Women's Health
After Giving Birth (Postpartum)
Rebuilding strength in the first weeks after birth.
⚡ Quick & easy version · 10 min
Brown Sugar Ginger Tea
Only a few things you probably already have at home.
You need
- ◆5 slices ginger
- ◆1 tsp brown sugar
Steps
- Simmer ginger 10 min, stir in sugar, drink warm.
Sesame Oil Ginger Chicken (Ma You Ji)
You need
- ◆2 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- ◆50 g ginger, thinly sliced
- ◆2 chicken legs in pieces
- ◆500 ml water (traditionally rice wine)
- ◆5 red dates, 10 g goji
How to make it
- 1
Fry ginger slowly in sesame oil until edges curl.
- 2
Add chicken and brown.
- 3
Add water and dates, simmer 30 min; goji at the end.
Use water instead of rice wine when breastfeeding.
Helpful herbs
The TCM view
'Zuo yue zi' (sitting the month): warm, nourishing foods to rebuild Qi and Blood. Classic dishes are ginger & black vinegar pork trotters and sesame oil chicken; Sheng Hua Tang is a traditional postpartum formula.
Food tips
Eat / do
- Warm soups, eggs, fish, congee
- Plenty of rest
Avoid
- Ice-cold drinks and raw salads
- Alcohol when breastfeeding
Sources
⚠ Safety
- Don't take herbal formulas (e.g. dang gui) while breastfeeding without professional advice.
- Heavy bleeding, fever or low mood that won't lift: contact your midwife or GP.
- Not a replacement for medical care. Ask a doctor before use if pregnant, breastfeeding or on medication.