Food Rx - Healing Properties of Foods
Healing Properties:
1 AZUKI BEANS Helps to strengthen the kidneys, also good to regulate and smooth bowel movements and regulate menstrual activity.
2 BANCHA TEA (TOASTED GREEN TEA) Contains little caffeine, it has a stabilizing effect and stimulates digestion.
3 BARLEY MALT SYRUP Contains some complex carbohydrates and has less impact on the body's metabolism than most refined sweets.
4 BEAN THREAD NOODLES Noodles made from starch of green mung beans.
5 BUCKWHEAT Has been well-known for its ability to reduce high blood pressure, it is also useful in reducing cancers and diseases, such as tuberculosis.
6 BURDOCK A root vegetable cultivated by farmers in Japan, believed to have anti-infection, anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties, also valued in treating skin, glandular and arthritic problems.
7 CANOLA OIL A neutral-ffavored, all-purpose cooking oil, very low in saturated fats, and contains polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats.
8 CHICKPEAS Also called garbanzo beans, these light-brown beans have a nutty flavor.
9 CHINESE WOLFBERRY Improves vision, helps prevent liver and kidney deficiency, headaches, lumbago and cancer.
10 CHINESE JUJUBE Rich in vitamin C and D, it is an effective tonic to the spleen and stomach, contains nutrients, and works as a sedative for indications of "empty" spleen/stomach, general energy deficiency fatigue and hysteria.
11 DAIKON A long, white radish with a sweet, pungent flavor, it is helpful for digestion and detoxifies animal proteins, and also protects against carcinogens.
12 DRIED BAMBOO FUNGUS The "king" of the dried delicacies from the mountains, expensive and nutritious, rich in
protein and carbohydrates, only the expensive feasts have the bamboo fungus.
13 ENOKI MUSHROOMS Fragile, flower-like mushrooms grown in small clusters, mild in flavor and slightly crunchy.
14 FERMENTED BLACK SOYBEAN Good for the lungs and stomach, carminative, sedative, antipyretic, for indications of colds, fevers and headaches due to "wind-heat" injur~ oppressions in chest and insomnia.
15 GINGER One of the world's 10 favorite spices, surpassing any modern drug in therapeutic scope without harmful side effects, helping to prevent heart attacks, reducing fever and pain, improving digestion, fighting cancers, a powerful antioxidant.
16 GREEN TEA WITH TOASTED BROWN RICE An excellent drink for everyone, especially in the summer as it helps to normalize the body temperature, good for constipation, diarrhea and chronic headaches.
17 GOMASHIO With sesame seeds and unrefined white sea salt, can relieve tiredness, will strengthen the nervous system, establishes a stable and correct balance of yin and yang elements in the body, thereby increasing natural immunity.
18 HIJIKI Contains the most calcium of all edible sea vegetables (I ,400 mg per 100 grams dry weight-much more than milk, which is about 120 mg calcium per 100 grams weight), also very rich in iron (29 mg per 100 grams dry weight) compared to spinach (3 mg iron per 100 grams).
19 JICAMA Tropical root vegetable that looks like a sandy ball; white inside and has a crispness similar to that of water chestnuts; mild-flavored, can be added to nearly anything to provide a juicy, fresh and crunchy texture.
20 JINENJO (DIOSCOREA OPPOSITA) A mountain yam (root), used for indications of "empty" spleen and stomach, lack of appetite, fatigue, diarrhea, leukorrhea, chronic coughs, nocturnal emissions, spermatorrhea, frequent and scanty urination.
21 KABOCHA Replenishes and invigorates the spleen and stomach, relieves inflammation and pains, removes all toxic substances and destroys intestinal parasites; applicable to patients with both essential hypertension and diabetes.
22 KOMBU Has also been thought to increase longevity; intelligence and clear thinking; rich in essential minerals, scientific research has discovered that it is effective in helping to prevent a variety of cancers.
23 KUKICHA (TWIG TEA) WITH TOASTED BROWN RICE Naturally low in caffeine, a good daily drink for persons suffering from nephritis, bladder infections, heart diseases, indigestion and general fatigue.
24 KONNYAKU A traditional Japanese food made from yam flour; zero calories, contains lots of calcium and iron, also good for "empty" bowels and stomach.
25 LILY BULB "Ulium Japonicum Thumb", rich in protein, calcium, magnesium and iron, an antitussive and expectorant.
26 LILY FLOWER Every 100 grams has 14.1 g protein, 0.4 g fat, 60.1 g carbohydrates, 463 mg calcium, 173 mg phosphorus, reduces inflammation, is a diuretic, a stomach tonic, and soothes the nerves.
27 LOTUS ROOT WITH GINGER TEA Since ancient times has been known to have an influence on the respiratory system by helping to dissolve and eliminate excess mucus; can be used for coughs, colds, sinus problems, congestion, infection, lung problems, bronchitis, and asthma
28 MACRO CAFE (GRAIN COFFEE) A non-stimulating, caffeine-free coffee substitute made from roasted grains, beans, and roots such as barley roasted rye, and dandelion root.
29 MACROBIOTICS An approach to balanced living based on a balanced diet, moderate exercise, harmony with the environment, and an understanding of the philosophic principles of Yin and Yang.
30 MISO A salty paste made from cooked, aged soybeans and rice, rich in minerals and vitamins, including B-12, promotes an alkaline environment in the body to enhance resistance to disease-causing organisms.
31 MONKEY MUSHROOM Also called Hedgehog Hydnum Mushroom, every 100 grams has 26.3 g protein, 4.2 g fat, 50 g carbohydrates, affects arterio-sclerosis, cholesterol, stomach, and prevents cancer.
32 MU TEA A combination of 16 plants and wild herbs, good for relieving tiredness and can be reheated. Yin sick people can take mu tea every day for 1-2 weeks when suffering from troubles of the digestive or respiratory system, and reproductive system (menstrual cramping or irregular menstruation, etc.).
33 NAPA CABBAGE Also called Chinese cabbage, a variety of cabbage similar to bok choy but smaller in size, light green in color with crinkled leaves.
34 NATTO A very healthy, traditional Japanese food, fermented soybean, easy to digest, rich in
protein and vitamin B-12, also has a heating effect, can keep us strong without forcing us
to rely on eating meat or cheese, helps the digestion, smoothes bowel movements, and
improves kidney function.
35 NORI Paper-thin, crispy sheets of pressed sea vegetables, used for Japanese sushi, rolled
around rice or crumbled as a garnish, rich in protein, calcium, vitamins, iron and minerals.
36 PEARL BARLEY (HATO-MUGI) Has tremendous medicinal power; will offset or discharge animal quality proteins and fats; applications are for yang tumors, such as warts and moles which are caused by the excessive consumption of animal proteins and fats; recommended on a daily basis and can also be used as a tea; helps the activity of the stomach, diuresis, and is good for cosmetic purposes because it makes the skin soft and smooth; strengthens the spleen, protects the lungs, prevents muscle ache, neuralgia, beriberi, etc.; very effective for the improvement of physical stamina and acts to melt cancer cells.
37 PINE NUTS Efficiencies and indications: promoting the production of body fluid, arresting convulsion, moisturizing the lung and lubricating the intestinal tract; it should be avoided by those who are troubled with loose stools, spermatorrhea or phlegm dampness.
38 SEA SALT Produced by evaporating unpolluted sea water free of additives and anti-caking agents, containing trace elements not found in the processed regular table salt.
39 SEACRESS A tasty herb from the sea which is a natural flavor enhancer; like colorful herbs from kitchen gardens, it has its own sensitive and unique flavor; will bring new highlights to salads, soups, sauces, and vegetables, adding authentic taste to any dish.
40 SEITAN A chewy, high-protein food made from boiled or baked wheat gluten.
41 SESAME SEEDS For cases of stomach/intestinal troubles, menstrual irregularities, eyesight problems, can also increase production of breast milk and darken the hair.
42 SHIRATAKI A yam noodle, made from yam flour and purified water (as is konnyaku), also good for "empty" bowels and stomach.
43 SHISO (PERILLA) Shiso leaves are rich in chlorophyl, vitamins A, B2 and C; and also in calcium, iron and phosphorous; also certain linoleic acids, which have the ability to dissolve cholesterol; medicinal effects include calming the nervous system, stimulating sweat secretion, diuretic properties, activating the digestive system, helpful in cases of common colds and coughing.
44 SHIITAKE MUSHROOM A rich, woodsy mushroom with an umbrella-shaped brown cap used in traditional
Chinese and Japanese cuisine, a powerful immune boaster, discharges excess salt and
animal fats.
45 SOY PROTEIN A fibrous-textured soy product made from extruded soy flour.
46 SUNFLOWER SEED Efficiencies and indications: reinforces the spleen and moisturizes the intestinal tract, arresting dysentery; treats boils.
47 TAHINI A thick, smooth paste made from ground sesame seeds, a staple of Middle Eastern cuisine.
48 TOFU White, easily digestible curd made from cooked soybean milk, high in protein, comes in soft, firm and extra-firm styles.
49 UME PLUM VINEGAR Kaiseki is the traditional art and spirit of Japanese high cuisine. Kaiseki select Ume Plum Vinegar is a naturally fermented vinegar produced during the traditional salt-pickling of Japanese Ume Plums. A refreshingly zesty seasoning, it adds a new dimension to simple vegetable dishes or greens.
50 WAKAME Sea vegetable with rich vitamin 8-12, an alkalizing agent, an iodine source and a blood purifier.
51 WASABI Known as Japanese horseradish because of its spicy flavor mostly available as a dried pale green powder in small tins, often used to season sushi or its dipping sauce, also substitute for horseradish in recipes.
52 WOOD EAR MUSHROOM Rich in protein, carbohydrates, iron (185 mg), and fiber, good for "empty" stomach and blood circulation.
53 YANG In macrobiotics, energy or movement which has a centripetal (or inward) direction; one of the two antagonistic-yet complementary-forces that together describe all phenomena, it is traditionally symbolized by a triangle.
54 YIN In macrobiotics, energy or movement which has a centrifugal (or outward) direction, resulting in expansion; one of the two antagonistic-yet complementary-forces that together describe all phenomena, it is traditionally symbolized by an inverted triangle.
55 YUBA Thin films made of heating soymilk, also called bean curd sheets or bean curd skin.