In TCM, every herb or food item can be described as having a “warm”, “cool”, or “neutral” nature. This does not refer to the temperature of the food, but to the effect the item has on our health when consumed.
For example, during summer, when one may feel extremely warm, consuming watermelon (which is considered “cooling”) can help to cool the body down, and bring one’s body back to a balanced state. This not only prevents illnesses associated with “heatiness”, but also helps one feel more comfortable amidst the heat.
Therefore it is advisable to consume food that can balance our body for better health and wellness. Below are a list of warm, cool and neutral food items.
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WARMING
Properties may include:
Replenish Yang
Expel cold
Suitable for:
those with a cold body type
those with illnesses associated with “cold”.
Fruits
Lychee Longan Date Peach Durian Cherry Apricot Pomegranate
Vegetables
Ginger Cinnamon Chili Pepper Onion Spring onion Pumpkin Mustard greens
Grains, Beans, Nuts
Glutinous rice
Meat & Dairy
Mutton Chicken Prawn Goat’s milk
Others
Red tea Brown sugar
COOLING
Properties may include:
Clear heat
Replenish Yin
Expel toxins
Suitable for:
those with a warm body type
those with illnesses associated with “heat”.
Fruits
Watermelon Banana Pear Kiwi Dragon fruit Melon Persimmon
Vegetables
Bok Choy Spinach Bean sprouts Cucumber Bittergourd Radish Wintermelon Tomato Celery Eggplant Seaweed Kelp
Grains, Beans, Nuts
Green bean Chinese barley
Meat & Dairy
Rabbit Duck Duck egg
Others
NEUTRAL
Neutral foods are suitable for most body types.
Fruits
Grape Plum
Vegetables
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Carrot
Potato
Sweet potato
Taro
Chinese yam
Peas
Grains, Beans, Nuts
Rice Corn Black bean Red bean Black sesame Soy bean
Meat & Dairy
Pork Chicken egg Cow’s milk
Others
Honey
Note: Cooking methods that employ high heat, such as deep frying or roasting, can increase the heatiness of the food.
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Different food items have different properties
Different food items can have varying degrees of “warmth” or “coolness”. For example, while both peaches and durians are considered “warm”, durians pack more heat than peaches.
Each individual item also has its own unique characteristics and function. Therefore, when in doubt, it is advisable to consult your TCM practitioner on dietary recommendations or restrictions for your specific health condition.
每样食品或药物都有寒凉温热之性质。这里指的不是食物具体可测量的温度，乃是指吃进身体后对身体健康的影响。
例如，夏季气候炎热，人体偏热，吃寒性的西瓜能降低热气，使阴阳平和，令身体更清爽，也防止“热邪”的侵越而导致人生热病。
体内的寒热水平必须保持平衡，身体才能健康无病。因此，应根据食物的属性来挑选适宜自己体质的食品，才能维持身体健康。以下列出各温热性，寒凉性及平性食物的例子。
温热性
功效可包括：
补阳
祛寒
适宜：
寒性体质
病情属寒性人士
水果
荔枝 龙眼 大枣 桃 榴莲 樱桃 杏 石榴
蔬菜
姜 肉桂 辣椒 胡椒 洋葱 葱 南瓜 芥菜
五谷杂粮，豆类
糯米
肉，蛋，乳制品
羊肉 鸡肉 虾 羊奶
其他
红茶 红糖
寒凉性
功效可包括：
清热
养阴
解毒
适宜：
热性体质
病情属热性人士
水果
西瓜 香蕉 梨 猕猴桃 火龙果 甜瓜 柿子
蔬菜
油菜 菠菜 豆芽 黄瓜 苦瓜 白萝卜 冬瓜 番茄 芹菜 茄子 紫菜 海带
五谷杂粮，豆类
绿豆 中国薏米/薏苡仁
肉，蛋，乳制品
兔肉 鸭肉 鸭蛋
其他
平性
平性食物适合多种体质人士食用
水果
葡萄 李子
蔬菜
白菜 菜花 胡萝卜 土豆/马铃薯 红薯 芋头 山药 豌豆
五谷杂粮，豆类
大米 玉米 黑豆 红豆/赤小豆 黑芝麻 黄豆
肉，蛋，乳制品
猪肉 鸡蛋 牛奶
其他
蜂蜜
注意：利用高温度的烹饪法可提高食物的热性。
各食品独特的功效
食品之温热寒凉度各有异，例如桃及榴莲都属温热性食物，但榴莲之热量超于桃。 各食物或药物也有自己独特的性能及作用。因此，若对食物的性质或功效有疑问，您可向中医师询问关于适合您病情的饮食建议或禁忌。
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