VEGETABLES Used to cool and cleanse / making cool foods warm – cook, add spices, chew very well / most sweet foods are also moistening Artichoke cool / sweet / LIV – cools LIV heat / moistening / stimulates insulin production / cools LIV heat nourishes LU

Asparagus *Pitchford says warming – everyone else says cooling / bitter, pungent / too much hurts kidneys / tonifies yin & clears liver heat / excellent diuretic / cleanses arteries of cholesterol / any kind of liver stagnation / meridians KID / LIV / also moistens lungs – congestion, coughing up blood / Raises feminine principal / period problems (from liver heat or qi stagnation) / dont use if person has diarrhea / LU yin def / KID yin def / lowers cholesterol

Bamboo Shoots cool / sweet / ST / LU / Cool, clears heat, nourishes yin / irritation, aggression / diuretic & laxative / good for ST heat – heartburn, ulcers, heat in the intestines / heat diarrhea / phlegm in lungs with heat / for diarrhea find out if hot or cold type

Beets sweet, neutral / works on HT (red colour) & SP / good for SP / ST deficiency & anemia / soothing, calms shen / moistens intestines / any blood disorders – circulation, def, menstrual problems / moistening / laxative / HT yang or qi def

Broccoli cool / bitter, pungent / liver (green) / diuretic / all eye problems – inflammation, nearsighted, floaters / cools liver blood / Headaches – liver yang rising / good for thyroid def

Cabbage Red – SP / ST Green – LIV / red slightly warmer than green / red – tonify / green – cleanse / neutral to cool / very good for ulcers (green  cooler) / purple – building blood – SP qi def / acute digestive pain & ulcers / benefits ST, moistens intestines / beautifies the skin / soup – good for lungs – cold, whooping cough / irritability, anger, depression (liver) / Pitchford says it contains vitamin U for ulcers (?)/ any digestive problems / cabbage compress, ulcers on the skin / mastitis – cabbage leaves on skin / varicose veins, arthritis / not for qi deficiency (red is ok) / also works on LU – heat in lung – cabbage juice, radish & honey good for lung in decoction – for heat in LU / good for constipation / cleansing for patients with heat (xs)

Cauliflower neutral / excellent for lungs – coughing, asthma

Chard heat in lungs

Cucumbers cool / LIV / SP / ST / HT / LI / anti inflammatory / good for eyes (LIV) / clears heat / diuretic / moistens intestines, lungs / pickling makes it colder – good for hot times of the year / apply topically to sun burnt skin / pain, sore throat, acne, eyes / grated & put on face (good for skin) & eyes as anti inflammatory / not for patients that are too cold

Carrots neutral to warm / sweet / LU / SP / LIV / stimulates elimination of wastes / good for ulcers / diarrhea / arthritis / eye problems – beta carotene, vitamin A / can give to patients with cold signs, beets too / clear heat, good for blood, dissolve phlegm

Celery sweet, bitter / SP / ST / LIV / CLEARS DAMPNESS – obese people / anti mucous forming – absorbs mucous / improves digestion / purifies blood / reduces wind conditions – vertigo, dizziness / LIV channel, eyes, acne, canker sores, blood in urine, H/A (liver yang rising) / appetite control – in between meals and with meals (anti damp) / combines well with fruit / can add to heavy, rich & damp foods / celery juice with lemon juice reduces fevers / damp arthritis / candida / root cold, cools ST heat & LIV

Endives good for HT heat

Eggplant very cold / sweet / KID / LIV / HT/ SP / ST / LI / cools & cleanses blood – qi stag with toxins -heat / moistening / clears stagnant blood / heat in the blood – skin disorders – itching, hemorrhoids / heat type diarrhea / works on LIV meridian / harmonizes the uterus / eases pain / good for emotionally stuck people / not for women who are pregnant!

Kale warm / sweet, bitter, pungent / ST / LU / stomach ulcers / SP qi def (tonifies)

Kohlrabi neutral / pungent, sweet, bitter / LIV / BL / KID / excellent for moving LIV stagnation / moves blood & qi / moves blood stagnation / reduces damp conditions / cleansing of alcohol & drugs

Leeks warm / acrid / LU / LIV / ST / KID / up & down directions / moves qi / dissolves blood stagnation / helps wei (defensive) qi – leek soup with green onion & ginger / warms KID yang & SP yang / detoxifies / KID yang deficiency / cold ST sx – deficient SP, etc – leek soup very good / back pain

Lettuce cool / bitter & sweet / LI / ST / diuretic, dries dampness / cools heat – heat in the bladder (UTIs) / thirst, agitation / increases mothers milk after birth / very calming

Green Onions warm / LU / SP / ST / pungent / green onions + ginger for onset of cold, makes you sweat but you must sit still for sweat to occur / yang def. / ext wind conditions / cold sx in ST – cramps

Mushrooms neutral to cooling / sweet / KID / cleansing / dry dampness (cancer, cholesterol) / mushrooms boost immune function / candida is the body attacking itself – dont eat much / antibiotic properties / anti tumor / some – ling zhi (AKA ganoderma) are anti cancerous, is a jing tonic and youth potion / good for damp & cold

Chives pungent / urinary incontinence, leucorrhea / dries damp / moves qi / opens blood stag / good for damp / very good to tonify KID yang

Onions (white) LU / SP / pungent (this property is lost in cooking) / lower B.P. + cholesterol (Pitchford, but our teacher says no) / KID yang def. / B.P. problems / phlegm / common cold / cough remedy / heated honey is mucus forming / cut it up and boil add tsp. with honey to chest for bronchitis / avoid in yin def / not for heat conditions

Tomatoes cold / sweet, sour / ST / LIV / liver yin def / enriches yin in general, esp. of the liver / ST yin def, esp, thirst, dry throat, ulcers, restlessness / are good with something sweet – honey, sugar, molasses / good for liver heat / red on the outside edges on T – liver heat * sundried tomatoes are warmer than regular tomatoes

Parsley warm / pungent, bitter, salty / promotes urination / dries mucus – obese, dampness / stones in BL / GB / all KID, urinary difficulties – careful of heat / eat garlic, then parsley as it cleans your breath / stimulates digestion / ear infections (KID) / dries up milk so not for nursing mothers

Parsnip warm / veggies that grow in the earth are usually warmer / sweet / SP / ST / LIV / GB / promotes sweat, lubricant / in soups for coughs and colds / arthritis / reduces damp / lubes the intestines / dry cough

Potato sweet / SP / ST / KID / tonifies qi & yang / diuretic / moistens the intestines / spurs are toxic / tonifies kidney yin / tonifies SP

Pumpkin warm / sweet and a little bitter / SP / ST / dries damp / tonifies qi / promotes discharge of mucus / constipation / yin def (moist) / warm (yang def)

Radish cool / pungent, sweet / excellent for LIV blood stasis / dries mucus, moist / detox / food stag due to damp / wakes up liver qi stag / mucus conditions with heat

Spinach cool / LIV / ST / LI / SI / clears heat / moistens dryness / promotes body fluids / blood tonifier / stops bleeding / stops bleeding / tonifies yin / heat in ST – heartburn / good for liver yin (eye stuff) restlessness, dizziness, (LIV yang rising) / people who get KID stones should eat spinach sparingly

Squash warm / SP / PANC / sweet / moisturizing / tonifies yin / improves qi circulation winter squash – warm, tonifies qi & blood / summer squash – cool

Sweet Potato warm / ST / KID / SP / sweet / tonifies SP / excellent for yang & qi def / Pitchford says cool / tonifies qi & blood / very moisturizing but too much causes damp  / builds yin / not good for damp

Turnip neutral / pungent, sweet, bitter / improve qi circulation / builds & tonifies blood / dries dampness

Zucchini cools LIV heat (white zucchini)

*Warm veggies – carrots / kale / leeks / green onions / parsley / turnip / pumpkin / squash / sweet potato * Sprouting makes things cooler / pickling makes things colder

FRUITS
Generally sweet, sometimes bitter & sour / cool to cold / used in hot seasons / replenish body fluids, moisten dryness / in cold seasons bananas, oranges and lemons should be avoided / Apricots, cherries, peaches, plums are WARMING. Be careful giving fruit to cold people, but it is ok in the warm seasons

Apples cool / sweet / LIV / GB / SP / ST / LU / excellent for liver / clears heat diarrhea (summer heat) / moistening to LU / yin def – menopause, etc… / red and yellow, better for SP / ST / green better for LIV / GB

Apricots warm / sweet, sour / ST / LU / moistening to LU / LI / qi def, if you heat them

Bananas extremely cold / sweet / yin tonifying (menopause) milk too / detoxifying / clear heat / good for constipation with dry heat

Cherries very warm / SP / ST / LIV / KID / moistening / open blood stasis / wind damp – go to kidneys

Grapefruit cold / sweet, sour / ST / LU / peel is different energy – dries phlegm / sends qi down (pectins) warm ST / KID / GB / with honey good for drying phlegm in LU – bronchitis, etc..

Grapes red – KID / SP / green – LIV / sweet, sour / tonify blood / moistening / red ones good for bones /diuretic / raisins (warmer than grapes) stronger effect on KID & LIV – better to tonify blood / good for tonifying qi & blood

Kiwi cold / sweet & sour / GB / LIV / ST / KID / clears heat / moistens & harmonizes ST / diuretic

Lemons cold / sour / LIV / LU / ST / clear heat / bring qi down – car sickness / suck on it for nausea / moisturizing, dries phlegm / coughs / very good for nausea & vomiting / LIV qi stag

Orange cool / ST / GB / sweet, sour / moistening (not as much as lemons) brings qi down / simmer with honey for nausea / LIV / ST / LI / softens hardness / good for dry constipation

Peaches warm to hot / Pitchford says cooling / moist / opens blood stasis

Berries neutral to cool / benefit KID / LIV / KID jing / blueberries – youth, Alzheimers, stimulates brain / all are KID yin tonifying / all good for kidneys / qi & yin building / dry throat / painful menses

Pear cool / sweet / ST / LU / used a lot in LU def – they go straight to lung / brings qi down / moist / clears heat / transforms phlegm / cough, constipation

Pineapple cool / ST / GB / sweet, sour / brings qi up / summer heat diarrhea / moist / diuretic / promotes digestion

Plums warm, neutral, cool (???) / LIV / KID / ST / goes to the liver / clears liver heat / disperses qi and blood stag / moist / diuretic / calming for irritability / not good for delicate digestion ulcers / liver heat constipation

Watermelon cold / sweet / ST / HT / BL / sends qi down / clears heat and summer dry mouth, thirst / diuretic

Strawberries cool / SP / LU / moistens LU / good for HT heat / urinary difficulties (from heat in the heart – SI)

Rhubarb cold

*Warm fruits – apricots / cherries / peaches / plums

GRAINS
Main part of our diets / emotionally calming, stability / sweet / SP / ST / are generally neutral / cause balance in yin, yang and qi formation / always eaten cooked or in a decoction / slower acting, must be chewed well

Rice sweet, neutral / SP / ST / LU / dries damp / cough – sinusitis / tonifies qi / sends qi upwards – prolapse, hernia, etc../ blood & qi tonifier / strengthens SP, stops diarrhea / white rice is more upward moving / very SP def person is better with white rice / very SP def – rice water – congee – white rice / lack of strength / infants with diarrhea / babies have weak spleens until age 7 – give no milk! Warm diet, warmed fruit – boil pears, apples, avocados then mush it / children very yang, changeable – yang to yin

Sweet Rice USED IN Japan / pounded to make Mochi Congee 1 cup rice, 6-10 cups water. Cook for at least 4-6 hours, boil first, then on the lowest heat covered. Then add herbs, foods and veggies, seafood, etc..

Oats warm to neutral / sweet / ST / SP / KID / upward direction / tonifies qi and blood / moves qi / strengthens muscles + tendons / dispels dampness very well – better than rice / good for cholesterol (is a sx of dampness) / hypertension – qi stag, yin def & liver yang rising / qi, blood & yang tonifying / good after long illnesses / oat congee / good for nerves (nervine tonic)

Parboiled Rice more nutrients than white rice – boiling forces nutrients into rice (converted)

Sweet Rice SP / ST / gentler than white rice / warmer than regular rice / tonifies qi – avoid in phlegm situations / can be astringent

Brown Rice hard core on digestion – can mix with white

Wild Rice slightly colder / more bitter / better for kidney – diuretic   Whole Grain – parboiled – rice (easier to digest)

Amaranth cold – in relation to grains, sweet, bitter / dries damp / high in lysine (amino acid) / benefits lung

Barley cold, sweet, salty / SP / LIV / ST / GB / builds yin fluids & tonifies blood / moistens dryness / clears liver heat / diuretic / good for digestive obstruction / one of the easiest grains to digest / sprouts are warm

Buckwheat cold, neutral, warm / LI / dispels damp (most grains aggravate damp) / moistens / tonifies SP / softens masses / directs qi down (vomiting) / increases blood to lower extremities

Corn Silk strong – for high blood pressure / diuretic / kidney gall stones / UTI’s

Millet neutral, salty, sweet / KID / SP / ST / tonify qi (SP & KID) / dispels phlegm / tonifies blood / sends qi down / mild diuretic / tonifies kidney yin / good for diabetics – to make congee (yin deficient diabetics) / morning sickness – also ginger

Quinoas warm / sweet, sour / ST / SP / KID / highest protein grain / good for children (SP qi def) / tonifies kidney yang – SP yang / calming / reduces wind / best for yang tonify

Rye neutral to cool / sweet, bitter / LIV / GB / ST / SP / HT / therapeutic / dries damp / liver qi stag – headache – rye congee, bread

Spelt neutral / sweet / pure grain / doesn’t need lots of fertilizer to grow / SP / ST / LIV / moistens dryness / tonifies yin – constipation or diarrhea / not as damp as wheat

Kamut Egyptian word for wheat / came from Egypt, King Tut’s wheat

Wheat cold / HT / LIV / SP / KID / excellent for women going through menopause (bran – cold, germ – cold, flower – warm) / fat people keep away from wheat – it’s very damp / tonifies HT yin / clears heat / calms emotions

Bulgher wheat berries are dried and cracked (boiled first)

LEGUMES
All sweet / All good for kidneys / Most dry damp

Aduki Beans neutral, sweet, sour / KID / HT / SI / detox, clears heat / reduces swelling / diuretic / drying / tonifies yin & blood

Black Beans neutral, warm / KID / tonify yin & blood / KID stones / diuretic / UTI’s

Fava Beans (broad beans) / neutral, sweet / SP / dries dampness / tonifies SP / diuretic

Garbonzo sweet, neutral / KID / SP / drying

Beans Navy Beans cold / LU Lima Beans cold / LU / LI / tonifies lung yin

Lentils neutral / KID / HT / many different colours / diuretic / promote blood circulation in HT / tonify yin & yang of HT / increase jing (keep it in)

Mung Beans cold / LIV / GB / dry damp heat / detoxifier & food poisoning / HEAT DIARRHEA / UTI’s / HBP / eye infections / stroke / ulcers

Peas neutral / SP / controls muscle spasms / diuretic / tonifies qi

Soy Beans cool / SP / KID / moisten, improve circulation / diuretic – edema / clears vision through kidney meridian / tonify yin / eliminates toxins

String Beans neutral / SP / KID / tonify yin / good for diabetics (yin def)

Tofu cold, sweet / LU / LI / moistens / coughs, constipation / detox / clears heat

SPICES
Aromatic herbs cut dampness

Anise Seeds warm, pungent, sweet / SP / KID / LIV / warm yang / move qi / constipation / diuretic / abdominal distention / lower back pain (yang def)

Chili pungent, hot / up direction / ST / SP / HT / warms the centre (SP) / dissolves food stag / sweat / dries damp / wind cold / rheumatism – wind cold kind / never for menopause with yin def

Cardamom warm / SP / ST / transforms damp, stops vomiting / abdominal stuff – puking, indigestion (ginger, lemons too)

Cloves warm, acrid / KID / SP / ST / invigorate yang – prostate, etc / good for vomit, hiccups / leukorrhea (yang def)

Cinnamon warm to hot / good for cold SP / acrid / ST / SP / LIV / KID / brings qi up / dissipates cold / moves blood / opens stagnation / works on ming men fire – cold diarrhea / common flu – wind cold / promotes sweat / rheumatic pain from cold

Corriander warm, acrid / LU / SP / promotes sweat / moves blood stasis / stops nausea and vomiting / makes rashes come out / food stag / wind cold flu

Cumin warm / bitter, acrid, pungent / HT / dries phlegm (cold) / SP – stimulates digestion / warms middle jiao

Dill acrid, warm / SP / KID / ST / warms yang, moves qi / cook with fish & meat  – removes toxins / indigestion and lower back pain

Ginger warm, acrid / LU / SP / ST / tonifies qi / puking / sweat – wind cold / phlegm / cough / blood circulation / motion sickness / cuts through dampness / + green onions – boil 2 cups water when you first get a cold – drink it / cough – white phlegm / 50g ginger, 30g molasses or cane sugar – water – simmer – drink / not too much for high blood pressure or heat signs / digestion / joint pain – cold

Garlic warm – cooked / raw – hotter / acrid / LU / SP / ST / tonify qi / excellent for blood & qi stagnation, liver qi stagnation / dispels cold / cough / anti – everything / detox / careful with heat sx

Nutmeg warm, acrid / LI / SP / ST / stops diarrhea – astringes / moves qi / cocks crow diarrhea – AM

Marjoram cool / acrid / LU / SP / ST / heat diarrhea / diuretic / halitosis

Peppermint cool / acrid / LU / LIV / clears heat / throat infections / brings rashes out / wind heat / PMS – LIV

Saffron warm / sweet / HT / LIV / blood stasis – stops pain – PMS / HT chest pain / injuries – opens qi stag

Mustard warm / pungent / diuretic / dissolves white phlegm

Pepper hot / acrid / white – lung – cooler / ST / SP / LI / LU / dissolves cold / blood stasis / cuts phlegm / relieves pain (stasis) & sweat

Oregano neutral / bitter, pungent / SP / stimulates digestion / LIV qi stag / back pain / immunity / candida / bug repellant / oil of oregano has many therapeutic qualities

Rosemary warm / acrid / LU / ST / moves qi / wind cold – flu / indigestion

Thyme warm / acrid / LU / ST / moves qi / stops cough / common cold – aches & pains / nausea & vomiting

Tumeric warm / acrid, bitter / ST / SP / LIV / qi & blood stag / wind & damp / cold rheumatic / PMS

Sage warm – hot / bitter, acrid / HT / LU / phlegm cold

* Cold spices – mint, marjoram & salt / Neutral – coriander, licorice, saffron – the rest are warm to hot

MEATS

Beef warm, sweet / ST / SP / KID / tonifies qi, blood & yang / strengthens bones / tonifies yin (moist) / bit ST

Chicken warm, sweet / ST / SP / KID / tonifies qi, blood & yang / strengthens bones / tonifies yin (moist) / bit ST

Duck cool / salty, sweet / best yin tonifier / KID / ST / SP / LU / tonifies blood / moistens LU / clears heat / diuretic

Lamb hottest meat / sweet / SP / KID / supports jing / tonifies SP / KID / qi & blood tonifier

Pork cool / salty, sweet / SP / ST / KID / tonifies yin & blood

Rabbit cool / sweet / LIV / LI / SP / ST / tonifies qi

FISH

Anchovies neutral / salty, sweet / SP / ST / tonifies qi & blood

Carp neutral / sweet / SP / KID / tonifies qi & blood / dispels damp

Crab cool / salty / LIV / SP / KID / clears heat / opens blood stasis / strengthens bones

Eel warm / sweet / LIV / KID / regulates wind / dispels damp / tonifies qi & yang

Herring neutral / sweet / SP / LU / tonifies lung, qi & blood

Mackerel neutral / sweet / SP / LIV / qi & blood tonifier / removes damp

Mussels warm / salty / LIV / KID / enriches yin & yang of the kidney

Oysters neutral / salty, sweet / KID / LIV / tonifies qi, blood, yin & yang of kidneys / moistens dryness

Prawns or Lobster warm / sweet / KID / LIV / tonifies kidney yang / tonifies qi & blood / dispels cold / opens blood stasis / eliminates wind & phlegm

Sardines warm / salty, sweet / ST / SP / KID / tonifies yang qi / warms the body

Octopus cold / salty, sweet / KID / LIV / nourishes yin / tonifies qi and blood / clears heat

Trout hot / sweet / SP / ST / yang tonifier / dispels cold / regulates SP / ST / moves qi

Tuna high degree of metal toxicity

DAIRY & OILS
Sweet, neutral to cold / some say yoghurt is warm / butter is warm / oils are warm – both moisten dryness & tonify yin but too much causes phlegm

Cheese The harder the cheese, the less dampness it creates / harder = warmer

Oils get hotter as you cook them / more moistening as you warm them / pasteurized products warmer than raw

Butter neutral-warm / sweet / SP / LIV / LU / KID / LI / upward direction / tonifies qi, yin & blood / moistens dryness / given for severe qi def (no damp signs), or extreme dryness

Cream neutral / contributes more to dampness / tonifies yin more / sx: cracked skin, dry mouth, eyes

Milk (cow) sweet / LU / ST / HT / tonifies qi, yin, blood / moistens dry cough, constipation / creates body fluids / good detoxifier / menopausal women / general yin def (without damp) esp. in old age / not good for children with reoccurring ear infections

Cheese (cows milk) neutral to cool / sweet & sour / SP / ST / LU / LIV / nourishes yin – moistening / moves qi (sour)

Goats milk / sheep warmer than cow milk / sweet / LU / ST / HT / KID / moistens SP / ST – warms / good for very deficient people

Goats milk cheese warm / sweet, sour / ST / SP / LU / LIV / HT / KID / moves qi / nourishes yin /warms SP / ST / good for indigestion

Eggs raw – neutral / cooked – warm / sweet / whites – LU – clear heat, moisten lung / yolks – HT / KID – tonify yin of kidney / qi tonic / blood & yin tonifier / yin, qi & blood def / *beware – never eat eggs with a wind disorder (skin, headaches, tremors) they make it worse / not good for qi stag

Yoghurt cool / sweet, sour / LIV / LU / LI / nourishes yin / relaxes liver / moistens lung / clears heat / downward direction /itchy skin, sunburn, apply topically / ST heat ulcers

Peanut oil neutral / sweet / LU / LI / ST / moistening to LU & LI / good for dry cough & constipation

Sesame Oil cool / sweet / KID / LIV / LI / moistening / constipation / LIV, KID yin or blood def / all KID def problems (yin def)

Soy Bean Oil warm / sweet, pungent / LI / moistens intestines / disperses blood stasis

Brown Sugar warm / sweet / ST / SP / LIV / blood stasis / tonifies qi / calms LIV / calms spasms (liver qi)

White Sugar neutral to warm / SP / ST / LU / moistens LU / creates fluids / stops pain / increases release of serotonin * a neurotransmitter involved in e.g. sleep and depression and memory

Honey neutral / raw – dispels damp / cooked – moistening / ST / SP / LU / LI

Vinegar warm / sour, bitter / LIV / ST / stops bleeding / opens blood & qi stag / promotes digestion – food stag / cuts through dampness

Mustard warm, pungent, bitter / ST / SP / LIV / dispels damp, stimulates digestion / good to put on meat (or ginger, garlic – makes less damp forming) makes fats less absorbed / spices you use drastically change the nature of food

Alcohol HT / LIV / LU / ST / SP / moves qi and blood / dispels cold / pungent, bitter, sweet / higher proof = warmer – all damp heat / wine – warm / brandy – hot / beer – cold

Coffee hot to warm / bitter / HT / warms / stimulant / diuretic / dries body fluids

Tea green is colder than black / bitter / HT / ST / LU / KID / clears heat / diuretic / food stagnation – transforms phlegm – harmonizes ST