Sweet (Gan) flavor and neutral thermal nature. Acts on Spleen, Liver, and Lung meridians.
Active compounds:
Among all vegetables, carrots contain the most ß-carotene, which is an antioxidant more powerful than vitamin
E. Not only does it defy aging and promote gastrointestinal functions, ß-carotene also effectively fights against cancer. The potassium succinate in carrots reduces blood pressure while its dietary fibers ease constipation. Helps night blindness
Clinical Usage and Indications:
- Strengthens spleen. Promotes digestion. Poor digestion with undigested food, fullness of epigastrium and abdomen, and irregular bowel movements: Cook with brown sugar making a soup or cook with radish to make a dish.
- Protects against cancer, arthritis, and autoimmune disease
- Tonifies liver improving eyesight. Blurred vision and night blindness due to liver deficiency. Cook with pork fat or with pork liver.
- Descends Qi, stops cough. Cough due to Lung Heat and whooping-cough. Drink fresh carrot juice, decoct with Da Zao (black jujube)
- Clears Heat, Inducing detoxification. Carrots are very good at cleansing internal heat. Measles or incomplete eruption of measles, and fever. Cook with Bai Ji Li (Fructose Tribuli Terrestris), Hu Sui (coriander). Make a tea to promote eruption of measles.
- Experimental investigations indicate that carrot extract acts to lower blood sugar providing benefit to sufferers of diabetes
Directions: It is best to boil or stew them with oil because with the raw ones the vitamin A is not easily absorbable. Eat either raw or cooked. Pound to get juice.
Precaution: It is not recommended for those with Spleen or Stomach Deficient Cold. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene however excessive intake would make the skin yellow.
From The Tao of Tummy © book
