Welcome to our latest interview in the Expert Insights series! Today, we are thrilled to introduce Physician Wan Jing, a physician and chef specialising in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) functional foods for children.
With a unique blend of medical expertise and both eastern and western culinary artistry, Physician Wan Jing brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. When not practising TCM at Chong Hoe Healthcare, Physician Wan Jing can be found experimenting with delicious TCM recipes that go beyond typical soups or teas over at TheTCMChef.
In this interview, she will share insights on the role of TCM functional foods in promoting children's health and well-being, as well as address some common questions related to TCM.
Hello Physician Wan Jing! Can you share with us the journey or inspiration that led you to become a unique blend of a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) physician and a chef?
I was inspired by this quote in Ancient Chinese Medical text: "仁者为医，上医治未病之病，中医治欲病之病，下医治已病之病。" I came across this in the first foundation module I took in Traditional Chinese Medicine as an undergraduate.
Essentially, it means that there are three kinds of physicians.
The upper-class physician treats before diseases occur, the middle-class physician treats symptoms, and the lower-class physician treats diseases.
This illustrates the importance of preventive medicine in Chinese Medicine - to treat what is preventable! The spark was first ignited in me during the last two years of my studies in Beijing as an intern. During that period, we had to prepare our own meals, sparking my interest in diet therapy and creating medicinal meals by incorporating Chinese herbs.
For those unfamiliar with TCM, diet therapy is considered one of the methods for cultivating health (养生) as a form of preventive medicine. A few years after graduation, I decided to take up a Diploma in Culinary Arts so I can better marry medicine and food! As a practising TCM physician, I remain determined to take medicinal food further, making it more relevant to the needs and preferences of modern people.
In your experience as a TCM physician, what are some common misconceptions that people have about Traditional Chinese Medicine? Can you help to dispel some of these myths?
Some individuals exhibit excessive caution towards TCM, fearing it is unsafe for children. However, this notion is inaccurate because TCM has a long history of safety and effectiveness in paediatric care spanning thousands of years. Of course, misuse can indeed pose risks. If physicians administer tonics without a comprehensive understanding of a child's physiology, pathology, and constitution, it can lead to problems.
For instance, individuals with G6PD deficiency, a genetic disorder characterised by a lack of the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme in red blood cells, should avoid certain Chinese herbs like bezoar (牛黄 niu huang), commonly used to treat high fever, and over-the-counter medications such as 安宫牛黄丸 an gong niu huang wan. However, it's important to note that this caution extends beyond TCM. People with G6PD deficiency must also steer clear of certain Western medications like Sulphonamides and Dapsone, as well as foods like fava beans and mothballs.
As for general health and development, what can parents do to improve the immunity of their children?
Firstly, parents should strive to ensure that their children are adequately hydrated, especially in Singapore, where the weather is typically hot and humid. Otherwise, children tend to develop heatiness after prolonged exposure to the sun if they are not sufficiently hydrated. Apart from weather conditions, a diet rich in cookies, sweets, chocolates, fried foods, and pizzas can also contribute to heatiness.
While tonics can be taken to boost immunity, parents must ensure that any ongoing infections or phlegm have completely healed before administering Chinese tonics. Some herbs that are beneficial for immunity include:
Astragalus root 黄芪 huang qi,
Pseudostellaria Root 太子参 tai zi shen,
Cordyceps 冬虫夏草 dong chong xia cao
I also have to caution against over reliance and inappropriate use of tonics. In some cases, incorrect usage may cause precocious (early) puberty, resulting in stunted growth. Hence, it’s best they seek consultation from a qualified TCM physician who can make recommendations based on the child’s individual constitution.
Children should maintain a balance between physical activity and rest. From the perspective of TCM, staying up late regularly can lead to a buildup of heat in the Heart and Liver, resulting in symptoms such as a dry or itchy throat, feverishness, and constipation.
Lastly, physical activity is essential for strengthening their heart and lung functions, crucial for growth and development. It also enhances metabolism and aids in digestion.
What general tips or advice do you offer to parents for promoting the overall health and development of their babies, from physical milestones to cognitive and social development?
Avoid overfeeding, as it could burden their digestive system.
In the past, when resources were scarce and limited, lack of nutrition was a genuine concern. However, in modern cities like Singapore, we find that parents, grandparents, or other caregivers often tend to overfeed children. Overfeeding can strain the digestive system and weaken the Spleen, which is the primary organ for digestion. This can lead to issues in absorbing and transforming nutrients into vital substances like Qi and Blood, which are crucial for growth and development.
Paediatric massage, also known as 小儿推拿 xiao er tui na, is something parents can consider doing for their children. By learning techniques that promote digestion, growth, and immunity, parents can enhance their child's well-being. Instead of hiring therapists for paediatric massage, learning the techniques themselves will save parents a considerable amount of money in the long run. More importantly, it is a great way to bond with children!
Speaking of the skin, many children in Singapore experience eczema. Are there ways for parents to help them in this aspect from a TCM perspective?
Skin-related problems can be tricky, as they vary among individuals. For some, it may be a one-off episode that heals on its own after some time. Yet, for others, it may develop into a long-term issue. TCM can certainly help, as it can reduce inflammatory responses and enhance the body's ability to combat allergens.
Here’s a practical tip for parents of children with eczema:
Make a journal record of their condition in relation to their diet, activity, and whereabouts. That will help parents to identify factors that may have caused their skin problems. It will also be helpful during diagnosis should they decide to consult a physician.
Many of us would love to prepare nourishing medicinal meals at home. Can you please share a simple TCM recipe that is suitable for the entire family for general health?
Sure! Do try my recipe for a family-friendly soup below
Jaded-Screen Miso Soup 玉屏风黑鸡汤
Function: Nourish Lung and Spleen and moisten Lung Yin, strengthen immunity
Frequency: Once a week or about 2-3 times a month
Serving Size: 4-6 pax
Ingredients:
1 whole Black Chicken or 1 whole Kampung chicken, approximately 900g
Coarse sea salt, to taste
3 slices Ginger, optional
1 tbsp Chinese Cooking Wine 花雕酒 hua diao jiu, optional
9g Astragalus Root, 黄芪 huang qi
9g Atractylodes, Root 9g 白术 bai zhu
6g Siler Root, 防风 fang feng
9g Solomon’s Seal, 玉竹 yu zhu
3-4 pieces Chinese Red Dates, seeds removed 红枣(去核) hong zao (qu ke)
6g Wolfberries, 枸杞子 gou qi zi
1.2L Water
30-50g Miso Paste
1⁄2 tsp Sesame Oil, optional
Chopped spring onions, as garnish
Instructions:
1. Rinse the herbs under running water 2-3 times.
2. Soak Astragalus Root 黄芪, Atractylodes Root 白术, Siler Root 防风, Solomon’s Seal 玉竹, and Chinese Red Dates 红枣 in 1.2 liters of water in a claypot or stainless steel pot for 30 minutes.
3. Rub the chicken with coarse sea salt, rinse, then cut it into large pieces.
4. In another pot, bring water to a boil, add ginger and Chinese cooking wine.
5. Blanch the chicken pieces for 5 minutes, then rinse under running water to remove any scum and odor.
6. Add the chicken pieces to the pot of water with the herbs.
7. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 1 to 1.5 hours.
8. Add wolfberries.
9. Dissolve miso paste in a ladle by stirring it with chopsticks, then add it to the soup.
10. Turn off the heat immediately and portion into bowls.
11. Sprinkle chopped onions and drizzle with some sesame oil before serving.
Note: Avoid consumption during acute respiratory infection or inflammatory phase.
Thank you for the recipe! We can’t wait to try it out. Do you have any messages for our readers?
I believe that food is medicine and that everyone can take an active role in healing themselves and their loved ones through TCM diet therapy.
I’ll be conducting an online talk titled Functional Herbal Dietary Management for Children on 18 May 2024. Conducted in English, this talk is perfect for parents who are looking to improve their children’s health through natural healing foods. Participants will learn how to apply herbal diet therapy for different weather and body constitutions and how to support their immunity, digestive and growth. They will also receive a digital copy of herbal food recipes suitable for the entire family.
Note from editor:
An ongoing early bird discount is available for the talk on 18 May 2024, and Chong Hoe Healthcare has kindly offered a 20% discount coupon after that. Take $5 off the registration fee with the code <MM5OFF>, valid from 5 May 2024 till 16 May 2024.
Chong Hoe Healthcare also has a Paediatric Massage Class (suitable for parents with children up to 12 years old) in June, as well as a talk on Eczema later in September. Updates and details can be found here.
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In closing, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Physician Wan Jing, for her invaluable insights and guidance shared in the interview above, as well as Chong Hoe Healthcare for the discount code. We sincerely hope that parents will find this information beneficial as they navigate the journey of nurturing their children's health.
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