Exploring the Wisdom of the Chinese Medicine Diet
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a comprehensive system of health that views the body in accordance with the natural world. It places the utmost importance on proper diet, so much so that it actually places nutrition and lifestyle choices before acupuncture and herbal medicine in the order of treatment! Rooted in millennia of observation, experimentation, and refinement, the Chinese Medicine diet is not merely about sustenance; it's a holistic approach to nourishing the body while aligning with the rhythms of nature and the individual's constitution. At its core lies the belief that food is medicine, capable of either promoting health or contributing to disharmony when consumed improperly.
Instead of viewing the breakdown of meals in terms of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, sugars, etc., the Chinese Medicine diet utilizes the flavors and nature of food as a guideline for a healthy diet. This unique approach provides a nutritional plan that is customized to the individual’s needs. There is a lot to learn when it comes to the Chinese medicine dietary approach, but even just learning the basics and incorporating those into your life can have profound impacts.
What are the flavors and nature of food?
The flavors and nature of food are the healing properties they carry. The flavor refers to the taste and the nature refers to the thermal quality. Both the flavor and nature of food will lead to certain movements of Qi and have properties that are drying or moistening, phlegm forming or phlegm clearing, heating or cooling, and more. This might sound like it’s too difficult or too much to process and retain, but stick with me. It actually makes a ton of sense and you are likely following some of the guidelines naturally. For example, eating watermelon when it is really hot out. Watermelon is cooling and full of water so it cools and hydrates you on hot summer days.
5 Flavors
Understanding the five flavors is the key to utilizing Chinese medicine dietary therapy. Each flavor has an organ association and inherent qualities that can have profound impacts on the energetic organ itself as well as others. The flavors are used to create balance in the body and to help us live in harmony with the seasons.
Pungent (Lung/ Large Intestine): expansive and dispersive, stimulates circulation of Qi and Blood, clears mucus, moves energy upward and outward to the periphery of the body.
Examples: garlic, scallions, radish, ginger, mustard greens, onions
Salty (Kidney/ Urinary Bladder): moves energy downward, has centering qualities, softens hardness, lubricates intestines, helps purge.
Examples: seaweed, miso, tamari, pickles, sea salt
Sour (Liver/ Gallbladder): causes contraction and has an astringent effect, helps retain moisture, moves inward and downward, aids in digestion.
Examples: lemon, lime, sauerkraut, vinegar, sourdough, yogurt
Bitter (Heart/ Small Intestine): clears and purges, encourages energy downward, good for inflammation, dries dampness, consolidates Yin, calms Shen.
Examples: dandelion, chamomile, coffee, kale, collard greens, quinoa
Sweet (Spleen/ Stomach): energy lifting, supplements and moistens, reduces side effects of other herbs.
Examples: rice, sweet potatoes, carrots, cabbage, squash, fruit, honey
5 Natures
The nature of foods describes the thermal changes they cause in the body. This can include the intrinsic properties of the foods but also the food preparation (ie. roasting is warm, raw is cold). Plants that take longer to grow tend to be warmer in nature (such as ginseng, carrots, and rutabaga) whereas plants that grow more quickly are cooling in nature (such as cucumbers and lettuce).
The 5 natures are:
Cold
Cool
Neutral
Warm
Hot
How do I know what my constitution is?
Your Chinese Medicine provider can tell you what your constitution is as well as any immediate imbalances within your body. From there, you can make more informed decisions about how you should eat, when you should eat, how to prepare your food, and more. It takes time to learn and understand this new way of eating, but as previously mentioned, you likely already do some of it just based on how we tend to eat seasonally. It’s important to note that moderation is very important. Too much of any flavor or temperature will lead to imbalances in the body.
Why should I follow a Chinese Medicine diet?
Adopting a Chinese Medicine diet involves mindfulness and attentiveness to one's body and its unique needs. By aligning with the principles of this ancient tradition, individuals may experience a myriad of benefits, including:
Improved digestion and nutrient absorption
Enhanced energy levels and vitality
Strengthened immune function
Better mood regulation and emotional balance
Support for overall health and longevity
In a world inundated with fad diets and conflicting nutritional advice, the Chinese Medicine diet offers a refreshing perspective rooted in centuries of wisdom and observation. By honoring the interconnectedness of food, body, and nature, it invites us to cultivate harmony and balance in our lives through mindful eating practices. Whether as a complement to modern wellness routines or a standalone approach to holistic health, the principles of the Chinese Medicine diet continue to inspire and empower individuals on their journey towards optimal well-being.
Stay tuned for the next post which will be more specific guidelines for seasonal eating.
Resources:
Healing with Whole Foods by Paul Pritchford
Ancient Wisdom, Modern Kitchen by Mika Ono, Warren Sheir, and Yuan Wang