Pumpkin
| Pumpkin in TCM:Explore the properties of Pumpkin according to Chinese
Nutrition and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM):
Temperature: warm
Channels: LU, LI, ST, SP
Flavors: sweet, bitter
Tonifies: qi
Special Properties:
circulates blood, disperses cold, clears damp, resolves phlegm
In terms of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Pumpkin is known for its ability to tonify qi. It also helps to regulate blood circulation, expel cold, resolve dampness, and resolve phlegm. Pumpkin is known to be sweet and slightly bitter in flavor.
In general the ancient Chinese medical texts cite that it enters the lung, stomach, spleen, and large intestine. Furthermore Pumpkin is considered to be slightly warm in temperature.
Winter squash are the hard skinned varieties which includes acorn, butternut, spaghetti, kabocha, and even pumpkins. While some sources regard pumpkin and winter squash as having the same general qualities, most sources classify them separately.
Pumpkin seeds are believed to help expel parasites [see also: Pumpkin seed - Nan Gua Zi]. Cooked pumpkin also helps to destroy intestinal worms but is not as effective as pumpkin seeds [1].
There is contradictory information on the properties of pumpkin. Some sources classify pumpkin as cool [1] [22], while others classify it as warm [2]. All of these sources agree that pumpkin helps to resolve dampness.
According to these various sources pumpkin may help with any of the following symptoms: dysentery, diabetes, ulcerations of the lower extremities, eczema, stomach ache, and steaming bone disorder (due to yin deficienct heat). Regular use may help to promote discharge of mucus from the lungs/bronchi/throat, and relieve bronchial asthma.
It is also an antitode for opium, benefits the pancreas, hypoglycemia, and can help to regulate blood sugar [22].
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Folk remedies presented on this site are designed to address specifc TCM diagnoses, and are not one-size-fits-all. If you would like to learn more about Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and how it relates to Chinese Nutrition, you can book in a free call with a licensed professional. There is no obligation to purchase.
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