When I was a child, our landlady planted a peach tree in the garden. It wasn’t very tall, about the height of an adult, and often looked bare, lacking the impression of blooming flowers. However, there was always some sticky liquid oozing from its trunk. Curious as I was, I reached out and touched it. The sticky substance resembled semi-dried glue on my fingers, or perhaps crushed rice grains trodden on the ground. But it was yellow-brown, somewhat translucent, and highly enticing to a curious child like me. Some parts were drier, coagulating into droplets that fell off the trunk at the slightest touch. It looked like agate, like rock candy… Although curious, I never reached the point of trying it in my mouth, so I couldn’t tell if it was sweet or not!
Back then, I hadn’t heard of consuming peach gum. But in recent years, I discovered its benefits rivaling bird’s nest, yet at a much more affordable price. Let’s delve into the wonders of peach gum!
- What is Peach Gum?
- The Nutritional Value and Anti-Aging Properties of Peach Gum
- How Many Calories Does Peach Gum Contain?
- The Connection Between Peach Gum and Natural Rhythms
- Peach Gum Recipes Sharing
What is Peach Gum?
“In the midst of spring, your smile outshines a thousand miles, with peach blossoms blooming, embodying your grace.” This poetic imagery seems to encapsulate the essence of spring, with peach blossoms being one of its representatives. But did you know that behind the beauty of peach blossoms lies a natural medicine known as peach gum?
Peach gum, also known as peach blossom tears, peach tree gum, or peach resin, is actually a secretion found on the trunk of plants belonging to the Rosaceae family, such as cherry, peach, apricot, and plum trees. According to ancient texts like the “Compendium of Materia Medica,” peach gum is harvested by making incisions on the trunk of peach trees when they are in full bloom, allowing the resin to overflow, which is then collected, soaked in mulberry ash solution, and sun-dried.
In simpler terms, peach gum is a secretion produced by peach trees in response to external damage or fungal infections, appearing as irregular blocks or teardrops of various sizes. Its surface is usually light yellow or yellow-brown, with a keratinized texture and semi-transparency, becoming sticky when water is added. When cooked, peach gum becomes viscous, resembling plant-based gum or polysaccharides rather than collagen.
The highest-quality peach gum is typically sourced from wild varieties in Yunnan and Guizhou, followed by orchard peach gums from regions like Hubei, Anhui, and Shandong. It’s advisable to select peach gum with larger pieces and fewer impurities, preferably displaying an amber color under light, indicating sufficient sun exposure and better texture.
Peach gum can be purchased from regular pharmacies or online stores, with prices ranging from HKD 60 to HKD 100 for approximately 300 grams, depending on the size of the granules and the presence of impurities. Peach gums with larger granules and fewer impurities are easier to clean and have a better texture, albeit at a slightly higher price.
Nutritional Value and Anti-Aging Properties of Peach Gum
According to traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, peach gum is believed to nourish the yin, making it beneficial for individuals experiencing symptoms of “yin deficiency and internal heat,” such as those who stay up late, women going through menopause, or those suffering from dry mouth, hot flashes, and dry, peeling skin. Additionally, for individuals recovering from a cold without inflammation or infection, consuming peach gum in moderation can help alleviate symptoms like throat tightness and dry cough.
Furthermore, traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes that due to its high fiber content, peach gum can assist in bowel movements, detoxification, and promoting metabolism, thereby aiding in maintaining youthful skin.
However, it’s important to note that while peach gum is delicious, it is not recommended for individuals with poor digestion or pregnant women. Some literature also suggests that peach gum has blood-breaking and stasis-eliminating effects, thus pregnant women are advised to avoid consuming it during pregnancy. (Source: United Daily News)
Peach gum contains plant-based collagen rather than animal-derived collagen, so strictly speaking, it does not have the same beauty-enhancing effects. However, due to its ability to relieve heat and thirst, moisturize the intestines, promote bowel movements, and its low calorie and high fiber characteristics, it aids in expelling toxins from the body through the intestines, resulting in a naturally radiant complexion. Moreover, when combined with other traditional Chinese medicinal ingredients, its effects are enhanced synergistically.
The “Qianjin Fang” records that peach gum can treat deficiency heat and thirst, stating that “peach gum, the size of a bullet, moistens the throat when swallowed,” indicating its ability to produce saliva and lubricate the throat. Therefore, it is suitable for individuals who frequently experience restlessness, insomnia, heat sensations in the hands and feet, dry mouth, dry stools, and other symptoms, particularly those with a constitution of yin deficiency. Additionally, due to its ability to nourish yin and moisten dryness, peach gum is also suitable for individuals with diabetes who exhibit symptoms of yin deficiency and heat.
Peach gum has the function of “moistening bodily fluids” and enters the large intestine and bladder meridians, thereby improving stagnation in the large intestine and bladder, restoring intestinal function, and facilitating the elimination of waste from the body, thus promoting regular bowel movements. As the lung meridian is closely related to the large intestine meridian, when the intestines are unobstructed, lung function also improves. Since the lungs govern the skin and hair, sufficient essence and blood in the lungs often reflect on the skin, making it moist and smooth, thereby aiding in health and anti-aging efforts for middle-aged women.
How many calories does peach gum contain?
Peach gum contains approximately 170 calories per 100 grams.
The Connection Between Peach Gum and Natural Rhythms
The body’s natural rhythms are crucial for health, and peach gum happens to aid in regulating these rhythms. It can promote sleep, enhance digestion, and boost immunity, helping the body adapt better to changes in the external environment and maintain balance and health. Particularly for middle-aged women, whose natural rhythms are often more susceptible to external factors, maintaining a healthy lifestyle rhythm is especially important. As a natural supplement, peach gum can help regulate the body’s natural rhythms, promoting overall health and well-being.
Peach Gum Recipes Sharing
To enjoy the benefits of peach gum, you can incorporate it into your daily diet. For example, you can add peach gum to soups, desserts, or beverages to create delicious and healthy dishes. Here are four simple peach gum sweet soup recipes to share:
Peach gum itself is tasteless and often used to cook sweet soups. The dried peach gum is very hard and needs to be soaked in water for at least 12 hours until soft and swollen, removing impurities before adding other ingredients for cooking.
1. Peach Gum and Snow Fungus Sweet Soup
【Ingredients】20g peach gum, 1 snow fungus, 10 red dates, 6g wolfberries, appropriate amount of rock sugar
【Instructions】Soak the peach gum for 12 hours, remove black impurities, and set aside in the refrigerator. Soften the snow fungus and cut it into small pieces, remove the pits from the red dates, and rinse the wolfberries. Put 800ml of water in a pot, bring to a boil, then add the ingredients. Simmer for 1 hour, then add rock sugar and continue to cook for another 15 minutes. Serve warm.
【Benefits】Peach gum nourishes, snow fungus nourishes yin and moistens the lungs, nourishes the stomach and generates fluids, red dates benefit the spleen and nourish the blood, tonify qi, and calm the mind, while wolfberries tonify qi, calm the mind, and have anti-aging and skin-brightening effects.
2. Fresh Milk Red Date Longan Stew with Peach Gum
【Ingredients】20g peach gum, 1 snow fungus, 20g dried longan, 6 red dates, appropriate amount of rock sugar, 500ml fresh milk/almond milk
【Instructions】Soak the peach gum for 12 hours, then remove black impurities. Remove the pits from the red dates and wash them with the dried longan. Soften the snow fungus and cut it into small pieces. Boil a large pot of water over high heat, then reduce to medium heat and add the ingredients. Stew with fresh milk in a double boiler for 30 minutes. Serve warm.
【Benefits】Nourishes yin and moistens the lungs, nourishes the stomach and generates fluids, benefits the spleen and nourishes the blood, tonifies qi, and calms the mind.
3. Peach Gum and Fish Maw Stew with Fresh Milk
【Ingredients】600ml fresh milk, 15g peach gum, 2 pieces of fish maw, 8 red dates, 3 slices of ginger, appropriate amount of rock sugar
【Instructions】Soak the peach gum for 12 hours, then remove black impurities. Soak the fish maw overnight until it is soft and cut open from the center, then clean out the impurities inside the fish maw tube. Remove the pits from the red dates and slice the ginger. In a stew pot or large bowl, add fresh milk, red dates, and ginger slices. Stew over low heat in a double boiler for 40 minutes. Then add the fish maw and rock sugar, and stew for another 20 minutes. Finally, add the peach gum and stew for 15 minutes before turning off the heat. Serve warm.
【Benefits】Nourishes yin, enhances complexion, and calms the mind.
4. Peach Gum, Red Date, Lotus Seed, and Lily Bulb Sweet Soup
【Ingredients】15g peach gum, 6g lotus seeds, 6g lily bulbs, 6 red dates, 15 wolfberries, appropriate amount of rock sugar
【Instructions】Soak the peach gum for 12 hours, then remove black impurities. Soak the lotus seeds, red dates, and wolfberries for 30 minutes. Remove the pits from the red dates and the core from the lotus seeds. In a pot, add 700ml of water, then add the peach gum, lotus seeds, lily bulbs, and red dates. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then simmer for 20 minutes. Around the last 10 minutes, add the wolfberries, and continue to simmer. Once done, let it sit for 10 minutes before serving warm.
【Benefits】Clears heat, relieves thirst, soothes the mind, and calms the spirit.
Conclusion
The recipe for Peach Gum, Red Date, Lotus Seed, and Lily Bulb Sweet Soup is my favorite dessert! I always keep soaked peach gum in my freezer. When I crave it, I simply add red dates, lotus seeds, lily bulbs, and wolfberries, and simmer for a while. Within 30 minutes, I have a sweet and moisturizing dessert that enhances my complexion!
Childhood memories are always filled with innocence and surprises, much like my discovery of peach gum on the peach tree. Though I didn’t know its true benefits and value back then, I’ve come to realize its advantages now. From nourishing health to beauty care, peach gum’s versatility and affordability make it beloved by many. Through our exploration of peach gum, we’ve learned its dietary precautions and integrated it into our lives, enjoying both health and beauty while appreciating the wonders of nature.
P.S.
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