{"id":5999,"date":"2024-09-20T11:17:50","date_gmt":"2024-09-20T19:17:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.activeherb.com\/blog\/?p=5999"},"modified":"2025-02-26T15:50:32","modified_gmt":"2025-02-26T23:50:32","slug":"sugar-in-tcm-a-spoonful-of-sugar-makes-the-chinese-medicine-go-down","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.activeherb.com\/blog\/sugar-in-tcm-a-spoonful-of-sugar-makes-the-chinese-medicine-go-down.html","title":{"rendered":"Sugar in TCM: A Spoonful of Sugar Makes The Chinese Medicine Go Down\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Sugar is like gravity. There\u2019s no way to escape it; it\u2019s too strong to resist. Food manufacturers know they\u2019ve got us by the \u777e\u4e38, pronounced &#8220;g\u0101o w\u00e1n&#8221; and loosely translated in Spanish: <em>cajones<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The sweet stuff is added to almost every product you see in the supermarket aisle: tomato sauce and ketchup, salad dressing, bread, and even pickles!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The overconsumption of added sugars has led to a metabolic disorder epidemic that even the Pentagon famously dubbed a <a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/opinion\/national-security\/3538705-americas-newest-national-security-threat-obesity\/\">national security threat<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even though the industrial food lobby doesn\u2019t need any more free publicity in its corner, sugar needn\u2019t be completely demonized. In fact, if we go back roughly 1400 years, sugar emerges as a medicinal ingredient in TCM.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Very Brief History of Sugar in China<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re struggling to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.activeherb.com\/blog\/too-much-sweetness-in-your-life-heres-how-tcm-may-reduce-sugar-cravings.html\">curb your appetite for sugar<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.activeherb.com\/blog\/support-your-blood-sugar-the-easy-way-with-these-6-popular-chinese-herbs.html\">manage your blood sugar levels<\/a>, you can blame not only industrial food manufacturers but also India. There, on the subcontinent, shortly after the first century CE, sugar began being produced from sugarcane plants. The cultivation of sugar cane in India goes back even further to as early as 1500 BCE. When we think of the sweet white stuff in packets that sweeten our coffee and tea, it\u2019s Indian ingenuity we have to thank \u2014 or curse, depending on your point of view. The refining of cane juice into granulated crystals was developed here, and the word \u201csugar\u201d itself is thought to be derived from the classical language of India, Sanskrit. In Sanskrit, \u201c<em>\u015barkar\u0101<\/em>\u201d roughly means &#8220;ground, candied and gravel-like.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some people consider globalization bad for American interests. And they\u2019d be right that globalization has been bad for the average American\u2019s teeth and waistline and metabolic markers. However, international trade routes are what brought sugar to China. It was itinerant&nbsp; Buddhist monks who, in the seventh century, introduced sugar crystallization processing methods to China during the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Emperor_Taizong_of_Tang\">Tang Dynasty<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sugar\u2019s Role in Ancient China and TCM<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It didn\u2019t take long for ancient Chinese to recognize how incredible sugar tastes. However, perhaps because moderation is a value in Confucianism, Daoism (Taoism), and TCM, sugar was initially used sparingly. Like a sprig of rosemary or thyme, it was added merely to enhance flavors \u2014 not to dominate a dish. Eventually, Chinese physicians recognized sugar not only as a luxurious, occasional treat but as a potent ingredient to harmonize herbal remedies and soothe digestive ailments. Sugar, then, symbolized both indulgence and healing. Unfortunately, in the West, overindulgence has taken center stage, leading to sickness and chronic disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"x-short-quote-right\"> Chinese physicians recognized sugar not only as a luxurious, occasional treat but as a potent ingredient to harmonize herbal remedies and soothe digestive ailments.\u00a0 <\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Physiological Action of Sugar in TCM<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Ancient Chinese medicine practitioners would incorporate sugar to moderate the potency of certain herbs. By adding sugar, the spoonful of medicine was more palatable and easier to digest. (The Sherman brothers, who wrote the lyrics to \u201cA Spoonful of Sugar\u201d in the 1964 film, \u201cMary Poppins,\u201d have TCM to thank for inspiration!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sugar possesses a schizophrenic Yin\/Yang nature. It can display characteristics of each complementary Qi quality depending on how it&#8217;s used. For instance, sugar&#8217;s warming qualities (Yang) may strengthen the Stomach and Spleen organs, aiding in the digestion and transformation of food into vital energy, respectively. Another Yang quality of sugar is that it harmonizes the effects of formulas, alleviates gastrointestinal discomfort, and supports the body&#8217;s natural healing processes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But then we come back to sugar\u2019s devilish side. When consumed in excess or highly concentrated forms like soda and fruit juice, sugar is Yin. An excess of cooling, Yin energy promotes swelling, inflammation and dampness. This can cause Spleen Qi deficiency and phlegm.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In moderation, sugar can help the Liver channel remain in balance. However, too much can lead to Liver Qi stagnation. Unsurprisingly, we see this pattern repeat with other organ systems. Natural sugars in moderation can support Kidney function by aiding in fluid metabolism. Overconsumption may weaken the Kidneys over time.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sugar For The Heart<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Natural sugars from fruit, unrefined grains and vegetables support Heart function by providing energy. However, excessive sugar can contribute to Heart Yin deficiency, leading to excess <a href=\"https:\/\/www.activeherb.com\/clear-heat\">heat patterns<\/a>. When Spleen is balanced, it generates Blood. Natural sugars can help this TCM process. But when consumed in excess, Blood stagnation and imbalance result, contributing to conditions like diabetes. In TCM, diabetes is a type of Heat in the Blood. Heart heat also is a pattern associated with sleeplessness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sugar, of course, can benefit our <em>Shen<\/em> (spirit). When we bite into a handful of berries, the natural sweetness pleases more than our taste buds; nature\u2019s candy pleases us to the core of our being. Then again, too much of the sweet stuff may trigger anxiety and other forms of emotional instability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Honey, Milk &amp; Tea in TCM&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Some traditional TCM herbs contain sugar. But it\u2019s not the added, refined sugars that are commonplace in Western food and drinks. Rather, these formulas are sweetened with honey. A popular honey-processed herb is licorice root. When honey is added to licorice root (Gan Cao), it is called <a href=\"https:\/\/www.activeherb.com\/chineseherbs\/gancaozhi\">Zhi Gan Cao<\/a>. As in Western home remedies, honey is used for soothing sore throats. In TCM, honey-processed licorice root clears heat from the body. In general, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.activeherb.com\/blog\/why-is-honey-used-in-traditional-chinese-herbal-medicine.html\">honey in TCM<\/a> herbs and formulas enhances the tonifying properties and makes the formula gentler on the digestive system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A new medicinal trend is emerging in China that sweetens the notorious bitterness of many raw, bulk Chinese herbs. In Southwest China, the Xinhua news agency <a href=\"https:\/\/english.news.cn\/20240904\/8697d718b3724eeebae1da9d138c86d7\/c.html\">reports<\/a> that TCM doctors are appealing to a younger audience by infusing TCM herbs into milk tea, a popular beverage that\u2019s exactly how it sounds: a combination of milk and tea. Less sweet than regular milk tea, this innovative medicinal milk tea indeed makes the medicine go down much easier.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"x-gradient-bottle-img-wrap x-post-img-bottle-to-right\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.activeherb.com\/jiangtang\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t<img\n\t\t\tstyle=\"text-align: center; max-width: 300px; width: 62%\"\n\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/www.activeherb.com\/img\/products\/guang-ci-tang\/AH033P-jiangtang-510w.png\"\n\t\t\talt=\"\"\n\t\t\/>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>And if you like milk tea, there\u2019s an even easier way to add Chinese herbs to it. Simply add a small scoop of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.activeherb.com\/extract\/productlist\">single herb extract granules<\/a> to the milk tea and stir for a few seconds and voila! Your semi-sweet Chinese herbal milk tea is ready. ActiveHerb.com\u2019s list of over 200 extract granules includes several adaptogenic herbs such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.activeherb.com\/extract\/reishi\">reishi<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.activeherb.com\/extract\/hongjingtian\">rhodiola<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.activeherb.com\/blog\/adaptogens.html#:~:text=from%20the%20body.-,Astragalus%20Root,-(Radix%20Astragali%2C%20Huang\">astragalus<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, if you need help managing blood sugar, learn about our formula, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.activeherb.com\/jiangtang\">GlucoAssure<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Enjoy the sweet stuff, in moderation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Read More About Sugar On ActiveHerb.com:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.activeherb.com\/blog\/too-much-sweetness-in-your-life-heres-how-tcm-may-reduce-sugar-cravings.html\">How TCM May Reduce Sugar Cravings<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.activeherb.com\/blog\/support-your-blood-sugar-the-easy-way-with-these-6-popular-chinese-herbs.html\">6 Best Chinese Herbs For Blood Sugar Management<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In China, sugar isn\u2019t considered a harmful substance. In fact, it\u2019s got some upsides, including acting as a medicinal treat. Explore how TCM views sugar from a holistic perspective.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6008,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[5,2],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Sugar in TCM: A Spoonful of Sugar Makes The Chinese Medicine Go Down\u00a0 - Activeherb Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"In China, sugar isn\u2019t considered a harmful substance. In fact, it\u2019s got some upsides, including acting as a medicinal treat. 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