Transcript Treasure of the Orient - from taiping with love

Chinese culinary art does not only aim at delighting
the sense of taste but also provides a preventive
treatment against ailments.
Traditionally the Chinese classify all food by their
innate properties: heaty, that which stimulates the
system; cooling, that which soothes the system;
and neutral, that which neither stimulates nor
soothes.
This slide show introduces the better known herbs
and ingredients in Chinese cuisines and some of
their lesser known therapeutic properties.
Both Lotus seeds and dried longans are
good for the heart, spleen and kidneys. Red
dates are effective in combating fatigue,
anemia, and boosting energy levels. They
are therefore a common ingredient in the
diet of Chinese women during confinement.
Property:
Neutral (Lotus Seeds), Heaty (Dried
Longans & Red Dates)
Dried Longans,
Lotus Seeds & Red Dates
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Rich in minerals, mushrooms are commonly
used in herbal cooking to add a definitive
flavour and give a delightful aroma to the
dish. They also absorb fats and oils.
Scientifically, mushrooms are known to
lower blood pressure and blood cholesterol.
Property: Neutral
Dried Mushroom
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Ginger & Garlic
Ginger is commonly used with fish and all kinds
of seafood to dissipate those fishy odours. Try
ginger tea to soothe headaches and a ginger bath
to relieve tension, minor aches and pains.
Fresh garlic contains compounds that fortify the
body immune system against common colds,
coughs and other kind of respiratory ailments. In
most Chinese cooking, garlic is quintessentially a
flavour enhancer.
Property: Heaty
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Covered with a coat of mud from the lily
pond, lotus roots are definitely out of the
kids’ choice list when you bring them
shopping at the wet market. Do you know
that the coat of mud helps to keep the root
fresh? Raw lotus roots are believed to “clear”
heat while cooked ones can purify blood
and stimulate appetite.
Property: Cooling
Lotus Root
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White fungus is regarded as one of the most
invaluable delicacies in Chinese cuisines.
While enjoying its crunchiness, Chinese
women love it for the beauty and
smoothness it promotes to the skin and
complexion. White fungus also benefits the
lungs, stomach and kidneys.
Property: Cooling
White Fungus
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Its Chinese name, ‘The vegetable from the
Western Ocean’, reveals its introduction more
than a century ago by Portuguese sailors via
Macau. Due to its high vitamin content,
watercress is highly regarded for the prevention
of ailments and recuperative value. Besides
spinach, watercress contains the next highest iron
content, which makes it blood-enriching and
excellent for the treatment of anemia.
Property: Cooling
Watercress
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Medlar Seeds
Do you think you would still be able to thread
the needle at the age of eighty? You might - if
you start adding lots of medlar seeds in your diet
now!
Medlar seeds are known to add sparkle to the
eyes and improve eyesight. Prescribed brews of
these seeds help relieve eye strain resulting from
long hours of watching the TV and working on
the computer.
Property: Cooling
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In the old days, many grandmothers would
prepare gingko nuts & barley soup for their
grandchildren. This is because gingko nuts
are reputedly good relieving coughs and
‘chesty’ conditions, while barley is a good
source of nutrition for those with sore
throats or weak stomachs.
Property: Cooling
Gingko Nuts & Barley
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Known for its cooling effects, winter
melon is frequently used in soups,
sweet desserts and teas to soothe the
throat and to help reduce body heat,
especially in the hot and humid
climate of ours. Always remember
mothers’ advice: “Eat more winter
melon and your pimples will disappear
with the heat in your body.
Property: Cooling
Winter Melon
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Water chestnut is a good form of
roughage to cleanse the intestinal tract of
‘yang’ elements. Its heat-relieving
properties make it good for kids who
tend to over-indulge in their favourite
‘heaty’ fried snacks.
Property: Cooling
Water Chestnut
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Angelica & Astragalus
Angelica (dang gui) is the herb for
women, while ginseng is the herb for
men. This is because angelica contains
vitamin B12 which aids blood formation.
Astragalus (bei qi) helps promote blood
circulation and lowers blood pressure. A
favourite remedy too, for general
weakness and nervous exhaustion.
Property: Heaty
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Small as they may be, sesame seeds contain
an abundance of protein, minerals calcium
and polyunsaturated oils. They nourish the
lungs, improve blood circulation and
increase body energy. White sesame seeds
are more often used as food garnish while
black sesame seeds are used as medicine for
the liver and kidneys, and to darken
prematurely grey hair.
Property: Heaty
Sesame Seeds
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The End