Early Daoist Dietary Practices

Shawn Arthur is associate professor of Religion at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. His teaching and research focus on early Daoism; Chinese religions; the intersection of religion, culture, medicine, and the body; and method and theory in the study of religion.

• Chapter 1: IntroductionChapter 2: The Wufuxu’s Recipe Structure and ContentChapter 3: Dietary Regimens: From Herbs to QiChapter 4: Healing and Improving the Physical BodyChapter 5: Beyond Physical Health: The Wufuxu’s Extraordinary ClaimsChapter 6: Daoist Grain Avoidance TodayChapter 7: The Wufuxu’s Ingredients and FastingChapter 8: Analyzing Dietary Ideals and PracticesChapter 9: Conclusion

Contemporary Western society is replete with dietary advice, much of it backed by a thriving supplement industry. Nevertheless, increasing numbers of people seek inner balance using guidance from ancient traditions. Centering body movement practices, such as qigong and taiji, are widely known, but information from ancient texts on the relationship between diet and optimal health is harder to come by. This book discusses historical and cultural contexts for a selection of ancient Chinese 'recipes' utilizing various food and herbal ingredients. Arthur (Appalachian State Univ.), who specializes in Chinese religions and 'the intersection of religion, culture, medicine, and the body,' then evaluates the recipes' potential therapeutic value from a modern scientific perspective. Appendixes include lists of recipe titles, proposed health benefits, ingredients, and translations of selected recipes. A Sourcebook in Chinese Longevity, by L. Kohn (CH, Dec'12, 50-2099), also contains a substantive discussion of ancient Daoist dietary practices. Useful for researchers specializing in Daoist traditions relating to health and longevity. Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students, researchers/faculty, and professionals/practitioners.