The concept of “food and medicine share a common origin” can be traced back thousands of years; the Huangdi Neijing already states, “When consumed on an empty stomach, it serves as food; when taken by those who are ill, it functions as medicine.” This principle profoundly reveals the intrinsic connection between food and medicine: many substances can both satisfy hunger as everyday fare and possess therapeutic properties that help regulate the body and prevent or treat illness. Through long-term empirical observation, ancient practitioners developed the preventive‑medicine philosophy of “treating disease before it arises,” emphasizing that maintaining health and warding off illness through dietary regulation aligns closely with contemporary preventive‑medicine principles.

In 2023, the National Health Commission officially released the “Catalogue of Substances That Are Both Food and Traditional Chinese Medicinal Materials,” adding 110 substances to the national list of legally recognized food‑medicine homologous items. This authoritative announcement not only provides a legal basis for the concept of food‑medicine homology but also offers authoritative guidance to the public on the scientific and safe selection and use of such substances. The promulgation of this catalogue marks a significant milestone, signaling the transition of food‑medicine homology from traditional practice toward standardized and regulated management.

Disclaimer

I. Statement Regarding the Nature of the Content

The content presented in this illustrated guide is compiled and prepared based on publicly available sources, with the aim of providing foundational knowledge and reference information on substances that are both food and medicine. It is intended solely for health education, learning and exchange, and as a personal resource for daily wellness practices, and does not constitute any form of medical advice, diagnostic recommendation, or treatment plan.

II. Professional Consulting Recommendations

1. Disease treatment : The content of this guide does not substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a qualified medical institution. If you are suffering from an illness or experiencing any physical discomfort, please seek prompt medical attention at a reputable healthcare facility and follow the guidance of a licensed physician or pharmacist.
2. Medication Safety Although substances classified as both food and medicine possess attributes of both, they still exhibit certain pharmacological effects and have specific indications. Before using any such substance, especially if you have chronic illnesses, are taking other medications, or are in a special physiological state, be sure to seek advice from a qualified physician or licensed pharmacist.
3. Incompatibility of drug combinations : There are contraindications in the compatibility of substances that share both medicinal and food properties; concurrent use with certain Western or traditional Chinese medicines may lead to interactions, compromising therapeutic efficacy or causing adverse reactions. Do not combine these products arbitrarily; always seek guidance from qualified professionals to ensure appropriate formulation.

III. Warnings for Special Populations

The following special populations should exercise extreme caution when using food‑medicine homologous substances and must consult a qualified physician before use:

1. Pregnant and breastfeeding women : Certain substances that are both food and medicine possess effects such as promoting blood circulation to remove stasis and regulating qi to relieve stagnation, which may potentially affect the fetus or infant; examples include safflower, peach kernels, coix seeds, and hawthorn. Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should use these products with caution under the guidance of a physician.
2. Infants and children Children have delicate organs and immature physiological functions, resulting in differences in drug tolerance and responsiveness compared to adults. Some substances that are both food and medicine contain toxic components or possess strong irritant properties—for example, ginkgo nuts and bitter almonds—so their use in children requires strict dose control or administration under the guidance of a physician.
3. Elderly people Elderly individuals experience a decline in physical function and often have chronic conditions; their hepatic and renal functions may be impaired, leading to reduced capacity for drug metabolism and excretion. When using food‑medicine substances, it is important to adjust dosages and be mindful of potential drug–drug interactions.
4. Chronic disease patients Patients with chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, or hepatic and renal insufficiency may experience adverse effects on their condition or drug–food interactions when using substances that are both food and medicine; such products must be used under the guidance of a physician.
5. Individuals with allergic constitutions Individuals with allergies to certain foods or drug ingredients should verify that medicinal‑food substances do not contain allergenic components before use, to prevent allergic reactions.

IV. Dosage and Principles of Use

1. Principle of Moderation Substances that are both food and medicine are not necessarily better in larger quantities; their intake must be carefully regulated according to individual constitution, age, health status, and other factors. Long-term excessive consumption may lead to adverse reactions or harm to health.
2. Use according to syndrome differentiation. The use of substances that are both food and medicine must adhere to the principles of TCM syndrome differentiation and treatment, with appropriate choices made based on an individual’s constitution and pattern of disharmony; such substances should not be used indiscriminately or adopted merely because they are trendy.
3. Processing Requirements : Some substances that are both food and medicine must undergo specialized processing before they can be used; for example, bitter almonds require roasting to reduce their toxicity, and viper venom must be processed by professionals to eliminate its toxic components. Raw, unprocessed forms may pose a significant risk of toxicity; do not use them on your own.
4. Quality Control When selecting substances that are both food and medicine, purchase only products of qualified quality from reputable sources, and carefully check the product label, manufacturer, expiration date, and other relevant information to avoid using counterfeit, substandard, or expired and deteriorated products.

V. Management of Adverse Reactions

1. If, during the use of food‑medicine‑common substances, you experience adverse symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, or dizziness, discontinue use immediately and seek medical attention promptly.
2. If you experience symptoms suggestive of poisoning—such as numbness of the lips, difficulty breathing, or confusion—after consuming substances containing toxic compounds (e.g., ginkgo nuts, bitter almonds, or pit viper venom), please call emergency services immediately and seek medical attention as soon as possible.

VI. Allocation of Liability

The authors and publishers of this illustrated guide assume no legal liability for any health issues, medical disputes, financial losses, or other damages arising from the use of its contents. Users shall bear all risks and consequences associated with the use of this guide at their own discretion.

VII. Information Updates

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a discipline that is continually evolving and being refined, with new research findings and clinical experience potentially updating or revising existing knowledge. The content of this illustrated guide is based on publicly available information as of January 2026; should new research developments or official document updates emerge, the most recent published information shall prevail.

References

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[13] Wang Zhong, Zhang Boli. Historical Origins and Modern Developments of the Theory of “Medicine–Food Homology” [J]. Chinese Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2020, 45(1): 1–5.

[14] Liu Yanping, Zhang Lei. A Study on the Current Status and Development Strategies for the Management of Food-Drug Homology Substances in China [J]. Chinese Journal of Health Policy Research, 2022, 15(8): 45–50.

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[16] National Health Commission. National Food Safety Standard: List of Food-Drug Homologous Substances (GB 31637-2024) [S]. Beijing: China Standards Publishing House, 2024.

[17] State Administration for Market Regulation. Measures for the Administration of the Catalogue of Health Food Raw Materials and the Catalogue of Health Functions [Z]. 2020.

[18] National Health Commission Government Service Platform. Announcement on the Catalogue of Substances That Are Both Foods and Traditional Chinese Medicinal Materials [EB/OL]. 2023-12-05.

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Special Note: The references cited in this illustrated guide are provided solely to support the scientific rigor and authority of its content. Readers who wish to explore the subject matter in greater depth are encouraged to consult the original sources listed above. All cited materials have been properly attributed; should any copyright issues arise, please contact the authors of this guide for resolution through mutual consultation.

Article reprinted from: Lvcao Health, Toutiao

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