Chinese Nutrition by Food Group

[Chinese Nutrition Graphic]

Compiled by Dr. David Chan

 

Chinese nutrition is the tasty counterpart to Chinese herbology. The only

significant difference between the two is that the nutrition tends to be

more appetizing than the herbal tea formulas.

The basis for therapeutic qualities is exactly the same. On a related page,

we take a look at a list of desired results of food remedies, followed by

the foods that will provide these therapeutics.

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Meats

* MEATS

* POULTRY

Dairy

* DAIRY

* EGGS

Grains

* GRAINS

* LEGUMES

* SEEDS

Fruit

* Fruit of a Warm nature

* Fruit of a Neutral nature

* Fruit of a Cool nature

Vegetables

* Vegetables with a Warm nature

* Vegetables with a Neutral nature

* Vegetables with a Cool Nature

Spices and Herbs

Miscellaneous Foods

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MEATS

Five element differentiation

Wood-chicken

Fire-lamb

Earth-cow

Metal-horse

Water-pig

Beef:

neutral, sweet, Sp & St Qi & Blood Tonic

Lamb:

warm, sweet, Sp, Ki, Qi Tonic, Warms Interior

Ham: warm, salty, Sp Qi Tonic, Produces fluids, subdues Reb. Qi

Pork:

neutral, sweet & salty, Sp, St, Ki, Lubricates dryness (Ni: sl. cold)

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POULTRY

Duck:

neutral, sweet & salty, Lu, Ki, Facilitates water passage, reduces,

swellings

Chicken:

warm, sweet, Sp, St, Qi Tonic, Warms Interior

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EGGS

Chicken egg:

neutral, sweet, Blood tonic, lubricates dryness

Egg white:

cool, sweet, detoxifies, lubricates Lu, cools hot sensations, benefits

throat

Egg yolk:

neutral, sweet, Ht & Ki, blood tonic, lubricates dryness

Eggshell:

checks gastric acid, arrests bleeding

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DAIRY

Milk:

neutral, sweet, Ht, Lu, St, Lu & St tonic, produces fluids &

lubricates the intestines

Butter:

warm, sweet, Yang, Qi & Blood tonic, circulates blood

SEAFOOD

Shrimp:

warm, sweet, Kidney Yang tonic

Eel:

warm, sweet, Liv, Sp, Ki, Qi tonic, treats Bi syndrome, strengthens

bone

Mussel:

warm, salty, Liv & Ki Qi tonic, treats simple goiter

Abalone:

neutral, sweet & salty, detoxifies, sharpens vision

Shark:

neutral, sweet & salty, Sp, Tonifies Qi, Blood, & Yin lubricates

dryness, reduces swelling, tonifies 5 Zang

Carp:

neutral, sweet, Sp & St, facilitates water passage, promotes milk

secretion, heals swelling

Cuttlefish:

neutral, salty, Liv & Ki, Blood tonic, sharpens vision

Oyster:

neutral, sweet & salty, Blood tonic

Oyster shell:

cool, salty, Liv & Ki, stops sweating, astringes Jing, softens

hardness

Saltwater clam:

cold, salty, St, promotes water passage, eliminates phlegm, softens

hardness

Freshwater clam:

cold, sweet & salty, Liv & Ki, detoxifies, sharpens vision

Crab:

cold, salty, Liv & St, activates blood, cools heat sensations

facilitates recovery of dislocations

Kelp:

cold, salty, St, softens hardness, facilitates water passage

Seaweed:

cold, salty, softens hardness, eliminates phlegm, promotes water

passage

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GRAINS

Five element differentiation

Wood-wheat

Fire-corn

Earth-grain

Metal-rice

Water-bean

Glutinous rice:

warm, sweet, Sp, St, Lu, Sp Qi tonic

Malt:

sl. warm, sweet, Sp & St, promotes digestion

White rice:

neutral, sweet, Sp & St, Sp Qi tonic

Rice bran:

neutral, sweet & pungent, St, LI, descends energy

Rye:

neutral, bitter, dries dampness, diuretic

Whole wheat:

cool, sweet, Ht, Sp, Ki, Ht & Ki tonic

Wheat bran:

cool, sweet, St, cools St Fire,

Buckwheat:

cool, sweet, LI, St, Sp, Qi & Blood tonic, clears Heat sedates Yang,

Job's Tears:

cool, sweet, Sp, Lu Ki, detoxifies, Sp & Lu Qi tonic, diuretic

Barley:

cool, sweet & salty, Sp & St, regulates St, expands intestines,

promotes urination

Millet:

cool, sweet & salty, St, Sp, Ki, Qi & Blood tonic, clears heat,

lubricates dryness, Tonifies Yin, benefits digestion detoxifies

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LEGUMES

Soybean Oil:

hot, pungent & sweet, lubricates intestines Sword bean: warm, sweet,

Ki, St & LI: warms interior, tonifies Ki, descends Reb Qi.

String bean:

neutral, sweet, Sp & Ki, Qi, Blood & Yin tonic

Yellow soybean:

neutral, sweet, Sp & LI, Qi tonic, lubricates dryness, eliminates

edema

Black soybean:

neutral, sweet, Sp & Ki, circulates Blood & fluids treats Bi syndrome,

detoxifies

Corn:

neutral, sweet, LI & St, Qi & Blood tonic, diuretic

Hyacinth bean:

neutral, sweet, Sp & St, Qi tonic, eliminates edema

Broad bean:

neutral, sweet, Sp & St, Qi tonic, eliminates edema

Peas:

neutral, sweet, Sp & St, Qi & Blood tonic, descends Reb Qi, diuretic,

induces bowel movements

Kidney bean:

neutral, sweet & bland, diuretic, heals swellings

Adzuki bean:

neutral, sweet & sour, Ht & SI, diuretic, heals swellings, detoxifies

Castor bean:

neutral, sweet & pungent, Lu & LI, detoxifies & heals swellings,

induces bowel movements

Mung bean:

cool, sweet, Ht & St, detoxifies, clears heat, diuretic

Soybean:

cool, sweet, LI & Sp, Qi & Blood tonic, clears Heat, lubricates

dryness, eliminates edema

Tofu:

cool, sweet, Sp, St, LI, Qi tonic, produces fluids, lubricates

dryness, detoxifies

NUTS

Walnut:

warm, sweet, Ki & Lu, Ki tonic, lubricates intestines, astringes Jing

Chestnut:

warm sweet, Sp, St & Ki tonic, circulates Blood & stops bleeding

Peanut:

neutral, sweet, Sp & Lu, Qi & Blood tonic, lubricates Lu, harmonizes

stomach

Peanut Oil:

neutral, sweet, Qi & Blood tonic, lubricates intestines, pushes

accumulations downward

Almond:

neutral, sweet, Lu, Qi & Blood tonic, lubricates Lu, relieves cough,

transforms phlegm, lowers Reb Qi

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SEEDS

Cottonseed:

hot, pungent, Sp & Ki, Sp & Ki tonic, arrests bleeding, stops Sp Qi

sinking

Sunflower seed:

warm & neutral, sweet & bland, Liv & LI, stops diarrhea, facilitates

eruption of measles, subdue Liv

Pinenut:

warm, sweet, Lu, LI & Liv, lubricates Lu & LI, stops cough, Qi, Yang &

Blood tonic, promotes fluids, moves Stagnant Blood, expels cold & wind

Dill seed:

warm, pungent, Sp & Ki, Qi & Yang tonic, moves Stagnant Blood,

regulates Qi, expels cold

Fennel seed:

warm, pungent, St, UB & Ki, Qi & Yang tonic, moves Stagnant Blood,

regulates Qi, expels cold, harmonizes St

Bitter apricot seed:

warm, pungent & bitter, toxic, Lu & LI, stops cough, relieves asthma,

lubricates intestines

Sweet apricot seed:

warm, pungent & sweet, Lu, LI, Sp, Sp Qi tonic, lubricates intestines,

stops cough

Sesame seed:

sl. warm, sweet, Liv & Ki tonic, lubricates intestines, "blackens"

gray hair, general tonic

Black sesame seed:

neutral, sweet, Liv & Ki tonic

Cherry seed:

neutral, bitter & pungent, LI, promotes measle eruption, detoxifies

Lotus seed:

neutral, sweet & harsh, Sp, Ht & Ki tonic, Qi & Blood tonic,

constricts the intestines

Sesame oil:

cool, sweet, St, detoxifies, lubricates dryness, promotes bowel

movements, produces muscles

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FRUIT

Warm

Guava:

warm, sweet, (St & LI) obstructive & constrictive, stops diarrhea &

bleeding

Chinese Date (red & black):

warm, sweet, Sp & St, Qi & Blood tonic, produces fluids, detoxifies,

Longan (Long Yan/Dragon's Eyes):

warm, sweet, Sp & Ht, Yang, Qi & Blood tonic, removes Blood Stag.,

calms Shen

Coconut milk & meat:

warm, sweet, produce fluids, promote urination, kills intestinal worms

Peach:

warm, sweet & sour, (Lu & LI), activates Blood, Qi, Blood & Yang

tonic, produces fluid, lubricates intestines, stops cough, expels cold

Raspberry:

warm, sweet & sour, Liv & Ki, Liv & Ki tonic, controls urination,

astringes Jing

Litchi:

warm, sweet & sour, Sp & Liv, Yang, Qi & Blood tonic, Regulates Qi &

Blood, soothes Liv & calms Shen

Cherry:

warm, sweet & harsh: Qi, Yang, & Blood tonic, activates Qi & Blood,

expels Cold, Wind, & Damp

Kumquat:

warm, pungent, sweet & sour, (Lu & Sp), circulates Qi, relieves cough,

transforms Phlegm

Dried Mandarin orange peel:

warm, pungent & bitter, Sp & Lu,

regulates Qi, dries dampness, transforms Phlegm

Hawthorn Fruit:

sl. warm, sweet & sour, Sp, St & Liv, harmonizes Middle Jiao, removes

Qi, Blood & Food Stagnation (esp. meat), expels tapeworms

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Neutral

Papaya:

neutral, sweet, (Sp, St, Lu & LI), promotes digestion, destroys

intestinal worms, lubricates Lu, stops cough

Figs:

neutral, sweet, Sp & LI, St tonic, detoxifies

Grape:

neutral, sweet & sour, Lu, Sp & Ki, Qi & Blood tonic, strengthens

tendons & bones, promotes urination

Crab apple:

neutral, sweet & sour, Ht, Liv & Lu, quenches thirst, stops diarrhea,

astringes Jing

Olive:

neutral, sweet & sour, Lu & St, Qi & Blood tonic, clears Lu, benefits

throat, produces fluids, detoxifies

Loquat:

neutral, (sweet & sl. bitter),(Lu, St & Liv), lubricates dryness,

harmonizes St & soothes Liv, descends Reb. Qi, stops cough

Apricot:

neutral, sweet & sour, Lu, lubricates Lu, produces fluids

Pineapple:

neutral, sweet & sour, Qi & Blood tonic, promotes urination &

digestion, quenches thirst, stops diarrhea, clears Summer Heat

Plum:

neutral, sweet & sour, Liv & Ki, produces fluids, promotes digestion &

urination, soothes the Liv

Sour Plum:

neutral, ex. sour, Liv, produces fluids, destroys worms

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Cool

Lemon:

cool, ex. sour, promotes fluids, harmonizes St, relieves thirst

Mango:

cool, sweet & sour, (St & Lu), Qi & Blood tonic, benefits St, relieves

vomiting, quenches thirst, diuretic

Mandarin Orange:

cool, sweet & sour, (Lu), diuretic, lubricates Lu, relieves cough,

transforms Phlegm

Apple:

cool, sweet & sour, Lu & St, produces fluids, lubricates Lu, promotes

digestion, relieves intoxication

Strawberry:

cool, sweet & sour, Lu & Sp, lubricates Lu, produces fluids,

detoxifies alcohol

Pear:

cool, sweet & sl. sour, Lu & St, produces fluids, lubricates dryness,

transforms phlegm, clears Heat

Persimmon:

cold, sweet, Ht, SI, Lu (& Sp), Qi, Blood & Yin tonic, quenches

thirst, lubricates Lu, benefits Sp, clears Heat

Watermelon:

cold, sweet, Ht, St & UB, promotes urination, lubricates intestines,

quenches thirst, clears Summer Heat, detoxifies

Banana:

cold, sweet, lubricates intestine, detoxifies

Grapefruit:

cold, sweet & sour, (St & Sp) harmonizes Middle Jiao, circulates Qi,

detoxifies alcohol.

Star Fruit (Carambola):

cold, sweet & sour, (St, Ki & UB) clears Heat, produces fluids,

promotes urination(treats stone Lin), detoxifies

Muskmelon:

cold, sweet, Ht & St, clears Heat, quenches thirst, promotes

urination,

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VEGETABLES

Warm

Leek:

warm, pungent, Liv & Lu, Qi & Yang tonic, regulates Qi, removes Blood

Stagnation, expels Cold, sedates Yin, clears St Fire

Scallions:

warm, pungent, Lu & St, Assists Yang, tonifies & regulates Qi, clears

Heat, sedates Yang, dries Damp, diuretic, removes Blood stagnation,

expels Cold

Mustard Greens:

warm, pungent, Lu, Qi & Yang Tonic, circulates Qi & Blood, expels

cold, sedates Yin, expands Lu, transforms Phlegm

Squash:

warm sweet, Sp & St, Qi, Yang & Blood tonic, circulates Blood, heals

inflammation, relieves pain

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Neutral

Chinese cabbage:

neutral, sweet, St & LI, promotes digestion & urination, tonifies Ki &

Brain.

Carrot:

neutral, sweet, Lu & St, Sp Qi tonic, dries dampness & Phlegm

Corn:

neutral, sweet, St & LI, Qi & Blood tonic, regulates Middle Jiao

stimulates appetite, diuretic

Black Fungus:

neutral, sweet, St & LI, Qi & Blood tonic, cools Blood, stops bleeding

White Fungus:

neutral, sweet, Lu, Yin tonic, produces fluids, lubricates Lu

Pumpkin:

neutral, sweet, (Lu & Sp), Qi & Blood tonic, dries Damp, diaphoretic

Potato:

neutral, sweet, Sp, Sp Qi tonic, heals inflammation

Sweet Potato:

neutral, sweet, Lu, Sp & Ki, Qi, Blood & Yin tonic, benefits Kidneys,

astringes Jing

Shiitake Mushroom:

neutral, sweet, St, Qi & Blood tonic, benefits St

Celery:

neutral, sweet bitter, St & Liv, Qi & Blood tonic, clears Heat,

sedates Yang, dries Damp, calms Liver, expels Wind

Taro:

neutral, sweet & pungent, St & LI, Qi, Yang & Blood tonic, circulates

Qi & Blood, clears Heat, reduces swellings

Turnip:

neutral, sweet, pungent, bitter, Qi, Yang & Blood tonic, circulates Qi

& Blood, clears Heat & Yang, dries Damp, diaphoretic, lowers Reb. Qi,

detoxifies Yin tonic, clears Heat & Fire, dries Damp, clears Lu,

lubricates Dryness, diaphoretic

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Cool

Alfalfa sprouts:

cool, bitter, St & Sp, benefits St & Sp, dispels Damp- ness,

lubricates intestines

Asparagus:

cool, sweet & bitter, Lu & Ki, Qi, Blood & Yin tonic, clears Heat &

Fire, dries Damp, lubricates Dryness, clears Lu, diaphoretic

Lettuce (Iceberg):

cool, bitter & sweet, St & LI, Qi & Blood tonic, clears Heat & Yang,

dries Dampness & diuretic, aids lactation

Cucumber:

cool, sweet, Sp, St & LI, clears Heat Yang, & detoxifies, promotes

urination & quenches thirst

Eggplant:

cool, sweet, Sp, St & LI, Qi & Blood tonic, clears Heat & Yang,

removes Blood Stagnation, relieves pain, heals swelling

Mushroom (button):

cool, sweet, Lu, LI, St & Sp, Qi & Blood tonic, clears Heat & Yang,

calms Shen, stimulates appetite, regulates Qi, transforms Phlegm

Spinach:

cool, sweet, LI & SI, Qi & Blood tonic, clears Heat & Yang,

hemostatic, lubricates Dryness

Winter Melon:

cool, sweet, Lu, LI, UB, & SI, detoxifies, diuretic, transforms Phlegm

Swiss Chard:

cool, sweet, Su, LI, Sp & St, Qi Y Blood tonic, clears Heat & Yang,

detoxifies, hemostatic, relieves coagulations

Watercress:

cool, sweet & pungent, Lu & St, Qi, Yang & Blood tonic, circulates Qi

& Blood, clears Heat & Yang, lubricates Lu, quenches thirst, diuretic

Radish:

cool, pungent & sweet, Lu & St, Qi, & Blood tonic, clears Heat &

detoxifies, transforms Phlegm-Heat, lowers Reb. Qi

Bamboo shoot:

cold, sweet, Tonifies Qi, Blood & Yin, clears Heat, detoxifies (often

used to balance warm energy of meat)

Kelp:

cold, salty, St & Sp, Yin tonic, clears Heat, lubricates Dryness,

softens Hardness, promotes flow of Water

Lotus Root:

cold, sweet, Sp St & Ht, Qi, Blood & Yin tonic, cools Blood (when

raw), stimulates appetite, produces muscles, relieves diarrhea (when

cooked)

Water Chestnut:

cold, sweet, Lu & St, clears heat, Yin tonic, trans- forms Phlegm,

diuretic

Lettuce (Romaine):

cold, bitter, LI & St, Qi & Blood tonic, clears Heat & Yang, dries

Dampness, diuretic

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SPICES & HERBS

Dried Ginger:

hot, pungent, Lu, St & Sp, Yang & Qi tonic, circulates Blood, warms

Middle Jiao, opens the meridians

Pepper (black & white):

hot, pungent, St & LI, warms interior, descends Reb. Qi

Pepper (red & green):

hot, pungent, Ht & Sp, warms interior, harmonizes Middle Jiao,

stimulates appetite

Cinnamon Bark:

hot, sweet & pungent, Sp, Ki, UB, diaphoretic, strengthens St, warms

surface & interior

Fennel Seed:

warm, pungent, Ki, UB, St, Warms Interior, circulates Qi

Sweet Basil:

warm, pungent, Lu, LI, Sp, St, Qi & Yang tonic, circulates Qi & Blood,

harmonizes St

Dillseed:

warm, pungent, Sp & Ki, Qi & Yang tonic, circulates Qi & Blood

Garlic:

warm, pungent, Sp, St & Lu, Qi & Yang tonic, circulates Qi & Blood,

warms Middle Jiao, destroys worms

Clove:

warm, pungent, St, Sp & Ki, Yang tonic, warms Interior

Fresh Ginger:

warm, pungent, Lu, St & Sp, diaphoretic, Yang & Qi tonic, circulates

Blood, transforms Phlegm, stops vomiting

Coriander:

warm pungent, Lu & Sp, diaphoretic, harmonizes Middle Jiao

Nutmeg:

warm pungent, Sp & LI, Qi & Yang tonic, warms Interior, circulates

Blood, warms Middle Jiao, lowers Reb. Qi

Cinnamon Twig:

warm, pungent & sweet, UB, Ht, Lu, diaphoretic, warms Upper Jiao

Star Anise:

warm, pungent & sweet, Sp, Ki, Liv, Yang tonic, circulates Qi,

harmonizes St, stops vomiting

Caraway Seed:

warm, sl. pungent, Ki & St, circulates Qi, descends Reb Qi

Spearmint:

warm, pungent & sweet, (Lu & Sp), diaphoretic, circulates Qi & Blood

Ginseng:

warm, sweet, & sl bitter, Sp, Lu (Ht), Qi tonic, produces fluids,

calms Shen

Rosemary:

warm, pungent, (Lu, St), diaphoretic, activates Blood, strengthens St,

calms Shen

Saffron:

neutral, sweet, Ht & Liv, circulates Qi & Blood, eliminates Blood

Stagnation

Licorice:

neutral, sweet, Sp, St & Lu, lubricates lungs, detoxifies, moderates

effects of other herbs

Peppermint:

cool, pungent, Lu & Liv, diaphoretic, regulates Qi & Blood

Marjoram:

cool, pungent, (Lu & Sp), diaphoretic, circulates Qi, drains dampness

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Miscellaneous Foods

Brown sugar:

warm, sweet, Liv, Sp & St, Qi tonic, circulates blood

Vinegar:

warm, sour & bitter, Liv & St, disperses coagulations, detoxifies,

arrest bleeding

Wine:

warm, sweet, bitter & pungent, Ht, Liv, Lu & St, promotes blood

circulation, expels cold, speeds up effects of herbs

Coffee:

warm, sweet & bitter, Ht, Heart tonic, stimulant, diuretic

Molasses:

warm, sweet, Lu & Sp, Qi tonic, lubricates Lu, stops cough

White sugar:

neutral, sweet, Lu & Sp, lubricates Lu, produces fluids, Qi tonic

Honey:

neutral, sweet, Lu, Sp & LI, detoxifies, lubricates dryness, relieves

pain

Tea:

sl cold, bitter, sweet, Ht, Lu & St, quenches thirst, promotes

digestion & urination, awakens Shen

Salt:

cold, salty, St, Ki, SI & LI, detoxifies, clears Heat, lubricates

dryness, Yin tonic

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References:

1. The Tao of Nutrition, by Dr. Ni

2. Chinese System of Food Cures, by Henry Lu

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