Name

Taste

Energy

Meridian Propensity

Effects

Applications

Garlic

Pungent; Sweet

Warm

Spleen; Stomach; Lung

Strengthen Stomach; Warm the Middle Burner

Abdominal pain; Dysentery; Pertussis; TB

Carrot

Sweet

Neutral

Spleen; Liver; Lung

Strengthens the Spleen; Reinforces Liver energy; Clears Heat

Indigestion; Blurred vision; cough

Napa

Sweet

Neutral

Stomach; Large Intestine

Promotes urination

Constipation; Ulcers

Cabbage

Sweet

Neutral

Spleen; Stomach

Nourishes Spleen; Regulates Stomach

Spasm and pain in the upper abdomen; Gastric ulcer

Celery

Pungent; Sweet

Cool

Liver; Stomach; Bladder

Clears Heat; Calms the Liver; Reinforces the Stomach

Hypertension; Dizziness; Headache

Spinach

Sweet

Cool

Large Intestine; Stomach; Liver

Moistens dryness; Nourishes the Liver

Thirst; Dizziness; Constipation

Potato

Sweet

Neutral

Spleen; Stomach;Large Intestine

Reinforces the Spleen and Stomach

Abdominal pain; Gastric Ulcers

Eggplant

Sweet

Cold

Stomach; Large Intestine

Clears Heat; Cools Blood; Assists bowel motions

Hemorrhoids; Bloody stools

Cucumber

Sweet

Cool

Stomach; Bladder

Clears Heat; Quenches thirst; Relieves edema

Edema; Thirst; Difficult urination

Tremella

Sweet

Neutral

Lung; Stomach

Moistens the Lungs; Nourishes Yin; Produces body fluids

Dry Cough; Thirst; Dry throat

Shiitake Mushroom

Sweet

Neutral

Stomach

Resolves hard masses

Rickets; Anemia; Measles; Cancers

Kelp

Salty

Cold

Liver; Stomach; Kidney

Dissolves Phlegm; Softens hard masses; Relieves edema

Goiter; hernia; edema; carcinomas

Black Fungus

Sweet

Neutral

Stomach; Large Intestine

Arrests bleeding; Cools blood

Hemorrhoids; Discharge of blood from anus

Lettuce

Bitter; Sweet

Cool

Stomach; Large Intestine

Promotes urination

Difficulty urinating; Discharge of bloody urine

Onion

Pungent; Bitter

Warm

Lung; Stomach; Large Intestine

Activates Yang; Dissolves hard masses; Sends Chi down

Chest Stuffiness; Cough; Ulcers

Pumpkin

Sweet

Warm

Spleen; Stomach

Reinforces the Middle Burner; Replenishes Chi

Malnutrition; Cough; Worm infestation

Radish

Pungent; Sweet

Cool

Lung; Stomach

Promotes digestion; Eliminates Phlegm

Respiratory infections, Common cold; flu

Ginger

Pungent

Warm

Lung; Spleen; Stomach

Warms the Lungs; Releases the exterior by inducing sweating

Common cold; Vomiting; Dysentery; Dyspepsia

Wax Gourd

Sweet

Cool

Lung; Intestines; Bladder

Promotes water passage; Eliminates phlegm; Clears Heat and toxins

Diabetes; Thirst; Swelling

Squash

Sweet

Warm

Spleen; Stomach

Heals inflammation; Relieves pain

Bronchiectasis, Pulmonary abscess

Yam

Neutral

Neutral

Lung; Spleen; Kidneys

Tonifies Lung, Spleen, and Kidneys

Diarrhea; Cough; Diabetes

Name

Taste

Energy

Meridian Propensity

Effects

Applications

Pear

Sweet; Sour

Cool

Lung; Stomach

Produces fluids; Eliminates mucus; Lubricates dryness

Cough; Sore throat

Orange

Sweet; Sour

Cool

Stomach; Bladder

Produces body fluids; Induces urination

Difficult urination; Thirst

Tangerine

Sweet; Sour

Cool

Lung; Stomach; Kidneys

Promotes digestion; Strengthens the Spleen

Chest congestion; Vomiting; Hiccups

Peach

Sweet; Sour

Warm

Promotes Blood circulation; Produces fluids; Lubricates intestines

Cough; Hernia pain

Strawberry

Sweet; Sour

Cool

Lung; Spleen

Moistens the Lung; Strengthens the Spleen

Dry cough; Sore throat; Indigestion

Apricot

Sweet; Sour

Neutral

Lung; Stomach

Produces body fluids; Moistens the Lungs

Thirst; Asthma

Plum

Sweet; Sour

Cool

Liver; Stomach

Clears Liver Heat; Produces body fluids

Liver disease; Diabetes

Hawthorn

Sweet; Sour

Warm

Spleen; Stomach; Liver

Promotes digestion; Improves circulation

Indigestion; Abdominal swelling

Apple

Sweet, Sour

Cool

Spleen; Stomach

Produces body fluids; Reinforces the Spleen

Debility; Indigestion; Loss of appetite

Banana

Sweet

Cold

Stomach; Large Intestine

Strengthens Stomach; Promotes body fluids; Moistens dryness

Dry throat; Thirst; Constipation

Grape

Sweet; Sour

Neutral

Kidney; Liver; Stomach

Tonifies Chi and Blood; Produces body fluids

Cough; Palpitations; low Energy

Pineapple

Sweet; Sour

Neutral

Stomach; Bladder

Induces urination; Promotes digestion; Produces body fluids

Edema; Indigestion; Diarrhea; Vomiting

Cherry

Sweet; Sour

Warm

Spleen; Liver

Strengthens Spleen and Stomach; Nourishes Liver and Kidneys

Loss of appetite; Waist or knee soreness

Lemon

Sour

Cold

Stomach; Lung; Liver

Produces body fluids; Relieves Heat

Cough; Indigestion; Diabetes

Tomato

Sweet; Sour

Cool

Stomach; Liver

Clears Heat; Produces body fluids; Nourishes Yin

Dry throat; Blurred vision; Bleeding gums; Nasal Bleeding

Watermelon

Sweet

Cold

Stomach; Heart; Bladder

Clears Heat; Induces urination; Relieves thirst

Urination difficulty; Sore throat; Mouth canker sores

Lychee

Sweet; Sour

Warm

Spleen; Stomach; Liver

Produces body fluids; Nourishes blood

Vomiting; Loss of appetite; Palpitations; Dizziness

Grapefruit

Sweet; Sour

Cold

Stomach; Lung

Promotes body fluids; Restores appetite

Indigestion; Poor appetite; Vomiting

Name

Taste

Energy

Meridian Propensity

Effects

Applications

Almond

Sweet

Neutral

Lung; Spleen; Large Intestine

Moistens the Lungs and Intestines; Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach

Cough; Difficulty breathing; Constipation

Longan

Sweet

Warm

Heart; Spleen

Tonifies the Heart and Spleen; Nourishes the Blood

Insomnia; Forgetfulness; Palpitations; Nervousness

Sunflower Seed

Sweet

Warm; Neutral

Spleen; Large Intestine

Stops diarrhea; Facilitates eruption of rash in measles

Constipation; Diarrhea with discharge of blood

Walnut

Sweet

Warm

Kidney; Lung; Large Intestine

Lubricates Intestines; Tonifies Lung and Kidney

Asthma; Cough; Seminal emission; Impotence; Constipation

Peanut

Sweet

Neutral

Spleen; Lung

Strengthens Spleen Chi; Moistens the Lungs; Dissolves Phlegm

Dry cough; Upset stomach; Beriberi

Pine Nut

Sweet

Warm

Lung; Large Intestine

Nourishes deficiency; Moistens the Lungs; Lubricates the Intestines

Dry cough; Constipation

Lotus Seed

Sweet; Astringent

Neutral

Spleen; Heart; Kidney

Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach; Nourishes the Heart; Calms the mind

Loss of appetite; Leukorrhea; Seminal emission; Restlessness; Insomnia

Ginkgo Nut

Sweet; Bitter

Neutral

Lung; Spleen; Kidney

Consolidates the Lungs; Nourishes the Spleen

Difficult breathing; Cough; Profuse leukorrhea; Frequent urination; Incontinence

Mung Bean

Sweet

Cool

Heart; Stomach

Clears Heat; Detoxifies; Induces urination

Edema; Diarrhea; Drug poisoning

Soya Bean

Sweet

Neutral

Spleen; Stomach

Strengthens the Spleen; Removes Dampness; Detoxifies

Edema; Beri-beri; Children’s Malnutrition; Poisoning

Wheat

Sweet

Cool

Heart; Spleen; Kidney

Nourishes the Heart; Strengthens the Spleen

Hysteria; Dry mouth; Diarrhea

Barley

Sweet

Cool

Spleen; Stomach; Bladder

Strengthens the Spleen; Regulates the Stomach

Loss of appetite; Diarrhea; Thirst

Glutinous Rice

Sweet

Warm

Spleen; Stomach; Lung

Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach; Nourishes Lung Chi

Frequent urination; Excessive perspiration; Diarrhea

Millet

Sweet; Salty

Cold

Spleen; Stomach; Kidney

Nourishes the Spleen and Kidney; Relieves thirst; Induces urination

Vomiting; Loss of appetite; Difficulty urinating

Corn

Sweet

Neutral

Stomach; Bladder

Strengthens the Stomach; Regulates the Middle Burner

Loss of appetite; Edema; Difficult urination

Pea

Sweet

Neutral

Spleen; Stomach

Strengthens the Spleen; Relieves edema; Produces body fluids

Dry throat; Thirst

Sesame

Sweet

Neutral

Liver; Kidney; Large Intestine

Nourishes the Liver and Kidneys; Moistens intestinal dryness

Constipation; Dry skin; Grey hair

Name

Taste

Energy

Meridian Propensity

Effects

Applications

Chicken

Sweet

Warm

Spleen; Stomach

Nourishes the Spleen; Tonifies the Kidneys; Nourishes Chi and Blood

Weakness after childbirth or surgery; Chronic illness; Frequent urination

Duck

Sweet; Salty

Neutral

Spleen; Lung; Kidneys

Nourishes Yin; Facilitates water passage; Removes dampness

Cough; Dry throat; Edema

Pork

Sweet; Salty

Neutral

Lung; Spleen; Liver

Nourishes Yin; Moistens dryness; Tonifies Blood

Dry cough; Dry mouth; Emaciation; Constipation

Mutton

Sweet

Warm

Spleen; Kidney

Warms the Middle Burner; Tonifies Chi and Blood

Chronic weakness; Abdominal pain; Lumbago

Beef

Sweet

Neutral

Spleen; Stomach

Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach; Tonifies Chi and Blood

Underweight; Diabetes; Edema; General weakness

Rabbit

Sweet

Cool

Spleen; Stomach

Strengthens the Spleen; Nourishes the Chi

Loss of appetite; Fatigue; Thirst

Carp

Sweet

Neutral

Spleen; Stomach

Facilitates water passage; Promotes milk secretion

Edema; Beriberi; Jaundice; Cough

Crab

Salty

Cold

Liver

Promotes Blood circulation; Disperses Blood stasis;

Traumatic injuries; Bone fracture; Tinea; Jaundice

Clam

Sweet; Salty

Cold

Liver; Kidneys

Clears Heats; Nourishes Yin; Nourishes the Liver

Dizziness; Blurred vision; Thirst

Mussel

Salty

Warm

Liver; Kidney

Nourishes the Liver and Kidney; Tonifies the Blood and Essence

Night Sweats; Lumbago; Impotence; Dizziness; Headache

Shrimp

Sweet

Warm

Liver; Kidney

Nourishes the Kidney; Tonifies Yang

Impotence; Lack of milk after childbirth

Catfish

Sweet

Neutral

Spleen; Stomach

Strengthens the Spleen; Nourishes the Chi; Induces urination

Lack of milk after childbirth; Edema

Name

Taste

Energy

Meridian Propensity

Effects

Applications

Chinese Ginseng

Sweet; Bitter

Warm

Spleen; Lung; Heart

Tonifies Chi; Nourishes the Lung and Spleen

Breathlessness; Palpitations; Collapse

Condonopsis Root

Sweet

Neutral

Lung; Spleen

Tonifies the Middle Burner; Nourishes the Blood and Lung

Breathlessness; Palpitations; Chronic illness

American Ginseng

Sweet; Bitter

Cool

Lung; Stomach

Tonifys Chi; Produces fluids; Moistens Lung; Clears Heat

Dry mouth, Thirst, Fatigue

Astragalus

Sweet

Warm

Lung; Spleen

Tonifies the Spleen; Raises the Yang; Augments the Protective Chi

Profuse sweating; Fatigue; Diarrhea; Prolapsed anus

Dioscorea

Sweet

Neutral

Kidney; Lung; Spleen

Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach; Nourishes Lung Chi and Kidneys

Diarrhea; Cough; Frequent urination

Schisandra Fruit

Sour

Warm

Heart; Kidney; Lung

Nourishes Chi; Produces fluids; Calms the Heart

Cough; Dry mouth; Chronic diarrhea; Sweating

Dang-Kuei

Sweet; Acrid; Bitter

Warm

Heart; Liver; Spleen

Tonifies Blood; Regulates menses; Moistens the Large Intestine

Irregular periods; Dizziness; Constipation

Rehmannia

Sweet

Warm

Heart; Liver; Kidney

Nourishes Yin; Tonifies Blood

Back pain; Irregular periods; Dizziness

Fo-Ti

Sweet; Bitter; Astringent

Warm

Liver; Kidney

Tonifies Liver and Kidney; Nourishes the Blood

Dizziness; Hair loss; Back pain; High cholesterol

Lycium Fruit

Sweet

Neutral

Liver; Lung; Kidney

Nourishes the Liver and Kidneys

Dizziness; Ringing in Ears; Back pain; Diabetes

Asparagus Tuber

Sweet; Bitter

Cold

Lung; Stomach

Nourishes Yin; Clears Heat; Moistens Lung; Produces fluids

Fever; Cough; Diabetes; Sore throat; Constipation;

Ophiopogon Tuber

Sweet; Bitter

Cold

Heart; Lung; Stomach

Nourishes Yin; Moistens Lung; Calms Heart

Cough; Dry tongue; Constipation; Irritability

Lily Bulb

Sweet; Bitter

Cold

Heart; Lung

Moistens the Lung; Clears Heat; Stops cough; Calms the Spirit

Cough; Sore throat; Insomnia; Irritability; Restlessness; Palpitations

Licorice

Sweet

Neutral

Spleen; Stomach; Lung

Tonifies the Spleen; Moistens the Lung; Clears Heat

Lassitude; Loose stools; Cough; Breath shortness

Eucommia Bark

Sweet; Sour

Warm

Kidney; Liver

Tonifies Liver and Kidneys; Strengthens the sinews and bones; Calms the fetus

Back pain; Abortion; High blood pressure; Restless fetus

Chinese Caterpillar Fungus

Sweet

Warm

Lung; Kidney

Tonifies the Yang; Nourishes the Kidneys; Nourishes the Lung Yin

Impotence; Sore lower back; Chronic cough; Consumptive cough

Chrysanthemum Flower

Sweet; Bitter

Cold

Liver; Lung