Healing Cocktails & Mocktails for PCOS Caused by Spleen Qi Deficiency and Dampness: Balancing Flavor and Health
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) can often stem from Spleen Qi deficiency and dampness in the body, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This excess dampness can cause sluggish digestion, fatigue, and menstrual irregularities. TCM focuses on strengthening the Spleen, drying dampness, and improving Qi flow to support hormonal balance. These cocktails and mocktails use ingredients known to strengthen the Spleen, dispel dampness, and support overall reproductive health.
Cocktails
1. Citrus & Fennel Spritz
Ingredients:
2 oz gin
1 oz fennel-infused simple syrup (simmer fennel seeds with water and sugar until reduced)
1 oz grapefruit juice
1/2 oz lemon juice
Sparkling water
Fennel fronds for garnish
Ice
Instructions:
Prepare the fennel syrup by simmering fennel seeds with sugar and water. Let it cool.
In a shaker, combine gin, fennel syrup, grapefruit juice, and lemon juice.
Add ice and shake well.
Strain into a glass filled with ice and top with sparkling water.
Garnish with fresh fennel fronds.
Why it helps:
Fennel is known in TCM to tonify the Spleen and improve digestion, which helps reduce dampness. Citrus, especially grapefruit and lemon, helps dry dampness, stimulate digestion, and move stagnant Qi, which is crucial for managing PCOS symptoms.
2. Cardamom & Ginger Old-Fashioned
Ingredients:
2 oz bourbon
1 oz ginger syrup (simmer fresh ginger with water and sugar until reduced)
2 dashes bitters
Dash of ground cardamom
Orange peel for garnish
Ice
Instructions:
Prepare the ginger syrup by simmering fresh ginger with sugar and water. Let it cool.
In a glass, combine bourbon, ginger syrup, bitters, and a dash of cardamom.
Add ice and stir gently.
Garnish with a twist of orange peel.
Why it helps:
Ginger is a warming herb that helps transform dampness and strengthens the Spleen, aiding in digestion and reducing bloating. Cardamom is another great herb for drying dampness and regulating Qi, making this cocktail a powerful remedy for Spleen Qi deficiency.
3. Pear & Licorice Margarita
Ingredients:
2 oz tequila
1 oz pear juice
1 oz licorice root syrup (simmer licorice root with water and sugar)
1/2 oz lime juice
Ice
Lime wheel for garnish
Instructions:
Prepare the licorice root syrup by simmering licorice root with sugar and water. Let it cool.
In a shaker, combine tequila, pear juice, licorice syrup, and lime juice.
Add ice and shake well for 15 seconds.
Strain into a glass with ice and garnish with a lime wheel.
Why it helps:
Pear helps to moisten the body but is also easy on digestion, supporting the Spleen. Licorice root is used in TCM to tonify the Spleen, harmonize digestion, and reduce dampness. Together, they make a gentle, yet effective drink for balancing hormones and managing PCOS.
4. Barley & Lemon Whiskey Sour
Ingredients:
2 oz whiskey
1 oz barley water (soak and boil barley in water, then strain)
1 oz lemon juice
1/2 oz honey
Ice
Instructions:
Prepare the barley water by soaking and boiling barley, then strain the liquid. Let it cool.
In a shaker, mix whiskey, barley water, lemon juice, and honey.
Add ice and shake well.
Strain into a glass and garnish with a lemon slice.
Why it helps:
Barley is often used in TCM to drain dampness and strengthen the Spleen, making it ideal for treating damp conditions such as PCOS. Lemon helps to move Qi and clear excess dampness, while honey adds a gentle sweetness to harmonize digestion.
5. Ginger & Lemongrass Gin Fizz
Ingredients:
2 oz gin
1 oz ginger juice
1 oz lemongrass syrup (simmer fresh lemongrass with sugar and water)
Soda water
Ice
Lemongrass stalk for garnish
Instructions:
Prepare the lemongrass syrup by simmering lemongrass with sugar and water. Let it cool.
In a shaker, combine gin, ginger juice, and lemongrass syrup.
Add ice and shake well for 10-15 seconds.
Strain into a glass with ice and top with soda water.
Garnish with a fresh lemongrass stalk.
Why it helps:
Ginger and lemongrass both help dispel dampness and improve digestion. Lemongrass is also known for its ability to harmonize the middle burner (digestive system) in TCM, making it ideal for supporting Spleen Qi and alleviating symptoms of dampness-related PCOS.
Mocktails
1. Barley Water & Citrus Refresher
Ingredients:
1 cup barley water (soak and boil barley in water, then strain)
1 oz lemon juice
1 oz orange juice
Honey to taste
Ice
Instructions:
Prepare the barley water by boiling barley in water and straining the liquid.
In a shaker, mix barley water, lemon juice, orange juice, and honey.
Add ice and shake well.
Strain into a glass with ice and garnish with a lemon slice.
Why it helps:
Barley water helps clear dampness and strengthens the Spleen, while citrus (lemon and orange) helps to move Qi and clear stagnation, which is beneficial for reducing the dampness and phlegm associated with PCOS from Spleen Qi deficiency.
2. Mung Bean & Mint Cooler
Ingredients:
1 cup mung bean tea (boil mung beans in water and strain the liquid)
1 tbsp fresh mint leaves
1 tbsp honey
Sparkling water
Ice
Instructions:
Boil mung beans in water to make a tea, then strain the liquid and let it cool.
In a glass, muddle fresh mint leaves and honey.
Add the mung bean tea and top with sparkling water.
Stir gently and add ice.
Why it helps:
Mung beans are cooling and detoxifying in TCM, helping to clear heat and drain dampness. Mint supports digestion and helps move stagnant Qi, making this a refreshing and light mocktail for those managing PCOS symptoms related to Spleen Qi deficiency.
3. Lotus Seed & Coconut Smoothie
Ingredients:
2 tbsp lotus seeds (soaked and boiled until soft)
1 cup coconut milk
1 tbsp honey
1 tsp vanilla extract
Ice
Instructions:
Soak and boil the lotus seeds until they soften.
In a blender, combine softened lotus seeds, coconut milk, honey, vanilla extract, and ice.
Blend until smooth and creamy.
Pour into a glass and serve chilled.
Why it helps:
Lotus seeds are known for their ability to strengthen the Spleen and support reproductive health. Coconut milk provides a rich and nourishing base, while the sweetness of honey harmonizes digestion and helps dispel dampness.
4. Job’s Tears & Ginger Tea
Ingredients:
1 cup Job’s Tears tea (boil Job’s Tears with water and strain the liquid)
1 tbsp ginger juice
1 tbsp honey
Ice
Instructions:
Prepare Job’s Tears tea by boiling the grains in water and straining the liquid. Let it cool.
In a glass, mix Job’s Tears tea, ginger juice, and honey.
Add ice and stir well.
Why it helps:
Job’s Tears (also known as Coix seed) is a key herb in TCM to reduce dampness and promote urination, making it ideal for people with Spleen Qi deficiency. Ginger adds warmth to the digestive system, helping to dry dampness and move Qi.
5. Cucumber & Basil Cooler
Ingredients:
1 cucumber (juiced or blended)
1 tbsp basil leaves
1 oz lime juice
1 tbsp honey
Sparkling water
Ice
Instructions:
Juice or blend the cucumber and strain the juice.
In a shaker, combine cucumber juice, lime juice, basil leaves, and honey.
Add ice and shake well.
Strain into a glass and top with sparkling water.
Why it helps:
Cucumber is a cooling and hydrating ingredient that helps clear heat and moisture, balancing dampness in the body. Basil supports digestion and helps regulate Qi, making this a light and refreshing mocktail perfect for clearing dampness from the body.
Conclusion
These carefully crafted cocktails and mocktails are designed to support women managing PCOS due to Spleen Qi deficiency and dampness. Each recipe uses ingredients that strengthen the Spleen, dispel dampness, and regulate Qi to promote overall hormonal balance and reproductive health. Whether you're enjoying a refreshing mocktail or an evening cocktail, these drinks offer a delicious way to support your body's natural healing process.