Class 1 Flashcards
9 Ben Cao Gang Mu Classifications
- flavor
- temperature
- Zangfu
- Yin and yang
- Kingdoms (3 energetic layers)
- grades
- geography
- direction
- function
spicy
dispersing, opening, moving
acrid
can be cooling; mint, lemongrass, rosemary, oregano
pungent
stimulate mucus membrane reaction; onion, garlic
spicy
hot; stimulates very strong mucus membrane reaction; can burn the skin; opens orifices
sweet
tonifying, cloying/slowing, benefits the qi, dampening, supplements yin; lingering with a meal
sour
astringes fluids, consolidates
bitter
draining, clears heat, drying, clears excess damp and phlegm; stimulates sphincters, helps in elimination; moves qi stagnation
salty
softens hardness; structure building for bones; descending; affects the mind, brain, and curious organs; too much can injure the blood and interfere w/ nutrient absorption; anchoring; tends to concentrate in the arteries
bland
drains damp, promotes flow, permeates, calming; cucumber, avocado, winter lemon, some mushrooms, water chestnuts
leaf
opening
flower
calms the shen
plants that grow quickly with odd foliage
yang
bigger and leafier plants
yang
vines
Wood energy, moving
warming moves…
up
hot moves…
up and out
cool moves…
in
cold moves…
in and down, condensing
What two foods are contraindicated together?
fruit and grains
What is the exception for the fruit-grain food combination?
Upper grade fruits e.g. dates, olives, prunes, grapes
What 3 factors is dietary therapy dependent upon?
- food combinations
- quality of food
- strength of patient’s digestion
