Chinese Medical Nutrition Flashcards
(211 cards)
1
Q
vegetables in CM
A
they tonify blood, qi and yin (predominantly), soothe Liver Qi, clear heat & toxicity
Most vegetables are neutral in temperature making them suitable for most people.
2
Q
Bitter vegetables
A
Clear heat/fire
Some bitters revitalize the Kidneys & Lung.
3
Q
Conditions indicated for Vegetables that drain damp
A
edema, excess mucus, cysts, candida overgrowth, etc.
Some are indicated for DH of LIV, GB, SP, ST
4
Q
Raw veggies, those grown in warmer climates
A
stronger cleansing + detoxing
spinach, chard, beet greens: oxalic acid
5
Q
raw beets
A
purify blood
6
Q
raw artichokes
A
purify Liver
7
Q
raw asparagus
A
diaphoretic effect on KID
8
Q
nightshade family C/c
A
arthritis, heart disease, tooth decay
9
Q
veggies/herbs that grow in colder/harsher climates
A
build immunity and resistance to cold and exterior pathogens
10
Q
allium properties
A
*sulfur content purifies heavy metals
*for people who eat lots of meat
11
Q
Garlic
A
*topical for poison ivy etc
*with oil to treat ear infection
12
Q
Leek
A
Astringent for bleeding, diarrhea
13
Q
Onion
A
Lowers blood pressure + cholesterol
14
Q
Scallion
A
*Pungent and bitter
*Angina/chest pain
*Contra heat conditions
15
Q
Asparagus
A
*Contra KID inflammation
16
Q
Cruciferous + Brassica vegetables
A
Cancer-fighting
17
Q
Broccoli
A
*Caution with hypothyroid patients (esp. raw form)
18
Q
Cabbage
A
Cool
Moistens intestines
Benefits ST, improves digestion
Benefits skin
High vitamin C, vitamin U (ulcer remedy)
Sulfur content –> destroys parasites, purifies blood
19
Q
Chinese/Napa cabbage
A
Cool
Sweet
Reduce inflammation in heat conditions
Topical for frostbite
20
Q
Digestive aid before meals
A
Manuka honey, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice
21
Q
Kale
A
Warm!
Benefits ST
Eases LU congestion
Phlegm-cold
22
Q
Mustard greens
A
Warming!
Pungent!
Reduces clear/white cold phlegm
*Dissolves stagnant, congealed blood
Contra heat conditions, phlegm-heat in LU (combine with cooling food)
23
Q
Kohlrabi (whole vegetable is edible)
A
Neutral
Fire, Earth, Metal
Improves qi circulation
Eliminates blood stag
Relieves painful urination
Indigestion, sugar imbalance
Colon bleeding
Scrotum swelling
Alcohol/drug detox
Juice = nosebleed remedy
24
Q
Radish
A
Cooling
Cuts mucus!
Removes food stag
Detoxifies*
Transforms hot phlegm, clears throat + sinuses
*Contra Qi xu, Yang xu
25
Turnip
Neutral
*Sulfur content --> highly detoxifying
26
Artichoke / sunchoke
*Contains insulin + promotes insulin production
27
Lettuce
Cooling
Diuretic
*Analgesic
Wild foraged = analgesic, lucid dreaming
28
Wild/foraged veggies
Highly adaptogenic, immunostimulant functions
Temperature/properties may differ from cultivars
29
Watercress
Cooling
*One of the best veggies for LU phlegm heat
*In winter, found near water source = KID UB
Diuretic
Stimulates bile + other glandular secretions
CONTRA frequent urination
30
Dandelion greens
Cool
Clears toxic heat
Mildly diuretic
Topically grated with ginger as poultice for breast lumps/tumors
Caution: allergies to ragweed family
31
Stinging nettle / Xun Ma
Cold
*Builds + purifies blood
*Jing tonic
*Breast cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia
*Allergies
*Prostate health with pumpkin seeds + broccoli
32
Lamb's quarters
Anti-cancer
*METAL + EARTH
Caution: light sensitivity in high doses
33
Miner's lettuce
*High in vitamin C --> scurvy
34
Pursulane
Cold
Immune-benefiting
35
Spinach
Cool
*Builds blood
*Hemostatic
CONTRA: kidney stones, loose stools, seminal emissions, urinary incontinence, blood thinners
36
Beets
Cool
Nourishes + strengthens HT
Sedates shen
Moisten intestines
Promotes menstruation
CAUTION: beet-top greens with arthritic + calcium metabolism issues, kidney stones
37
Pumpkin
Cooling
Yellow --> SP, pancreas (Earth)
*Earth is the mother of Metal = benefits bronchial asthma
Cooked pumpkin destroys intestinal worms, not as much as seeds
38
Cucumber
Cooling
*Lifts depression
*Tapeworms
39
Squash
Cool
Seeds destroy worms/parasites
Winter squash > more beneficial
40
Zucchini (type of squash)
Clears heat
Detoxifies
41
Bitter melon
*Caution in pregnancy
*Anti-pancreatic cancer
42
Sweet potato
Sweet
Neutral
SP
Qi mover
Detoxifies
Builds KID yin
Benefits fluids
Nourishes dryness, inflammation
43
Food remedy for night blindness
Sweet potato
Spirulina
Organic animal liver
44
Food remedy for jaundice
Yam, squash, pearl barley soup
45
Food remedy for diabetes
bitter melon
yam
46
Purple yam/ube
Sweet
Neutral
SP, KID
Tonify SP, KID
*stop diarrhea from Qi/Yang xu
*KID tonic: yin, yang, qi
Frequent uncontrollable urination
Poor appetite
Asthma
*Emotional instability
Dysmenorrhea
47
Mountain Yam (Shan Yao)
Sweet
Neutral
LU, SP, KID
Tonifies Qi + Yin
Astringent for Xiao Ke, spermatorrhea, frequent urination, etc
Enhances immune function
*Lowers risk of heart disease
*Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antispasmodic
Good for menopause (steroid hormone precursor) --> hair, skin, nails, dental
48
Water spinach
*Increase lactation
Gestational diabetes
Insomnia
Constipation
Jaundice
Liver disease
Detoxification
49
Veggies that promote lactation
Lettuce
Sweet potato
Water spinach
Snowpea
50
How to neutralize the oxalic acid in nightshades
Bake
Roast
Fry
+ Salt / Miso
*Parsley, seaweed
51
What is unique about mustard greens' temperature?
Warming + pungent
52
What is key to remember about mustard greens?
Dissolves stagnant, congealed blood
53
Elemental qualities of Kohlrabi
Fire
Earth
Metal
54
Radish KEY points
Cuts mucus
Removes food stag
Detoxifies
CONTRA Qi + Yang xu
55
Turnip key points
Sulfur content --> detoxifying, alkalizing
56
Jerusalem artichoke key points
Contains insulin
57
Wild lettuce key points
Hypnotic/possibly narcotic: induce sleep + lucid dreaming
58
What does lettuce combine well with?
Fruit
59
Watercress key points
VERY good for LU phlegm heat
Stimulates bile, glandular secretions
Always found near water source (KID, BL)
60
Stinging nettle key points
Effective for breast cancer + benign prostatic hyperplasia
Allergies
61
Lamb's Quarters key points
Metal + Earth
LU, LI, ST
62
Miner's lettuce key points
High in vitamin C
63
Spinach key points
Builds blood
Stops bleeding
64
Beets key points
Caution: beet top greens for patients with arthritic, calcium metabolism problems; kidney stones
65
Pumpkin key points
Regular use benefits bronchial asthma
(Yellow --> Earth --> mother of Metal)
66
Cucumber key points
Lifts depression
Detoxifies
Tapeworms + other intestinal worms
67
Purple yam key points
Emotional instability
Tonifies KID qi, yin, yang
68
Shan yao (mountain yam) key points
Lowers risk of HT disease
Analgesic
Antispasmodic
69
Water spinach key points
Increase lactation
70
Breaking blood stasis
Eggplant
Kohlrabi
71
Eggplant key points
Specifically acts on UTERUS + LIV
Prevents strokes, hemorrhages
Contra in pregnancy --> miscarriage
72
Potato key points
Reduces any and all inflammations
Highly yin nourishing
Electromagnetic stress
73
Tomato key points
Cooling
Sweet, sour (unique properties)
Used for anorexia
Medicinal dosage: 1-2 tomatoes 2x/day
74
Carrots key points
Destroys pinworms and roundworms
75
Parsnip key points
Excellent pain remover
WCD Bi
*Parsnip leaves are poisonous!
76
Okra key points
Insulin-like properties = ideal food source for diabetics
77
Bamboo shoots key points
Analgesic: pain
Very cold, very strong blood mover
Caution in pregnancy (abortive) but can be consumed during labor
78
Sugarcane key qualities
erectile dysfunction/infertility
UTI
79
lemongrass key points
*extinguish wind!*
fights staph infections
*calms shen*
80
wheatgrass key points
*blood tonic
*jing tonic (vegan source, like nettle)
81
Lion's Mane key points
Benefits brain, neurons
82
Yun Zhi / Turkey Tail Mushroom key points
Cancer drugs derived from this
83
Celery key points
Benefits Earth + Wood organs
*Hypertension, especially in pregnant people
84
Lotus root key points
Tonifies all 5 Zang + Zhi
Irritability
Hypertension
85
Taro root key point
Slightly toxic
86
Snow pea key points
Insufficient lactation
87
Soybean sprout key points
Warts
88
Reishi Ling Zhi key points
Contra: chemo, immunosuppressants
89
Dong Chong Xia Cao / Cordyceps key points
Do not use with Myelogenous type of cancer
90
Bai Mu Er / Yin Er key points
Coughing blood, weakness, fatigue
Pulls moisture into the skin
Slow tumor growth
91
King Oyster key points
Oxygenates cells for more ATP
92
Shitake key points
Source of interferon: induces immune response to cancer, hepatitis
Antiviral
Antitumor (ST, cervix)
Source of germanium: improves cellular oxygenation, increases immunity
93
Maitake key points
May help fight HIV
Contains Beta 1,3 Glucan: breast and skin cancers
94
Jiang Huang / Turmeric key points
curcumin: anti-inflammatory antioxidant *take with black pepper*
chronic, debilitating conditions ex. Alzheimer's
good for the brain: crosses blood-brain barrier --> depression
95
Gao Liang Jiang / Galangal key points
Spicy, hot
SP ST
Warms interior, expels cold
Anti-bacterial, antifungal (Staph, H pilori)
Stops breakdown of acetylcholine (neural communication) - Alzheimer's
With uncooked seafood, reduces risk of viral infection
Increases sperm count, motility
96
Cardamom key points
Effective against H pilori
Erectile dysfunction, impotence, premature ejaculation
Depression
97
Hu Jiao / Black Pepper key points
Anti-tumor (breast, colon, prostate)
Hypotensive/lowers blood pressure
98
White pepper
cooler than Hu Jiao
99
Star Anise
Hernia
Antibacterial, antifungal: cough
100
Cinnamon key points
Chemicals in Ceylon cinnamon work like insulin to lower blood sugar for diabetes
Postpartum abdominal pain
101
Basil key points
Depression, mood disorders: stimulates neurotransmitters + activates receptors in the adrenal cortex
102
Cilantro/Coentro key points
Quercetin reduces oxidative stress, protects against free radicals
103
Parsley ("salsa" em Portuguese) key points
food stagnation
104
Microgreen algae key points
Plant source of Jing
105
Nucleic acid load
Benefit cellular removal *but* too much nucleic acid can raise uric acid in the body
106
Spirulina key points
Enhances intestinal flora
Inhibits fungi, yeast, bacteria
107
Blue-green algae key points
Neurostimulant
Antidepressant
Relaxant
Reduces dampness
LIV qi stag
108
What is the least cold seaweed?
Nori - it is toasted
109
Seaweed C/c
Heavy metal content
*Hijiki - arsenic
110
Hai Dai / Laminaria / Brown algae key points
LIV cirrhosis
111
Dulse seaweed (palmaria palmata) Key points
Herpes
Seasickness
112
Hijiki (seaweed) key points
Resolves yellow or green phlegm-heat
(Must be harvested from clear waters - arsenic, heavy metals)
113
Arame (seaweed) key points
High blood pressure
Wrinkles/skincare like all kelp
114
Kombu Kelp key points
Candida, yeast overgrowth
115
Wakame seaweed key points
Purify birthgiver's blood after birth
116
Nori key points
Decreases cholesterol
Lipomas (fatty cysts under skin)
Digesting fatty foods
117
Apple key points
Pectin removes cholesterol, radiation, toxins, heavy metals
118
Banana key points
Alcohol intoxication
Lowers blood pressure
119
Cherry key points
Measles
Burns
Diarrhea
Thirst
Premature ejaculation
120
Coconut key points
Kills worms
Activates HT function
121
Papaya (Mamao) key points
Increases milk production
Neutral, sweet
Sour (Cathy M) Bitter (Paul P)
Carpaine: anti-tumor properties
122
Food remedies for phlegm-heat
Watercress
Seaweeds
Radish
123
Food remedies for phlegm-cold
Mustard greens
Kale
Cinnamon
Tangerine peel (Ju Hong)
124
Food remedies for exterior WC
Basil
Parsley
125
Food remedies for WH
Cilantro
Mint
Burdock root
Stinging Nettles
126
Burdock root
Releases exterior
Blood-heat
Toxicity
127
Fruits that promote lactation
Avocado
Sugarcane
Papaya
Coconut
128
Damp-heat in LI
Pursulane
129
LIV/GB damp-heat
Bitter melon
Dandelion greens
130
Fig key points
Rectal prolapse
Hernia
Toxic heat
131
Grapes key points
Irritability
132
Grapefruit key points
Alcohol detox
C/c: interacts statins, anti-
hypertensive meds, antihistamines and anxiety
medications
133
Orange key points
prostate enlargement
134
Litchi key points
Calms spirit
Hernia
Contra: heat signs
135
Longan key points
Calms shen
136
Mango key points
Sedates yang
Enlarged prostate
137
Mulberry / Sang Shen key points
Calms shen
Stops wind
Enlarged lymph nodes
138
Peach key points
Diabetes
Vaginitis
139
Asian pear/Pear apple key points
Restlessness
Detoxifies
Retinal pain
Skin lesions
Alcohol detox
Whooping cough
Contra: pregnancy
140
Persimmon key points
vomiting blood
Contra: do not combine with crab meat
141
Pineapple key points
Warm
Summer-heat
Heat stroke
Neutralize toxicity by washing with salt water
142
Plum key points
Qi stag
Steaming bone
143
Raspberry key points
Tonifies LIV KID
Astringes essence
Raspberry leaf: reproductive tonic for wombs
144
Tangerine
Carminative (nausea)
Hernia + testicular pain
145
Watermelon Xi Gua
Summerheat
Jaundice
Contra: polyuria
146
Mangosteen
cancer-fighting
147
Jackfruit
protects against colon, lung, oral cavity cancer
148
Kiwi
ST, GB, KID
149
Blueberry
anemia
frequent urination
150
pomegranate
bladder disturbances
151
Foods for wind-heat
Cilantro
Mint
Burdock root
152
Wind-cold foods
Scallions
Chives
Parsley
Basil
Garlic
Ginger
153
Phlegm-heat foods
Watercress
Seaweed
Radish
lamb's quarters
miner's lettuce
154
Phlegm-cold foods
Mustard greens (warm)
Kale (warm)
Turnip (neutral)
155
Wind-damp Bi
Ginger
Parsnip
156
Foods to stop pain
Parsnip (WCD Bi)
Chives (HT/angina)
Cinnamon
Black pepper
Bamboo shoot
Turmeric
Galangal
Ginger
Cloves
Cayenne
Cardamom (cold and yang deficiency)
157
Toxic heat
Burdock root
158
Ginger
Gynecological issues
cold
stasis
159
Electrical cooking isn't recommended for which kind of patients?
Weak patients
160
What does the ginger family benefit?
The brain (cross the blood-brain barrier)
161
Foods for nose-bleeds
Lotus root
Spinach
Kohlrabi
162
Foods for blood stasis
Eggplant (uterus)
Kohlrabi
Bamboo shoots
Bitter melon
Mustard greens
163
Blood Lin/UTI
Spinach
Lettuce
Eggplant
(Da Zao)
Celery
164
MJ bleeding - vomiting blood
Persimmons
Lotus root
165
Blood in the stool
Spinach
Kohlrabi
Pursulane
166
LIV/GB heat
dandelion greens
bitter melon
tomato
stinging nettles (LU/LIV)
cucumber
celery (skin)
167
Foods that calm shen
Da Zao (jujube)
Lettuce
Beets
Lemongrass
Longan
Mulberry
Reishi
168
Foods C/c in pregnancy
Bitter melon
Bamboo shoots
Asian pear
Eggplant
Adzuki beans
169
Heart heat
beet
Asian pear
Mulberry
170
LI heat
Pursulane
Okra
Fig
171
Heat in the blood/skin
stinging nettle
172
Warm fruits
Cherry
Wu Mei
Pineapple
Pomegranate (neutral/slightly warm)
Peach
Blueberries
Raspberry
173
Astringing foods
Yams
Pomegranate
(foods that enter KID channel)
174
Amaranth actions
tonifies Qi, nourishes blood, strengthen
Sp, reduces dampness, calms spirit
175
Barley
helps reduce tumors
176
Buckwheat
Lowers blood pressure
Antidote for X-rays/radiation
One of very few *alkalizing* grains
Caution during menses
177
Corn
Low in niacin (so cook with lime)
Corn silk = v diuretic
BLUE corn (open-pollinated) is cooling, sweet, slightly sour
178
Benefits of whole grains
promotes elimination, quick reflexes, long memory & clear thinking
179
Where does digestion begin?
In the mouth
180
Millet
Diabetes: steam with yams + jujube
Morning sickness: with ginger, congee
Alkaline
Candida overgrowth
181
What is the pH of most grains?
Acidic
182
Alkaline grains
Millet
Buckwheat
183
Oats
Boost immunity, especially in kids
Strengthens reproductive system
Calms shen/nerves
184
Quinoa
Strengthens PC function
Substitute other grains with quinoa/amaranth for fatigue + obesity
More calcium than milk
185
For frequent colds
add 1tbs of bee pollen, 1tbs of honey and lemon juice and take daily with quinoa cereal
186
Pearl barley Yi Yi Ren
Clears heat + detoxifies
Contra pregnancy
187
Rice
Summerheat irritability
Sweet rice for frequent urination but CONTRA phlegm/damp
Long grain rice for damp constitutions, stagnant individuals
Alleviates mental depression
188
Rye
Bitter
Assists fetal retention
Cold climate/seasons: rye broth/congee
Beneficial to LIV
189
Wheat
Tonifies KID
Directly nourishes/calms Heart Shen! Emotional instability
Contra: obesity, growths/tumors
Over processing + genetic modification --> toxic for many
190
Spelt
Chronic infections (herpes, AIDS)
Antibiotic side effects
Tough husk protects against insects, pesticides
191
Types of rice
Short grain: for cooler seasons, frail patients
Long grain: damp constitutions
Sprouted: food stag
Sweet: astringent (all others are diuretic)
192
Teff
contains vitamin C
193
Grains for those with gluten sensitivity
Spelt
Kamut
Teff
194
Are legumes drying and diuretic?
Yes, legumes are drying and diuretic
195
Adzuki juice taken with meals
Promotes breast milk production
196
Black beans
Involuntary seminal emissions
Infertility
197
Kidney beans
Swelling/edema
198
Mung beans
Detoxifying
Dampheat (best bean for this)
Acidosis
199
Lentils
Stimulates kidneys and adrenal system
200
Lima beans
alkalizing (equal to soy beans)
calms shen
benefits LIV, LU
201
For allergic reactions to sulfites
Lima + mung bean soup
202
Peas
LIV overacting on SP/ST
203
Green beans
Diabetes
String beans can worsen constipation
204
Soybeans
*restore pancreatic function esp. in *diabetic conditions
*eliminates toxins
*reduces fever
*increases milk secretions
*pregnancy imbalances ex. toxemia
205
Why do soybeans need to be cooked thoroughly?
uncooked soybeans inhibits the digestive enzyme
Trypsin*** , leading to severe indigestion
206
Summer food prep
cook lightly and regularly add a little spicy,
pungent or even fiery flavor***
207
Why does the shen need yin and blood?
Stability: otherwise, it “escapes” from the heart, causing incessant wondering of the
mind.****
208
Foods for stagnant HT blood
turmeric, chives, garlic, vinegar, basil, peach seed, scallion, leek,
ginger, kohlrabi, eggplant, white pepper, adzuki beans, sweet rice, spearmint,
butter****
209
When is the Earth element time of year?
the Earth Element has a strong influence over the fifteen days surrounding each of the two equinoxes and two solstices (7 1/2 days before and
after)**
210
Earth SP/ST disharmony
Hoarding useless possessions
211
SP yang xu/ deficient digestive fire foods
all from the qi deficiency list, except for sweet
rice*** (contraindicated)
