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Food and medicine share the same source
The foods we consume daily primarily provide us with nutrition and energy, as well as the ability to prevent and treat diseases. Since ancient times, China has had a long-standing history of dietary health practices, and some health foods are not only rich in nutrients but also possess therapeutic properties.
So, which foods that we commonly eat have health benefits and can treat diseases? Let’s take a look.
Natural Kidney Tonic – Shan Yao (Chinese Yam)1
Shan Yao is irreplaceable in its health benefits, often referred to as “white ginseng”. It has the effects of tonifying the lungs and strengthening the spleen, benefiting the kidneys and replenishing essence. In TCM, Shan Yao is considered a superior food ingredient.
Shan Yao contains various nutrients that strengthen the body and nourish the kidneys. It is neutral in nature and sweet in taste. The best way to consume it is steamed, which minimizes nutrient loss; it can also be made into soup or stir-fried.
Natural Sleep Aid – Xiang Jiao (Banana)2
Bananas are essentially “sleep aids” wrapped in peels. They stabilize serotonin and melatonin levels and contain magnesium, which helps relax muscles.
Additionally, bananas increase the levels of serotonin in the brain, which can help lift the spirits of those who are melancholic and irritable, maintaining a happy mood.
Natural Skin Remedy – Gan Ju (Chamomile)3
Gan Ju is known as the “plant doctor”. Its main characteristic is its gentle cooling effect, which can help alleviate allergies.
In Europe, soothing creams containing chamomile and calendula are praised as “natural hormones” for their excellent efficacy against allergies, eczema, dermatitis, and dry, reddened skin.
Natural Cold Remedy – Ning Meng (Lemon)4
Lemons are rich in vitamin C, and taking high doses of vitamin C during a cold can indeed improve symptoms. Fresh lemon slices can be steeped in warm water for drinking. Lemon tea is a natural cold remedy that can help relieve phlegm and eliminate fatigue.
Natural Stomach Remedy – Yuan Bai (Cabbage)5
Cabbage is rich in dietary fiber and is known as the “natural stomach remedy” of the kitchen. For those suffering from chronic stomach pain, adding cabbage to the diet may be beneficial.
Cabbage contains protein, fat, and carbohydrates that are relatively lacking in other vegetables, effectively treating gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers.
Natural Pain Reliever – Sheng Jiang (Ginger)6
Many people suffer from chronic pain in their daily lives. Experts say that ginger is a “natural pain reliever” with analgesic effects and no side effects.
Ginger can block pain signals from reaching the central nervous system, reducing the sensation of pain, and can also assist in treating rheumatism and arthritis. Ginger can be used in cooking or brewed as tea.
Natural Blood Pressure Reducer – Qin Cai (Celery)7
Celery, also known as Xiang Qin or Pu Qin, is not only crunchy and delicious but also has blood pressure-lowering effects. An alkaline component can be isolated from celery seeds that has a calming effect.
Take fresh celery, wash it clean, and juice it, adding honey to taste. Consuming 40 ml three times a day is effective for assisting in the treatment of hypertension and lowering cholesterol, effective for primary, pregnancy-induced, and menopausal hypertension.
Natural Lipid Reducer – Shan Zha (Hawthorn)8
Hawthorn is an excellent food for lowering blood lipids. It can be used in cooking, eaten raw, or made into dried hawthorn tea. Hawthorn contains triterpenes and flavonoids that can lower serum total cholesterol.
The vitamin C in hawthorn has weight loss and lipid-lowering effects, making it an excellent choice for patients with hyperlipidemia. It is effective in inhibiting the increase of serum total cholesterol and triglycerides.
Natural Blood Sugar Reducer – Rou Gui (Cinnamon)9
Regular consumption of cinnamon can provide both warming and blood sugar-lowering effects. Cinnamon has insulin-like activity and is valuable in the prevention and treatment of diabetes.
Prepare Huang Bai (Phellodendron) 6-10 grams, Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena) 6-10 grams, and Rou Gui (Cinnamon) 2-4 grams, decoct in water for consumption, which can benefit diabetic patients by nourishing yin and reducing fire.
Natural Laxative – Xi Mei Gan (Dried Prunes)10
Constipation is a common issue for many people. Dried prunes are the best remedy for relieving constipation due to their content of sorbitol, a natural laxative.
Dried prunes are rich in minerals such as calcium and potassium, and high in dietary fiber, which promotes gastrointestinal motility and retains moisture in the intestines, softening and moistening the stool to relieve constipation.
Natural Vitamin Source – Cao Mei (Strawberry)11
Strawberries are nutrient-rich, with sugar, protein, and vitamin C content 7 to 10 times higher than apples and grapes.
Before eating strawberries, they should be thoroughly washed, soaked in salt water for 5-10 minutes, and then rinsed in cool boiled water for 1-2 minutes.
Natural Anti-Aging Remedy – Pu Tao (Grapes)12
Grapes are particularly suitable for lazy people because the healthiest way to eat them is unpeeled and with seeds. The skin and seeds of grapes are more nutritious than the flesh. The reason red wine has better health benefits than white wine is that it is fermented with the skin, and the seeds are rich in substances that enhance immunity and delay aging, with 85% absorption in the body.
Natural Heavy Metal Detoxifier – Huo Long Guo (Dragon Fruit)13
Dragon fruit is nutrient-rich and has excellent health benefits. It contains plant-based albumin, anthocyanins, various vitamins, and soluble dietary fiber, with albumin being a viscous, gelatinous substance that has detoxifying effects against heavy metal poisoning.
Natural Anti-Cancer Remedy – Da Suan (Garlic)14
Garlic contains sulfur compounds that can eliminate carcinogenic nitrosamines, thus having anti-cancer properties, especially against stomach cancer. Garlic contains allicin and ajoene, which have good inhibitory and preventive effects against breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and other tumors.
Natural Hair Dye – Hei Dou (Black Beans)15
The hair-nourishing effects of black beans are recorded in many ancient texts, such as the “Compendium of Materia Medica” which states that eating black beans “can benefit essence and marrow, strengthen muscles, and turn white hair black, keeping one healthy throughout life”.
Black beans are rich in vitamin E, anthocyanins, and isoflavones. The abundant vitamin B and vitamin E are essential nutrients for beauty, especially the high content of pantothenic acid, which has a strong effect on darkening hair.
Natural Skin Whitening Remedy – Bai Luo Bo (White Radish)16
In TCM, Bai Luo Bo is said to “benefit the five organs and make the skin fair”. The reason for this function is its high vitamin C content, which acts as an antioxidant, inhibiting melanin synthesis, preventing fat oxidation, and stopping the deposition of lipofuscin. Therefore, regularly consuming white radish can lead to fair and delicate skin.
Natural Digestive Aid – Bo Luo (Pineapple)17
Pineapple contains rich proteolytic enzymes that help break down proteins, aiding in digestion and absorption. For those who frequently consume fatty or high-protein foods, pineapple is an excellent digestive fruit. Therefore, after eating a large amount of meat dishes, chewing a few slices of fresh pineapple can promote digestion and absorption.
Natural Lung Tonic – Yin Er (Tremella)18
Tremella has effects such as tonifying the kidneys, nourishing yin, moistening the lungs, generating fluids, stopping cough, benefiting the stomach, promoting bowel movements, replenishing qi and blood, strengthening the heart, enhancing brain function, beautifying the skin, prolonging life, and having anti-cancer properties.
It is suitable for treating symptoms such as cough due to lung heat, dry cough, menstrual irregularities in women, gastritis, and constipation.
Additionally, Tremella can enhance liver detoxification capacity, protect the liver, and has certain efficacy against chronic bronchitis and pulmonary heart disease in the elderly.
Natural Anti-Fatigue Remedy – Cheng Zhi (Orange Juice)19
Drinking a glass of orange juice daily can quickly eliminate fatigue, as the fructose in orange juice plays a key role. Multiple studies have shown that the rich vitamin C in orange juice can combat oxidative stress caused by free radicals, providing energy to the body. Vitamin C also plays a crucial role in the metabolism of iron in the body, thus effectively increasing the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity.⊙ Note: The content of this article is for the popularization of TCM knowledge and is not intended as a prescription.
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