6. Energetics & Nutrition Flashcards
What are the 4 energetic qualities?
Heat
Cold
Dryness
Moisture
What does heat (energetic) represent?
Good circulation/body heat Strong digestion Hormones Mental creativity Courage Passion
What does cold (energetic) represent?
Firm body structure Firm tissues Mental stability Endurance Resilience Reliability
What does dryness (energetic) represent?
Healthy nerve impulses Lightness of the body Mental speed Agility Adaptability
What does moisture (energetic) represent?
Healthy bodily fluids - lymph, synovial, mucous
Transportation of nutrients
Love
Contentment
Which energetic qualities are best for optimal health?
Slightly towards warmth and moisture
What happens if there is an imbalance of the energetic qualities?
Physical disease
Mental disharmony
Which foods and herbs create heat?
Hot food and drinks
Chilli, ginger, garlic, rosemary, thyme, black pepper, cinnamon
Oily, deep fried, smoked, barbecued foods
Red meats, coffee, alcohol, chocolate
Which season symbolises heat?
Summer
Which life stage symbolises heat?
Teenage
Adult years
What are the signs of excess heat?
Redness Burning sensations Yellow discharge Diarrhoea/loose stool Over-excitement Competitiveness Fiery emotions - irritability, anger
Examples of conditions displaying excess heat
Cystitis Sinusitis Hypertension AI Menopause Migraines Acid reflux IBD Infected wounds Stress Anger management
Which foods and herbs create cold?
Cold, iced food and drinks Raw and leafy foods - salads Green smoothies Fruit Bitter herbs
Which season symbolises cold?
Winter
Which life stage symbolises cold?
Old age
What are the signs of excess cold?
Pale Cold Weak digestion (undigested food) Muscle spasm Tiredness Debility Low motivation Emotional withdrawal
Examples of conditions displaying excess cold
Poor circulation Poor digestion - low appetite, IBS Menstrual cramps Hypothyroidism Weight gain Stiffness Poor memory/concentration Exhaustion Depression
Which exercise/lifestyle interventions create heat?
Vigorous exercise
Saunas
Hot yoga
Oil massages
Which exercise/lifestyle interventions create cold?
Exercise outdoors
Detoxification
Fasting
Examples of hot foods
Hot food and drinks Hot spicy curries Chilli, dry ginger, garlic Oily, deep fried, smoked, barbecued foods Red meats, coffee, alcohol, chocolate
Examples of warm foods
Soups, meat/veg stews Beef, lamb Stir fried, baked foods Porridge, dahl, mild curry Onion, fresh ginger, rosemary, thyme, black pepper, cinnamon, cumin, mustard seeds Warm water, most herbal teas
Examples of neutral foods
Steamed grains
Boiled veg
Chicken
Water at room temperature
Examples of cool foods
Fish Fermented food Sprouts Salad leaves Bitter greens Veg juice Fruit Peppermint tea
Examples of cold foods
Raw food
Smoothies
Iced drinks
Sushi
What type of plants are considered warmer?
Plants that grow slowly - root veg
Grow in colder environments
What type of plants are consider cooler?
Plants that grow quickly - salad leaves
Chemically fertilised plants
Which foods and herbs are considered drying?
Light crunchy foods - biscuits, rice cakes, oatcakes, popcorn
Oats, buckwheat, millet
Gas forming legumes
Astringent herbs - green tea, cinnamon
Which season symbolises drying?
Autumn
Which life stage symbolises drying?
Over 50
What are the signs of excess dryness?
Weight loss Dry skin Dry mucous membranes Gas Bloating Hyperactivity Feelings of fear/anxiety
Examples of conditions displaying dryness
OA Dry, flaking itchy skin Dandruff Wrinkled skin Dry mouth Dry sinuses/throat Dry cough IBS with constipation Tremors Anxiety Insomnia
Which foods and herbs are considered moist?
Porridge, soup, stews
Fruit/veg with high water content - melon, cucumber
Nut milks, live yoghurt
Slimy - linseed, chia, aloe vera, slippery elm, ripe bananas
Liquorice
Dairy, refined carbs, gluten
Which season symbolises moisture?
Spring
Which life stage symbolises moisture?
Babies/very young
What are the signs of excess moisture?
Weight gain Fluid retention Watery discharges Mucus Lethargy Nausea Lumps, cysts Feeling of oversentimentally and possessiveness
Examples of conditions displaying excess moisture
Obesity Oedema Benign tumours Cysts Candida Hay fever Wet cough Weeping skin lesions Excess sweating
How can energetic qualities typically combine into mixed presentations?
Excess hot and wet - bleeding, sweating
Excess cold and dry - IBS with constipation, anxiety
Examples of warming food preparation
Stir frying Steaming Slow cooking Baking Roasting Food served warm
Examples of cooling food preparation
Raw
Blending
Sprouting
Food served cold/at room temperature
Examples of moistening food preparation
Boiling
Steaming
Soups, smoothies
Examples of drying food preparation
Grilling
Baking
Dry roasting
If a patient presents with cystitis and blood in urine, which energetic is this?
Hot
If a patient presents with constipation with a very hard stool, which energetic is this?
Dry
If a patient presents with acute acid reflux and burning pain, which energetic is this?
Hot
If a patient presents with SAD and lethargy, which energetic is this?
Cold
If a patient presents with hay fever, watery eyes and runny nose, which energetic is this?
Damp
If a patient presents with flaky, itchy scalp, which energetic is this?
Dry
If a patient presents with insomnia due to colourful, vivid dreams, which energetic is this?
Hot
What does the Yin-Yang theory describe?
Patterns of health and disease
Properties of food and medicines
Qualities of living beings and their environments
What qualities does Yin represent?
Cold Moist Descending Nourishing Water Contraction Matter
What qualities does Yang represent?
Hot Dry Ascending Moving Fire Expansion Energy
What is considered to be good health in Yin-Yang?
Harmony between Yin-Yang
What qualities do yin foods have?
Cooling
Hydrating
Nourishing
Examples of cooling yin foods
Bitter, leafy greens
Watery fruit/veg
Examples of nourishing yin foods
Soups Stews Braised meats Dark leafy greens Fruit Yoghurt Honey Nut milks Sesame
What qualities do yang foods have?
Warming
Drying
Moving
Examples of warming foods
Soups, stews, dahls Porridge Beef, lamb Stir fried, baked Onion, garlic, ginger, cinnamon, black pepper, cumin Warm water/herbal teas
Examples of drying yang foods
Non gluten grains Mushrooms Fennel/cinnamon tea Cumin, star anise Szechuan pepper
Signs of excess yang
Strong signs of heat Red face/tongue Migraines Rage Hypertension Thirst Constipation
Signs of excess yin
Strong signs of cold Blue skin/tongue Feeling cold all the time Constipation Stabbing pains Cramp
Signs of deficient yang
Moderate signs of cold Diarrhoea Tiredness Lethargy Frequent, pale urination Lack of appetite Pale, swollen tongue
Signs of deficient yin
Moderate signs of heat Low grade fevers Night sweats Dry throat at night Cracked tongue
What qualities represent a hot constitution?
Fiery disposition
Motivated
Energetic
Courageous
What qualities represent a cold constitution?
Cool
Composed
Steady nature
What qualities represent a dry constitution?
Quick
Light
Agile
Adaptable
What qualities represent a moist constitution?
Calm
Reliable
Loving nature
How is it possible for a particular constitution to suffer an imbalance of another energetic quality?
Diet and lifestyle can shift us in any direction
e.g. a hot person could use too many raw, cold foods in cold seasons and then suffer with cold problems such as weak digestion, cold hands/feet
How would you address someone who is suffering from an energetic imbalance opposite to their constitution?
Focus first on the quality that’s aggravated
e.g. for a hot constitution suffering cold problems, treat the cold
Increase warm, cooked food, mild spices
Reduce refrigerated foods, raw foods, iced drinks
What quality do acute conditions have?
Heat
How do you address acute conditions energetically?
Use warm treatments
Teas, baths, blankets to promote sweating
External warming rubs (tiger balm, ginger) to reduce inflammation and pain
Examples of ascending foods
Hot foods - spices, onions, garlic, coffee, chocolate, alcohol
Stalky veg that grow fast and upwards - celery, asparagus, broccoli, sprouted seeds
Stir-fried veg
Dried-roasted grains
Examples of descending foods
Cooling foods - cucumber, watermelon, raw
Descending root veg
Bitter foods - spinach, rocket, kale, lemon
Examples of centring foods
Wet cooked - steamed, boiled, braised
Soups, stews, porridge
Round shaped foods - celeriac, beetroot, hazelnuts
Warm water/herbal teas
Examples of foods that spread out to the exterior
Hot spicy food
Black pepper, ginger, chilli
e.g. helps lungs expel mucous
Examples of consolidating foods
Roasted veg/meat
Nuts/seeds
Bone broth
Naturally fermented foods
Which conditions can be supported with ascending foods?
Chronic diarrhoea
Depression
Lethargy
Sadness
Which conditions can be supported with descending foods?
Headaches/migraines
Eye/ear infections
Hypertension
Anger
Which conditions can be supported with centring foods?
Weak digestion
Feeling cold
Exhaustion
Feeling ungrounded
Which conditions can be supported by ‘spreading out to the exterior’ foods?
Colds
Flu
Excess damp and moisture
Cold limbs/extremities
Which conditions can be supported with consolidating foods?
Chronic fatigue/illness
Deep cold
Old age
What are the 5 main flavours?
Bitter Sweet Sour Pungent Salty
Which organ does bitter have an affinity with?
Heart
What functions does bitter have?
Drains and dries dampness
Clears heat
Stimulates appetite/digestive juices
Clears cholesterol, candida, inflammation and infection
Examples of bitter foods
Spinach Rocket Kale Cabbage Lemon Bitter herbs
What effect does bitter have on Qi?
Depletes it
Dehydrating
Which system does sweet have an affinity with?
Digestive
What are the functions of sweet foods?
Supports/strengthens digestion
Centring action
Examples of sweet foods
Whole grains
Root veg
Legumes
What can sugar cravings indicate?
Digestive weakness
giving in further compromises the digestion
Which organ does sour have an affinity with?
Liver
What are the functions of sour?
Consolidating/astringent action
Counteracts leakage of blood or fluids
Digestion of fatty foods by stimulating gallbladder/pancreas secretions
Moves energy
Examples of sour foods
Naturally fermented pickles ACV Miso Rye sourdough Citrus
Which organ does pungent have an affinity with?
Lungs
What are the functions of pungent?
Promote circulation
Move energy upwards and outwards
Disperses mucous from lungs and induces a sweat
Eventually cool the body via sweating
Examples of pungent foods
Ginger Black pepper Mustard Cayenne Horseradish Onion
Which organs do salty foods have an affinity with?
Kidneys
Adrenals
Functions of salty foods
Filter water Control blood pressure Regulate RBC synthesis Moistens dryness Increases water retention
Why are pickled, salty veg good in winter?
Bring heat deeper and lower
When should salty foods be avoided?
In damp states
Hypertension
Oedema
What is the ‘doctrine of signatures’?
Where plants and foods carry signs of their properties
Which foods have an affinity with the digestive system?
Sweet foods
Wet cooked foods (easy to digest)
Round shaped foods (abdomen)
Spices (warming, support healthy digestion)
Which foods have an affinity with the lungs?
Pungent, spicy foods (clear mucous)
Roasted almonds, pine nuts, thyme (support lung function)
Yoghurt, honey, fruit (moisten the lungs)
Broccoli, cauliflower (look like lungs)
Which foods have an affinity with the kidneys/adrenals?
Dishes cooked from bone, cartilage, marrow (deeply nourishing)
Cold pressed oils (supports hormonal health)
Kidney beans, black beans (due to shape)
Shellfish, miso, seaweed (salty)
Which foods have an affinity with the liver?
Dark leaves and veg - spinach, rocket, kale, Brussel sprouts, celery, broccoli, basil, sage (blood builders)
Red coloured foods - dates, grapes, berries, beetroot (blood builders)
Which foods have an affinity with the emotional heart?
Pistachio, poppy seeds, rose, vanilla (uplifts spirit)
Scrambled eggs, soufflés (expansion, swirling)
