Whole Grains Are Also Medicine
The medicinal properties of whole grains can both prevent and treat diseases, are economically practical, and have no side effects.
When people think of tonics, they usually first consider various supplements, meats, or rare delicacies. However, the common whole grains we eat daily are also excellent tonics. TCM holds the concept of "food and medicine sharing the same origin." The medicinal properties of whole grains can be used not only to prevent and treat illnesses but are also economical, practical, and free of side effects.
Rice: Also known as glutinous rice, it has a sweet flavor and neutral nature, benefiting the spleen and stomach, nourishing qi, harmonizing the stomach, and relieving thirst and irritability. During winter, when indoor heating causes dry air, drinking rice porridge in the morning and evening can help avoid dry mouth and throat. Diabetic patients should especially note that different cooking methods of rice affect blood glucose differently. Studies show that cooked dry rice has less impact on blood sugar than thin porridge. Thus, eating dry rice for breakfast helps diabetic patients better control their blood glucose levels.
Job's tears (Coix seed): Also called yiyi, it contains higher protein content than rice and wheat, is easily digestible, and beneficial for reducing gastrointestinal burden and enhancing physical strength. TCM believes Job's tears have a sweet and bland taste, slightly cold nature, and functions include strengthening the spleen, nourishing the lungs, clearing heat, and eliminating dampness. Modern research confirms its anti-tumor, immune-enhancing, and blood glucose-lowering effects. Cooking Job's tears with rice or adding a little rock sugar can increase appetite in cancer patients and reduce toxic side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Additionally, coixol in Job's tears inhibits striated muscle, helping reduce wrinkles—those who care about beauty might benefit from eating more.
Sorghum: With a sweet taste and warm nature, sorghum strengthens the spleen and stomach. For children with indigestion, roast sorghum until fragrant, remove husks, grind into powder, and take 2–3 grams per dose. However, due to its warm nature and tannins that have astringent and diarrhea-stopping effects, sorghum is unsuitable for those suffering from constipation.
Yellow beans: Neutral in nature, sweet in taste, yellow beans strengthen the spleen and boost qi, making them suitable for those with weak spleen and stomach. Various bean products made from yellow beans—such as tofu and soy milk—also possess medicinal properties: tofu can broaden the middle energizer, invigorate qi, clear heat, and disperse blood stasis, particularly suitable for those with phlegm-heat cough, wind-cold invasion, and sore throat.
Wheat: Sweet in taste, neutral in nature, slightly cold, wheat strengthens the spleen and kidneys, nourishes the heart, and calms the spirit. Those suffering from restlessness and insomnia can cook wheat with rice and red dates into porridge for consumption. Moreover, bran is rich in dietary fiber, offering preventive benefits for hyperlipoproteinemia, diabetes, atherosclerosis, hemorrhoids, senile constipation, and colorectal cancer.
Corn: Sweet in taste, neutral in nature, corn strengthens the spleen, promotes diuresis, improves appetite, enhances intelligence, calms the mind, and activates blood circulation. Linoleic acid in corn oil prevents cholesterol from depositing on blood vessel walls, playing a positive role in preventing hypertension and coronary heart disease. It also has diuretic and blood glucose-lowering effects, making it especially suitable for diabetic patients. American scientists discovered that eating corn stimulates brain cells and enhances memory. Lutein and zeaxanthin in corn can help prevent age-related macular degeneration in the elderly.
Millet: Also known as foxtail millet, it has a sweet taste and neutral nature, effectively strengthening the spleen and stomach. It is suitable for individuals with spleen-stomach deficiency heat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or postpartum and post-illness weakness. The fine, sticky layer floating on top of millet porridge is colloquially called "rice oil." TCM considers rice oil highly nutritious, with the strongest tonifying effect, even saying "rice oil can substitute ginseng soup."
Whole grains are not just staple foods—they are powerful natural medicines with profound health benefits.