Chinese Herbs for Healing Meals

by Wendy Fritz, RN, R.Ac.,MSTOM, Dipl.O.M.

Did you know that you can cook with Chinese herbs to enhance your health care practices?  In many families, cultures add traditional herbs to prevent or treat illness.  Some herbs like cardamom, garlic, ginger, and black pepper are common to many kitchens.  They are a part of everyday cooking.  Some Chinese herbs are less familiar, but many Chinese families have incorporated them into healing meals.

My husband, Tom - The Conundrum Chef - has been working with me to create meals incorporating the same ideas.  In this meal (shown at right) he used barley (mai ya) which moves energy within and strengthens the stomach energy.  It also moves the liver energy throughout the body.  He cooked the barley in a broth which included astragalus (huang qi) which is being highly studied for its immune boosting potential.  Traditionally it is used to strengthen the immune system, build energy, tonify the energy of the blood, increase urination to get rid of excess fluids, and stabilizes our interior environment with our exterior environment.

Check out his website for his meal delivery service, and stay tuned for upcoming video adventures (until we can do them in person) on using healing herbs with cooking.