Lecture 6: Earth Element Flashcards
What is the earth “season”?
Late summer as well as 15 days around each of the equinoxes and solstices
What is the time of late summer?
Late summer, a short and relatively unrecognized “season,” is approximately the last month of summer and the middle of the Chinese year.
What does late summer represent in terms of yin/yang cycle?
It is the point of transition from yang to yin, between the expansive growth phases of spring and summer and the inward, cooler seasons of fall and winter. Unity, harmony, and the middle way are summoned between the extremes
What happens during the 15 days around the equinoxes and soltices?
These are neutral buffers between the seasons, which change at the equinoxes and solstices. These interchange periods represent pivotal pauses in the light patterns we experience from the sun.
How many days are there in total for the Earth element?
The fifteen days surrounding the equinoxes and solstices amount to sixty days. The addition of the late summer month, running concurrently with the last month of summer (22 days in Sept), gives the Earth Element dominion over 82 days, slightly more than the other elements.
What is an equinox and how many are there?
An equinox is where day and night are equal in terms of amount of hours of light and dark. There is a spring equinox end of March (Mar 20 this year) and fall equinox at end of September (Sept 23 this year)
What is a solstice and how many are there? Which days this year?
There are two. Summer solstice is the start of summer and is the longest day of the year (greatest amount of daylight time) It is June 21 this year. Winter solstice represents the start of winter and is the shortest day of the year (least number of daylight time). It is December 21 this year.
What are some general categories of foods for the earth element?
Mildly sweet foods, yellow or golden foods, round foods and those that are known to harmonize the centre.
What are some specific examples of foods that harmonize the centre and strengthen the earth element?
Amaranth, apricots, cabbage, canteloupe, carrots, chestnuts, corn, garbanzo beans, millet, potatoes, squash, sweet potatoes, sweet rice, string beans, tofu, yams
How should food be prepared to benefit the earth element?
Simply with a minimum of seasonings and a mild taste. Also use moderation in cooking time, methods and temperature and use of water and cooking oil
The seasonal interchanges are times of purification in many cultures. What types of fasting might be useful to bring one to the “centre” for the equinoxes? Solstices?
A short (perhaps 3 days) single grain fast during the fall and winter interchanges.
A vegetable or fruit fast on the cusps of spring and summer
Almost all of this demographic should fast at some point…
modern affluent people who have a lifelong daily schedule of three meals a day plus snacks
What are some reasons that fasting may be useful?
- Cure physical and mental stagnancy
- Enhance one’s mental awareness, sleep and dreams
- Overcome emotional attachment to food
- Purifiy the body before a change of diet to better one’s health
- Seasonal cleansing
- Spiritual reasons
Fasting with these foods is safer and less stressful for those coming from a very rich dietary background…
Fasting on vegetables, fruit, or grains is very successful. Technically slower than more intense fasts.
If one has signs of heat or excess, what type of food should be used for fasting?
Raw vegetables, fruits or their juices
What type of fast could be used for those with symptoms of coldness?
Cooked vegetables or grains, perhaps the addition of warming herbal teas.
What is some fasting advice for those with pronounced signes of deficiency?
These people should not fast.
People with only a slight deficiency can use what type of fast?
Short fasts of grain with chlorella or spirulina micro-algae as an optional supplement.
On a liquid fast when does hunger occur? What does it mean when hunger later reappears?
On a liquid fast, hunger occurs on the second or third day and then disappears. When hunger later reappears, it is a sign that the body has fasted long enough.
What is the maximal length for a liquid fast? Specific solid food fast? How often can shorter one day fasts be done?
It is recommended that a fast last no longer than 7 days on a liquid fast and no more than 14 days on specific solid foods. Shorter one-day or even half-day fasts can be very helpful if they are done weekly.
A raw fruit, vegetable or liquid fast is appropriate for what people? Who would it be unsafe for?
For those making a transition to primarily whole vegetarian foods from a background of abundant animal products.
Not safe for those who have signs of coldness or deficiency.
What is an example of the components of a raw fruit, vegetable or liquid fast?
Carrots, cabbage, apples etc. could include herbal teas, water, juices that can be drunk according to thirst.
For the strong person with signs of excess, one or more of these may be considered…
- Fruit juices, vegetable juices
- Herbal teas or pure water or water with squeeze of lemon
- Barley or wheat grass drinks (can be made from cereal grass powders or freshly pressed grasses)
What is important to note about vegetable and fruit combining?
Most fruits and vegetables do not combine well at the same meal – exceptions are celery and lettuce, which can be eaten with fruit.
What is the ideal amount of liquid (juice, tea and/or water) per day during a fast?
ldeally between six and eight glasses, although more can be taken if thirsty
For whom is a steamed vegetable fast useful?
For those who have overeaten consistently, including with sweets, nuts, beans, grain, dairy, eggs, meat but whose condition is still a little on the cool and deficient side. This would be good for anyone after the holiday season.
Instructions for a steamed vegetable fast
Fast of lightly steamed vegetables, ideally one or two types (at the most three)
Consume water or herbal teas according to thirst
For whom would a whole grain fast be appropriate? How many days?
For those wishing to improve mental focus and whose constitution ranges from relatively balanced to slightly deficient and thin or cold. This fast is recommended for three days.
What are the components/instructions for a whole grain fast? Addition for those with cold signs?
Rice and various other whole grains
Millet is recommended because of it’s alkaline, detoxifying nature
Water or grain beverage if thirsty between meals
Warming herbal teas such as cinnamon bark or dried ginger root for those with cold signs
This fast is favoured by yogis and referred to as “food of the gods” because of its balancing effect on every facet of the body and mind
Mung bean and rice fast
For whom would a micro algae fast be useful?
For those with blood sugar imbalances and attendant sugar cravings. Also good for those who find fasting difficult or who intend to maintain a busy schedule while fasting.
What other fast can the micro algae fast be combined with?
Can be combined with any other fast
What combination of fasts is the saftest for those who are slightly thin and weak?
Micro algae fast with cooked grain or steamed vegetable fast.
Why is a micro-algae fast (maybe with cooked vegetable and steamed grains) good for people who find fasting difficult?
Hunger or other difficulties are rarely experienced
For whom would an absolute fast be appropriate?
People with damp excesses such as water retention, candida overgrowth, too much body weight, abundant mucus or sluggishness
What are the cautions for an absolute fast? What people should avoid this?
Not safe to extend beyond 36 hours without close supervision and preparation.
Not appropriate for the thin, deficient or overheated person (esp. yin deficiency)
How does one perform an absolute fast?
Eat or drink nothing for 36 hours. Begin at 6 or 7pm one evening and break fast early the second morning
What is the benefit of the absolute fast?
It accomplishes in a short time what other fasts take several days to do.
When should someone not fast?
- During pregnancy or lactation
- If one is starving or deprived of proper nutrition
- Careful in cold weather, an extended fast could be harmful
- During serious physical or mental degeneration unless advised by a knowledgeable practitioner
What are 5 general guidelines for fasting?
- Use pure water and foods.
- Chew food very well.
- The quantity of liquid or food can be somewhat determined by intution, which is remarkabley heightend while fasting.
- Get sufficient mental and physical rest, and keep warm.
- Daily enemas are traditional with fasts.
How should someone ease into fasting (4 principles)?
- Complete a series of small fasts before attempting a long one.
- Start and break the fast gradually by taking one-third of the length of the fast on each end of the fast (one day for a three-day fast) to add foods from other fasting groups at levels closely below that used on the fast. (refer to p. 280 – “Cleansing and Building Chart”).
- Esp don’t automatically go into a liquid fast. Eg. start with steamed vegetable fast, go into liquid, then steamed vegetable and out.
- Exception is micro-algae fast as it is already combined
What happens if spleen qi does not ascend?
Diarrhea, prolapse of organs (uterus, ST, KI, bladder, vaginal and rectal vein)
What symptoms will you see if ST qi does not descend?
Nausea, vomiting, hiccup, belching
List of noteworthy folk remedies for Earth element
- Apple
- Barley water with lemon
- Bergamot
- Black tea
- Carrot juice
- Cinnamon sticks
- Cloves
- Cucumber juice
- Grapefruit
- Lemon juice
- Potato
- Rice water
Apple benefits
with meals; indigestions, heartburn, other digestive disorders
Barley water with lemon benefits
digestive upset
cystitis
sore throat
Bergamot benefits
Food addictions
Black tea
diarrhea, dysentery, hepatitis, gastroenteritis
Carrot juice
stomach pain, infant diarrhea,
Cinnamon stick benefits
colds, indigestions, circulatory problems
Clove benefits
neuralgia, indigestion, toothaches
Cucumber juice benefits
Drink 3-5 fl. oz (100-150 mL) every two hours for gastric or duodenal ulcer
Grapefruit benefits
Cleanses the digestive and urinary systems, reduces appetite
Lemon juice
in hot water - ease stomach acidity
Potato
raw/juice for stomach ulcers
Rice water
indigestion, stomach upset
What are the 5 main functions of the Spleen/Stomach
- governance of body fluids and liquids
- production and retention of Blood
- governance of muscles and limbs
- governance of connective tissue
- home of the Mind/Thought (Yi)
Governance of body fluids and liquids
components
- Transformation and transportation of food and fluid
- Spleen loves dryness
Production and retention of blood
components
- Extracting Gu Qi from food and fluid to send to heart to produce blood
- Production of sufficient blood to enable it to circulate through the body and stay in blood vessels
- Holding blood in blood vessels
Governance of connective tissues
components
- Spleen holds organs in place
- Taught, elastic connective tissue is a good sign and aids in this
Governance of muscles and limbs
components
- Gu Qi extracted from the spleen distributed to all of the tissues
- Nourishes and warms muscles and limbs and supports mobility
Home of the mind/ Thought (Yi)
components
Clear thinking and good concentration
Stomach primary function
Absorption and digestion of food
Yi “digestive” functions of thought
Processing and assimilating life experiences in a way that is nourishing
If the function of Yi is unbalanced what type of thinking will you see?
Brooding, worrying excessively, obsessive thought patterns, not becoming nourished by thoughts
analogy: chewing on the same mouthful of food for a long time without swallowing
What are the main emotions associated with earth constitution?
Sympathy, empathy, concern, worry, obsessive thought
In what ways could an unbalanced earth element disrupt the meeting of needs (self or others)?
May manifest as catering obsessively to their own or to others’ needs. Self-centredness or selfishness motivating outward action in order to receive
What might be seen around giving/receiving if the earth element is in excess?
Excess: need to give or receive is so great that it must be manifested regardless of how overbearing it is in affecting others around them, either to nourish or to care for themselves or others.
Earth element person (unbalanced) as caregiver does not empower the person receiving care, not enabled or allowed to go and gain independence
What might be seen around giving/receiving if the earth element is deficient?
Deficiency: May feel there is not enough in life to nourish themselves or others. May hoard or hold on to things inappropriately. May see people that run around to different specialists. Tendency is to terminate with a particular practitioner if that practitioner attempts to empower them with lifestyle changes and so on.
What might an unbalanced earth element look like in terms of resources?
May feel that everything they have is a burden. Money, career, family, hobbies, resources… feel all of these things as burdens that are dragging them down.
Stomach is about _______ and _______ food and nourishment, including from ______.
Spleen takes the raw ingredients of ______ or ______ and extracts essence to build qi and blood.
choosing; procuring; thoughts
food; thought
SP Qi Deficiency Etiology
Improper diet: Excessive cold and raw foods, irregular eating, too much or too little and not enough protein
Mental strain: Excessive thinking over a long time. Discussing work or studies over lunch.
Climate: prolonged exposure to damp weather or damp house
Chronic disease: tends to weaken spleen (Root of Postnatal Jing and hence overworked trying to restore health)
This pattern forms the basis for all other SP disharmonies. Very common in our culture.
SP Qi Xu Food Examples
Seafood: Anchovy, Carp, Catfish, Salmon, Shark, Whitefish
Grains: Barley, Buckwheat, Corn, Millet, Oats, Rice, Rye, Sorghum
Animal products: Beef, Chicken, Eggs, Lamb
Legumes: Black Soybean, Black eyed pea, Chickpea, Fava bean
Vegetables: Carrot, Cauliflower, Celery, Oyster mushroom, Parsnip, Potato, Pumpkin, Shiitake, Squahs, Taro, Turnip, Yam
Fruit: Cherry, Fig, Guava, Hawthorn, Longan, Mango, Olive, Orange, Pineapple, Red date
Nuts: Chestnut, Hazelnut, Peanut, Sunflower
Spices: Garlic, Jasmine, Licorice root
Diet therapy for Sp Qi Xu?
Thermal nature: neutral, warming, sometimes hot
Cooking method: warming
Flavour: neutral to warm-sweet; neutral to warm-pungent; neutral to warm-salty; occasionally also hot
A substantial warming breakfast (porridge), and at least one or two warm meals daily (soups/stews) are beneficial.
SP Qi Deficiency POT
2 Foods for Exam
POT:
Tonify SP Qi
Rice:
- Neutral/Warm
- Earth/Sweet
- Tonifies SP Qi
- Strengthens middle burner
- Strengthens SP and ST
Chickpea:
- Neutral
- Earth/Sweet
- Tonifies SP Qi
- Tonifies KI Qi
- Strengthens SP, ST and Heart
SP Qi Sinking Etiology
- Improper diet: Excessive cold and raw foods, irregular eating, too much or too little and not enough protein
- Mental strain: Excessive thinking over a long time. Discussing work or studies over lunch.
- Climate: prolonged exposure to damp weather or damp house
- Chronic disease: tends to weaken spleen (Root of Postnatal Jing and hence overworked trying to restore health); especially prolonged diarrhea or dysentery
- Overstrain: more likely in people who stand for long periods
SP Qi Sinking is often accompanied by what other pattern?
Sinking KI Qi (see menstrual and urinary symptoms like bleeding/incontinence)
What temperature and flavours for SP Qi Sinking?
Thermal: neutral to warming
Flavour: Sour, Neutral to warm sweet, pungent, salty
SP Qi Sinking Food Examples
Same as for SP Qi Xu along with more sour, astringent foods
SP Qi Sinking POT
2 Foods for Exam
POT:
- Tonify SP Qi
- Raise SP Qi
Guava:
- Warm
- Wood/Sour; Earth/Sweet
- Secures and astringes to help raise SP Qi
- Tonifies SP Qi
- Enters LU/LI and SP/ST channels
- (Info from Nutritional Strategies app. Also lists Lime and Pork Large Intestine for prolapse)
Quinoa:
- Neutral/warm
- Earth/Sweet; Wood/Sour
- Slightly astringent to help raise qi
- Targets SP/ST/BL
- General Qi tonic
- Strengthens SP Qi
- Tonifies KI Yang (SP Qi Sinking most commonly accompanied with KI Yang Xu and and KI Qi Sinking)
SP Not Controlling Blood Etiology
- Improper diet: Excessive cold and raw foods, irregular eating, too much or too little and not enough protein
- Mental strain/Physical Strain: Excessive thinking over a long time. Discussing work or studies over lunch.
- Climate: prolonged exposure to damp weather or damp house
- Chronic disease: tends to weaken spleen (Root of Postnatal Jing and hence overworked trying to restore health)
- Spleen Qi Deficiency (caused by 1-4) —> Spleen unable to control blood
SP Not Controlling Blood Diet Therapy
Same as for SP Qi Sinking
Thermal nature: neutral, warming, sometimes hot
Cooking method: warming
Flavour: neutral to warm-sweet; neutral to warm-pungent; neutral to warm-salty; occasionally also hot
A substantial warming breakfast (porridge), and at least one or two warm meals daily (soups/stews) are beneficial.
SP Not Controlling Blood POT
2 Foods for Exam
POT:
- Tonify SP Qi to stop bleeding
Fox Nut (Lotus Flower Seeds)
- Neutral
- Earth/Sweet; Wood/Sour
- Astringent, holds juice, secure fluids
- Tonifies SP Qi
- (Strengthens KI & HT)
Mume Plum:
- Warm
- Wood/Sour; Earth/Sweet
- Inhibit leakage of Qi
- Enters LU/LI, SP, LV channels
- Stops bleeding
- Binds up intestines
Info from Nutritional Strategies App
Cold Damp Invading SP Etiology
Exposure to external Dampness (Cold/raw food/drink or climate, etc.) or from Deficient Spleen Qi or Deficient Spleen Yang —> Obstruction of Qi —> Disorder of SP/ST
- Improper diet: Excessive cold and raw foods, irregular eating, too much or too little and not enough protein
- Mental Strain/Physical Strain: Excessive thinking over a long time. Discussing work or studies over lunch. Long held unexpressed emotions
- Climate: prolonged exposure to damp weather or damp house
- EPF or Chronic disease: tends to weaken spleen (Root of Postnatal Jing and hence overworked trying to restore health)
- Spleen Qi Xu from 1-4
- Spleen Yang Xu from 5 or from Kidney Yang Xu
Cold Damp Invading SP Diet Therapy
Thermal nature: warming
Flavour: warm-sweet, warm-pungent, warm-bitter
Cold Damp Invading SP Food Examples
Cold Phlegm
Temperature/Flavour: bitter-warm, pungent-warm
Bitter-warm foods: basil, parsnips, brussel sprouts
Pungent-warm: cinnamon, ginger, horseradish, chives
Food that dry dampness: Aduki beans, Alfalfa, Amaranth, Celery, Corn, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Pumpkin, Raw Honey, Scallion, Turnip, Thyme, White Pepper, All bitter herbs such as chamomile and pao d’arco
Cold-Damp Invading SP POT
2 Foods for Exam
POT:
- Dry dampness to strengthen spleen
- Tonify SP
- Warm Spleen
Fava Bean:
- Neutral
- Earth/Sweet
- Tonify SP
- Dries dampness
Basil:
- Warm
- Bitter; Pungent
- Promotes digestion
- Enters Spleen, warming
- Dissolves mucus, damp, phlegm
Damp Heat Invading SP Etiology
Overlaps with the pattern Damp-Heat in Large Intestine or if bile flow is Obstructed, as Damp-Heat in Liver and Gallbladder.
- Invasion of exogenous pathogenic damp-heat —> obstructs SP/ST —> damp-heat stagnates in MJ —> affects LV/GB
- Indulgence in greasy and sweet food or alcohol –eating unclean or contaminate food –> produce damp heat internally
- May have ST Heat as precursor
Damp Heat Invading Spleen Diet Therapy
Phlegm-Heat
Temperature/Flavour: bitter-cool, salty-cool, sometimes pungent-cool and sweet-cool
Bitter-cool: asparagus, broccoli, celery, wild rice, lettuce, dandelion
Salty-cool: oysters, carp, seaweed
Sweet-cool: pear (Asian pears) best for phlegm in the lungs, mung bean, soy milk
Pungent-cool: daikon radish, peppermint
Food that dry dampness: Aduki beans, Alfalfa, Amaranth, Celery, Corn, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Pumpkin, Raw Honey, Scallion, Turnip, White Pepper, All bitter herbs such as chamomile and pao d’arco
Damp-Heat Invading SP POT
2 Foods for Exam
POT:
- Reduce heat
- Resolve dampness
Daikon Radish:
- Cool
- Sweet; Pungent
- Nourish Spleen
- Cooling
- Expel mucus
- Enters SP/ST, LU, GB
Alfalfa Sprout:
- Cool
- Bitter, Sweet
- Clears heat from SP/ST
- Drains damp
- Enters SP/ST/LI
Sp Yang Xu Etiology (ST Deficiency Cold)
Improper diet: Excessive cold and raw foods, irregular eating, too much or too little and not enough protein
Mental strain: Excessive thinking over a long time. Discussing work or studies over lunch.
Climate:prolonged exposure to damp weather or damp house
Chronic disease: tends to weaken spleen (Root of Postnatal Jing and hence overworked trying to restore health)
1-4 all lead to SP Qi Xu —> SP Yang Xu
Kidney Yang Xu —> fail to promote earth —> SP Yang Xu
SP Yang Xu or ST Cold Xu Diet Therapy
Basically the same as for qi deficiency. However, more foods with strong yang character can be used.
Cooking method: warming, (grilled, fried)
Flavour: warm-sweet; warm-pungent; warm-salty; occasionally also hot
A substantial warming breakfast (porridge), and at least one or two warm meals daily (soups/stews) are beneficial.
SP Yang Xu or ST Cold Xu Food Examples
Indicated: Anise, Apricot, Cloves, Dill, Eel, Ginger (dried), Lamb, Mustard seed, Peaches, Plums, Red Chili, Sichuan pepper, Trout
Contraindicated: Alfalfa sprout, Aloe, Arame, Banana, Bitter Melon, Clam, Crab, Dulse, Grapefruit, Kiwi, Mung bean, Nori (seaweed in general), Octopus, Papaya, Squid, Sugarcane, Water Chestnut, Watermelon
SP Yang Xu (ST Cold Xu) POT
2 Foods for Exam
POT:
- Tonify SP Yang
- Warm SP
Goat:
- Warm/Hot
- Sweet; Pungent
- Warms SP
- Tonifies SP Yang
- Tonifies LV and KI Yang
Ginger (dried):
- Hot
- Pungent
- Warms the middle (SP/ST) and expels cold
- Tonifies Yang
- “Rescues devastated Yang” according to Nutritional Strategies
Cold Invading Stomach Etiology
This is an interior EXCESS condition and requires different points, especially to dispel excess cold in acute conditions.
- Exposure of gastric region to cold
- Excess intake of cold food
- Constitutional deficiency of Stomach Yang complicated by invasion of EPF exogenous pathogenic cold
- 1-3 —> Retention of cold in ST
Cold Invading Stomach Diet Therapy
Thermal nature: warming
Flavour: warm-sweet, warm-pungent.
Yin in excess in relation to yang, reduce cooling foods
Cold Invading Stomach Food Examples
Cauliflower, Cherries, Chestnut, Chicken, Chive, Grains, Leek, Longan, Oats, Onion, Parsnip, Rice, Scallion,
Warm-Pungent Spices: Black pepper, Cayenne, Caraway, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Cloves, Fennel, Garlic, Ginger, Mustard, Nutmeg, Thyme
Cold Invasion of ST POT
2 Foods for Exam
POT:
- Expel Cold
- Warm the Stomach
Garlic:
- Warm/Hot
- Pungent
- Benefits and warms Stomach
- Expels Cold and mucus
- Moves Qi
Nutmeg:
- Warm
- Pungent
- Warms the middle (SP/ST)
- Promotes digestion
ST Yin Xu Etiology
- Prolonged Stomach diseases
- Consumption of Yin by febrile disease
- Indulgence in hot and dry food/drugs (antibiotics or diuretics)
- Irregular diet and eating habits: eating too late at night, too quickly, worrying while eating, hurrying back to work
- Emotional frustration —? Fire
- 1-5 all deplete Stomach Qi and eventually damage Stomach Yin leading to failure of nourishment and upflow of Stomach Qi
St Yin Xu Diet Therapy
Temperature: Neutral, cool
Cooking methods: Cooling
Flavour: Neutral to cool sweet, sour and salty
ST Yin Deficiency Food Examples
Indicated: Apple, Asparagus, Butter, Cheese, Citrus juice, Chinese Cabbage, Corn, Cucumber, Green tea, Hemp seed, Mulberry, Orange, Pear, Pork, Tomato, Spelt, Spinach, Yogurt
ST Yin Deficiency Contraindicated Food
Flavours: Pungent, Bitter
Food Examples: Alcohol, Black tea, Coffee, Cayenne, Garlic, Ginger, Leek, Lamb
ST Yin Xu POT
2 Foods for Exam
POT:
- Nourish Stomach Yin and fluids
Tomato:
- Cool/Cold
- Sweet; Sour; Pungent (depending on source)
- Builds Yin
- Tonifies ST
- Cleanses and tonifies Liver
Wheat:
- Cool
- Sweet; Sl. Salty
- Moisturizes
- Nourishes Yin of Stomach, Heart and Kidney
ST Qi Xu Etiology
Diet lacking in nourishment/protein, or under-eating.
Aftermath of chronic disease that weakens the Qi.
ANALYSIS: The Stomach begins the Qi production process. Food enters the Stomach and the Spleen extracts the pure essences which are sent onwards as Food Qi. If the Stomach is weak, Qi will be Deficient and other Organs may become affected (especially the Spleen, which is closely interrelated)
ST Qi Deficiency Diet Therapy
Thermal nature: neutral, warming, sometimes hot
Cooking method: warming
Flavour: neutral to warm-sweet; neutral to warm-pungent; neutral to warm-salty; occasionally also hot
ST Qi Xu Food Examples
Black pepper, Caraway seed, Cauliflower, Chestnut, Chicken, Chive, Coriander, Fennel shoots, Garlic, Ginger, Green tea, Leek, Longan, Mustard Greens, Onion, Parsnip, Silver carp, Sword bean, Thyme, Trout
ST Qi Xu Foods to Avoid
Alfalfa, Banana, Bitter melon, Clam, Crab, Dairy, Grapefruit, Kiwi, Ocotups, Water chestnut, Watermelon
ST Qi Xu POT
2 Foods for Exam
POT:
- Tonify ST Qi
Chive:
- Warm
- Pungent
- Tonifies Qi of ST
- Influences ST/KI/LV
- Dries damp
- Stimulates digestion
Trout
- Warm
- Sweet; Salty
- Strengthens Qi
- Affect ST and LV
- Strengthens blood
ST Fire Etiology
- Excessive consumption of hot energy foods
- Smoking
- If Phlegm present, this can be caused by excessive consumption of hot and greasy foods (e.g. deep fried foods).
- Emotional frustration —> depression of Qi
- Invasion of pathogenic heat
1-5 —> fire/retention of heat in stomach —> burns body fluids and stagnates qi and blood
ST Fire Diet Therapy
Temperature:Cooling to cold
Cooking methods:Cooling
Flavour: Cool-Cold Sweet, Cool-Cold Sour, Cool-Cold Bitter, Cool-Cold Pungent
ST Fire Suggested Foods
Food Examples: Adzuki beans, Alfalfa sprout, Aloe leaf, Bitter Melon, Cabbage, Celery, Cucumber, Dandelion, Goat Yogurt, Kale, Kiwi, Lettuce, Millet, Miso, Peppermint, Rhubarb, Soy milk, Spirulina, Squash, Water Chestnut
ST Fire Avoidances
Temperature:Warm, Hot
Cooking methods: Warming
Flavour: Warm-Hot Pungent, Excess Salty, Warm-Hot Bitter
Food examples: Alcohol, Cayenne pepper, Citrus fruit, Coffee, Dill, Ginger, Garlic, Lamb, Milk, Mustard, Onion, Red chili, Red meat, Vinegar
ST Fire POT
2 Foods for Exam
POT:
- Clear ST Heat/Fire
Celery:
- Cool
- Sweet; Bitter
- Enters ST and LV channels
- Clears ST heat
- Drains damp
Zucchini:
- Cool
- Sweet; Bitter
- Cools ST Heat
ST Food Retention Etiology
- Irregular eating, eating too fast, worrying while eating
- Overeating
- Eating of food that is difficult to digest
1-3 —> Indigestion —> Qi Stagnation
ST Food Retention Diet Therapy
Temperature: Cool, Neutral, Warm
Cooking: Warming, Balance of both
Flavour: Cool-Neutral-Warm Pungent, Cool-Neutral-Warm Bitter, Cool-Neutral-Warm Sweet, Cool-Neutral-Warm Salty
ST Food Retention Food Suggestions
Similar to Qi Stagnation
Barley (sprouted), Basil, Caraway Seed, Cardamom, Chive, Clove, Coriander, Fennel shoots, Fig, Ginger, Hawthorn, Hazelnut, Hops, Loquat, Orange peel, Papaya, Radish, Rice (sprouted), Soy sauce, Tangerine, Turmeric, Turnip, Water chestnut
ST Food Retention Avoidances
Dairy, Eggs, Meat
Hot and Greasy Foods
Excess salty
Excess sour
ST Food Retention POT
2 Foods for Exam
POT:
- Invigorate Middle Jiao to aid digestion
- Remove retention of food
Barley (esp. sprouted):
- Cool
- Sweet; Sl. Salty
- Strengthens Spleen and Stomach
- Remove retention of food (eliminate digestive blockages)
Cilantro:
- Warm
- Pungent
- Promotes digestion
- Regulates ST qi
SP Qi Sinking Lifestyle and Herbs
- Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction - Ginseng and Astragalus)
*
SP Qi Xu Lifestyle and Herbs
- Sheng Lin Bai Zhu San (Ginseng, Poria, Atractylodis Macrocephelae Powder)
*
SP Not Holding Blood Lifestyle and Herbs
- Gui Pi Tang
Cold-Damp Invading SP Lifestyle and Herbs
- Wei ling tang (Calm the ST and Poria Decoction)
Wu Ling San (5 Ingredient Decoction with Poria)
Damp-Heat Invading SP Lifestyle and Herbs
- Gan Luo Xiao Du Dan (Sweet Dew Special Pill to Eliminate Toxins)
SP Yang Xu Lifestyle and Herbs
- Li Zhong Tang (Decoction to Regulate the Middle)
- Regulate eating habits
- Avoid cold and raw foods
- Find ways to mitigate stress and mental strain
- Careful with cold and damp climates, bundle up and stay warm
- Protect yourself from exposure to disease
ST Yin Xu Lifestyle and Herbs
- Yang Wei Tang (Nourish the Stomach Decoction)
- Try to create a calm, peaceful space and mind state during mealtimes
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Eat congees as they are cooling, demulcent and tonifying
- Establish good sleep habits
- Find proper pacing for activities to maintain energy reserves
- Try to find a good work and life balance
- Find restorative practices such as Restorative or Yin yoga
- Qi Gong moving or sitting meditation
- Eat animal products in small amounts to avoid liver heat or stagnation
Lifestyle Avoidances:
- Avoid eating too late at night
- Avoid irregular eating habits like skipping meals
- Avoid worrying while eating
- Avoid overeating
- Avoid antibiotics when unnecessary
- Supplement with probiotics, especially after taking antibiotics
- Avoid smoking
- Avoid alcohol
- Avoid caffeine
ST Qi Xu Lifestyle
- Caution with raw and cold foods
- Avoid artificially processed foods and those of poor quality
- Avoid eating late at night, overeating
- Try to create a calm and relaxing environment while eating, don’t eat in a rush or when mentally stressed
ST Fire Lifestyl and Herbs
- Qing Wei San (Clear ST Powder)
ST Food Retention Lifestyle and Herbs
- Eat less
- Chew carefully
- Avoid eating in a hurry, eating while worrying, eating late at night
- Bao He Wan
SP BL Xu
POT
2 Foods Exam
POT:
- Tonify SP Qi
- Build blood
Spelt:
- Cool/Neutral/Warm
- Sweet
- Nourish SP Qi
- Nourish LV blood
Black Bean:
- Neutral/Warm
- Sweet
- Tragets SP/ST/KI
- Strengthens Spleen qi and blood
- (Strengthens Kidney Yin)
