The capabilities of herbs are based upon the energies, movements, flavours and meridian routes of herbs.
The energies/四 氣
The energies of herbs/foods refer to their capacity to generate sensations – either hot/cold, warm/cool or neutral in the human body. It is important to know the energies of foods, because different energies act upon the human body in different ways. This has important effects on good health.
The stomach is the pot and the spleen is the digestive fire that warms up the pot. It is important to maintain this digestive fire and too much cold and raw foods can put out the digestive fire. This weakens and slows the digestive system resulting in indigestion and bloating.
Black pepper – hot energy
Grapefruit – cold energy
Ginger – warm energy
Cucumber – cool energy
Carrot - neutral
The movements/升 降 浮 沉
Five regions – inside (internal region), outside (skin & body surface), upper (above waist), lower (below waist), middle (digestive organ).
Herbs/foods with inward movements can ease bowel movements & abdominal swelling.
Herbs/foods with outward movements can induce perspiration & reduce fever.
Herbs/foods with upward movements can relieve diarrhoea, prolapsed of anus, uterus & stomach.
Herbs/foods with downward movements can relieve vomiting, hiccupping & asthma.
In general, leaves & flowers have a tendency to move upwards. Roots, seeds & fruits downwards.
The five flavours/五 味
Sour herbs/foods include lemon, pear, plum, mango, etc.:
Obstruct movements and are useful in checking diarrhoea and excessive perspiration.
Bitter herbs/foods include lettuce, radish leaves, bitter gourd, vinegar, etc.:
Reduce body heat, dry body fluids and induce diarrhoea.
Sweet herbs/foods include sugar, cherry, chestnut, bananas, etc.:
Slow down the acute symptoms and neutralize the toxic effects of other foods.
Pungent herbs/foods include green onion, chive, clove, parsley, coriander, etc.:
Promote energy circulation and induce perspiration.
Salty herbs/foods include salt, kelp, seaweed, etc.:
Soften hardness, treats tuberculosis of the lymph nodes and other symptoms involving the hardening of muscles or glands.
Meridian Routes of Herbs
Organic action
The capacity of herbs/foods to act on one or more internal organs.10 internal organs.
Common action
General action of herbs/foods without referring to any specific internal organs.
Cools blood.
Arrest bleeding.
Calm down.
Check perspiration.
Check urine.
Check seminal ejaculation
Counter toxic effects.
My Chinese Food Cures teacher, Dr Henry C Lu founded the International College of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Vancouver in 1986 (UBC.ca).
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