Aliments — 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.Constitution
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
57 foods.