As with herbal medicines, foods have specific properties and if they are used appropriately they can rectify systemic problems, including digestive, insomnia, allergy, sweating and skin problems to name just a few.. The use of food as medicine is closely tied to your digestive system and to how your metabolism is operating. For example, some people have hot constitutions, the use of frequent and large amounts of spicy foods will usually cause trouble, especially in the summer. In Oriental medicine, we use the diagnostic “pattern” that we develop from our intake to direct herbal or other treatments, it also allows us to recommend appropriate dietary changes.