Product Overview
Parts used: Dried ripe fruits
TCM category: Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity
TCM nature: Neutral
TCM taste(s): Sour Sweet
Meridian affinity: Stomach Lung
Scientific name: Canarium album
Use of chinese white olives (Qing Guo) in TCM
Please note that you should never self-prescribe TCM ingredients. A TCM ingredient is almost never eaten on its own but as part of a formula containing several ingredients that act together. Please consult a professional TCM practitionner, they will be best able to guide you.
Preparation: Remove impurities, wash, soak in water and dry. Crush before use.
Dosage: 5- 10 grams
Main actions according to TCM*: Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Dissipates nodules and swollen glands. Retains bodily Fluids and encourages their production.
Primary conditions or symptoms for which chinese white olives may be prescribed by TCM doctors*: Sore throat Phlegm Summer Heat Food poisoning from seafood Sputum Excessive thirst Coughing
Common TCM formulas in which chinese white olives are used*:
For sore throat and hoarseness combine chinese white olives with honeysuckle flowers (Jin Yin Hua) and common reed rhizomes (Lu Gen).
Key TCM concepts behind chinese white olives (Qing Guo)'s properties
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), chinese white olives are plants that belong to the 'Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity' category. Herbs in this category are used to clear inflammatory and infectious conditions, referred to as 'Internal Heat' in TCM. This is why most of the herbs in this category will have both antibacterial and antiviral properties. In TCM one has too much 'Heat' in their body as a result of a deficiency of 'Yin' (which is Cold in nature, see our explanation on Yin and Yang) or, more commonly, an excess of Yang (Hot in nature). Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity treat the latter while, at the same time, removing infectious toxins from the body. As such they tend to be Cold or Neutral in nature.
As suggested by its category chinese white olives are plants that are Neutral in nature. This means that chinese white olives typically don't affect the balance in your body. Balance between Yin and Yang is a key health concept in TCM. Eating too many "Hot" (Yang) ingredients can lead to an imbalance whereby one has a Yang excess. The inverse is true as well: too many "Cold" (Yin) ingredients can lead to a Yin excess. The Neutral nature of chinese white olives means that you don't have to worry about that!
Chinese white olives also taste Sour and Sweet. The so-called "five elements" theory in Chinese Medicine states that the taste of TCM ingredients is a key determinant of their action in the body. Sour ingredients like chinese white olives help with digestion and restrain abnormal discharges of fluids from the body, such as diarrhea or heavy sweating. On the other hand Sweet ingredients tend to slow down acute reactions and detoxify the body. They also have a tonic effect because they replenish Qi and Blood.
The tastes of ingredients in TCM also determine what organs and meridians they target. As such chinese white olives are thought to target the Stomach and the Lung. In TCM the Stomach is responsible for receiving and ripening ingested food and fluids. It is also tasked with descending the digested elements downwards to the Small Intestine. In addition to performing respiration, the Lungs are thought to be a key part of the production chain for Qi and the body fluids that nourish the body.
Use of chinese white olives (Qing Guo) as food
Chinese white olives are also eaten as food. It is used as an ingredient in dishes such as Khao phat nam liap.
