Chinese cuisine is widely known and enjoyed all around the world. Who doesn't long for a favourite Chinese dish? But there is one interesting concept concerning Chinese food which is almost unheard in the West, and which is becoming increasingly ignored by the youth of the East — the ancient custom of tonic food.
Tonic food is food which is consumed to improve one's well-being or avoid sickness. For instance, it was once the custom for new mothers to eat a sesame oil hotpot every day for the first month after giving birth. It was believed that this dish would benefit the muscles, reduce pain, improve circulation, stimulate sweating, and warm the body. Some foods, such as goat meat and spinach (菠菜), are seen as "hot ", while others, such as Chinese cabbage and radishes (小萝卜), are seen as "cold ". One should be careful not to eat too much of either "hot " or "cold " food. However, how much "hot " or "cold " food one should eat depends on the time of the year, how the food is prepared and what it is prepared with, and the individual's health.
The custom of employing tonic food for a healthier life also influences the catering industry. Chinese herbal medicines, such as the wolfberry (枸杞子), can be found on many a restaurant menu, either added to fruit tea or as a beneficial addition to a dish. These herbs attract customers, such as overworked office staff in need of a modest pick-me-up.
So, whether you need to boost your strength with a large helping of chicken soup, or increase your mental powers with some fish soup, you may find that this ancient Chinese custom could be just the tonic you were looking for.
