The so-called "spleen deficiency" refers to a sallow and lusterless complexion, physical fatigue and listlessness, a lean body, loss of appetite or refusal to eat, undigested food in the stool after even a slightly larger meal, loose stools, excessive sweating, and a tendency to catch colds frequently.
1. Apple: Sweet and sour in taste, neutral in nature. It has the function of strengthening the spleen and benefiting the stomach, promoting the production of body fluids to quench thirst. It is used for insufficient middle qi, diarrhea, constipation, etc.
2. Banana: Sweet in taste, cold in nature. It has the function of clearing heat and moistening the intestines. It is used for constipation due to excess conditions.
3. Lychee: Sweet and slightly sour in taste, warm in nature. It has the effect of tonifying the spleen and benefiting the liver, nourishing blood and calming the mind. It is used for chronic diarrhea due to spleen deficiency, stomach pain, abdominal pain, hiccups, etc.
4. Orange: Sour in taste, cool in nature. It has the function of strengthening the spleen and harmonizing the stomach, stopping vomiting and relieving chest tightness. It is used for poor appetite, abdominal bloating after meals, vomiting, constipation, etc.
5. Hawthorn: Sweet and sour in taste, slightly warm in nature. It has the function of strengthening the stomach and promoting digestion, invigorating blood and resolving stasis. It is used for indigestion in children and food stagnation.
6. Papaya: Sweet in taste, neutral in nature. It has the function of strengthening the spleen and stomach, aiding digestion. It is used for stomach pain, indigestion, etc.
7. Peach: Sweet and sour in taste, warm in nature. It has the function of replenishing qi and promoting body fluids, invigorating blood and resolving stagnation. It is used for constipation due to fluid damage and dry intestines, blood stasis masses, hepatosplenomegaly, etc.
8. Sugarcane: Sweet in taste, cold in nature. It has the function of clearing heat and harmonizing the stomach, eliminating vexation and quenching thirst. It is used for thirst during febrile diseases, nausea and vomiting, etc.
9. Lemon: Sour and sweet in taste, cold and neutral in nature. It has the function of relieving summer heat and quenching thirst, harmonizing the stomach and promoting body fluids. It can relieve summer heat, eliminate vexation and thirst, increase appetite, stop nausea, and regulate qi to harmonize the stomach. It is used for treating epigastric discomfort.
10. Coconut: Sweet in taste, warm in nature. Coconut flesh tonifies deficiency and strengthens the body, and is used to treat malnutrition and emaciation in children. It can also expel parasites and is effective against tapeworms and flukes.
11. Fig: Sweet in taste, neutral in nature. It has the function of strengthening the spleen to stimulate appetite, clearing heat and moistening the intestines. It is used for poor appetite, constipation, diarrhea, etc.
12. Pomegranate: Sweet, slightly sour, and astringent in taste, warm in nature. It can promote the production of body fluids to quench thirst, and has an astringent effect to stop diarrhea. Sweet pomegranate is used for insufficient stomach yin, thirst and a dry throat, and malnutrition in children. Sour pomegranate can treat chronic diarrhea and dysentery, bloody stools, and prolapse of the rectum. Pomegranate rind kills and expels parasites, and treats parasitic abdominal pain.
13. Chestnut: Also known as Chinese chestnut. Sweet in taste, warm in nature. It can strengthen the spleen and nourish the stomach. It is suitable for children with poor appetite, a weak and thin body, and frequent diarrhea.
14. Jujube: Sweet in taste, warm and neutral in nature. It has the function of replenishing qi and nourishing blood, strengthening the spleen and stomach, promoting body fluids to quench thirst, and strengthening the spirit and body. It is suitable for those with weak spleen and stomach, poor appetite, loose stools, insufficient qi and blood, anemia, a sallow and emaciated complexion, and restless sleep. It is not advisable for children to eat it raw, and the amount of cooked jujube should not be too much each time, as excessive consumption can generate dampness and heat, causing abdominal bloating and fullness, and damaging the teeth.
15. Peanut: Also known as groundnut or longevity fruit. It can tonify the spleen and stimulate appetite. It is suitable for those with disharmony between the spleen and stomach, abdominal bloating and fullness, and loss of appetite.
16. Torreya Seed: Also known as torreya nut. Sweet and astringent in taste, neutral in nature. It can kill parasites, moisten the intestines to promote bowel movements, and promote digestion to resolve stagnation. It is suitable for malnutrition and emaciation in children, and is effective for abdominal pain due to parasitic infestations such as roundworms, pinworms, and hookworms.