A List of Food Properties
Mastering the nature of food, you can also nourish your health by paying attention to your diet. Food therapy is better than drug therapy. The toxicity of medicine lies in its strong nature, which can only be used in emergencies and not for regular consumption. Food also has its own nature, but it is milder. By understanding it and paying more attention to your diet, you can also nourish your health!
People's constitutions vary with an excess of either yin or yang. An excess of yang refers to a "heat" constitution or a "heat" illness, while an excess of yin refers to a "cold" constitution or a "cold" illness. Foods can also be classified as cold, cool, warm, or hot in nature. Generally, foods with a cold or cool nature are suitable for those with an excess of yang, while foods with a warm or hot nature are suitable for those with an excess of yin. Since foods have different properties, it is necessary to understand the nature of various foods before one can discuss the appropriate dietary recommendations and restrictions.
Sticky Rice: Sweet, neutral, warm, and nourishing. Eaten as congee in the morning, it helps to regulate stomach qi, aid digestion, and promote the production of body fluids. Eating plain congee every morning builds muscle and increases appetite. It is not suitable for those with indigestion, acute gastroenteritis, high fever, or after gastrointestinal surgery.
Japonica Rice: Sweet and cool, it clears stomach heat, promotes the production of fluids, and quenches thirst. Aged rice (stored for many years) can clear damp-heat, promote urination, and relieve vexation and thirst. It is not suitable for those with a deficient and cold constitution.
Glutinous Rice: Sweet and warm, it is suitable for those with a deficient and cold spleen and lung. However, it is sticky in nature and becomes hot when cooked. Eating too much can generate damp-heat and trigger phlegm-fire. It is not suitable for those with "heat" illnesses.
Wheat Flour: Sweet and warm, it tonifies deficiency, nourishes qi, and nourishes the five organs. However, it can cause qi stagnation and thirst, so those with qi stagnation and thirst should eat less.
Black Soybean: Sweet and cool, it tonifies the kidneys, improves eyesight, calms the spirit, nourishes yin, invigorates blood. It is commonly used to treat kidney deficiency and lower back pain.
Soybean: Sweet and cold, it has the effect of draining pus, expelling toxins, reducing swelling, and relieving pain. When roasted, it strengthens the spleen.
Mung Bean: Sweet and cold, it clears heat and toxins, promotes urination, relieves summer heat, and quenches thirst. It is contraindicated for those with a deficient and cold constitution.
Coe's Tears (Job's Tears): Sweet, bland, and slightly cold, it has the effect of draining dampness and promoting urination, strengthening the spleen, and reducing swelling. It is contraindicated for pregnant women.
Lotus Seed: Sweet and warm, it tonifies the spleen, connects the heart and kidneys to calm the spirit, and treats spleen deficiency with diarrhea, insomnia, leucorrhea in women, and spermatorrhea in men. It should be used with caution by those with constipation.
Chives: Pungent and warm, it moves qi and blood, has the effect of dispelling stasis and stopping vomiting and nosebleeds, and also helps kidney yang to treat impotence. It should be used with caution by those with yin deficiency and yang hyperactivity, and pregnant women.
Scallion: Pungent and dispersing, it induces sweat to release the exterior, opens the orifices, and invigorates blood. Those with stomach heat should eat less.
Garlic: Pungent and warm, it strengthens the stomach, opens the orifices, dispels cold, and detoxifies. Eating too much generates phlegm and fire, so it is not suitable for those with yin deficiency.
Scallion Stem (Xie Tou): Pungent and warm, it regulates the stomach, unites yang, moves qi and disperses blood, and treats heart and stomach qi pain. It should be used with caution by those with qi deficiency and blood weakness.
Cilantro (Coriander): Pungent, warm, and aromatic, it repels foul odors and can induce measles. It is contraindicated for those with yin deficiency.
Ginger: Pungent and warm, it dispels cold, releases the exterior, regulates the stomach to stop vomiting, repels fishy odors, and reduces edema. It is contraindicated for those with "heat" illnesses and carbuncles.
Radish: Sweet, pungent, and cold, it transforms phlegm, aids digestion, and detoxifies. However, it is cold in nature and is contraindicated for those with a deficient and cold constitution. It should be avoided when taking Ginseng. Eating dried radish can cause a relapse in patients with stomach pain.
Winter Melon: Sweet and cold, it quenches thirst, promotes urination, and reduces edema. It is contraindicated for those with yang deficiency.
Luffa: Sweet and cool, it cools the blood, detoxifies, and relieves summer heat. Those with a cold stomach should eat less.
Eggplant: Sweet and cold, it invigorates blood. Eating too much can cause blurred vision.
Chili Pepper: Pungent and warm, it dispels cold and strengthens the stomach. It is contraindicated for those with stomach heat and hemorrhoids.
Mustard Green: Pungent and cool, it has a dispersing effect. Drinking mustard soup for mild exterior conditions can help release the exterior.
Cabbage: Sweet and cold, it promotes urination and clears lung heat. It is contraindicated for those with a cold cough.
Pumpkin: Sweet and warm, it tonifies the spleen, satisfies hunger, and warms the stomach. Those with stomach heat should eat less.
Cucumber: Sweet and cool, it quenches thirst, relieves summer heat, and promotes urination. It is contraindicated for those with a deficient and cold spleen and stomach.
Kale: Astringent and warm, it invigorates blood. Women with blood deficiency should eat less.
Cowpea (Asparagus Bean): Sweet and neutral, it tonifies the spleen.
Kidney Bean: Cold and toxic. It must be cooked thoroughly, and adding more lard can prevent poisoning. It is contraindicated for those with a cold stomach.
Lotus Root: Astringent and neutral, it clears heat-toxins, quenches thirst, and dispels stasis blood. The nodes can stop bleeding. When cooked, it becomes sweet and warm, benefiting the stomach, nourishing the heart, and stopping diarrhea.
Peanut: Aromatic, pungent, and sweet, it benefits the spleen, moistens the lungs, and nourishes the blood.
Lettuce: Sweet and cool, it quenches thirst and clears stomach heat. Those with a cold stomach should eat less.
Wood Ear Fungus: Sweet, cool, and astringent, it invigorates blood, clears heat, and stops dysentery. It is contraindicated for those with a deficient and cold constitution.
Corn: Sweet and neutral, it benefits the middle burner and tonifies the spleen. It quenches thirst and reduces swelling.
Sweet Potato: Sweet and neutral, it moistens the stomach and lubricates the intestines. It is contraindicated for those with loose stools and stomach pain.
Spinach: Astringent and warm, it nourishes the blood. Those with stomach heat should eat less.
Amaranth: Cold and slippery, it clears heat from the large intestine. It is contraindicated for those with spleen deficiency and loose stools.
Chinese Cabbage: Sweet and cold, it clears stomach heat and promotes urination. It is contraindicated for those with a deficient and cold constitution.
Taro: Sweet and warm, it moistens the intestines and promotes bowel movements. It is contraindicated for those with stomach pain and loose stools.
Arrowhead: Sweet, warm, and astringent, it astringes the large intestine. Those with constipation should eat less.
Bamboo Shoot: Sweet, cold, and astringent, it can trigger carbuncle toxins. It is contraindicated for those with carbuncles.
Seaweed: Sweet, cold, and slippery, it reduces fire, expels heat-phlegm. It can be eaten for dizziness from liver yang rising, but is contraindicated for those with a cold stomach.
Fat Choy (Black Moss): Cold, it invigorates blood, reduces fire, and stops dysentery. It is contraindicated for those with deficiency and cold.
Tofu: Sweet, salty, and cold, it clears stomach fire and quenches thirst. It is contraindicated for those with a cold stomach.
Pea: Cool in nature, it moistens the intestines and stomach, and quenches thirst.
Bitter Lettuce: Bitter and cold, it clears heat and toxins. It is contraindicated for those with a cold stomach.
Onion: Pungent and warm, it strengthens the stomach and lubricates the intestines.
Cured Olive: Salty, warm, and astringent, it breaks qi and resolves stagnation. It is contraindicated for those with stomach pain and internal heat.
Water Spinach (Ong Choy): Bland and cool, it relieves summer heat and detoxifies. Those with a cold constitution should eat less.
Rice Bean (Adzuki Bean): Sweet, bland, and astringent, it promotes water, dispels dampness, and reduces swelling. It is contraindicated for those with cold syndromes.
Celery: Pungent and aromatic, it disperses and invigorates blood, and resolves stagnation. It is contraindicated for those with blood deficiency.
Sweet Potato (Pachyrhizus): Sweet and cold, it quenches thirst, relieves summer heat, and clears heat. It is contraindicated for those with a cold stomach.
Kudzu Root (Pueraria): Sweet and cool, it promotes the production of fluids, quenches thirst, counteracts alcohol, clears stomach heat, and stops diarrhea.
Water Chestnut: Sweet and cool, it resolves stagnation, cools the blood, relieves summer heat and thirst, and promotes fluid production. It is contraindicated for those with yang deficiency.
Gourd: Sour, sweet, and cold, it promotes water flow to reduce swelling, relieves summer heat, and promotes urination. It is contraindicated for those with a cold constitution.
Caltrop: Sweet and cool, it clears heat and relieves summer heat.
Ridge Gourd: Sweet and cold, it clears stomach fire and drains kidney fire, and promotes urination. It is contraindicated for those with kidney yang deficiency.
Fermented Black Soybean: Salty and warm, it strengthens the stomach, breaks qi, and resolves stagnation. It is contraindicated for breastfeeding women, as it will stop milk production.
Daylily: Sweet and cold, it clears heat and toxins, invigorates blood, and promotes urination. It treats jaundice and hepatitis.
Wolfberry Leaf: Sweet, bitter, and cool, it clears the liver and brightens the eyes.
Snow Pear: Sweet and cool, it moistens the lungs and stops coughing. It is contraindicated for those with a cold lung.
Ginkgo Nut: Bitter, sweet, and moist, it moistens the lungs, stops wheezing, transforms phlegm, and reduces urination. It is contraindicated for those with cold-type wheezing.
Walnut: Sweet and warm, it moistens the lungs, warms the kidneys, stops wheezing, strengthens yang, and reduces urination.
Watercress: Sweet, bitter, and cold, it clears lung heat and promotes urination. It is contraindicated for those with deficiency and cold.
Papaya: Sweet, warm, and moist, it moistens the lungs, promotes lactation, and nourishes stomach yin.
Dried Persimmon: Raw persimmon is sweet and cold; eating too much generates phlegm and harms the stomach. Dried persimmon is sweet and warm, strengthening the spleen, benefiting the lungs, and stopping diarrhea.
Red Date: Sweet and warm, it nourishes the blood and strengthens the spleen.
Pomelo: Sweet, sour, and moist, it moistens the lungs, transforms phlegm, moves qi, and resolves stagnation.
Sugarcane: Sweet and moist, it promotes the production of fluids and nourishes yin.
Most suitable for those with dry lungs and stomach.
Litchi: Sweet, sour, and warm, it nourishes the blood, warms the stomach, and warms the kidneys. It is contraindicated for those with yin deficiency and blazing fire.
Pepper: Pungent, warm, and aromatic, it warms the spleen, lungs, and stomach, and stops coughing and transforms phlegm. It is contraindicated for those with heat syndromes.
Mandarin Orange, Orange: Sweet, sour, cool, and moist, it promotes fluid production, moistens the lungs, strengthens the stomach, and aids digestion.
Banana: Sweet, cold, and slippery, it lubricates the intestines, promotes bowel movements, reduces fire, and promotes fluid production.
Potato: Sweet, cool, and moist, it moistens the stomach and lubricates the intestines.
Wampee: Sweet, sour, and astringent, it moves qi, promotes fluid production, and aids digestion.
Longan: Sweet and warm, it nourishes the blood, strengthens the spleen, and calms the mind.
Black Sesame: Sweet, neutral, and moist, it moistens the lungs and stomach, nourishes the liver and kidneys, and lubricates the intestines.
Red Bean: Sweet and bland, it promotes urination and reduces swelling.
Seaweed, Kelp: Salty and cold, they soften hardness and resolve nodules. They drain phlegm and treat goiter. They are contraindicated for those with a deficient and cold constitution.
Mango: Sweet, sour, cool, and moist, it transforms phlegm and stops coughing, moistens the lungs, and promotes fluid production.
Crown Daisy: Sweet, warm, and astringent, it tonifies the kidneys and reduces urination.
Black Tea: Slightly bitter and warm, it warms the stomach and refreshes the mind.
Green Tea: Bitter and cold, it clears heat, promotes fluid production, stops dysentery, and aids digestion.
Apple: Sweet and sour, neutral in nature, it nourishes the heart, benefits qi, promotes fluid production and quenches thirst, and strengthens the spleen and stomach. It aids digestion.
Hyacinth Bean: Sweet and neutral in nature, it strengthens the spleen and stomach, relieves summer heat, detoxifies, eliminates dampness, and stops diarrhea.
Loquat: Sweet and sour, slightly warm, it moistens the lungs and stops coughing, promotes fluid production and quenches thirst, and harmonizes the stomach to stop vomiting.
Rice Noodles: Made by steaming rice milk in a steamer tray. Sweet and cool in nature, it nourishes the stomach, benefits qi, and promotes fluid production and lubricates the intestines. It is contraindicated for those with a cold stomach and excessive stomach acid.
Soybean Paste: Sweet and cold in nature, it harmonizes the stomach, promotes fluid production, and lubricates the intestines. It is contraindicated for those with a cold stomach.
Chinese Yam (Huai Shan): Sweet and neutral in nature, it tonifies the spleen and stomach, benefits the lungs and kidneys, builds muscle, stops diarrhea, treats thirst, secures essence, and stops leukorrhea.
Wheat Germ: Sweet and neutral in nature, it benefits the stomach, eliminates dampness, and treats beriberi.
Oatmeal: Sweet and neutral in nature, it nourishes the stomach, moistens the five organs, eliminates dampness, and treats beriberi.
Euryale Ferox Seed (Fox Nut): Sweet, astringent, and neutral, it tonifies the spleen to stop diarrhea, secures the kidneys to astringe essence.
Watermelon: Sweet and cold in nature, it relieves vexation, quenches thirst, relieves summer heat, and promotes urination.
Melon (Muskmelon): Sweet and cold in nature, it quenches thirst, promotes urination, relieves summer heat, and eliminates vexation.
Grape: Sweet and sour, neutral in nature, it eliminates vexation and quenches thirst, strengthens the stomach, promotes urination, and benefits qi and blood.
Peach: Sweet and sour, slightly warm, it treats pulmonary tuberculosis with deficient heat, moistens the skin, and improves complexion.
Pomegranate: Sweet, slightly sour, slightly warm, it counteracts alcohol, quenches thirst, strengthens the stomach, and stops dysentery.
Pineapple: Sweet and sour, slightly warm, it aids digestion, quenches thirst, and stops diarrhea.
Mulberry: Sweet and cold in nature, it nourishes yin and blood, quenches thirst, counteracts alcohol, and calms the mind.
Cooking Oil: Sweet and aromatic, it lubricates the intestines to promote bowel movements, nourishes the lungs and spleen, and moistens the skin.
Salt: Salty and cold in nature, it detoxifies, cools the blood, moistens dryness, and stops itching. Those with edema should eat less.
Soybean Paste: Salty and cold in odor, externally applied for scalds and burns, it benefits the stomach.
Fermented Black Soybean: Salty and aromatic in odor, it strengthens the stomach, relieves abdominal bloating, is used by women to stop lactation, and counteracts toxins from fish, meat, and