Nourishing Your Body: Healing Recipes for the Postpartum Period

The postpartum period is a time of deep transformation—physically, emotionally, and energetically. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this phase is often referred to as zuo yue zi (坐月子), or "sitting the month," emphasizing rest, warmth, and nourishment to restore strength, balance hormones, and support long-term health.

One of the most powerful ways to aid your recovery is through nutrient-dense, warming foods that replenish Qi (energy) and Blood, support digestion, and promote lactation. Soups, stews, and slow-cooked meals play a central role in this healing process, as they are gentle on digestion and rich in essential nutrients. The following TCM-inspired postpartum recipes are carefully designed to support energy restoration, hormone balance, and milk production, helping you feel stronger, more centered, and nourished as you transition into motherhood.

1. Red Date & Goji Berry Healing Tea

A classic TCM postpartum tea that replenishes Blood, nourishes Qi, and supports digestion.

Ingredients:

• 6-8 dried red dates (jujube) – Supports blood circulation and energy.

• 1 tbsp goji berries – Nourishes the Liver and Kidneys.

• 3-4 slices fresh ginger – Warms the body and aids digestion.

• 3 cups water

• Optional: honey for mild sweetness.

Instructions:

1. Rinse the red dates, slice them in half, and remove pits.

2. Bring water to a boil, then add red dates, goji berries, and ginger.

3. Simmer for 20-30 minutes until the flavors deepen.

4. Strain and serve warm. Add honey if desired.

Tip: Drink this tea daily to support energy, lactation, and postpartum recovery.

2. Sesame Chicken with Ginger & Rice

This dish warms the body, promotes circulation, and helps rebuild strength.

A warming, anti-inflammatory broth perfect for boosting immunity and postpartum recovery.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp ghee or sesame oil

• 1-inch ginger, minced

• 1-inch turmeric root, grated (or ½ tsp turmeric powder)

• 2 cups bone broth

• ½ cup carrots, diced

• ½ cup butternut squash, cubed

• ½ tsp cumin

• ½ tsp coriander powder

• ¼ tsp black pepper (enhances turmeric absorption)

• 1 tbsp coconut milk (optional)

Instructions:

1. Heat ghee in a pot, sauté ginger and turmeric until fragrant.

2. Add carrots, squash, cumin, coriander, and black pepper, stir for 2 minutes.

3. Pour in bone broth and simmer for 20 minutes.

4. Blend for a creamy texture (optional) and stir in coconut milk before serving.

Tip: Turmeric reduces inflammation, ginger aids digestion, and bone broth provides collagen and minerals for tissue healing.

3. Blood-Building Black Sesame & Walnut Congee

A kidney and blood-tonifying breakfast dish that supports Qi, lactation, and digestion.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup white or brown rice

• 2 tbsp black sesame seeds, ground

• 1 tbsp walnuts, crushed

• 2 cups water or bone broth

• 1 tsp honey or red dates syrup

Instructions:

1. Rinse rice and cook in water or broth over low heat for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally.

2. Add black sesame and walnuts during the last 5 minutes of cooking.

3. Drizzle with honey before serving warm.

Tip: Black sesame seeds nourish the Kidneys and Blood, while walnuts support brain function and postpartum recovery.

4. Warm Sweet Potato & Red Bean Soup

This blood-nourishing soup is easy to digest and supports circulation, energy, and lactation. Roasting the sweet potatoes enhances their natural sweetness, adding depth and warmth to the dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 sweet potato, peeled and cubed

• ½ cup red adzuki beans, soaked overnight

• 3 cups water

• 1 tbsp honey

• ½ tsp cinnamon (optional for warmth)

• 1 tbsp ghee or coconut oil (for roasting)

• 1 pinch sea salt (to enhance sweetness)

Instructions:

1. Roast the Sweet Potatoes: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss cubed sweet potatoes with ghee or coconut oil and sea salt. Roast for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway.

2. Cook the Red Beans: Drain soaked beans, add to a pot with water, and simmer for 45 minutes until soft.

3. Combine & Serve: Add roasted sweet potatoes to the soup, simmer for 5 minutes, then stir in honey and cinnamon. Serve warm.

Tip: Roasting the sweet potatoes enhances their natural sweetness and gives the soup a richer flavor while maintaining warming, Qi-strengthening properties essential for postpartum recovery.

5. Golden Turmeric & Ginger Healing Soup

A warming, anti-inflammatory broth perfect for boosting immunity and postpartum recovery.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp ghee or sesame oil

• 1-inch ginger, minced

• 1-inch turmeric root, grated (or ½ tsp turmeric powder)

• 2 cups bone broth

• ½ cup carrots, diced

• ½ cup butternut squash, cubed

• ½ tsp cumin

• ½ tsp coriander powder

• ¼ tsp black pepper (enhances turmeric absorption)

• 1 tbsp coconut milk (optional)

Instructions:

1. Heat ghee in a pot, sauté ginger and turmeric until fragrant.

2. Add carrots, squash, cumin, coriander, and black pepper, stir for 2 minutes.

3. Pour in bone broth and simmer for 20 minutes.

4. Blend for a creamy texture (optional) and stir in coconut milk before serving.

Turmeric reduces inflammation, ginger aids digestion, and bone broth provides collagen and minerals for tissue healing.

6. Herbal Chicken & Mushroom Stew

This deeply nourishing TCM-inspired dish supports Qi, Blood, and postpartum recovery.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken thighs, chopped

• 3-4 shiitake mushrooms, sliced

• 1 tbsp goji berries

• 3 dried red dates, halved

• 1-inch ginger, sliced

• 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine

• 2 cups bone broth

• ½ tsp white pepper

• 1 tbsp sesame oil

Instructions:

1. Heat sesame oil in a pot, sauté ginger and chicken until lightly browned.

2. Add mushrooms, goji berries, red dates, white pepper, and Shaoxing wine.

3. Pour in bone broth and simmer for 30 minutes.

4. Serve warm with rice or congee.

Tip: Shiitake mushrooms boost immunity, goji berries nourish the Liver, and red dates replenish Blood.

The Violette House’s Approach to Postpartum Nutrition

At The Violette House, we recognize that postpartum recovery is a delicate and transformative period that requires intentional nourishment and care. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) places great emphasis on warming, blood-building, and Qi-restoring foods to replenish vital energy, accelerate healing, and promote overall well-being. By integrating these time-honored healing recipes into your postpartum diet, you can strengthen your body, enhance milk production, and lay the foundation for long-term vitality.

Our approach goes beyond just nutrition—we provide holistic postpartum support, including acupuncture, herbal therapy, and lifestyle guidance, all tailored to your unique recovery needs. Whether you're seeking help with lactation, hormonal balance, or overall energy restoration, our team is here to empower you with the tools and care you needto feel strong, supported, and nourished in motherhood.

If you're in Groton, MA and seeking personalized support for postpartum recovery, reach out to us to discover how our integrative care can help you heal, restore balance, and thrive during this transformative stage of motherhood.

Read our Postnatal Support Guide Here