Chinese medicinal cuisine

Yin and Yang principles are famous in China and have also been incorporated in the food, so most foods are classified into the yin and yang qualities. The Chinese believe that when the yin and yang forces in the body are not in balance, disease result. Proper amounts of food of one kind or the other may then be administered (i.e., eaten) to achieve the yin and yang equilibrium.

Chinese medicinal cuisine is unique in China and has a long history. Sun Simiao, a leading Tang Dynasty doctor, once said, "Food has the function of eliminating evil influences and soothing the vital organs, cultivating one's mind and building up one's strength." In China, people contend that food tonic is much better than medicine tonic in fortifying one's health. Based on traditional Chinese herbal medicine practice, it combines strictly processed traditional Chinese medicine with traditional culinary materials to produce delicious food with health restoring qualities. To cook medicinal food, one has a large variety of fine materials to choose from and each material has its own unique flavor. Generally, processed herbal materials are more commonly used in order to avoid strong odors. However, individuals of different physical status need to select different herbs. The selection of herbs will depend on each individual's condition of health. Due to its herbal nature, it is better to take medicinal food according to the doctor's prescription.

Traditionally this type of food was very popular in Beijing with the dynasties and officials of the past. The most famous official who patronized this food was Tan Zongling of the Qing Dynasty.
There are hundreds of dishes that are medicated with such choice tonic materials as ginseng, deer musk, bear’s paw, Chinese wolf berry and soft-shelled turtle, the cream of the crop of Chinese medicine.

Typical medicine cuisine:
-Baby Pigeon Stewed with Gouqi (Medlar) and Huangqi (Membranous Milk Vetch)
-Pork Simmered with Lotus Seed and lily
-Pig's Kidney Stewed with Eucommia Bark

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