Onion, green (scallion) and Potato and Pumpkin and Shiitake mushroom
2 min readOnion, green (scallion)
Pungent and sweet (Metal and Earth), warm, strong Yang
Onion, a diaphoretic, affects the lungs and stomach. The white head of the scallion is used in many recipes for colds and nasal congestion. Although not as potent as garlic, onions are of the same famly and exert the same therapeutic effects. In other words, they are antibiotics and blood thinners. Note that the younger and fresher the onion, the stronger its therapeutic properties. Protein, 1.8 g; Fat, 0.1 g; Fiber, 0.6 g; Carbohydrate, 12.6 g; Vitamin A, 15 IU; Vitamin B1, 0.08 mg; Vitamin B2, 0.02 mg; Niacin, 0.5 mg; Vitamin C, 5 mg; Calcium, 40 mg; Phosphorus, 60 mg; Iron, 1.2 mg
Potato
Sweet (Earth), neutral, Yang
Potato nourishes the spleen, pancreas, blood, and qi. It soothes inflammation. Potato juice can be applied to burns both to cool and diminsh pain and facilitate healing. Protein, 2.3 g; Fat, 0.1 g; Fiber, –; Carbohydrate, 20.1 g; Vitamin A, 0 IU; Vitamin B1, 0.1 mg; Vitamin B2, 0.04 mg; Niacin, 1.7 mg; Vitamin C, 22 mg; Calcium, 8 mg; Phosphorus, 52 mg; Iron, 0.85 mg
Pumpkin
Sweet (Earth), neutral, balance of Yin and Yang
Pumpkin is a mild diaphoretic. Because it is able to clear damp conditions, it is a good and often-used remedy for bronchial asthma. It is also taken to relieve abdominal pains during pregnancy. Protein, 1.3 g; Fat, 0.3 g; Fiber, –; Carbohydrate, 9.9 g; Vitamin A, 26,908 IU; Vitamin B1, 0.03 mg; Vitamin B2, 0.07 mg; Niacin, 0.4 mg; Vitamin C, 5 mg; Calcium, 32 mg; Phosphorus, 42 mg; Iron, 1.7 mg
Shiitake mushroom
Sweet (Earth), neutral, weak Yang
Mushrooms have been an integral part of Chinese medicine for centuries. Theearliest materia medica from over two thousand years ago describe the medicinal properties of more than twenty species. Hundreds more are treated in modern publications.Among these, shiitake mushrooms, China’s most common fungi, are mentioned as useful in treating vomiting, coughs, and urinary deficiencies. Regular consumption is also thought to prevent the development of cancer. Because shiitake mushrooms are easily cultivated, they are used in everyday cooking as a tasty ingredient to enhance both meat and vegetarian dishes. Shiitake mushrooms are used in popular treatments for coughs, to prevent hardening of the arteries, as a diuretic, and to soothe irritation from food toxins. Protein, 1.4 g; Fat, 0.2 g; Fiber, –; Carbohydrate, 11.3 g; Vitamin A, 0 IU; Vitamin B1, 0.05 mg; Vitamin B2, 0.19 mg; Niacin, 2.1 mg; Vitamin C, 1 mg; Calcium, 2 mg; Phosphorus, 44 mg; Iron, 0.26 mg
