Bell Pepper (Capsicum)

Bell Pepper

Bell pepper tcm

Also Known As: Capsicum

Chinese Name: 青椒, 灯笼椒

Thermal Nature: Hot

Flavor: Pungent

Organ Meridian: Large intestine, stomach

Properties: Dispels coldness, improves appetite

Best Use For: Strengthening immunity and the spleen, especially for people with Yang deficiency body constitution. Bell pepper also contains rich vitamins and minerals so it is ideal to be included in the diet for most people.

Dietary Caution: People with fever or sore throat should reduce their intake of bell pepper

Suitable For: All types of body constitution

Broccoli

Quail’s Egg

Bird’s Nest

Black Chicken Meat

Chicken Meat

Pumpkin Seed

Pumpkin Seed

pumpkin seeds

Chinese Name: 南瓜子

Thermal Nature: Neutral

Flavor: Sweet

Organ Meridian: Large intestine

Properties: Kills harmful germs residing in the body

Best Use For: Killing harmful germs in the body, improving breast milk supply 

Serving Size: In moderation

Dietary Caution: Overconsumption of pumpkin seeds will cause harm to spleen

Suitable For: All types of body constitution

Gordon Enryale Seed

Gordon Enryale Seed

gordon enryale seeds

Chinese Name: 芡实

Thermal Nature: Neutral

Flavor: Sweet

Organ Meridian: Spleen, kidney

Properties: Strengthen spleen and relieve diarrhea, strengthen kidneys

Best Use For: Reducing urination frequency, removing dampness in spleen

Serving Per Day For One Person: 15 to 30g

Dietary Caution: People with constipation or difficulty in urination should avoid consuming gordon enryale seeds

Suitable For: All types of body constitution

Hawthorn

Hawthorn

hawthorn

Chinese Name: 山楂

Thermal Nature: Warm (Slight)

Flavor: Sour, sweet

Organ Meridian: Spleen, stomach, liver

Properties: Strengthens spleen, aids indigestion (overconsumption of meat), promotes blood flow and relieves pain

Best Use For: Relieving stomach bloating due to overconsumption of meat, relieving pains in body due to blood clots

Serving Per Day For One Person: 3 to 10g

Dietary Caution: People with weak spleen and stomach should avoid consuming hawthorn. Women who are pregnant must avoid eating hawthorn.

Suitable For: Balanced body constitution, Qi stagnation body constitution, Blood stasis body constitution

Tangerine

Tangerine

tangerine

Chinese Name: 橘子

Thermal Nature: Neutral

Flavor: Sweet, sour

Organ Meridian: Stomach, lung

Properties: Improves appetite, moisturizes lungs

Best Use For: Relieving cough with phlegm, relieving stuffiness in the chest area

Dietary Caution: People who are coughing and people with Yin deficiency body constitution should avoid consuming tangerine

Suitable For: Balanced body constitution, Qi stagnation body constitution