Energetics 2 Flashcards
What qualities are associated with dryness?
Dominated by the air element - think of the wind. Manifests in nerve impulses, lightness of the body, mental speed, agility and adaptability.
In terms of the balance of energetic qualities, in traditional thinking, what was considered optimum?
‘The Point of Pepsis’ - leaning slightly towards warmth and moisture.
What type of stool is a sign of heat in the system?
Loose stool - the body trying to get rid of heat in the body.
Energetically what is IBS considered to be?
A cold condition because the food isn’t digesting well.
What is rosemary energetically?
A warming circulatory tonic.
What is sage good for?
Anti-microbial, good for the throat, and for the menopause.
What are onions good for?
Warming, contain sulphur that thins mucous and warms the circulation.
Why is rosemary and thyme good for stimulating digestion?
They contain aromatic volatile oils which are warming and also relax smooth muscles in the digestive system.
Examples of neutral foods?
Steamed grains, boiled vegetables, chicken - served at room temperature.
Plants that grow slowly are….?
Warmer eg Korean ginseng root. Takes 6-7 years for it to be ready.
Plants that grow in cold environments tend to be…?
Warmer eg Siberian ginseng
Energetically what effect do tannins have on the body?
An astringent action - binding, toning and drying effect on tissues of the body. nb. cinnamon contains tannins.
What foods should a person showing excess dryness avoid?
Energetically dry foods including starchy grains, legumes, astringent herbs, tannins.
Increase moistening and hydrating foods.
Fluids, soups, broths, high-water content veg, root veg, mucilaginous foods such as chia and okra, linseeds. Herbs such as liquorice, marshmallow, aloe vera and slippery elm.
What foods should a person showing excess moisture/damp reduce and increase?
Reduce - energetically moist/damp foods such as dairy, gluten, watery fruit and veg.
Increase drying, damp-clearing foods eg legumes, astringent herbs. Dry, light, crunchy foods - non-gluten grains. Most culinary herbs and spices.
What are signs of excess dryness?
Weight loss, dry skin, dandruff, constipation, fear and anxiety. Dry joints, wrinkled skin. Dry cough. Gall stones and kidney stones. Tremors.
What are signs of excess moisture?
Weight gain, fluid retention, watery discharges, hayfever, allergies, mucus, lumps and cysts. Feelings of over-sentimentality and possessiveness.
Yellow discharge is a symptom of?
Heat, and maybe damp.
Examples of nourishing yin foods?
Oysters, nut milks, sesame, yoghurt, honey.
What are yin foods in their action?
Cooling, hydrating, nourishing. To rebuild a system depleted by illness.
What are yang foods in their action?
Warming, drying, moving. Used to balance excess cold or dampness.
Examples of foods that clear dampness?
Non-gluten grains, mushrooms, fennel seed and ginger.
What is a ‘deficient yin’ state?
Yin is deficient, yang is not anchored. Moderate signs of heat and dryness eg. hot flushes in the menopause.
What is a ‘deficient yang’ state?
Yang doesn’t warm/activate the body. Moderate signs of cold. Symptoms include tiredness, lethargy, diarrheoa.
What is a ‘excess yin’ state?
Strong signs of cold. Symptoms might include stabbing pains or cramps.
What lifestyle advice would you give to somebody who is deficient in yin?
To activate the PNS - sleep more, seek stillness. Avoid strong exercise.
Which life stage is dominated by moisture, and what foods would you recommend at this stage?
Childhood - runny noses, allergies.
Light, crunchy food, wholegrains, aromatic spices, such as fennel seeds and peppermint.
What life stage is dominated by heat, and what foods would you recommend at this stage?
Teen years and adulthood. Symptoms include acne, inflammation, stress, high BP.
Salads, raw foods, green smoothies, bitters and detoxifying herbs.
What life stage is dominated by dryness, and what foods would you recommend at this stage?
Mature years. Dry signs include wrinkless, joint stiffness, decreasing physical strength and stamina.
Soups, stews, smoothies, mucilaginous foods such as okra, chia and linseeds. High-water content fruit and veg.
What stage is dominated by coldness, and what foods would you recommend at this stage?
Old age. Digestive power weakens, circulation reduces, declining mobility, exhaustion and withdrawal.
Warm, cooked, easy to digest food.
What energetics are associated with each season?
Spring is dominated by moisture.
Summer is dominated by heat.
Autumn is dominated by dryness.
Winter is dominated by cold.
What is the ‘doctrine of signatures’?
Plants and foods carry ‘signs’ of their properties eg kidney beans for kidneys.
Give examples of ‘ascending’ foods?
Ascending foods lift us - eg lift our energy.
Eg. cinnamon, garlic and hot spices.
Stalky veg that grow upwards such as celery and broccoli. Sprouted seeds and beans.
Stir frying and dry roasting gives a warm, ascending energy.
Give examples of ‘descending’ foods?
Direct energy and fluids downwards - clearing heat. Detoxifying. Contribute to a health bowel movement.
Eg. root veg, berries, bitter foods.
Give examples of ‘centring’ foods?
Draw energy to the centre of your body and support digestion. For weak digestion and feeling cold. Keep us centred and grounded.
Eg. Porridge, round veg, sweet potato. Warm water and herbal teas.
What foods spread out to the exterior?
Helping the lungs expel pathogens - expectorant function. Expel mucus, promote circulation.
Eg. pepper, ginger, chilli.
Ginger, lemon and honey tea. Ginger helps lungs to expel mucus, lemon clears heat and honey moistens and soothes the lungs. Energetically balanced.
Give examples of ‘consolidating’ foods? and how should they be cooked?
Affinity with kidney/adrenal function. Consolidation and rebuilding. Building up energy.
Slow roasting veg or meat for intensity of flavour (umami).
Nuts and seeds (life-giving) and bone broth.
What organ is the flavour bitter associated with?
Bitter has an affinity with the heart.
Foods - rose, poppy seeds.
Be cautious - excess bitter drains Qi - not ideal for individuals who are weak and depleted.
What organ is the flavour sweet associated with?
Sweet has an affinity with the digestive system (‘full’ sweet). It supports and strengthens digestion.
Sugar cravings indicate digestive weakness.
What organ is the flavour sour associated with?
Affinity with the liver.
Consolidating or astringent action.
Supports digestion, helps store blood (good companion to blood building foods - dark leaves). Red coloured foods build the blood eg berries, beetroot.
Lemon juice in water in the morning.
What organ is the flavour pungent associated with?
Affinity with the lungs. Clears the lungs.
Veg from the cruciferous family eg cauliflower and broccoli - support the lungs. Honey moistens the lungs.
What organ is the flavour salty associated with?
Affinity with the kidneys/adrenals.
Right amount of salt can be replenishing and regenerating. Helps adrenal fatigue.
Bone broth - umami foods. Cold pressed oils.
Kidney beans. Mushrooms.
Salt cravings in the depleted.
