About Yao Shan Guide
Yao Shan Guide translates Chinese food therapy (yao shan 药膳) sources into English. The living practice — seasonal tonic soups on Xiaohongshu, home preparations on Xiachufang, practitioner debates on Zhihu — was never written for English readers. We read it in Chinese and publish what matters, in plain English, with a link back to the original source.
What We Cover
- Ingredient guides — culinary herbs and foods as Chinese sources describe their traditional roles
- Preparations and recipes as they are actually cooked in Chinese homes
- Core concepts — constitutions, five flavors, warming and cooling — translated and explained
- The debate, too: where Chinese sources dispute a traditional claim, we translate the skeptics
Informational, Not Medical Advice
Chinese food therapy is a traditional, complementary practice. We present it as cultural and culinary knowledge, not as clinically proven treatment. Nothing on this site is a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using herbs or dietary changes to address a health condition.
How We Work
Our process is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed: AI tools read and draft translations from Chinese sources, and ingredient names, preparations, and the framing of traditional claims are checked against the original before publishing. The full methodology — source selection, translation standards, attribution — is documented in our editorial policy.
Affiliate Disclosure
Some links on this site are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. Coverage follows the Chinese source material, never affiliate relationships, and we never link to sellers who market foods or herbs as cures. See our affiliate disclosure.
Contact
Questions, corrections, or feedback? Reach us at hello@yaoshanguide.com.