Beef and Chicken
2 min readBeef
Sweet (Earth), neutral, Yang
Considered to be of the Earth element, beef builds the qi and blood, tones yin, and strengthens muscles. Beef is prescribed as a general tonic for weakness and convalescence. It is a specific treatment for lumbago, chronic diarrhea, anorexia, and low blood pressure. Until recently, beef was rarely eaten in China. Indeed, few people know that the taboos that exist in India about the consumption of cow flesh also applied in China before the thirteenth century; beef became more popular only after the Mongolian conquest of China in A.D. 1215.7 The Mongolian grasslands were ideal for cattle and sheep grazing; the Mongolians have therefore always been meat eaters. They brought their meat-eating habits with them to China, thus influencing local cuisine and doing away with the old taboos forever. Today beef is consumed without any qualms in China, with the exception of those relating to expense. Protein, 25 g; Fat, 27 g; Fiber, 0 g; Carbohydrate, 0 g; Vitamin A, 0 IU; Vitamin B1, 0.05 mg; Vitamin B2, 0.2 mg; Niacin, 4.1 mg; Vitamin C, 0 mg; Calcium, 11 mg; Phosphorus, 170 mg; Iron, 3.1 mg
Chicken
Sweet (Earth), warm, Yang
Chicken assists circulation of blood and qi. It is used in cures for diarrhea and dysentery. Chicken is also prescribed for problems as varied as anorexia; diabetes; leukorrhea; slow lactation; weakness; and liver, kidney, and urinary deficiencies. Protein, 20 g; Fat, 2.7 g; Fiber, 0 g; Carbohydrate, 0 g; Vitamin A, 0 IU; Vitamin B1, 0.1 mg; Vitamin B2, 0.24 mg; Niacin, 5.6 mg; Vitamin C, 0 mg; Calcium, 15 mg; Phosphorus, 188 mg; Iron, 1.8 mg
Pork
Sweet and salty (Earth and Water), neutral, mild Yang
So common is the pig to rural family life that the Chinese character for family depicts a pig under a roof. Pork is the most common meat consumed in China. Consequently, it figures prominently in popular food remedies as well. Pork is used for constipation, debility, malnutrition and emaciation, dry cough, and diabetes. It is also prescribed for combating hyperacidity and gastritis, male sexual problems, and overly dry skin. Protein, 22.3 g; Fat, 26.1 g; Fiber, 0 g; Carbohydrate, 0 g; Vitamin A, 8 IU; Vitamin B1, 0.52 mg; Vitamin B2, 0.3 mg; Niacin, 3.9 mg; Vitamin C, 0 mg; Calcium, 8 mg; Phosphorus, 206 mg; Iron, 1.19 mg
