In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), oats are generally considered a yang (warming) food, providing energy and warmth, but they are also seen as relatively neutral or slightly yin compared to very yang grains like brown rice, offering a balanced, strengthening effect for the digestive system, making them good for building Qi and aiding digestion, especially in cooler seasons.
“Barley, wheat, buckwheat, and oats are relatively yin grains, whereas rice, sweet rice, and sorghum are relatively yang. Yin grains are more difficult to digest than yang grains.
Oats – the warming grain in TCM
Oats is one of the most important grains in TCM and is also considered to be the grain with the strongest warming effect. For this reason, it is an indispensable part of a healthy diet, especially in the colder seasons.
Specific foods for Damp-Phlegm Retention
Whole grains – rice, oats, barley, rye, millet, buckwheat. Avoid wheat and all white or processed flours. Job's tear barley and amaranth are especially good for damp retention. Cooked vegetables, steamed is best.
One line of reasoning used to argue oats aren't healthy is that eating them can lead to spikes in blood sugar (glucose). This seems to be linked to the rising use of glucose monitors by people who don't have diabetes.
This is a list of foods that help dry or absorb dampness, and therefore can be added to the diet in moderation:
Steven Gundry warns that oats contain a gluten-like lectin, which may trigger immune responses in gluten-sensitive individuals, potentially leading to intestinal damage and systemic inflammation.
Our work and others also suggest that oats have significant anti-inflammatory activity and the ability to reduce LDL [46].
Congee (Rice Porridge)
Congee is a versatile rice porridge enjoyed throughout China. It is typically slow-cooked with water or broth until soft and creamy. To make it more nutritious, use brown rice or a mix of grains. Top it with lean proteins like shredded chicken, tofu, or a soft-boiled egg.
Eating oatmeal every morning for 30 days boosted energy and improved digestion. It also helped with slight weight loss and overall well-being. The high fiber in oatmeal was key to these benefits.
Cooling Foods to Balance Heat
Some recommended options include: Fruits: Apple, lemon, kiwi, melon, orange, pear, pineapple, tangerine, watermelon. Vegetables: Cucumbers, cilantro, salad greens, endives, spinach, tomatoes. Herbs: Peppermint, spearmint.
It is important to ensure that stimulating foods are not being consumed, as these will only further depleate yin. Caffeine, alcohol, sugar and strong heating/ pungent spices all belong in this category.
With their high content of both soluble and insoluble fiber, oats keep your digestive system functioning. They also act as a natural diuretic, flushing out excess toxins through the kidneys and colon.
Disorders of the digestive tract including the esophagus, stomach, and intestines: Avoid eating oat products. Digestive problems that could extend the length of time it takes for your food to be digested could allow oats to block your intestine.
Even though oats are rich in fiber and minerals like magnesium, they don't contain everything that your body needs to thrive. The oatmeal diet cuts out key nutrients, including: Vitamin B12 (found in animal products like eggs, yogurt, or fish) Vitamin D (important for bone health and immune function)
10 foods that fight inflammation
Oats are a food source with multiple health benefits that could support beneficial bacterial groups and provide important bioactive compounds for the gut.
Dr. Gundry eats a lot of plants, and they're one of his primary protein sources. In fact, his favorite protein hack is to choose vegetables with high protein content, including three on this list: avocados, walnuts and kale. Other favorites include all leafy greens of all kinds, mushrooms, pecans and pistachios.
Research shows that a daily bowl of oatmeal can reduce your risk of heart disease by lowering your total cholesterol and artery-clogging “bad” cholesterol.
Dr. Gundry recommends lectin-free options like pasture-raised eggs, avocado with MCT oil/ olive oil, nuts (walnuts, macadamias, pistachios), and sheep/ goat yogurt/ coconut yogurt for breakfast, often delaying it or eating calories in a short window; he advises against typical cereals, oats, and cow's milk yogurt due to lectins, promoting foods that support gut health.
What foods kill mucus? Warm, brothy soups and teas can have an immediate effect on mucus. In addition, sliced or crushed garlic has been found to have some anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties14 that can also help with mucus.
When serious dampness happens, there will be turbid secretion such as increased secretion of the eyes, ears, mouth, loose stools with mucus, excessive vaginal discharge in women, and eczema.
A Very Traditional Chinese Herbal Soup Recipe
Dried fox nut barley (芡实, qiànshí) and lotus seeds (莲子, liánzǐ) are thought to strengthen the spleen and help reduce dampness.