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Naturopathy Study (CNM) > TCM IV - Food as Medicine > Flashcards

TCM IV - Food as Medicine Flashcards

1
Q

What are key principals associated with food in TCM?

A
  • The energetic temperature of food
  • The energetic vector or directionality of food
  • Organ affinity
  • Moistening as opposed to dehydrating foods
  • Foods that build resources, as opposed to clear excess
  • The impact of cooking methods
  • The importance of combining ingredients
  • Personal energetics
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2
Q

What are the 5 principle approaches to diet in TCM?

A
  1. Digestion first (Earth School)
  2. Longevity first (‘Kidney’ School)
  3. Cleansing first (‘Liver’ School)
  4. Immunity first (‘Lung’ School)
  5. Happiness first (‘Heart’ School)

Not mutually exclusive

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3
Q

What does the Digestion first (Earth School) emphasize?

A

Supporting the digestive system as the origin of Qi and Blood

  • Laying foundation for general health
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4
Q

What does the Longevity first (‘Kidney’ School) emphasize.

A

Nourishing and replenishing the Essence
* Foods targeting deeper energetic levels (bone broths, oils and fats)

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5
Q

What does the Cleansing first (‘Liver’ School) emphasize?

A

Supporting the organs of detoxification and elimination

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6
Q

What does the Immunity first (‘Lung’ School) emphasize?

A

Supporting Wei Qi: the body’s ability to fight the EPFs Wind, Cold, Heat or Damp

External Pathogenic Factors

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7
Q

What does the Happiness further (‘Heart’ School) emphasize?

A

Caring for the Shen allowing Qi to circulate as the key to well-being

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8
Q

What is meant by the energetics of food?

A

The energetics of food are not determined by breaking food down into parts, but by observing its effects on the body

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9
Q

What does “Food temperature” mean?

A

Whether it warms us up or cools us down after we have eaten
* Red meats, chilli or cayenne are energetically hot
* Berries are cooling
* Steamed grains and boiled vegetables are energetically neutral

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10
Q

What does “Food directionality” mean?

A

Directionality refers to the energetic vector of food
* Ascending
* Descending
* Centring
* Consolidating
* Spreading out to the exterior

For example, the effect of ginger is spreading out to the exterior and thus help clear mucus from the lungs

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11
Q

What does “Organ affinity” mean?

A

Each food has an affinity with one or more organs – by virtue of its flavour, colour or doctrine of signature

  • Kidney beans have an affinity with the kidneys, not only due to their shape. Kidneys (adrenals) store the Essence and support one’s life, beans and seeds contain the essence of the plant.
  • Fruits grow in the canopy of trees and have an affinity with the lungs, whose shape resembles the crown of trees
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12
Q

Why is Combining ingredients useful in TCM?

A
  • Support the desired effect of the principal food
  • Balance undesired side-effects

For example, meats and animal fats can be deeply nourishing but are rather heavy to digest. Adding dill, rosemary, lemon, dandelion greens, radishes, and fermented food (e.g. pickled vegetables) will stimulate bile flow and increase fat digestion

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13
Q

What is the implication of Personal energetics on food?

A
  • Therapeutic effects can’t be fully explained by the intrinsic qualities of food
  • It is equally important to consider the personal energetics of the patient.
  • Healthy foods may fail to nourish if patient has an aversion towards them
  • Less healthy foods can inspire hope and the possibility of healing if the patient delights in them
  • Foods can be a source of pleasure. Cooking can be an expression of love
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14
Q

What are the effects of Cooking methods on food temperature?

A
  • Grilled or barbecued food is very heating
  • Deep fried food is heating
  • Steamed or boiled food is neutral. The presence of water also adds a moistening Yin quality
  • Dried food is more warming than fresh food
  • Stewed food is warming
  • Stir-fried or baked food is more warming
  • Fermenting and sprouting is more cooling
  • Raw food is cold or cooling
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15
Q

What are the effects of growing methods of food temperatures?

A
  • Plants that grow slowly (e.g. roots) are more warming than those that grow quickly (e.g. salad leaves)
  • Plants that grow in a cold environment tend to be more warming e.g Siberian Ginseng grows in a very cold (Yin) environment; its effect is therefore very warming (Yang)
  • Chemically fertilized plants grow fast and will be cooler than then naturally grown counterparts
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16
Q

Give examples of hot foods

A
  • Alcohol
  • Coffee
  • Chocolate
  • Chillis
  • Cayenne
  • Garlic
  • Grilled red meat
  • Deep-fried roots
  • Hot curries
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17
Q

Give examples of warm foods

A
  • Soups
  • Meat or vegetable stews
  • Beef
  • Lamb
  • Stir-fried foods
  • Baked foods
  • Porridges
  • Dahls
  • Mild curries
  • Onions
  • Cinnamon
  • Ginger
  • Black pepper
  • Rosemary
  • Cumin
  • Coriander seeds
  • Mustard seeds
  • Warm water
  • Most herbal teas
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18
Q

Give examples of neutral foods

A
  • Steamed grains
  • Boiled vegetables
  • Pork
  • Chicken
  • Water at room temperature
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19
Q

Give examples of cool foods

A
  • Fish
  • Fermented foods
  • Sprouts
  • Salad Leaves
  • Bitter greens
  • Vegetable juices
  • Fruits
  • Peppermint tea
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20
Q

Give examples of cold foods

A
  • Raw foods
  • Smoothies
  • Iced drinks
  • Sushi
  • Tofu
  • Seaweed
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21
Q

What are the five Directions (vectors) of food?

A
  1. Ascending
  2. Descending
  3. Consolidating
  4. Centring
  5. Spreading out to the exterior
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22
Q

What are examples of Ascending foods?

A

Energetically hot foods and substances are ascending:

o Hot spices
o Chocolate
o Onion
o Garlic
o Coffee
o Alcohol
o Sugar

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23
Q

In what circumstances should Ascending foods be avoided?

A
  • They should be avoided, especially if Heat signs prevail (such as headaches, high blood pressure, eye or ear infections)
  • Sometimes however, this effect is desirable. A teaspoon of sugar, for example, can help stop diarrhoea: its strongly ascending vector neutralises the descending action of diarrhoea
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24
Q

How is the Doctrine of Signature seen in Ascending foods?

A
  • Stalky vegetables that grow upwards relatively straight and fast are ascending
  • Examples include celery, asparagus, broccoli, lovage, parsley and sprouted seeds and beans
  • Stalky greens can be used to support the ascending function of the Spleen
  • Stir-frying vegetables or dry-roasting grains will emphasise the ascending vector and add Yang Qi to your meals
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25
Q

What are examples of Descending foods?

A

Energetically cold or cooling leads are descending. They direct the energy and fluids of the body downwards and inwards.
o Cucumber
o Peppermint
o Watermelon
o Strawberry
o Celery
o Raw foods
o Vegetable juices

They can be used to clear and descend Heat, particularly from the upper part of the body

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26
Q

How is the Doctrine of Signature seen in Descending foods?

A

Downward pointing root vegetables such as carrots or parsnips have a descending effect

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27
Q

How are Bitter tastes used in Descending foods

A

o Spinach
o Sorrel
o Rocket
o Kale
o Radicchio
o Radishes
o Cabbage
o Brussels sprouts
o Grapefruit

The descending quality of bitter leaves, with a splash of olive oil, can relieve constipation as it supports the descending function of the stomach and the large intestines
The bitter taste is also said to drain bitterness from the heart

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28
Q

What are some features of Centring foods?

A
  • Foods that have an affinity with the spleen are said to be centring
  • Dishes prepared by wet cooking methods (steaming, boiling, braising) nourish and warm the centre: soups, stews, congees, porridges, steamed or boiled vegetables
  • Steamed whole grains such as rice, millet and quinoa
  • Naturally sweet vegetables such as sweet potatoes and squash all nourish the Spleen
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29
Q

How can Centring foods be used?

A
  • When the digestion is weak and the abdomen feels cold to the touch
  • When someone is dehydrated
  • On an emotional level, these foods can help the patient feel centred and grounded in themselves
  • Drink warm water and herbal infusions
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30
Q

How is the Doctrine of Signature seen in Centring foods?

A
  • Round shaped foods such as celeriac, sweet potatoes, squash, beetroot, yam, Jerusalem artichokes or hazelnuts have a resonance with the abdomen and are centring
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31
Q

What are examples of Spreading to the exterior foods?

A

Pungent or spicy foods
(e.g. black pepper, ginger, chilli )

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32
Q

How can Spreading to the exterior foods be used?

A
  • Helping the lungs to expel mucus
  • Inducing a sweat
  • Aiding with the digestion of mucus-forming foods
  • Spreading out to the exterior is the energetic vector that resonates with the lungs’ function of spreading Wei Qi to the muscle and skin
  • Foods that spread out to the exterior also promote the circulation of Qi and Blood, in particular to the muscles and limbs.
  • Helpful in cases of chronic Qi stagnation
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33
Q

How can the heat caused by Spreading to the exterior foods be mitigated?

A

Spicy foods can have a heating and dehydrating effect and should be used in conjunction with foods that nourish Yin

Eg: Ginger tea with lemon and honey: the energetic vector of ginger helps the lungs to induce a sweat and expel mucus
Adding honey soothes the lungs and mitigates the heating action of ginger (as well as the Heat of the inflammation) and thus moistens lung Yin

34
Q

What are some features of Consolidating foods?

A
  • Consolidating is the energetic vector that resonates with the kidneys’ function of preserving the Essence
  • The salty flavour moves inwards and downwards, drawing the action of the food towards the centre and the root
35
Q

What is the cooking method for Consolidating foods?

A

Roasting meat or vegetables consolidates their volume and intensifies taste

  • It supports the kidneys function of preserving life
  • Roasting is the cooking method of choice to support someone who is chronically fatigued*

*Using roasted veg in a soup helps with digestion

36
Q

What are some examples of Consolidating foods?

A
  • Dishes cooked with bone, cartilage and marrow (e.g. bone broths) also have a consolidated action and are a great support for those recovering from chronic illness
  • The sour taste (e.g. of naturally fermented foods) also has a firming or astringent action and helps consolidate the Blood
  • Pumpkin seeds or seed oil added to soup contain consolidated essence
37
Q

How is the Doctrine of Signature seen in Consolidating foods?

A

Nuts and seeds are the energetically densest part of the plants – containing the blueprint and essential nutrients for life. They all resonate with and nourish the kidneys.

38
Q

What conditions benefit from Ascending vector foods?

A
  • Chronic diarrhoea
  • Depression
  • Lethargy
  • Sadness
39
Q

What conditions benefit from Descending vector foods?

A
  • Headaches
  • Migraines
  • Eye or ear infections
  • High blood pressure
  • Anger
  • Rage
40
Q

What conditions benefit from Centring vector foods?

A
  • Weak digestion
  • Feeling cold
  • Exhaustion
  • Lack of feeling grounded or nourished within oneself
41
Q

What conditions benefit from Spreading out to the Exterior vector foods?

A
  • Cold and flus
  • Excess damp and mucous
  • Cold limbs
42
Q

What conditions benefit from Consolidating vector foods?

A
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Deep cold
  • Chronic illness
  • Old age
43
Q

What are the five main Food flavours in TCM?

A
  1. Bitter
  2. Sweet
  3. Sour
  4. Pungent (Spicy)
  5. Salty
44
Q

Which Yin organ has resonance with the salty flavour?

A

Kidneys

A little salt benefits the kidney and is appropriate for people who are adrenally fatigued.
Use sea salt or rock salt and avoid refined table salt

45
Q

What is the vector of salty flavour?

A

Consolidating

The salty flavour moves inward and downward from the exterior of the body, drawing the action of the food towards the centre and root of the body

46
Q

What is the effect of salty flavour?

A

Salt moistens dryness and leads to water retention

47
Q

Which foods emphasise the salty flavour?

A
  • Pickled vegetables
  • Cured meats
  • Seaweed (kelp, kombu, bladderwrack, dulse)
  • Soy sauce and miso

Appropriate for the winter, because they heighten the bodies capacity for storage and bring body heat deeper and lower

48
Q

When should the salty flavour be contraindicated?

A

In cases of
* systemic Dampness
* high blood pressure
* oedema

Too much salt may weaken the bladder, kidneys and ultimately the heart

49
Q

Which organ resontates with the sour flavour?

A

Liver

50
Q

What is the vector of the sour flavour?

A

Consolidating
In moderate quantities, sour foods move Qi

51
Q

What are the effets of the sour flavour?

A

Astringent
* Counteracts the leakage of blood or fluids
* Helps bank blood once it has been built
* Good companion to blood building foods

Cooling
People with internal Heat will often benefit from sour (as well as bitter) food and drinks

Solvent for greasy, fatty foods
Benefit digestive absorption, by stimulating secretions from the gallbladder and pancreas

52
Q

Which foods emphasize the sour flavour?

A

Naturally fermented foods
* Sauerkraut
* Apple cider vinegar
* Sourdough rye

Citrus fruits

53
Q

When should the sour flavour be contraindicated?

A

Excessive consumption may cause over-contraction and Blood stasis

54
Q

Which organ resonates with the bitter flavour?

A

Heart

55
Q

What is the vector of bitter foods?

A

Descending

56
Q

What are the actions of the bitter flavour?

A
  • Drains and dries Dampness
  • Clears Heat as it travels downwards
  • Clears Heat from the Lungs and the Liver
  • Helps clear bitterness from the Heart
57
Q

What foods emphasize the bitter flavour?

A
  • Spinach
  • Rocket
  • Kale
  • Radishes
  • Cabbage
  • Bitter melon
  • Alfalfa
  • Romaine lettuce
58
Q

When are the bitter flavours contraindicated?

A
  • In excess, bitter foods deplete Qi and moisture
  • Reduce in conditions of Dryness or Deficiency
59
Q

Which organ resonates with the sweet flavour?

A

Spleen

60
Q

What is the vector of sweet flavour?

A

Centring and grounding

61
Q

What are the actions of the sweet flavour?

A

Naturally sweet foods support and strengthen the digestive system

62
Q

What are examples of naturally sweet flavour?

A

Sweet is the most common flavour and is found in most foods to some degree
* Whole grains
* Legumes
* Root vegetables
* Dates
* Raw honey
* Coconut

63
Q

When should the sweet flavour be contraindicated?

A
  • Craving sugar indicate spleen Qi deficiency
  • Giving into that craving will further compromise the digestive system leading to Damp and Heat
64
Q

What do sugar cravings indicate and how can they be overcome?

A

An attempt to compensate for a perceived lack of nourishment

  • Strengthen the spleen with well-cooked and easy to digests meals (e.g. soups or stews)
  • Substitute sugar with naturally sweet fruit and veg
  • Use healthy alternatives such as raw honey, stevia or molasses
65
Q

Which organ has an affintiy with the pungent flavour?

A

Lungs

66
Q

What is the vector of the pungent flavour?

A

Ascending
Spreading to the exterior
(Upwards and outwards)

67
Q

What are the actions of the pungent flavour?

A
  • Promote the circulation of Qi and Blood
  • Move energy upwards and outwards
  • Help disperse mucus from the lungs by promoting lung function
  • Eventually cool the body by inducing sweating
68
Q

What are some examples of the pungent flavour?

A

Pungent, spicy or aromatic flavours
* Ginger
* Black pepper
* Cayenne
* Chillies
* Onions
* Cloves
* Mustard

69
Q

When is the pungent flavour contraindicated?

A

In excess, they over-stimulate and exhaust Qi and have a dehydrating effect

70
Q

Which TCM organs are supported by wet cooking?

A

Spleen and stomach
* Steaming, boiling or braising results in dishes that are warm, hydrating and easy to digest
* Recommended for individuals with a weak digestive system, those who feel cold and tired, or those recovering from illness

71
Q

Which TCM organs are supported by baking?

A

Lungs
* This cooking method adds a more warming quality than steaming, sautéing or simmering, reducing moisture
* Defined as cooking by dry heat

72
Q

Which TCM organs are supported by roasting?

A

Kidneys
* whose function is to preserve the Essence and to consolidate yin and yang
* Roasting meat or vegetables consolidates volume and intensifies taste
* Recommended to support someone who is chronically fatigued and whose resources need to be built at a deep level– provided their digestive system is strong

73
Q

Which TCM organs are supported by stir-frying?

A

It resonates with the liver function of moving Qi and Blood
* Stir-frying of vegetables or dry-roasting of grains will add Yang Qi to them
* Stir-frying benefits those who often feel chilly since stir frying is one of the warmest methods combining hot oil and vigourous cooking;
* People with a liver problem or excess internal heat should avoid stir-frying/cooking with oil, in favour of sautéing with little or no oil instead

74
Q

Which TCM organs are supported by expansion or swirling?

A

Emotional Heart - emphasising importance of nourishing the Spirit
* The swirling movement resembles singing and dancing as expressions of joy
* Remind your patients, food prepared in love imparts love
* Examples: scrambled egg, soufflé, home-made popcorn (prepared without oil or additives)

75
Q

Describe the different methods of cooking eggs in TCM

A
  • Eggs contain the blueprint and nutrients for a new life and have therefore an affinity with the kidneys.
  • Preserved eggs will further the affinity with the kidneys
  • Fried eggs will make a connection with the liver
  • Poached eggs will make a connection with the spleen
  • Baked eggs will make a connection with the lungs
  • Scrambled eggs or soufflés will make a connection with the heart
76
Q

Which foods support the spleen?

A

Naturally sweet foods prepared by wet cooking methods are warming, easy to digest and an excellent source of hydration

Example ingredients:
o Whole grains
o Buckwheat
o Root vegetables
o Hazelnuts, Macadamia nuts
o Ginger
o Cinnamon
o Cumin
o Carraway seeds, Mustard seeds
o Cardamon
o Liquorice

  • Dishes: Soups, Stews, Porridges, Mild curries, Dahl
77
Q

Which food support the lungs?

A
  • Pungent or spicy foods help the lungs to expel mucus and induce a sweat. They should be used in moderation as to not to cause too much Heat or Dryness
  • Roasted almonds, pine nuts or thyme support Lung Qi
  • Yoghurt, honey and pears moisten the lungs and support Lung Yin.
  • Dates lubricate the lungs and are also useful for dry coughs and sore throats (avoid if diabetic/ hypoglycaemic/ obese)
78
Q

Which foods to support the kidneys?

A
  • Dishes cooked with bone, cartilage and marrow (e.g. bone broths) are deeply nourishing
  • Roasting is consolidating
  • Support those recovering from adrenal fatigue or chronic illness
  • Butter, ghee, cold pressed oils and animal fats support hormonal health

Example ingredients:
o Black beans, Kidney beans
o (Black) sesame seeds
o Chia seeds
o Walnuts, chestnuts
o Soy milk
o Tofu
o Root vegetables
o Fish and shellfish
o Seaweed
o Mushrooms
o Miso
o Sea salt

79
Q

Which foods support the liver?

A

Dark leaves and vegetables help build Blood – while their bitter taste helps clear Heat
o Spinach, sorrell, rocket, kale, chard
o Cabbage, brussels sprouts, broccoli
o Celery, lovage
o Asparagus, artichokes
o Parsley
o Coriander
o Bay leaf
o Basil
o Sage
o Rosemary

  • Red coloured foods such as raisins, red dates, red grapes, berries, rosehip, beetroot are great Blood builders, as are cooked meats, beans and lentils or vegetable juices
  • Sprouted seeds or beans, lemon, ACV help move liver Qi
80
Q

Which foods support the emotional Heart

A
  • Chinese medicine is rooted in Daoist philosophy, and spiritual practices such as meditation would be the primary method of nourishing the Spirit
  • There are only a few foods that support the Spirit:
    o Pistachio
    o Poppy seeds
    o Rose
    o Vanilla
    o Lotus seeds
  • Expansion (e.g. soufflés) or swirling (e.g. scrambled eggs) have a particular resonance with the emotional Heart.
  • The bitter taste helps drain bitterness from the heart

Naturopathy Study (CNM) (20 decks)

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