Introduction: Autumn Health Focuses on Lung Care; The Lung's Eight Favorite White Foods. The nutritional components of food itself are well-prepared for our body's health. Among the five organs, the lung corresponds to "white" in the five colors, and to the season of autumn in the five seasons. Traditional Chinese medicine uses white foods to prevent dryness.
The lung belongs to the Metal element and corresponds to the color white, which nourishes yin and moistens dryness. White foods are mostly cool in nature. People with a normal constitution can consume them without worry. However, individuals with an allergic constitution should focus on "supplementing qi," replenishing the "lung-wei" qi to enhance the body's defense against dryness and external pathogens. They should opt for warm tonics and avoid cold foods. It is advisable to consume foods rich in vitamins or choose multivitamins. Traditional Chinese medicines that ventilate the lungs, resolve phlegm, nourish yin, and supplement qi, such as Ginseng, Glehnia root, American Ginseng, Lily bulb, Apricot kernel, and Fritillary bulb, are effective for relieving autumn dryness.
The white food health method is based on the correspondence between white foods and the lung. Organs in the same system as the lung include the large intestine, skin, throat, and bronchi. To prevent the effects of autumn dryness on the body, the dietary principle should be "to nourish yin and moisten dryness" to prevent autumn dryness from damaging yin. Therefore, people who catch colds easily, or those who often have discomfort in the lungs and bronchi with a tendency to cough, people with a fragile digestive system who are also prone to weight gain, and those with poor complexion should eat more white foods. Examples include white radish, cabbage, Napa cabbage, cauliflower, mushrooms, white fungus, and sugarcane. Traditional Chinese medicines include apricot kernel, Chinese yam, Poria, white sesame, lily bulb, and white peony root. However, this does not apply to individuals with an allergic constitution.
Silver ear fungus
Also known as white fungus, silver ear fungus is sweet and bland in taste, neutral in nature, and non-toxic. It acts on the lung, stomach, and kidney meridians. It has the effects of promoting fluid production to moisten the lungs, supplementing qi and activating blood, nourishing yin to benefit the stomach, and tonifying the brain and strengthening the heart. It is suitable for conditions such as lung-heat cough, dry cough due to lung dryness, stomach and intestinal dryness, and constipation. Silver ear fungus is hailed as the "immortality medicine," "longevity product," and "king of fungi." It has the characteristic of being moisturizing without being greasy, making it especially suitable for patients who are weak, recovering from a long illness, or for whom other tonics are unsuitable, as well as for those with yin deficiency and internal heat, or internal heat with a tendency to bleeding. Note that it is contraindicated for those with an initial stage of the common cold accompanied by a dry mouth, or for wind-cold colds, such as those with aversion to cold, coughing, and copious, clear, watery phlegm.
Pear
Pears have been honored since ancient times as the "king of a hundred fruits," with functions such as moistening the lungs, stopping coughs, resolving phlegm, and reducing fire. In autumn, if the climate is excessively dry, leading to symptoms such as thirst, constipation, and dry cough; or if internal heat causes symptoms like vexation and thirst, coughing, wheezing, and yellow phlegm, one can eat more pears.
Before using pears for health, one should consider if they are suitable for their own constitution. People with a deficient and cold constitution or a cold cough should not eat raw pears. They must be steamed, used in soups, or stewed with medicinal herbs. People with long-term diarrhea should not eat too many pears, as they are cold in nature, and excessive consumption can worsen diarrhea.
Sugarcane
Sugarcane is sweet, neutral, and non-toxic. It mainly promotes the descent of qi, harmonizes the middle jiao, aids the spleen qi, benefits the large intestine, resolves phlegm and quenches thirst, and eliminates vexation and heat in the chest. It has the effects of nourishing yin to moisten dryness, harmonizing the stomach to stop vomiting, and clearing heat and detoxifying. For symptoms caused by insufficient yin fluids, such as dry mouth, cough with little phlegm, and constipation, consuming more sugarcane can help improve these conditions.
For febrile diseases, drinking raw sugarcane juice is best, known as "heavenly pulse-restoring soup." However, when boiled, sugarcane juice becomes warm in nature and has a warming and tonic effect.
Soybean
Soybeans and garlic can be considered two "standouts" that have made tremendous contributions to human health for thousands of years. Soybeans are very rich in nutrients, containing many components highly beneficial to the human body, making them a natural, green, and healthy food.
Enhance immune function: Soybeans' nutritional components contain about 40% protein, along with many essential amino acids for the human body, which can improve immunity and strengthen the constitution.
Therefore, consuming a certain amount of soy products daily can help prevent cardiovascular diseases and protect the heart. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recommended that people consume 25 grams of soy protein daily to help lower cholesterol.
Prevent osteoporosis: Soybeans contain various minerals, such as calcium. Consuming more can prevent osteoporosis caused by calcium deficiency and promote bone development. Isoflavones in soybeans can also alleviate bone loss, promote bone formation, and help maintain bone health.
Moisten the intestines and promote bowel movements: Soybeans are rich in dietary fiber and oligosaccharides, which are beneficial to intestinal health.
Garlic
Garlic is a common condiment and one of the earliest medicines used by people to treat diseases and maintain health, possessing high medicinal value.
Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial: The bioactive components of garlic are various organic sulfur compounds, collectively called allicin. Because allicin has a direct effect against pathogenic microorganisms, garlic is hailed as a "natural broad-spectrum plant antibiotic."
Anti-atherosclerosis: Allicin in garlic can stimulate the human immune system, lower total blood cholesterol, inhibit platelet activity, and reduce blood viscosity, thereby preventing the occurrence and development of arteriosclerosis.
Prevent tumors and cancer: Allicin and its homologs can effectively inhibit the activity of cancer cells, preventing them from growing and metabolizing normally, ultimately leading to their death. Garlic can also block molds from converting nitrates into carcinogenic nitrites, thus preventing and treating cancer.
Elements such as germanium and selenium in garlic have good effects on inhibiting tumors or fighting cancer.
Other white plant foods are diverse
In addition to these two "stars," soybeans and garlic, there are many other well-known and highly nutritious white foods.
For example: Oats and barley: They not contain nearly 10% protein but are also a major source of carbohydrates, our primary source of energy.
Milk
A well-known calcium-rich food, the calcium it contains is easily absorbed by the human body, making it an excellent choice for daily calcium intake.
Onions, grains, and the flesh of many plants: They contain quercetin, an antioxidant phytonutrient that is the most widely distributed flavonoid compound in the plant kingdom and has been proven to have many pharmacological effects, such as antiviral, antitumor, and cardiovascular protection.
White radish, cauliflower
White radish, cauliflower, and other cruciferous vegetables: They contain mustard oil.