Part 6, Secret to using food as medicine – A List of 150 Common Foods with Flavours, Energy, and Actions
- RJ Singer Chinese Herbs
- Oct 13, 2025
- 8 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Understanding Food Energetics
To read past articles in this series, click on the links below:
Often, people are confused about how to use food as medicine. They are uncertain about the flavours, energies, and actions of different foods. A quick Google search may lead to even more confusion. This is because most foods have more than one flavour. For clarity, we will focus on the most dominant flavours.
The Secret to Using Food as Medicine, The Energetic Properties of Common Foods
Abalone
Flavour: Sweet and salty
Energy: Slightly cooling
Action: Moves downward
Aduki Bean
Flavour: Sweet and sour
Energy: Slightly cooling
Action: Moves inward and downward
Agar
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Cold
Action: Moves upward and outward
Alcohol
Flavour: Bitter, sweet, pungent
Energy: Very warm
Action: Moves outward and upward
Alfalfa Sprouts
Flavour: Sweet and bitter
Energy: Cool
Action: Drying and moves outward and downward
Almond
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Neutral
Action: Moves outward and downward
Anise
Flavour: Pungent and sweet
Energy: Warm
Action: Moves outward and downward
Apple
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Cool
Action: Moves downward
Apricot
Flavour: Sour and sweet
Energy: Slightly cooling
Action: Moistens and moves downward
Asparagus
Flavour: Bitter and sweet
Energy: Cold
Action: Moistens and moves downward
Bamboo Shoots
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Cold
Action: Moistens and moves downward
Banana
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Cool
Action: Moistens and moves downward
Barley
Flavour: Bland
Energy: Slightly cold
Action: Drains damp and moves upward
Basil
Flavour: Pungent
Energy: Warm
Action: Moves outward
Beef
Flavour: Sweet and sour
Energy: Neutral
Action: Enters inward and slightly obstructive
Beet
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Cooling
Action: Moves inward and downward
Black Pepper
Flavour: Pungent
Energy: Hot
Action: Moves outward and upward
Bok Choy
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Slightly cold
Action: Moves downward and inward
Broccoli
Flavour: Slightly bitter
Energy: Cool
Action: Moves upward
Buckwheat
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Cool
Action: Moves downward
Burdock Root
Flavour: Pungent and bitter
Energy: Cold
Action: Moves outward and upward
Cabbage
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Cool
Action: Moves downward
Cantaloupe
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Cool
Action: Moves downward
Carambola (Star Fruit)
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Neutral
Action: Moves downward
Caraway Seed
Flavour: Pungent
Energy: Warm
Action: Moves outward
Cardamom
Flavour: Pungent
Energy: Warm
Action: Moves outward
Carrot
Flavour: Sweet and pungent
Energy: Neutral
Action: Moves downward and outward
Catfish
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Neutral
Action: Moves downward
Cauliflower
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Slightly warm
Action: Moves downward
Cayenne Pepper
Flavour: Pungent
Energy: Hot
Action: Moves outward
Celery
Flavour: Sweet and slightly bitter
Energy: Cool
Action: Moves downward and slightly drying
Cherry
Flavour: Sweet and pungent
Energy: Warm
Action: Moves outward and downward
Chestnut
Flavour: Sweet and slightly bitter
Energy: Warm
Action: Moves downward, outward, slightly drying
Chicken
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Warm
Action: Enters inward and slightly obstructive
Chicken Egg
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Neutral
Action: Moistening and slightly obstructive
Chive
Flavour: Pungent
Energy: Warm
Action: Moves outward
Cinnamon
Flavour: Pungent and sweet
Energy: Hot
Action: Moves outward and slightly downward
Clam
Flavour: Salty and sweet
Energy: Cold
Action: Moves downward
Clove
Flavour: Pungent
Energy: Warm
Action: Moves outward
Cocoa
Flavour: Bitter
Energy: Neutral
Action: Dries and moves upward
Coconut
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Warm
Action: Moistens and moves downward
Coffee
Flavour: Bitter and pungent
Energy: Warm
Action: Drying and moves upward and outward
Coriander
Flavour: Pungent
Energy: Warm
Action: Moves outward
Corn
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Neutral
Action: Slightly moistening, moves slightly downward
Crab
Flavour: Salty
Energy: Cold
Action: Moves downward
Crayfish (and Lobster)
Flavour: Sweet and salty
Energy: Warm
Action: Moves downward
Dill
Flavour: Pungent
Energy: Warm
Action: Moves outward and slightly downward
Duck
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Warm
Action: Moistening and obstructive
Eel
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Warm
Action: Moves slightly downward and obstructive
Eggplant
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Cool
Action: Moves downward
Fava Bean
Flavour: Bland
Energy: Neutral
Action: Slightly drying and moves inward
Fennel
Flavour: Pungent
Energy: Warm
Action: Moves outward
Fig
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Neutral
Action: Moves downward
Frog
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Cool
Action: Slightly drying and moves downward
Gardenia Flower
Flavour: Pungent and slightly bitter
Energy: Cool
Action: Moves outward and upward
Garlic
Flavour: Pungent
Energy: Warm
Action: Moves outward
Ginger (Dry)
Flavour: Pungent
Energy: Hot
Action: Moves outward
Ginger (Fresh)
Flavour: Pungent
Energy: Slightly warm
Action: Moves outward
Goji Berries
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Neutral
Action: Moves downward
Goose
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Warm
Action: Moistening and slightly obstructive
Grape
Flavour: Sour and sweet
Energy: Neutral
Action: Astringing and moves inward
Grapefruit
Flavour: Sour and sweet
Energy: Cold
Action: Moves downward
Grapefruit Peel
Flavour: Pungent, bitter, and sweet
Energy: Warm
Action: Drying and moves outward and downward
Green Bean (String Bean)
Flavour: Bitter
Energy: Neutral
Action: Drying and moves upward
Guava
Flavour: Sour and sweet
Energy: Warm
Action: Astringent and moves inward
Hazelnut
Flavour: Sweet and pungent
Energy: Neutral
Action: Oily, moves outward and downward
Honey
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Neutral
Action: Glossy and moves slightly downward
Jasmine
Flavour: Pungent
Energy: Slightly warm
Action: Dries and moves outward
Job’s Tears Barley
Flavour: Bland
Energy: Slightly cold
Action: Draining and moves slightly upward
Kangaroo
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Warm
Action: Slightly obstructive and moves downward
Kelp
Flavour: Salty
Energy: Cold
Action: Softens hardness and moves downward
Kiwi Fruit
Flavour: Sour and sweet
Energy: Cool
Action: Moves inward and downward
Kumquat
Flavour: Pungent and sour
Energy: Warm
Action: Astringing and moves inward
Lamb (and Goat)
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Warm
Action: Obstructive and moves downward
Lemon
Flavour: Sour
Energy: Warm
Action: Astringent and moves inward
Lettuce
Flavour: Bitter and sweet
Energy: Cool
Action: Drying and moves downward
Litchi
Flavour: Sweet and slightly sour
Energy: Warm
Action: Moistens and moves inward
Longan
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Warm
Action: Moistening and slightly obstructive
Loquat
Flavour: Sweet and sour
Energy: Cool
Action: Moistening and moves downward
Lotus Root
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Cold
Action: Very cooling
Lotus Seed
Flavour: Sweet and bitter
Energy: Neutral
Action: Astringent
Malt Syrup
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Warm
Action: Moistening and slightly obstructive
Mango
Flavour: Sweet and sour
Energy: Cool
Action: Moves downward
Marjoram
Flavour: Pungent
Energy: Cool
Action: Moves outward
Milk (Human)
Flavour: Sweet and salty
Energy: Neutral
Action: Moistening and slightly obstructive, moves downward
Milk (Cow)
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Neutral
Action: Moistening and obstructive, moves downward
Milk (Goat)
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Warm
Action: Moistening and slightly obstructive, moves downward
Millet
Flavour: Bland
Energy: Cool
Action: Slightly moves upward and inward
Molasses
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Warm
Action: Moistening and obstructive
Mulberry
Flavour: Sweet or sour
Energy: Cool
Action: Moistens or astringes, moves inward
Mung Bean
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Cool
Action: Clears heat, draining, moves downward
Mushroom (Button)
Flavour: Bitter
Energy: Cool
Action: Drying, clears heat, moves outward
Mussel
Flavour: Salty
Energy: Warm
Action: Moistening, moves downward
Mustard Green
Flavour: Pungent
Energy: Warm
Action: Moves outward and upward
Nutmeg
Flavour: Pungent
Energy: Warm
Action: Drying and moves outward
Oats
Flavour: Bland
Energy: Slightly sweet
Action: Neutral, moves inward and slightly moistens
Olive
Flavour: Sour and sweet
Energy: Neutral
Action: Astringent and moistens, moves inward
Onion
Flavour: Pungent
Energy: Warm
Action: Moves outward
Orange
Flavour: Sweet and sour
Energy: Cool
Action: Astringes and moistens, moves inward
Orange Peel
Flavour: Sour, bitter, and pungent
Energy: Warm
Action: Drying, moves outward
Oyster
Flavour: Salty and sweet
Energy: Neutral
Action: Slightly obstructive, moves inward and downward
Oyster Mushroom
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Slightly warm
Action: Drying, moves downward
Papaya
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Cold
Action: Moves slightly downward
Pea
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Neutral
Action: Moistening, moves downward
Peach
Flavour: Sour and sweet
Energy: Warm
Action: Moistening, moves inward
Peanut
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Neutral
Action: Moistening, slightly moves upward
Pear
Flavour: Sweet and slightly sour
Energy: Cool
Action: Moistening, moves downward and inward
Peppermint
Flavour: Pungent
Energy: Cool
Action: Clears heat, moves outward
Persimmon
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Cold
Action: Moistening, slightly astringing, moves downward
Pineapple
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Neutral
Action: Slightly astringing, moves inward and downward
Pine Nut
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Warm
Action: Moistening, moves downward
Plum
Flavour: Bitter and sour
Energy: Cool
Action: Clears heat, astringes, moves upward
Pomegranate
Flavour: Sweet and sour
Energy: Cool
Action: Astringing and moistening, clears heat, moves inward and downward
Pomelo
Flavour: Sour and sweet
Energy: Cool
Action: Astringing, moves inward and downward
Pork
Flavour: Sweet and salty
Energy: Neutral
Action: Slightly obstructive and moistening, moves downward
Potato
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Neutral
Action: Slightly cold, moistening, moves downward
Pumpkin (Winter Squash)
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Warm
Action: Moves slightly downward
Pumpkin Seed
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Warm
Action: Moistening, moves downward
Purslane
Flavour: Sour
Energy: Cold
Action: Clears heat/toxins, moves inward
Radish
Flavour: Pungent and sweet
Energy: Cool
Action: Drying, moves outward
Raspberry
Flavour: Sour and sweet
Energy: Warm
Action: Astringing, moves inward
Red Date (Jujube)
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Neutral
Action: Moistening, moves slightly inward and downward
Rice (Non-Glutinous)
Flavour: Bland
Energy: Neutral
Action: Drying, slightly moves upward
Rice (Glutinous)
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Warm
Action: Drying, moves upward
Rose
Flavour: Pungent and sweet
Energy: Slightly warm
Action: Drying, moves outward and slightly downward
Rosemary
Flavour: Pungent
Energy: Warm
Action: Moves outward
Russian Olive
Flavour: Sour and sweet
Energy: Neutral
Action: Astringing and moistening, moves inward and slightly downward
Saffron
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Warm
Action: Moves outward
Salt
Flavour: Salty
Energy: Cold
Action: Moves downward
Scallion
Flavour: Pungent
Energy: Warm
Action: Moves outward
Sesame (Black or Yellow)
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Neutral
Action: Moistening, moves downward
Shark
Flavour: Sweet and salty
Energy: Neutral
Action: Moves downward
Shepherd’s Purse
Flavour: Sweet and sour
Energy: Neutral
Action: Astringing, moves downward
Shiitake Mushroom
Flavour: Bitter and sweet
Energy: Neutral
Action: Drying, moves slightly inward and downward
Shrimp
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Warm
Action: Moves inward and downward
Sichuan Pepper
Flavour: Pungent
Energy: Hot
Action: Moves outward
Sorghum
Flavour: Bland and sweet
Energy: Warm
Action: Dries, moves slightly inward and downward
Soybean (Black)
Flavour: Pungent and sweet
Energy: Neutral
Action: Drying, moves outward
Soybean (Yellow)
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Neutral
Action: Moistening, moves downward
Soy Sauce
Flavour: Salty
Energy: Cold
Action: Clears heat, moves downward
Spearmint
Flavour: Pungent
Energy: Warm
Action: Moves outward
Spinach
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Cool
Action: Glossy, moves downward
Squash (Summer, Cucumber, Zucchini)
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Cold
Action: Clears heat, moves downward
Strawberry
Flavour: Sour and sweet
Energy: Cool
Action: Astringing and moistening, moves inward and downward
Sugar (Brown)
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Warm
Action: Moistening, moves downward
Sugar (White)
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Neutral
Action: Moistening, moves downward
Sunflower Seed
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Neutral
Action: Moistening, moves downward
Sweet Potato
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Neutral
Action: Moves inward and downward
Tea (Green)
Flavour: Bitter and sweet
Energy: Cool
Action: Drying, moves downward
Tea (Black)
Flavour: Bitter and sweet
Energy: Warm
Action: Drying, moves downward
Tofu
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Cold
Action: Moistening, moves downward
Tomato
Flavour: Sour and sweet
Energy: Slightly cold
Action: Clears heat, moistening, moves inward and downward
Turmeric
Flavour: Pungent and bitter
Energy: Warm
Action: Moves outward
Turnip
Flavour: Pungent and bitter
Energy: Cool
Action: Drying, clears heat, moves outward and upward
Venison
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Warm
Action: Slightly obstructive, moves downward
Vinegar
Flavour: Sour and bitter
Energy: Warm
Action: Astringing, drying, moves inward
Walnut
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Warm
Action: Moistening, moves downward
Water Chestnut
Flavour: Bland and sweet
Energy: Cool
Action: Clears heat, drains damp, but moistens tissue, moves downward
Watercress
Flavour: Pungent and bitter
Energy: Cool
Action: Clears heat and moistens, moves upward
Watermelon
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Cold
Action: Clears heat, moves slightly inward and downward
Watermelon Seed
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Cold
Action: Moistening, moves downward
Wheat
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Cool
Action: Slightly obstructive
White Fungus
Flavour: Sweet
Energy: Neutral
Action: Glossy, moistening, moves inward and downward
Yogurt
Flavour: Sweet and sour
Energy: Warm
Action: Moistening, moves inward and downward
Alchemy Wellness Centre is located in Byron Bay, NSW Australia.
RJ Singer is a registered Chinese Herbal Medicine Doctor and Acupuncturist with AHPRA and AACMA. RJ’s area of special interest is in the treatment of stubborn and difficult chronic disease, and all types of painful conditions.
Katrina Hillis specialises in Neuro-Energetic Kinesiology. She assists her clients in personal transformation by balancing the stress held in the physical, emotional, biochemical, and energetic structures and functions of the body.
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