Energetics and Nutrition: Further Food Energetics: Organ Affinities

Question 1

Organ affinities

Answer 1

Foods have affinity with different organs due to their flavour, colour or appearance
* The link between appearance and effects is known as the ‘Doctrine of signatures’, whereby plants and foods carry ‘signs’ other properties
* Kidney beans have affinity with the kidneys, due to their kidney shape and colour. Kidneys/ adrenals are essential in supporting life, and beans/seeds contain the essence of the plant and are deeply nutritious, life-supporting foods
* Fruits, in general, support the lungs as they grow in the canopy of trees, and trees are the same shape as lungs
* The appearance of walnuts gives them an affinity for the brain

Question 2

The digestive system

Answer 2

Affinity with the digestive system:
* Sweet foods (Not empty sugars), I.e. whole grain rice, oat, millet, quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat, sweet potato, squash, root veg, licorice tea
* Wet-cooked foods ( boiled, steamed, braised) are easy to digest and warm digestion; i.e. soup, stew, porridge, dahl (especially if mildly spiced)
* Round-shaped foods: i.e., beetroot, celeriac, yam, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts have affinity with the abdomen
* Spices such as ginger, cinnamon, cumin, caraway, cardamom are warming and support healthy digestion (digestive fire)

Question 3

The lungs

Answer 3

Affinity with the lungs:
* Pungent or spicy foods i.e. black pepper, ginger, chilli, spring onions, garlic help the mucus and induce a sweat. Used in moderation as excess consumption causes heat/dryness
* Roasted almonds, pine nuts and thyme support lung function
* Yoghurt, honey, rye, sourdough bread and fruit moisten the lungs. Broccoli and cauliflower support the lungs (they look like a lungs) and help expel mucus

Question 4

The kidneys/ adrenals

Answer 4

Affinity with the kidneys/adrenals:
* Dishes cooked with bone, cartilage and marrow (e.g. bone broths) are deeply nourishing and help recover from adrenal fatigue and chronic illness
* Cold pressed oils support hormonal health (which relies on the adrenals)
* Kidney beans, black beans, (black) sesame and Chia seeds, walnuts, chestnuts, nut milk, fish, shellfish, seaweed, miso, mushrooms, rock and sea salt, all support the kidneys

Question 5

The liver

Answer 5

Affinity with the liver:
* Dark leaves and vegetable help build the blood, while their bitter taste helps clear heat, i.e. Spinach, sorrel, rocket, kale, chard, artichokes, brussels sprouts, celery, parsley, asparagus, broccoli, coriander, bay leaf, basil, sage, rosemary

Question 6

The emotional heart

Answer 6

Affinities with the emotional heart:
* Chinese medicine is rooted in Daoist Philosophy, and spiritual practices are the traditional primary method of nourishing the spirit
* A few foods uplift the spirit including pistachio, poppy seeds, rose, vanilla, lotus seeds
* Cooking methods involving expansion (e.g. soufflés, cakes) or swirling (e.g. scrambled eggs) resonate with the emotional heart (the swirling movement resembles singing and dancing as expressions of joy)
* The bitter taste helps drain bitterness from the heart

Question 7

The energetics of food

Answer 7

The therapeutic effect of food involves more than nutritional content and more than food energetics.
* We must consider an individual’s energetics
* Healthy and appropriate foods may fail to nourish if the individual feels aversion towards them
* Sometimes less healthy foods inspire hope and healing if an individual delights in them. Don’t be too strict with yourself and clients
* Food should be a source of pleasure, and cooking an expression of love for oneself and for 216 17those we prepare food for