Foods that "support the upright" refer to foods that, from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine, have significant effects in supplementing Qi, warming Yang, nourishing Yin, and enriching blood.
First, let's talk about chicken and duck. These are the two most commonly consumed poultry in China, both rich in nutritional value. From the perspective of their "medicinal properties," chicken and duck are different. Chicken is sweet and warm in nature. Its main functions are to restore deficiency and weakness, making it a great food for supplementing the original Qi. In the past, it was common knowledge in folk medicine that eating chicken was beneficial for recovery after a serious illness.
The folk belief that cancer patients should avoid eating chicken is unfounded. There have been reports that chickens can develop esophageal cancer. Indeed, in some areas with a high incidence of esophageal cancer, chickens do contract this disease. However, in reality, all animals, and even plants, can develop tumors. The fact that chickens can get cancer may be related to their feed, but this should not be a reason for cancer patients to avoid eating it.
For those with a weakened constitution after surgery or chemotherapy, chicken is the best food. Folk remedies include cooking chicken with Sanqi (Panax notoginseng) to treat lung cancer; stewing chicken with Tricholoma matsutake to treat liver cancer; and simmering chicken with Ginseng to treat stomach cancer.
Duck is salty and cold in nature, with its primary function being to nourish Yin. It can be consumed by those with a dry mouth, a red tongue after radiation therapy, or with internal heat due to Yin deficiency after chemotherapy. In recent years, "old duck soup" has become popular in some regions and is indeed an excellent product for nourishing Yin and supplementing the body.
Folklore suggests that cooking duck with Cordyceps sinensis can treat lung cancer.
Both chicken and duck are considered rich and greasy, so it is advisable to eat less when digestion is poor. They should also not be consumed when the abdomen is bloated.
Soft-shelled turtle (turtle) is sweet and cool in nature, and its main function is also to nourish Yin and supplement the body. It also has effects of clearing heat and softening hard masses. In folk medicine, its effects are often exaggerated. Soft-shelled turtle is suitable for patients with a tendency towards Yin deficiency, but not for those with Yang deficiency or Spleen deficiency. It is particularly unsuitable for such patients when they have poor digestion or diarrhea.
Hard-shelled turtle (turtle) is sweet and neutral in nature, primarily nourishing Yin and supplementing the body, with some softening hard mass effects as well. Most people buy soft-shelled turtles to eat, but in fact, the hard-shelled turtle has similar effects and a very good taste. In recent years, researchers at the Shanghai Cancer Institute have discovered that hard-shelled turtles contain some anti-cancer components. Both hard-shelled and soft-shelled turtles are not very suitable for those with Qi deficiency, as they are quite rich and greasy and difficult to digest.
Pork is neutral in nature. The fatty part has the effect of nourishing Yin, while the lean part mainly supplements Qi. Beef is sweet and neutral in nature, primarily great for supplementing the original Qi. Cancer patients with deficiency syndromes can eat it, but it can sometimes be difficult to digest. Beef can be repeatedly boiled down into a thick broth, which is then allowed to set into a jelly and eaten gradually to nourish a deficient body. An ancient remedy, "Xi Tian Gao," is made in a similar way. Mutton is sweet and warm in nature, supplementing the original Qi with a focus on warming. It is most suitable for those with manifestations of Yang deficiency. The ancient recipe "Danggui Shengjiang Yangrou Tang" (Angelica, Ginger, and Mutton Soup) is also very suitable for certain types of gynecological cancers.
Eel is sweet and warm in nature, primarily used to supplement Yang deficiency. River eel is slightly more inclined to nourish Yin, suitable for those with general weakness, and can be consumed when Qi is insufficient or when there is Yin deficiency. Sea eel is sweet and neutral in nature and can greatly supplement the original Qi. In the past, patients with "consumption" (a type of chronic deficiency) were often advised to eat sea eel, with quite effective results.
Milk, honey, and rock candy all primarily nourish Yin. Milk is sweet and neutral in nature, nourishing Yin and moistening dryness, making it an excellent supplement. Yogurt is also beneficial for those with Spleen deficiency and diarrhea. Honey is sweet and cool, primarily nourishing Yin, and is especially suitable when constipation is present. It is not suitable for those with loose stools or diarrhea. Rock candy also nourishes Yin; for lung cancer patients with Yin deficiency and a dry cough, it can be held in the mouth and swallowed from time to time.
There are many other foods that support the upright and supplement the body. One can choose to eat them according to their individual needs, and they will not be elaborated on here.