Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago
In Chinese medicine, we don't inject the face with filler. We build the body with foods that have supported longevity and beauty for centuries. This recipe helps the body build Yin. Yin is one of our body's most important biological assets for maintaining plump, youthful skin without fillers. (More on Yin after the recipe ⬇️)
🥗 MY TCM SKIN-PLUMPING SALAD
▫️ 1 lb Shan Yao (Chinese mountain yam - I'm using Yamaimo, the Japanese variety here.)
▫️ 3 Tbsp dried mozuku (or substitute mekabu or wakame)
▫️ 1 lb cucumber
▫️ 1 Tbsp black sesame seeds
▫️ ¼ cup cilantro, roughly chopped
▫️ 2 Tbsp soy sauce (or tamari)
▫️ 1 Tbsp rice vinegar
▫️ 2 tsp toasted sesame oil
▫️ 1 garlic clove, crushed
⚠️ If it's your first time eating Shan Yao, wear gloves while peeling - handling raw Shan Yao can make your skin itch. This is easily solved by blanching the julienned strips for 30-60 seconds before adding them to the salad.
📝 DIRECTIONS
1️⃣ Julienne the Shan Yao, or cut into thin strips.
2️⃣ Soak the dried mozuku (or seaweed of choice) in warm water for 5-10 minutes, then drain. Save the soaking liquid and add a little miso for a quick broth.
3️⃣ Julienne the cucumber, or slice it into thin strips.
4️⃣ Combine the Shan Yao, cucumber, and mozuku.
5️⃣ Toss in the cilantro, garlic, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and toasted sesame oil.
6️⃣ Sprinkle with black sesame seeds and enjoy.
✨ WHY I INCLUDED THESE FOODS
In Chinese medicine, we regard your body's deep internal moisture as a literal treasure called Yin.
Stress, lack of sleep, overwork, illness, and menopause can all burn through it. One of the best ways to avoid becoming dry and withered as we get older is to intentionally restore Yin through foods, good sleep, and slowing down.
Interestingly, many of the foods ancient TCM physicians prized for building Yin have a slippery, gooey, sticky - even slimy - quality. Today we know these foods are rich in polysaccharides that attract and hold onto water.
We talk a lot about hydration in the West, but the Yin concept is much more than that. It includes hydration, but also the richer nourishing substances that keep our deeper tissues moist, supple, resilient, and give them that soft power. Caring for your Yin can make a huge difference in how we feel and look as we age.
What do you think? Could you handle a slippery, slimy texture? Lmk!
In Chinese medicine, we don't inject the face with filler. We build the body with foods that have supported longevity and beauty for centuries. This recipe helps the body build Yin. Yin is one of our body's most important biological assets for maintaining plump, youthful skin without fillers. (More on Yin after the recipe ⬇️)
🥗 MY TCM SKIN-PLUMPING SALAD
▫️ 1 lb Shan Yao (Chinese mountain yam - I'm using Yamaimo, the Japanese variety here.)
▫️ 3 Tbsp dried mozuku (or substitute mekabu or wakame)
▫️ 1 lb cucumber
▫️ 1 Tbsp black sesame seeds
▫️ ¼ cup cilantro, roughly chopped
▫️ 2 Tbsp soy sauce (or tamari)
▫️ 1 Tbsp rice vinegar
▫️ 2 tsp toasted sesame oil
▫️ 1 garlic clove, crushed
⚠️ If it's your first time eating Shan Yao, wear gloves while peeling - handling raw Shan Yao can make your skin itch. This is easily solved by blanching the julienned strips for 30-60 seconds before adding them to the salad.
📝 DIRECTIONS
1️⃣ Julienne the Shan Yao, or cut into thin strips.
2️⃣ Soak the dried mozuku (or seaweed of choice) in warm water for 5-10 minutes, then drain. Save the soaking liquid and add a little miso for a quick broth.
3️⃣ Julienne the cucumber, or slice it into thin strips.
4️⃣ Combine the Shan Yao, cucumber, and mozuku.
5️⃣ Toss in the cilantro, garlic, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and toasted sesame oil.
6️⃣ Sprinkle with black sesame seeds and enjoy.
✨ WHY I INCLUDED THESE FOODS
In Chinese medicine, we regard your body's deep internal moisture as a literal treasure called Yin.
Stress, lack of sleep, overwork, illness, and menopause can all burn through it. One of the best ways to avoid becoming dry and withered as we get older is to intentionally restore Yin through foods, good sleep, and slowing down.
Interestingly, many of the foods ancient TCM physicians prized for building Yin have a slippery, gooey, sticky - even slimy - quality. Today we know these foods are rich in polysaccharides that attract and hold onto water.
We talk a lot about hydration in the West, but the Yin concept is much more than that. It includes hydration, but also the richer nourishing substances that keep our deeper tissues moist, supple, resilient, and give them that soft power. Caring for your Yin can make a huge difference in how we feel and look as we age.
What do you think? Could you handle a slippery, slimy texture? Lmk!
