Diet Therapy ⁽³³⁾

"Water Shield Soup (Chuncai Geng)" is an ancient dietary-therapy formula indicated for weakness of the spleen and stomach qi, inability to take food and drink, weakness of the limbs, and progressive emaciation. This formula originates from the Song-dynasty text Shengji Zonglu (General Records of Divine…

“Taohua Zhou” (Peach-Blossom Porridge) is a famous formula of the Warm-Disease school, recorded in that school’s classic Wenbing Tiaobian (Systematic Identification of Warm Diseases). Its composition is: Renshen (Ginseng Radix) 3 qian (9 g), Zhigancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix preparata) 3 qian (9 g), Chishizhi (Halloysitum Rubrum)…

Professor Wang Shaohua, a renowned senior TCM physician of Jiangsu Province, treated a case of edema caused by nephrotic syndrome using a combined medicinal and dietary approach. This treatment method is well worth learning from, and the author respectfully uses his case to explain this…

The potato (Solanum tuberosum) is the tuber of a plant in the nightshade family (Solanaceae). It is a common food, and almost everyone has eaten potatoes. We know potatoes have high nutritional value, but few realize they also have considerable medicinal value; when used properly,…

In Chongding Tongsu Shanghan Lun (Revised Popular Treatise on Cold-Damage) there is an electuary called "Baofei Xueli Gao" (Lung-Protecting Snow-Pear Paste). Its composition is: snow pears 60 (pressed for juice), unprocessed rehmannia (Shengdi), cogongrass rhizome (Baimaogen), and fresh lotus root, each an appropriate amount (these…

Duan Fengwu had a dietary-therapy formula specifically for treating abdominal jiju (pelvic or abdominal tumors). Its composition is: burreed tuber (Sanleng) 90 g, zedoary (Ezhu) 90 g, Salvia (Danshen) 120 g, Chinese-honey-locust spine (Zaojiaoci) 120 g, and rice vinegar 80 ml. Add an appropriate amount…

Ye-ge (dysphagia) and fan-wei (regurgitation) are TCM disease names. Ye-ge presents as obstruction or pain on swallowing, while fan-wei presents as immediate vomiting after eating; the two often occur together. In modern medicine, reflux esophagitis, esophageal stricture, esophageal ulcer, esophageal cancer, cardiac cancer, and cardiac…

"Kuaipi San" ("Quick-Spleen Powder") comes from Yangshi Jiacang Fang (Master Yang's Family-Transmitted Formulas). Its composition is: prepared licorice (Zhi Gancao) 600 g, tsaoko fruit (Caoguo) 300 g (peel not removed), fresh ginger 1200 g, and table salt 450 g. The above doses are modern conversions…

On June 28, 2023, the journal Nature published a study by the team of scientist Li-Ming at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. The study found that changes in protein intake reprogram tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and alter the competition between TAMs and cancer cells. Li-Ming's team…

Zaoren Dihuang Tang comes from Hui Yue Yi Jing (Medical Mirror of Returning). It is made by boiling 30 g of Suanzaoren (sour jujube seed), 15 g of Shudihuang (processed rehmannia root), and about 50 g of rice together into a porridge. When the porridge…