"Energy booster" for Qi and Blood - Delicious & healthy dates and nuts spread
- Dr. Esther Levy-Bremer, DACM L.Ac.
- Feb 13
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 15
Looking for a simple, wholesome snack that not only satisfies your taste buds but also supports your health? This nutrient-packed recipe combines Silan (date honey syrup), a variety of nuts, and sesame seeds to create a delicious blend that nourishes your body from the inside out.
From a Chinese medicine perspective, this healthy dates and nuts spread recipe is more than just a treat—it’s a powerful way to balance your energy, strengthen digestion, and promote vitality. Whether you’re looking to boost your energy, moisten dryness, or support overall wellness, this recipe is a perfect addition to your self-care routine.
Ingredients:
- A jar of Silan- no added sugar (date honey
syrup) - A handful of unsalted almonds - A handful of unsalted walnuts - A handful of unsalted pecans - Sesame seeds
- 2 drops of vanilla extract
Preparation:
Place all nuts, almonds, and sesame in a frying pan without oil and fry them at medium heat. Add Silan and a little water and cook together for about 10-15 min. Remember to consistently stir the mixture gently so it doesn't burn. Set aside to cool off. You can eat the spread on whole wheat bread or any bread you like.
Nutritional benefits of this healthy dates and nuts spread from a Chinese medical perspective
Silan (Date Honey Syrup)
In Chinese medicine, Silan is warm in nature and sweet in flavor. Sweet flavors are known to strengthen the spleen and stomach, which are central to digestion and energy production. Silan helps to tonify qi (your body’s energy) and blood, making it great if you’re feeling fatigued or run down. Additionally, it moistens dryness in the intestines, which can help with constipation or dry stools.
Almonds
Almonds are neutral in temperature and sweet in flavor. They are particularly beneficial for the lungs, which are associated with breathing and skin health. Almonds help to moisten dryness in the lungs, so they’re useful if you have a dry cough or dry throat. They also help regulate the large intestine, making them supportive for digestion.
Walnuts
Walnuts are warm and sweet, making them excellent for nourishing kidney yang and essence. In Chinese medicine, the kidneys are considered the foundation of vitality—they govern growth, reproduction, and aging. Walnuts strengthen the lower back and knees (areas associated with kidney health) and support brain function because the kidneys produce marrow, nourishing the brain.
Pecans
Pecans are neutral in temperature and sweet in flavor. Like other nuts, they nourish the spleen and kidneys. They help build blood and qi, making them beneficial if you’re feeling weak or recovering from an illness. Pecans also support digestion by strengthening the spleen.
Sesame Seeds
Sesame seeds are neutral in nature and sweet in flavor. They nourish liver blood and kidney yin—two essential aspects of health in Chinese medicine. Sesame seeds can help with symptoms like dry eyes or dizziness by supporting liver blood. Their ability to nourish kidney yin makes them helpful in combating dryness in general—whether it’s dry skin, hair, or even premature graying.
How This Recipe Works Together?
When these ingredients are combined, they create a powerful blend that supports multiple organ systems:
Tonifies Qi & Blood: The sweetness of Silan and nuts strengthens the spleen, improving digestion and energy levels.
Moistens Dryness: Almonds, sesame seeds, and Silan work together to address dryness in the lungs, intestines, skin, and hair.
Supports Vitality: Walnuts and strengthen kidney yang and essence, promoting vitality, reproductive health, and brain function.
Balances Yin and Yang: Sesame seeds nourish yin while walnuts warm yang, helping maintain balance between these two fundamental forces.
Who Can Benefit from This Recipe?
When someone feels fatigued or is low in energy (spleen qi deficiency).
Experience dryness (dry throat, skin, or constipation).
Want to support their kidney health (e.g., for vitality or reproductive health).
Need nourishment after illness or during recovery.
Cautions:
While this recipe is highly nourishing, its sweet nature means it should be consumed in moderation if you have dampness or phlegm issues (e.g., bloating, loose stools, or a phlegmy cough). Always tailor your diet to your individual constitution!
Nuts should be eaten in small quantities (a handful per day) and avoided if a person has soft bowls, excessive phlegm, edema, or candida.
Health Benefits of the Recipe from a Western Nutrition Perspective:
Silan (Date Honey Syrup):
Nutritional Benefits: Silan is rich in essential minerals like potassium, magnesium, and iron. It provides a quick energy boost due to its natural sugars (glucose and fructose), making it an excellent source of brain fuel and a healthy alternative to refined sugar.
Antioxidants: Silan contains flavonoids and carotenoids, which help reduce inflammation and lower the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes.
Gut Health: Its natural sugars and fiber content can promote healthy digestion.
Almonds
Heart Health: Almonds are packed with monounsaturated fats, which help lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and reduce the risk of heart disease. They also contain magnesium, which supports healthy blood pressure.
Blood Sugar Control: Almonds' low glycemic index helps stabilize blood sugar levels, making them an excellent snack for managing diabetes.
Brain Function: Almonds are rich in vitamin E and healthy fats, which support cognitive function and memory.
Walnuts
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Walnuts are an excellent source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a plant-based omega-3 fatty acid that supports brain health and reduces inflammation.
Heart Health: Walnuts help lower LDL cholesterol and improve blood vessel function, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Gut Health: The fiber and polyphenols in walnuts promote a healthy gut microbiome.
Pecans
Healthy Fats: Pecans are rich in monounsaturated fats, which support heart health by lowering LDL cholesterol levels.
Antioxidants: Pecans are high in flavonoids and vitamin E, which protect cells from oxidative stress and reduce inflammation.
Bone Health: They contain calcium, magnesium, and potassium—minerals essential for maintaining strong bones.
Sesame Seeds
Rich in Nutrients: Sesame seeds are loaded with calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc, making them excellent for bone health, immune function, and red blood cell production.
Heart Health: The lignans and phytosterols in sesame seeds help lower cholesterol levels and support cardiovascular health.
Digestive Support: Their fiber content promotes healthy digestion by regulating bowel movements.
Combined Benefits:
Energy Boost: Silan's natural sugars provide quick energy, while the nuts offer sustained energy from healthy fats.
Heart Health: Rich in monounsaturated fats, omega-3s, and antioxidants, this mix supports cardiovascular health.
Brain Function: Walnuts and almonds enhance cognitive health through omega-3s and vitamin E.
Bone Strength: Sesame seeds and pecans contribute calcium and magnesium for strong bones.
Digestive Support: The fiber from nuts and seeds aids digestion.
Citations:
Kastner, J. (2009). Chinese nutrition therapy: Dietetics in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) (2nd ed.). Thieme Medical Publishers.
Dead Sea Shop. (2020). Date honey or silan—what makes it so popular? Retrieved from https://www.deadseashop.com/blogs/news/date-honey-or-silan-what-makes-it-so-popular
Woodspur Farms. (2020). Date syrup nutrition facts | Organic dates. Retrieved from https://woodspurfarms.com/date-syrup-nutrition-facts/
Amala Earth. (2024). Almond benefits: The ultimate superfood for health and wellness. Retrieved from https://amala.earth/blogs/amala-earth-blog/almond-benefits
NutHealth.org. (2021). Almonds - Nutrition facts. Retrieved from https://nuthealth.org/nut-facts/almonds/
Healthline. (2025). 10 health benefits of walnuts - Nutrition. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-walnuts
NutHealth.org. (n.d.). Walnuts - Nutrition facts. Retrieved from https://nuthealth.org/nut-facts/walnuts/
WebMD. (2024). Pecans: Health benefits, nutrients, and recipes. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-pecans
NutHealth.org. (n.d.). Pecans - Nutrition facts. Retrieved from https://nuthealth.org/nut-facts/pecans/
WebMD. (2024). Health benefits of sesame seeds - WebMD. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-sesame-seeds
Sacred Tribe Yoga. (2025). 7 best nutrition benefits of sesame seeds. Retrieved from https://sacredtribeyoga.com/7-best-nutrition-benefits-of-sesame-seeds/
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