A great part of the fun of travelling or living in China is trying all the different kinds of authentic Chinese food. Chinese love to greatly vary the flavors of their food by using herbs and spices. 

Some of the herbs and spices on this list of 10 will be familiar to you, and others will be novel and even strange. You'll learn what a spice or herb is like, its health effects, any health warning, and what Chinese use it for. 


 

Health Benefits of Chinese Herbs/Spices 
 

The Chinese philosophy about food and health is that food can actually be made into a beneficial medicine for what they call food therapy, and they heavily rely on spices and herbs to prepare the kinds of meals they need to make themselves healthy and fit. 

Unlike the bland, samey fare you'd find in most Chinese restaurants abroad, the locally-made food brims and tingles with herbs and spices for varied exotic flavors. 

To help achieve healthy flavors and produce a harmony of the flavors, Chinese cooks rely on herbs and spices to achieve a balance that promotes health, treats diseases, and aids recovery from injury. 
 

1. Ginger (姜 jiāng) 
 

Ginger is the most common Chinese herb for seasoning. It is usually used along with garlic in stir-fried dishes, soups, and sauces. 

In Chinese medicinal cuisine (食疗 shíliáo /shrr-lyaoww/ 'food therapy') it is considered a hot, high-Yang, herb. It is an herb that is more preferred by men who need more Yang than women do generally. 

A favorite food for cold winter days when Yin is high and Yang is low is chicken soup with a lot of ginger. The soup helps to strengthen and warm the body. 
 

• Pronunciation: /jyang/ 

• Usage: Wash them with water and if you wish, peel the skin before use. It can be used for cooking or eaten raw. 
 

Health Benefits and Warnings/Side Effects 
 

Health benefits: Ginger helps balance the qi and the body fluids — so it helps people to stay healthy and recover from stress. It is also used to help neutralize any harmful effects of other ingredients in the food or medical concoctions, so it is used heavily in Chinese medicine.

It strengthens the immune system, helps people heal faster, and helps heal or prevent respiratory or circulation problems. It helps prevent cancer and has strong anti-inflammatory properties. 

Warnings/side effects: None. It is thought to be a herb with little or no harmful health effects. You can eat it as often as you want. It is thought that men especially might eat it daily for good health. 
 

2. Garlic (大蒜 dàsuàn) 

 

A plate of garlic cloves might be set at your table by your order. 

Garlic is often used to season cooking for stir-fries along with ginger. It is used throughout Chinese cooking. 
 

• Pronunciation: /dah-swann/ 

• Usage: In many less expensive restaurants such as Guilin-style or Lanzhou-style noodle shops, bowls of chopped garlic or whole garlic cloves are set out for customers to add to their food. 
 

Health Benefits and Warnings/Side Effects 
 

Health benefits: Garlic is also a high Yang herb. Like ginger, it can be used to replenish Yang in the body. It is a potent antioxidant, antibiotic, and antiviral herb. 

It heals and prevents infections and many viral or bacterial borne illnesses, and it promotes proper blood circulation and heals or prevents circulation problems such as high blood pressure, strokes, and heart attacks. It also has strong anti-inflammatory properties. 

Warnings/side effects: None, except studies have shown that it may potentially harm people who take HIV medications. 
 

3. Star Anise (八角 bājiǎo) 
 

This is a very commonly used ingredient that is used more frequently than even chili and the others below. However, most Westerners may have never actually seen of one of these little brown 8-pointed star seed pods. It has a pleasant taste like licorice. Chinese from northern to southern China love this taste and think it is a very healthy ingredient to mix in with the commonly used high Yang herbs and spices.