Chinese Food Therapy (食疗)
In TCM, every food has a thermal nature and affects specific organs. Eat according to your body constitution and the season for optimal health. Take the Body Type Quiz to see which foods suit you.
Ginger
生姜 (Shēng Jiāng)
- • Warms the middle burner
- • Dispels cold
- • Stops nausea
Best in: Winter, Autumn
Lamb
羊肉 (Yáng Ròu)
- • Warms the kidneys
- • Tonifies yang
- • Strengthens the body in winter
Best in: Winter
Mung Bean
绿豆 (Lǜ Dòu)
- • Clears heat
- • Detoxifies
- • Relieves summer heat
Best in: Summer
Watermelon
西瓜 (Xī Guā)
- • Clears summer heat
- • Generates fluids
- • Relieves thirst
Best in: Summer
Red Date (Jujube)
红枣 (Hóng Zǎo)
- • Tonifies qi and blood
- • Calms the spirit
- • Nourishes the spleen
Pear
梨 (Lí)
- • Moistens the lungs
- • Generates fluids
- • Relieves cough
Best in: Autumn
Walnut
核桃 (Hé Tao)
- • Tonifies kidneys
- • Strengthens the brain
- • Moistens intestines
Best in: Winter, Autumn
Bitter Melon
苦瓜 (Kǔ Guā)
- • Clears heat
- • Detoxifies
- • Brightens the eyes
Best in: Summer
Black Sesame
黑芝麻 (Hēi Zhī Ma)
- • Nourishes liver and kidney yin
- • Blackens hair
- • Moistens intestines
Lotus Seed
莲子 (Lián Zǐ)
- • Tonifies spleen
- • Calms the heart
- • Stops diarrhea
Barley (Job's Tears)
薏米 (Yì Mǐ)
- • Drains dampness
- • Strengthens spleen
- • Clears heat
Best in: Summer, Late Summer
Sweet Potato
红薯 (Hóng Shǔ)
- • Tonifies spleen qi
- • Generates fluids
- • Provides sustained energy
Best in: Autumn, Winter
Tofu
豆腐 (Dòu Fu)
- • Clears heat
- • Generates fluids
- • Benefits the stomach
Best in: Summer, All
Cinnamon
肉桂 (Ròu Guì)
- • Warms the kidney yang
- • Dispels cold
- • Promotes circulation
Best in: Winter
Chrysanthemum
菊花 (Jú Huā)
- • Clears liver heat
- • Brightens the eyes
- • Relieves headache
Best in: Summer, Autumn
Goji Berry
枸杞 (Gǒu Qǐ)
- • Nourishes liver and kidney yin
- • Brightens eyes
- • Boosts immunity
White Fungus (Snow Fungus)
银耳 (Yín Ěr)
- • Moistens lungs
- • Nourishes yin
- • Benefits the skin
Best in: Autumn, Winter
Duck
鸭肉 (Yā Ròu)
- • Nourishes yin
- • Clears deficiency heat
- • Generates fluids
Best in: Summer, Autumn
Honey
蜂蜜 (Fēng Mì)
- • Moistens dryness
- • Tonifies qi
- • Relieves pain
Seaweed (Kelp)
海带 (Hǎi Dài)
- • Softens hardness
- • Resolves phlegm
- • Promotes urination
Best in: Summer
Chicken
鸡肉 (Jī Ròu)
- • Tonifies qi
- • Warms the middle
- • Nourishes blood
Lily Bulb
百合 (Bǎi Hé)
- • Moistens the lung
- • Calms the spirit
- • Clears heart heat
Best in: Autumn
Hawthorn Berry
山楂 (Shān Zhā)
- • Promotes digestion
- • Resolves blood stasis
- • Reduces cholesterol
Best in: Autumn, Winter
Winter Melon
冬瓜 (Dōng Guā)
- • Promotes urination
- • Drains dampness
- • Clears heat
Best in: Summer
Longan
龙眼 (Lóng Yǎn)
- • Tonifies heart blood
- • Calms the spirit
- • Improves memory
Best in: Autumn, Winter
Beef
牛肉 (Niú Ròu)
- • Tonifies spleen and stomach
- • Strengthens muscles and bones
- • Nourishes qi and blood
Best in: Autumn, Winter
Pork
猪肉 (Zhū Ròu)
- • Nourishes yin
- • Moistens dryness
- • Tonifies kidney
Shrimp
虾 (Xiā)
- • Tonifies kidney yang
- • Strengthens the back
- • Promotes lactation
Carp
鲤鱼 (Lǐ Yú)
- • Promotes urination
- • Reduces edema
- • Tonifies spleen
Egg
鸡蛋 (Jī Dàn)
- • Nourishes yin
- • Moistens dryness
- • Tonifies blood
Rice
大米 (Dà Mǐ)
- • Tonifies spleen qi
- • Harmonizes the stomach
- • Generates fluids
Oats
燕麦 (Yàn Mài)
- • Tonifies qi
- • Strengthens the spleen
- • Lowers cholesterol
Best in: Autumn, Winter
Millet
小米 (Xiǎo Mǐ)
- • Nourishes spleen and stomach
- • Clears deficiency heat
- • Generates fluids
Corn
玉米 (Yù Mǐ)
- • Promotes urination
- • Drains dampness
- • Strengthens the stomach
Best in: Summer, Autumn
Buckwheat
荞麦 (Qiáo Mài)
- • Strengthens the stomach
- • Promotes digestion
- • Clears damp-heat
Best in: Summer, Autumn
Spinach
菠菜 (Bō Cài)
- • Nourishes blood
- • Moistens dryness
- • Stops bleeding
Best in: Spring, Autumn
Carrot
胡萝卜 (Hú Luó Bo)
- • Strengthens the spleen
- • Benefits the eyes
- • Nourishes the liver
Chinese Cabbage
白菜 (Bái Cài)
- • Clears heat
- • Promotes urination
- • Moistens intestines
Best in: Winter, Autumn
Shiitake Mushroom
香菇 (Xiāng Gū)
- • Tonifies qi
- • Strengthens the spleen
- • Boosts immunity
Lotus Root
莲藕 (Lián Ǒu)
- • Clears heat
- • Generates fluids
- • Cools the blood
Best in: Autumn
Chinese Yam (Shan Yao)
山药 (Shān Yào)
- • Tonifies spleen and lung
- • Nourishes kidney yin
- • Stabilizes essence
Garlic
大蒜 (Dà Suàn)
- • Warms the spleen and stomach
- • Detoxifies
- • Kills parasites
Leek
韭菜 (Jiǔ Cài)
- • Warms kidney yang
- • Moves qi and blood
- • Disperses blood stasis
Best in: Spring, Winter
Apple
苹果 (Píng Guǒ)
- • Generates fluids
- • Moistens the lungs
- • Promotes digestion
Best in: Autumn
Banana
香蕉 (Xiāng Jiāo)
- • Clears heat
- • Moistens intestines
- • Detoxifies
Best in: Summer
Lychee
荔枝 (Lì Zhī)
- • Tonifies qi and blood
- • Warms the spleen
- • Promotes circulation
Best in: Summer
Pomegranate
石榴 (Shí Liú)
- • Astringes the intestines
- • Stops diarrhea
- • Generates fluids
Best in: Autumn
Peach
桃子 (Táo Zi)
- • Generates fluids
- • Moistens intestines
- • Promotes blood circulation
Best in: Summer
Green Tea
绿茶 (Lǜ Chá)
- • Clears heat
- • Generates fluids
- • Promotes alertness
Best in: Spring, Summer
Rose (Edible)
玫瑰花 (Méi Guī Huā)
- • Moves liver qi
- • Promotes blood circulation
- • Relieves depression
Best in: Spring, All
Dried Ginger
干姜 (Gān Jiāng)
- • Warms the middle and dispels cold
- • Restores collapsed yang
- • Warms the lungs to resolve fluid retention
Best in: Winter
Sesame Oil
芝麻油 (Zhī Ma Yóu)
- • Moistens dryness
- • Nourishes yin
- • Lubricates intestines
Vinegar
醋 (Cù)
- • Moves blood stasis
- • Promotes digestion
- • Resolves food stagnation
Turmeric
姜黄 (Jiāng Huáng)
- • Moves blood and qi
- • Relieves pain
- • Reduces swelling
Seaweed (Wakame)
裙带菜 (Qún Dài Cài)
- • Softens hardness
- • Resolves phlegm nodules
- • Promotes urination
Best in: Summer, Spring
Oyster
牡蛎 (Mǔ Lì)
- • Nourishes yin
- • Anchors yang
- • Softens hardness
Best in: Winter, Autumn
Clam
蛤蜊 (Gé Lí)
- • Nourishes yin
- • Clears heat
- • Resolves phlegm
Best in: Summer
Showing 57 foods. More being added regularly.