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Tai Chi in the park 6/4/2011

June 6, 2011 on 2:23 am | In Health/Qigong/Healing, Tai Chi Chaun/Taijiquan, Wushu/Kung Fu | No Comments

Tai Chi with David Walls-Kaufman:
We had a newcomer so David taught his 1st lesson for beginners, but it is always a great lesson no matter how long you have been learning Taijiquan and you should always feel something new every time coming full circle on this lesson.

1 hour class: first lesson is on Taiji standing as exercise, meditation, and martial art.

Standing meditation: wuji
1. Stand feet parallel
2. Raise head as if pulled from string from above- (pull from toward back
of head, down spine, feel heels.)
3. Feel skin merge with outside, focus on nothing outward.
4. Feel what is happening inside.
5. Hands at side and flat.

1. Physical exercise aspect: reductionistic in no movement.
2. Meditative: knowing, awareness , enlightenment.
3. Martial: understanding.

5 standing postures:
1. Wuji

2. Left bow stance- ward off left.

3. Right bow stance- ward off right.

4. Left empty stance- lifted hands.

5. Right empty stance- play pipa.

Differentiation of solid and empty after #4 left leg comparing to right
leg.

3 important factors:
1. Relax
2. Sink
3. Dan tien.
Relax being most important.

other:
1st 1/3 of form 3 times.
Push hands

Building a Daily practice with Tai Chi Chuan

May 9, 2011 on 1:24 am | In Health/Qigong/Healing, Strength/Cross training, Tai Chi Chaun/Taijiquan | No Comments

Building a Daily practice with Tai Chi Chuan-

The style of Tai Chi Chuan you will be learning is the Yang style. It comes from the lineage of Yang Chen Fu from his disciple Fu Zhong Wen to Sifu Wei Qi He, who was my teacher.

5 Tai Chi principles to remember:

1. Relax- daily decrease of stress, we are not trying to gain strength or added tension.

2. Keep spine straight- do not lean back or fourth, left or right.

3. Separate Yin and Yang- shift weight, turn waist in the stepping exercises.

4. Continuity- keep the movement at same pace and speed.

5. Palm/hand- do not tense hand to much or make to relaxed.

Warm-ups: opening the joints.

1. Neck rotations-3

2. Shoulder rotations-3

3. Wrist rotations-3

4. Elbow rotations-2

5. Waist rotations-2

6. Waist twist-2

7. Spine flex and extend-2

8. Hip circles-2

9. Knee circles-3

10. Ankle circles-2

Stretches-

Floor sitting stretches:

1. Straddle front, left and right

2. Single leg left and right

3. Forward bend with two feet

Standing/wall stretches:

1. Leg swing back and fourth (both legs)

2. Leg swing sideways(both legs)

3. Touch toes

Standing meditation:

Relax crown, relax facial muscles, relax sides of neck, relax shoulders, relax arms, relax hands, relax chest, relax upper back, relax abdomen, relax waist, relax hips, relax lower back, relax legs, relax feet.
-Visualize favorite color.

Qigong:
1. Dan tien breathing.
2. Open and close palms at dan tien.
3. Hold cup and vertical circle hands at dan tien.
4. Raise hands.
5. Raise hands and Open and expand arms
6. Repulse monkey
7. Wave hands like clouds.
8. Closing qigong.

Tai Chi stance work-
1. Open and closing hips in Tai chi front stance.
2. Vertical circle with hips.

Tai Chi walking (5 directions/elements)
1. center (stillness and centered when starting and finishing).
2. forward step
3. backward step
4. left side step
5. right side step

Stepping with hand:coordinate upper and lower body as one unit
1. Part horse mane (similar to ward off) forward stepping.
2. Repulse monkey- backward step w/ hand.
3. Wave hands like clouds- sideways stepping.
4. Grasp Bird Tail- ward off, roll back, press and push (4 core movements of Tai Chi).

Tui Shou/Push hands: partner- yield and push exercises.
1. Ward off circle left. (same hand and foot)
2. Ward off circle right.
3. Brush knee circle left.(opposite hand and foot)
4. brush knee circle right.

Tai chi warm down/self massage
1. Outside of legs
2. Inside of legs
3. Lower back/kidneys
extra: swinging arms hitting body- abs, shoulders, etc.
4. Outside of arms
5. Inside of arms
6. Face massage
7. Scalp massage- wake brain.
8. Ear massage
9. Stomach massage
10. Reverse breathing.

Background History-

Tai Chi Chuan (pinyin: Taijiquan) is practiced by millions of people daily in Asia and around the world as a means of exercise for health and healing. Tai chi chuan is often associated with myths that it was studied by monks in the temples at the sacred Taoist mountain of Wu Dang. It created by a legendary martial artist name Chan San Feng who had studied some Shaolin boxing, but having a dream of a crane and snake fighting, came up with the idea of a boxing style that would use principles of yin and yang, softness and hardness in execution. Tai Chi is the classic Taoist term for Yin and yang. It is also the name of the Taoist constellation of the North star Polaris which is in line with the axis of the earth. The human body also can rotate on its own axis and center of gravity. Historians point out that the orgin is Chenjiaogou a village in Henan province of China. This martial art was eventually studied by a Garrison Commander, Chen Wan ting. Chen family hid their art for many generations. Yang Lu Chan, was a servant to the Chen family, he was able to study with Chen Changxing a 9th generation Chen family. Yang Lu chan learned to fight with the art. He was invited to teach for the Emperor’s Imperial guard in Beijing’s Forbidden city. Later his sons Yang Pan Hou and Yang Chien Hou became famous teachers in Beijing and Shanghai for their fighting prowess. Yang Lu Chan’s grandson, Yang Chen Fu had the most impact on the growth of Tai Chi Chuan teaching to many cities in China. He standardized the form and wrote several books. In 1956, the Chinese Communist government’s sport and health department created a short form using the Yang’s style of Tai chi called 24 step Tai chi, so that it would be easier for people to practice. Tai chi was studied by several different families and the movements are expressed differently, so we have many styles of Tai Chi today. Some Tai chi forms are using small circles, other large circles, some use a low stance, while others might use high or medium level stance, some focus more on power while others try to relax inside. In China the different styles are classified in several ways- Old frame, New frame, Big frame, Small frame, High frame, Low frame, Fast frame, Long frame, etc. Here are some styles of Tai Chi, ‘Wu Dang’ Tai chi, that is from the Wu Dang temple. There is the ‘Chen Tai Chi’ practiced by the Chen family descendants. Yang Tai Chi is from the Yang family which we talked about. Wu Tai Chi is from Wu Quan Yu and his son Wu Chien Chuan who studied with Yang Lu Chan were Manchurian Palace guards.. There is another Wu style from Wu Yu-Hsiang from Yang Lu Chan’s home town of Guang Ping, in Yongnian Prefecture, who also studied with Yang Lu-Chan and Chen Ching Ping. There is Hao style Taiji and Li style Tai Chi that evolved from Wu Yu-Hsing’s nephew Li Yi-Yu and his disciple Hao Wei Zheng. Lastly there is Sun Tai Chi from Sun Lu-Tang a student of Hao Wei Zheng. Cheng Man Ching helped develop Tai Chi in the USA in the 1960’s. He ghost wrote books for Yang Chen Fu and his variation on Tai Chi chuan is very popular in the Taiwan, Malaysia, USA, and Europe. It is often called the ‘Yang 37 Short form’. Cheng Man Ching’s student Robert Smith, who wrote many books on Tai Chi Chuan in English, taught and lived in the DC metro area and is pivotal to the development in America as well. There are a few other rare styles of Tai Chi, but those are typically the most popular and well known.

Tai Chi salute and motto: diligence, perseverance, respect, sincerity are ingredients for Tai chi kung fu.

Diligence- Hard work and effort is prerequisite for skilled development. Daily practice on a regular basic will ultimately be rewarded by beneficial results.

Perseverance-It is important that a long and enduring sense of purpose be cultivated. A sense of purpose combined with regular daily practice will serve to achieve that purpose.

Respect- Respect for your master, teacher, and fellow man is paramount. Deal with others in taking consideration their backgrounds and in the light of their expectations. Mutual respect serves to enhance a sense of community and solidarity in a society where individuals treat each other with respect.

Sincerity- Sincerity in attitude or motivation is a prerequisite for learning Taijiquan. In order to achieve, a genuine resolve to pursue your goal must exist. Deal with others sincerely if you want them to reciprocate. Maintain sincerity in the fore of your dealing with others and you will achieve a smooth flow in relationships.

Qigong and martial arts levels.

December 29, 2010 on 4:15 pm | In Health/Qigong/Healing | No Comments

5 stages of qigong:
1. Sperm to qi- balance of endocrine system.
2. Qi into Jing- creating frequency and vibration internally.
3. Jing to shen: pulling vibration outside of body into aura.
4. Shen to void: filling the room with vibration.
5. Void into Tao: pure enlightenment, wu wei.

4 stages of training:
1. Martial artist: learning of combat techniques.
2. Healer- learning of acupuncture, herbs, acupoints, massage.
3. Scholar: learning about emotion, life, family, self.
4. Sage: spirit training, god, Tao, understanding why in martial arts to begin with.

Taijiquan for dealing with 4 fighting stresses

August 31, 2010 on 2:06 pm | In Health/Qigong/Healing | No Comments

Taijiquan and neijia arts helped me in my Lei Tai fight event training the following ways:
Morning practice was centered on Xingyi’s 5 element boxing, Bagua’s single, double, and 8 palm striking techniques, and Yang Taijiquan solo forms. This was to recover from training injury by circulating ‘qi’ energy in the body. The intensity of very physical evening training needed a balanced recovery regime. Limbering up, using the softer ‘neijia’ or internal arts that are ‘yi and qi’ (mind and energy) centered exercises as opposed to ‘Li’- “muscle and bone” strengthening centered exercises (even though taijiquan does help Li also) were the primary tools to accomplish this .

My evening training consisted of: cross-fit class, track cardio, stamina circuits, and sprints, regular boxing/ kickboxing focus mitt and thai pad work, weight training for martial arts, interval training, sparring: amateur boxing rules sparring, muay thai sparring, wrestling hand sparring, muay thai clinch sparring, san shou sparring. This type of training can lead to injury, pain, and soreness. Taijiquan and other arts helped manage the daily stress put on the body and mind.

The internal arts combat stress and especially is a nice addition to deal with the stress of even choosing to fight.

There are 4 majors stresses when taking a fight:
1. spiritual
2. mental
3. emotional
4. physical

1. spiritual stress is that which affects your higher spirit. These are more ethical in nature as in dealing with not loving every other being vs. karma of having to hurt someone else, questions of self purpose, self worth, or even humility of defeat and getting hurt. Fighting affects the spirit and consciousness and it is a challenge to the ego. Should one not feed the ego’s desire or should one be egoless and not participate in fighting? It takes a healthy balance in spirit to fight for sport. It is about being compassionate to the opponent and to play the game fair and not cheat. It is to have mercy on your opponent and not to maliciously hurt someone. You have to protect your self and not wish bad on the opponent, but just have a test of spirit. Taijiquan is a spirit exercises that raises the spirit, empty’s the mind, cultivates shen.

2. Mental- a lot of mental preparation must be achieved. This is mental focus, mental visualization, mental talking (self pep talks), mental toughness, etc. All these have to be a healthy balance so the mind in not over trained but a healthy amount of stress to develop mental toughness. There is a lot of mental stress during training that taijiquan helps to relieve. Mental states included that of excitement and depression. Doubts can take over mind and other over-thinking. It is good to have things to take mind off thinking of fight day, Taijiquan is a perfect exercise to take mind off future or past and work in present moment in time and space. Thinking of the taijiquan combat technique with yi and feeling the qi in the present moment helps fight jitters. Relax the extreme mental states of consciousness with taijiquan.

3. Emotional- there will be moments of anger and fear before, during and after combat and taijiquan helps a person to recognize and deal with negative emotions as they arise. Taijiquan has philosophy and a lot of psychology to deal with combat with relaxation. Taijiquan helps balance negative emotions like worry, pensiveness, anger, fear, and impatience. In training for a fight you will go through many emotions, Taijiquan as a moving meditation can help deal with emotional stress.

4. physical- all the physical ‘wai gong’ training (weights, cross-fit, track circuits, stance work, kicking, punching, sparring) pays a huge tax on the body. Taijiquan helps bring balance from the external ‘waigong’ type of training. Taijiquan is neigong and qigong in nature. All the ‘neigong’ training (daoyin, Duna, and sitting meditation) and all the ‘qigong’ training (Taijiquan as a martial qigong with applications) encoded in the form help with aches and pains from ‘waigong’ training.

Fighting Cancer and Healing self with Goulin Qigong

June 11, 2010 on 1:02 pm | In Health/Qigong/Healing | No Comments

INTRODUCTION OF GUO LIN QI–GONG
by Coach Xu
The new Guo Lin Qi-Gong (GLQG) is a type of self control Qi-Gong therapy consisting of a combination of both slow movements and peaceful meditation. It was initially developed by the late Qi-Gongist, Mrs. Guo Lin who was born China in 1909 and died in late 1984. She was a famous painter noted for her mountain and river scenes of China. When she was six years old, she followed her grandfather to practice child Gong and play Hua-Tuo’s animal analogue demonstration. During her many travels, she visited many famous Qi Gongist throughout China.
In 1949, she contracted cancer of the uterus. Even in spite of her numerous operations, the cancer could not be controlled. In her search for a cure, she turned to the old, traditional Chinese treatment of Qi-Gong. She studied various medical books and continuously applied Qi-Gong therapy to cancer healing. After ten years of
research, she developed a new system of Qi-Gong. Her therapy integrates movement with meditation. Her approach proved to be effective and easy to learn. Since 1972, patients have been using her treatment throughout China. More than ten thousand cancer patients have practiced her new GLQG treatment to fight their cancer. A lot of her cancer patients got healed and did not have any cancer recurrence. In studying the successful cases, it was revealed that GLQG is an acceptable method to add to the treatments integrating TCM with WM. (TCM–Traditional Chinese Medicine, WM–Western medicine)

The Shanghai Rehabilitation Club for cancer patients was established in 1989. in 1993, a survey was conducted of its 1,054 club members having cancer. The survey results revealed that 64 percent of the members having cancer had recovered. It was conclude that of those cured of cancer, 85 % were persistent in exercising GLQG
Some of the benefits from properly practicing GLQG therapy were improved s1eep, appetite, improved immune functions that contributed to preventing replaces and metastasis, improved quality of life, and prolonged survival.

Today, there even a few teachers of GLQG outside of China , in the United
States, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong and Macao. As a
result, there are adherents of GLQG in these areas. Due to the favorable reputation of
Qi-Gong teachers in the China, our teachers were invited to teach at the Qi-Gong
Association of Japan twice, Once in 1992 and again in 1993. -

The special features of GLQG are that it:
1.– improves physical conditioning which in turn prevents and cures diseases
2.– emphasizes self-training discipline so as to not require external motivation by others;
3.– differentiate Qi-Gong modes, program, and, duration which is, based on the different kinds of diseases including the cause, nature and’location the cancer as well as the physical condition of patients;
4.— is easy to learn and has no proven side effects. However self-training; should be advanced step-by-step and the patient’s willpower must be developed so that they can exert all of their strength.

There are several modes to apply the new GLQG program of treatment, such as:
* Walking with wind respiration:
– natural walking
– quick walking
– stable walking
– 1, 2, 3, point walking
* Waving arms slowly up and down and opened and closed
* Massaging of the Yong Quin acupoint and head
* Hand and Feet rods
* Making special vocal sounds
* Walking slowly for patients with chronic diseases.

Wind respiration is started with tonic inner vital energy, combined with mind conduct, and respiration with posture conduct. this treatment leads to proper regulation of the central nervous system, improving macrophage activity, replenishing vital essence to improve eyesight, promoting blood circulation and strengthening fi.inction of immunity and hemopoiesis. All of the functions of new (GLQG inhibits growth of cancer cells and even helps restore cancer cells to normal cells. It is an effective adjunct treatment for cancer patients.

INTRODUCTION OF SHANGHAI CANCER REHABILITATION CLUB
By Coach Xu
“Social Oncology,” a new field in medicine, recommends that doctors should attend to the psycho-social aspect when treating cancer patients. The Shanghai Cancer Rehabilitation Club was established in 1989 to provide this type of rehabilitation for many cancer patients in Shanghai, particularly those who have ample time due to unemployment. Sixteen chapters of the rehabilitation club are located throughout the city, thus convenient to members. At the current time, there are more than four thousand members of club, including some noncancer members who are supporters of “Social Oncology.” Both Chinese and Western cancer specialists work with the club patients. In 1993, the Club established the Educational Institute of Cancer Rehabilitation. Shanghai Educational Bureau legalized the institute for the purposes of collective psychological therapy to guide the patients in medical rehabilitation and to encourage them to fight against cancer and to increase their quality of life.

The activities of the Rehabilitation Club are:

* To consult with patients on a weekly basis;
* To guide patients in writing articles on their experience for the club ioiirnal “Rehabilitation Communication”
* To lead the patients in their Guo Lin Qi Gong exercises in the district
park;
* To invite various cancer specialists to lecture the patients;
* To organize different field trips that would be a group activity
that might help in to work toward a healthy and optimistic state
of mind;
* To provide different classes to aid in rehabilitation such as singing
dancing, joke and riddle telling, games, taiji performances, nutrition
and psychotherapy;
* To celebrate the fifth anniversary of survival since diagnosis for the
patients;
* To accept financial assistance and grants from supporters of this
treatment from both home and abroad;
* To elect an “anti-cancer star” once a year;
* To arrange for the “anti-cancer star” to lecture at home and abroad;
* To sponsor “Olympic” games for cancer patients. In 1993, more than
2,000 members from Japan and Taiwan joined in the games.
* To encourage members to write books. Several best-selling books
have been published already, such as ‘Cancer Does Not Equal Death
and Super-Over of Life;
* To share research and experience of GLQG with supporters around the world;
* To encourage cancer patients to join in the spirit of” I serve the people; the people serve me.”

A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO COACH XU TAI JI INSTITUTE
The Coach Xu Tai Ji Institute in the United States is a specialized institution dedicated to the introduction of Oriental traditions and culture, to the research and instruction Of health preservation and the prevention of illness.
The essential and typical Oriental theory of Tai Ji, Ying Yang, Si Xiang, Wu Xing (five elements), Ba Gua etc. have been proven through thousands of years of practice, to be scientific and in accordance with the laws of nature. To study, to research and to implement these theories and methods for the health, longevity and recreation of modem society are an important issue of modem science.
The president of Coach Xu Tai Ji Institute, Mr. Xu Jun-Heng, has been engaging in competitive sports, health restoration and preservation practice for thirty-six years, and has accumulated rich and extensive experience through these activities. Especially during the recent six years, he has helped many patients to regain their health and many cancer patients to recuperate. Those weak in physical constitution have become health and strong. Participants strengthened their physique and are able to grasp and utilize the concept of self-regulation and self-balance in order to prevent illness and to preserve health.
Coach Xu Tai Ji Institute maintains:

1. The birth and death of a human being are a long and natural process. If physical and psychological balance is relatively attained, one enjoys health, longevity and high quality of life. On the contrary, one would be sickly, have a shorter life-span and lower quality of life, if imbalance perseveres.

2. Any illness is always caused by the imbalance of the body as a whole. Any partial disorder is the manifestation of the imbalance of the whole body. Thus to cure a disease one must give consideration to that fact.

3. Psychological problem leads to physical changes; physical disorder leads to psychological imbalance. Therefore one’s mind and life-style affect his health to a great extent, and seriously influence the process of treatment and recuperation.

4. According to traditional and modern methods, the treatment of a patient is only an aid to the patient from the outside. Whether the aid can be of help or not relies on the potential of the patient’s body, on its acceptability of the aid.

5. A treatment regulates the body so that the partial or total physical and psychological imbalance ca be restored. Using as healthy diets and physical exercises, are as important as using modern medicine and technology.

6. Actively doing self-regulations with a positive attitude, and be responsive in accepting aid from outside, the combination of above is essential to the patient and only in this way can the treatment be effective and sound. Therefore, it can be said that the best doctor for you is your own self

Coach Xu Tai Ji Institute has made the observation that we often estimate ourselves incorrectly: When we are healthy we tend to believe we are much healthier than we really are. And when we are ill, we tend to disregard the potential of our vitality and only rely on medication, forgetting how much the mind means to the body.
Coach Xu Tai Ji Institute will carefully select the most essential and most effective of the Oriental physical practice methods to guide you in the research and practice of good health and well-being, to help you in your recuperation and to discuss with you the way to perfect health.
The slogan of Coach Xu Tai Ji Institute is: “Let us lead longer, healthier and happier lives.”

Massage set for Martial Artist injury recovery

December 17, 2009 on 5:37 pm | In Health/Qigong/Healing, TCM, Massage and Dietary therapy | No Comments

Basic series:
Patient on back-
place pads under knees
1. Head/neck
2. Right leg
3. head/neck
4. Left leg
5. head/neck
6. right arm
7. head/neck
8. left arm
9. head/neck

Head/neck region

1. lift head toward sternum
2. twist head left and right
3. turn head toward ear and push on shoulder
4. pull head elongating spine.

Legs-
1. lift leg as far as can go comfortably
2. press knee into chest
3. circle hip joint both directions
4. bicycle circles and reverse direction
5. pull leg

Arms-
1. relaxing shaking of arm and pull up/front of body
2. relaxing shaking of arm and pull toward feet
3. relaxing shaking of arm and pull laterally
4. relaxing shaking of arm and pull across body
5. relaxing shaking of arm and pull close to ear

Patient on stomach-
Series for the back:
place pads under ankles
1. circle palm 9x on sacral region and reverse direction
2. circle palm 9x on lower back and reverse direction
3. circle palm 9x on mid back and reverse direction
4. circle palm 9x on upper back and reverse direction.
5. place one palm on shoulder and other on opposite hip and circle hip
6. switch #5 to opposite shoulder/hip and repeat.
7. on left side on back. you can do the circle going up to shoulder and circle shoulder
8. repeat #7 on right side of back.
9. pull the legs

TCM diet

December 17, 2009 on 5:35 pm | In Health/Qigong/Healing, TCM, Massage and Dietary therapy | No Comments

Traditionally the chinese way of eating is based on ‘Qi’ energy. This is done to maximize the daily amount of qi that we are given. It is important to note that many indigneous cultures seem to have naturally figured out what is best suited for them. For instance- those in tropical regions tend to eat what naturally cools them down, while those in polar regions tend to eat what will keep them warm. The diet is based on some of the principles of the macrobiotic diet- which is eating according to where you are. Currently I am living in a North American temperate zone that has four seasons- winter, spring, summer and fall so I must adjust my diet to this climate. If I were to move to a polar or tropical temperate zone then I should change accordingly, but because I am a zone that has 4 seasons, I must not eat as if I were in any other zone. This means that tropical fruits and vegetables, imported fruits and vegetables from europe, asia, africa, ect. are really of no use for me. If I were to live in India then it is good to eat the foods there, including curry and spicy which will make a person sweat to prevent heat exhaustion or heat stroke, however the Indian diet is not important for my current living zone. The best concentration of food sources are local and regional areas. Another good thing to consider in diet is organic food sources. Today our meats and vegetables are not fully raised properly. Livestock is often raised in factory type settings, farms may be using pesticides, and fields may be depleated from minerals in the soil.

The chinese diet is based on thousands of years of research in many Taoist monasteries. These places have researched the energies of the diet for health and medical benefits. The food energies are based on 5 energy types. Cold food energy is a weak force that makes the person feel generally tired. Cool food energy generally has a cooling effect on the persons system. Warm food energy have a warming and nourshing effect on the human body. Fire food energy is strong and has a heating effect that generally makes the person seem to have alot of energy, but is the most dangerous of them all. Neutral food energies are more used for people who have attained stable health. The cold and fire foods are the ones to avoid because they throw the ‘qi’ off balance by being extremes. A combination of these cold and hot/fire extremes leads to ‘Empty Fire’ leading to serious imbalances.

Meats-
5 elements differentiation-
Wood-chicken
Fire-lamb
Earth-cow
Metal-horse
Water-pig
Beef: neutral, sweet, Sp & St Qi & Blood Tonic
Lamb:
warm, sweet, Sp, Ki, Qi Tonic, Warms Interior
Ham: warm, salty, Sp Qi Tonic, Produces fluids, subdues Reb. Qi
Pork: neutral, sweet & salty, Sp, St. Ki, Lubricates dryness (Ni: si. cold)
POULTRY
Duck:
neutral, sweet & salty, Lu, Ki, Facilitates water passage, reduces, swellings
Chicken:
warm, sweet, Sp, St. Qi Tonic, Warms Interior
EGGS
Chicken egg:
neutral, sweet. Blood tonic, lubricates dryness
Egg white:
cool, sweet. detoxifies, lubricates Lu, coos hot sensations, benefits throat
Egg yolk:
neutral, sweet, Ht & Ki, blood tonic, lubricates dryness
Neutral
Chinese cabbage:
neutral, sweet, St & LI, promotes digestion & urination, tonifies Ki & Brain.
Carrot:
neutral, sweet, Lu & St. Sp Qi tonic, dries dampness & Phlegm
Corn: neutral, sweet, St & LI, Qi & Blood tonic, regulates Middle Jiao stimulates appetite, diuretic
Black Fungus:
neutral, sweet. St & LI, Qi & Blood tonic, cools Blood, stops bleeding
White Fungus:
neutral, sweet, Lu, Yin tonic, produces fluids, lubricates Lu
Pumpkin:
neutral, sweet. (Lu & Sp), Qi & Blood tonic, dries Damp, diaphoretic
Potato:
neutral, sweet. Sp, Sp Qi tonic, heals inflammation
Sweet Potato:
neutral, sweet. Lu, Sp & Ki, Qi, Blood & Yin tonic, benefits Kidneys, astringes Jing
Shiitake Mushroom:
neutral, sweet. St. Qi & Blood tonic, benefits St
Celery:
neutral, sweet bitter, St & Liv, Qi & Blood tonic, clears Heat. sedates Yang, dries Damp, calms Liver, expels Wind
Taro: neutral, sweet & pungent. St & LI, Qi, Yang & Blood tonic, circulates Qi & Blood, clears Heat. reduces swellings
Turnip:
neutral, sweet. pungent. bitter, Qi, Yang & Blood tonic, circulates Qi & Blood, clears Heat & Yang, dries Damp, diaphoretic, lowers Reb. Qi, detoxifies Yin tonic, clears Heat & Fire, dries Damp, clears Lu, lubricates Dryness, diaphoretic

Eggshell:
checks gastric acid, arrests bleeding
DAIRY
Milk: neutral, sweet, Ht, Lu, St. Lu & St tonic, produces fluids & lubricates the intestines
Butter:
warm, sweet, Yang, Qi & Blood tonic, circulates blood
SEAFOOD
Shrimp:
warm, sweet, Kidney Yang tonic
Eel: warm, sweet, Liv, Sp, Ki, Qi tonic, treats Bi syndrome, strengthens bone
Mussel:
warm, salty, Liv & Ki Qi tonic, treats simple goiter
Abalone:
neutral, sweet & salty, detoxifies, sharpens vision
Shark:
neutral, sweet & salty, Sp, Tonifies Qi, Blood, & Yin lubricates dryness, reduces swelling, tonifies S Zang
Carp: neutral, sweet, Sp & St, facilitates water passage, promotes milk secretion, heals swelling
Cuttlefish:
neutral, salty, Liv & Ki, Blood tonic, sharpens vision
Oyster;
neutral, sweet & salty, Blood tonic
Oyster shell:
cool, salty, Liv & Ki, stops sweating, astringes Jing, softens hardness Saltwater clam:
cold, salty, St. promotes water passage, elimir;ates phlegm, softens hardness
Freshwater clam: S
cold, sweet & salty, Liv & Ki, detoxifies, sharpens vision
Crab: cold, salty, Liv & St, activates blood, cools heat sensations facilitates recovery of dislocations
Kelp: cold, salty, St. softens hardness, facilitates water passage

GRAINS
Five element differentiation
Wood-wheat
Fire-corn
Earth-grain
Metal-rice
Water-bean
Glutinous rice:
warm, sweet, Sp, St. Lu, Sp Qi tonic
Malt: si. warm, sweet, Sp & St. promotes digestion
White rice:
neutral, sweet, Sp & St. Sp Qi tonic
Rice bran:
neutral, sweet & pungent, St, LI, descends energy
Rye: neutral, bitter, dries dampness, diuretic
Whole wheat:
cool, sweet, Ht, Sp, Ki, Ht & Ki tonic
Wheat bran:
cool, sweet, St, cools St Fire,
Buckwheat:
cool, sweet, LI, St, Sp, Qi & Blood tonic, clears Heat sedates Yang,
Job’s Tears:
cool, sweet, Sp, Lu Ki, detoxifies, Sp & Lu Qi tonic, diuretic
Barley:
cool, sweet.& salty, Sp & St. regulates St, expands intestines, promotes urination
Millet:
cool, sweet & salty, St. Sp, Ki, Qi & Blood tonic, clears heat, lubricates dryness, Tonifies Yin, benefits digestion detoxifies

LEGUMES
Soybean Oil:
hot, pungent & sweet, lubricates intestines Sword bean: warm, sweet, Ki, St & LI: warms interior, tonifies Ki, descends Reb Qi.
String bean:
neutral, sweet, Sp & Ki, Qi, Blood & Yin tonic
Yellow soybean:
neutral, sweet, Sp & LI, Qi tonic, lubricates dryness, eliminates edema
Black soybean:
neutral, sweet, Sp & Ki, circulates Blood & fluids treats Bi syndrome, detoxifies
Corn:
neutral, sweet, LI & St, Qi & Blood tonic, diuretic
Hyacinth bean:
neutral, sweet, Sp & St, Qi tonic, eliminates edema
Broad bean:
neutral, sweet, Sp & St, Qi tonic, eliminates edema
Peas: neutral, sweet, Sp & St, Qi & Blood tonic, descends Reb Qi, diuretic, induces bowel movements Kidney bean:
neutral, sweet & bland, diuretic, heals swellings
AdZUkI bean:
neutral, sweet & sour, Ht & SI, diuretic, heals swellings, detoxifies
Castor bean:
neutral, sweet & pungent, Lu & LI, detoxifies & heals swellings, induces bowel movements
Mung bean:
cool, sweet, Ht & St. detoxifies, clears heat, diuretic
Soybean:
cool, sweet, LI & Sp, Qi & Blood tonic, clears Heat, lubricates dryness, eliminates edema
Tofu: cool, sweet, Sp, St, LI, Qi tonic, produces fluids, lubricates dryness, detoxifies NUTS
Walnut:
warm, sweet, Ki & Lu, Ki tonic, lubricates intestines, astringes Jing
Chestnut:
warm sweet, Sp, St & Ki tonic, circulates Blood & stops bleeding

vegetables
Asparagus:
cool, sweet & bitter, Lu & Ki, Qi, Blood & Yin tonic, clears Heat & Fire, dries Damp, lubricates Dryness, clears Lu, diaphoretic
Lettuce (Iceberg):
cool, bitter & sweet, St & LI, Qi & Blood tonic, clears Heat & Yang, dries Dampness & diuretic, aids lactation
Cucumber:
cool, sweet, Sp. St & LI, clears Heat Yang, & detoxifies, promotes urination & quenches thirst
Eggplant:
cool, sweet, Sp, St & LI, Qi & Blood tonic, clears Heat & Yang, removes Blood Stagnation, relieves pain, heals swelling
Mushroom (button):
cool, sweet, Lu, LI, St & Sp, Qi & Blood tonic, clears Heat & Yang, calms Shen, stimulates appetite, regulates Qi, transforms Phlegm
Spinach:
cool, sweet, LI & SI, Qi & Blood tonic, clears Heat & Yang, hemostatic, lubricates Dryness
Winter Melon:
cool, sweet, Lu, LI, UB, & SI, detoxifies, diuretic, transforms Phlegm
Swiss Chard:
cool, sweet, Su, LI, Sp & St. Qi Y Blood tonic, clears Heat & Yang, detoxifies, hemostatic, relieves coagulations
Watercress:
cool, sweet & pungent, Lu & St. Qi, Yang & Blood tonic, circulates Qi & Blood, clears Heat & Yang, lubricates Lu, quenches thirst, diuretic
Radish:
cool, pungent & sweet, Lu & St. Qi, & Blood tonic, clears Heat & detoxifies, transforms Phlegm-Heat, lowers Reb. Qi
Bamboo shoot:
cold, sweet, Tonifies Qi, Blood & Yin, clears Heat, detoxifies (often used to balance warm energy of meat)
Kelp: cold, salty, St & Sp, Yin tonic, clears Heat, lubricates Dryness, softens Hardness, promotes flow of Water
Lotus Root:
cold, sweet, Sp St & Ht, Qi, Blood & Yin tonic, cools Blood (when raw), stimulates appetite, produces muscles, relieves diarrhea (when cooked)

Peanut-
, SWeet, sp & lu,
Peanut Oil:
neutral, sweet, Qi & Blood tonic, lubricates intestines, pushes accumulations downward
Almond:
neutral, sweet, Lu, Qi & Blood tonic, lubricates Lu, relieves cough, transforms phlegm, lowers Reb Qi
SEEDS
Cottonseed:
hot, pungent, Sp & Ki, Sp & Ki tonic, arrests bleeding, stops Sp Qi sinking
Sunflower seed:
warm & neutral, sweet & bland, Liv & LI, stops diarrhea, facilitates eruption of measles, subdue Liv
Pinenut:
warm, sweet, Lu, LI & Liv, lubricates Lu & LI, stops cough, Qi, Yang & Blood tonic, promotes fluids, moves Stagnant Blood, expels cold & wind
Dill seed:
warm, pungent, Sp & Ki, Qi & Yang tonic, moves Stagnant Blood, regulates Qi, expels cold
Fennel seed:
warm, pungent, St. UB & Ki, Qi & Yang tonic, moves Stagnant Blood, regulates Qi, expels cold, harmonizes St
Bitter apricot seed:
warm, pungent & bitter, toxic, Lu & LI, stops cough, relieves asthma, lubricates intestines
Sweet apricot seed:
warm, pungent & sweet, Lu, LI, Sp, Sp Qi tonic, lubricates intestines, stops cough
Sesame seed:
sI. warm, sweet, Liv & Ki tonic, lubricates intestines, “blackens” gray hair, general tonic
Black sesame seed:
neutral, sweet, Liv & Ki tonic
Cherry seed:
neutral, bitter & pungent, LI, promotes measle eruption, detoxifies
Lotus seed:
neutral, sweet & harsh, Sp, Ht & Ki tonic. Qi & Blood tonic, constricts the intestines

Warm
Guava:
warm, sweet, (St & LI) obstructive & constrictive, stops diarrhea & bleeding Chinese Date (red & black):
warm, sweet, Sp & St, Qi & Blood tonic, produces fluids, detoxifies,
Longan (Long Yan/Dragon’s Eyes):
warm, sweet, Sp & Ht, Yang, Qi & Blood tonic, removes Blood Stag., calms Shen Coconut milk & meat:
warm, sweet, produce fluids, promote urination, kills intestinal worms
Peach:
warm, sweet & sour, (Lu & LI), activates Blood, Qi, Blood & Yang tonic, produces fluid, lubricates intestines, stops cough, expels cold
Raspberry:
warm, sweet & sour, Liv & Ki, Liv & Ki tonic, controls urination, asringes Jing
Litchi:
warm, sweet & sour, Sp & Liv, Yang, Qi & Blood tonic, Regulates Qi & Blood, soothes Liv & calms Shen
Cherry:
warm, sweet & harsh: Qi, Yang, & Blood tonic, activates Qi & Blood, expels Cold, Wind, & Damp
Kumquat:
warm, pungent, sweet & sour, (Lu & Sp), circulates Qi, relieves cough, transforms Phlegm
Dried Mandarin orange peel:
warm, pungent & bitter, Sp & Lu, regulates Qi, dries dampness, transforms Phlegm Hawthorn Fruit:
sI. warm, sweet & sour, Sp, St & Liv, harmonizes Middle Jiao, removes Qi, Blood & Food
Stagnation (esp. meat), expels tapewonns
Neutral
Papaya:
neutral, sweet, (Sp, Si, Lu & LI), promotes digestiofl destroys intestinal worms, lubricates Lu, stops cough
Figs: neutral, sweet, Sp & U, St tonic, detoxifies
Grape:
neutral, sweet & sour, Lu, Sp & Ki, Qi & Blood tonic, strengthens tendons & bones, promotes urnaton
Crab apple:
neutral, sweet & sour, Ht, Liv & Lu, quenches thirst, stops diarrhea, astringes Jing
Olive:
neutral, sweet & sour, Lu & St. Qi & Blood tonic, clears Lu, benefits throat, produces fluids, detoxifies
Loquat:
neutral, (sweet & sI. bitter),(LU, St & Liv), lubricates dryness harmonizes St & soothes Liv, descends Reb. Qi, stops cough
Apricot:
neutral, sweet & sour, Lu, lubricates Lu, produces fluids
Pineapple
neutral, sweet & sour, Qi & Blood tonic, promotes urination & digestion, quenches thirst, stops diarrhea, clears Summer Heat
Plum:
neutral, sweet & sour, Liv & Ki, produces fluids, promotes digestion & urination, soothes the Liv
Sour Plum:
neutral, cx. sour, Liv, produces fluids, destroys worms

SPICES & HERBS
Dried Ginger:
hot, pungent, Lu, St & Sp, Yang & Qi tonic, circulates Blood, warms Middle Jiao, opens the meridians
Pepper (black & white):
hot, pungent, St & LI, warms interior, descends Reb. Qi
Pepper (red & green):
hot, pungent, Ht & Sp, warms interior, harmonizes Middle Jiao, stimulates appetite
Cinnamon Bark:
hot, sweet & pungent, Sp, Ki, UB, diaphoretic, strengthens St, warms surface & interior
Fennel Seed:
warm, pungent, Ki, IJB, St, Warms Interior, circulates Qi
Sweet Basil:
warm, pungent, Lu, LI, Sp, St, Qi & Yang tonic, circulates Qi & Blood, harmonizes St
Dillseed:
warm, pungent, Sp & Ki, Qi & Yang tonic, circulates Qi & Blood
Garlic:
warm, pungent, Sp, St & Lu, Qi & Yang tonic, circulates Qi & Blood, warms Middle Jiao, destroys worms
Clove:
warm, pungent, St, Sp & Ki, Yang tonic, warms Interior
Fresh Ginger:
warm, pungent, Lu, St & Sp, diaphoretic, Yang & Qi tonic, circulates Blood, transforms Phlegm, stops vomiting
Coriander:
warm pungent, Lu & Sp, diaphoretic, harmonizes Middle Jiao
Nutmeg:
warm pungent, Sp & LI, Qi & Yang tonic, warms Interior, circulates Blood, warms Middle Jiao, lowers Reb. Qi
Cinnamon Twig:
warm, pungent & sweet, UB, Ht, Lu, diaphoretic, warms Upper Jiao
Star Anise:
warm, pungent & sweet, Sp, Ki, Liv, Yang tonic, circulates Qi, harmonizes St, stops vomiting
Caraway Seed:
warm, si. pungent, Ki & St, circulates Qi, descends Reb Qi
Spearmint:
warm, pungent & sweet, (Lu & Sp), diaphoretic, circulates Qi & Blood
Ginseng:
warm, sweet, & si bitter, Sp, Lu (Ht), Qi tonic, produces fluids, calms Shen
Rosemary:
warm, pungent, (Lu, St), diaphoretic, activates Blood, strengthens St. calms Shen
Saffron:
neutral, sweet, Ht & Liv, circulates Qi & i3lood, eliminates Blood Stagnation
Licorice:
neutral, sweet, Sp, St & Lu, lubricates lungs, detoxifies, moderates effects of other herbs
Peppermint:
coot, pungent, Lu & Liv, diaphoretic, regulates Qi & Blood
Marjoram:
cool, pungent, (Lu & Sp), diaphoretic, circulates Qi, drains dampness

White sugar:
neutral, sweet, Lu & Sp, lubricates Lu, produces fluids, Qi tonic
Honey:
neutral, sweet, Lu, Sp & LI, detoxifies, lubricates dryness, relieves pain
Tea: si cold, bitter, sweet, Ht, Lu & St. quenches thirst, promotes digestion & urination, awakens Shen
Salt: cold, salty, St, Ki, SI & LI, detoxifies, clears Heat, lubricates dryness, Yin tonic
Brown sugar:
warm, sweet, Liv, Sp & StQi tonic, circulates blood
Vinegar:
warm, sour & bitter, Liv & St. disperses coagulations, detoxifies, arrest bleeding
Wine: warm, sweet, bitter & pungent, Ht, Liv, Lu & St, promotes blood circulation, expels cold, speeds up effects of herbs
Coffee:
warm, sweet & bitter, Ht, Heart tonic, stimulant, diuretic
Molasses:
warm sweet Lu & Sp Qi tonic lubricates Lu stops cough
., …. , .. .
seasame oil- cool,sweet. detoxifies lubricates dryness promotes bowel movemefl produces muscles
Cool
Lemon
cool, ex. sour, promotes fluids, harmonizes St, relieves thirst
cool, sweet & sour, (St & Lu), Qi & Blood tonic, benefits St. relieves vomiting, quenches thirst.
Mango:
diuretic
Mandarin Orange:
cool, sweet & sour, (Lu), diuretic, lubricates Lu, relieves cough, 1ransfOI Phlegm