TCM Food guide

1. Excess Heat
Symptoms: Flushed face, feeling of heat, excessive
hunger, excessive thirst, irritability or outbursts of
anger, mouth ulcers, red eyes
Avoid:
Spicy foods, onions, chives, leeks, garlic, mustard
greens, alcohol, coffee, black tea, nuts, seeds, red
meat, chicken, pork, dairy, refined sugars, deep fried
foods, cigarettes, recreational drugs, stress
Add:
Adzuki/Fava/Broad/Mung/Soy Beans, Tofu, Miso,
Rice, Rye, Millet,
-Carrot, Tomato, Yams, Turnip, Bamboo, Coconut,
Water Chestnut, Plantain, Chinese cabbage,
Cucumber, Celery, Radish, Snow Pea, Swiss chard,
Broccoli, Eggplant, Lettuce, Dandelion leaf,
- Figs, Grape, Pineapple, Apple, Blueberry, Cranberry,
Banana, Grapefruit, Rhubarb, Watermelon, Lemon,
Mango, Melon, Pear, Persimmon, Plum, Strawberry
- Egg Halibut, Salmon, Cod, Mackerel, Trout, Pike,
Flounder, Abalone, Scallops, Sardine, Clam, Snail,
-Sesame Oil, Coconut Oil (use sparingly)
Green Tea (short steeping time, 1-2 Cups/Day)
Deficiency Heat -Deficiency of Yin
Symptoms: Afternoon fever, malar flush, night
sweating, dryness of mouth and throat, sensation of
heat in palms and soles, yellow urine, dry stools
Avoid:
Raw foods, spicy foods (chilli, cinnamon, clove, ginger
etc.) coffee & tea, refined sugar, garlic, onion, basil,
leek, citrus fruits, vinegar (apple cider vin. Ok), lamb,
shrimp, veal, game birds, alcohol, cigarettes,
recreational drugs
Add:
-Soups & Stews, Rice, Oats, Millet, Barley, Spelt,
Mung, Adzuki, Black, Kidney, Lima Beans, Chickpeas
-Yoghurt, Tofu, Tempeh, Goat Milk Products
-Asparagus, Potato, Yam, Peas, Artichoke, Lettuce,
Zucchini, Squash, Beets, String Beans, Cabbage
-Dates, Figs, Prunes, Apricots, Pineapple, Apple,
Grapefruit, Avocado, Orange, Banana, Lemon, Mango,
Melon, Pear, Pomegranate, Strawberry, Tangerine,
Watermelon, Blueberry, Raisins, Peach, Plum
-Pork, Chicken, Lobster, Oyster, Mussel, Herring,
Eggs, Duck, Crab, Clam, Scallops, Cold Water Fish -
Sunflower Seed, Walnut, Black Sesame Seed, Coconut
Milk, (extra virgin-cold pressed) Olive Oil, Flax Oil
-Kelp, Seaweeds & Micro-Algae, Paprika, Anise,
Saffron, Thyme, Marjoram
Detoxifying
Avoid:
Wheat and wheat products, yeast, sugar (including most
fruits and their juices and condiments), honey, ferments
(black tea, soy sauce, vinegar, pickle, alcohol), coffee, dairy
products, red meat, deep fried foods, bad salts
Add:
-Adzuki Bean, Kidney Bean, Mung Beans, Soy Bean, Tofu
(sparingly) Millet,
-Fennel, Kohlrabi, Artichoke, Radish, Spinach, Swiss
Chard, Watercress, Alfalfa Sprouts, Tomato, Cucumber,
Kelp, Mushroom, Olives Onion, Sweet Potato, Turnip, Yam
-Fig, Raspberry, Rhubarb, Banana, Blueberry, Lemon
Abalone, Clam, Herring, Scallop, Oyster, Shrimp, Egg
White (Chicken)
Miso, Garlic, Ginger, Herbal Tea, Turmeric, Chlorella
*Buy non medicated, organic meats and dairy, and try to
find wild fish. Whenever possible, purchase produce
grown free of pesticides (organic), avoid cooking meats
and fish at maximum temperature as it oxidizes the oils,
medium for a slightly longer time is best.
Deficiency Cold -Deficiency of Yang
Symptoms: Chills, cold limbs, listlessness, lassitude,
spontaneous sweating, absence of thirst, clear urine, loose
stools
Avoid:
Raw foods, cold foods (banana, avocado, cranberry,
watermelon), wheatgrass, high doses Vitamin C, citrus
fruits, sprouts, tomatoes, spinach, swiss chard, soy
bean/soymilk, tofu, dairy products, seaweeds, excessive
salt, refined sugars
Add:
-Soups, Rice, Oats, Quinoa, Roasted Barley, Sweet Rice,
Spelt, Chick Peas, Black/ Adzuki Beans, Lentils
-Garlic, Chives, Parsnips, Sweet Potato, Onion, Spring
Onion, Leek, Pumpkin, Squash, Carrots, Peas, Turnip
-Lamb, Lobster, Prawns, Beef, Chicken, Mackerel, Tuna,
Anchovy, Salmon, Mussels, Cold Water Fish, Oyster, Small
Amount Butter
-Cherry, Pineapple, Peach, Raspberry, Strawberry, Dates
-Chestnut, Pine Nuts, Walnuts, Sunflower/Sesame Seeds
-Black Pepper, Cayenne, Cinnamon, Clove, Nutmeg, Dill
Oregano, Fennel, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Turmeric,
Ginger, Horseradish, Spearmint, Cardamom, Star Anise,
Molasses, Fenugreek Carob
* Kidney *Add some foods from Dryness & Yin Xu list
Basic Syndrome
Based
TCM
Food
Guide

2. Qi Stagnation (Liver)
Symptoms: distended/bloating pain, belching, gas,
irritability, breast distention, hypochondriac pain,
frequent sighing
Avoid:
Eating while distracted/ emotionally upset, oily, fatty
foods, dairy, eggs, red meat, nuts, margarine, lard,
chillies, spicy foods, alcohol & intoxicants, artificial
colors and preservatives, refined sugar, raw vegetables
& juice
Add
-Rice, Sprouted Grain/Sourdough Bread
-Onions, Garlic, Beets, Mustard Greens, Watercress,
Asparagus, Cabbage, Turnip, Cauliflower, Broccoli,
Brussels Sprouts, Jerusalem Artichoke, Carrots, Celery,
Water Chestnuts, Taro Root
-Cherry, Dates, Peach, Strawberry, Small amount
Citrus Fruits, Kumquat, Tangerine, Grapefruit
-Turmeric, Basil, Mint, Pepper, Cardamom, Cumin,
Fennel, Dill, Ginger Bay Leaf, Marjoram, Rosemary,
Horseradish, EV Olive Oil, Molasses, Miso,
Soy(Bragg’s), Rose & Jasmine Flower
Small amount: Pickled Veg., Coffee & Wine (no more
than 1cup/day)
Qi Deficiency
Symptoms: fatigue, increased fatigue after eating,
poor appetite, spontaneous sweating, shortness of
breath, loose stools, dizziness, worse with exertion
Avoid:
Raw foods, cold foods (banana, avocado, cranberry,
watermelon), dairy, high doses of Vitamin C, citrus
fruits, sprouts, tomatoes, spinach, chard,
soybeans/soymilk, tofu, seaweeds, strong tea & wine.
Add:
-Oats, Red Beans, Rice, Mung Beans, Artichoke,
Carrot, Potato, Sweet Potato, Radish, Kohlrabi, Yams,
Summer & Winter Squash, Mushroom -
Peach, Pear, Apple, Cherry, Coconut, Dates, Figs,
Grapes, Raspberry, Peach, Plum, Tangerine
-Beef, Beef & Chicken Liver (Organic), Eggs, Chicken,
Pork, Lobster, Mussels, Shrimp, Herring, Mackerel,
Sardine, Clam, Tuna, Haddock, Bass, Sole -
Almonds, Sunflower Seeds, Celery Seeds, Fennel
Seeds, Chives, Garlic, Turmeric, Anise, Cloves,
Caraway, Basil, Cardamom, Cayenne, Cinnamon,
Thyme, Spearmint, Rosemary, Vanilla, Vinegar,
Mustard, Honey, Olive Oil, Safflower Oil, Rice & Red
Wine (cooking)
*Spleen specific *Lung specific
Blood Deficiency
Symptoms: Pallor, pale lips, dizziness, blurry vision,
floaters, palpitations, insomnia, anxiety, numbness of
hands and feet
Avoid:
Raw foods, cold foods, radish, nuts/nut butters (in
excess), tofu, dairy, refined sugar and overly sweet
foods, high doses of Vitamin C
Add:
Spelt, Buckwheat, Barley, Rye, Black Beans, Peas, String
Beans, Black Eyed Peas, Chick Peas
Brussel Sprout, Cabbage, Beets, Turnip, Fennel,
Asparagus, Artichoke, Alfalfa Garlic, Kale, Beet Greens,
Spinach, Avocado (moderately), Kelp
- Cherry (and juice), Dates, Raisins, Currants, Fig
Apricot, Grape, Raspberry, Blackberry, Pomegranate,
Rhubarb
-Cold and Warm Water Fish, Beef, Beef Liver, Pork,
Lamb, Turkey, Egg (chicken), Mussel, Oyster
Safflower oil, Butter, Almond, Pistachio, Black Sesame
Seed, Cumin, Ginger
Blackstrap Molasses
Dampness/Phlegm
Symptoms: feeling of heaviness, bloating, clouded
mind, mucous/phlegm, vaginal discharge, cloudy urine
Avoid:
Excess raw food (esp. avocado & banana), dairy, eggs, red
meat, yeast, nuts (peanuts & pistachio) wheat & spelt,
processed foods, cold drinks, deep fried foods
Add:
-Oats, Amaranth, Millet, Adzuki Beans, Kidney Beans,
Mung Bean, Lentils, Brown Rice, Barley, Rye
-Chives, Scallion, Alfalfa Sprouts, Asparagus, Corn,
Kohlrabi, Mushroom, Bamboo Shoots, Celery, Lettuce,
Radish, Turnip, Green Onion, Winter Squash, Potato &
Skin, Bok Choy, Eggplant, Plantain, Green Pepper, Kale,
Mustard Greens, Onion, Olive
-Chicken, Turkey, Duck, Mackerel, Herring, Cray Fish,
Clam, White & Warm Water Fish, Snails, Ham
Fig, Blueberry, Cranberry, Lemon & Lime, Coconut,
Dates, Strawberry, Apple, Cantaloupe, Peach, Pear -
Poppy/Pumpkin/Black Sesame/Sunflower Seeds, Flax,
Almonds, Pepper, Mustard, Cayenne, Cinnamon, Dill,
Fennel, Anise, Ginger, Marjoram, Parsley, Saffron, Sage,
Thyme, Miso, Capers, Kelp, Green Tea,
*Heat, *Phlegm & Mucus, *Both
Blood Stagnation
Symptoms: Sharp, fixed and stabbing pain,
bruising, trauma, fixed and firm masses
Avoid:
Raw foods, cold foods (including Tofu), overly rich,
oily or sweet foods, refined sugar , iced drinks, strong
coffee and tea, high doses of Vitamin C, spicy foods
Add:
-Chickpeas, Lentils, Adzuki Beans, Peas, Buckwheat,
Rye, Barley
-Onion, Scallion, Chives, Shallots, Leeks, Garlic,
Green Onion, Tomato, Eggplant, Potato, Green
Pepper, Green Chilies, Kale, Mustard Greens,
Summer and Winter Squash, Beets, Kohlrabi, Olives,
Turnip, Pumpkin, Tomato, Spinach, Swiss Chard,
Watercress, Arugula, Chestnut
-Cold and Warm Water Fish
Dates, Papaya, Cranberry (moderately), Lemon/Lime,
Tangerine, Rhubarb, Pomegranate, Peach
Spearmint, Sage, Saffron, Rosemary, Basil, Turmeric,
Paprika, Nutmeg, Ginger
- Olive Oil, Safflower Oil, Almond, Flax, Apple Cider
Vinegar, Umemboshi Vinegar, Red Wine (1 Cup/day)
Body Fluid Deficiency/ Dryness
Symptoms: Dry stools, constipation, dryness of the
mouth and throat, dry cough, nosebleed, dry skin
Avoid
Spicy foods, dill, cardamom, caraway, coriander, cilantro,
tarragon, thyme, oregano, basil, ginger, rosemary, sage,
parsley, peppermint, spearmint, marjoram, celery seed,
black pepper, chillies, cayenne, cinnamon, mustard,
cloves, nutmeg, anise, garlic, chives, cumin, paprika
adzuki/mung, peas, lentils,
Add
-Black/Green Beans, Millet, Spelt, Barley, Fermented
Soy, Tofu, Butter, Milk, Egg/Egg White,
-Cabbage, Lovage Roots, Winter Squash, Beets, Spinach,
Parsnip, Alfalfa Sprouts, Potato Beets, Asparagus,
Cucumber, Radish, Watercress
- Raisins, Apricot, Fig, Apple, Avocado, Banana,
Grapefruit, Orange, Pear, Peach, Persimmons,
Strawberry, Tomato, Watermelon, Plum
-Cold Water Fish, Ham, Oyster, Chicken, Crab, Herring,
Clam, Almonds, Walnuts, Black Sesame Seed, Pine Nuts,
Pistachio, Sunflower Seed, Olive Oil, Sesame Seed Oil,
Sugar Cane, Honey, Maple Syrup, Saffron, Fenugreek,
*Intestines *Lungs *Both