If you tend to lose your appetite or feel tired this may just be the perfect recipe for you. Butternut squash nourishes the TCM spleen, which regulates appetite and energy levels.
Ginger has numerous medicinal properties, including antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, regulates digestion, and relieves nausea and morning sickness. It can also aid in feelings of heaviness in the body, lack of thirst, abdominal bloating, and feeling cold.
Lemongrass (Xiang Mao) is used in both western and eastern medicine. Lemongrass has many medicinal properties, including antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, diuretic, detoxing, anti-inflammatory, and antispasmodic. It treats the TCM heart, which can help with insomnia, anxiety, and stress. Lemongrass also regulates digestion, regulates bowel movements such as constipation or diarrhea, relieves menstrual cramping, may help clear acne, may help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and relieves stomach aches. Its cleansing properties make it the perfect addition to the spring season to cleanse and detox the liver and gallbladder.
Temperature: Warm
Flavor: Sweet, Acrid
Organs: Heart, Liver, Spleen, Stomach, Lungs
Actions: Moves Qi and stagnation, removes toxicities, clears heat, dries dampness, relieves spasms, releases the exterior, warms the middle burner, regulates digestion
Ingredients (1 serving)
1 1/2 cups Butternut squash, diced
1 1/2 cup Bone Broth
2 inch fresh or dried Lemongrass
1/4 tsp ground Ginger
1/4 tsp Salt
1/8 tsp Pepper
1/8 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
1/4 cup Coconut Milk (canned)
Preparations
Add all ingredients except the canned coconut milk to a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes until squash is tender.
Remove from heat.
Remove lemongrass and add canned coconut milk.
Add soup to a blender and blend on high until smooth.
Return soup to saucepan and reheat if necessary.
Sources:
https://www.whiterabbitinstituteofhealing.com/herbs/lemongrass/
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/ginger-benefits
https://www.meandqi.com/herb-database/fresh-ginger