Ancient Wisdom, Modern Kitchen: Recipes from the East for Health, Healing, and Long Life by Yuan Wang, Warren Sheir, and Mika Ono (Da Capo, $19.95)
The secret to counteracting fatigue, treat pain, and even increase sexual potency could be not your medicine cabinet but rather the family food pantry.
It’s no secret that various herbs and foods are considered superfoods. For example, goji berries, ginger, garlic, and mint have been used for thousands of years in Asia to promote better health. When combined, such as sprinkling cinnamon on your morning oat meal, the foods become even more powerful.
Yuan Wang, former physician-in-charge of several departments of the Chengdu Traditional Medicine in San Diego, Warren Sheir, a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist, and Mika Ono, an award-winning writer and editor, have compiled delicious recipes that are supplemented with anecdotes and facts about various herbs and foods. There are also details on more than 100 healthy Asian ingredients, an overview of traditional Chinese medicine, herbs, and food therapy, and more than 150 healing recipes for common health concerns including fatigue, menopause, high cholesterol, weight control, and one of America’s number one problems, diabetes.
This book is full of useful information. For example, garlic can be used to reduce swelling, relieve toxicity, and even counteract food poisoning. Ginger aids in digestion, walnuts are famous for counteracting fatigue and can even increase sexual potency in men. Cinnamon reduces appetite and fritillaria is often used to help fight breast and lung cancer.
The recipes are divided into six main chapters: Sumptuous Soups; Savory Side Dishes, or Vegetarians’ Delights; Marvelous Main Dishes; Here, There, Anywhere—Breakfast, Snacks, and Desserts; Comfort in a Cup; and Mixed and Sundry: Stocks, Sauces, and Toppings. My favorite section is a list of one hundred healthful Asian ingredients which sent me scurrying to one of my favorite Tucson food destinations, the 17th Street Market.
I tested three recipes from this cookbook, Special Spicy Spinach which was served as a side dish, Five-Element Stir Fry, both tasty and healthy, and since I am Type 2 diabetic, the Scintillating Cinnamon Tea.
This is a wonderful collection that would be an asset in almost any kitchen. The recipes are fairly easy to prepare, many combining many flavors to present familiar foods in a refreshing new way.

Scintillating Cinnamon Tea
Ingredients
1 stick (5 grams) cinnamon
! one-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and cut into one-sixteenth inch pieces
2 c water
3 or 4 pine nuts
Honey (I used Arizona Clove honey) optional
Directions
Combine the cinnamon stick, ginger, and water in a pot, cover and bring to a boil.
Lower the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the desired strength.
Strain out the ginger and cinnamon or remove with slotted spoon.
Add honey, if desired, and garnish with a few pine nuts before serving.
This tea is especially good for individuals with diabetes, or who are concerned about atherosclerosis. It is also beneficial in combating poor circulation or increasing pain tolerance. This tea is warming and helps open the body’s channels.

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