TCM and Ayurvedic Medicine

Question 1

What philosophies and principles underpin the Ayurvedic approach of food as medicine?

Answer 1

• Universal interconnectedness
• The body’s constitution - a persons prakriti
• Life forces (dosha) of the prakriti - vata, kapha and pitta

Question 2

What similarities and differences is there between TCM and Ayurveda

Answer 2

Foods are based on flavours, energies, movements and common actions
How to treat people as a whole not individual problems
Diet is just as important in health and mostly herbs prescribed not drugs
Based on life forces - dosha or yin and yang
Food is based on warming and cooling properties
Five elements
- Earth, metal, water, wood, fire - TCM
- Earth, water, ether, air, fire - Ayurvedic
Eat by the seasons

Question 3

What philosophies and principles underpin the TCM approach of food as medicine?

Answer 3

TCM is based off yin and yang. The polar opposites organise and explain the ongoing process of natural change and transformation in the universe. TMC brings yin and yang into balance to allow the life energy of Qi to flow in the meridians. Yin and Yang are interactive and generate and control flow of Qi. Qi is hereditary and formed through diet, breathing and interplay of yin and yang. Meridians are the energy pathways in the body.