Health for All says
As an experienced veteran TCM practitioner, I often come across something that is misunderstood. One of them is the belief that the more bitter the food, the more beneficial it is, but in fact, some bitter foods are not always good for the body, and even some bitter foods may have adverse effects on the body. This article will combine the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, quote ancient and modern famous prescriptions, and popularize the truth of bitter food for everyone.
First of all, Chinese medicine believes that bitter food helps to clear away heat and fire, detoxify and dehumidify, and relieve the liver and regulate qi. Bitter foods can improve digestion and appetite by stimulating the secretion of saliva and gastric juices. Bitter food does have a certain conditioning effect for people with symptoms such as stomach fire, dry mouth, dampness and heat.
However, not all bitter foods are suitable for everyone. For example, although realgar is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine, it is very toxic and cannot be eaten at will. Moreover, realgar contains components that are harmful to the liver, and long-term use of realgar in large quantities may damage liver function and lead to the occurrence of liver diseases. Therefore, we should avoid realgar consumption, especially without a doctor's guidance.
Another example is ginseng. Ginseng is known as a tonic herb and has a good effect on the body. However, ginseng has a bitter taste and is not suitable for everyone to consume. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that ginseng has a bitter and sweet taste, which can replenish qi and benefit yang, but for people with weak constitution and cold constitution, spleen and stomach, ginseng may cause cold condensation, causing abdominal distension, diarrhea and other uncomfortable symptoms. Therefore, the use of ginseng should be decided according to the individual's constitution, and if the constitution is not suitable, the use should be avoided.
In addition to the above two foods, there are some common representatives of bitter foods, such as bitter gourd, coptis, skullcap, etc. These bitter foods have the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, lowering lipids**, etc., and eating them in moderation is beneficial to the body. However, bitter foods are not suitable for specific groups of people such as anemia patients, people with spleen and stomach deficiency, and pregnant women.
In general, bitter foods are not as bitter as possible, but should be eaten in moderation and from person to person. Before consuming bitter foods, it is best to understand your physical characteristics and follow the guidance of traditional Chinese medicine. In addition, bitter foods are especially suitable for people with damp heat and indigestion, but for people with other constitutions, they should be carefully chosen.
Health References:
1. chen, r. j., chen, h. m. (2019). bitter taste in traditional chinese medicine (vol. 1033, pp. 227–233). elsevier.