Osteoporosis — TCM Food Therapy & Dietary Approach
A traditional Chinese medicine perspective on Osteoporosis, combining dietary therapy with syndrome differentiation.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Patterns
In TCM, this condition is differentiated into several patterns, each with a classical herbal formula:
Cold-Damp Lumbago
Treatment principle: Dispel Cold and Move Damp, Warm the Channels and Free the Collaterals
Formula: Ganjiang Lingzhu Tang (Licorice, Ginger, Poria and Atractylodes Decoction)
Damp-Heat Lumbago
Treatment principle: Clear Heat and Drain Damp, Relax the Sinews and Relieve Pain
Formula: Simiao Wan (Four Marvels Pill)
Blood-Stasis Lumbago
Treatment principle: Activate Blood and Resolve Stasis, Free the Collaterals and Relieve Pain
Formula: Shentong Zhuyu Tang (Generalized Pain Stasis-Expelling Decoction)
Kidney-Deficiency Lumbago·Kidney Yin Deficiency
Treatment principle: Nourish Kidney Yin, Moisten the Sinews and Vessels
Formula: Zuogui Wan (Left-Restoring Kidney Yin Pill) — from *Jingyue's Complete Works*
Kidney-Deficiency Lumbago·Kidney Yang Deficiency
Treatment principle: Supplement the Kidney and Strengthen Yang, Warm the Channels and Vessels
Formula: Yougui Wan (Right-Restoring Kidney Yang Pill) — from *Jingyue's Complete Works*
These formulas are for reference under TCM syndrome differentiation and should only be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner.
Food Therapy & Diet
Dietary Therapy Recipes
- Chestnut, Corn and Pork Rib Soup: 350g pork ribs, 200g corn cob, 50g chestnuts, 3g salt, 5g each of minced scallion and ginger. Chop the ribs and blanch; saute scallion and ginger in oil, add stock, ribs, corn and chestnuts, season with salt and simmer until cooked.
- Steamed Eggs with Clams: 250g clams, 3 eggs. Boil the clams until the shells open and take the meat; beat the eggs with seasonings, add the clams, and steam in a steamer for 10 minutes.
- Stir-fried Pork Kidney with Chives and Walnuts: 150g chives, 150g pork kidney, 20g walnut kernels, 30g red pepper. Score the kidney, blanch, and stir-fry with the chives, walnuts and red pepper, thickening with starch.
- Black Bean and Pork Skin Soup: 200g pork skin, 50g black soybeans, 10 jujubes. Simmer the black soybeans and jujubes until the beans are soft, add the pork skin and simmer another half hour, season with salt.
- Astragalus Pork Bone Soup: 15g astragalus, 500g pork bones, 20g fresh ginger. Blanch the bones, then put them with the astragalus and ginger in a clay pot and simmer over low heat for about 2 hours.
- Dried Shrimp and Tofu Soup: 50g dried baby shrimp, 200g tender tofu. Wash and soak the shrimp; cut the tofu into small cubes; cook into soup with chopped scallion, minced ginger and cooking wine.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.