Chinese Barley

Chinese Barley

chinese barley

Chinese Name: 薏米,  薏苡仁

Thermal Nature: Cold (Slight)

Flavor: Sweet

Organ Meridian: Spleen, stomach, lung

Properties: Strengthens spleen, removes redundant fluids in spleen, cools body and expels pus

Best Use For: Chinese barley is used to treat swollen legs and feet due to water retention. It also has weight loss properties and strong cooling effects.

Due to its properties in expelling pus, it is used for relieving ulcers in lungs and intestines. One must consume chinese barley in the long term in order to see the benefits.

Serving Per Day For One Person: 10 to 30g

Dietary Caution: Pregnant women must avoid taking chinese barley

Suitable For: Balanced body constitution, Dampness and heat body constitution, Phlegm and dampness body constitution

More References: Click here for more practical information about chinese barley

Corn

Corn

corn

Chinese Name: 玉米

Thermal Nature: Neutral

Flavor: Sweet

Organ Meridian: Stomach, large intestine

Properties: Aids digestion and eases urination, relieves swollen legs due to water retention

Best Use For: Treating poor appetite, relieving difficulty in urination and swollen legs, treating stones in urination pathway

Serving Per Day For One Person: 30 to 60g

Dietary Caution: People who get diarrhea after eating corn should strengthen their spleen first before consuming corn on a regular basis

Suitable For: Balanced body constitution, Phlegm and dampness body constitution, Dampness and heat body constitution, Blood stasis body constitution

Sorghum

Sorghum

sorghum

Chinese Name: 高粱

Thermal Nature: Warm

Flavor: Sweet

Organ Meridian: Spleen, stomach, lung

Properties: Strengthens spleen and relieves diarrhea, dissolves phlegm and calms the mind

Best Use For: Relieving diarrhea and indigestion, relieving cough (due to phlegm). Its calming effect also helps one to sleep better. 

Serving Per Day For One Person: 30 to 60g

Dietary Caution: People with diabetes should avoid consuming sorghum

Suitable For: Balanced body constitution, Yang deficiency body constitution, Phlegm and dampness body constitution