This book is so great! It’s a veritable treasure trove of information. I have been changing the way I personally deal my health issues and part of that is eating whole foods and using food as medicine. I found this book so useful and cannot wait to get a physical copy. There’s so much helpful information for different health concerns.


Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for letting me read this book.

This was a great concise toolbook that would be great for everyone to have on hand. Food is medicine and this is a great book for every shelf!

Great read for anyone interested in chinese medicine or generally looking to improve their health using natural methods. Enjoyed this book as a cover to cover read and will use it in years to come as a reference.

I have long found nutrition as a means of supporting health to be extremely interesting. While Chinese medicine is probably one of the best known herbal areas that support this, I first started exploring it with the herbs and spices in India. This book just extends my knowledge and is an extremely interesting read.

I’m a firm believer in "you are what you eat" and the concept of intuitive eating—our bodies are always trying to tell us what they need, we just have to listen! That’s why I found this book so fascinating. It combines scientific, data-backed information with the ancient wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to show us how food can help balance our hormones and ease a variety of symptoms. Whether you’re dealing with something like IBS, autoimmune issues, allergies, or even just general hormonal imbalances, this book provides solid advice on how to use food to get your body back on track.

Even though I didn’t have a background in Chinese medicine before picking up this book, I found it really accessible. The author does an amazing job of breaking down complex concepts in a way that anyone can understand, whether you’re new to TCM or someone who’s already interested in the field. It’s packed with practical tips on eating habits, and it really dives into the science behind why certain foods can help regularize your body’s systems. You’ll learn a lot about the history and principles of TCM, like the balance of yin and yang, the concept of Qi, and how foods can be categorized by their elements (earth, water, wood, fire, metal) to heal specific parts of the body.

What I especially loved was how the book isn’t just for people with specific health issues—there’s a huge focus on preventative health and maintenance, which is exactly the kind of approach I love. The author emphasizes things like eating slowly, being mindful of how food makes you feel, and paying attention to how certain foods affect your energy levels. It’s all about building healthy, sustainable habits, and it felt like an invitation to get in touch with my body and trust it more.

There’s also a wealth of information about common diets and cleanses, as well as tips for dealing with food allergies and intolerances. Plus, the book includes a ton of resources, like a food diary chart, guides for sourcing TCM herbs, and even a cross-referenced index, which makes it super useful as a reference tool.

If you're looking for a way to incorporate natural, holistic healing into your life, this book is a must-read. It’s packed with valuable knowledge, and the author’s tone is approachable and sometimes even playful, which makes it a fun and informative read. If you're into the idea of food-as-medicine and want to explore TCM more deeply, this book is a fantastic starting point. I’d totally recommend it, especially if you’re interested in improving your health naturally!

Great read for anyone and everyone interested in Chinese medicine, modern cures focusing on food. I got lots of help out of this book. I will try out several of these, and I have even discussed some of these with my friends, giving them suggestions about what they can do when it comes to their own conditions. I also found the questionnaire regarding five elements helpful. Well worth the read!

I've always been intrigued by Traditional Chinese Medicine so this book about Modern version of Traditional Chinese Medicine was definitely up my alley. It's filled with so much info and recipes and was such an interesting read. I fully believe that food can heal us so I recommend this read if that sort of topic resonates with you!

This is very informative!

Thanks to NetGalley, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, Singing Dragon and Jessica Kingsley Publishers | Singing Dragon for giving me an ARC of this wonderful book!

Modern Chinese Medicine Food Cures is an interesting and engaging look at nutrition as preventative healthcare by acupuncturist Dr. Melissa Carr. Due out 21st Jan 2025 from Jessica Kingsley Publishers on their Singing Dragon imprint, it's 336 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.

Traditional Chinese medicine, referred to as TCM throughout the book, has a history stretching back thousands of years. The author has an acupuncture practice, and nutrition and food-as-medicine are a natural outgrowth of that protocol. The book is quite steeped in eastern philosophy which might be at odds with practice-based western medical philosophy. For readers who are perhaps frustrated by chronic problems (IBS, autoimmune difficulties (including gout and arthritis), allergies, skin issues, and a host of other somatic illnesses) it's certainly worth a look.

The author doesn't confine herself only to readers who already have issues, but also expends a fair bit of effort on preventative maintenance and health-building dietary habits, with an emphasis on eating well, charting potential improvement areas, and even the physical aspects of ingesting food (eating more slowly and mindfully, etc).

This is for readers who are open to the ideas espoused by traditional eastern medicine and philosophy. The author and publisher have also included useful appendices such as a food diary chart, bibliography, tutorials on TCM herbs and simple guides on how to source and use them, and a cross referenced index.

Five stars, with the understanding that it's *not* a western medical guide and there's a fair bit of Eastern Philosophy (elemental humours, warm/cold, yin-yang, Qi, organ stagnation, etc). For readers with an open mind. The author's observations on nutrition (carbs, micronutrients, diets, food allergies, etc) are all spot on, and without any controversy.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

I found this to be a fantastic resource if you don't know much about Chinese medicine like me. The quiz, lists, and charts are hugely helpful in supporting the text. It was a little dense for me, so I think consuming it in chunks would help with that. Overall, a great read and I will be recommending this to friends.

Thank you to Jessica Kingsley Publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book.

I have done a lot of research on wellness and nutrition to personally tune into my own nutritional needs. This book restated a lot you will find in those materials. What was enjoyable different though was the Traditional Chinese Medicine approach on nutrition through the various elements that is uniquely you.

I like the fact that the author prefaces her book advising if you know about TCM to skip those chapters and if you have lots of knowledge with Nutrition to skip those chapters. The way the author blends the two and explains things - with reference back to a section for refresh - was refreshing.

I also like the fact that there is a glossary of ailments so you can jump directly to the one that affects you personally. I also enjoyed the elements quiz to learn about your own element and how to provide balance based on your element.

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read and review Modern Chinese Medicine Food Cures. I've been interested in Chinese medicine for a very long time and I'm always happy to learn new information about Chinese Medicine and how it can be used in our daily lives. This book was informative and well put together.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I found this book interesting and informative. We are all looking for alternative natural cures, and this book offers the information needed. Recommended.

Having read a lot of health and wellness/nutrition books over the years, this book reiterated a lot of things I already knew: avoid processed foods, focus on nutrient-rich foods such as leafy greens, cruciferous veggies, fatty fish, nuts, seeds, fruits, fiber, beans, etc. I did enjoy learning more about Traditional Chinese Medicine though and the various elements/opposites associated with the practice. The first few chapters were very interesting in that regard! After that, I flipped through the glossary of ailments and read the recommendations for ones I personally struggle with. This will be a great reference text for other things that pop up here and there. I also enjoyed the elements quiz and learning more about balance. Overall a worthwhile read for those interested in alternative/natural/functional medicine! Thank you to the publisher for the digital ARC.

Thank you Netgalley and Melissa Carr for an eARC in exchange for an honest review

This initially took me aback, as I have noted a lot of TCM guides are confusing, or are not written with care. This is a blend of both science and nutrition and the study/practice of traditional chinese medicine. It's thorough, culturally aware and well-researched.

This year I'm really looking forward to learning about Chinese Medicine and herbs. This was a wonderful introduction and very informative. I love that the recommended herbs and other ingredients are easy to find and even grow in North America. The language and wording is easy and not at all complicated.

I liked this book! I liked the history of foods and ingredients brought up, and it was an interesting approach to nutrition and diet. I do think this may work for some people but not for all, as with any diet culture.

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

This book was really enlightening. I loved learning about the food cures used in Chinese medicine. I will definitely be incorporating these in my daily life.

As a person who did not know much about Chinese Traditional Medicine this book has provided insight to a topic that I do not know understand or know about.

This was a fascinating book and much more accessible than other books I have read on this subject. Easy to find information relevant to what your particular interests as much of the book is written in a dictionary / encyclopeadia form. Has a western "medicine as food" twist that makes it super interesting.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Melissa Carr’s Modern Chinese Medicine Food Cures is an insightful and practical guide to understanding nutrition through the lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). By blending ancient practices with modern dietary knowledge, Carr offers a fresh perspective on how food can be used as a tool for personal health and wellness. This book is a valuable resource for practitioners, patients, and anyone curious about TCM’s unique approach to nutrition.

What Stands Out
The book’s biggest strength is its accessibility. TCM can sometimes feel esoteric or intimidating to those unfamiliar with its principles, but Carr presents the information in a way that’s both approachable and engaging. The self-assessment tool for understanding the five elements—Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water—is a standout feature, helping readers identify their dominant elements and how they might influence their dietary needs.

Carr also excels at bridging the gap between TCM and Western nutrition. By incorporating familiar foods and herbs into her recommendations, she ensures that the principles of TCM feel relevant and practical for a modern audience. The inclusion of Western nutritional basics alongside TCM practices makes the book even more versatile, providing a well-rounded framework for understanding food’s impact on health.

Content Highlights
Personalized Nutrition: The book emphasizes the importance of tailoring dietary recommendations to the individual, a cornerstone of TCM. Carr’s explanations of how specific foods can nourish or balance the body’s energy systems are clear and compelling.
Practical Applications: From the self-assessment tool to the symptom-focused food lists, the book is packed with actionable advice. The section on common symptoms and illnesses is particularly useful, offering practical dietary adjustments for issues like fatigue, digestive problems, and stress.
Cultural Integration: By focusing on foods and herbs that are familiar and accessible to Western readers, Carr ensures the book feels relevant without losing its connection to TCM’s rich heritage.
Favorite Moments
The section that explains the five elements and their relationship to physical and emotional health is both illuminating and fun to explore. It provides a new lens through which to view personal well-being.
The symptom-specific recommendations are a highlight—practical, easy to reference, and empowering for readers who want to take charge of their health.
Carr’s discussion of how to harmonize TCM food principles with Western dietary advice is thoughtful and nuanced, showing respect for both traditions.
Critiques
While the book is highly informative, some readers may find it leans more heavily on theory than application in certain sections. For those new to TCM, a few of the concepts—such as yin and yang or the five elements—might feel abstract, despite Carr’s best efforts to simplify them. Additional real-life examples or case studies could have further enriched the practical application of the concepts.

Final Thoughts
Modern Chinese Medicine Food Cures is a refreshing and empowering guide that makes the wisdom of TCM accessible to a modern audience. Melissa Carr’s ability to integrate traditional practices with contemporary nutritional advice is impressive, offering a balanced approach to personalized health and wellness. Whether you’re a practitioner looking to expand your knowledge or a curious reader seeking a new way to approach nutrition, this book is well worth exploring. It’s both a practical reference and a fascinating deep dive into the healing power of food.