• It’s a Cookbook
    It’s a Philosophy
    It’s a Resource
logologologologo
  • FoodTrients 101
  • News
      • Age Gracefully with Grace O
      • Ginger Hultin, Nutrition
      • Mark Rosenberg, MD
      • Robert Tostado, MD
      • Anti-Aging
      • Beauty
      • Food
      • Health
      • Exercise
      • Celiac
      • Life Extension
      • Books We Love
      • FoodTrients Guides
      • Newsletter
      • woman doing yogaSecrets of the Lymphatic System
      • Fresh-RosemaryRosemary Improves Memory and Cognition
      • fish on slateAnti-Inflammatory Foods: the Top 10
      • capsule full of good foodAre Supplements Safe for You?
  • Recipes
    • SEARCH BY:

      • Category:

      • Starters
      • Soups
      • Salads
      • Main Dishes
      • Sides
      • Desserts
      • Drinks
      • Extras
      • Spice Mixes
      • All Recipes
      • Or Search By:

      • Anti-inflammatory
      • Antioxidant
      • Beauty
      • Detox
      • Disease Prevention
      • Gut Health
      • Immunity Booster
      • Mind
      • Strength
      • exotic fruit and granolaExotic Fruit Salad with Granola
      • buffalo meat slidersTry Buffalo Sliders with Sweetened Cranberries
      • chocolate mousseIt’s a Melt-in-Your-Mouth Chocolate Mousse 
      • Green Tea NoodlesHeart-Healthy Green Tea Noodles Ramp Up the Flavor
  • Resources
  • About
  • Shop
  • Media
  • Home Page
  • News
    • Age Gracefully
    • Anti-Aging
    • Beauty
    • Food
    • Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO
    • Health
    • Newsletter
  • Recipes
    • Starters
    • Soups
    • Salads
    • Main Dishes
    • Sides
    • Desserts
    • Drinks
    • Extras
    • Spice Mixes
  • Resources
    • Anti-Aging Resources
    • Health
    • Eating Well
    • Books We Love
  • About
    • About Grace O
    • Experts and Advisors
    • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Pinterest
  • Shop
  • Media
    • In the Media
    • Press Releases
    • Videos
            No results See all results
            ✕
                      No results See all results

                      Understanding the Yin and Yang of Chinese Spices

                      Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO

                      Iron SquidThis massive region is home to a large variety of unique cuisines, but there are a few common themes seen throughout. One focus of Chinese culture is living a balanced life, which means foods must be balanced as well. Categorizing foods as ‘yin’ meaning cool, or ‘yang’, meaning hot, is sometimes used. Important staple foods include rice which is typically eaten multiple times a day along with vegetables and meats like pork and chicken. Tea is also considered a staple and is often drunk at each meal. There are fourmajor types of cuisines based on regions including Cantonese (located in the south), Mandarin (northern China), Shanghai (the east coast), and Szechuan cooking (inland China). Of course, there are many more because of the rich history of Chinese cuisine and diversity and culture throughout the country.

                      Allspice in a bamboo bowlAllspice
                      Made from the dried berries of the Pimenta Dioica plant, allspice, has been used in natural medicine in China for its ability to reduce infections and provide pain relief in wounds. Often it is consumed as a tea to help reduce gas and bloating. You can find it in an important traditional New Year dish called Nian Gao, sweet rice cakes which are made from rice flour. You’ll find other complementary spices in this dish including vanilla and ginger.

                      Astragalus rootAstragalus root
                      This root has been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for thousands of years. It may help to treat upper respiratory infections, hay fever, asthma, and help improve immune system health. It is commonly added to soups that can be sipped as a tonic for anyone feeling poorly. It is made into herbal soups with chicken as well as sipped in tea. Astragalus grows in northern China and Mongolia.

                      Traditional Thai herb food ingredientsGalangal
                      This root is closely related to ginger and has been used for centuries for its strong medicinal properties. It is known to help alleviate gastric problems including stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and may even help treat ulcers. It is found in the cuisines of many Asian cultures including Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam as well as parts of China. It is commonly used in duck dishes for a flavorful broth and can also be used in savory sauces with other flavors like green onion.

                      ginger on black backgroundGinger
                      This potent root has been used in TCM and Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. It has been used to treat and relieve nausea and vomiting, and may even help to reduce pain, gas, and stomach acid. An absolute staple in Chinese cuisine, ginger is used in medicine as well as in the kitchen as a tea. You’ll find ginger used especially in both northern-style cuisine, in spicy Szechuan cooking, and also in Cantonese cooking, often in sauces.

                      Red onions on wood boardRed onion
                      Medicinally, red onion may be used to treat the common cold, fevers, coughing, bronchitis, and asthma. Many types of onions are used in Chinese cuisine; the allium flavor is prevalent throughout the entire country. Red onions are especially preferred because they have the most potent flavor. Red onion will commonly be used in a savory stir-fry with meat and/or noodles. Peppers, bean sprouts and egg would commonly be added as well.

                      Some red pomegranates on black slate platePomegranate
                      This crimson-colored fruit contains powerful antioxidants and anticancer properties and may be used to help treat hypertension, heart disease, arthritis, influenza, and menopausal and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) symptoms. A symbol of fertility in China, you’ll find pomegranate combined with soy sauce as a marinade or sauce for chicken or duck dishes. Xinjiang, in northwest China, is famous for its pomegranates. The fruit is eaten as a snack and made into both juice and sweet wine in the region.

                      Raw Green Organic Perilla Sesame LeavesShiso
                      You may know shiso leaf from your local sushi restaurant. This delicate herb has a lot of health-promoting compounds including antioxidants and potent antibacterial properties. It is also rich in iron and calcium. It is used to soothe digestive complaints. Related to mint but with a much milder flavor, you may see it referred to as zǐsū, huíhuísū, perilla, or Chinese basil. Find it in Hunan cuisine where it’s used in fish dishes for added aromatic properties.

                      Sun dried tomatoes with fresh herbs and spices. Slate background. Top view.Sun-dried tomato
                      Medicinally, sun-dried tomatoes have similar medicinal properties to tomatoes because their nutritional components stay intact during the drying process. They are known to help treat the common cold and flu, hypertension (high blood pressure), as well as a variety of gastric disorders. Sun-dried tomatoes have a much bolder, umami flavor than fresh tomatoes and so you’ll find them in modern Chinese cuisine in noodle dishes, with spicy Chinese sausage, and in curries as well.

                      References

                      Food By Country. China. http://www.foodbycountry.com/Algeria-to-France/China.html. Accessed 5/17/21.
                      The Spruce Eats. Allspice. https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-allspice-p2-995556. Updated 8/13/20. Accessed 5/11/21.

                      NIH. Astragalus. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/astragalus. Accessed 5/17/21.

                      Natural Medicine Database. Ginger. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/databases/food,-herbs-supplements/professional.aspx?productid=961. Updated 12/16/20. Accessed 5/11/21.
                      Natural Medicine Database. Onion. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/databases/food,-herbs-supplements/professional.aspx?productid=643. Updated 2/17/21. Accessed 5/11/21.
                      Natural Medicines Database. Parsley. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/databases/food,-herbs-supplements/professional.aspx?productid=792. Updated 7/10/20. Accessed 5/16/21.
                      Natural Medicines Database. Pomegranate. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/databases/food,-herbs-supplements/professional.aspx?productid=392. Updated 05/28/20. Accessed 5/14/21.
                      The Spruce Eats. Sun Dried Tomatoes. https://www.thespruceeats.com/homemade-sun-dried-tomatoes-1808065. Updated 10/07/19. Accessed 5/17/21.
                      The Spruce Eats. Thai Dishes.  https://www.thespruceeats.com/thai-food-nutritional-information-3217082. Thai Food Nutritional Information. Updated 5/21/20. Accessed 5/11/21.
                      Natural Medicines Database. Thyme. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/databases/food,-herbs-supplements/professional.aspx?productid=823. Updated 9/18/20. Accessed 5/17/21.
                      The Spruce Eats. Garlic and Ginger: Chinese Cooking Staples. https://www.thespruceeats.com/garlic-and-ginger-chinese-cooking-staples-695008#:~:text=Ginger%20is%20a%20common%20ingredient,in%20Szechuan%2C%20is%20one%20example. updated 7/3/20. Accessed 5/20/21.
                      China Sichuan Food. An introduction to Chinese vegetables: allium, aromatics and peppers. https://www.chinasichuanfood.com/allium-aromatics-and-peppers/. Published 10/14/19. Accessed 5/20/21.
                      New York Times. Pomegranates: rich in history and taste. https://www.nytimes.com/1979/10/31/archives/pomegranates-rich-in-history-and-taste.html. Published 10/31/79. Accessed 5/25/21.
                      The Spruce Eats. What are shiso leaves? https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-are-shiso-leaves-5112607. Published 3/9/21. Accessed 5/25/21
                      Share
                      Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO
                      Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO
                      Ginger Hultin MS RDN CSO is a Seattle-based Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and long time contributor to nutrition content on Foodtrients®. She is the owner of the concierge, virtual nutrition practice Ginger Hultin Nutrition where she helps clients with complex health conditions through an integrative approach. She specializes in anti-inflammatory diets for integrative oncology nutrition, people with gastrointestinal disease, and autoimmune issues. Her 10-year partnership with Foodtrients® has focused on evidence-based anti-aging nutrition, healthy recipes, and "top foods" lists in many categories from blood sugar control to healing your gut. Ginger serves as adjunct clinical faculty at the Bastyr Center for Natural Health in Seattle. She is the director of communications at the Washington State Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, a past Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and past-chair of the Vegetarian Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group. She has authored two nutrition books: Anti-Inflammatory Diet Meal Prep and the How to Eat to Beat Disease Cookbook. Ginger is a graduate of the University of Washington and Bastyr University and is currently pursuing her doctorate of clinical nutrition at the University of North Florida.

                      Sign Up to get our
                      NEWSLETTER FREE


                      By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

                      ABOUT

                      • Grace O
                      • Our Experts
                      • FoodTrients
                      • Board of Advisors
                      • FAQs

                      EXPLORE

                      • Age Gracefully by Grace O
                      • News
                      • Recipes
                      • Our Guides
                      • Resources
                      • Shop
                      • Media

                      CONNECT

                      • Contact Us
                      • Subscribe
                      • Facebook
                      • Pinterest
                      • Instagram
                      • Twitter
                      • YouTube

                      SIGN UP for our NEWSLETTER

                      Nourish your week! Get the latest wellness news and delicious recipes to help you age better.


                      By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

                      FoodTrients Trademark™ and copyright © 2011-2024 Triple G Enterprises. I Terms and Conditions I Privacy

                      This website is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. FoodTrients – A Recipe for Aging Beautifully Grace O, author and creator of FoodTrients® -- a philosophy, a cookbook and a resource -- has a new cookbook dedicated to age-defying and delicious recipes, The Age Beautifully Cookbook: Easy and Exotic Longevity Secrets from Around the World, which provides one hundred-plus recipes that promote health and well-being. The recipes are built on foundations of modern scientific research and ancient knowledge of medicinal herbs and natural ingredients from around the world. Since the publication of her first anti-aging book, The Age GRACEfully Cookbook, Grace O has identified eight categories of FoodTrients benefits (Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Immune Booster, Disease Prevention, Beauty, Strength, Mind, and Weight Loss) that are essential to fighting aging, which show how specific foods, herbs, and spices in the recipes help keep skin looking younger, prevent the diseases of aging, and increase energy and vitality. Grace O combines more exotic ingredients that add age-fighting benefits to familiar recipe favorites.

                                No results See all results