Fruits in Chinese

Fruits and Chinese Medicine

In traditional Chinese medicine literature, fruits are classified into five different natures or properties: cold, cool, warm, hot, and neutral. The terms “cold” and “cool” as well as “hot” and “warm” share common characteristics in their effects, but they differ in their intensity, with “cold” being more extreme than “cool.”

Fruits with cold or cool properties are generally used for their ability to clear heat, relieve internal heat, or detoxify the body. They are suitable for treating conditions associated with excessive heat (such as fever, dry mouth, constipation, acne, and heat sensitivity).

On the other hand, fruits with warm or hot properties have the function of warming the body, dispelling cold, and enhancing yang energy. They are used to treat conditions associated with cold (such as chills, lack of thirst, diarrhea, and pale complexion).

Finally, fruits with a “neutral” property have a more balanced and moderate effect, neither cold nor hot in nature. Examples of neutral fruits include grapes and dates.

Fruit – 水果 shuǐguǒ

Banana

香蕉xiāngjiāo香蕉xiāngjiāo

Cold

Strawberry

草莓cǎoméi草莓cǎoméi

Cool

Grape

葡萄pútáo葡萄pútáo

Neutral

Watermelon

西瓜xīguā西瓜xīguā

Cold

Kiwi

奇異果qíyìguǒ奇异果qíyìguǒ or 猕猴桃míhóutáo

Cold

Orange

柳橙liǔchéng橙子chéngzi

Cool

Avocado

酪梨luòlí牛油果niúyóuguǒ or 鳄梨èlí

Neutral

Pear

西洋梨xīyánglí梨lí

Cool

Peach

桃子táozi桃子táozi

Warm

Cherry

櫻桃yìngtáo樱桃yìngtáo or 车厘子chēlízi

Warm

Blueberry

藍莓lánméi蓝莓lánméi

Neutral

Papaya

木瓜mùguā木瓜mùguā

Neutral

Coconut

椰子yézi椰子yēzi

Cool (meat)
Neutral (water)

Mango

芒果mángguǒ芒果mángguǒ

Warm

Pineapple

鳳梨fènglí凤梨fènglí or 菠萝bōluó

Neutral

Apple

蘋果pínguǒ苹果píngguǒ

Neutral

Dragonfruit

火龍果huǒlóngguǒ火龙果huǒlóngguǒ

Cold

Passionfruit

百香果bǎixiāngguǒ百香果bǎixiāngguǒ

Neutral

Starfruit

楊桃yángtáo杨桃yángtáo

Cold

Durian

榴蓮liúlián榴莲liúlián

Hot

Guava

芭樂bālèoror番石榴fānshíliú芭乐bālèoror番石榴fānshíliu

Neutral

Lychee

荔枝lìzhī荔枝lìzhī

Warm

Longan

龍眼lóngyǎn龙眼lóngyǎn

Warm

Wax apple

蓮霧liánwù莲雾liánwù

Neutral

Custard apple

釋迦shìjiā释迦shìjiā

Warm

Mangosteen

山竹shānzhú山竹shānzhú

Cold

Understanding the four natures of fruits allows practitioners to choose fruits with different properties based on an individual’s constitution or specific health conditions. For instance, if someone is experiencing symptoms like emotional agitation, irritability, flushed complexion, constipation, or a preference for cold beverages, they are exhibiting signs of excessive internal heat, which is a “hot” condition. In this case, it is recommended to consume more cold or cool-natured fruits such as starfruit, persimmons, grapefruits, and watermelon.

On the other hand, if someone experiences fatigue, pale complexion, frequent diarrhea, lack of thirst, or an aversion to drinking water, they are displaying signs of coldness or a “cold” condition. In such situations, it is advisable to consume more warm or hot-natured fruits like peaches, lychees, cherries, or custard apples. Ignoring these considerations and consuming fruits like lychees or longan when experiencing excessive internal heat can exacerbate the condition.