The concept of food and medicine continuum(FMC)is traced back to Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica(Shénnóng Bencǎo Jing in Chinese)of the 1st century(Heinrich et al.,2022),which recorded 120 herbal medicines of the‘top grade’with nourishing properties;they can be consumed for extended periods of time without obvious side effects,indicating their functional food and medicinal benefits(Xiao,2023).In recent decades,the health-promoting actions of numerous edible herbal medicines and phytometabolites therein have been scrutinized.For instance,many FMC plants,such as Panax ginseng C.A.Mey.,Camellia sinensis(Linn.)O.Ktze.,Ganoderma lucidum(Leyss.ex Fr.)Karst.,Lycium barbarum L.,etc.,display effects of enhancing immunity(Pan et al.,2023;Yao et al.,2023).The benefits of dietary interventions and phytometabolites on improving cognitive functions in elderly population have been supported by accumulating evidence(Heinrich et al.,2022).Therefore,food and medicine dual-use products are important in the prevention and intervention of chronic diseases and senile illnesses.
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