5b. Naturopathic Investigations Flashcards
What is ‘energetics’?
Flow of energy in the body
What is the Vital Force called in Chinese medicine?
Qi
What is the Vital Force called in Indian tradition?
Prana
In energetics, what is an illness or pathology a sign of?
Blockage or insufficiency of the Vital Force
In Western energetics what is the digestive system considered?
Hot - the digestive fire
What functions does the Digestive Fire govern?
Clearing out impurities in the body
Liver (livid)
Active muscular heat generating tissues
Digestive enzymes and bile flow
What is the digestive fire called in Ayurveda?
Agni
What is Agni?
The power to digest, transform and absorb nutrients
When is Agni at its highest?
In the morning
supporting the need for a good, nutritious breakfast
What can make Agni weak?
Energetic imbalance (excess heat or cold) Bad eating habits
What happens in the digestive system if Agni is weak?
Foods remain undigested and can’t nourish the system
What is Ama in Ayurveda?
Toxins
Undigested foods
How can Ama be reduced?
Fennel, cumin, cardamom, fenugreek to increase digestive fire Fresh ginger root tea 3 hrs between last meal and bed 4-6 hrs between meals No snacking Adequate exercise Drink water at room temperature Not reading, working or feeling stressed while eating
What is the ‘spleen’ in TCM?
Functional organ that encompasses all aspects of digestion and absorption of foods
(think Western digestive process)
What signs and symptoms can be considered as a spleen Qi deficiency?
Diarrhoea
Bloating after eating
Food intolerances
Indigestion
What is the function of the stomach in TCM?
To rot and to ripen
What is rotting in TCM?
The rotting of meats
digestion of meats with stomach acid
What is ripening in TCM?
The ripening of fruits, vegetables and grains
as in nature
What is the Western equivalent of ‘Stomach Fire’?
Stomach acid
What does insufficient Stomach Fire lead to in TCM?
Foods are improperly ‘cooked’
Poor digestion
Malabsorption
What is a ‘spleen’ friendly diet in TCM?
Warm, wet foods - porridge, soups, stews Well cooked grains - rice, oats, quinoa Warming herbs and spices Wet cooking methods - steaming Naturally sweet veg
Why are wet cooking methods considered good for a spleen friendly diet?
Warming
Easy to digest
Excellent source of hydration
What foods should be avoided in a spleen friendly diet?
Cold foods - raw, smoothies Gluten Refined sugars Dairy Herbal bitters
Why are naturally sweet foods considered good for the digestive system?
Support and strengthen
What are considered to be naturally sweet foods?
Whole grains
Root veg
Legumes
What can sugar cravings indicate?
Spleen Qi deficiency
Why shouldn’t you give into sugar cravings?
Further compromise the digestive system
Leads to dampness and heat
What conditions are associated with dampness and heat?
Candida Weight gain Diabetes Hypertension CVD
According to the TCM clock, which organ needs supporting 5-7am?
Large intestine
According to the TCM clock, how can the LI be supported 5-7am?
Start day drinking warm water
(supports LI with elimination)
Avoid caffeine
(impairs body’s detoxification processes, increases cortisol)
According to the TCM clock, which organ needs supporting 7-9am?
Stomach
According to the TCM clock, how can the stomach be supported 7-9am?
Eat breakfast
Warming
Hydrating
(porridge, not cold smoothie or dry toast)
According to the TCM clock, which organ needs supporting 11am-1pm?
Heart
According to the TCM clock, how can the heart be supported 11am-1pm?
Nutritionally balanced lunch
Not overfilling to avoid taxing the body
According to the TCM clock, which organ needs supporting 3-5pm?
Bladder
According to the TCM clock, how can the bladder be supported 3-5pm?
Drink warm fluids - herbal teas
hydrates and supports detoxification
According to the TCM clock, which organ needs supporting 5-7pm?
Kidneys
According to the TCM clock, how can the kidneys be supported 5-7pm?
Eat dinner and restore energy
should be nourishing, fresh, light
What can be pulse be used to diagnose?
Constitution
Nature of the disease
What does a rapid pulse indicate constitutionally?
Heat