Five Grains and Mixed Cereals Also Treat Diseases
When it comes to tonifying, people usually think first of various tonics, meats, or rare delicacies. In fact, the common five grains and mixed cereals we eat daily are also excellent tonics. Traditional Chinese medicine holds the concept of "food and medicine sharing a common origin," meaning that five grains and mixed cereals can be used for disease prevention and treatment—economical, practical, and without side effects.
Rice, also known as glutinous rice, has a sweet taste and neutral nature, capable of tonifying the middle energizer, strengthening the spleen and stomach, and relieving irritability and thirst. During spring, when the weather is dry, drinking rice porridge in the morning and evening helps prevent dry mouth and throat. Diabetic patients should especially note that different cooking methods of rice affect blood sugar differently. Studies show that cooked dry rice has less impact on blood glucose than thin rice porridge. Therefore, diabetic patients should eat dry rice for breakfast to better control blood sugar.
Job's tears, also called millet, has a sweet taste and neutral nature, helping strengthen the spleen and stomach. It is suitable for those with spleen-stomach deficiency heat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or post-illness and postpartum weakness. When boiling millet into porridge, a fine, sticky layer floats on top, commonly known as "rice oil." Traditional Chinese medicine considers rice oil highly nutritious and most nourishing, even saying "rice oil can substitute for ginseng decoction."
Wheat has a sweet taste and slightly cool nature, benefiting the spleen and kidneys, nourishing the heart, and calming the spirit. Those suffering from restlessness and insomnia may eat wheat porridge combined with rice and red dates. Additionally, bran contains high dietary fiber, which helps prevent hyperlipoproteinemia, diabetes, atherosclerosis, hemorrhoids, senile constipation, and colorectal cancer.
Corn has a sweet taste and neutral nature, promoting spleen health, diuresis, improving appetite, enhancing intelligence, calming the mind, and activating blood circulation. Corn oil contains linoleic acid, preventing cholesterol deposition in blood vessel walls, thus effectively preventing hypertension and coronary heart disease. Furthermore, it has diuretic and blood sugar-lowering effects, making it particularly suitable for diabetic patients. American scientists have also found that eating corn stimulates brain cells, enhancing memory. The lutein and zeaxanthin in corn help prevent age-related macular degeneration in the elderly.
Coix seed, also known as Job's tears, contains more protein than rice or flour, is easily digested and absorbed, beneficial for reducing gastrointestinal burden and enhancing physical strength. Traditional Chinese medicine believes coix seed has a bland sweet taste and slightly cold nature, helping strengthen the spleen, nourish the lungs, clear heat, and promote diuresis. Modern research confirms coix seed has anti-tumor, immune-enhancing, and blood sugar-lowering effects. Cooking coix seed with rice or adding rock sugar makes it effective in stimulating appetite among cancer patients and reducing side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Moreover, coixol in coix seed inhibits striated muscle, reducing wrinkles; regular consumption offers beauty benefits.
Sorghum has a sweet taste and warm nature, helping strengthen the spleen and stomach. For children with indigestion, take an appropriate amount of sorghum, stir-fry until fragrant, remove husks, grind into powder, and take 2–3 grams each time. However, due to its warm nature and tannins that have astringent and anti-diarrheal properties, sorghum is not suitable for those with constipation.
Soybeans have a neutral nature and sweet taste, helping strengthen the spleen and boost qi. People with weak spleen and stomach should consume them regularly. Various soy products made from soybeans, such as tofu and soy milk, also possess medicinal properties. Tofu can broaden the middle energizer, invigorate qi, clear heat, and disperse blood stasis, especially suitable for those with phlegm-heat cough, wind-cold invasion, and sore throat.
Barley has a sweet, salty, and cool nature, helping harmonize the stomach, widen the intestines, and promote urination. It can assist in treating food stagnation, diarrhea, painful urination, edema, and burns. Barley malt has a sweet and warm nature, helping stimulate appetite, aid digestion, relieve gas, and reduce lactation.