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MEATS
Five Element Distinctions of Meat |
Wood: chicken Fire: lamb Earth: cow
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Beef: |
neutral, sweet, Sp & St Qi & Blood Tonic |
Lamb: |
warm, sweet, Sp, Ki, Qi Tonic, Warms Interior |
Ham: |
warm, salty, Sp Qi Tonic, Produces fluids, subdues Reb. Qi |
Pork: |
neutral, sweet & salty, Sp, St, Ki, Lubricates dryness (Ni: sl. cold) |
DAIRY
Milk: |
neutral, sweet, Ht, Lu, St, Lu & St tonic, produces fluids & lubricates the intestines |
Butter: |
warm, sweet, Yang, Qi & Blood tonic, circulates blood |
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SEAFOOD
Shrimp: |
warm, sweet, Kidney Yang tonic |
Eel: |
warm, sweet, Liv, Sp, Ki, Qi tonic, treats Bi syndrome, strengthens bone |
Mussel: |
warm, salty, Liv & Ki Qi tonic, treats simple goiter |
Abalone: |
neutral, sweet & salty, detoxifies, sharpens vision |
Shark: |
neutral, sweet & salty, Sp, Tonifies Qi, Blood, & Yin lubricates dryness, reduces swelling, tonifies 5 Zang |
Carp: |
neutral, sweet, Sp & St, facilitates water passage, promotes milk secretion, heals swelling |
Cuttlefish: |
neutral, salty, Liv & Ki, Blood tonic, sharpens vision |
Oyster: |
neutral, sweet & salty, Blood tonic |
Oyster shell: |
cool, salty, Liv & Ki, stops sweating, astringes Jing, softens hardness |
Saltwater clam: |
cold, salty, St, promotes water passage, eliminates phlegm, softens hardness |
Freshwater clam: |
cold, sweet & salty, Liv & Ki, detoxifies, sharpens vision |
Crab: |
cold, salty, Liv & St, activates blood, cools heat sensations facilitates recovery of dislocations |
Kelp: |
cold, salty, St, softens hardness, facilitates water passage |
Seaweed: |
cold, salty, softens hardness, eliminates phlegm, promotes water passage |
POULTRY
Duck: |
neutral, sweet & salty, Lu, Ki, Facilitates water passage, reduces, swellings |
Chicken: |
warm, sweet, Sp, St, Qi Tonic, Warms Interior |
EGGS
Chicken egg: |
neutral, sweet, Blood tonic, lubricates dryness |
Egg white: |
cool, sweet, detoxifies, lubricates Lu, cools hot sensations, benefits throat |
Egg yolk: |
neutral, sweet, Ht & Ki, blood tonic, lubricates dryness |
Eggshell: |
checks gastric acid, arrests bleeding |
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GRAINS
Five Element Distinctions of Grains |
Wood: wheat Fire: corn Earth: grain
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Glutinous rice: |
warm, sweet, Sp, St, Lu, Sp Qi tonic |
Malt: |
sl. warm, sweet, Sp & St, promotes digestion |
White rice: |
neutral, sweet, Sp & St, Sp Qi tonic |
Rice bran: |
neutral, sweet & pungent, St, LI, descends energy |
Rye: |
neutral, bitter, dries dampness, diuretic |
Whole wheat: |
cool, sweet, Ht, Sp, Ki, Ht & Ki tonic |
Wheat bran: |
cool, sweet, St, cools St Fire, |
Buckwheat: |
cool, sweet, LI, St, Sp, Qi & Blood tonic, clears Heat sedates Yang, |
Job's Tears: |
cool, sweet, Sp, Lu Ki, detoxifies, Sp & Lu Qi tonic, diuretic |
Barley: |
cool, sweet & salty, Sp & St, regulates St, expands intestines, promotes urination |
Millet: |
cool, sweet & salty, St, Sp, Ki, Qi & Blood tonic, clears heat, lubricates dryness, Tonifies Yin, benefits digestion detoxifies |
LEGUMES
Soybean Oil: |
hot, pungent & sweet, lubricates intestines Sword bean: warm, sweet, Ki, St & LI: warms interior, tonifies Ki, descends Reb Qi. |
String bean: |
neutral, sweet, Sp & Ki, Qi, Blood & Yin tonic |
Yellow soybean: |
neutral, sweet, Sp & LI, Qi tonic, lubricates dryness, eliminates edema |
Black soybean: |
neutral, sweet, Sp & Ki, circulates Blood & fluids treats Bi syndrome, detoxifies |
Corn: |
neutral, sweet, LI & St, Qi & Blood tonic, diuretic |
Hyacinth bean: |
neutral, sweet, Sp & St, Qi tonic, eliminates edema |
Broad bean: |
neutral, sweet, Sp & St, Qi tonic, eliminates edema |
Peas: |
neutral, sweet, Sp & St, Qi & Blood tonic, descends Reb Qi, diuretic, induces bowel movements |
Kidney bean: |
neutral, sweet & bland, diuretic, heals swellings |
Adzuki bean: |
neutral, sweet & sour, Ht & SI, diuretic, heals swellings, detoxifies |
Castor bean: |
neutral, sweet & pungent, Lu & LI, detoxifies & heals swellings, induces bowel movements |
Mung bean: |
cool, sweet, Ht & St, detoxifies, clears heat, diuretic |
Soybean: |
cool, sweet, LI & Sp, Qi & Blood tonic, clears Heat, lubricates dryness, eliminates edema |
Tofu: |
cool, sweet, Sp, St, LI, Qi tonic, produces fluids, lubricates dryness, detoxifies |
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NUTS
Walnut: |
warm, sweet, Ki & Lu, Ki tonic, lubricates intestines, astringes Jing |
Chestnut: |
warm sweet, Sp, St & Ki tonic, circulates Blood & stops bleeding |
Peanut: |
neutral, sweet, Sp & Lu, Qi & Blood tonic, lubricates Lu, harmonizes stomach |
Peanut Oil: |
neutral, sweet, Qi & Blood tonic, lubricates intestines, pushes accumulations downward |
Almond: |
neutral, sweet, Lu, Qi & Blood tonic, lubricates Lu, relieves cough, transforms phlegm, lowers Reb Qi |
SEEDS
Cottonseed: |
hot, pungent, Sp & Ki, Sp & Ki tonic, arrests bleeding, stops Sp Qi sinking |
Sunflower seed: |
warm & neutral, sweet & bland, Liv & LI, stops diarrhea, facilitates eruption of measles, subdue Liv |
Pinenut: |
warm, sweet, Lu, LI & Liv, lubricates Lu & LI, stops cough, Qi, Yang & Blood tonic, promotes fluids, moves Stagnant Blood, expels cold & wind |
Dill seed: |
warm, pungent, Sp & Ki, Qi & Yang tonic, moves Stagnant Blood, regulates Qi, expels cold |
Fennel seed: |
warm, pungent, St, UB & Ki, Qi & Yang tonic, moves Stagnant Blood, regulates Qi, expels cold, harmonizes St |
Bitter apricot seed: |
warm, pungent & bitter, toxic, Lu & LI, stops cough, relieves asthma, lubricates intestines |
Sweet apricot seed: |
warm, pungent & sweet, Lu, LI, Sp, Sp Qi tonic, lubricates intestines, stops cough |
Sesame seed: |
sl. warm, sweet, Liv & Ki tonic, lubricates intestines, "blackens" gray hair, general tonic |
Black sesame seed: |
neutral, sweet, Liv & Ki tonic |
Cherry seed: |
neutral, bitter & pungent, LI, promotes measle eruption, detoxifies |
Lotus seed: |
neutral, sweet & harsh, Sp, Ht & Ki tonic, Qi & Blood tonic, constricts the intestines |
Sesame oil: |
cool, sweet, St, detoxifies, lubricates dryness, promotes bowel movements, produces muscles |
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FRUIT -- Warm
Guava: |
warm, sweet, (St & LI) obstructive & constrictive, stops diarrhea & bleeding |
Chinese Date
(red & black): |
warm, sweet, Sp & St, Qi & Blood tonic, produces fluids, detoxifies, |
Longan
(Long Yan/Dragon's Eyes): |
warm, sweet, Sp & Ht, Yang, Qi & Blood tonic, removes Blood Stag., calms Shen |
Coconut
milk & meat: |
warm, sweet, produce fluids, promote urination, kills intestinal worms |
Peach: |
warm, sweet & sour, (Lu & LI), activates Blood, Qi, Blood & Yang tonic, produces fluid, lubricates intestines, stops cough, expels cold |
Raspberry: |
warm, sweet & sour, Liv & Ki, Liv & Ki tonic, controls urination, astringes Jing |
Litchi: |
warm, sweet & sour, Sp & Liv, Yang, Qi & Blood tonic, Regulates Qi & Blood, soothes Liv & calms Shen |
Cherry: |
warm, sweet & harsh: Qi, Yang, & Blood tonic, activates Qi & Blood, expels Cold, Wind, & Damp |
Kumquat: |
warm, pungent, sweet & sour, (Lu & Sp), circulates Qi, relieves cough, transforms Phlegm |
Dried Mandarin
orange peel: |
warm, pungent & bitter, Sp & Lu, regulates Qi, dries dampness, transforms Phlegm |
Hawthorn Fruit: |
sl. warm, sweet & sour, Sp, St & Liv, harmonizes Middle Jiao, removes Qi, Blood & Food Stagnation (esp. meat), expels tapeworms |
FRUIT -- Neutral
Papaya: |
neutral, sweet, (Sp, St, Lu & LI), promotes digestion, destroys intestinal worms, lubricates Lu, stops cough |
Figs: |
neutral, sweet, Sp & LI, St tonic, detoxifies |
Grape: |
neutral, sweet & sour, Lu, Sp & Ki, Qi & Blood tonic, strengthens tendons & bones, promotes urination |
Crab apple: |
neutral, sweet & sour, Ht, Liv & Lu, quenches thirst, stops diarrhea, astringes Jing |
Olive: |
neutral, sweet & sour, Lu & St, Qi & Blood tonic, clears Lu, benefits throat, produces fluids, detoxifies |
Loquat: |
neutral, (sweet & sl. bitter),(Lu, St & Liv), lubricates dryness, harmonizes St & soothes Liv, descends Reb. Qi, stops cough |
Apricot: |
neutral, sweet & sour, Lu, lubricates Lu, produces fluids |
Pineapple: |
neutral, sweet & sour, Qi & Blood tonic, promotes urination & digestion, quenches thirst, stops diarrhea, clears Summer Heat |
Plum: |
neutral, sweet & sour, Liv & Ki, produces fluids, promotes digestion & urination, soothes the Liv |
Sour Plum: |
neutral, ex. sour, Liv, produces fluids, destroys worms |
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FRUIT -- Cool
Lemon: |
cool, ex. sour, promotes fluids, harmonizes St, relieves thirst |
Mango: |
cool, sweet & sour, (St & Lu), Qi & Blood tonic, benefits St, relieves vomiting, quenches thirst, diuretic |
Mandarin Orange: |
cool, sweet & sour, (Lu), diuretic, lubricates Lu, relieves cough, transforms Phlegm |
Apple: |
cool, sweet & sour, Lu & St, produces fluids, lubricates Lu, promotes digestion, relieves intoxication |
Strawberry: |
cool, sweet & sour, Lu & Sp, lubricates Lu, produces fluids, detoxifies alcohol |
Pear: |
cool, sweet & sl. sour, Lu & St, produces fluids, lubricates dryness, transforms phlegm, clears Heat |
Persimmon: |
cold, sweet, Ht, SI, Lu (& Sp), Qi, Blood & Yin tonic, quenches thirst, lubricates Lu, benefits Sp, clears Heat |
Watermelon: |
cold, sweet, Ht, St & UB, promotes urination, lubricates intestines, quenches thirst, clears Summer Heat, detoxifies |
Banana: |
cold, sweet, lubricates intestine, detoxifies |
Grapefruit: |
cold, sweet & sour, (St & Sp) harmonizes Middle Jiao, circulates Qi, detoxifies alcohol. |
Star Fruit (Carambola): |
cold, sweet & sour, (St, Ki & UB) clears Heat, produces fluids, promotes urination(treats stone Lin), detoxifies |
Muskmelon: |
cold, sweet, Ht & St, clears Heat, quenches thirst, promotes urination, |
VEGETABLES -- Warm
Leek: |
warm, pungent, Liv & Lu, Qi & Yang tonic, regulates Qi, removes Blood Stagnation, expels Cold, sedates Yin, clears St Fire |
Scallions: |
warm, pungent, Lu & St, Assists Yang, tonifies & regulates Qi, clears Heat, sedates Yang, dries Damp, diuretic, removes Blood stagnation, expels Cold |
Mustard Greens: |
warm, pungent, Lu, Qi & Yang Tonic, circulates Qi & Blood, expels cold, sedates Yin, expands Lu, transforms Phlegm |
Squash: |
warm sweet, Sp & St, Qi, Yang & Blood tonic, circulates Blood, heals inflammation, relieves pain |
VEGETABLES -- Neutral
Chinese cabbage: |
neutral, sweet, St & LI, promotes digestion & urination, tonifies Ki & Brain. |
Carrot: |
neutral, sweet, Lu & St, Sp Qi tonic, dries dampness & Phlegm |
Corn: |
neutral, sweet, St & LI, Qi & Blood tonic, regulates Middle Jiao stimulates appetite, diuretic |
Black Fungus: |
neutral, sweet, St & LI, Qi & Blood tonic, cools Blood, stops bleeding |
White Fungus: |
neutral, sweet, Lu, Yin tonic, produces fluids, lubricates Lu |
Pumpkin: |
neutral, sweet, (Lu & Sp), Qi & Blood tonic, dries Damp, diaphoretic |
Potato: |
neutral, sweet, Sp, Sp Qi tonic, heals inflammation |
Sweet Potato: |
neutral, sweet, Lu, Sp & Ki, Qi, Blood & Yin tonic, benefits Kidneys, astringes Jing |
Shiitake Mushroom: |
neutral, sweet, St, Qi & Blood tonic, benefits St |
Celery: |
neutral, sweet bitter, St & Liv, Qi & Blood tonic, clears Heat, sedates Yang, dries Damp, calms Liver, expels Wind |
Taro: |
neutral, sweet & pungent, St & LI, Qi, Yang & Blood tonic, circulates Qi & Blood, clears Heat, reduces swellings |
Turnip: |
neutral, sweet, pungent, bitter, Qi, Yang & Blood tonic, circulates Qi & Blood, clears Heat & Yang, dries Damp, diaphoretic, lowers Reb. Qi, detoxifies Yin tonic, clears Heat & Fire,
dries Damp, clears Lu, lubricates Dryness, diaphoretic |
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VEGETABLES -- Cool
Alfalfa sprouts: |
cool, bitter, St & Sp, benefits St & Sp, dispels Damp- ness, lubricates intestines |
Asparagus: |
cool, sweet & bitter, Lu & Ki, Qi, Blood & Yin tonic, clears Heat & Fire, dries Damp, lubricates Dryness, clears Lu, diaphoretic |
Lettuce
(Iceberg): |
cool, bitter & sweet, St & LI, Qi & Blood tonic, clears Heat & Yang, dries Dampness & diuretic, aids lactation |
Cucumber: |
cool, sweet, Sp, St & LI, clears Heat Yang, & detoxifies, promotes urination & quenches thirst |
Eggplant: |
cool, sweet, Sp, St & LI, Qi & Blood tonic, clears Heat & Yang, removes Blood Stagnation, relieves pain, heals swelling |
Mushroom
(button): |
cool, sweet, Lu, LI, St & Sp, Qi & Blood tonic, clears Heat & Yang, calms Shen, stimulates appetite, regulates Qi, transforms Phlegm |
Spinach: |
cool, sweet, LI & SI, Qi & Blood tonic, clears Heat & Yang, hemostatic, lubricates Dryness |
Winter Melon: |
cool, sweet, Lu, LI, UB, & SI, detoxifies, diuretic, transforms Phlegm |
Swiss Chard: |
cool, sweet, Su, LI, Sp & St, Qi Y Blood tonic, clears Heat & Yang, detoxifies, hemostatic, relieves coagulations |
Watercress: |
cool, sweet & pungent, Lu & St, Qi, Yang & Blood tonic, circulates Qi & Blood, clears Heat & Yang, lubricates Lu, quenches thirst, diuretic |
Radish: |
cool, pungent & sweet, Lu & St, Qi, & Blood tonic, clears Heat & detoxifies, transforms Phlegm-Heat, lowers Reb. Qi |
Bamboo shoot: |
cold, sweet, Tonifies Qi, Blood & Yin, clears Heat, detoxifies (often used to balance warm energy of meat) |
Kelp: |
cold, salty, St & Sp, Yin tonic, clears Heat, lubricates Dryness, softens Hardness, promotes flow of Water |
Lotus Root: |
cold, sweet, Sp St & Ht, Qi, Blood & Yin tonic, cools Blood (when raw), stimulates appetite, produces muscles, relieves diarrhea (when cooked) |
Water Chestnut: |
cold, sweet, Lu & St, clears heat, Yin tonic, trans- forms Phlegm, diuretic |
Lettuce
(Romaine): |
cold, bitter, LI & St, Qi & Blood tonic, clears Heat & Yang, dries Dampness, diuretic |
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SPICES & HERBS
Dried Ginger: |
hot, pungent, Lu, St & Sp, Yang & Qi tonic, circulates Blood, warms Middle Jiao, opens the meridians |
Pepper
(black & white): |
hot, pungent, St & LI, warms interior, descends Reb. Qi |
Pepper
(red & green): |
hot, pungent, Ht & Sp, warms interior, harmonizes Middle Jiao, stimulates appetite |
Cinnamon Bark: |
hot, sweet & pungent, Sp, Ki, UB, diaphoretic, strengthens St, warms surface & interior |
Fennel seed: |
warm, pungent, Ki, UB, St, Warms Interior, circulates Qi |
Sweet Basil: |
warm, pungent, Lu, LI, Sp, St, Qi & Yang tonic, circulates Qi & Blood, harmonizes St |
Dill seed: |
warm, pungent, Sp & Ki, Qi & Yang tonic, circulates Qi & Blood |
Garlic: |
warm, pungent, Sp, St & Lu, Qi & Yang tonic, circulates Qi & Blood, warms Middle Jiao, destroys worms |
Clove: |
warm, pungent, St, Sp & Ki, Yang tonic, warms Interior |
Fresh Ginger: |
warm, pungent, Lu, St & Sp, diaphoretic, Yang & Qi tonic, circulates Blood, transforms Phlegm, stops vomiting |
Coriander: |
warm pungent, Lu & Sp, diaphoretic, harmonizes Middle Jiao |
Nutmeg: |
warm pungent, Sp & LI, Qi & Yang tonic, warms Interior, circulates Blood, warms Middle Jiao, lowers Reb. Qi |
Cinnamon Twig: |
warm, pungent & sweet, UB, Ht, Lu, diaphoretic, warms Upper Jiao |
Star Anise: |
warm, pungent & sweet, Sp, Ki, Liv, Yang tonic, circulates Qi, harmonizes St, stops vomiting |
Caraway Seed: |
warm, sl. pungent, Ki & St, circulates Qi, descends Reb Qi |
Spearmint: |
warm, pungent & sweet, (Lu & Sp), diaphoretic, circulates Qi & Blood |
Ginseng: |
warm, sweet, & sl bitter, Sp, Lu (Ht), Qi tonic, produces fluids, calms Shen |
Rosemary: |
warm, pungent, (Lu, St), diaphoretic, activates Blood, strengthens St, calms Shen |
Saffron: |
neutral, sweet, Ht & Liv, circulates Qi & Blood, eliminates Blood Stagnation |
Licorice: |
neutral, sweet, Sp, St & Lu, lubricates lungs, detoxifies, moderates effects of other herbs |
Peppermint: |
cool, pungent, Lu & Liv, diaphoretic, regulates Qi & Blood |
Marjoram: |
cool, pungent, (Lu & Sp), diaphoretic, circulates Qi, drains dampness |
Miscellaneous Foods
Brown sugar: |
warm, sweet, Liv, Sp & St, Qi tonic, circulates blood |
Vinegar: |
warm, sour & bitter, Liv & St, disperses coagulations, detoxifies, arrest bleeding |
Wine: |
warm, sweet, bitter & pungent, Ht, Liv, Lu & St, promotes blood circulation, expels cold, speeds up effects of herbs |
Coffee: |
warm, sweet & bitter, Ht, Heart tonic, stimulant, diuretic |
Molasses: |
warm, sweet, Lu & Sp, Qi tonic, lubricates Lu, stops cough |
White sugar: |
neutral, sweet, Lu & Sp, lubricates Lu, produces fluids, Qi tonic |
Honey: |
neutral, sweet, Lu, Sp & LI, detoxifies, lubricates dryness, relieves pain |
Tea: |
sl cold, bitter, sweet, Ht, Lu & St, quenches thirst, promotes digestion & urination, awakens Shen |
Salt: |
cold, salty, St, Ki, SI & LI, detoxifies, clears Heat, lubricates dryness, Yin tonic |
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