What is Chinese Food Therapy?
Food therapy is a practice of healing using natural foods instead of medications. It has been a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine from its beginnings. Food supplies nutritional energy to the body to replenish Qi, vital essence and blood. It regulates the balance of yin and yang and the five elements within the body and directs the flow of Qi to different parts of the body. Some properties of food are listed as follows: Warm: Pomegranate, Guava fruits, Cherry, Peach, Apricot, Dates, Walnut, Chestnut, Pinenut, Squash, Ginger, Garlic, Green Onion, Onion, Chives, Mustard Green, Cilantro. Neutral: Prune, Grapes, Fig, Olives, Pineapple, Lemon, Lotus Seed, Peanut, Black Fungus, Shitake Mushrooms, Potato, Rice, Carrot, Asparagus, Cabbage, Day Lily Flowers, Green Peas. Cool/Cold: Apple, Orange, Grapefruit, Pear, Persimmon, Banana, Tomato, Star fruit, Mango, Melons, Eggplant, White/Brown Mushrooms, Water Chestnuts, Spinach, Celery, Tofu, Bean Sprouts.
