🧘‍♂️ The philosophy of health in Chinese cuisine

According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), ingredients are not just food, but also remedies. They support the “3 treasures” of the body:
Qi – vital energy
Jing – physical and genetic essence
Shen – spirit and emotional balance

🧂 Chinese Ingredients – Uses and Benefits

Nr.	Ingredient	Culinary use	Health benefits	Recipes
1	Soy sauce	Marinade, stir-fry, soups, sauces	Rich in antioxidants, aids digestion	Asian & International
2	Oyster sauce	Stir-fry with meat and vegetables	Natural umami, contains sea minerals	Asian & International
3	Sesame oil	Final flavor in dishes	Rich in healthy fatty acids, anti-inflammatory	Asian & International
4	Ginger	Fresh or dried, in soups, meats, teas	Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, digestive	Asian & International
5	Garlic	In stir-fry, soups, sauces	Antibacterial, lowers blood pressure	Asian & International
6	Sichuan pepper	In spicy dishes (Sichuan)	Stimulates circulation, has analgesic effect	Chinese (Sichuan)
7	Shaoxing rice wine	Marinade, soups, stews	Helps digestion, improves food flavor	Chinese Recipes
8	Fermented black beans	In sauces for meat and fish	Natural probiotic, supports intestinal flora	Asian
9	Hoisin sauce	Glaze, marinade, stir-fry	Contains beneficial spices, but is high in sugar	Asian & International
10	Gochugaru (Korean pepper flakes)	In kimchi, sauces, meat	Stimulates metabolism, rich in vitamin C	Korean & Asian
11	5-spice blend	In meat, soups, marinades	Balances yin and yang, supports organs	Asian
12	Rice noodles	In soups, stir-fry, salads	Gluten-free, easy to digest	Asian
13	Chinese cabbage (Napa)	In kimchi, soups, stir-fry	High in fiber, supports digestion	Asian & International
14	Shiitake mushrooms	In soups, stews, stir-fry	Immune-boosting, antioxidants	Asian & International
15	Bamboo	In stir-fry, soups	Low in calories, high in fiber	Asian & International
16	~	~	~	~