nutrition
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Dietary Choices Based on Chinese Medicine Disorders
Within traditional Chinese medical theory there are a number of factors which either cause or are the result of disease. The factors can be physical/climatic factors such as heat, cold, wind, dampness and dryness. These can be both internal and external such as a cold condition from using too much internal energy or a heat condition from an external source such as radiation. There are also emotional factors which tie into the five element theory, such as anger affecting the functioning of the liver leading to headaches, for example, or excessive joy affecting the heart leading to insomnia.
From a practitioner's perspective, an eastern medicine diagnosis does not usually carry any association with the western medical diagnosis. For example, using eastern medical theory we might call a "headache" Qi or Blood stagnation. From a nutritional standpoint it is important to understand what each diagnosis means and how you might aid your healing by choosing appropriate foods.
The chart below describes the food choices which may be helpful for a particular TCM diagnosis. It should be mentioned that the Spleen is of the utmost importance in the majority of these disorders when looked at from a nutritional perspective. The Spleen is the foundation of digestion and consequently plays a primary role in the production of Qi and Blood in the body. Thus, food choices, cooking styles and eating habits which benefit the Spleen, benefit the person overall regardless of their condition.
In general terms, the Spleen benefits from eating a balanced diet with ample amounts of grains, fruits and vegetables, not eating too much raw food including salads, limiting damp producing foods such as dairy, greasy foods and alcohol, as well as having regular meals which are eaten in as peaceful of an environment as possible.
| Diagnosis | Supportive Foods |
Qi Deficiency
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Indicates an imbalance of the Spleen. Foods which are easy to digest, warming and nourishing should be used: Millet, Garbanzo Beans, Pine Nuts, Figs, Dates, Squash, Carrots, Cabbage, Small portions of Meat, if desired |
Qi Stagnation
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Also an imbalance of the Spleen. Food choices similar to those for Qi Deficiency are good choices. Preparing them in ways which are even easier to digest such as soups may also be helpful as well as adding small amounts of strongly moving substances such as black pepper. |
Dampness
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Dampness is also a Spleen related imbalance. Generally it is the result of long-term qi deficiency but may also arise quickly from a diet that contains too many cold, raw foods, excessive dairy products or excessive amounts of greasy foods, animal products and/or alcohol. Food choices similar to those above are helpful, also adding foods which dry dampness such as rye, scallions and turnips and limiting the foods which contribute to dampness. |
Blood Deficiency
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Blood deficiency is usually seen as a result of long-term qi deficiency. The Chinese term, Blood, is used in a much broader way than the western idea of blood. However, blood deficiencies may still arise from traumas, childbirth and menstrual issues such as heavy bleeding. Generally foods which supplement the Spleen are considered good choices. Dark leafy greens, spinach, grapes, lotus root, cayenne pepper, and small amounts of meat products, especially liver, are beneficial additions to help the production and circulation of Blood. |
Blood Stagnation
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Often a deeper manifestation of qi stagnation but may also arise from trauma. The foods mentioned above for Blood deficiency are useful in addition to those which strongly move the Blood in the body such as turmeric, garlic, scallions, chives, eggplant and adzuki beans. |
Heat Condition
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Heat may show up in a variety of ways depending on the underlying condition. From a nutritional perspective it is most important to understand whether it is a "full-heat" syndrome or a "false-heat" syndrome. "Full-heat" is a pure excess condition which can be helped by consuming cool foods. "False-heat", however, indicates heat from an underlying deficiency which could be worsened by an excessive consumption of cool foods. Fruits and raw vegetables, including salads, are generally cooling and beneficial for a heat condition. Limiting foods which create heat in the body such as dairy, meats and alcohol is also important. |
Cold Condition
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As with heat, cold may show up in a variety of conditions and appear as "full-cold" or a "false-cold" condition where a person has a heat condition but is experiencing a sensation of cold (chills with a fever, for example). Warming and moving foods such as cayenne, cinnamon, ginger and onions are important for this condition. Limiting cooling foods especially raw foods and fruit juices is also important. |