As you read about these Chinese Food Recommendations and Patterns, you may not have all of the symptoms listed for each pattern or you may find that you have problems in one or more patterns. That is not unusual. Please consult with your herbalist/acupuncturist on advice as how to incorporate these changes into your lifestyle.
Charts are complied by Susan Mosley, LAc, Dipl.C.H.
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Foods to Tonify Qi
Signs of weak qi include: fatigue, dizziness, palpitations, muscle weakness, anemia, nausea, bloating, poor appetite, food sensitivities, loose stools, overweight without overeating, or thin bodied and unable to gain weight, pale complexion. This syndrome often results from excess mental work, often seen in highly organized people.
Emphasize complex carbohydrates in vegetables and unrefined grains; eat small frequent meals; avoid all cold or raw foods (particularly citrus and sprouts); avoid processed sugars, large meals and rich foods. It is not necessary to eat all the foods listed, just increase your favorites and add a few new items for variety!
Warming foods include: dates, artichokes, brown sugar, malt syrup, lamb, molasses, eel, ham, beef, grapes, chicken, reishi mushroom, chestnuts, coconut milk, green beans, sweet potatoes, mustard greens, shrimp, oats, cinnamon, garlic, onions, cherries, barley malt, rice syrup, butter, pearl rice, sunflower seeds, quinoa, ginger, dates, nutmeg
Foods with neutral energetic temperature include: yams, carrots, shiitake mushrooms, celery, string beans, freshwater fish, beets, turnips, winter squash, okra, apricots, raisins, barley, black beans, kidney beans, currants, vanilla, coconut, cheese, oysters, goose, brown rice, peanuts, tapioca, cashews, pecans, honey, cornmeal, hazelnuts, rye, parsnip, potatoes, papaya, carob, almonds, pumpkin, maple syrup
Foods with a cooling energy: watercress, lettuce, banana, buckwheat, summer squash, ocean fishes, apples, avocado, millet, yogurt, clams cottage cheese, wheat berries, corn, tofu
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Liver Disharmony
In traditional Chinese theory the Liver/Gallbladder system directs the smooth flow of qi (vital energy) throughout the body, stores blood, controls the tendons, and balances the emotions. This is one of the most common stress inspired patterns in the United States, particularly in females, due to the liver’s involvement in the menstrual cycle.
When you are out of balance you may see these common signs and symptoms: impatience, frustration, edginess, mood swings, stubbornness, impulsiveness, depression, easily angered, PMS, nervous system disorders with spasms or twitches, migraine headaches, breast pain, chronic indigestion, menopausal or menstrual problems, neck and back tension, fatigue, slow to get started in the morning, muscle pain, tendon problems, red face, red or dry eyes, dry nails, skin or hair, insomnia, high blood pressure, constipation, ringing in the ears, hot or cold hands and feet, mild night sweats, dizziness, vertigo, arthritis pain which migrates from joint to joint.
Green foods especially nourish the liver! Emphasize these foods: mustard greens, onions, turmeric, beets, strawberries, cardamon, peaches, cherries, basil, watercress, cabbage, turnips, cumin, kohlrabi, bay leaf, cauliflower, broccoli, fennel, pine nuts, Brussels sprouts, dill, romaine lettuce, asparagus, ginger, amaranth, quinoa, horseradish, alfalfa sprouts, lemons, black pepper, parsley, kale, rosemary, grapefruit, limes, chamomile tea, spriulina, oats, dandelion greens, rye, bamboo shoots, mint, garlic, milk thistle, eggplant, vinegar, bee pollen, and lemons.
Avoid: dairy, cheese, fatty meats, fried foods, hot peppers, refined and processed foods, shortening, margarine, preservatives, and alcohol
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Foods to Tonify Blood
You may not be clinically anemic according to your lab work; but in accordance with Chinese medicine common blood deficiency signs include: scanty periods, dizziness, dull headaches, delayed or absent menstrual cycle, hair loss, dry hair, dry skin, premature graying, tiredness, trouble falling asleep, pale face, trouble concentrating, dry stools, numbness of the limbs, poor memory. This pattern is often a result of Spleen Qi deficiency and poor absorption and processing of nutrients. The following foods can help you build up blood and relieve these symptoms.
Warming foods include: chives, leeks,dates, currants, cherries, raspberries, blackberries, butter, shrimp, mussels, salmon, trout, anchovy, chicken, chicken liver, turkey, lamb, marrow bones, pine nuts, walnuts, chestnuts, reishi mushrooms, lychee fruit, dried peaches
Neutral temperature foods include: carrots, beets, raisins, milk, oyster, eggs, black beans, sardines, herring, kidney beans, aduki beans, beef, pork, beef liver, sesame seeds, peanuts, grapes, turnips, pinto beans, lima beans, prune juice, lentils
Cooling foods include: spinach, eggplant, spirulina, chlorella, gluten, abalone, rabbit, sesame oil, beets, mulberry, watercress, beet and mustard greens
Use citrus sparingly if you are thin, weak, and pale, with insomnia.
You may also add 1 tablespoon of blackstrap molasses twice daily.
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Foods to Tonify Kidney Yang
According to traditional Chinese theory, the kidneys are responsible for our growth, development, reproduction, bone marrow production, temperature regulation, the function of brain and spinal cord, controls the strength of bones, and fluid metabolism. Two kidney patterns are common.
Kidney yang deficiency signs and symptoms include: exhaustion, feeling cold all the time, swollen face, swollen extremities, memory loss, hair loss, hearing problems, decreased sexual drive, brittle bones, teeth problems, sore back and knees, frequent pale urination, incontinence, high blood pressure, low sperm count, infertility, hypothyroidism, asthma, impotence, difficult bowel movement
Black foods especially nourish the kidneys!
Black sesame seeds, toasted pine nuts, shellfish,sesame oil, toasted walnuts, beans, millet, cauliflower, lamb, chicken, fish, cinnamon, soybeans, garlic, eggs, lentils, black beans, ginger, red wine, red or black grapes, wild rice, raspberries, spirulina, parsley, mussels, onions, mulberries, trout, and salmon are helpful foods for you.
Avoid cooling foods and fruits, raw foods, iced drinks, excessive salt. Use seaweeds in soups.
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Foods to Tonify Kidney Yin
Signs and symptoms of deficient Yin include hot flashes, irritability, rapid pulse, thirst, dry throat, dry cough, seminal emissions, insomnia, hot hands and feet, night sweats, sore back and knees, low grade afternoon or evening fever, dizziness, ringing in the ears, blurred vision, dry stools, typically thin frame. This pattern is common in menopausal women, smokers, or people who are on certain medications.
Avoid hot foods, spicy foods, smoking, alcohol, stress, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, coffee, lamb, fried foods, greasy foods, avoid overeating. Black or dark foods nourish the kidneys. Best foods for your constitution:
Warming: peaches, nectarines, coconut milk, rice milk, pine nuts, lychee nuts, malt syrup, mulberries
Neutral: string beans, carrots, potatoes, beets, Chinese cabbage, artichokes, grapes, pineapple, plums, apricots, blueberries, huckleberries, strawberries, oranges, tangerines, olives, oats, pinto beans, black beans, milk, cheese, sardines, herring, oysters, duck, goose, pork, sesame seeds, peanuts, almonds, peanut oil, olive oil, coconut oil
Cooling: cucumber, apples, pears, bananas, water chestnuts, spinach, lemons, watercress, seaweed, tomatoes, buckwheat, radish, melons, wheatberries, tofu, yogurt, bean sprouts, cottage cheese, aloe juice, pork, chlorella
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Foods to Dry Dampness
Common symptoms include lethargy, feeling of heaviness, sluggishness, achy muscles, dull headaches, cloudy urine, sleepiness after meals, fixed dull pain, edema, excess mucus, fatty tumors, lumpy breasts, recurrent yeast infections, systemic candida, overweight, bloated abdomen, swollen joints, dull headache or heavy head, fuzzy mind, loose or watery stools, and arthritis. Foods which can help resolve this condition:
Warming: artichokes, kohlrabi, parsley, coriander, cinnamon, mussels, eel, shrimp, turkey, sunflower seeds, parsnip, beef, freshwater fish, cardamom
Neutral: pumpkin, grapes, papaya, amaranth, rice, whitefish, pearl barley, carp, mackerel, black beans, aduki beans, duck, kidney beans, almonds, pumpkin seeds, cabbage, rye, broad beans, winter squash
Cool: asparagus, watercress, pears, button mushrooms, seaweeds, endive, alfalfa sprouts, plantain, barley, muskmelon, watermelon, corn, mung beans, black tea, clams, green tea, turnips, celery
Avoid salt, spirulina, dairy products, fatty meats, eggs, tofu and other soy products, pineapple, concentrated sweeteners, raw foods fruits and vegetables, cold foods, iced drinks, fruit juices, lard, margarine, and butter.
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Foods to Move the Blood and Stop Pain
Signs and symptoms of blood stagnation are defined by sharp, intense, or stabbing pain; this pain could be in the low back or joints, migraine headaches, or abdominal masses, uterine fibroids, heavy and painful periods. Some foods that can help alleviate your symptoms:
Warm: chives, onions, basil, safflower, cayenne, turmeric, peaches, cherries, vinegar, rice, wine, shrimp, mustard greens
Neutral: saffron, beets, eggplant, shiitake, mushrooms, leeks, olives, rice bran, sardines, flax, seeds, herring, honey
Cool: chard, watercress, crab, wheat germ, asparagus
Avoid the nightshade family of vegetables including tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, red and green peppers, and paprika. These foods can cause increased pain in arthritis patients.
Also avoid transfats. Hydrogenated oils break down in your body into the type of prostaglandins that cause inflammation, increasing your pain! Hydrogenated fats are found in margarine, vegetable shortening, non-dairy whipped toppings and creamers, canned cake frostings, many breads, rolls, buns, cookies, pop-tarts, cakes, crackers, ice cream, candies, breakfast cereal, granola bars, peanut butter, potato chips and dips, fried fast foods, frozen potatoes, and frozen waffles.
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Foods for Lung Disorders
If your lung energy is weak you may have asthma, cough, eczema, rashes, allergies, shortness of breath, abnormal sweating, phlegm, fatigue, sinus congestion, sinus infections, frequent colds and poor immunity, bronchitis, puffy eyes or swollen face, or a weak voice.
White foods nourish the lungs!
For weak lungs with chronic lung disease, poor immunity, or asthma: walnuts, rice, basil, amaranth, kale, sunflower seeds, figs, loquat, sesame seeds, oats, carrots, mustard greens, sweet potatoes, ginger, garlic, molasses, honey, almonds, Chinese lily bulb, mushrooms, and persimmons. Avoid all dairy products, peanuts, tofu, soy product concentrated fruit juices, foods sweetened with corn syrup, all citrus foods and juices, salt, wheat or barley grass.
For heat congesting the lungs with fever, sore throat, bronchitis, and yellow phlegm: watercress, brown sugar, cantaloupe, apples, peaches, pears, strawberries, seaweeds, mushrooms, radishes, carrots, pumpkin, cabbage, cauliflower, chard, papaya, barley, millet, emphasize soups, all citrus is good for this condition. Avoid coffee, alcohol, lamb, chicken, beef, onions, garlic, cinnamon, ginger, fennel, and other warming spices.
For a dry cough with night sweats, frequent thirst: figs, pine nuts, spirulina, chlorella, oranges, pears, peaches, apples, apricots, avocado, watermelon, tomato, bananas, beans, strawberries, soy milk, tofu, butter, dairy products, eggs, oyster, clams, pork, and olives. Avoid coffee, alcohol, lamb, chicken, beef, onions, garlic, cinnamon, ginger, fennel, and other warming spices.
For colds and flu with clear or white phlegm: flaxseeds, fennel, fenugreek, cayenne, watercress, garlic, ginger, onions, radishes, mushrooms, and seaweeds. Avoid all dairy products, peanuts, tofu, miso, soy sauce, and any sweets.
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