bring to boil
- After boiling, discard the herbs and pour the water into the bath tub. Add same amount of hot water to fill the tub.
- If bathtub is not available, just put in a pail to bath or to wipe your body.
However, please note this prescription is NOT suitable for mothers with fever after labor.
Another grandma’s recipe for post-natal confinement dish is the infamous Pig Trotters in Black Vinegar
Ingredients :
- 1 pair of pig trotters
- 1kg of matured ginger (bentong giner who is the spiciest ginger of them all, a must for confinement cooking)
- 6 tablespoon of seasme seed oil
- 4 cups of black vinegar
- 600g of brown sugar
- 4 hard boiled eggs
- 9 cups of water
If you’re a vegetarian, simply just replace pig trotters with (mock meat, mushroom, black fungus and black beans) which tasted heavenly and equally nourishing as well – minus the guilt!
Our confinement ladies highly recommended cooking with doggie brand sweet vinegar for its sweet taste and Zhe jiang vinegar for its sour taste.
Instructions:
- Clean pork trotters and chop into big cubes
- Heat the sesame oil, add in sliced ginger and fry till golden brown
- Place the fried ginger in a big clay pot and stir in vinegar, sugar and water
- Bring to boil and leave to simmer for about half an hour
- Add the pig’s trotters and continue to simmer until the meat is tender.
- Add the egg about 30 minutes before serving
- Best served when warm.
For vegetarian cooking
Instructions:
- Put mock meat, mushroom, black fungus in slices
- Heat the sesame oil, add in sliced ginger and fry till golden brown
- Place the fried ginger in a big clay pot and stir in vinegar, sugar and water
- Bring to boil (black beans) and leave to simmer for about 45 minutes till soft
- Add the mock meat, mushroom, black fungus and continue to simmer until the ingredents are tender.
- Add the egg about 30 minutes before serving
- Best served when warm.
Common ingredients used in TCM soup
- Chinese ginseng
Benefits (a) Restores strength and energy level after childbirth by improving blood circulation
(b) Revitalizes and aids the recovery process after serious illnesses or major operations by boosting the body’s immunity
(c) Promotes digestion and improves appetite for the mother to produce adequate milk for the newborn.
DO not use when pregnant, and do not use together with high doses of caffeine or other stimulants.
2. Dang gui
(a) Commonly used herb in treating many kinds of gynecological problems such as irregular menstruation, painful menses and infertility.
(b) Efficient in treating anemic conditions
(c) Commonly used to relieve pain due to blood stagnation
(d) Important herb for postpatrum period as it aims to increase blood production as well as revive a weakened blood circulation
Note: Please consult a licensed TCM physician before taking any TCM herbs as some herbs may induce uterine contractions.
Our confinement nannies have years of experiences in confinement cooking. Some do have secrets recipes that were passed down by their mothers and grandmothers, which were flavorful and nutritious. Just like brewing chicken essence (not the canned ones!) which contains a lot of nutrients, without any added preservatives and chemicals. All freshly made for you by our confinement nannies. 🙂
Confinement period is a time to rest and relax, eat all the good food and build up your immunity. Do you have any confinement recipes to share with us? Feel free to comment! 🙂
