Bird’s Nest
This Chinese delicacy is exactly what it sounds like --- the edible abode of birds called swiftlets who fashion their nests from the male’s saliva. Available as a food or supplement in Chinese grocery stores or by mail order, bird’s nest is considered one of the most precious nutritional aides for beauty and rejuvenation.
Then its specific wrinkle smoothing properties come from its action on the skin and lungs, and its ability to moisturize and support the body’s healthy immunity. Modern research has found that bird’s nest contains epidermal growth factor, a water soluble glycol protein, as well as vitamins and minerals.
Chinese Dates (Jujube Fruit)
This is a fruit (not a candy) that’s often called Chinese dates. Its medicinal value has been recognized in China for 4,000 years, and even though there’s an old saying that “three dates a day keep old age away.” Its special function is to nourish the digestive system, but its ability to generate energy and blood nourishes the skin, promoting a healthy glow and smoothing wrinkles. Rich in antioxidants and minerals, it’s the ideal fruit (fresh or dried) to moisten dry skin and lips. Make sure to take pits out of dates before preparing them. Just use a scissors or small knife to cut it open and take the pits out.
Black Sesame Seeds
Those little black seeds you may know best from the outside of bagels are anti-aging wonders that in TCM terms nourish the internal organs, the blood and body fluids in general. As such regular long term consumption of black sesame seeds is especially good for wrinkles resulting from dry skin conditions. From a Western point of view, they’re rich in plant protein, vitamin E and linolenic acid, all essential for healthy, wrinkle-less skin.
Peanuts
There’s a reason peanuts are a staple in Chinese cooking. TCM literature refers to peanuts as “ever-live fruits” – meaning they have an anti-aging effect when eaten regularly. Peanuts fight wrinkles by nourishing the lungs and strengthening the stomach and spleen. Western nutritionists have recognized the value of peanuts, which are rich in readily absorbable amino acids, with a protein concentration (about 30%) nearly equal to chicken, eggs, and red meat. Though they contain fat, peanuts actually help lower cholesterol levels. One caution: Make sure any peanuts you eat are fresh, because old or spoiled peanuts can contain carcinogenic toxins. Choose high quality, organically grown peanuts.
Black Soy Beans
There is a traditional Chinese text called Yian Nian Mi Lu that focuses on anti-aging secrets --- and it raves about how soybeans benefit the facial complexion. Black soybeans especially promote tissue growth, replenish bone marrow, tonify deficient organs, and moisture the body according to TCM. As is well known in the West, soy is one of the best plant sources of protein, rich in natural estrogens known as isoflavones, essential fatty acids including Omega 3, vitamin E, and several important minerals. For best results, choose the black beans, or soy products made from black beans.
Pig’s Skin
It may not be most Westerners’ idea of a healthy food, but the Chinese discovered long ago that pig’s skin is an “herb” that nourishes Yin, relieves irritability and is used effectively for dry and wrinkled skin based on the concept of ancient Chinese medical theory that “like heals like.”
According to modern science, pig’s skin (fresh or dried) contains basic nutrients that our skin needs in order to delay wrinkle formation. It has abundant protein, mainly gelatinous protein and fibrous protein (collagen fiber and elastic fiber.) It’s also rich in minerals, and vitamin B1 and B2. The fat content of the pig’s skin is only half that of pork meat itself.
Moreover, pigskin has a cell structure similar to our own skin, with a very compatible kind of protein (large cell protein.) All of these qualities make pig skin an important food for delaying the skin aging process, for softening and beautifying the skin, and for reducing and preventing wrinkles. You probably don’t need to find a Chinese market to get pig’s skin or pig’s feet. They’re usually available from any local butcher.
Walnuts
Walnuts are another time-honored Chinese “treasure” for nourishing the complexion and smoothing facial wrinkles. They’re actually an ingredient in many ancient Chinese herbal formulas for beauty. They’re actually an ingredient in many ancient Chinese herbal formulas for beauty. Walnuts are also recognized in the West as a beneficial food. They’re rich in cholesterol lowering unsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids, the antioxidant carotene, vitamins B1 and B2, and a number of other anti-aging substances.
You’ll do well to eat a handful of walnuts every day, perhaps by using this ancient Chinese way of getting started with walnuts as a beautifying food: Eat one piece each night, before going to bed, for five days. On the sixth day eat two and continue adding one every five days until you reach 20.
Cherries
Cherries are energizing foods that beautify the skin by nourishing the spleen and stomach (the middle Jiao.) Because of their high iron content, they’re a wonderful skin smoothing fruit that also improves skin color as they enrich the blood. They’re so effective that besides eating them, you can simply crush cherries and apply the juice directly to your face.
Honey
If your daily sweet treat uses honey, you will find over time that your will power is heightened, your body is “enlightened,” your aging process has slowed down and your face is less wrinkled. Honey tonifies energy and calms the five internal organs. It’s a superb skin nourisher, and its unique antibacterial and anti-viral function helps protect the skin.
Honey is rich in vitamins, amino acids, organic acids, complex carbohydrates, hormones, proteins, fructose and glucose, any of these nutrients are easily absorbed by the skin, making honey an excellent food for nourishing the skin, as well as improving skin function and regeneration.
TCM considers honey an herb as well as a food, and you can enjoy its anti-wrinkle benefits in supplement form if you don’t care to include it as part of your meals. One way is to simply swallow a teaspoon of honey every morning on an empty stomach, like (very sweet) medicine. Or mix a teaspoon of honey and teaspoon of vinegar in 6 ounces of water and drink half that mixture at a time. Be sure to use only pure, organic honey.
Honey can also be used as a great facial mask. Combine ¼ teaspoon of honey, 3 drops of olive oil, and ½ teaspoon of pearl powder. Mix it well in the palm of your hand with some water and apply it to your face once every other day. Wash it off warm water after 20 minutes. You’ll see amazing results the very first time you use it.
If sugar intake is a concern for you, try substituting royal jelly for honey. It’s not sweet and it’s less sticky. This is an especially beneficial food for women with a low sex drive and wrinkled skin. Use it as you would use honey but with low dosage. ¼ teaspoon daily.
Caution: Some people are allergic to bee products. If you know or suspect that you have an allergy, don’t use honey or royal jelly, or any other bee product. If you get a surprise allergic reaction from either (such as rashes or wheezing) stop using and see a physician.
Tremella
This is a mushroom that has long been used in China for general skin beauty, either as a food or a supplement. Its fluid generating properties make it an excellent food choice for dry, wrinkled skin. But it’s a do-all food that nourishes lung Yin, increases energy, and benefits the blood, the brain, the heart and the body’s immune system. Its yin-nourishing function makes it especially beneficial for those with dry, wrinkled skin who also suffer bouts of irritability or who are going thru menopause. It’s rich in vitamin B and minerals, including iron, sulfur, phosphate, magnesium, calcium and potassium.
You’ll see tremella in already prepared form with sugar added form at health food stores or Chinese supermarket. Better to buy actual mushrooms (they’ll be cultivated, not wild) at a Chinese market.
One convenient way to prepare them is as follows: Soak 2 ounces of tremella mushrooms overnight. Then section them by hand into small pieces, throwing away the yellowish part at the bottom. Simmer slowly in 75 ounces of water (about eight full coffee mugs) for two and a half hours. Or use a pressure cooker, adding 5 measuring cups of water, keeping to a mid-boil going for about 30 minutes. When its cooked, add two teaspoons of honey and let cool.
Keep cooked tremela in a glass jar in the refrigerator, eating about ½ measuring cup worth till it’s finished.
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