Tomato
For Chinese dietary therapy, Tomato (番茄) is a food of Cool nature and Sweet · Sour flavor. A relatively late arrival to Chinese cooking, now classified as cool and fluid-generating.
Traditional energetics
- Nature
- Cool
- Flavor
- Sweet · Sour
- Affinity
- Liver · Stomach
- Direction of Qi
- Gently moistens and descends
- Season
- Summer
- Group
- Vegetables
How tradition reads it
A relatively late arrival to Chinese cooking, now classified as cool and fluid-generating.
Tomato stir-fried with egg is a classic pairing of Chinese home cooking; it combines with most preparations.
In the kitchen
Stir-fried with egg, in soups, and in salads.
Commonly available; no substitute needed.
Current nutrition note
A source of lycopene, more bioavailable after cooking with some fat.
Precautions
Wash well if eaten raw; green parts and unripe tomatoes concentrate solanine and should be discarded.
Health notice. Educational and study content. It describes concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. Needling, medicinal herbs and invasive techniques must be applied by trained professionals. Safety guide.
